Good morning, Salem.

A class at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management will present $66,085 in grants to four Salem-area nonprofits—Silverton Area Community Care, Oregon Garden Foundation, Horses of Hope and Yamhill County Gospel Rescue Mission—with awards ranging from $15,000 to $18,130 as part of a long-standing United Way partnership. The funds will be formally awarded on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Putnam University Center at Willamette University.

On April 10th, world-famous conservationist Jane Goodall addressed a sold-out audience at Salem's Elsinore Theater where she shared her life story and four reasons to keep hope alive during a fireside chat.

She answered questions from the crowd and the event featured live music from Dana Lyons.

A report released Friday found that voter registration errors at the DMV began years earlier when data entry mistakes from 2010 to 2023 led to more than 1,700 people being wrongly registered including 118 new errors—county clerks have deactivated these registrations and affected voters will soon receive letters with instructions to adjust their status.

Today, the Oregon Health Authority released a report showing that tobacco use has dropped over 25 years through school lessons and local group help—adult smoking fell by 46% and teen use dropped from 26% to 14%, though smoking still causes over 8,000 deaths each year.

The report also said programs in low-income areas and new ad rules helped make these gains and that work will continue to protect health.

State agencies ended their Medicaid renewal process in February—about 83% of members kept full benefits as part of a post-pandemic effort to maintain coverage.

Officials said nearly 1.5 million Oregonians now have continuous access to care while those who lost full coverage were directed to the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Local owner Kelly McDonald took possession of the shuttered Macy's on April 1 and is preparing to reinvent the building—its legacy as the 1955 Meier & Frank store remains in features like original wallpaper from a former beauty salon.

He said growing interest from potential businesses after Macy’s closed at the end of March means he expects to announce plans soon.

The Princess and The Wind

4:00 – 5:15 PM — South Salem High School — Ticket prices not listed — Experience the world premiere of a mesmerizing ballet inspired by Mayan folklore, combining music and dance to tell a beautiful story of love and transformation.

Giveaway - 6 months of FREE Nutrition Coaching

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2025 ONRQC Annual Conference

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Salem Hospital - Building B — Includes breakfast and lunch — Engage in a day of evidence-based practices featuring a keynote from renowned nursing leader Elizabeth Bridges.

Needle Felting Class - Nest

6-8 p.m. — CreativiTEE & rofe designs — Pre-registration required — Learn to needle felt a wool nest and expand your fiber arts skills with a fun spring project.

Resource Fair for Individuals with IDD

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Salem Convention Center — Free entry — Connect with valuable resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and enjoy family-friendly activities.

April Paint Night at Valiant The Sandwich

6-8 p.m. — Valiant The Sandwich — Cost varies — Unleash your creativity with a fun paint night while enjoying delicious sandwiches in a cozy atmosphere.

Stargazing Workshop

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Center 50+ — $10 — Explore key terms for night sky observation, followed by a live stargazing session with hands-on app use.

Make Parenting a Pleasure Workshop

4:30-6:30 p.m. — Willamette Family Medical Center: Fay Shannon — Registration required — Discover parenting insights and boost your confidence in family goals through engaging education.

2025 USA Gymnastics Region 2 Xcel Championships

8 a.m. — The Pavilion — Parking $10 — Top gymnasts compete for glory from States across the region.

Oregon Ag Festival

All day — Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center — Admission details not provided — Discover Oregon agriculture through hands-on exhibits and family-friendly activities.

Oregon Ag Fest

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center — Free for kids 15 and under — Experience hands-on activities and learn about the vital role of agriculture in Oregon.