On today’s Newsmakers at Noon, Denise and Hunter highlight KYKN’s 5th Annual Food and Clothing Drive, encouraging listeners to support local families and community organizations.
At noon, guests Tim Berry and Matt Lawyer join the show to share details about the upcoming Gold Star Families Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Keizer. The ceremony will take place Saturday, February 7 at 11 a.m. at PFC Ryan J. Hill Memorial Park along Keizer Station Boulevard. The newly completed monument—recognized as Oregon’s first Gold Star Families Memorial supported by the Woody Williams Foundation—honors the families of fallen service members. The discussion includes the legacy of Army PFC Ryan J. Hill, Keizer’s first resident killed in action in Iraq, and the broader purpose of Gold Star memorials as places of remembrance, reflection, and education. The event is open to the public, with a reception to follow at Keizer City Hall.
The show also notes several February observances and reflects on This Day in History, covering moments ranging from George Washington’s unanimous election as president to milestones in literature, film, music, and technology.
Attention then turns to local education news, as Salem-Keizer Public Schools announces plans to cut $23 million from next year’s budget, including reductions to district offices and school staffing. Denise and Hunter discuss what those cuts could mean for classrooms, families, and the broader community.
The episode wraps with regional and national headlines, including ongoing debates around immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, public safety, and accountability, as well as recent legal developments tied to unrest in major cities.
A wide-ranging episode focused on community service, honoring military families, education challenges, and current events, Newsmakers at Noon continues to bring local perspective to the stories shaping the region.
