Fighting for Cummings Elementary, School Safety in Bend & Unrest in France - Newsmakers At Noon 10/19/26

On today’s Newsmakers at Noon, Denise and Hunter welcomed Kevin Jackson, a Keizer parent and community advocate challenging the proposed closure of Cummings Elementary School.

Kevin shared compelling financial and safety concerns, including his analysis showing that closing Cummings could add $1.49 million in transportation costs over five years—roughly equal to the school’s deferred maintenance needs. He also questioned the district’s enrollment figures, operating costs, and the wisdom of abandoning a neighborhood school that recently received $3.2 million in improvements.

Are these closures really saving taxpayers money, and are the district’s decisions putting students first? It’s a conversation every Salem-Keizer parent and taxpayer should hear.

We also discussed the growing effort to save Richmond Elementary and its dual-language program.

Also appearing on the show, Angela Plowhead, running for SD11.

The conversation then turned to the tragic Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, the community’s preparations to return to school, and important questions about school security and protecting our children.

Finally, we examined the widespread unrest in France, the destruction of businesses and public property, and what Americans might learn about public safety, government accountability, and protecting our communities.

An important hour of local issues, national concerns, and conversations worth having.