King County Executive Ron Sims said he was disappointed by Wednesday's decision by the Washington State Supreme Court to deny gay and lesbian citizens of the state access to the benefits of marriage.
In a narrow 5-4 decision, the court upheld the constitutionality of the state's Defense of Marriage Act, which bars gay and lesbian couples from marrying. "I continue to believe that marriage equality is a fundamental civil rights issue," Sims said. "I wish the court had ruled differently, but I respect its decision, and as a public servant I'm committed to upholding the law."

OLYMPIA—Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed state government to boost opportunities for women and minorities to land state contracts, saying their share has sunk to 1 percent or less.
Tim Eyman, the original sponsor of the state's voter-approved initiative rolling back affirmative action in contracts, employment and college admission, said the governor may be trying an end-run around Initiative 200. He said he's preparing a "Son of I-200" for a potential campaign next year.
But Carolyn Crowson, director of the state Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises, said the governor's Monday letter to her cabinet is perfectly legal.

NEW YORK—Increasing diversity in the advertising industry hinges on holding agencies and their clients accountable, consumers getting more involved, and changing hiring policies, panelists said during a Black Enterprise magazine symposium last month.

The Skanner has been named the recipient of a first-place A. Philip Randolph Messenger Award in the Responsibility category for Helen Silvis' article, "Group Offers to Help Desperate Parents," published in the March 9, 2005 edition of The Portland Skanner. Ms. Silvis' story details the efforts of Parents Anonymous, an organization dedicated to aiding families who have been ravaged by addiction.

New York Knick and former University of Washington hoops star Nate Robinson, in red cap, poses for pictures with some of the kids who participated in the T-Mobile Courtside Coach Shootout, part of the 2006 NBA Rhythm-n-Rims tour, held July 23 at the annual Bite of Seattle.

Soul Stay Shun performs at the annual Central Area Community Festival, held July 22 at the Garfield playfield.

The elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron is once again the star of the KeyBank…

WASHINGTON—After a conspicuous five-year absence, President George W. Bush last week addressed the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for the first time in his presidency.
Acknowledging his administration's bumpy relations with Black voters, Bush said he wants to change the Republican Party's relationship with African Americans.

Editor's note: The following are excerpts from President Bush's recent address at the NAACP national convention.

Editor's note: The following are excerpts from a speech by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., at the recent NAACP national convention.