A group of about 30 pastors from about 20 Portland churches want to make funerals gang-free zones, by banning the colors, clothing and music associated with gangs during funerals.

When it comes to the outdoors, Greg Wolley has been everywhere you can imagine, defying many stereotypes about African-Americans and wildlife.

SEATTLE (AP) -- For the first time, Washington's Supreme Court is setting limits on the number of cases that public defenders can handle -- an effort to improve the quality of legal representation for some of the 200,000 poor people prosecuted in the state every year, but one that could increase costs to local governments at a time of tight budgets.

Fired Oregon Commission for Black Affairs members Clifford Walker and Willie Woolfolk say they have been invited to hearings at the state capitol to "clear their names" – but as yet neither has been informed about exactly what they are supposed to have done to get the boot.

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.