In Washington state, voters delivered approvals and disapprovals to a number of ballot initiatives, but largely supported measures that retain the status quo.

Wednesday afternoon saw the critical Oregon governor race bust open with a Kitzhaber win, while observers scratched their heads over what looked like an even Democrat-Republican split in both the Oregon Senate and the House of Representatives.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Maurice Lucas, the fierce power forward known as "The Enforcer" who helped lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, has died after a long fight with bladder cancer. He was 58.

On Wednesday, Portland City Councilors unanimously passed an ordinance that would allow the city to seize and sell property used during a crime of prostitution or human trafficking.

After announcing last week that the city of Portland would be working with the U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute some illegal gun cases at the federal level, Mayor Sam Adams told The Skanner News that prison reform and prevention should accompany any enforcement crackdowns.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Former state legislator Kevin Mannix defended his ballot proposal to hand down harsher mandatory sentences for sex offenders and drunken drivers at a Salem debate on Friday.

Months after announcing a quest to tighten up gun laws, Portland Mayor Sam Adams announced Friday that his first major target will be gang youth.
Anyone with gang connections found in illegal possession of a firearm will soon face "federalized" charges and heightened jail time if they are convicted – but a telephone hotline will be set up for anyone trying to get out of "gang life," he said Friday.

One of the most experienced professional construction company owners in the region has filed suit against the prime contractor of the "big pipe" Balch Creek construction project, claiming breech of contract.
Vernell West says his lawsuit against James W. Fowler is also an indictment of the City of Portland's lack of commitment to helping minority contractors.

 The state of Oregon has received $220 million in federal funds destined to help prevent Oregonians from losing their homes to foreclosure. That's the good news. The bad news?
"There are inordinately more people in trouble than we will be able to help," said Mike Kaplan, who manages the Homeownership Stabilization Division at Oregon Housing and Community Services. "We have $220 million for a multi-billion dollar problem."

The Skanner News interviewed both candidates for Multnomah County Commissioner. Here is our Q&A with Loretta Smith. Smith, a single parent who has raised a son, now a student at the University of Washington, works as a field representative for U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden in Multnomah County