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.
Kotek says Oregon won’t comply with Trump’s anti-DEI education directive
Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said "holding funding for children hostage" is not the right way for the federal government to change education policy.
By the numbers: what to know about the city of Salem’s budget proposal
Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi said she released her proposed budget Wednesday with a “heavy heart” amid deep cuts to some city services, including the library.
Beating out much larger teams, Sprague duo clinches national spot in constitution competition
Two Sprague High School seniors, Matthew Meyers and Colin Williams, are competing in Washington D.C. this week after beating out teams of two dozen students at state with their knowledge of constitutional law and history.
School board to vote on strategic plan centered on data, academic improvements
The Salem-Keizer School Board will vote Tuesday on a new strategic plan for the district, which focuses on academic excellence, student wellness and system improvements to give teachers and schools better data.
South, McNary start late Monday following sudden death of school counselor
Classes started late Monday at South and McNary high schools to prepare school employees to support students after the unexpected death of counselor Leah Anderson.
Low-income preschool programs in Salem grapple with uncertainty following federal office closure
Salem’s Head Start preschool programs will continue operating as usual despite the abrupt closure this week of the regional federal office that funds and oversees their work.
What to do in Salem from April 3-9: Comic art expo, Qingming, planetarium show
Events in Salem this week include a new planetarium show focused on telescopes, live hardcore and hip-hop shows, and the biggest celebration of comics in the region.
Salem-area pantries will have less meat, dairy following Trump administration food bank cuts
Recent Trump administration cuts mean about one million fewer pounds of food will come to the Marion Polk Food Share this year. It’s about 10% of the food the agency distributes and a large share of in-demand items like meat and eggs.
Eight candidates file for four Salem-Keizer School Board seats
Two opposing slates of candidates are on the ballot for May 20. All voters in the Salem-Keizer School District can weigh in on all races.
Salem man shared alcohol, marijuana with minors before fatal joyride, police affidavit says
Surviving teenagers told police that Christopher Atkinson, 33, was smoking marijuana and drinking with them before a crash outside Stayton that killed a McNary High School junior.