Gov. Kate Brown listens in during a phone call with Vice President Mike Pence and other governors on Monday, April 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) A Salem-area lawmaker has joined a lawsuit alleging that Gov. Kate Brown’s pandemic-related orders undercut the constitutional authority of the Legislature. State Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence,[Read More…]
Latest News
A month in, local schools report most kids are showing up for virtual classes
Miranda Lara Ruiz, 16, left, and Marina Melnychuk pick up items from their lockers at McKay High School on Thursday, September 3. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Oregon so far has little picture of how hundreds of thousands of students are faring with virtual learning this year but local experience in Salem[Read More…]
Chemeketa loses contract for inmate GED classes as state moves teaching in-house
Oregon State Correctional Institution. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Chemeketa Community College will soon be out of the business of helping inmates in local prisons finish high school. The Oregon Corrections Department on Friday turned down an offer from Chemeketa and five other community colleges to reshape in-prison schooling to cut costs.[Read More…]
EDITOR’S NOTE: Whether angry or hopeful, your ballot speaks for you. We’re here to help
Les Zaitz, Salem Reporter editor (Robert Quick photo) The scenes around the country the past few days have been remarkable when it comes to voting. Most states don’t have the convenience of Oregon’s vote-by-mail. So, you’ve seen photos and videos of determined voters standing in line to vote. For hours.[Read More…]
Uncategorized The list narrows to two candidates for Salem’s next police chief
Jerry Moore, Salem police chief (center) watchers proceedings at the March for Floyd on Saturday, June 6, at the Capitol.(Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The city of Salem has selected two final candidates in its search to replace retiring Police Chief Jerry Moore, it announced Friday. Both candidates will be in Salem[Read More…]
Uncategorized Oregon Health Authority begs Oregonians to limit social gatherings as Covid cases, hospitalizations continue to rise
The popular statue of former Governor Tom McCall in Salem’s Riverfront Park, got a pandemic update(Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) The number of Oregonians hospitalized with Covid is climbing, and health officials said current models forecast an alarming rise in new cases of the disease if Oregonians don’t slow the spread by[Read More…]
BUSINESS ROUNDUP: Unemployment rate drops, waste-reduction grants, restaurant closure, translation at Employment Department, tax surprise.
Signs in the window of Brown’s Towne Restaurant and Lounge on Wednesday, September 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) There’s a lot going on business. To help keep you up to speed, the Salem Reporter has launched a semi-regular roundup of business-related items that includes new business openings, locations, grant opportunities and[Read More…]
Uncategorized VOTE 2020: Danielle Bethell seeks restraint in county spending in bid for Marion County commission
Republican candidate Danielle Bethell is running for Marion County commissioner. (Courtesy/Danielle Bethell) Name: Danielle Bethell Age: 41 Home: Keizer Employer/position: Keizer Chamber of Commerce, executive director Years at current job: 4 Every time Danielle Bethell enters into a space, she takes on some kind of role. In September, when wildfire evacuees were sent to the[Read More…]
Uncategorized VOTE 2020: With a public sector background, Ashley Carson Cottingham wants to shift the county’s focus to the most vulnerable
Democrat Ashley Carson Cottingham is running for Marion County commissioner. (Courtesy/ Ashley Carson Cottingham) Name: Ashley Carson Cottingham Age: 41 Home: Salem Employer/position: state Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, deputy agency director. Years at current job: Six Ashley Carson Cottingham says people are at the center of every decision she makes. She points to[Read More…]
Investigations into workplace harassment at state agencies lack oversight, audit concludes
Oregon State Capitol, governor’s office (Salem Reporter/file) A state agency overseeing personnel issues has taken a hands-off approach to workplace discrimination and harassment investigations, a recent report concluded. The report, released Wednesday by state auditors, found that the Department of Administrative Services doesn’t do enough to track or oversee workplace[Read More…]
