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.
Salem-Keizer School District asks teachers to consider lower raise amid budget cuts
School district leaders are asking teachers in Oregon’s second-largest district to consider reducing a planned 3.5% pay increase next year to avoid layoffs.
Willamette University intends to merge with Pacific University, forming Oregon’s largest private university
Leaders of Oregon’s oldest universities said their colleges would retain their identity and athletic programs, but could join forces to create better career and internship programs, and academic efforts combining disciplines to train students to help with the state’s needs.
Students at Highland get reading help through new tutoring program
Reading Results has been helping kids in the Portland area get on track with reading for decades. The tutoring program has come to Salem as part of a larger community school project at Highland Elementary.
SPECIAL REPORT: Experiment shows promise to help struggling Highland students catch up
Highland Elementary School is being transformed into a “super school,” where educators, parents, a philanthropist and community groups work together. The goal is to help kids show up to school ready to learn by providing extra services and help for families.
Sprague student arrested after bringing loaded handgun to school
A 17-year-old student was arrested without incident after trying to bring a gun through Sprague's weapon detection system Tuesday morning, Salem police said. The student made no threats.
Teachers report better focus, engagement with stricter high school phone bans
High school students and some parents in the Salem area generally haven’t been thrilled about strict cell phone bans in school. But a few months into the year, teachers say they’re seeing huge improvements in class.
Effort backed by Mayor Hoy to make homeless camp sweeps easier advances
Oregon law requires homeless camp removal be “objectively reasonable.” An initiative petition seeking to change that got a step closer to the November 2026 ballot.
See where your Salem, Keizer school stands on attendance
Salem Reporter is publishing attendance data for each school in the Salem-Keizer School District.
Salem council to vote on resolution in support of Oregon’s sanctuary law
A community protest is planned for Monday night’s city council meeting, with several groups urging councilors to do more to protect Salem residents from a record number of local immigration arrests.
Student brings BB gun to McKinley Elementary
After school got out Tuesday afternoon, staff at McKinley learned a student brought a BB gun to school and showed it to a classmate. The student did not make any threats, according to a message from the school’s principal.