Police brutality and local gentrification are the topics in a discussion session sponsored next week by the Black Studies Department at Portland State University.

The speaker series, to be conducted during the next several months, will focus on issues of importance to the African American community.

YAKIMA—The United Farm Workers of America and one of the nation's largest labor recruiters have reached an unprecedented agreement to improve wages, benefits and working conditions for guest workers brought to the United States for farm work.

Mike Hanson, left, Patty Earley and Suzy Day take a breather in the midst of preparing their new bar and restaurant — The Florida Room, located next to The Skanner's offices on North Killingsworth St. — for its opening in June.

YAKIMA—The United Farm Workers of America and one of the nation's largest labor recruiters have reached an unprecedented agreement to improve wages, benefits and working conditions for guest workers brought to the United States for farm work.

"IT'S A GOOD THING"JAMIE DAVISUnity Music* * * * *To: Jamie DavisFrom: Dick…

Curtis James Mott Sr. Passes On at 30Curtis James Mott Sr. was born on April 14,1975,in Portland,to…

  2006 Breakfast InformationFor tickets e-mail [email protected] or come to The…

A group pushing a ballot initiative to rein in payday loan practices is urging the coming special legislative session to avoid the issue if proposals are weaker than what their initiative outlines.

 The ballot proposal sponsored by Oregon for Payday Loan Fairne$$ would limit payday loan interest to 36 percent a year, restrict loan initiation fees to 10 percent of the loan amount it, allow only two rollovers and give borrowers 31 days instead of 15 to use the money before the loan comes due.

NEW ORLEANS—Thousands of protesters led by civil rights leaders the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton rallied here April 1, saying the city's election plans will disenfranchise voters displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

VANCOUVER, Wash.—People who depend on Interstate 5 to get to work, see family or deliver goods between Portland and Vancouver are invited to participate in two community meetings planned for April 12 and 13 to evaluate and comment on ideas aimed at reducing travel times during peak hours.

The Portland meeting is scheduled for 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, in the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Inn, 909 N. Hayden Island Drive. The Vancouver event takes place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in Hudson's Bay High School, 1206 E. Reserve St.