Five civil rights groups asked California's highest court Friday to annul the state's new same-sex marriage ban on the grounds that Proposition 8 threatens the legal standing of all minority groups, not just gays ...

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced two Portland area nonprofits, Portland YouthBuilders and Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc., as recipients of the prestigious Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) Neighborhood Builder awards. Five community leaders and five local high school students were also recognized for making a difference in the Portland community. Neighborhood Builder winners receive $200,000 in unrestricted grants ...

Listings of foreclosures for Multnomah County and other Oregon Counties ...

Do you have questions for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels? Want to have them answered on live TV? On Wednesday, November 19, 7 p.m., be sure to watch Ask the Mayor on SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21, streaming live at  ...

After 10 years of volunteer service as the NAACP National Board Chairman Julian Bond, 68, announced he would not seek reelection when his term ends in February 2009.  
"This is the time for renewal. We have dynamic new leadership. The country has a new President in Barack Obama; the organization has a new CEO in Benjamin Jealous, and we'll soon have a new Chairman of the NAACP Board. The NAACP and the country are in good hands," he added ...

Tennessee State Rep. Nathan Vaughn says campaign literature mailed by Republicans was meant to inflame racial hatred and contributed to his re-election defeat.
Vaughn, a Kingsport Democrat who became northeastern Tennessee's first black lawmaker when he was elected in 2002, lost to Republican Tony Shipley by 326 votes in the House's 2nd District race earlier this month.
Vaughn was the subject of heavy political attacks during the campaign, including a Tennessee Republican Party direct mail piece that pasted a picture of his head on a black bird....

After a fierce fight of two years to change the course of history, U. S. Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first African American president of the United States.
His win culminates an American history that expands from Black slavery to Jim Crow to a modern day civil rights movement still marked by institutional racism.
"America is in the process and has taken the first step of turning from darkness unto light, turning from war unto peace, turning from exploitation of the poor by the powerful to equal opportunity and economic justice," said civil rights icon the Rev. Joseph Lowery in an interview. "It's a great moment for America."
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, if you're still wondering if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, if you still question the power of our Democracy, tonight is your answer," Obama began his victory speech before a screaming Chicago crowd of more than 250,000...

On an election night that saw ebullient, multiracial crowds shooting off fireworks and dancing together in the streets, liberal voters swept an array of conservative ballot measures and local candidates.
Across the board, nearly every Democratic candidate won – with only two exceptions.
In the city of Portland, Amanda Fritz won a seat on the city commission. Judy Shiprack edged out Mike Delman for Multnomah County Commission, but candidates Diane McKeel and Carla Piluso were within .25 of a percentage point as The Skanner went to press.
For U.S. senate, the race was close between incumbent Gordon Smith, a Republican, who at presstime was inching past Democrat Jeff Merkley by less than one percent of the votes, even though Merkley posted a two-to-one win of voters in the Democratic Party stronghold of Multnomah County....

"The early morning rain does not appear to be keeping anyone away," said Sherrill Huff, King County elections director Tuesday. "The poll workers are upbeat and happy about the energy in their polling places."
Problems were reported from scattered polling places, but officials say everyone was been able to vote successfully and that improvements in the process at King County Elections "ensure votes will be counted accurately."
Four main complaints were reported.
 First, tabulation machines at election headquarters were down for two hours in the morning, workers say, because a piece of hardware that connects the ballot counting equipment to the central server was not working properly. The problem was isolated and the hub removed, according to the elections bureau....

What's happening for you in Portland this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below….