By Salem Reporter
Boquist content to break political china to make his points
Sen. Brian Boquist reflects on his political and military careers at his Dallas farm. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) On a rainy Monday morning in September, Sen. Brian Boquist is sitting in a darkened manufactured home that serves as his district office,…
House Republicans shake up leadership in bid for more influence
Rep. Christine Drazan was picked to lead the House Republican caucus. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) Vowing to protect incumbents, Republican state legislators in the House on Monday picked a Portland-area freshman legislator to lead them, replacing Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass.…
Gov. Brown’s top lawyer turns down judicial appointment amid allegations he pressured public records advocate
SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown’s top lawyer said Tuesday he is turning down a plum judicial post after an outgoing state advocate for government transparency said he tried to exert undue influence over her work. Public Records Advocate Ginger McCall’s…
They ran, they swam, they ate – Salem’s Multi-Sport Riverfest packs them in
Relieved racers at the 2019 Rotary Multi-Sport RiverFest on Sunday, Sept. 15 (David Barker/Special to Salem Reporter) Athletes are a dedicated bunch. Despite a downpour of rain and gloomy weather, hundreds of runners, bikers, swimmers, para-athletes and even one chihuahua…
Freshman Christine Drazan replaces Carl Wilson as House Republican leader
Rep. Christine Drazan was picked to lead the House Republican caucus. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) House Republicans voted Monday to elect Rep. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, as House Republican Leader. Drazan takes over for Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, who was elected…
After a year in Salem, reporter’s faith in the power of journalism is revived
Aubrey Wieber of Salem Reporter. (Salem Reporter/file) When I started at Salem Reporter, I was confused and disheartened with journalism. The declining financial condition of the profession had left me unemployed. As I was planning my next step, I often…
Weekend event puts dogs on the trail in Salem to raise money
Dogs meet at the Walk and Wag for Willamette Valley Hospice. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter) Pets bring great comfort and those who know they are facing the end of life may have worries about their beloved pets. The…
On Salem Reporter’s anniversary, thoughts of more local news coverage to come
Les Zaitz, editor and CEO, Salem Reporter (Photo by David Zaitz) In its first year, Salem Reporter delivered on its promise to the community. That’s my assessment as I pause to reflect on our anniversary. We promised in-depth news coverage.…
Oregon’s public records council calls for independent advocate
Ginger McCall (Courtesy/Oregon Secretary of State) SALEM — The week in Oregon politics began and ended with Ginger McCall. McCall, the state’s first public records advocate, announced her sudden resignation Monday, Sept. 9, citing undue influence from Gov. Kate Brown’s…
Supreme Court ruling on unanimous jury verdicts could throw decades of Oregon convictions into question
The U.S. Supreme Court could force Oregon into doing what every other state already does – requires every juror to vote to convict before a person is judged guilty. Such a decision by the Supreme Court in a case now…