What's Happening Salem

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Susie Rice, Development Director at CASA Marion County, to discuss: The upcoming Superhero Run and how it brings the community together to support kids in foster care. What CASA does and the critical role court-appointed volunteer advocates play in a child's life. Real stories of trust, comfort...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, your hosts sit down at Metronome for a wide-ranging conversation about Salem's live music scene — past, present, and future. From flyering telephone poles in the Myspace era to navigating today's social media landscape, the conversation covers what it really takes to keep local music alive and thriving. In this episode, we...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rachel from Salem Reporter to discuss: The future of local journalism and what sets community-rooted reporters apart in the age of AI. Salem's downtown development saga — the State and Commercial site's $5 million history, environmental hurdles, and what's next. Local elections and how Salem Re...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob sits down with David Neely , founder of Better Together Supports — a Salem-based in-home care agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — for a wide-ranging conversation about community, purpose, and what it really means to show up for others. In this episode, they discuss: The person...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, recorded live at Metronome Studio, host Jacob Espinoza sits down with Teresa Alonso León — former Oregon state legislator and current candidate for Senate District 11 — to discuss her remarkable journey from migrant farmworker to lawmaker, and her vision for the communities she hopes to serve. In this episode, we cover: Fro...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, we sit down with Steve Harley from Banner Homes to discuss the exciting Headwaters development project — a large-scale subdivision that stands out because it's being built by a local developer using all local contractors. We dig into what that means for Salem's economy and community, the challenges facing the housing market...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this action-packed episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Mason Reeves from the Dax robotics team and Salem's Strongest Man to discuss: The incredible feats of strength you won't believe (card tearing, frying pan rolling, and horseshoe bending!) How Dax security robots are keeping Salem safe at Pringle Park and Salem Center Mall The futu...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this live episode, the hosts sit down with Danielle Bethell, current Marion County Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate, to discuss: Her journey from county commissioner to running for Oregon governor The challenges of navigating politics while maintaining neutrality and integrity How local issues across Oregon communities mirror Sal...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob sits down with Jeff Whaley from Uptown Music to discuss how a local music shop has become the beating heart of Salem's creative community for over three decades. From teaching kids their first guitar chords to helping veterans find healing through music, Jeff shares the stories, challenges, and unexpected moments (lik...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Eleanor Ryan sit down with Salem Mayor Julia Hoy to discuss: Julie's journey as a musician from age seven to performing locally The evolution of music culture and how technology has transformed the industry Upcoming community events, including the Paint Your Partner class at Ratchet Brewing Salem's progre...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rhonda Wolf from Mid-Willamette Valley United Way to discuss: The evolution of United Way from traditional fundraising to direct service provision How the Community Resource Hub serves 270,000 individuals through 75+ partner organizations The warehouse that distributes $17 million worth of goods annually (and t...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! Join us at Metronome, an incredible rehearsal space for bands, as we sit down with Keizer Mayor Kathleen Clark and Veronica from We Make Art Oregon. This episode is packed with insights about Keizer's growth, community events, and local arts scene! In this episode, we discuss: Keizer's evolution from incorporation to the present day The cit...

Welcome to this week’s episode of What’s Happening Salem ! In this episode, host Jacob Espinoza is joined by Vanessa Nordyke , Salem City Councilor and mayoral candidate, for an in-depth and wide-ranging conversation about the heart, challenges, and future of Salem. Together, they discuss: What truly makes Salem special—from community events to local culture The role and real responsibilities of t...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! What happens when a journalist, a real estate visionary, and a party-throwing podcaster get together to reimagine Salem's future? You get big ideas, bold plans, and a roadmap for Salem 2.0. Join Jacob Espinoza at Metronome Recording Space for conversations with Rachel Alexander (Salem Reporter) and AJ Nash (Tradition Real Estate) covering:...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! Jacob Espinoza sits down with Gabe Johansen of SMI Real Estate to discuss Salem's biggest challenges and opportunities. In this candid conversation, they explore: The current state of homelessness in Salem and what it takes to truly help those struggling with addiction Why Portland is now cleaner than Salem and what we can learn from it The...

Welcome to this week's episode of Coffee Breaks! In this new series in partnership with the Salem Reporter, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rachel Alexander, editor of Salem Reporter, to discuss the latest news and developments in Salem. This week, they cover: The final Salem City Council meeting of 2024 and what's ahead in January New housing code changes aimed at making it easier to build in Salem...

Welcome to Coffee Talks—your weekly 10-minute news roundup from What's Happening Salem in partnership with the Salem Reporter! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rachel Alexander from the Salem Reporter to break down the biggest stories affecting Salem this week: Immigration Declaration: Salem City Council voted to declare a state of emergency over immigration enforcement—but what does...

Welcome to What's Happening Salem! In this episode, host Jacob Espinoza sits down with County Commissioner Converse to discuss Marion County government, public service, and the challenges facing Salem today. Topics covered include: Understanding Local Government How county, city, state, and federal governments work together The historical origins of county government in Oregon Why counties are ess...

Welcome to this episode of What's Happening Salem! Jacob Espinoza sits down with Andrea, the superintendent of Salem-Keizer School District, to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. In this candid conversation, they discuss: The Budget Crisis : A $25 million budget reduction looming for Salem-Keizer schools—and what it means for your kids' education Immigration and Sc...

Welcome to the first episode of Coffee Talks—a new series from What's Happening Salem in partnership with the Salem Reporter! In this special episode, Jacob Espinoza and Rachel Alexander from the Salem Reporter sit down with Derek Gilbert, a First Citizen award winner and champion of bringing back Salem's beloved Holiday Traditions Parade. Discover: The inspiring story of how a few community membe...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! Jacob Espinoza sits down with Josh Kay from First Commercial Real Estate to explore the business and community side of Salem's real estate landscape. In this insightful conversation, they discuss: The challenges and opportunities in Salem's commercial real estate market are as a tertiary market in transition. Why projects like roller skatin...

Welcome to another episode of What's Happening Salem , a new weekly series in partnership with the Salem Reporter —your quick coffee-break update on the stories shaping our community. This week, Jacob Espinoza is joined by Rachel Alexander from the Salem Reporter to unpack two major local stories: • Detroit Lake’s 2025 drawdown: Why the water level must be lowered, what it means for endangered fis...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this critical episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rick Gaupo from Marion Polk Food Share to discuss the unprecedented food insecurity crisis facing our community. Rick provides an inside look at: The impact of SNAP benefit disruptions on 75,000+ individuals across Marion and Polk Counties How 30,000 local children are being affected b...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this Coffee Talk edition—a new series in partnership with Salem Reporter—Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rachel Alexander from Salem Reporter to discuss: Oregon's last-minute push to distribute SNAP benefits amid federal uncertainty How local food pantries continue dealing with increased demand since COVID Salem-Keizer schools facing $25 m...

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this Coffee Talk edition—a new series in partnership with Salem Reporter—Jacob Espinoza sits down with Rachel Alexander from Salem Reporter to discuss: The upcoming Halloween weekend and growing Day of the Dead celebrations in Salem The impact of potential SNAP benefit interruptions on local food pantries and families How the community i...