This year’s World Beat Festival, running Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, at Riverfront Park will feature fire dancers, dragon boat races and food from around the world. The festival has lower prices this year, and new food and vendors to explore. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of…

A group of 17 high school students specializing in construction at Salem’s Career Technical Education Center built an award-winning western-style saloon playhouse in a spring competition after months of prep work.

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Taken together, August through November of 2025 was the record warmest on average across the Northwest in more than 130 years of recordkeeping. The potential super El Niño event this fall and winter could bring much needed rains to the region, experts said.

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Salem has one of the highest rates of alcohol-induced deaths for people over age 65 in the country, according to a recent study evaluating metro regions. An aging population, lack of rural treatment and health care, low alcohol taxes and a pervasive drinking culture each contribute to Oregon’s high death rates. To comment on this…

Events in Salem this week include a history lecture about Oregon State Parks, the World Beat Festival and free performance by Indigenous Mariachi singer Salem local Yissel Lopéz.

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Salem city councilors voted 6-0 to approve the new budget for 2027 which funds expansions to city cleaning crews and the police department’s Homeless Services Team. The budget also funds the Fire Department’s new REACH Team which responds to mental health crises. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the…

The decision centered on whether public records compiled for regular business can be blocked from disclosure if they wind up in criminal investigations.

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Salem Mayor Julie Hoy on Monday, June 22, will proclaim the winners in five local elections, including for mayor, municipal judge and city council positions. Councilors will also consider adopting the city’s final budget for 2027.

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Heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular technology for Oregonians seeking an efficient method of air conditioning, though data shows the state has experienced significant gaps in AC access.

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This Sunday, Make Music Day Salem turned parks, alleys and restaurants into stages for local performers. Photographer Laura Tesler was there to capture the performances.

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In February, a federal judge dismissed Marion County officials’ lawsuit regarding sharing information to immigration enforcement. Marion County officials are now appealing the decision.

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Salem celebrated Juneteenth on Friday with dancing, music, food and games at Riverfront Park. See photos from the festival here.

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A jury found Salem police Sgt. Jason Donner was justified in shooting and injuring a man during a response by multiple officers to a hostage situation near Northeast Portland Road last week.

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As volunteers continue to work this summer to uncover the history of Salem’s old Indian Manual Labor Training School, the crew is inviting public to see the site itself and view the artifacts at the dig site at Willamette University.

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On Sunday, Salem’s streets will fill with music once more for Make Music Day. It will be the first year without its co-founder and longtime co-organizer, Mark Green, who died late last summer. His wife, Karen Green, and other organizers will honor his memory during this year’s event. To comment on this story, use the…

Lawmakers established the Quality Education Commission in 1999 to set funding needs for public schools, but some lawmakers argue its model is outdated and flawed.

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A statewide petition led by Salem Mayor Julie Hoy sought to repeal a state law that requires cities and counties to be “objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner,” when clearing a homeless encampment from a public place. After state officials required the petition’s backers to change the ballot’s title and description, they dropped…

There is little information known about the car in the Willamette River near Minto-Brown Island Park. It’s planned to be removed by a towing company with assistance from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Friday.

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One of the state’s warmest winters on record already has most of Oregon in drought conditions, according to state officials. In Salem, those conditions are not expected to impact the city’s drinking water supply this summer, but Marion County officials are seeing more strain on the area’s water systems due to years of drier conditions….

Jason Faler spends most of his weekends collecting signatures at the Salem Saturday Market. He’s seeking to join the race for Oregon’s 6th Congressional District as a nonaffiliated candidate. If he qualifies for the ballot, he’ll be up against Republican David Russ and incumbent U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Tigard. To comment on…

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