Category City News
Salem chamber to hold mayoral debate Monday morning
A debate between Mayor Julie Hoy and challenger City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke will guide the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement decision for the May 2026 election.
Oregon attorney general sues drug companies over ‘skyrocketing’ insulin prices
Attorney General Dan Rayfield accused some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies of conspiring to artificially inflate insulin prices.
Salem City Council removes Kyle Hedquist from police review board, civil service commission
Salem city councilors voted 6-2 Wednesday night to remove convicted murderer Kyle Hedquist from volunteer roles on the city’s Community Police Review Board and Civil Service Commission. A special meeting to discuss the issue was called due to safety concerns as councilors received threats.
Electric bills won’t go up until April, Salem residents will pay more in 2026 for other utilities
A new law prohibits utilities regulated by the Oregon Public Utility Commission from increasing rates for residential users until April 1. Salem Electric is planning a spring increase, while Portland General Electric rates will be determined by the state commission in March.
Oregon will keep its childhood vaccination schedule, despite CDC changes
Oregon and other western states will continue to follow childhood vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut back its list of recommended immunizations.
Updates on Cherriots tax plan, Eco-Earth, fire crisis team
In a new monthly feature, Salem Reporter is returning to past stories to report on updates.
Oregon tops nationwide list for inbound movers. Is population growth on the rebound?
Two in three people moving in Oregon came from out of state last year - many from California, Washington and Colorado.
Salem council convenes special meeting to discuss convicted murderer’s appointment to police review board
Salem City Councilor Mai Vang said she will not be intimidated or pressured into changing her vote on the reappointment of convicted murderer Kyle Hedquist to the Salem Police Review Board after receiving threats and harassment. Councilors are having a separate meeting to discuss the issue due to safety concerns, city officials said.
Portland music studio company brings sought-after rehearsal spaces to Salem
Metragnome, a Portland-based music rehearsal studio company, has expanded to Salem. They hope to bring local musicians together after the Covid pandemic left the scene fragmented.