WASHINGTON—In a case arising from Seattle, the Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether skin color can be considered in assigning children to public schools, reopening the issue of affirmative action.

The announcement puts a contentious social topic on the national landscape in an election year and tests the conservatism of President George Bush's two new justices.

VANCOUVER, Wash.—With their signatures on a landmark agreement to cut red tape and reduce Interstate 5 congestion, managers from 17 federal and state agencies created a new national model for environmental reviews.

Agencies from Washin-gton, Oregon and the federal government agreed to coordinate the review process and expedite decisions without giving up necessary environmental protections when improving or replacing the I-5 bridge across the Columbia River.

Muhammed Hussein is blind, 3 years old and speaks no English, but the moment he sat in his foster mother's lap in an examination chair at a Seattle clinic, he seemed to know the bullet wound on his face was going to be probed.

After months in hospitals in his native Iraq and later Iran, Muhammed has come to dread visits to the doctor.

The touch of rubber gloves, cold metal on his skin or the pressure of fingers on his face triggers a reminder of the day 13 months ago when he was shot from close range with an AK-47 assault rifle.

Parents, students and school officials will continue discussing school closures and changes during another series of community conversations already under way this month.

In early May, the Portland School Board approved proposals to create 19 kindergarten-through-eighth grade schools, to phase out five middle-school programs and to close four or five school buildings.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski

Oregon will seek $26.5 million from Congress to create an electronic health information network in Oregon.

The money would pay for installation of electronic health records systems in more than 4,000 doctors' offices across the state.

The network would prioritize patient privacy "in a single, connected system," Gov. Ted Kulongoski told a meeting of health care professionals, educators and public officials at Oregon Health and Science University.

The North Portland Nurse Practitioner Community Health Clinic has moved three blocks from its former location, to its new spot at 27 N.E. Killingsworth St. The clinic's new home, which opened this week, has almost twice as much space to serve young patients.

The new location has four exam rooms, a conference room, a large waiting area and space for clothes and food closets.
"The clinic could see as many as 500 additional patients a year, and we will be able to broaden its services," said Tracy Gratto, director of the Coalition of Community Health Clinics.

VANCOUVER, Wash.—The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will host three Kids' Fishing Day Clinics on June 10 as part of its 18th annual observance of National Fishing Week.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children for these free fishing clinics and a host of other family-oriented, fun activities.

"This is an opportunity for kids of all ages to have a good time, catch a few fish and learn more about their environment," said Forest Supervisor Claire Lavendel.

Felicia Loud & the Soul are on the bill at the Newcomers Fair.

The Discover Seattle Newcomers Fair is a free community resource for Seattle's new residents — with a special outreach to communities of color.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, 305 Harrison St.

CORVALLIS—What's in a name? Maybe plenty if you want to rent an apartment.

An Oregon State University survey found that an ethnic-sounding name can be a factor in whether an applicant gets an apartment.

The study, co-authored by William Loges, an OSU assistant professor in new media communications and sociology, sought and found differences in replies to online housing inquiries from people with names associated with Caucasians, Arabs and Blacks.

Despite a less-than-stellar economy and a scarce job market, North and Northeast Port-land residents Amanda Salama and Molly Kline are choosing to start their own business.

The two 26-year-olds who have college degrees and professional experience, made the decision despite the risks — they have opened Ink Promotions.