The topic:  Salem drew national coverage after a driver plowed through a roadside homeless camp, killing four. Local advocates say the deaths mark a turning point for how state and local leaders regulate homeless camps. Read the original story HERE. Plus, the Salem City Council narrowly approved a scaled back[Read More…]

The topic: Salem is opening its arms wider to take in refugees, nearly doubling the number coming to the city. A local organization is ramping up with staffing and space and is raising funds for a new home. Read the original story HERE. Plus, the Center for Hope and Safety is[Read More…]

The topic: Higher fuel prices are hitting Salem’s school district, and local law enforcement and public works agencies. While most agencies say they can weather a temporary increase, a prolonged spike will have impacts on budgets for the coming year. The full story is HERE. In other news, Willamette Humane Society[Read More…]

The topic: The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency was one of three areas in the country to be awarded a grant from Kaiser Permanente to help keep frequent users out of the emergency room and into housing. The full story is HERE. Salem will be spending nearly $500,000 to clean up[Read More…]

The topic: About half the homes destroyed in the 2020 wildfires in Santiam Canyon have been rebuilt or are underway, Marion County commissioners reported during the recent “State of the County” annual update. They discussed homeless, addiction and mental health services (original story HERE). State investigation reports give a more complete[Read More…]

The topic: The return to school was welcome for students and parents, but educators are finding high school students were accustomed to their freedom. That could affect how well they do academically. The full story is HERE. In other news, a Salem parent group and several community organizations have teamed up[Read More…]

The topic: The races are set for Salem mayor and open seats on the Salem City Council. One candidate for mayor already has raised significant money. The full story is HERE. In other city news, legislators recently provided even more money to deal with homeless issues (that story is HERE) and[Read More…]

The topic: We’ve been staying in touch with a Salem family that has been working in Ukraine for years. The couple has moved to get out of the country and share the latest information. (original story HERE). Find out why a local operation has been fined for the death of a[Read More…]

The topic: Homeless people in Salem were put on the move again as authorities cracked down on illegal camping at Marion Square Park. Nonprofits did what they could to provide help. The full story is HERE. Meantime, a historic local farm was spared from development by the city. That story is[Read More…]

The topic: With shifting data and deadlines, there is some confusion about what’s happening to mask mandates, schools and vaccine mandates for state workers. By Saturday, most of it goes away. See the original story is HERE. Today’s guest: Rachel Alexander, Salem Reporter’s managing editor. Our media partnership: Salem Reporter is teaming[Read More…]