Black homeowners who were unfairly targeted for the subprime mortgages that helped topple the American economy now face the threat of similar predatory practices, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan told African American reporters this week. "We had many unscrupulous financial institutions, brokers and others . . .

President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan has proposed several initiatives that should increase job growth in the professional services sector—including information technology, engineering, legal and financial services—but a recent report warns old barriers to Blacks in the professional services industry could limit benefits from the new government investment. . . .

The Washington Attorney General's Office yesterday issued a warning about a company selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door in Washington and several other states. Fresh Start Opportunities claims that money from the subscriptions will be used to help young people get a "fresh start on life," but the company isn't a registered charity. . . .

Facing a significant budget shortfall due to state funding reductions, the Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) District Board of Education will consider a proposal to transfer the operation of Portland's only all-jazz station, KMHD (89.1 FM), to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) effective July 1.  Under the proposal, MHCC would continue to own the station, while OPB would take over programming, operational and fundraising responsibilities. 
MHCC President John J. "Ski" Sygielski said the board of education will give serious consideration at its April 8 meeting to this proposed partnership with OPB. A decision is expected at the May 13 board meeting.
"This partnership would give KMHD the best opportunity to thrive in the future," Sygielski said.

"OPB's intention is to continue to operate KMHD as a jazz station. . . .

The Rev. Al Sharpton receives NorthStar community Service Award from Smith, Leavell and Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA News Service Editor-in-Chief, who presented the award.
Photo Credit: Roy Lewis
WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation, giving four top awards during its annual Newsmaker of the Year Awards Gala, was told by those same honorees that its contributions to justice in America are yet untold. . . .

Struggling newspapers should be allowed to operate as nonprofits similar to public broadcasting stations, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., proposed Tuesday.
Cardin introduced a bill that would allow newspapers to choose tax-exempt status. They would no longer be able to make political endorsements, but could report on all issues including political campaigns.
Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax-exempt, and contributions to support coverage could be tax deductible.
Cardin said in a statement that the bill is aimed at preserving local newspapers, not large newspaper conglomerates. . . .

Governor Ted Kulongoski this week announced a new feature of the state's recovery Web site that provides the public with the ability to track how state and local governments are spending federal stimulus dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). . . .

The future of children rests in an educator's hands. Yet, too many of Oregon's beginning teachers and administrators are routinely thrust into situations where they are merely given a key to a classroom and a pat on the back as they start their career. The Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentor Program aims to change this trend by supporting nearly 1,000 new educators in the most crucial stage of their careers by providing them an experienced educator mentor. . . .

Paying your fare to ride the bus, ferry or light rail throughout the Puget Sound region will soon be as simple as swiping a single card, following approval today by the Metropolitan King County Council of a plan for rollout later this spring of the long-awaited ORCA regional fare coordination system. . . .

Chelsea Deloney, an 18-year-old English major at Concordia University, has been crowned as the winner of the 2009 Miss Black Oregon USA Scholarship Competition. In ceremonies held Feb. 28 at the Scottish Rite Center, Deloney thrilled judges during the question-and-answer portion of the competition. Contestants were also judged on a personal interview, health and fitness, talent, and deportment in an evening gown. . . .