Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Eleanore Ryan and Alyssa Lockwood about:

• Eleanore's rapid rise in comedy, balancing shows in Eugene, Albany, and Salem, and the evolution of her personal style and confidence onstage.
• Alyssa’s role at Garten Services and how they empower individuals with disabilities through employment, community, and support programs.
• The growth and impact of Sip and Stroll, a downtown Salem event blending local business promotion, community connection, and nonprofit fundraising.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:01:10 - Comedy show at Max’s Tavern

00:08:17 - Balancing ambition and gratitude

00:17:05 - Alyssa’s journey from San Diego to Salem

00:23:16 - Garten’s Daybreak program expansion

00:31:14 - Sip and Stroll's community evolution

00:40:59 - Building nonprofit collaboration

00:54:24 - Younger generations and giving trends

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Eleanore Ryan speak with Allan Pollock and Maria Hinojos Pressey from Cherriots about:

• Maria and Allan’s shared commitment to making public transportation more accessible and sustainable in Salem.
• How Cherriots is expanding service, adding electric buses, and using technology to enhance rider experience.
• The social, economic, and environmental benefits of transit and how it's shaping the city's future.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:06:43 - Introducing Cherriots team

00:08:01 - Mission and rider priorities

00:13:14 - Launching electric bus corridor

00:17:05 - Real-time bus tracking apps

00:27:43 - Launching Route 22

00:33:36 - Bus wrap community art

00:39:16 - Record ridership stats

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Brandon Sommers speak with Chelsea Opfer of Ghost of the Grand about:

• Chelsea’s deep dive into Salem’s haunted history and the revival of ghost tours through immersive storytelling.
• The mysterious tunnels beneath downtown Salem and their ties to Chinese immigrant communities and forgotten narratives.
• How local events like Ghost of the Grand and Ghoul’s Night Out bring Salem’s dark past to life in fun and meaningful ways.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:03:43 - First impressions of Salem

00:07:16 - Reviving the Grand Theatre

00:10:05 - Haunted origins of the Grand

00:16:28 - Salem’s hidden underground tunnels

00:21:17 - Building Salem’s murder map

00:27:37 - Disturbing history of state hospital

00:34:40 - Ghost tours and Ghoul’s Night Out

Click here to learn more about Ghosts of the Grand.

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Superintendent Andrea Castañeda and comedian Eleanore Ryan about:

• Andrea's experience leading the Salem-Keizer School District through financial hardship and her commitment to transparency and growth.
• The increasing need for behavioral and mental health support in elementary schools and how the district is responding.
• Why investing in relationships, community engagement, and joy-driven leadership matters for public education.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:02:14 – Sharing personal journeys of resilience

00:03:07 – The weight of school budget decisions

00:04:49 – Grace vs. accountability in education

00:13:06 – Breaking down school funding myths

00:27:00 – Expanding behavioral health services

00:41:05 – Embracing leadership during adversity

00:54:07 – Coffee and pastries crawl brainstorm

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with nutritionist Ali Virtue, MS NTP, to discuss:

• Practical approaches to healthy eating and fitness that work for busy lifestyles.
• Budget-friendly strategies for eating healthy in Salem.
• Simple habits that create major health improvements.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:58 - Jacob shares his fitness journey and current goals

05:16 - Debunking myths about healthy eating and diet approaches

12:22 - Budget-friendly grocery shopping strategies for healthy eating

21:10 - Ali's favorite Salem restaurants for nutritious options

27:17 - How to eat mindfully at restaurants and make better choices

34:07 - Creating a balanced relationship with alcohol without derailing health goals

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell to discuss:

• The recent $3 million funding cut to Bridgeway Community Health, Salem's largest addiction treatment provider.
• How the Oregon Health Authority's grant allocation process impacts local treatment services.
• Current legislative efforts to improve funding distribution based on population needs.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:30 - Introduction with Commissioner Bethell

03:22 - Background on the recent funding cuts to addiction treatment

16:58 - How funding decisions impact Bridgeway's new facility and services

28:24 - The impacts on Oregon's unsheltered population and those in crisis

34:57 - Marion County's innovative approach to community partnerships

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Brandon Sommers sit down with Dr. Jessica Howard, President of Chemeketa Community College, to discuss:

• How Chemeketa is adapting to rapidly changing workforce needs through innovative programs
• The upcoming May renewal bond that will maintain current tax rates while funding critical facility updates
• The integration of AI and cutting-edge technologies in education and career preparation
• And much more!

Timestamps:

03:40 - How Chemeketa stays relevant in a changing workforce landscape

11:47 - Using advanced technologies like AI in education

19:07 - What employers look for in today's workforce

21:36 - Details about the May renewal bond and its impact

30:00 - Balancing AI tools with critical thinking skills in education

38:16 - The exceptional return on investment for Chemeketa students

42:07 - Bonus: President Howard's bond campaign anthem

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Congresswoman Andrea Salinas to discuss:

• The economic impacts of proposed tariffs and market volatility on Oregon businesses.
• How federal budget cuts directly affect Salem communities - from Social Security office closures to education funding.
• Infrastructure concerns including Detroit Lake water management and bridge safety.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction with Brandon Sommers discussing business uncertainty

12:47 - Conversation with Congresswoman Salinas begins

15:58 - Three ways federal budget cuts impact Salem

22:18 - Effects on education and healthcare accessibility

30:29 - How the Congresswoman prioritizes local concerns

32:40 - Under-the-radar issues facing Salem residents

35:23 - Maintaining optimism while addressing challenges

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Max Carnage, Salem's favorite foodie, to discuss:

• His journey creating over 60 food review videos on YouTube.
• The quest to find Salem's best breakfast burrito.
• The importance of supporting local restaurants.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

07:18 - Max's YouTube food review series

11:37 - Exploring Salem's breakfast burrito scene

15:57 - Top breakfast burrito recommendations

25:10 - New and exciting food spots in Salem

33:59 - Future of food spaces in Salem's mall

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Britany Randall, land use expert and consultant, to discuss:

• Senate Bill 1537 and its impact on housing development.
• The challenges of housing affordability in Salem.
• Ways to improve housing production
• And much more!

Timestamps:

05:10 - Workforce housing explained

07:42 - Regulations vs. affordability

12:34 - State housing accountability office

18:59 - Housing production challenges

22:40 - Historical housing affordability

29:42 - Importance of community investment

34:05 - Window requirements example