Good morning, Salem.

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-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 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.