By Salem Reporter
New poll shows reasons for Republican optimism in Oregon legislative races
The floor of the Oregon House, which has been controlled by Democrats since 2013 (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Republicans haven’t controlled any branch of Oregon government since Barack Obama’s first campaign for president – but they’re bullish this year about their…
Teen brothers, streetwear store owners look to inspire non-traditional career paths
Braiden Heath, left, holds a $1,900 pair of “Lemonade” Air Force 1 sneakers on Tuesday, July 5. Braiden and his brother Nic Heath, right, opened their streetwear store NW Drip in Salem in July 2021. (Ardeshir Tabrizian/Salem Reporter) For two…
Survey finds majority of Oregonians, Willamette Valley residents favor gun restrictions
Oregonians generally believe gun regulations should be more strict, with divides along party and county lines, according to a recent Oregon Values and Beliefs Center poll (M&R Glasgow/Flickr) A majority of Oregonians and Willamette Valley residents believe gun regulation across…
Willamette, Oregon humane societies now one organization
BJ Andersen, executive director of Willamette Humane Society, speaks at an event commemorating the organization’s merge with Oregon Humane Society on Wednesday, July 6 in Salem (Courtesy/Oregon Humane Society) The Willamette Humane Society and Oregon Humane Society made their merger…
Immigration rights nonprofit Causa announces abrupt closure amid labor dispute with employees
Former Causa leaders at a rally at the Oregon Capitol in 2019. The Salem-based immigrant rights advocacy organization’s board announced it would dissolve Causa in July 2022 (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter) An Oregon immigrant rights nonprofit is shutting down amid a…
Center of Capitol closes for earthquake upgrades until 2025
The iconic Oregon Capitol Rotunda is among the sections of the building closed through 2025 for seismic renovations. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Salem’s most iconic landmark is now largely closed to the public. The central section of the Oregon State Capitol…
Downtown Salem streets to close Monday for Hoopla basketball tournament
Winter Street Northeast was closed at Chemeketa Street Northeast on Aug. 4, 2021 in preparation for last year’s Hoopla (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Some Salem drivers may have to take new routes next week when the city’s 3×3 basketball tournament closes…
Legislative work group focuses on Oregon industrial chicken operations
State legislators are digging into issues around commercial chicken operations that have stirred neighbor opposition. (Oregon Department of Agriculture) State lawmakers, environmentalists and supporters and opponents of industrial chicken farms will meet this summer to consider whether Oregon’s laws to…
New state fire risks map leaves property owners with insurance concerns; some cities challenge data
A new map from the Oregon Department of Forestry shows Ashland as an island of low-fire risk in a sea of high risk. Chris Chambers, the wildfire division chief with Ashland Fire & Rescue, said he disagrees with some of…
Keizer public library funding measure will not be on November ballot
The Keizer Community Library will remain without city funding after councilors deferred a vote on a potential ballot measure at a July 5 meeting (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Keizerites who were hoping to have a public library within the city limits…