Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

Your Monday evening update on Salem news

Salem Reporter logo

Good evening, Salem.

We’re grateful to readers who continue to send us questions and concerns about Salem’s proposed tax levy and the future of city services.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

Our team is planning several pieces over the coming weeks to address your questions and shed some light on how Salem got here. As always, our job isn’t to tell you how to vote. It’s to give you the best information possible so you can make that decision for yourself.

First, we’re preparing a timeline of city statements, reports and other efforts to address a growing budget gap going back to before the pandemic, when leaders began sounding the alarm about trouble funding major city services.

And we’re working on reporting to answer many of the questions you raised at our Town Hall, and subsequently via email, about the levy, other options, city efficiency and the specific programs facing cuts. That includes circling back on the city’s stalled effort to get state money to pay for emergency services.

We’re also flexing our coding muscles to make a calculator that will let you put in your home’s value and see what will happen to your property taxes depending on which property tax measures on your ballot pass.

We welcome other ideas and suggestions. Reach out to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander at [email protected].

Here’s some of our latest news. Catch all of our reports anytime on our website.

www.salemreporter.com

Salem city councilors to hear auditing update Monday

The Salem City Council will hear an update Monday on the city’s performance auditing program as part of its efforts to reduce cost and improve efficiency. A recently completed performance…

Read more
www.salemreporter.com

Volunteers, governor celebrate Earth Day with Wallace Marine Park cleanup

Gov. Tina Kotek and her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, joined dozens of volunteers at a SOLVE Oregon event Saturday to pick up trash at Wallace Marine Park.

Read more
www.salemreporter.com

COLUMN: Top mistakes Medicare counselors see

Jim Sellers, former Oregon journalist and state agency employee, writes a regular column to help thousands in Salem deal with the confusing world of Medicare and federal benefits. He’s available…

Read more
www.salemreporter.com

Salem protesters decry deportations, federal cuts at Saturday rally

Protesters in Salem Saturday raised concerns about the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Trump administration cuts to scientific research and equity programs.

Read more
www.salemreporter.com

Oregon Sen. Aaron Woods dies at 75

Colleagues remembered the Wilsonville Democrat for his commitment to public service and his community.

Read more

SEE LOCAL EVENTS: Our new events calendar lets you browse what’s happening in Salem – completely free. Want to submit an upcoming event? You can do that here.

TIP US TO NEWS: We welcome your tips about possible Salem stories – a community event, a local resident doing something extraordinary, a government action that needs investigating. Send your information, ideas or questions to our editor, Les Zaitz, at [email protected].

SHARE: Readers like you are our very best marketing. We spend very little on promotion, instead investing in covering the news you want. Help us build our readership by forwarding this email and sharing stories with family, friends and associates. Let people know they can sign up for our free newsletter.

SUBSCRIPTION ISSUE? Get clear answers from our Subscription Policies and Help page.

Copyright © 2025 Salem Reporter. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301

You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion.

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.