The hustle and bustle of city life paused for a moment Thursday to honor an act of courage and defiance that helped to make America a better place for everyone. Dec. 1 marked the 50th anniversary of the day that Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a Montgomery, Ala. bus to a White man.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer has added to the growing chorus of voices opposing the war in Iraq. A longtime critic of the war, the Oregon Democrat this week joined fellow Democratic Reps. John Murtha of Pennsylvania and Peter DeFazio of Oregon by releasing a detailed plan for withdrawal from Iraq.
Blumenauer's plan, however, goes further than laying out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. military forces.

Among the major issues that Portland should contemplate is the growing racial and class divide it is experiencing

Dominique Clark, 9, left, and Audrey Frison, 9, get the most out of the autumn leaves Monday in Unthank Park. Pictured in the background is Anthony Herron, 7.

To live a decent life in Oregon, it costs a single adult $10.77 an hour. Yet one-third of all job openings pay less than that, according to a study conducted by a Seattle organization.
"Searching for Work That Pays: The 2005 Northwest Job Gap Study" determined that the "Northwest is not creating living-wage jobs for all those who need them." When families cannot earn what they need to survive, the study notes, "many are forced to make difficult choices between adequate health care, balanced nutrition and paying the bills."
The study was prepared by the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, a regional federation of four statewide, community-based social and economic organizations. It encompassed Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

SALEM—A plan that would make individual achievement the measure of school progress rather than . . .

County health departments and the Oregon Department of Human Services are trying to ensure that everyone

Nine-year volunteer Mary Karas, left; Tim Tommaso, program manager of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's food services division; Clinton Berlin, 17, a student at the Portland International Community School; and McCoy Academy student Andrew Hill, 17, get first crack Tuesday at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's annual Thanksgiving dinner, held at the Patton Home. Hundreds of people enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal every year at the event.

In Orlando, Fla.,  police follow a simple rule for high-speed chases:  "If you can't cite 'em, you can't chase 'em."  
The Portland Police Bureau has more latitude in its high-speed pursuit guidelines.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Muhammad Ali can still draw a big crowd.
The boxing great took center stage in his hometown Saturday night to celebrate the opening of the Muhammad Ali Center, a six-story tribute to Ali's storied career and a legacy to his ideals of peace and tolerance.
The Hollywood-style event, at a performing arts center next door to the Ali Center