PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregonians from the statehouse to the schoolhouse began scrambling last week to plug a budget gap that, by one estimate, could put at risk 4,000 teachers, principals, cooks and janitors.

Jefferson High School Principal Cynthia Harris and school business manager Reis Willbanks were put on paid leave from their jobs Thursday, May 20, and Portland Public Schools officials say they can't comment on why.

The 8th Annual Kidney Health Fest for African American Families in Seattle is this Saturday, June 5, sponsored by Northwest Kidney Centers.
The event features free health screenings, entertainment and healthy food samples made by local celebrity chefs, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Van Asselt Elementary (formerly the African American Academy), 8311 Beacon Ave. S.
The day also includes entertainment, music, exhibits, a Kids' Korner and a chance to win prizes. Co-hosts are Mount Zion Baptist Church and First AME Church.

Just in time for Memorial Day, Oregon lawmakers have opened two major offensives in support of National Guardsmembers fighting for their rights to health care, equipment – and in some cases, just plain respect from the armed services.
This week, Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Kurt Schrader called or an investigation into what they described as a "dual track" putting troops with the National Guard in the back seat when it comes to Army medical treatment.

In a case with ties to the heart of the North Portland community, a judge this week sentenced James "Lonnie" Yoakum to 13 years for dealing cocaine out of Yam Yam's Southern Barbecue restaurant on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon Attorney General John Kroger says some nonprofits that claim to be raising money for veterans are instead keeping the money for themselves.

Supporters of an initiative to create a system of medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon have submitted petitions with more than 110,000 signatures in hopes of getting on the ballot this fall.
The Coalition for Patients' Rights was able to gather the signatures before an early submission deadline, requiring the state Elections Division to immediately determine whether there are enough valid signatures to meet the minimum of about 83,000 needed to qualify.

For some students and faculty at Portland Community College, the sight of Sylvia Welch's name on a caller id means they'll do one thing -- let it go to voicemail. But Welch's career of more than 34 years has come to an end. Welch, who has worked as Portland Community College's Affirmative Action director for 13 years, will be retiring on Friday after more than 20 years at the college.

More than 100 demonstrators at an immigration reform rally outside the Federal Building in downtown Seattle have moved into the lobby of a nearby building that houses an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency office and court.

A group including Seattle City Councilman Larry Gossett locked arms during the noon hour Thursday and blocked the elevators.

The crowd is chanting ``Obama, you promised; you've got to keep your promise!'' 

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