What's Happening Salem

Jacob Espinoza
  • 4.7 (15)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

Stay connected to your community with "What’s Happening Salem," your go-to podcast for all things Salem, Oregon. Every Friday morning, we bring you the latest news, events, and stories from the past week, keeping you informed and engaged with what's happening in your city. Whether it's local government updates, community events, or neighborhood highlights, "What’s Happening Salem" ensures you never miss a beat. Tune in weekly to stay in the know and be part of the vibrant Salem community.

  1. Jun 18

    Superheroes for Foster Kids: Susie Rice on CASA Marion County's Big Run

    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, and the long road to success in foster care cases. And much more! Timestamps: 00:23 - Introducing Susie Rice and CASA Marion County 00:25 - The Superhero Run: bringing capes to Riverfront Park 01:38 - More than fundraising: the "friend-raiser" and advocacy mission 02:33 - What is CASA? The history and mission behind the organization 04:18 - Walking through a child's journey with a CASA volunteer 05:40 - The power of a simple backpack and a treasured toy 07:26 - Defining success in the hardest situations 10:20 - CASA's role with the courts and the volunteers behind the scenes 13:28 - What Susie wishes every Salem resident understood about foster kids 14:44 - How to get involved and take the first step 16:00 - Closing thoughts on CASA's heart and community impact

    17 min

  2. Apr 23

    From Myspace to Metronome: Inside Salem Oregon's Live Music Culture

    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 discuss: Salem's live music history and the creative venues that made it happenHow promotion has shifted from handbills and posters to digital — and why both still matterThe state of Salem's music scene today, and why it's better than people give it credit forThe challenge of building lasting, consistent music venues in SalemBig upcoming shows at the Salem Riverfront Amphitheater (Ice Cube & Slightly Stoopid!)A first-time return to the stage after a decade away — and performing Oregon Homeboy live with a full bandSalem's collaborative vs. competitive music culture, then and nowBeing pro-Salem, pro-development, and what it means to champion your local communityThis week's sponsor: Discover Newport — a perfect 90-minute getaway for a date night on the Oregon Coast Timestamps: 00:00 – Teasing the April 24th show at The Grand 04:03 – Getting into Salem's music scene 04:38 – Flyering, handbills, and old-school show promotion 05:43 – Legendary Salem venues: The HyperX, The Wasteland, Triangle, and more 08:54 – The challenge of all-ages shows in Salem 11:43 – How Salem's music scene compares to Portland and Eugene 19:13 – Collaboration vs. competition in local music 20:32 – Why Salem's scene gets dogged harder than it deserves 21:53 – What Salem is missing: consistent, long-standing venues 25:10 – Shoutout to Bennett Ave and local music listings 28:27 – Favorite shows performed and attended in Salem 29:06 – Opening for Blue Scholars at Willamette University 31:20 – The Grand taking risks on emerging artists 33:13 – Big acts coming to the Riverfront Amphitheater 34:37 – Sponsor break: Discover Newport 35:53 – 75 Hard update and home workout hacks 37:52 – Returning to the stage and performing with a live band 40:22 – The origin story of Oregon Homeboy going viral on Myspace 42:13 – Writing about Salem's mayoral race and navigating community opinions 43:12 – Being unapologetically pro-Salem and pro-development 44:42 – Cutting through political tribalism and focusing on your local community 46:41 – Wrap-up and sign-off from Metronome

    47 min

  3. Apr 5

    Boots on the Ground: How Salem Reporter Keeps It Real

    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 Reporter is approaching candidate coverage and civic engagement.The challenge of moderating online discourse and why moving comments off Facebook has been a win.Building community trust through in-person events, Reddit engagement, and showing up as real people.And much more! Timestamps: 00:00 – Morning routines, circadian rhythms, and the art of doing things your own way 05:12 – The easy button approach to podcasting and why low barriers matter 06:00 – Being recognized in Salem and why people are nicer in person than online 09:15 – Moving comments from Facebook to Salem Reporter's own site 11:00 – Deep engagement vs. 22-second videos: where local journalism fits 21:00 – The State and Commercial development site: $5 million spent, environmental contamination, and financing struggles 27:00 – Urban renewal debates and community reactions to the story 29:30 – Salem Reporter's "Whatever Happened To" feature and doubling back on old stories 29:45 – Local elections, candidate coverage, and getting people engaged in city politics 43:45 – Leadership books, storytelling, and sharpening journalism skills 45:30 – Why in-person community building is the future of local media 48:00 – What AI can't replicate: local context, relationships, and caring about Salem 51:00 – Building trust through years of consistent, community-centered reporting 54:30 – Wrapping up at Metronome Studios + April 24th show at the Grand Theater

    57 min

  4. Mar 29

    How Better Together Supports Is Changing Lives — A Conversation with David Neely

    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 personal journey that led David from growing up alongside foster kids and juvenile hall students to founding his own IDD care agencyWhat it's truly like to work as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) — and why the community is far more joyful and resilient than most people expectThe national DSP shortage crisis and what it means for Oregon families waiting for careHow faith, family, and a friend's unexpected generosity gave Better Together Supports its startThe value of healthy competition in the care industry — and how raising the bar benefits everyoneBuilding a business rooted in community, not ego — and why David refuses to leave Oregon even when it gets hardReflections on hip-hop, aging, relevance, and what artists like André 3000 can teach us about purposeThe origins of What's Happening Salem and how music, journalism, and a passion for community came together Timestamps: 00:00 – Hydration, Coke Zero, and the food industry's engineering of addiction06:20 – Kids, parenting, Lord of the Rings, and the joy of reading18:03 – Introduction to Better Together Supports and the IDD community19:08 – David's origin story: growing up with foster kids and special ed classrooms22:00 – What draws people to DSP work — and what keeps them there24:00 – The "It Takes a Village" philosophy behind Better Together Supports30:00 – Navigating language, inclusion, and the fear of saying the wrong thing33:40 – Starting the agency: an MBA, a leap of faith, and a friend who believed first37:00 – Why David is committed to staying in Oregon no matter the business climate42:00 – Hip-hop, André 3000, and finding relevance as you age45:30 – Old friendships, Salem's music scene, and the road to What's Happening Salem59:25 – How What's Happening Salem grew from music events to a 40,000-follower media brand1:01:30 – Expanding the model: What's Happening Media and teaching others to build community

