Paddling the Willamette River can be both a serene and chaotic experience – migrating cormorants, blue herons and other water fowl; the concrete, steel and wood remains of Portland's industrial past; the toxic dead zones and Superfund sites along the river.Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is leading the state's fight against pollution with the office's first ever unit designed to investigate the state's biggest environmental crimes perpetrators...

Washington state's 2008 payday lending statistics show a downturn in the number of payday loan companies, but an increase in the use of their services over the past two years.

If a young person knocks on your door and says they're selling magazines for a charity, wait before reaching for your pocketbook. The Washington Attorney General's Office, which issued a warning about Fresh Start Opportunities in March, says solicitors have returned to Washington state.

One of North Portland's most heartbreaking anniversaries passed quietly this week – the killing of Debbie Peyton and Shango Wade.

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- Vandals splattered feces on a window in front of a life-size cutout of President Barack Obama...

Duke University Economist William "Sandy" Darity will address the recession, the widening of the racial wealth gap and intergenerational poverty in the African-American community during a live webcast this Friday. You can join the discussion by submitting your own questions or concerns ...

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) _ Tiny Prospect School in the Cascade foothills of Southern Oregon has closed for the rest of the week after 30 percent of students and teachers stayed home with flu symptoms.

At 1 p.m. today in Salem, soon-to-be former Rep. Chip Shields will be sworn in as the new state senator for District 22 ...

The Seattle Seahawks donned their new bright neon green jerseys for Sunday's game but lost to the Chicago Bears 25-19 at Qwest Field in front of a sellout crowd of 67,938 fans ...

MILWAUKIE, Ore. (AP) -- A look inside Providence Milwaukie Hospital illustrates how the nation's health care system is unraveling for people who can't afford it. The hospital for the first time offered free mammograms to uninsured women older than 40. A total of 45 slots were made available over three evening clinics, and they filled immediately. An additional 21 women were put on a waiting list...