Good morning!
Misty Blades has had a tough life, no question.
Now, the Salem woman is trying to build a better future for herself and her daughter.
But finding a home has emerged as one of her most daunting challenges.
Senior Reporter Abbey McDonald got to know Misty as she reported on the shortage of rentals in Salem.
The resulting story is one you shouldn’t miss. Abbey’s deep understanding of housing limits in Salem, honed with patience and professionalism, shines through in this account. Photos by her colleague, reporter Hailey Cook, add impact.
Readers noticed right away.
“This was a very moving story,” commented one.
“Journalism of the highest quality,” said another.
No other news organization in Salem produces this sort of local reporting. I’m proud of Abbey and Hailey for their work taking you as a reader into a corner of Salem you might not be aware of.
And before I move on to other great local reporting, allow me to remind you of our donor campaign underway now.
Salem Reporter is launching the most ambitious reporting project in recent local journalism – and we invite you to help make it possible. A new reporter, hired after a national recruitment, will be brought on to our team to produce rigorous and fair reporting about schools, education and students. Make a tax-deductible contribution today to the Salem Reporter News Fund and stand by for results. DONATE: Salem Reporter News Fund.
In local government reporting:
*Salem will use its share of a national opioid payout to fund local expanded treatment. From the story: “The program will include support for people experiencing substance abuse and as well as help with mental health, housing, transportation, childcare, education and employment.”
*A federal judge was critical of Marion County’s efforts to avoid its duty under state laws regarding federal immigration practices. County officials have stayed quiet since their case was tossed.
*Salem’s transit district is getting an infusion of federal money to advance work on a new transit center in south Salem.
*City councilors are lining up behind an effort to change state law so they can chat about public business without getting into trouble for secrecy.
In community news reporting:
*Some 250 seniors in Salem are waiting for a chance to move into cottage homes managed by United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. The local nonprofit is getting state funding to add more cottages in a program considered a success.
*A drop-in center to help troubled local teens is closing, a victim of funding cuts.
*A veteran bus driver for the Salem-Keizer School District has been cited for a crash that killed an Independence man.
*In our latest edition of “Whatever Happened,” catch up on police and court cases that made headlines.
And finally:
*The story of McKay Marching Band’s resurgence and its trip to play at Disneyland was one of the more popular stories of recent days.
Have thoughts about our reporting? A story we should do? A person we should profile? Or do you have questions about how we do our work? You’re welcome to send me an email – I read every one of them.
Email: [email protected]
–Les Zaitz, editor and owner
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