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.
Cooke Stationery building sold to Salem developer for remodel
Salem apartment developer Kevin Harrison has bought the historic Cooke’s Stationary building and is renovating the vacant upstairs into four apartments. The State Street retail front is available for lease.
Incumbent legislators, county officials win reelection in Salem area
Marion County has more than 50,000 ballots remaining to count from Tuesday’s election, but local races are largely settled. Only the House District 22 race, where Rep. Tracy Cramer is seeking a second term against challenger Lesly Muñoz, remained close following tallies Thursday evening.
Want a diploma and struggling with addiction? A new Salem high school can help.
Discovery Academy, opening next spring in Salem, will be one of three public “recovery high schools” in Oregon. It will be run by the Willamette Education Service District, with space for about 40 students who are recovering from substance abuse.
Chemeketa’s construction measure had bipartisan support and kept taxes flat. Voters still said no.
Early returns showed voters across Oregon rejecting about half of tax and funding requests from cities, school districts and other local governments - a high rate compared to other elections since 2020.
Salem, Keizer leaders pledge to promote belonging, community amid divisive election
More than 90 Salem and Keizer local elected officials, clergy and nonprofit leaders signed an open letter calling on the cities to embrace belonging and work to build community, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election.
Voters opposing measure to renovate Chemeketa campuses, expanding career programs
A $140 million campus construction package paid for by property taxes was failing in early returns with about 53% of voters opposed. The measure would keep tax rates the same by replacing other expiring bonds.
2024 ELECTION: Results for Salem-area races
We'll post results in local Salem-area races here shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday and update as more ballots are counted.
PHOTOS: Salem celebrates Día de los Muertos
An annual celebration at McKay High School organized by Casa de Cultura Tlanese has grown significantly over the past decade, featuring hours of dance, song and cultural activities for people of all ages.
EDITOR’S COLUMN: How Salem Reporter will cover 2024 election results
Salem Reporter will have reporters at local election offices, campaign parties and monitoring state and national news. We'll keep our focus on local races while including national context as we report on election night.
Shipwrecked pirate scene is one Salem couple’s tribute to Halloween
After a decade of marriage, self-proclaimed Halloween freaks Ivy and Zade Clark-Henry have realized a longtime dream — going all-out decorating their home in the Chemeketa-Court Historic District for Halloween.