The Oregon Progress Board's latest Benchmark Highlights Report shows that the state continues to do well in public safety and the "built environment," but aspects of education, civic engagement, social support and the natural environment show the same challenges seen in the 2007 report.  The economy received a negative grade for the first time in a benchmark report. . . .

President Barack Obama put his own indelible imprint on the nation's distressed economy Tuesday, preparing to sign the huge recovery package into law, readying a $50 billion proposal to help homeowners fend off foreclosure and awaiting emergency restructuring plans from flailing automakers. Obama was traveling to Denver to sign the stimulus bill, which congressional Democrats pushed to passage last week over near-unanimous opposition from Republicans. Obama's first major piece of legislation, it's a $787 billion mix of tax cuts and one of the biggest public spending programs since World War II. The setting for the signing was the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, underscoring the investments the new law will make in "green'' energy-related jobs. . . .

Despite voting down this same bill a week ago, Congress has now voted to approve a bill that will move the digital television transition deadline from Feb. 17 to June 12. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation.
Procrastinators beware: national deadlines don't matter -- many television stations may be switching over within the next few weeks no matter what Congress says, because delaying the switch to all-digital will cost stations money. Under the law, television stations will still be allowed to make the switch early, requiring televisions without digital receivers, cable or satellite service to attach a digital converter box to the analogue antennae....

Experience Hip Hop history in the making as supporters from around the country gather in Seattle to  celebrate and experience the 5th Anniversary of 206 Zulu, Feb. 13-16.
In only a few short years 206 Zulu, a Hip Hop-based community organization, has received nation-wide recognition for the precedence it has set in community building, education, media, outreach, activism, and artistic excellence. Since its inception in 2004, 206 Zulu and its 70+ membership has taken the UZN motto of "Peace, Love, Unity & Havin' Fun" to another level for the next generation.
206 Zulu will be celebrating it's 5th Anniversary and Black History Month ...

Savion Glover answers questions about what makes the sound when he tap dances, at a student lecture and demonstration Friday, January 30th at the Moore Theatre. Kids in grades 3-12 got to see some of  Savion Glover's show BARE SOUNDZ that reveals that "Tap dance is an acoustical instrument".   The show was performed at the Moore  on Saturday the 31st....

TriMet officially christened the Portland Blvd MAX Yellow line station the Rosa Parks Station during ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the anniversary of Rosa Parks' birth. Pastor B.E. Johnson of the Albina Ministerial Alliance, and Commissioner Dan Saltzman , unveil the new sign at the station.  Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market president, applauds, at left.
Julie Keefe photo

Lauren Steele, age 11, performed at Concordia University during A6 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Talent Showcase auditions

Black American leaders and organizations of Portland will respond to the impact of HIV and AIDS in the city's African American communities in the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Feb. 7....

Faced with unprecedented call volumes from people applying for unemployment benefits, the Washington State Employment Security Department today announced that its call centers will now be open on Saturday mornings beginning this week.
Applicants now may call on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon in addition to the normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday schedule....

Freida Thompson's drawing of President Barack Obama as "Sir Barackster", her "hero". But, are Blacks expecting too much?
Credit: Freida Thompson

"Hello. My Name is Freida. I am a 52 years young Black female that had 3 strokes and [I am] doing fine right now. I am a full time stay at home artist…I have sent you a copy of my hero, Sir Barackster. I created him on Nov. 1st because I felt he would be the hero."
Those are the words of Freida Thompson of Manalapan, N.J., in a letter to the editor of the NNPA News Service.
"I really, really, really want him to take care of the health issue,"

The recent severe downturn in the stock market may further reduce stock ownership by African American and other minority investors, new research suggests.
Minorities, who had long trailed Whites in stock ownership, had begun to catch up between 1992 and 2001. But a new study found that those gains largely disappeared between 2001 and 2004, which included the major stock market downturn in 2002.
If minorities began bailing out of the stock market ...