Black men and boys are in a deadly crisis, here and across the country. Now, Portland has won an opportunity to turn this crisis around, through a National League of Cities program designed to raise achievement and build success for Black men and boys.
 

The Oregon House of Representatives has just passed HB 3409, which defines "natural hair care" and exempts providers from certain cosmetology requirements that don't pertain to the field.

This summer Portland Parks and Recreation wants to make sure everyone can have fun in the water, and also stay safe. From swim lessons and summer jobs for teen lifeguards to Dive-In movies, teen nights and Water Safety Day, Summer 2013 has a lot to offer.

Portland State University's Student Recreation Center is collecting used tennis shoes to recycle as a way to show support for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Oregon State Police will be accepting applications to hire entry level recruits for trooper positions, starting April 29, 2013.

Police Chief Mike Reese is pushing ahead with hiring for the new Behavioral Health Unit. But critics say Reese's hiring choices are eroding community confidence.

Luck-One gets a lot of questions about his lyrics. Instead of complaining about people not understanding, he wants to share critical thinking tools and promote literacy through the Luck-One Book Club.

April's "Race Talks" discussion looked at the divisive issue of fluoridation. Portland City Council voted in favor of water fluoridation last fall, but a campaign, named "Clean Water Portland," gathered 43,000 signatures in one month, enough to put the issue on the ballot this May. Voters will have an opportunity to vote for or against water fluoridation in the May 21 special election.

In the midst of heated gun control debate on Capitol Hill, Florida Atlantic University researchers say one startling statistic is going unnoticed. Homicide is the number one killer of young Black men.