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.
It’s business as usual, but with more hand sanitizer, in Salem-Keizer schools
Despite concern about new cases of the novel coronavirus in Oregon, Salem-Keizer School District officials say there’s no need to keep healthy kids home or close schools. Oregon has three cases of the disease as of Monday afternoon, none in…
As confirmed cases of the coronavirus hit the U.S., Marion County says it’s ready
Gov. Kate Brown convened a Coronavirus Response Team Friday so Oregon can prepare in the event the virus makes it to the state.(Oregon Capital Bureau) Oregon public health officials are monitoring dozens of people who have recently traveled to China…
At Chapman Hill Elementary, young archers learn the ropes
Carolyn Hanosek readies her bow for a shot during an archery demonstration at Chapman Hill Elementary School on Feb. 26, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Five students stood on a taped line in the Chapman Hill Elementary School gym, waiting for…
West Salem stages post-apocalyptic interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Mady Breitling as Lady Macbeth and Isaiah Lane as Macbeth in dress rehearsal for the West Salem High School theater production (Courtesy/Joe Gottsch) The witches’ cauldron is a five-gallon plastic bucket. Shields and axes are made in part with discarded…
Over objections from teachers, Salem-Keizer board approves $35 million spending plan
Heather Rutkowski, a 7th grade language arts teacher at Crossler Middle School, advocates for hiring more school counselors at a Feb. 25, 2020 school board meeting (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Local school board members decided Tuesday what they would do with…
Chemeketa board considers $11 per credit tuition increase to balance budget next year
Chemeketa Community College (File/Salem Reporter) The Chemeketa Community College Board of Education is considering a tuition increase that would raise the cost of a year of school for a full-time student by about $500. Board members will vote Wednesday evening…
Liberty, Division streets close March 2 for Salem Police Station construction
Downtown streets will be closed starting March 2, 2020 for street and traffic changes around the new Salem Police headquarters (Courtesy/City of Salem) Expect more traffic in downtown Salem starting Monday as the City of Salem finishes construction on the…
School board to vote on final $35 million spending plan for Salem-Keizer
Educators and parents packed a school board meeting Feb. 18, 2020 to speak about a $35 million Salem-Keizer schools spending plan. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) The Salem-Keizer School Board is expected to vote Tuesday night on a sweeping $35 million plan…
South Salem students can now earn college business credits through Oregon Tech partnership
South Salem High School sophomores Arnav Mohindra, left, Ali Kirk and Holly Kansky practice a DECA presentation in the school library on Feb. 20, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) South Salem High School students taking business and marketing classes can now…
As U.S. celebrates 100 years of women voting, Willamette professor chronicles how Oregon suffragists won the ballot
Cindy Richards, professor of civic communication and media at Willamette University, holds a copy of the 1909 Washington Women’s Cook Book, a publication from the state’s suffrage association (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) In 1872, at least four Oregon women attempted to…