CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—The Space Shuttle Discovery completed a successful launch July 4, carrying with it the hopes of the U.S. space program — and Stephanie Wilson, history's second African American woman astronaut.
The launch began the first shuttle mission since the tragic loss of the Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Columbia disintegrated during its atmospheric re-entry, killing its entire crew.
Discovery's crew started its first full day in space Wednesday using highly sensitive cameras attached to a 50-foot boom to carefully examine the shuttle for any signs of damage.

OLYMPIA—Hundreds of demonstrators sang, danced and traded insults with a small group of neo-Nazis that gathered on the Capitol steps in the third such rally this year in this liberal college town.
About 12 members of the National Socialist Movement stood in a row Monday outside the Capitol, wearing their signature brown shirts, red swastika armbands and black boots. They held aloft two swastika flags and railed against gays, Jews, non-Whites and communists over a public address system.

The Oregon State Police last week went online with a new Web site which publishes information regarding dangerous sex offenders residing in Oregon. The site was established in accordance with HR 3486 in order to provide information such as names, addressed, physical descriptions, pictures and conditions of release regarding high-risk offenders.
"This new Web site will give Oregonians information about the most predatory sex offenders in their communities," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "This is one of many tools we need to keep our communities safe. It is important to remember that most sexual offenders have ever been convicted and are therefore not in this database. This is why it is imperative for parents to be ever vigilant of our children and with whom they associate."

A local collaborative effort has resulted in accolades by a national organization. The Skanner News Group has won an Award of Merit in the newspaper category from the American Association of Blood Banks for its partnership with American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services in encouraging blood and bone marrow donations in the African American community.
The awards of merit are presented annually by the AABB to media and/or public-spirited groups and individuals who have made significant contributions to transfusion medicine and/or cellular therapies. They will be presented in October in Miami Beach, Fla.

Portland played host this past weekend to the annual conference of the National Association of Black Elected Women — the first time in its history that the organization's membership has gathered in the Pacific Northwest. Former U.S. Senator and vice-presidential candidate John Edwards delivered the keynote address, speaking on "Restoring the American Dream: Fighting Poverty and Strengthening the Middle Class." The conference, held over four days at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel, was hailed as a smashing success.

Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards, who is mulling over a run for the presidency in 2008, called for withdrawal from Iraq within the next 18 months, and for the U.S. government to launch another war — on poverty — in a speech Friday at the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's conference.

Northeast Portland's Irving Park will again play host this summer to aspiring basketball and artistic standouts from the surrounding community.
First Step Sports Academy's annual All-American B-Ball Clinic runs through Aug. 24 at the park, corner of Northeast Seventh Avenue and Fremont Street.
The clinic runs from noon to 3:30 p.m. Monday though Thursday, and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, and culminates with a youth basketball tournament from Aug. 25 through 27. The clinic started June 26, but spots are still available; call 503-604-1718 to register. Cost is $135 for nine weeks.

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan

WASHINGTON—Renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which eliminated many anti-Black voting practices in Mississippi and other states, suffered a setback last week when House Republicans disagreed on whether to require bilingual ballots and federal oversight of Southern states.
The dissension in a closed caucus meeting grew so intense it forced Republican leaders to postpone indefinitely a scheduled vote on renewing the act.

Tony Hopson

What will happen to the children who attend schools participating in the SUN program? With Multnomah County's portion reduced by $1.7 million, the answer is, well … clouded.
"We are trying to figure out what the short-term plan will look like," said Diana Hall, program supervisor in the county's Department of School and Community Partnerships, which operates the SUN program.

John Edwards

Former U.S. Senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards will deliver the keynote address at The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's annual legislative conference breakfast.
Edwards, who ran for vice president in 2004, is now director of the Center on Poverty, Work & Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.