This year, the "Salem Reads" book selection is "Piecing Me Together" by Portland-born author Renee Watson. It's young adult fiction that addresses racism, class differences, friendship, and identity. In this interview, the author talks about writing about challenging social issues for a young adult audience.

In this City Desk program, Gus Federick, outgoing Silverton Planning Commission member talks about Silverton and his time serving on this city's planning commission.

Leah Straley, Assistant Dean of Recruitment for Willamette University's College of Law, talks about the school of law and an upcoming open house on February 1st.

Bob Rossi interviews Don McIntosh of NW Labor News on pensions, 401Ks and retirement in the private sector.

Sarah Mitchell and John LockWood, Marion Polk Food Share, talk about the Governor's Food Drive, its impact on the community and how general community members can help. Sarah also touches on how Food Share is helping with the Point in Time Count Jan. 29th.

Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis talks about a regional effort to bring coordinated care and more federal resources to address homelessness in Marion and Polk Counties.

Today on "City Desk", Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett talks about council actions on managing homelessness in the downtown area and what influenced their decision. Council decided not to use Pringle Community Hall as an overnight shelter, but pursue other options, including an unnamed building that would need to be re-zoned; revisit the camping ban; expand Safe Sleep capacity from 10 to 19 and develop guidelines around car camping.

In this montage of Salem/Keizer's celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, you will hear a song, prayer, thoughts and some good news. You will hear from pastors, NAACP, an elected official, educator, and students.

Tony Vilaneda, Junior at North Salem High School, talks about his personal experience with the "school to prison & deportation pipeline", and what he's doing to break the cycle. Tony's involvement with Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS) has lead to an article published in Teen Vogue and a meeting with presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders.

In this episode of Lot Lines, Traci Benjamin, mortgage broker, talks about the difference between new construction and rehab loans when purchasing residential property.