    1h 4m

  5. Mar 6

    From the Fields to the Floor: Teresa Alonso León on Justice, Policy, and Oregon's Senate District 11

    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: From the fields to the floor: Teresa's inspiring path from migrant student to state legislatorRunning a multilingual campaign and the power of meeting voters in their own languageProtecting Oregon's immigrant community amid rising fears and federal pressureLandmark legislation Teresa championed, including paid family leave, health care for all kids, and Oregon's sanctuary lawTackling homelessness through mental health investment, affordable housing, and wrap-around servicesThe broken bridge between education and employment — and how to fix itUrban growth boundaries, affordable housing, and the real cost of building in OregonWhy your local vote matters more than you think — and how to make sure you're registered Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Metronome Studio02:10 – The power of personal invitations and community events04:30 – Kids, phones, and growing up connected08:11 – Senate District 11: Teresa's background and motivation for running11:00 – From migrant student to GED to college — Teresa's education journey14:49 – Getting into politics: city council, state legislature, and beyond20:03 – Running a multilingual campaign in 201622:29 – Why Teresa is running again — and what's at stake for immigrant families27:28 – Homelessness, mental health, and the housing crisis35:00 – Workforce development, the trades, and closing the education-to-employment gap43:41 – Legislation Teresa is most proud of47:46 – Health equity and access to care for all Oregon kids49:01 – Affordable housing, urban growth boundaries, and protecting farmland56:37 – Get out and vote — why local elections change your life

    1 hr

  6. Feb 26

    Building Salem from the Ground Up ft. Steve Hurley

    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 today, and why keeping investment local matters. In this episode, we discuss: The Headwaters project and what makes it unique as a locally-driven developmentWhy Salem is an underrated hub and what's drawing developers hereThe state of the home building industry and the camaraderie (and competition) among local buildersThe growing challenges of developing new subdivisions and the permitting processAffordable housing options and how new inventory creates opportunity for everyoneThe importance of building community — in neighborhoods and in business Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & introductions at Metronome Studio01:40 - Salem as a growing hub for new businesses04:27 - Introducing the Headwaters project and Steve's background14:00 - What makes a local developer different from national builders22:00 - Newport date night & finding Salem's hidden gems28:47 - Building community through business and the whiskey club model33:36 - Shoutout to the Home Builders Association and city collaboration34:47 - Camaraderie vs. competition among Salem's builders36:58 - The housing shortage, affordability, and the path forward38:11 - Headwaters' potential for more affordable options

    39 min

  7. Feb 12

    Salem's Security Robots & Incredible Feats of Strength with Mason Reeves

    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 MallThe future of robotics in community safety and sidewalk assessmentThe vital importance of human connection in an increasingly automated worldTechnology's role in our community while maintaining person-to-person interactionHow to interact with Dax robots around Salem (hint: say hi and take a selfie!) Timestamps: 00:23 - Live recording introduction and meeting Salem's Strongest Man 01:26 - Tearing a deck of cards in half (incredible feat #1) 03:05 - Rolling a frying pan (incredible feat #2) 05:15 - Introducing Mason Reeves and the Dax robot 12:00 - What is a Dax robot and how does it work? 18:45 - Security applications at Pringle Park and Salem Center Mall 22:30 - Sidewalk assessment technology and community benefits 28:30 - The importance of human interaction in an automated world 29:52 - Jobs and industries least affected by automation 31:22 - How to interact with Dax around Salem 34:00 - The grand finale: bending a horseshoe into a heart!

    35 min

  8. Feb 8

    Danielle Bethell: Why Salem's Next Governor Started at the County Level

    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 governorThe challenges of navigating politics while maintaining neutrality and integrityHow local issues across Oregon communities mirror Salem's strugglesThe disconnect between state leadership and local realitiesHer experience on the Salem-Keizer School Board during COVID-19The complexities of ethics complaints and political targetingBuilding the Carousel Skate Center and investing in Salem's communityPersonal stories of loss, grief, and finding purpose through tragedyHer unique lived experience with homelessness and mental health systemsWhy she believes her commissioner role has prepared her for the governorship Timestamps: 00:00 - Pre-show conversation about MMA and local fighters 01:35 - Introduction and campaign journey discussion 02:30 - What a Salem-area governor would mean for Oregon 04:45 - The tightrope of political neutrality 06:25 - Learning to separate campaigns from governance 13:47 - Building the Carousel and community investment 43:49 - Personal stories of loss and finding focus 51:29 - Community service and involvement 1:00:45 - Ethics complaints and political targeting explained 1:06:29 - Daily Deal with Bethell: Why she's running for governor

    1 hr
See All (84)

4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Stay connected to your community with "What’s Happening Salem," your go-to podcast for all things Salem, Oregon. Every Friday morning, we bring you the latest news, events, and stories from the past week, keeping you informed and engaged with what's happening in your city. Whether it's local government updates, community events, or neighborhood highlights, "What’s Happening Salem" ensures you never miss a beat. Tune in weekly to stay in the know and be part of the vibrant Salem community.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Espinoza
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jacob Espinoza
  • Show Website
    What's Happening Salem

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