WASHINGTON -- President Bush again called Democrats "irresponsible" on Saturday for pushing an expansion he opposes to a children's health insurance program.
"Democrats in Congress have decided to pass a bill they know will be vetoed," Bush said of the measure that draws significant bipartisan support, repeating in his weekly radio address an accusation he made earlier in the week. "Members of Congress are risking health coverage for poor children purely to make a political point."
In the Democrat's response, also broadcast Saturday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell turned the tables on the president, saying that if Bush doesn't sign the bill, 15 states will have no funding left for the program by the end of the month.
At issue is the Children's Health Insurance Program, a state-federal program that subsidizes health coverage for low-income people, mostly children, in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford ...

Standing in a casino hotel room, a fallen football hero played out the final scene of a sting operation to seize prized possessions from his glory days.
But his plan, plotted against the backdrop of a quickie Las Vegas wedding, was suddenly going bad.
There was a gunman impersonating a police officer. Men were screaming at each other. And the prized possessions were being stuffed into pillow cases and cardboard boxes.
In a city where casino heists and celebrity spawn images of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack and George Clooney flicks, the caper allegedly orchestrated by O.J. Simpson has the glint of Sin City's seedy underside -- with shadowy figures and  ...

Mayor Tom Potter announced Monday that he will not be running for a second term in office. His decision kicked off speculation about who will run for mayor in the 2008 election.
Erik Sten, the longest serving city commissioner said he will not run, but Sam Adams, Bob Ball, and Roy Jay ...

What could Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Chris Rock have in common? In two words: Barack Obama. All three are backing the senator for Illinois, in the race for the next president of the United States.
About 4,000 less-famous people were able to make up their own minds ...

A couple of years ago the Portland chapter of the NAACP could be summed up in three letters. R.I.P. Sure, the civil rights group had a long history of successful activism stretching back to the 40s. But for some years the group's influence and reputation had been in decline.
Not any longer. This month, on Sept. 27, the NAACP will install a new, youthful and dynamic set of leaders ...

Last Friday's $25 a ticket fundraiser raked in $200,000 for Barack Obama's campaign. That might be a drop in the ocean compared to the $3 million Oprah raised at her Obama fundraiser the next day, but it also is a sign of the Illinois senator's ability to attract donations from less-wealthy supporters, as well as the Hollywood crowd.

Brian Brauche, of MCE of Oregon, Maque Soria of Millas Inc. and Paul Knauls Jr. of Picual Inc., promote the product Andalucian Girl Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Soria family has been growing olives and producing olive oil in the region of southern Spain for over 10 generations. The olive oil can be purchased from Picual Inc. at 3439 N.E. Sandy Blvd. #632 or by calling 503-875-1039.

13. CASCADE AIDS PROJECT. A social/support group for ages 13-18, who are infected or affected by HIV. Groups range from conversations to fun movie nights. Pizza provided.
14. HUMBOLDT CELEBRATION. Join the neighborhood bash for food, kids' activities, music and ...

The Seattle Seahawks opened their regular season with a 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a hot, sunny Sunday afternoon in front of the largest home-opening crowd of 68,044 at Qwest Field.
"It's always nice to win the first one, so we're very happy about it," Coach Mike Holmgren said in his post-game press conference.
The players were quick to give credit to the new defense after the game which held the Buccs to no points in the final three quarters, while forcing three fumbles resulting in two ....

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington's new law giving parents five weeks paid time off to be with a new child is second only to California.
Now a task force is working to figure out how to run the system, and more importantly, how to pay for it.
The 13-member committee is meeting once a month through December to decide who will run the new program, how much it will cost, and where the money will come from.
Under the law that the Legislature passed earlier this year, starting in October 2009, workers would get $250 a week for up to five weeks to care for a newborn or a newly adopted ...