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:

✓ Breaking Salem news - Airport updates, Community Police Review Board controversy, and healthcare developments

✓ The Salem 2.0 vision - Connecting creative minds with capital to revitalize downtown

✓ Why parties will save the world - Building community through intentional gatherings (plus Jacob's book announcement!)

✓ Commercial real estate insights - How buildings shape culture and create third spaces

✓ Building a creator economy - Infrastructure to support local content creators and entrepreneurs

✓ Metronome's community impact - Salem's new hub for musicians and artists

Support quality local journalism by subscribing at https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

00:03 - Welcome to the new studio space at Metronome

01:23 - Salem Reporter's 10-minute update: TSA, airport news, and local headlines

03:16 - Community Police Review Board controversy explained

05:55 - Salem Health and Medicaid contract update

07:11 - Balloon animals and gift ideas (the bit that never happened)

09:04 - AJ Nash on exploring sketchy buildings and shaping Salem

13:22 - Salem 2.0: Connecting energy with capital

17:14 - The importance of gathering and overcoming division

21:04 - Launching the women's collective at The Forge

24:07 - Building a platform for Salem creators

29:25 - Planning the first creator meetup and party throwers' happy hour

33:23 - "Parties Will Save the World" - Jacob's book launch discussion

40:06 - Creating infrastructure to make party planning easier

43:19 - Teaching kids to embrace failure (and dropping F-bombs at basketball)

51:11 - Creating ground rules for positive community discourse

54:58 - Metronome's role as Salem's new third space for musicians

59:22 - Live music collaboration and supporting local bands

01:03:33 - Salem 2.0 Monthly Update concept: weather, sports, mischief, and community

01:09:01 - The secret room philosophy and animal spirit guides

01:12:10 - From home recordings to professional studio: embracing imperfect action

💬 Join the conversation: What's your vision for Salem 2.0? Drop your ideas in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe for weekly Salem updates, community stories, and big ideas.

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 business community's role in shaping Salem's future through groups like Businesses for Community
• How compassion and accountability must work together to create real change
• Current real estate trends: why it's a renter's market and what home buyers need to know
• The impact of Salem's challenges on property values and local businesses
• Why an abandon mindset matters more than ever in tough times
• Gabe's personal journey of 21+ years of sobriety and what it taught him about addiction recovery

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and current season of life

00:37 - What's happening in Salem right now

03:20 - The homeless crisis and political will to solve it

06:59 - Learning from cities that have addressed similar problems

10:11 - Gabe's personal perspective on addiction and recovery (21+ years sober)

12:46 - The uncomfortable truth about helping addicts

17:02 - How homelessness affects property values and businesses

23:16 - The Businesses for Community initiative

26:12 - De-stigmatizing business owners and entrepreneurship

30:01 - Abundance vs. scarcity mindset in Salem

35:30 - Current real estate market trends: renters' and buyers' markets

39:18 - Commercial real estate and multifamily investment outlook

42:27 - Looking ahead to 2026 recovery

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
• City boards and commissions: how to get involved in local government
• The high-profile immigration arrest incident at Mega Foods and the fire department's response
• Marion County's proposed joint task force to address homelessness at Wallace Marine Park
• Downtown Salem updates, including the new Subatomic Toys store
• And much more!

This is a new series in partnership with the Salem Reporter. Support local journalism and stay informed about what's happening in Salem by subscribing to the Salem Reporter at https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and catching up

04:00 - City Council highlights and housing code changes

06:44 - How the Salem government works and getting involved in boards and commissions

08:05 - Immigration arrest incident at Mega Foods and thefire department's role

11:27 - Housing development challenges and rent burden in Salem

12:32 - Wallace Marine Park homeless encampment and proposed task force

16:20 - Wrap-up and the importance of local journalism

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 that actually mean? Rachel breaks down the largely symbolic measure, the training for city employees, and what tangible steps might come next.

