Two Aspiring Journalists Earn Prestigious Internships at Salem Reporter

University of Oregon students Reilly Norgren and Brook Ferris will spend the summer reporting in Salem.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:06pm

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For the third year in a row, Salem Reporter has been selected to host interns from the University of Oregon's prestigious Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. This summer, Reilly Norgren and Brook Ferris will join the newsroom, bringing their experience in investigative reporting, visual storytelling, and covering a range of community issues.

Why it matters

The Snowden internship program provides valuable real-world experience for aspiring journalists, helping to shape the next generation of local news reporters. Salem Reporter's participation demonstrates the publication's commitment to nurturing young talent and ensuring quality local coverage for the community.

The details

Norgren, a native of Clatskanie, Oregon, is set to graduate from the University of Oregon this spring with degrees in journalism and English. She has served as an investigative reporter and news editor for the university's student newspaper, the Daily Emerald. At Salem Reporter, Norgren will focus on agriculture and breaking news. Ferris, who hails from Palmer, Alaska, recently earned her bachelor's in fine arts photography from Oregon State University. She has experience guiding younger photographers as a senior photographer for the school's student media organization, the Orange Media Network. Ferris hopes to contribute impactful visual storytelling that brings underrepresented voices to the forefront.

  • Norgren and Ferris will join Salem Reporter's newsroom in June.
  • The internships will last 10 weeks.

The players

Reilly Norgren

A graduating senior from the University of Oregon with degrees in journalism and English, Norgren has experience as an investigative reporter and news editor for the student newspaper, the Daily Emerald.

Brook Ferris

A recent graduate of Oregon State University with a bachelor's in fine arts photography, Ferris has worked as a senior photographer for the school's student media organization, the Orange Media Network.

University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication

The prestigious Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism, run by the University of Oregon's journalism school, selects top student journalists for internships at news organizations across Oregon and Washington.

Salem Reporter

A local news publication in Salem, Oregon, that has hosted interns from the Snowden program for the past three years, providing valuable real-world experience for aspiring journalists.

Les Zaitz

The editor of Salem Reporter, who looks forward to helping shape the professional lives of the incoming Snowden interns.

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What they’re saying

“I want to build meaningful relationships within the newsroom and the community while continuing to grow as a journalist. I am especially interested in learning how to navigate day-to-day reporting in a local news environment, understanding how to tell stories that are both timely and impactful.”

— Brook Ferris

“I'm really excited to jump right into covering everything Salem has to offer — public safety, government and business are all strengths of the Salem Reporter's coverage that I am interested in.”

— Reilly Norgren

“This program year after year brings terrific journalism talent to Salem. I look forward to another chance to help shape the professional lives of journalists at this challenging time in the news business. Truly, Salem is the beneficiary.”

— Les Zaitz, Editor, Salem Reporter

What’s next

After the 10-week internship, Norgren and Ferris will return to their respective universities to complete their studies, with the goal of launching their journalism careers.

The takeaway

The selection of Norgren and Ferris for the prestigious Snowden internship program underscores Salem Reporter's commitment to nurturing the next generation of local journalists and ensuring the community receives high-quality news coverage.