It’s been a heavy week in the Mid-Willamette Valley. If you’ve stepped outside today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, you probably noticed the gray chill—standard Salem winter, honestly—but the atmosphere around the Oregon State Capitol is anything but standard. Between a massive protest that brought a thousand people to the streets and the opening of one of the region's largest trade shows, the city feels stretched thin.
Basically, it's a mix of high-tension politics and the steady hum of Oregon agriculture.
The Capitol Protest: Why Everyone Is Talking About January 10th
While the headlines for salem oregon news today are catching up, the ripple effects from Saturday’s protest are still the main topic at every coffee shop in town. Nearly 1,000 people swarmed the Capitol grounds. They weren’t there for local taxes. They were there because of Renee Good.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis last week. Why does that matter here? Because Salem has a long memory when it comes to federal overreach.
The crowd was loud. Chants of "ICE out now" echoed off the marble of the Capitol. It wasn't just about Minneapolis, though. People were also venting about two recent shootings in Portland involving federal agents. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has already come out defending the agent, claiming self-defense, but the folks on the streets of Salem aren't buying it. They’re calling it murder.
You might see a few lingering signs or a smaller group near Northeast Center Street today. Police are still watching closely.
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The 56th Northwest Ag Show Opens Its Doors
Switching gears completely—because that’s just how Salem works—the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center is currently a playground for farmers. The 56th Northwest Ag Show officially kicked off this morning at 9 a.m.
It’s big. Huge, really.
If you’re into massive Kubota tractors or the latest irrigation tech from Irrigation King, this is where you’re hanging out today. Olyveya Mazier, the show manager, has been talking up the "revamped" feel of the event. It’s not just for the industry pros; the Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassadors are literally handing out Tillamook cheese and milk products.
Free cheese. That alone usually justifies the drive to the Northgate area.
The Mayor vs. The Councilor: A Spicy Debate
In the world of local government, things got surprisingly personal at the Salem Convention Center. Mayor Julie Hoy and City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke faced off in a debate hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
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They sparred over two big things:
- Homelessness: Nordyke cited a figure of 2,100 people living on the streets, while Hoy admitted she wasn't aware of that specific number.
- Ethics: This was the "get your popcorn" moment. Nordyke questioned Hoy about a vote that saved a developer (who happened to be a campaign donor) $216,000 in sidewalk installation fees.
Hoy’s response was pretty blunt. She argued that saving a project money eventually saves the homebuyer money. Whether you agree or not, it’s clear the May 19 election is going to be a slugfest.
Public Safety and The "Boil Water" Scare
Let's talk about the water. You've probably seen the alerts on your phone. South Salem had a scare over the weekend after a PGE power outage hit the Davis Road Water Pump Station.
The good news? The city officially lifted the limited-area boil water notice on Monday. If you're in the S4 pressure zone, you're safe to drink from the tap again without boiling it for a full minute.
On the crime front, the Salem Police Special Investigations Unit has been busy. They just announced the arrest of a man involved in a scary menacing incident on Knox Avenue. Apparently, a guy in a red Kia Altima with no plates was pointing guns at pedestrians claiming gang affiliation. They caught him, and they found a .380 handgun and some automatic rifles in the process.
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Also, a 58-year-old man, Jonathon Loren Jones, is in custody at the Marion County Jail after a stabbing at the old Rite Aid parking lot on Commercial Street SE.
New Laws You Actually Need to Know About
Since we’re two weeks into 2026, a bunch of new Oregon laws are officially in "enforcement mode."
One that’s going to save a lot of headaches: House Bill 3522. It makes it way easier to kick out squatters. Landlords can now give a 24-hour notice instead of going through a six-month civil lawsuit.
Another big one is the telemarketing crackdown (House Bill 3865). If someone calls you to sell something before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m., they’re breaking the law. They’re also limited to three calls in a 24-hour period. Finally.
Real-World Actions for Salem Residents Today
If you're navigating the city today, keep these points in mind:
- Avoid the Fairgrounds Area: Traffic near the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center will be a mess through Friday because of the Ag Show. Use 17th Street as an alternative if you’re heading north.
- Water Check: If you’ve been away for a few days, flush your taps for a minute if you live in South Salem, just to be safe after the recent pressure drop.
- Political Engagement: The Hoy-Nordyke debate is available to watch online. If you care about how the $13.8 million budget shortfall is handled, it’s worth twenty minutes of your time.
- Stay Warm: It’s 47°F today with a 10% chance of rain. It’s that biting kind of cold, so don't leave the house without a real coat.
Salem is in a weird spot right now. We're balancing a massive budget deficit, a tense political climate, and a city that’s trying to figure out how to be "livable" while prices keep climbing. But hey, at least we have the Cherry Blossom Day to look forward to in March.