Healthcare Crisis Alert: Over 140,000 Marion and Polk County residents on Medicaid could lose access to Salem Health starting January 1st due to a contract dispute with Pacific Source. With Salem Clinic already out of network, where are families supposed to go for care?

Guns in Schools: A student was arrested at Sprague High School after bringing a loaded handgun through the metal detector. We discuss what happened, the response, and what comes next.

Plus: Small Business Saturday downtown, the Holiday Traditions Parade recap (spoiler: the weather cooperated!), and some much-needed good news—the Capitol's 40-foot Christmas tree is back in the Rotunda for the first time since 2019!

Subscribe to the Salem Reporter to stay informed: https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Welcome back after Thanksgiving
• 00:47 - Immigration declaration explained
• 02:18 - Medicaid/Pacific Source crisis
• 06:17 - Gun incident at Sprague High School
• 08:48 - Small Business Saturday & Holiday Parade success
• 09:33 - Good news: Capitol Christmas tree returns

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 essential but often misunderstood

The Commissioner's Journey

• From lawyer to county commissioner: the personal story behind public service
• Why local relationships matter in politics and governance
• Balancing ambition with genuine community care

Current Challenges & Solutions

• Homelessness and addiction in Marion County: policy, compassion, and accountability
• The role of law enforcement and social services in addressing a crisis
• How the 2020 wildfires tested the community and led to recovery

Building a Better Salem

• Why public safety matters for community revitalization
• The importance of unifying around shared values, even during disagreement
• Creating a Salem where families feel safe and the community thrives

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:34 - Understanding levels of government

03:58 - The founding of Marion County government

09:41 - Commissioner Converse's path to public service

16:50 - The importance of personal relationships in politics

22:03 - Facing overwhelm during the 2020 wildfires

27:40 - Addressing homelessness and addiction

40:20 - Salem's mayoral race and public service values

57:47 - Future priorities and Salem's potential

01:07:42 - Favorite Salem memories

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 members came together to revitalize downtown Salem after the pandemic

The origins of the Holiday Traditions Parade—from a four-block event to an almost mile-long celebration attracting over 10,000 people

How an all-volunteer, community-funded effort is capturing "old-timey magic" downtown with 30 feet of Christmas lights and holiday cheer

The heart behind making downtown Salem feel like a welcoming community gathering space

Plus, Jacob and Rachel dive deep into Monday's five-hour city council meeting, discussing the immigration arrests that dominated the agenda and the city's response through sanctuary city resolutions and emergency declarations.

Subscribe to the Salem Reporter to stay updated on all the stories affecting our community: https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction to Coffee Talks with Derek Gilbert

00:44 - The story behind bringing back the parade

02:30 - What time to arrive for Friday's celebration

03:13 - The volunteer effort and community impact

04:48 - Details on the tree lighting and Buddy the Elf sing-along

06:15 - Recap of the city council meeting on immigration arrests

09:02 - Council's response: sanctuary city resolution and emergency declaration

10:19 - Mayor Julia Hoy's voting decisions and transparency concerns

12:15 - The limitations of local government and support for affected businesses

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 School Safety: How the district is protecting all students while navigating complex enforcement issues in our community
• The Attendance Crisis: Why fewer kids are showing up to school post-pandemic and what needs to change
• Test Score Progress: The encouraging momentum shift in reading and math scores across grade levels
• Cell Phone Pouches: The surprisingly successful policy transforming classrooms and teacher morale
• Building School Culture: Why sports and music matter more than budget cuts might suggest

Andrea shares what it takes to keep schools focused amid external pressures, the five district priorities driving real change, and why celebrating small wins creates momentum for bigger transformations. Jacob and Andrea also touch on the importance of community reset around school attendance, measuring success beyond just graduation rates, and procedural justice in how we enforce policies.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or concerned community member, this episode offers insight into the decisions shaping Salem-Keizer schools and the vision guiding the district through challenging times.

