Whitney Woodworth
@whitneywoodworth.bsky.social
Statesman Journal reporter based in Salem, Oregon, covering local government and development. Here posting about news, Lord of the Rings, and life in the PNW.
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.
December 11, 2025 at 8:24 PM
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.
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...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
What kind of parties, pray tell me, does Saks think I’ll be attending this holiday season?
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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...
www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/l...
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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...
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...
November 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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.
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I got to sneak in a Fast & Furious reference into a city council meeting preview story. Please clap.
This is how it feels when a PIO sits in on an interview with a source
July 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This is how it feels when a PIO sits in on an interview with a source
Always Be Cage-ing
May 21, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Always Be Cage-ing
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
May 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
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 $$ coming into Ward 6/Salem for the May election. When I joined the SJ in 2016, $10k was common for a city council campaign. Now one candidate has $57k and the other has $31k. This plus the levy and school board vote means I am getting papered in campaign mailers
May 16, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Lots of $$ 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
Just wrapped up three months of training with the Eugene Half-Marathon. It seems like the whole city came out to celebrate the race— lots of cheering, funny signs, snacks (including someone handing out beer) and a fun finish on the track at Hayward Field.
April 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Just wrapped up three months of training with the Eugene Half-Marathon. It seems like the whole city came out to celebrate the race— lots of cheering, funny signs, snacks (including someone handing out beer) and a fun finish on the track at Hayward Field.
How much you pay for a home in Salem varies greatly depending on when you bought it. In the matter of four years, the mortgage for the average home doubled as prices continued to increase.
February 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
How much you pay for a home in Salem varies greatly depending on when you bought it. In the matter of four years, the mortgage for the average home doubled as prices continued to increase.
About two inches of snow in east Salem (which is about two inches too much for Scout)
February 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
About two inches of snow in east Salem (which is about two inches too much for Scout)
There are many things I dislike about my hometown of Gilbert, Arizona, but the library absolutely slaps. It is open 7 days a week and borders a riparian preserve (where I got married). In comparison, our library in Salem is open five days a week at reduced hours--- and could even face closure.
January 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
There are many things I dislike about my hometown of Gilbert, Arizona, but the library absolutely slaps. It is open 7 days a week and borders a riparian preserve (where I got married). In comparison, our library in Salem is open five days a week at reduced hours--- and could even face closure.
My hot take on what app we should replace TikTok with.
January 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
My hot take on what app we should replace TikTok with.
I just posted content that may be too controversial for Facebook (I said I feel safe going to most Salem parks on the local FB Moms group)
January 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I just posted content that may be too controversial for Facebook (I said I feel safe going to most Salem parks on the local FB Moms group)
Said goodbye to the world's most amazing sausage dog this Christmas after more than 15 years of kids, cross-country moves and countless walks.
January 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Said goodbye to the world's most amazing sausage dog this Christmas after more than 15 years of kids, cross-country moves and countless walks.
Dispatches from federal court in Eugene: Judge rules DEA agent has immunity in fatal Salem crash with cyclist, dismisses case www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/c...
November 26, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Dispatches from federal court in Eugene: Judge rules DEA agent has immunity in fatal Salem crash with cyclist, dismisses case www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/c...
Words cannot express how happy I am that both of my children are aging out of this media content phase.
November 22, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Words cannot express how happy I am that both of my children are aging out of this media content phase.
Twitter has diminished to the point where I no longer find it helpful or healthy! I'll be spending more of my time on the other apps so please list any good Oregon, newsy, or LOTR-related accounts to follow here ⬇️
November 13, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Twitter has diminished to the point where I no longer find it helpful or healthy! I'll be spending more of my time on the other apps so please list any good Oregon, newsy, or LOTR-related accounts to follow here ⬇️