04-16-2024  2:15 pm   •   PDX and SEA Weather
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NORTHWEST NEWS

Grants Pass Anti-Camping Laws Head to Supreme Court

Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled for April 22. The case has broad implications for cities, including whether they can fine or jail people for camping in public. Since 2020, court orders have barred Grants Pass from enforcing its anti-camping laws. Now, the city is asking the justices to review lower court rulings it says has prevented it from addressing the city's homelessness crisis. Rights groups say people shouldn’t be punished for lacking housing.

Four Ballot Measures for Portland Voters to Consider

Proposals from the city, PPS, Metro and Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District.

Washington Gun Store Sold Hundreds of High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines in 90 Minutes Without Ban

KGW-TV reports Wally Wentz, owner of Gator’s Custom Guns in Kelso, described Monday as “magazine day” at his store. Wentz is behind the court challenge to Washington’s high-capacity magazine ban, with the help of the Silent Majority Foundation in eastern Washington.

Five Running to Represent Northeast Portland at County Level Include Former Mayor, Social Worker, Hotelier (Part 2)

Five candidates are vying for the spot previously held by Susheela Jayapal, who resigned from office in November to focus on running for Oregon's 3rd Congressional District. Jesse Beason is currently serving as interim commissioner in Jayapal’s place. (Part 2)

NEWS BRIEFS

Literary Arts Transforms Historic Central Eastside Building Into New Headquarters

The new 14,000-square-foot literary center will serve as a community and cultural hub with a bookstore, café, classroom, and event...

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Announces New Partnership with the University of Oxford

Tony Bishop initiated the CBCF Alumni Scholarship to empower young Black scholars and dismantle financial barriers ...

Mt. Hood Jazz Festival Returns to Mt. Hood Community College with Acclaimed Artists

Performing at the festival are acclaimed artists Joshua Redman, Hailey Niswanger, Etienne Charles and Creole Soul, Camille Thurman,...

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon

Yolanda J. Jackson has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. ...

Americans Willing to Pay More to Eliminate the Racial Wealth Gap, Creating a New Opportunity for Black Business Owners

National research released today provides encouraging news that most Americans are willing to pay a premium price for products and...

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shut down airport highways and key bridges in major US cities

CHICAGO (AP) — Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked roadways in Illinois, California, New York and the Pacific Northwest on Monday, temporarily shutting down travel into some of the nation's most heavily used airports, onto the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges and on a busy West Coast highway. ...

Asbestos victim's dying words aired in wrongful death case against Buffet's railroad

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Thomas Wells ran a half-marathon at age 60 and played recreational volleyball until he was 63. At 65 years old, doctors diagnosed him with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure. “I’m in great pain and alls I see is this...

Caleb Williams among 13 confirmed prospects for opening night of the NFL draft

NEW YORK (AP) — Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, the popular pick to be the No. 1 selection overall, will be among 13 prospects attending the first round of the NFL draft in Detroit on April 25. The NFL announced the 13 prospects confirmed as of Thursday night, and...

Georgia ends game on 12-0 run to beat Missouri 64-59 in first round of SEC tourney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Blue Cain had 19 points, Justin Hill scored 17 off the bench and 11th-seeded Georgia finished the game on a 12-0 run to beat No. 14 seed Missouri 64-59 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Cain hit 6 of 12 shots,...

OPINION

Loving and Embracing the Differences in Our Youngest Learners

Yet our responsibility to all parents and society at large means we must do more to share insights, especially with underserved and under-resourced communities. ...

Gallup Finds Black Generational Divide on Affirmative Action

Each spring, many aspiring students and their families begin receiving college acceptance letters and offers of financial aid packages. This year’s college decisions will add yet another consideration: the effects of a 2023 Supreme Court, 6-3 ruling that...

OP-ED: Embracing Black Men’s Voices: Rebuilding Trust and Unity in the Democratic Party

The decision of many Black men to disengage from the Democratic Party is rooted in a complex interplay of historical disenchantment, unmet promises, and a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment. ...

COMMENTARY: Is a Cultural Shift on the Horizon?

As with all traditions in all cultures, it is up to the elders to pass down the rituals, food, language, and customs that identify a group. So, if your auntie, uncle, mom, and so on didn’t teach you how to play Spades, well, that’s a recipe lost. But...

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NEWS

Citing safety, USC makes rare cancellation of speech by valedictorian who supported Palestinians

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California canceled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians, citing security concerns for the rare decision that has been praised by several pro-Israel groups and lambasted by free speech advocates and...

Civil rights attorney demands footage in fatal police chase, but city lawyer says none exists

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump demanded Tuesday that police in a small town in Mississippi release camera footage of a chase that ended in the death of a Black teenager, but the city attorney said the police department does not use cameras. “I have been...

Home values rising in Detroit, especially for Black homeowners, study shows

DETROIT (AP) — Home values in Detroit — especially for Black residents — have increased by billions of dollars in the years following the city's exit from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, according to a study released Tuesday. The University of Michigan Poverty...

ENTERTAINMENT

Golf has a ratings problem, and the Masters could shine a light on why viewers are tuning out

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Golf has a ratings problem. The week-to-week grind of the PGA Tour has essentially become No Need To See TV, raising serious concerns about what it means for the future of the game. Now comes the Masters, the first major championship of the year and...

