The economic slowdown may be pinching pocketbooks, but that hasn't stopped fly-by-night businesses from continuing to gouge unsuspecting customers while undercutting legitimate businesses. In an effort to counter consumer fraud, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed March 1-7 Washington State Consumer Protection Week, and has asked state agencies to help consumers avoid the pitfalls of dealing with an underground economy by setting up www.suspectfraud.com ...

Two different shows in March showcase different kinds of talent in the Rose City, hip hop and jazz artists ...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama proposed war spending Thursday that nears $11 billion a month for the next year and a half despite the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq. The Obama administration wants to spend about $75 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through next fall, costs that were largely set by the previous Bush administration, although were never disclosed in the regular budget. On top of that the budget proposal released Thursday asks Congress for $130 billion for next year. . . .

Calling all current and former AT&T Mobility customers: If you have a wireless phone, you may have paid $2.99 per month without your knowledge for a program called Roadside Assistance. The Washington Attorney General's Office says that if you didn't use the service and didn't authorize the addition of the service to your wireless account, you may qualify for a refund under a new settlement filed today in Thurston County Superior Court. ...

President Obama this week launched the White House Internship Program for his administration and announced that applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009. 
Those selected to participate in the program will gain valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff while building leadership skills. ...

Join the Bush School for a full day of speakers, discussions, workshops and MC battles at the 2009 Northwest Hip-Hop Leadership Conference.
Free and open to the public, the hip-hop conference takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College. ...

Enviga was the first drink to boast not zero, but negative calories. But as for the buzz that drinking the carbonated, green tea blend will result in weight loss, attorneys general say the evidence is nada.
"If you want a 'calorie burner,' take a brisk walk," Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "It's free, invigorating and a proven weight-loss aid."
McKenna joined 27 other attorneys general last week in announcing a settlement with Coke, Nestlé and Beverage Partners Worldwide concerning their marketing of Enviga . . .

With the federal economic stimulus package providing a smaller-than-hoped for investment in Oregon schools, more than 5,000 citizens spent their Presidents Day holiday Feb 16 traveling by busload and carpool to Salem with a simple message for the Legislature: Protect kids and schools.

Black kids and White kids in the Portland metro area are basically achieving academically at the same rate – but the high rates of gentrification that push poorer families away from their neighborhoods are disproportionately disrupting African American children's ability to learn.
Those are a few of the findings of a new report . . .

Portland State University's former vice provost of student affairs, Dr. Douglas Samuels, received a $795,000 settlement from the school, concluding a four-year legal battle alleging racial discrimination. He filed suit against the institution in U.S. District Court in 2005, charging that the university violated his civil rights when it demoted him to a teaching post.
Dr. Samuels stated that he was subject to inequitable treatment in terms of pay, committee assignments and job responsibilities during his four-year tenure. . . .

On March 6, students, educators, artists, and activists from all across the city of Portland will gather at Paccini Restaurant & Bar for "Northwest Fresh." Located on Portland State University's campus, 1717 SW Park Ave., live art will serve as a backdrop to the evening's lineup of DJs, emcees, poets and singers. . . .