Historically the Black press has been covering Black artists, entertainers and other well-known personalities when no else would, primarily out of a sense of duty, responsibility and pride in order to showcase their talent to the world. That included Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, when they were at the beginning of their rise to stardom.  So it was not surprising that the Black press came out in full force to cover Jackson's memorial at the event that was described as a virtual sea of Blackness.  Yet, photographers representing the oldest and largest Black newspapers were not credentialed to take photos inside the Staples Center during the memorial of Michael Jackson. . . .

As the debate over health care reform heats up in Washington, D.C., a report released Wednesday could make a major blow to private insurance companies' credibility...

Tyrese Darnell Gibson was born in Los Angeles on December 30, 1978. He and his three siblings were raised in the Watts section of the city by his single-mom after his father abandoned the family in 1983...

With this 2009 Careers Edition hitting the streets during record unemployment levels in Washington and Oregon, we at The Skanner sought out the most inspirational person we could find to offer advice on preparing for the future...

The color guard of the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle leads the annual Juneteenth Parade from Garfield High School to Pratt Park on Saturday, June 20. The 3-day event featured the parade and a variety of musical entertainment...

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - National health reports conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the average American woman is 5'4" in height, weighs approximately 164 pounds, and wears a size 14. In fact, 68 percent of American women are now considered "plus-sized," making the announcement by Crain's New York Business, that the nation's recession had caused national retailers, including some major chains, to discontinue women's plus sizes to save money, shocking to many...

Portland's Juneteenth Parade Saturday attracted happy children and adults in lawn chairs who took up posts along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for the procession. Leadsing the parade was the Color Guard, above. Grand Marshall was Mayor Sam Adams...

• State Emergency Management Using Social Media for Warnings, Preparedness
• Vancouver Police Seek Volunteer Citizen Informants
• Killingsworth Post Office May Be Named After MLK
• Leaders Discuss Health Impacts of Recession
• Students Launch Boys & Girls Club Website
• Rep. Tina Kotek to Host Town Hall Forum
• Free Grant Writing Workshop

Due to high demand and significance of the film, "Crips and Bloods: Made in America," The Silent War and Seattle Parks and Recreation will host another film screening next Friday, June 26 at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave S, Seattle 98118.
A cluster of neighborhoods lies in the heart of Southern California, streets and boulevards forming a grid between concrete ribbons of freeway. Surrounded by the California Dream, this region has a legacy...

On National HIV Testing Day, the National Minority AIDS Council Urge Citizens to "KNOWIT"
Do you know your HIV status? On June 27, the National Minority AIDS Council is sponsoring the 2008 National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). Held annually, the event was launched in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of knowing one's HIV status and to encourage at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing...