Struggling with staffing shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, Oregon schools leaned heavily last year on teachers who received emergency licenses from the state. During the 2021-22 school year, districts employed 438 emergency licensed teachers, up from 181 the year prior and a low of 134 five years ago, according to[Read More…]
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Theatre 33 takes summer curtain call with historical musical
When “Lost in the Hills” hits the stage Thursday night at Theatre 33 in Salem, it will be the first time anyone has seen it. Anyone outside of the playwright, Paul Lewis, the actors, the professional writer hired to help work out the wrinkles and Tom Nabhan, the theater’s executive[Read More…]
Power pole was Salem’s only casualty from Tuesday thunderstorms
A Portland General Electric power pole in southeast Salem is being replaced after a lightning strike burned it Tuesday night.
Low wages drive resignations in Salem area, poll finds
About one quarter of WIllamette Valley residents have quit a job in the past two years, most frequently because of low wages. The data comes from a sample of 260 people in the valley as part of a larger survey given by Oregon Values and Beliefs Center–a nonpartisan organization that[Read More…]
Stuffed animals needed to join Sasquatch on overnight library adventure
When the Salem Public Library closes on Friday, the animals come out. To celebrate the end of the summer reading program, children and teen librarians at the library are putting on an overnight adventure for Salem kids’ stuffed animals – led by the program’s mascot, Sage the Sasquatch. “Since the[Read More…]
Monkeypox case detected in Marion County
The single case in Marion County is one of 89 confirmed and presumptive cases of monkeypox detected statewide.
As Salem rescues confront a cat overpopulation crisis, a scrappy clinic works to help
Salem Friends of Felines recently sterilized their 1000th cat as part of a new weekly spay and neuter clinic set up to help clear a pandemic backlog. Local rescues say the effort is welcome, but more will be needed to address what’s now a third-generation “firehose of kittens.”
Divided school board bans concealed carry in Salem-Keizer
The vote prohibits visitors from conceal carrying on school property and comes after Senate Bill 554 passed in 2021 allowing districts to set their own policies in regards to banning guns.
LISTEN IN: Salem Hospital’s plan to divert ambulances elsewhere is explained
TODAY’S BROADCAST: Rachel Alexander examines why Salem Hospital is suddenly sending patients in transit to other hospitals. This is the first time the tactic has been needed since 2008. Read that story HERE. Plus, Cascade Gateway Park is open again after months to repair damage from homeless encampments. That story[Read More…]
Oregon schools need billions to close funding gap, education commission says
Years of underfunding has lead to a widening gap between what schools need and what they’re getting, a new report says.