George Lucas to receive honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival

George Lucas will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival next month, festival organizers announced Tuesday. Lucas will be honored at the closing ceremony to the 77th French film festival on May 25. He joins a short list of those to receive honorary Palmes. Last...

Luke Combs leads the 2024 ACM Awards nominations, followed by Morgan Wallen and Megan Moroney

Luke Combs leads the nominees for the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards with eight nods to his name, it was announced Tuesday. For a fifth year in a row, he's up for both male artist of the year and the top prize, entertainer of the year. The 59th annual ACM Awards...

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

Despite weather glitch, the Paris Olympics flame is lit at the Greek cradle of ancient games

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — Even without the help of Apollo, the flame that is to burn at the Paris Olympics...

UK lawmakers back landmark bill to gradually phase out smoking for good

LONDON (AP) — The British government's plan for a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever...

Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led St. Louis Cardinals to 3 pennants, dies at 92

NEW YORK (AP) — Whitey Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals...

House panel says China subsidizes fentanyl production to fuel crisis in the United States

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is fueling the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. by directly subsidizing the manufacturing of...

Greece plans 2 marine protected areas. But rival Turkey and environmental groups aren't impressed

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece aims to create two large marine parks as part of a 780-million-euro (0 million)...

AP PHOTOS: Paris Olympics venues mix history and modernity and showcase cultural heritage

PARIS (AP) — Iconic or historic venues are at the heart of the Paris Olympics — organizers want the event to...

By The Skanner News | The Skanner News

Allen Temple CME Church 1ST Annual Unsung Heroes & Heroines Award Breakfast

The Allen Temple CME Church Family is inviting you to attend the first annual “Unsung Heroes and Heroines Award,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th Avenue.
Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of Allen Temple CME Church and Presiding Elder of the Oregon/Washington District and Alaska Pacific Conference. Allen Temple CME Church is a church that reaches beyond the walls to meet the needs and serve the community.

This is a fundraising event to help rebuild our church. The cost of the breakfast is $20.00. Contact Rev. Rhonda L. Smith for ticket information.

The purpose of the award is to acknowledge and honor an individual(s) or organization(s) who are unknown but , making a difference in the community in the City of Portland, by assisting underserved individuals or groups and improving their quality of life. The categories of recognition are in the following areas: education, drug addiction programs, homeless ministry, athletics, religion, youth programs, journalism/media, arts, health, foster care, gang prevention/resource and social justice.

 

Charles Drew Blood Drive celebrates a decade of support

American Red Cross announces the 10th annual Charles Drew Blood Drive will be held on June 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. This year’s Charles Drew Blood Drive will feature a sickle cell disease discussion panel and a special blood recipient story. All presenting donors will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a 50 percent off Adidas coupon, while supplies last. Coupons are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.

In 1941, Dr. Charles Drew, an African American physician and scientist, helped to establish and served as medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank. This blood drive honors his legacy and helps educate the African American community about the need for a diverse blood supply.

Diversity among blood donors is important because red blood cells carry markers that determine blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Blood must be matched very closely for those patients with rare blood types or for those who need repeated transfusions – like patients with sickle cell disease. Patients are less likely to experience complications from blood donated by someone with a similar ethnicity.

The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 15,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood donors with all types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, are urged to make an appointment to give this summer. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

 

Fourth Annual Elks Children's Eye Clinic ‘Summerfest’ Includes Free Vision Screenings, Free Rides and More

Children ages 3 to 7 and their families are invited to participate in the Elks Children's Eye Clinic "Summerfest” event, which includes free vision screenings for children ages three to seven, in addition to amusement park ride wristbands for kids who are screened, hot dogs for the first 250 participants, carnival games, balloons, clowns and face painting. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Oaks Park Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way, and includes a short speaking program at 11 a.m. with City of Portland Commissioner Nick Fish and Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute Director David J. Wilson, M.D.

The Oregon Legislature passed a law in 2014 mandating that all children entering kindergarten show proof of vision screening. Trained vision screeners from the Oregon Elks and the Oregon Lions will perform the screenings. The event is a part of a statewide See to Read initiative, which provides vision screenings throughout Oregon and aims to detect vision problems that can only be treated successfully if caught before age 7. The event is hosted by the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at OHSU Casey Eye Institute, in collaboration with the Oregon State Elks Association, Oregon Library Association and the Oregon Lions.

 

Tower of Power Headlines Aug. 15 Groovin’ On The Grass Concert

Tower of Power – the iconic 10-piece ensemble that has wowed audiences for nearly 50 years with its soulful, horn-driven sound – will headline THPRD’s annual Groovin’ on the Grass concert event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-8:30 pm. The show will also feature Portland jazz trio Boy and Bean.

Groovin’ on the Grass will be staged outdoors on a soccer field at the Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex, 158th and Walker Rd., in Beaverton. Gates open at 5 pm.
Tickets are on sale at www.tickettomato.com. General admission tickets are just $10. Early entry tickets, entitling guests to enter the venue at 4 pm (one hour before doors open), are $20. Children under age five will be admitted free. Online sales will continue through Aug. 14.

For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.

 

For more Portland and Seattle area events see the Community Calendar.

The Skanner Foundation's 38th Annual MLK Breakfast