Willamette Wake Up

Salem City Councilor Micki Varney will review the process, recent developments, and upcoming Salem City Council meeting concerning AI data centers after the public hearing last week on the Verrus proposal. Councilor Varney addresses the recently passed ban on nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) for data centers, and creation of a task force to determine criteria to be in place when evaluating data centers' benefit to the community. Then, she explains the process for a proposed moratorium on siting new data centers at the upcoming council meeting.

Superintendent Andrea Castenada and Board Director Jennifer Parker talk about creating an overarching policy to guide the district in addressing safety issues in the schools, and the issues and parameters guiding the process. 

Get a sneak peak into the iconic Englewood Forest Festival in Salem and meet some of the participants for 2026. Set in a forested park, the festival features local music & dance performers, artists and conservation groups in one family-friendly setting.  Organizer, Lynn Takata provides an overview and Aislinn Adams, Kathy Kem and Melissa Theve talk about their specific contributions.

Salem City Council met July 27, 2026 to hear from residents about a data center proposed to be built in Salem by Verrus, a data center developer. The development became public while still under a "nondisclosure agreement (NDA)," so still far from being a reality. But city leaders wanted to hear what residents thought earlier in the process rather than later.  Residents were vocal in their opposition.  Here a conversation about the meeting with Willamette Wake Up hosts, Jane Titchenal and Melanie Zermer.

Program host Melanie Zermer reviews her take on pros & cons of a proposed data center coming to Salem Oregon, in light of a public hearing on the issue coming before Salem City Council July 27, 2026.  She explores issues communities grapple with when evaluating benefits and negative impacts of data centers, different kinds of data centers and some specifics about the proposed Verrus project called Oakline at Mill Creek.  

Holla for Labor talks with Joe Kurmaskie, Reborn Bikes and Eva Pigotti, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action about the importance of community giving and another bike fest coming to Salem on September 26. 2026. 

Learn how to stay safe during extreme heat events with Michael Keuler, Environmental Health Resiliency Coordinator. Michael shares information about the negative impacts of extreme heat on our health and ways to prevent, identify & treat heat medical emergencies.

Reverend Robin Lunn, First Congregational Church in Salem Oregon, talked about bringing a justice-rooted resilience hub into the building currently used primarily by the church. She explains the history & purpose of this project, its current vision and hopes for its future. 

Girlypop Politics talks with Kiara Bailey, Student Council President and recent graduate of the Teen Parent Program at Roberts School at Chemeketa. Kiara talks about the importance of representation and the power you have to make change just by being your most authentic self. 

Monmouth Monthly highlights Struts & Frets with the folks behind this theatre group. Hear about their performances in August in Monmouth's Main Street Park, including performances of Twelfth Night.  Struts & Frets Theatre Company is dedicated to producing innovative professional theatre in the  Mid-Willamette Valley through collaborative, artist-driven storytelling.