Daily
Salem
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
Good morning, Salem. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 20th of September.
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Oregon's unemployment rate rose to 5.0% in August—its highest in four years—even though the state added 6,900 jobs in key sectors while losing 18,300 jobs over the past year. The rate remains above the national average of 4.3%. Statesman Journal
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Erick Jimenez Landeta, a North Salem High School graduate, is suing the Salem-Keizer School District for $2.4 million after his finger was amputated in a woodshop class in 2022 because he said he was not properly trained or supervised. His injury required two surgeries and ongoing care, and the district has noted two additional injuries in its career and technical programs since then. Salem Reporter
- ➤ Salem Academy Christian Schools has chosen Rich Duncan Construction to expand its Lancaster Drive campus with a new building scheduled for completion in fall 2027. Permits are expected by winter 2025 — the project will help the school serve more students amid growing demand. Salem Business Journal
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City leaders in Salem are asking for community ideas on how to improve library services using funds from a levy approved by voters. The public can complete an online survey until Oct. 8 — data on user visits will guide plans to expand hours at the downtown and West Salem branches to 48 and 20 hours a week respectively — as the city works to restore cut hours. Statesman Journal
- ➤ City officials in Salem plan to add two officers to the homeless services team — and pair emergency workers with mental health professionals to help reduce petty crime and unsanitary conditions. The city will decide on funding at meetings on Oct 22 and Oct 27 and may launch pilot programs between Jan 1 and July 2026. Salem Reporter
- ➤ On Sept. 16, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read for not sharing unredacted voter data with the federal government. Read said he acted to protect voter privacy—he believed the request lacked a legal basis. Statesman Journal
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Oregon regulators approved hikes of 9.7% for individual-market plans and 11.5% for small group policies—rates lower than in many other states—but costs may rise further for over 100,000 self-pay individuals if federal premium subsidies expire and a pending court case leads insurers to re-file rates. Future adjustments could impact how many people pay for their health care next year. Salem Reporter
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Blanchet Catholic boys soccer defeated Salem Academy 3-1 on Sept. 18 at Blanchet Catholic High School in Salem—Christian Orozco helped lead the winning team in a key league matchup. Statesman Journal
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Everyone you admire started as a version of themselves that they didn't admire.
~ James Clear
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