Whitney Woodworth

Great story, but you are losing the Oregonians with this description of Cottage Grove as central Oregon

I thought the interview with Nowning and the tie-in to spending was particularly interesting. I first covered this back in November, before the reappointment, and it's telling how little outrage there was before the union campaign.

Great story--- why wasn't the Statesman Journal's reporting referenced at all in this? We wrote about Hedquist back in November and interviewed Micki Varney about why she left the meeting. The AI slop photo in question was used (without permission) from a portrait photo we took of Hedquist.

Will be interested to see, if this results in the arrest of a federal agent, how the supremecy clause comes into play. In Salem, the clause led to charges against a DEA agent accused of running a stop sign and killing a cyclist being dismissed: www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/c...

Two months ago, I got a tip about controversy within a little-known police board in Salem. Multiple stories, national coverage, union backlash, and death threats against councilors ensued: www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

Tolkien: "Sauron ... now a sorcerer of dreadful power, master of shadows and of phantoms, foul in wisdom, cruel in strength, misshaping what he touched, twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment."
Tech bros:

Them hearing “poured his malice, cruelty and will to dominate” then drafting their business plan

Sauron, Palantir… Did people in Silicon Valley not read LOTR or did they just take away the wrong message?

From your occasional parenthood correspondent: statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2025/12/22/kid-friendly-indoor-spots-in-salem-oregon-to-play/87719642007/

Flows at Pringle Creek are getting reeeeeal high today, so much that the city closed their nearby offices

My rules for Christmas this year: No AI, minimal technology. Trying to get something that will not immediately get broken or forgotten. So far, I got illustrated books, stuffies you can warm up in the microwave, games and this thing that looks like it can withstand being powerbombed by my kids.

Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
Also on my list: Die Hard, Heat, Terminator: Judgment Day, Home Alone, Constantine.

Not only have I heard this song, but as someone who worked full-time for three years at an Italian restaurant as a teen, I listened to it 6x/day during the holidays and was slowly driven into madness.

The Salem City Council meeting ran so long with public testimony last night, it almost bled into the next day. The bulk of the hours-long testimony urged council to take more action against ICE sweeps. (Thanks to @isabeldfunk.bsky.social for photos)
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

What kind of parties, pray tell me, does Saks think I’ll be attending this holiday season?

The first trial of a man accused of raping his wife while living with her happened in Salem. A new book by @sarahweinman.com takes a look back at the case and its impact— paired with an expected twist 38 years after the initial trial.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

wall e and eve from the movie wall e are swimming in a pool ALT: wall e and eve from the movie wall e are swimming in a pool

Update: I also got to reference both Robocop and Wall-E in a follow-up story about the solution to street racing concerns (robots). www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...

This story by @diannelugo.bsky.social captures the fear and uncertainty gripping Oregon's largest Hispanic community amid ICE arrests. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...

I got to sneak in a Fast & Furious reference into a city council meeting preview story. Please clap.

Oh how I hate this

This is how it feels when a PIO sits in on an interview with a source

11 people stabbed at Union Gospel Mission of Salem: What we know Salem Police responded to a stabbing incident involving 11 people at Union Gospel Mission of Salem on the evening of June 1. A suspected was arrested.

What we know so far about the mass-stabbing incident at the Union Gospel Mission last night in Salem. Story from @isabeldfunk.bsky.social , @whitneywoodworth.bsky.social, Capi Lynn and our news editor Jonathan Williams. Photos from Kevin Neri. www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2...

Kinda baffled that anyone would want to jump off that?? Beautiful to visit, but I feel like the water was so shallow and cold.

Always Be Cage-ing

Voters appear to pass levy to fund Salem library, parks, Center 50+ in early returns A five-year local option levy to fund the Salem Public Library, parks and Center 50+ appears to be passing, according to initial ballot returns May 20.

Early returns have the levy passing in Salem, avoiding dozens of layoffs and keeping the libraries, drinking fountains, splash fountains, summer camps and Center 50+ open this summer.
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/p...

Ha-- what are the odds?

Pre-gaming election night with my national treasure. Follow me on statesmanjournal.com for updates on the levy to fund the library/parks and Ward 6 council race

Lots of $$ coming into Ward 6/Salem for the May election. When I joined the SJ in 2016, $10k was common for a city council campaign. Now one candidate has $57k and the other has $31k. This plus the levy and school board vote means I am getting papered in campaign mailers

I'm not sure I want to even touch that third rail 😂