Timestamps:

00:02 - Introduction and Thanksgiving chat

02:41 - The $25 million budget reduction explained

05:39 - How school funding actually works

08:10 - Immigration enforcement and school safety

16:01 - District priorities and keeping focus amid chaos

18:21 - The attendance crisis and what's changed

25:52 - Measuring real student success

32:21 - Test scores heading in the right direction

38:46 - Cell phone pouches and classroom transformation

45:03 - Questions from the community

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 skating rinks don't pencil out economically, and what actually makes developments viable.

The multi-year transformation of iconic downtown spaces, such as Liberty Plaza (now The Forge), and the process of repositioning vacant buildings.

Local versus absentee ownership and why community-rooted developers are reshaping Salem's future.

Major projects on the horizon, including the Canary Project on Front Street, are scheduled for the summer of 2026.

Policy barriers and opportunities for housing development, including insights on cottage clusters, parking requirements, and streamlining the development process.

How community spaces and quality buildings directly impact our sense of belonging and connection to Salem.

Whether you're curious about the economics behind downtown development, interested in how local entrepreneurs are revitalizing our city, or wondering why certain projects succeed while others don't, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at Salem's commercial real estate world and what it takes to build thriving communities.

Timestamps:

00:02 - Introduction and Josh's community contributions

01:17 - Nearly a decade in commercial real estate

02:26 - Commercial vs. residential real estate dynamics

03:36 - Why Salem doesn't have a roller skating rink

05:13 - Salem's market position and current landscape

07:54 - Supporting Salem entrepreneurs and small businesses

11:15 - Community, belonging, and staying connected to Salem

11:51 - Reasons for optimism in Salem's future

19:55 - The process of transforming vacant buildings into thriving spaces

26:18 - The impact of local ownership on downtown revitalization

27:45 - The future of the Knight Deposit building

29:43 - Updates on the Canary Project and major development timelines

36:39 - Policy changes needed to help Salem prosper

40:42 - Transparency, simplicity, and encouraging development

44:16 - Balancing neutrality, politics, and platform building

45:54 - The power of collaboration and conversation in moving Salem forward

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 fish, and how Salem is preparing to protect our drinking water system from sediment overload.

• Rogue Brewing’s sudden closure:

What happened, what it signals for Oregon’s struggling craft beer industry, and how shifting alcohol consumer habits are impacting local economies.

Plus: Thanksgiving cooking chaos, adult friendships, and Salem's first Dinner Club.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you're new to the area, this conversation gives you the context you need to understand what’s happening in our city.

👉 This series is produced in partnership with the Salem Reporter. Stay informed and support local journalism by subscribing here:

https://www.salemreporter.com/

Timestamps:

00:02 - Introduction and Thanksgiving prep

01:33 - What's Happening Salem Dinner Club launch

03:10 - Detroit Lake drawdown explained

07:20 - Rogue Brewing's closure and impact on West Salem

08:17 - Economic trends in Oregon's beverage industry

10:05 - Financial challenges facing craft breweries

11:31 - Looking ahead to what's next for Salem's community

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 by policy changes
• The role of food banks as the "safety net to our safety net programs"
• Community response and how locals are stepping up to help
• The difference between emergency response and long-term challenges ahead
• Upcoming changes from HR1 legislation and what they mean for Salem families
• Practical ways you can support families in need right now

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and the scope of the crisis

01:46 - Understanding the numbers: 37,000 families affected in Marion County

03:05 - Why children matter most in this conversation

05:17 - Food banks as the safety net beneath government programs

08:46 - A non-partisan look at the impact on all families

11:42 - Pre-pandemic to present: How demand has evolved

14:17 - The future of food banking in our community

18:17 - Community response: Donations, volunteers, and support

23:24 - How $100,000 translates to meals for families

29:58 - Where families can find help right now

31:38 - Understanding upcoming changes from HR1 legislation

37:03 - The bigger question: Why working families need SNAP benefits

39:42 - Getting started: How you can help today

Learn more and get involved:

Marion Polk Food Share website: marionpolkfoodshare.org