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.
Your guide to the 2024 Marion County Fair
From July 11-14, the Marion County Fair returns to the state fairgrounds. Catch a llama obstacle course contest, roving performers on stilts or enter a cheesecake in competition.
Where to cool off as Salem braces for a heat wave
Triple digit temperatures are expected all weekend. Several locations in and around Salem are open for cooling during the peak of the heat.
Salem events from July 4-10: Fireworks, hot dog eating contest, car building for kids
Kids can catch a free OMSI workshops at the library, and several music and comedy shows are coming to venues around Salem.
Chemeketa seeks $140 million to expand career education, renovate campus buildings
Voters in Marion and Polk counties will decide in November whether to approve a spending package for Chemeketa Community College to build a new trades center in Salem, and add to facilities in Woodburn and Brooks. The measure would not increase tax rates.
“Sobering” data shows only 36% of Salem’s middle, high schoolers feel welcome at school
Data from the Salem-Keizer School District’s most recent survey of students’ sense of belonging found diverse challenges facing kids, including fear of violence in their neighborhoods and bullying for being LGBTQ.
Salem’s Front Street on the way to a transportation makeover
A $2.7 million federal grant will pay for Salem to craft a plan transforming Front Street north of downtown just as efforts to redevelop the area are kicking off.
Salem events from June 27-July 3: World Beat, adults-only roller derby, comedy
Entrance to this weekend's World Beat Festival in Riverfront Park is free for SNAP cardholders, veterans and children under 14.
Salem families push back on closure of central school program for deaf students
Two families have filed complaints with the state alleging the Salem-Keizer School District is denying their deaf children legally required special education services by closing a central program serving about 35 deaf and hard of hearing students.
Willamette Heritage Center offers summer history lessons for the whole family
Starting July 12, Willamette Heritage Center is offering museum admission and a one-hour interactive history lesson on Fridays for $10 per person at the historic mill site.
Where to get 2024 free summer meals for kids in Salem, Keizer
Eight local schools will have packed lunches available for pickup Mondays and Wednesdays starting June 24.