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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: 2026 Open Studios and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Petition: Police Have the Video. They Still Don't Have His Name. (onegreenplanet.org) — Salem police are still trying to identify a man filmed hitting a small dog near Wooddale Avenue NE and 32nd Avenue NE on July 25, and the case remains open. Residents are being urged to sign a petition and call Salem's non-emergency line with tips, while advocates stress reporting suspected animal abuse immediately rather than waiting.
2. Meet a wastewater operator keeping the Willamette River clean from sewage (lookouteugene-springfield.com) — Sewage spills into the Willamette River in Salem as recently as December 2025 underscore why careful wastewater work upstream matters for local water quality. A Eugene operator, who previously worked for the city of Salem and Marion County, walks through how his team treats millions of gallons of sewage daily to keep pollution out of the river that serves communities downstream.
3. City of Keizer weighs tourist fee, hotel tax ideas to fund sports field improvements (keizertimes.com) — Keizer officials are debating whether to raise hotel taxes or join Salem's existing tourism promotion area to fund upgrades at Keizer Little League Park, including turf and lights. Local hoteliers and Travel Salem worry a higher tax could limit their ability to participate in the Salem Tourism Promotion Area, where hotel-run committees direct marketing funds across Marion and Polk counties.
4. Oregon housing starts rise 11.3% in first half of 2026, outpacing national trend (ktvz.com) — State officials in Salem report Oregon housing starts rose 11.3% in early 2026, even as national construction dipped. Governor Tina Kotek credits regulatory changes, new lending programs, and grants for thousands of future homes, moves that could eventually influence Salem's housing supply and affordability as projects advance across multiple cities.
5. OR AG Lays Out Where Money Is Saved By Federal Lawsuits (kxl.com) — From his office in Salem Attorney General Dan Rayfield says federal lawsuits handled by the state Department of Justice have safeguarded nearly $7 billion headed to Oregon. He explains that these cases, many targeting Trump administration policies, protect funding for food assistance, disaster recovery, public health grants and other vital programs that residents across the state rely on.
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Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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