Salem Reporter

The Salem Reporter is an online news platform dedicated to covering stories in the Salem region. Owned and operated locally, it offers readers high-quality investigative journalism, straightforward reporting on local government matters, and a closer look at the influential figures within the Salem community.

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Englewood students read about bravery with Gov. Kotek

5 days ago | salemreporter.com | Rachel Alexander

Gov. Tina Kotek wanted to give the Englewood Eagles a bit of inspiration heading into the weekend. “You are a lot more brave than you think you are,” she told a gym full of students at the north Salem elementary school on Friday afternoon. Kotek was a guest of honor for an assembly where she read “A Little Bit Brave” by Nicola Kinnear.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s how we prepared our series rooted in the story of Melinda Lou Kayser

5 days ago | salemreporter.com | Rachel Alexander

Last summer, reporter Abbey McDonald received a desperate email from a Salem woman. She described how her mother, Melinda Lou Kayser, was wasting away on a sidewalk in southeast Salem. Kayser was severely mentally ill, unable to care for herself and often aggressive toward those trying to help. “Please help,” the subject read. THE SERIES:Part 1: Melinda Lou Kayser died on a cold Salem sidewalk months after county investigators determined she could care for herself.
Portland physics student flees Trump crackdown, months from earning his doctorate

6 days ago | salemreporter.com | Yesenia Amaro

The risk seemed far too great. Portland State University graduate student Abdul Almutairi learned Thursday he was one of 23 international students in Oregon targeted by the Trump administration for deportation. Haunted by video footage of a Tufts University graduate student who was whisked away by federal agents and sent to an immigration detention center in Louisiana, Almutairi made a quick decision.
Where to learn more about Salem candidates for school board, city council

6 days ago | salemreporter.com | Rachel Alexander

Voters in the Salem area will select four school board members in the May 20 election, as well as fill a Salem City Council seat. All elections are contested, with two candidates campaigning for each school board seat, and three seeking the city council spot. A number of free upcoming local events offer voters a chance to meet candidates and learn more about their goals if elected. And some events have already been taped or aired and are available to watch.
At 104th birthday, Salem resident recalls lifetime of music and community

6 days ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald

From prohibition to World War II to the Moon landing, a lot has happened since 1921. Nellie Watson has seen it all. The longtime Salem resident celebrated her 104th birthday at The Springs at Lancaster Village on Friday, April 11, joined by her neighbors and staff in the retirement community. The woman of the hour wore a glittery gold “birthday girl” sash, and deftly parked her motorized wheelchair next to friends at the side of the room.
Developers plan vibrant hub on open land in heart of Keizer

6 days ago | salemreporter.com | Les Zaitz

Farmland in the heart of Keizer is now expected to sprout homes and new businesses in one of the largest commercial developments ever in the community. Developers are finalizing plans for a project on 17 acres of land along River Road, just south of Northeast Manzanita Street and the entrance to McNary Estates. “A long-awaited transformation is on the horizon,” according to a statement from Clutch Industries.
Proposal to impose penalties on private utilities delaying wildfire lawsuits quietly moves forward

1 week ago | salemreporter.com | Alex Baumhardt |Julia Shumway

Fred Cuozzo barely made it out of the South Obenchain Fire that burned through his home, barn, pumphouse and garage in Eagle Point, north of Medford, on Sept. 8, 2020. Three years later, PacifiCorp — owner of Oregon private utility Pacific Power — was found by a jury to have been reckless and negligent in causing that fire and three others.
Oregon companies suffering under Trump tariffs, business leaders tell governor

1 week ago | salemreporter.com | Alex Baumhardt |Madeleine Moore |Julia Shumway |Rachel Alexander

Portland-based clothing company Wildfang received a shipment from China right before President Donald Trump announced a 152.5% tariff on all Chinese goods. If that order had gone through just 48 hours later than it did, it would have cost Wildfang nearly $180,000 extra because of Trump’s tariffs, CEO Emma Mcilroy told Gov. Tina Kotek during a roundtable at Salem’s Chemeketa Community College Center for Business and Industry on Wednesday.
What to do in Salem from April 17-23: Easter egg hunts, chaotic standup, dance party

1 week ago | salemreporter.com | Madeleine Moore |Ardeshir Tabrizian |Abbey McDonald

Each week, Salem Reporter highlights a selection of upcoming local events. For a more complete list, browse our events calendar here. You can submit an upcoming event here. Here’s a roundup for the week from Thursday, April 17, to Wednesday, April 23. *Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation. Earlier this week, Salem Reporter published a roundup of Easter events taking place around Salem this weekend.
Residents raise questions about long-term plans to fix city budget gap at town hall

1 week ago | salemreporter.com | Abbey McDonald |Ardeshir Tabrizian |Joe Siess

A town hall discussion of taxes isn’t often a place for positive emotions. But despite the tough topic, the energy in Elsinore Theatre Tuesday night matched that of the speakers’ main message of the evening: we’re in this together. “How many of us in here really love our Salem?” said City Councilor Irvin Brown from the stage, eliciting cheers and whoops from the audience.