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.
BUILDING SALEM: Four-story apartment building planned on former surgery center land
Koz Development is planning its second major apartment building in Salem after its downtown development has remained nearly full since opening.
UPDATED: School board approves $15.5 million purchase of Wells Fargo call center
The Salem-Keizer School Board voted to authorize the purchase of a 15.9-acre property that could bring several alternative school programs under one roof.
Lawmakers plan to fund some Salem projects, while payment for city services comes up short
Salem-area lawmakers failed for a second year to get the state to chip in to cover city public safety costs. But other major projects, including $6 million for a new Marion Polk Food Share warehouse, made the cut.
Salem-Keizer School District settles lawsuit over classroom injuries for $170k
A former special education assistant at West Salem High School sued the school district last fall, claiming that school administrators failed to protect her from several violent assaults by students.
Your guide to Salem’s 10th Make Music Day on Saturday, June 21
Salem’s annual free live music celebration is a decade old and will feature nearly 300 performances at dozens of venues across the city. It’s the first time the annual June 21 event has fallen on a Saturday.
What to do in Salem from June 19-25: Make Music Day, Infinity Room’s finale
Events in Salem this week include celebrations for Juneteenth and the 10th anniversary of Salem's Make Music Day, a free celebration of live music across the city on Saturday, June 21.
Ten outstanding coaches, officials, athletes named “Beacons”
High school sports "Beacon" honorees for 2025 include Jason Unruh, founder of Hoopla, and Eric Johansen, who’s coached South Salem boys soccer for 44 years and counting.
Meet Salem’s Class of 2025
The Class of 2025 for the Salem-Keizer School District includes 2,908 students who earned diplomas and another 114 earning GEDs.
CLASS OF 2025: With toddler in tow, Roberts grad sets sights on mortuary school
A’drianna White started her senior year of high school in 2022 with barely a year’s worth of credits under her belt. She came back to school two weeks postpartum, full of grit.
CLASS OF 2025: North’s student president finds her voice speaking up for classmates
Student body president Marlene Gonzalez Gabriel graduates having completed the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. She’s involved in nearly every school club and has pushed for changes at North to make the school more inclusive for all.