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’s gift to trade unions contradicts her own agency’s analysis
The Oregon Department of Transportation found that a new requirement to negotiate labor contracts for state highways will be costly and disproportionately hit rural Oregon.
Salem-Keizer’s graduation rate nearly flat, with 2,800 graduates in Class of 2024
The Salem-Keizer School District hit an 83% graduation rate for Black students in the Class of 2024. It’s the highest in recent district history and earned state acclaim.
In after school club, Salem students run custom wood shop
Salem high school students studying construction have a side hustle, crafting custom benches, planters, dog houses and more through the a new Build Club.
Salem agencies unclear if federal money spigot is off
Government and nonprofit leaders were scrambling Tuesday to understand the impact of a sweeping halt to federal payments that cover preschool, rental assistance and other local services.
Federal pause on refugee admissions leaves some in Salem area waiting to see relatives
Three dozen refugees who had plane tickets booked to travel to Salem in early February will no longer be able to enter the U.S. after President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order pausing all refugee admissions.
A shortage of building inspectors threatens to upend Oregon’s housing goals
Code and building inspectors are a crucial but often overlooked part of the construction industry. Salem inspectors and developers say a statewide shortage is making their work challenging.
Salem lawmakers seek $7 million from state to cover police, fire costs
Local lawmakers are taking another run at a longtime Salem goal: having the state chip in to pay for city emergency services.
McKay, North, Roberts add weapon detectors
Weapon screenings are expanding to about half of Salem's high schools this week, with West, Sprague and McNary to follow later this school year.
Chemeketa employees hit by retirement plan data breach
Data for tens of thousands of Oregon educators was potentially exposed in a breach of a Tigard-based firm that manages retirement plan contributions for some school districts and community colleges.
Straub Middle School evacuated after fire set in bathroom
No students or staff were harmed after a fire was set Thursday afternoon in a Straub Middle School bathroom.