Michelle Obama wowed an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 graduates and their families at Oregon State University, where she gave the 2012 Commencement address.

Every year the Multnomah County Sheriff's office holds a huge Christmas party for students at the Community Transitional School. This year, Captain Rai Adgers says, they decided to do something bigger: Build a basketball court.

Flanked by police, prosecutors, gang outreach workers and leaders of the community-based 11:45, Connected, and the Rosewood Initiative, Mayor Adams said the city's strategy includes: youth programs, a stepped-up police presences and federal sentences for felons who carry firearms.

A former Columbia County jail inmate whose eye was gouged out during a 2010 jailhouse attack has brought a lawsuit against Columbia County; County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson, Sheriffs Deputies Derek Hibbs and Ryan Scholl; Emanuel Hospital; and Metro West Ambulance.

When Portland's composting pilot was introduced six months ago sorting garbage was voluntary. Now planning bureau staffers want city council to change the city code – opening the door to fining householders who toss garbage into recycling containers.

Mayor Sam Adams will hold a press conference next Thursday, June 14 to talk about violence prevention plans for this summer. Police say they are upping their visibility on the streets, while other gang task force members, including outreach workers, nonprofits and youth organizations, are gearing up to offer activities, jobs and support to youth this summer.

CUNY Professor Michelle Fine says we treat our children like criminals -- and the worst affected are students of color from poor neighborhoods and LGBT students.

As Mayor Sam Adams chief education advisor, Kali Thorne Ladd is behind strategies such as the Future Connect program that offers scholarships to low-income students and the 9th Grade Counts which supports students entering high school.

Rudy Crew is officially Oregon's CEO of schools – that's Chief Education Officer, a unique position expected to "lead the transformation of" all public schools from early childhood programs through college.

Willie D. Manning was born Nov.14, 1929 to Elroy and Dera (Grissom) Manning in Columbia County. He departed this life on May 19, 2012 in Portland, Oregon.