WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican John McCain used anecdotes and carefully honed campaign positions, while Democrat Barack Obama responded philosophically to questioning by one of the nation's most influential evangelical pastors as both candidates scrambled for support among America's important conservative Christian voting block. But although McCain was supposed to be in a "cone of silence" during the debate to ensure he didn't hear the questions ahead of time, he evidently was not. He even made a joke about being in the "cone" before the debate started to moderator Pastor Rick Warren:
WARREN: Welcome back to the "Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency."
And welcome, Senator John McCain.
MCCAIN: Thank you. Good to be here.
WARREN: My first question, was the cone of silence comfortable you were in just now?
MCCAIN: I was trying to hear through the wall.

The Skanner this week takes a bold leap into the world of electronic journalism by publishing our entire weekly Portland edition online only – for one week only. At 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, log on to www.TheSkanner.com for all the breaking news and community information you can't get anywhere else – and special features we cannot offer on paper alone like new stories every day. That's for one week only, Thursday, Aug. 21. We'll be back in newspaper boxes Aug. 28 – but stay tuned in the future for more special announcements and online innovations to our website, www.TheSkanner.com where our mission is Challenging People to Build a Better Future Now....

A neighbor of the Ziba Design World Headquarters construction site in the Pearl District photographed this noose hanging from a metal beam Monday morning, Aug. 4. The noose was placed at the front of the site facing Northwest Ninth Avenue, near Lovejoy Street. The neighbor, an African American man who asked not to be identified at this time, said the noose was removed by early afternoon after he told his apartment building manager, who in turn contacted the construction company. Real estate manager for the project, Greg Close - who is not connected to the construction company - said there was apparently a break-in at the construction site over the weekend. "The contractors managing the project report that they removed whatever the artifact was as soon as they were notified on Monday morning" ...

Throughout the state of Oregon, there are only five locations where veterans can receive mental health care. Given the size of the state – and the number of war veterans who live in rural areas – the availability of mental health care is something that is a top concern for people like Jim Willis, the director of the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs.
Since March, Willis and others have been visiting cities around the state as part of the Governor's Task Force on Veterans' Services to find out where care discrepancies exist....

Thousands of seniors in the Portland area are eligible for a variety of federal benefits but have not applied for them – pushing the Portland metro area to a rank of 23rd in the United States for "non-filers."
The good news is – it's not too late. ...

Home electronics retailer Video Only will pay $630,000 and carry out anti-racism measures to settle two discrimination lawsuits, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Monday. 
According to the agency's suit two employees faced repeated slurs and jokes about their race, national origin, and religion ...

The Electronettes, one of Seattle's most electrifying drill teams, marched in the 66th annual Lake City Summer Festival Grand Performance Parade Aug. 2.  The official Seafair event included a vintage car show, street fair, events for kids and a great parade featuring the infamous Seafair Pirates. The Electronettes also participated in the Umoja Fest parade earlier that day.
Photo by Susan Fried

While the wave of home mortgage defaults has not deluged the Pacific Northwest, many experts say it will – soon.
In the meantime, the Seattle Urban League is hosting a series of free events designed to keep homeowners in their homes by educating mortgage holders before they face a financial crisis.
First, the organization is holding two counseling-based sessions to help mortgage holders learn about their financial obligations and document any potential difficulties that may arise in the future over their home debt.
Then, in October, a bigger event is planned featuring representatives from many home mortgage lenders who will meet with their clients to work out their financial problems and conflicts on the spot.
"The majority of people who call us don't know what type of mortgage they have ...

Ballots have now officially been mailed to all registered King County voters – but elections officials need more volunteers in the polling places for absentee voters who may miss their chance to mail their ballots back in.
Many of the jobs include a stipend for training and Election Day service....

Seattle City Light recently held public meetings on July 8 and 15 to discuss the future of its Integrated Resource Development Plan. The city had a rigorous media and marketing campaign, hoping for a large turnout and energetic public discussion, but the meetings did little to provide for greater public insight....