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.
Five more coronavirus deaths reported at south Salem assisted living facility
An image of the coronavirus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long-term care facilities continue to drive new deaths from the coronavirus, and two new Marion County workplaces, including Oregon State Hospital, now have active outbreaks. Five…
As classes start online, five local schools will have new principals for 2020
New Salem-Keizer principals for the 2020-21 school year, from top left to bottom right: Chad Towe, Artonya Gemmill, Christine Bowlby, Lizi Aguilar-Nelson, Sophia Duerst, Greg Watson and Jesse Payne. Three local elementary schools will have new principals this fall as…
Despite online start, Salem-Keizer superintendent promises school year will be “150% better” than spring
Salem-Keizer superintendent Christy Perry has a check-in video call with Schirle Elementary special education teacher Annie Hatzenbihler on Tuesday, April 14. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) More than 40,000 Salem-Keizer students will meet their teachers through a computer screen as classes begin…
Salem-Keizer students won’t be back in school buildings until at least November under new guidelines
Mary Eyre Elementary School on Sept. 3, 2019 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem students won’t be back in a school building come September unless the number of new people with Covid slows dramatically in the coming weeks. Gov. Kate Brown on…
Salem-Keizer teachers union joins call for all-remote school to start fall
Special education substitute teacher Elizabeth Adams, of Salem, protests plans to reopen Oregon schools in-person outside the state capitol on July 27, 2020. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Citing concerns about the safety of students and educators, Salem-Keizer’s teachers union is calling…
Salem-Keizer teachers report fear, uncertainty about in-person school as coronavirus cases rise
Salem-Keizer school district administrators meet to plan for the upcoming school year on Friday, July 10. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Local educators are increasingly wary of returning to the classroom in the fall, with many saying they have no clear information…
Salem-Keizer school leaders say they’re focused on equity. Expulsion and suspension rates tell another story.
Sandra Hernández-Lomelí, director of Latinos Unidos Siempre, speaks during a protest outside of the Salem-Keizer school district offices on Thursday, June 18 to urge the district to cancel their contract for police officers in schools. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Black, Latino…
With few details about fall school clear, hundreds of Salem-Keizer families opt for all-online classes
A Salem-Keizer School District graphic outlines what students and parents should consider before enrolling in all-online school in the fall. (Screenshot from district website) Hundreds of local students have already signed up for all-online classes through the Salem-Keizer School District…
Chemeketa historian republishes works of Ida B. Wells, journalist and anti-lynching crusader
Chemeketa historian Taylor Marrow III, right, and his forthcoming edition of Ida B. Wells anti-lynching journalism. The book will be published Sept. 1 by Chemeketa Press. (Courtesy/Chemeketa Press) When Taylor Marrow III teaches American history, he makes sure his students…
Get caught up on the Salem-Keizer school board and discussion about police in schools
Reporter Rachel Alexander explains recent controversies on the Salem-Keizer School Board. Salem Reporter is launching a new feature recapping significant news stories in short videos called “Salem Reporter :60.” Below, education reporter Rachel Alexander explains recent controversies on the Salem-Keizer…