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.
Southeast Commercial site chosen as potential south Salem transit center
Salem’s transit agency is hoping a largely vacant piece of land on Southeast Commercial Street will be the city’s next transit hub. The Salem Area Mass Transit District’s Board of Directors last week voted to move forward with an environmental…
City seeks nominations for volunteer awards
Do you know someone who’s made Salem a better place to live this year? The city of Salem wants your nominations for nine city volunteers honors that will be awarded later this year. They recognize people, groups and businesses that…
Two seniors hope to tackle mental health, bullying as student school board advisors
Raylin Brennan and Isaac McDonald will advise the Salem-Keizer School Board for the 2022-23 school year.
Cascades Gateway Park to reopen Monday, a year after city officially ended sanctioned homeless camping
A portion of Salem’s Cascades Gateway Park will reopen Monday after an end to city-sanctioned homeless camping prompted a nearly year-long closure for cleanup. The park has been closed to the public since Aug. 19, 2021. The city’s parks department…
Salem Hospital begins ambulance diversion plan in effort to keep beds available
For the first time in over a decade, Salem Hospital will turn away some ambulances when its beds are full, sending patients with non-life threatening problems to other hospitals for care. The hospital announced changes to its divert policy this…
Christy Perry announces she’ll retire at end of school year
Salem-Keizer Superintendent Christy Perry takes a selfie with summer 2019 graduates from Roberts High School. Perry announced she’s retiring at the end of the 2022-23 school year (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Superintendent Christy Perry says her ninth year leading the Salem-Keizer…
Salem utility bills will increase about $5 monthly for homeowners in 2023
City utility rates will increase about 5% for most homeowners in 2023 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem homeowners can expect to pay about $5 more per month for city water and utilities starting in January. The Salem City Council on Monday…
Salem’s next pilots, truck drivers to benefit from workforce grants
A Chemeketa truck driving student gets pointers on inspecting a trailer. The college’s program is set to expand with free slots for 30 students thanks to a state workforce training grant. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) When an influx of Afghan refugees…
Separated from her mother at the border, North Salem junior advocates for other homeless teens
When Ana Mariscal went with her mother to Tijuana over Christmas to visit family, she never imagined she’d be making the return journey alone. But just after New Year’s Day 2018, Mariscal found herself on a bus bound for Salem…
Salem high schools will keep “Gender Queer” on shelves following grandparent challenge
The graphic novel memoir “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobebe will remain in three Salem-Keizer high school libraries following a challenge by grandparents. Three Salem high schools will keep copies of the graphic novel “Gender Queer” in their libraries after a…