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.
Cherry blossom motif anchors new Salem city flag
A nearly two-year process to replace Salem’s rarely used flag took a step forward Monday when Salem city councilors selected a cherry blossom and star motif from among four finalists for a new design. Jordan Keagle, a lifelong Salemite and…
Color, music will again fill Bush’s Pasture Park as Art Fair returns
Customers browse at the 2019 Salem Art Fair (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) Salem art lovers are in for more sun when the annual Salem Art Fair and Festival makes a long-awaited return this weekend. The 2022 event, sponsored by Salem Art…
“Fun Fridays” for families return to Northgate Park July 8
Attendees walk in during the Hallman Neighborhood Family Council’s inaugural “Fun Fridays at Northgate Park” event on Friday, July 9, 2021. The 2022 events begin July 8. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem families seeking free summer fun can head to Northgate…
Council greenlights sending $300 million infrastructure package to Salem voters
A long-awaited stretch of sidewalk along South Davis Road and an extension of a protected bike lane along Northeast Union Street will now be included in a $300 million city of Salem infrastructure plan. Salem city councilors on Monday gave…
In Salem, abortion circumstances aren’t likely to change despite Supreme Court case
Hundreds of people marched down Court Street in Salem on Tuesday, May 3 for an abortion rights rally following the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion which would overturn Roe v. Wade. Another protest in Salem is planned following…
After 70 years of sewing machines and vacuums, a new vision on Court Street
Charles Weathers likes uncovering history in old buildings. It’s apparent as he walks around the now vacant storefront that housed Whitlock’s Vacuum & Sewing Center for 70 years before the business moved to a smaller location on Southeast 12th Street…
A viola standout at South hopes for a career performing music
This article is part of a series of profiles of Class of 2022 graduates. Sofiya Zavydovska comes from a family of athletes – but in elementary school, when an orchestra teacher came recruiting, she found it fascinating. Zavydovska, a…
Salem teachers win back pay in complaint over full-time work calculations during pandemic
Dozens of Salem teachers will receive back pay for their work over the past two years after the Salem-Keizer Education Association prevailed in an unfair labor practice complaint. Administrative law judge Jennifer Kaufman ruled in May that the Salem-Keizer School…
Spiraling costs have some local families choosing between food, medical care
Holli Thomas’ breast cancer is responding to the drug trial she’s enrolled in. But the 54-year-old Keizer resident has to drive to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland for her treatment. With gas prices over $5 per gallon, she’s…
State insurance requirements hinder Salem nonprofits planning summer programs
Oni Marchbanks wants to see more Black kids studying science, technology, engineering and math classes in Salem. Marchbanks, an activist and educator focused on equity and diversity, said she recently spoke to a young Black student in Salem whose teacher…