Good morning, Salem.

Preparations are underway at the Oregon State Fair as crews set up stages and trim livestock ahead of its opening tomorrow, Aug.

28, in Salem. The fair will run through Labor Day, Sept. 7, featuring carnival rides, competitions, and live entertainment over 11 days.

St. Joseph Catholic Church is reopening three years after a four-alarm arson fire with a vespers prayer service at 6:15 p.m. tomorrow and a dedication Mass at 6 p.m. Aug.

31 in downtown Salem, following a thorough rebuild by local firms (with help from specialists) that honored the church’s heritage.

Oregon’s economic output now grows at a pace similar to the national rate, state economists said Tuesday & updated revenue forecasts project a $55 million current increase along with a $538 million boost next biennium from rising personal income taxes offsetting corporate declines.

Salem-Keizer School Board approved new guidelines for the superintendent that set nine safety measures to boost transparency in school security.

The rules were passed unanimously at the meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and are expected to improve how schools share safety-related information, according to board member Satya Chandragiri.

State economists said yesterday that Oregon lawmakers will have an extra $538M for the 2027-29 biennium due to stronger personal income tax collections (while recession risks held at 18), and lawmakers will use the updated forecast to plan the next two-year budget.

Eric Euen, Salem's longtime mail carrier for downtown, celebrated 50 years of service with the U.S. Postal Service after returning to his vehicle on August 25.

He continues his familiar route, ensuring local mail delivery remains reliable.

By October, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will decide whether to buy 307 acres southeast of Salem for a $3.3-million veterans’ cemetery & the site was selected after evaluating 14 properties in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Health columnist Porshla Scheuble advises that fall is the best time to reset your skin after summer’s sun, heat, and sweat.

She recommends gentle cleansing, hydration, and consistent SPF use — a crucial step even as temperatures drop — to repair dryness and address pigment changes.