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.
Meet the women on a mission to celebrate every kid’s birthday in Salem shelters
For a decade, Simply Birthdays has provided cake, presents and balloons to nearly 500 kids staying in shelters in Salem. They've grown rapidly in the past year and are seeking donations to continue the work.
5 takeaways: what new report cards reveal about Salem-Keizer schools
A wealth of new state data shows nearly all of Salem’s elementary schools have made progress improving student attendance. District schools continue to struggle in other areas, including helping non-native speakers learn English.
How to help people in need this holiday season in Salem
If you’re looking to donate gifts, volunteer or write cards to brighten someone’s holidays, Salem Reporter compiled a list to help out.
Kindergarteners pick up speed on new bikes at Bush Elementary
Students on Wednesday tested donated bikes that will become a mainstay in Bush’s gym classes as part of a national program to help kids learn to ride.
More students regularly attending Salem schools but rate lags state
Nearly every school in Salem and Keizer improved attendance last year. But 44% of local students remain chronically absent, challenging efforts to improve literacy and graduation rates.
West Salem High School employee under investigation following fight with student
An instructional assistant at West Salem High School is on leave after what the school described as a “physical altercation” on Monday.
Future electricians get a new training home in north Salem
This fall, the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon opened a new training center to house their residential electrician apprenticeship programs, which includes twice as much lab space for hands-on practice.
Salem climber, entrepreneur is bringing back American-made outdoor clothing
Bill Amos founded NW Alpine in 2010 to make high-quality clothes for mountaineers that upheld his environmental and labor values. Now, he wants to grow a new Salem retail store into a community hub.
Growing pension costs for Salem-Keizer would eat up proposed state school funding increase
The Salem-Keizer School District will have to spend about $20 million more on pension obligations in 2025 after a recent change to state formulas. It’s a financial blow facing districts and local governments around Oregon.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Salem Reporter’s plans to cover local impacts of a second Trump term
As Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, our team will remain alert to how new federal policies and government changes impact lives in Salem.