The United States military has relied heavily on National Guard and Army Reserve units in the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These soldiers are expected to fight equally on the battlefield, but a recent government audit by the Department of Veteran's Affairs concluded that when these veterans return home, their medical and other veteran's benefits are not handled the same as active duty personnel.
"Of the more than 800,000 Iraq and Afghan veterans that are eligible for Veteran's Administration care since 2002, fully half of them are members of the National Guard and Army Reserves," said Senator Patty Murray during a recent Senate hearing.
The hearing, held July 23 by the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, discussed an audit report which found a lack in education, outreach and implementation of benefits to veterans, especially to those in the Army Reserves and National Guard.
Among its findings were that more than 65,000 veterans did not receive initial outreach letters regarding their veteran benefits because of "incorrect ineligibility determinations." Over half of these veterans were from the National Guard and Army Reserve.  ...

Each paper or plastic bag the local store uses to pack your groceries will cost you 20 cents, starting on New Year's Day.
The Seattle City Council this week became the first city in the nation to exact a financial penalty on shoppers by charging a fee on disposable bags.
Another new law bans some polystyrene food containers.
"These new laws are an integral part of the City's Zero Waste strategy — and translating Seattle's environmental values into concrete actions," said Council President Conlin in a statement. "They will help marine life, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and move our city toward a sustainable future." ...

An examination conducted by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) reveals that Paramount Equity Mortgage, Inc. (Paramount), a licensed mortgage broker headquartered in California, has engaged in a number of deceptive lending practices.  As a result of the findings, DFI has given notice that it intends to revoke Paramount's license to do business in Washington, fine the firm $500,000 and require restitution for Washington borrowers. ...

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

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The House of Representatives issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and segregation laws.
"Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. ...

The Umoja Fest African American Day Parade is Saturday, Aug. 2 at noon, taking off from 23rd Avenue and traveling south on 23rd to Judkins St. 
The African American Day Parade features drill teams from across the state and the return of the NW Hip-Hop Culture Float and parade troupe presented by 206 Zulu and many other exciting entries.
Following the parade will be the Classics & Customs Car Show and the Hip-Hop Live Stage featuring two days of performances ...

Journalists from Indonesia visited The Skanner Thursday morning to discuss their Internet-focused industry and find out how The Skanner News Group works. Their tour was organized by the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Left to right, The Skanner News Editor Lisa Loving, Nenden Novianti of www.presidensby.info; Agustinus Wisnubrata of www.Kompas.com; Nurul Hidayati of www.detik.com; and translator Shawn Calahan of Tuscon, Ariz.

Afro Ninja's Escape the Car http://www.addictinggames.com/escapethecar.html

Shaun White's Street Skater http://www.addictinggames.com/streetskater.html

(NNPA) -- An official apology for slavery and Jim Crow from the U.S. House of Representatives provoked mixed emotions in Philadelphia last week.
For J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP, the apology was a publicity stunt.
"It's too late, too little," said Mondesire. "It was a stunt."
Emphasizing that he was speaking personally and not for the NAACP, he continued by saying that a more appropriate gesture would be "a serious conversation about reparations. But I don't think that will happen."
The House formally apologized to African-Americans and their ancestors for slavery July 29. The House of Representatives acted alone with the Senate remaining silent.
For Karen Warrington, a spokeswoman for Rep. Bob Brady, the vote was a first step.
"I think that the vote was a step in the right direction and that America has to acknowledge the evils of slavery," said Warrington, she was speaking personally, not as Brady's representative.
If the apology opens a dialogue on slavery and its evils, then it will have been a good thing. The road to real healing will be long and complicated, she said, but it is necessary....

ATLANTA (AP) -- The number of Americans infected by the AIDS virus each year is much higher than the government has been estimating, U.S. health officials reported, acknowledging that their numbers have understated the level of the epidemic.
The country had roughly 56,300 new HIV infections in 2006, about a 40 percent increase from the 40,000 annual estimate used for the past dozen years.....