Today, Oregon’s Quality Education Commission recommends nearly $2.5B more to keep schools running and about $5B more to meet new targets (2027-29 school years).
Lawmakers will soon review the proposal amid rising costs and an aging funding model.
Salem Fire Department engineer Nick Coleman returned on July 22 from an 11-day deployment fighting wildfires in central Oregon.
He said farewell to his wife and two children at an east Salem station before his crew headed out to battle the Rowe Creek Complex fire during a record wildfire season.
Marion County asked a federal judge on Aug.
10 to block the Army Corps from lowering Detroit Reservoir (planned for fish passage) to 1,425 ft after Nov. 1, citing risks to drinking water and Santiam Canyon’s economy. Salem is also challenging the plan amid concerns over increased sediment and turbidity.
On Wednesday, the Oregon Health Authority said Oregon State Hospital superintendent (Sean Murphy) was removed from his post less than a month after his appointment, appointing Jim Diegel as interim leader while officials resume recruitment for a permanent superintendent after former director Sejal Hathi resigned on Aug. 1.
Salem-Keizer student advisors Jolee McMahan and Alex Diaz say mental health is the top concern for students heading into the 2026‑27 school year.
The high school students will attend board meetings to share these priorities.
Salem Health and Santiam Hospital and Clinics cleared the final regulatory step after Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield approved the merger on Aug.
7; the deal is expected to close by Aug. 14 as Salem Health commits $61 million to maintain key services and preserve staff benefits.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, Riverfront Park hosts the 7th annual Lights of Hope event to honor cancer survivors, educate visitors about colon cancer screening, and raise funds for treatment access.
It will feature thousands of luminaria and an inflatable colon starting at 7 p.m. (200 Water St. N.E.)
Salem officials installed 21 new downward-facing LED lights on the arches of the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge from Aug.
3 to Aug. 7 to boost safety and reduce vandalism + the color-changing lights, funded by the 2025 livability levy, remain on from dusk to dawn.
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