Slightly more than three years ago, Gerald M. Boyd, one of my best friends, died of lung cancer at the age of 56. He had been promoted to managing editor of the New York Times, the highest position an African American journalist had ever attained at the nation's most influential newspaper. But his career at the newspaper abruptly ended in 2003 when it was discovered that Jayson Blair, another African American, was a serial plagiarizer.

(NNPA) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley was a lousy candidate who ran a lousy campaign and lost her bid for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat as a result. Instead of preserving 60 filibuster-proof votes for Democrats, she handed the Massachusetts senatorial seat to Republican Scott Brown on a silver platter. And, as they are entitled to, Republicans are celebrating, dubbing the extremely conservative Mr. Brown as "41" and suggesting that his election signals a Republican resurgence.

Portland City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade released an audit of Portland's Sheltered Market Program Wednesday that showed few successes and many failures for the 13-year-old program.  The program, which aims to increase the market share of minority and women-owned construction company contracts with the city, succeeded in many ways, but it also failed to help some of the companies it was supposed to help. "These problems led to a number of costly contract failures and left many participants ill-prepared to compete in the local construction industry,"

Every state in the nation is suffering through the current economic downturn, which was largely created by bad policies and bad actors outside our own communities. Many states are pondering tax increases in the short term to help fight off the chaos that is sure to come from more massive budget cuts.
That's why The Skanner News is reluctantly endorsing Measures 66 and 67 on the special election ballot for Jan. 26.

At the beginning of each new year, many people make a list of resolutions to keep in the coming months, such as losing weight or learning a new skill. As you make your list, don't forget to consider wise financial goals for the year ahead. The Oregon Society of CPAs suggests you adopt these smart resolutions.

(NNPA) - I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the 1960s, and on the gritty streets of Brooklyn, NY, my life truly began to take course even though I had not even reached my 13th birthday yet.

Although House and Senate versions of the health care reform bill are weaker than they should be, the legislation making its way to President Barack Obama's desk is far better than merely maintaining the status quo.

(NNPA) - As I watched the events unfolding in Copenhagen, Denmark at the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) for those two weeks in December, I could not help but feel frustrated and energized at the same time. Frustrated because once again the world's poor—African, Caribbean, Latin American, Asian and small island nations in particular—have had to justify their necessity to have a quality-filled life.

(NNPA) - The greatest civil rights leader in history taught each and every one of us invaluable lessons throughout his short time on earth. Absorbing his teachings, readings and speeches, we have been able to peacefully highlight injustice whenever and wherever we see it, and demand equality in a forthright and sustainable way.

(NNPA) -- Many December holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa alike – involve the lighting of candles. This symbolizes the spirit of peace, hope, and new beginnings, illuminating the winter days and warming the soul.