Carolyn Williams was unsure about the exact amount in her bank account when she went shopping. She wasn't really worried because she knew her debit card would only cover costs for the amount of money she had in the bank. Williams learned an expensive lesson when she checked her account and discovered that not only was she charged for more than she had but each purchase over the amount of money she had also cost her $35 in bank fees ... This practice of advancing loans to bank customers is under review by the Federal Reserve Board. It is considering implementing a new rule that would require financial institutions to get explicit permission before enrolling their account holders in an overdraft system . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

Contrary to a popular notion reported in news coverage of Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 Gulf Coast disaster did not reveal to most Americans that widespread poverty and inequality are the nation's ''dirty little secret.''
Rather, most Americans were aware of these problems before they were highlighted by the devastation of Katrina, according to a new study by Stanford sociologists. As a result, the event did not become a watershed in the debate over poverty, as some pundits have claimed. . . .

Seattle, WA -- Black Entertainment Television (BET) popularized the idea of a "Teen Summit" in the '90s and the Delta G.E.M.S. teen group of the Seattle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated are bringing that same concept to Seattle in 2009.  The young ladies of the Delta G.E.M.S. program, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, are holding the inaugural "Teen Summit: Each One, Teach One" April 18, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yesler Community Center.  This free conference, aimed at 15-18 year old males and females of color, will provide a platform for teens from various backgrounds and high schools to share, learn and network with one another. . . .

The Dare U 2 Read-A-Thon at Jefferson High School starts next week, in which young people give up TV and other screen time for the week to devote their extra hours to books. Students will be signing up adult sponsors willing to kick down a little cash for school programs as well. The event is part of the national Each One Teach One! Promoting Literacy and History . . .

For a video interview with Jefferson students Domonique Bailey, Brea Jennae Hawkins and Eva Ramirez . . . .

"As Attorney General, I have no greater responsibility that to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of our citizens. Unfortunately, meeting this critical goal is currently very difficult. The Oregon Department of Justice used to have a civil rights enforcement unit, but back in the 1980s, the funding for this unit was eliminated. Today, as a result, I do not have a single attorney devoted to civil rights and civil liberties enforcement work. To me, that is unacceptable. . . .

Homeland Security officials are warning that right-wing extremists could use the bad state of the U.S. economy and the election of the country's first Black president to recruit members to their cause . . .

The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Thursday that the panel would investigate reports that the National Security Agency improperly tapped into the domestic communications of American citizens. . . .

Neither approving nor judging, "Notorious" simply presents the gluttonous Biggie in all his materialist glory, allowing the audience to decided what to make of his train wreck of a personal life. A relentlessly-unapologetic immorality play about a bona fide ghetto gangsta' apt to entertain even Joe Six-Pack.  

The political career of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. could be jeopardized by a congressional ethics inquiry into his finagling for the Senate seat vacated by President Obama, a well-known black political analyst said.
"The stakes for him are dire," said Ronald Walters, a University of Maryland professor well-known for his analysis of black politics and politicians. "A negative report can damage his political career," . . .