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," . . .

A recent study indicates that of the major ethnic groups impacted by unemployment during the current U.S. recession, Black men have experienced the greatest job losses since the crisis officially began in November 2007.
"What's missing from national media coverage of this recession is plainly a great deal of [honesty] about who's losing their jobs. This is overwhelmingly a blue collar, retail sales, low level recession . . .

For one day only, all remaining seats in the 2008/2009 Portland Center Stage season will be on sale for $25. From midnight to midnight on April 15, Portlanders can put their stimulus package tax refunds directly to work on three shovel ready productions: "Frost/Nixon," "Grey Gardens," and Storm Large's "Crazy Enough.". . .

If the uninsured were a political lobbying group, they'd have more members than AARP. The National Mall couldn't hold them if they decided to march on Washington.
But going without health insurance is still seen as a personal issue, a misfortune for many and a choice for some. People who lose coverage often struggle alone instead of turning their frustration into political action.
Illegal immigrants rallied in Washington during past immigration debates, but the uninsured linger in the background as Congress struggles with a health care overhaul that seems to have the best odds in years of passing.
That isolation could have profound repercussions. . . .

President Barack Obama and his family are looking for a new church, but his decision represents more than merely settling on a pew.
The Obamas planned to attend Easter services Sunday, marking the president's first visit to a Washington church since taking office in January. Aides have been secretive about which church the first family will attend, citing security and the desire not to disrupt services for other worshippers. They also caution that the church Obama visits might not signal that the president has decided on a permanent place of worship.
Obama's choice of a permanent pastor is sure to draw scrutiny, given his history with a pastor in Chicago whose bombastic sermons almost destroyed Obama's presidential bid. . . .

Brad Avakian, commissioner of the Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries, traveled to The Skanner's offices last week to make one thing clear – the economic downturn will not slow down the state's efforts to pursue civil rights complaints. He said that legislature budget cuts are hitting hard at agencies across the board, but that BOLI's commitment to civil rights will remain front and center for his department. . . .

A specially appointed city panel has recommended that 39th Avenue be renamed after farm worker civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. After last year's failed attempt to rename Interstate Avenue after the founder of United Farm Workers of America, supporters were undaunted. Last year's debate created a bitter atmosphere between activists and many residents and businesses along Interstate. . . .

Annie Robinson's life's journey began Aug. 22, 1927 in Jonesboro, La.  ... She had to quit school at an early age to take care of her ill mother. Annie continued her education at Franklin Parish Training School where she received her C.N.A. degree.  In 1941, she met Elmos Lee Jenkins. They married July 9, 1948  ... Annie spent quality time with her family, gardening, reading her bible and ministering to individuals.  She was a retired certified nursing assistant. . . .

According to a recent survey conducted in collaboration with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Seattle residents are highly aware of various family building options due to an infertility diagnosis, such as medical treatment, adoption and surrogacy; however the survey brought to light that less than half knew about an emerging family building option – embryo donation.
The online survey gauged awareness of embryo donation in advance of a free embryo donation workshop hosted by RESOLVE on Saturday, April 25, in Seattle.
At the workshop, couples and individuals will be introduced to the medical, legal and mental health issues surrounding embryo donation, a relatively new process in which individuals who have undergone in-vitro fertilization treatment and have extra frozen embryos decide to release the embryos for transfer to the uterus of another woman.
The online survey conducted among 800 Seattle residents showed . . .

Oregon's third largest builder, JLS Custom Homes announced today that their entire inventory of homes built in 2008 will be liquidated beginning April 27, along with inventory from two other area builders. The entire sale will include 152 homes from 20 communities that span from Salem, Ore. up to Woodland, Wa. ... The homes range in size from 1,438 square feet to 3,793 square feet and will be priced from $159,950. All homes in the liquidation sale must be sold by June 30. . . .