Your Wednesday evening update on Salem news
Good evening, Salem.
City councilors convene tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss the fate of Kyle Hedquist on Salem’s police review board.
Despite the board’s relative obscurity, few issues have garnered Salem as much national attention in recent memory.
Hedquist was convicted of killing a teenager in 1994 at age 18 and was released from prison in 2022 as part of a round of clemency actions from then-Gov. Kate Brown. He now works on criminal justice reform efforts. He sought a seat on the board in 2024 and was appointed unanimously, with councilors at the time apparently unaware of his background.
Councilors voted 5-4 in December to reappoint him. Now, it appears likely they will act to remove Hedquist from the board following pressure from public safety unions. Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, who’s running for mayor, has already indicated she’s changed her mind after initially voting for Hedquist.
We’ll be at tonight’s meeting and will update you.
Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest in Salem.
www.salemreporter.com
Kotek is asking the state Legislature to redirect existing transportation funds to core programs after a Republican-led effort to repeal new taxes and fees easily got enough signatures to qualify…
www.salemreporter.com
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…
www.salemreporter.com
A free, moderated discussion on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Elsinore Theatre will feature a panel of local experts explaining how student literacy became a crisis and what we can…
www.salemreporter.com
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…
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