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.
Thousands of Salem students are still missing too much school, state data shows
New state data released Thursday shows more than four in 10 Salem-Keizer student were chronically absent from school last year - a far higher share than the state average.
Army Corps plans for more gradual Detroit Lake drawdown amid drinking water concerns
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public feedback on its plan for a late 2026 deep drawdown of Detroit Reservoir, which is expected to increase the amount of sediment in Salem’s main source of drinking water.
How Salem newspapers covered Oregon’s “exploding whale” catastrophe
Wednesday is the 55th anniversary of an ill-fated state highway decision to attempt to blow up a dead whale on a Florence beach with dynamite.
‘Solvable problems’: superintendent outlines reading improvement plans at chamber lunch
Salem schools are poised to make lasting improvements in students' academic achievement, but need ongoing focus and community support, Superintendent Andrea Castañeda told business leaders Monday.
Need, donations spike for Marion Polk Food Share as food benefits delay continues
It's still unclear if or when thousands of Salem-area families who receive food benefits will get their November payments.
Mano a Mano plans to turn NE Salem church into a community center
Holy Cross Lutheran Church is selling its building to social services nonprofit Mano a Mano, which plans to expand community-focused programs for families and youth in the Lansing neigjborhood.
Budget cuts ahead for Salem-Keizer School District
District leaders said Wednesday they need to cut at least $25 million in school district spending next year, with deeper cuts possible as the state faces a budget crisis.
Salem food pantries see surge in demand, with more likely ahead
A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to issue SNAP benefits despite the ongoing government shutdown, but state officials said it's not clear when Oregonians might actually see payment.
For Salem SNAP recipients, loss of benefits means stress, worse health
Some Salem families who rely on federal food benefits to eat are looking for ways to help others struggling more, while others said they're contemplating visiting food pantries.
How to help people or get food in Salem as SNAP benefits are delayed
From food drives to mutual aid efforts, here’s where Salem people are coming together to help feed each other.