Rachel Alexander
Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for over a decade and is a past president of Oregon's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
Salem, our reporters need your help to write the first draft of history
During a rare in-person bit of journalism during a pandemic, reporter Rachel Alexander chats data with Lillian Govus, communications director for Salem-Keizer School District, at a July 10 meeting on school reopening. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) At Salem Reporter, we try…
AGENDA: School board to hear plans for fall remote classes, vote on homeless alliance agreement
The Salem-Keizer School Board meets virtually for a work session on July 28, 2020 (Screenshot) Salem-Keizer School Board directors will hear the latest district plans for all-remote fall classes in a work session and meeting Tuesday evening, though they won’t…
After waiting months, over 2,000 graduates earn diplomas at local high schools
Subhi Aryan, left, and sister Majida, wait their turn to walk the stage during the 3:30 p.m. North Salem High School graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 6. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) They waited months to don caps and gowns, hoping they’d…
DATA: Hospitalizations flat as virus cases grow in Marion, Polk counties
The popular statue of former Governor Tom McCall in Salem’s Riverfront Park, has become a photo destination after getting a pandemic update. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The Salem area is meeting four of five state public health metrics for controlling the…
Most Oregon students will start fall class online. These Salem teens can help with tutoring.
Luke Clifton, Esha Puri and Pranav Ramesh stand in front of South Salem High School. The three rising seniors set up the free tutoring program, Connect Oregon Students, to assist K-12 students with distance learning. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) South Salem…
Marion County’s coronavirus watch list review shows the challenge of figuring out where the virus is spreading
Katrina Rothenberger, incident commander, stands in the COVID-19 incident command at the Marion County Health and Human Services office on Monday, July 13. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Marion County epidemiologists have linked about 30 cases of coronavirus in the past two…
Adapting with industry, high school classes in welding, hairstyling and auto detailing shift online
The school district salon at the Career Technical Education Center awaits both students and customers. (Moriah Ratner/Special to Salem Reporter) As Salem-Keizer teachers and principals prepare for remote classes, Rhonda Rhodes has more unusual questions than the average administrator. She’s…
Desire for stability, health risks drive some local families to a full year of online school
A door sign on the outside of Bush Elementary School on Thursday, July 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Nicki Marazzani’s daughter, Chloe, 12, does best in school when she has a clear schedule. When she saw the Salem-Keizer School District was offering an…
DATA: Despite placement on watchlist, Marion County meeting other state targets for Covid
Katrina Rothenberger, incident commander, sits for an interview in the COVID-19 incident command at the Marion County Health and Human Services office on Monday, July 13. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem-area health authorities reported about as many new cases of Covid…
Need groceries delivered? A Salem high schooler wants to help.
Neel Jain, PDX Concierge founder, shops at Trader Joe’s for people at high risk during the pandemic. (Courtesy/Neel Jain) Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Luke Clifton, 17, hasn’t been able to visit his grandparents in Coos Bay. His family hasn’t…