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.
OSU exec with engineering background to oversee Salem-Keizer infrastructure
Paul Odenthal, a longtime officer in the Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps, will oversee school district facilities, transportation and technology starting in August.
With Avelo exiting Salem, aviation advocates pivot to recruiting new airline
Salem city councilors will discuss the future of air travel at the city-owned airport in August after Avelo Airlines ceases operations. Efforts to recruit a new airline will likely require further subsidies.
Salem-Keizer schools will dip into savings to run some programs after federal funding pulled
Schools in Salem this year will continue offering services to migrant students and paying employees after the Trump administration withheld about $6 million that Congress appropriated for various school programs.
Avelo pulls out of Salem
Avelo Airlines will end flights out of Salem on Aug. 10, the airline confirmed Monday. It plans to close its Burbank base and cut West Coast air service later this year.
Salem-Keizer offers school registration help at July 15 event
Families can register kids for the upcoming school year at a free event Tuesday, July 15, from 3-7 p.m. at Houck Middle School.
Salem-Keizer teachers reach agreement with district on new $38 million contract
After contentious negotiations nearly ended in a teacher strike last year, Salem-Keizer union and district leaders said this round of bargaining was smoother, with teachers securing a 4% raise for the coming school year.
A new Salem high school helps teens stay sober
Discovery Academy in Salem opened its doors in the spring as one of Oregon's first recovery high schools. It's intended for teens who have abused alcohol or drugs and want to maintain sobriety.
Free summer concerts return to West Salem Park for 40th anniversary
Catch free summer concerts Thursday evenings in July at West Salem Park. Shows start at 6:30 p.m., and concessions are available.
Entertainment, shopping hub planned for long vacant JC Penney building
The former JC Penney building in downtown Salem has been vacant for five years. Now, the developers behind The Forge are buying it as part of a larger downtown transformation underway.
Man found dead in east Salem home after 911 call
Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff's Office responding to a 911 call Tuesday morning at a home in the Four Corners area and found a 54-year-old man dead on arrival.