🌱 Patch AM: What Wednesday’s Salem revenue forecast could mean for Oregon services

Coffee in hand, Salem? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What Wednesday's Salem revenue forecast could mean for Oregon services
• Which drought relief programs can Marion and Polk County residents tap now?
• What Salem-based officials are changing about Oregon's health insurance website

Also on today's calendar: Sundial Tour of Homes and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high of 86 and low of 54 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 58.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Oregon's Financial Picture Faces a Major Checkup as New Revenue Numbers Arrive Wednesday (grantspasstribune.com) — State economists will brief lawmakers at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Wednesday with fresh revenue and economic forecasts that could reshape the 2025–27 state budget. Their update will clarify whether tax collections, kicker projections, and the state's modest ending balance are on track, influencing funding for schools, services, and programs across Oregon, including the mid-Willamette Valley.
   

2. Drought relief resources available for communities, tribes, and small businesses in Oregon (elkhornmediagroup.com) — From Salem, state emergency officials are highlighting grants, loans, and technical help available to communities, tribes, nonprofits, and small businesses hit by drought, including in Marion and Polk counties. Programs range from well repair grants and USDA farm assistance to SBA disaster loans and federal WaterSMART funding, with many offered first‑come, first‑served and some deadlines already set.
   

3. Oregon Health Authority Will Have New Website For State's Health Insurance Marketplace (kxl.com) — Based in Salem, the Oregon Health Authority is rolling out a new Explore Health website this fall for the state's insurance marketplace, just ahead of open enrollment. Officials say the Vimo‑built platform will better handle Oregon‑specific rules, still let users compare plans, and expand one‑on‑one help through community partners and local agents.
   

4. Workplace violence in health care: Oregon OSHA wants input on proposed rule (safetyandhealthmagazine.com) — From its Salem headquarters, Oregon OSHA is asking for public comment on a proposed rule to strengthen workplace-violence protections for hospital, home health, hospice, and surgical-center workers. The rule would require regular risk assessments, prevention programs, and annual training, with comments due by Aug. 31 ahead of a planned 2027 effective date.
   

📸 Around Salem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 29
• Sundial Tour of Homes →
  2310 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday August 27
• Salem Emerging Leaders - Coffee Social - 08.27.2026 →
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Location & Address to be announced.
  8:30 am
• MWVCAA Meet the Employer Event
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Job Connection 3535 Lancaster DR. NE Salem, OR 97305
  1:00 pm
• Catalyst Member Dinner - Exclusive Invite →
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce RH Estate Wines 2995 Michigan City Lane NW Salem, OR 97304
  6:00 pm
Friday August 28
• Greeters Hosted by Center 50+
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301
  8:30 am
Sunday August 30
• House Concert benefiting Salem Parks Foundation, hosted by Mark Wigg →
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Sunday, August 30, 7-8:30 p.m. 1950 Saginaw St. S, Salem, Oregon
  7:00 pm
Wednesday September 2
• Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series presents: The Elsewhere Ensemble3
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Hudson Hall, Willamette University 900 State Street Salem, OR 97301
  7:30 pm
Thursday September 3
• Business Advocacy Monthly Meeting
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
  7:00 am
• Leadership Salem - Orientation (09-03-2026)
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 1110 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
  4:30 pm
Saturday September 5
• Florence Mineral and Gem Show →
  Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St, Florence
  10:00 am
Friday September 18
• Developing Your Inner Artist Homeschool Class (Interactive Online) →
  Art Play Learn Online
  12:00 pm

📣 Salem Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday August 25
• MWVCAA Meet the Employer Event
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Job Connection 3535 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305
  10:00 am
Friday August 28
• Greeters Hosted by Center 50+
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301
  8:30 am
• CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 1 →
  Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
  6:00 pm
Saturday August 29
• CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 2 →
  Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field Of Dreams Way Northeast Suite 101, Keizer
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible:

• Sundial 55+ Active Lifestyle Community — (503) 363-6234

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• REUNITED!
  Found 8/23 10:00am one block north of Roth's Sunnyslope shopping center. Safe in a fenced yard now. Must show proof of ownership. (Nextdoor Sunnyslope II)
• History has given the word "Crone" a bad rap over the years.
  But all it means is that we're in the third stage of womanhood. The first two stages are Maiden and Mother and this final stage is, in no way,… (Nextdoor Campbell Drive)

• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate in Salem. Apply here.
• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Library Clerk - Part-Time (On-Call) in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

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: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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