Thank you all so much. I'm honored to speak with you today and I'm sorry that I cannot join you in person. I want to begin by thanking Tavis Smiley for giving me the chance to address you. And I want to applaud all of you for participating in this forum.
It represents an incredible opportunity to highlight not only the challenges facing the African American community – but also the ways in which ordinary men and women are working to meet them. You have tapped into a yearning in the community to address our toughest problems instead of leaving them for another day, or year, or generation. . . .

The National Association for the Advancement Of Colored People of Alaska-Oregon-Washington State is holding its annual Spring Conference from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, at the Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, Wa. The theme for the convention is "One Hundred Years of Faith, Hope and Courage" and is hosted by the tri-cities community. 
Oscar Eason, Jr., president of the regional NAACP said "it was 100 years ago in 1909, that a multiracial group of progressive thinkers formed and established an organization with the objective of insuring the . . .

Attorney General Rob McKenna announced last Thursday that the state of Washington received $11 million in tobacco settlement funds previously withheld by tobacco companies. R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard, Kingmaker and other tobacco companies agreed to transfer the money pending the resolution of an ongoing payment dispute with the states.
"Today our state's health programs have received a multi-million dollar booster shot in the arm," McKenna said. "Just when it's needed the most, this money helps close the budget gap and bolsters vital anti-tobacco programs for kids." AG McKenna is co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Tobacco Committee, where he, along with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, leads ongoing negotiations between the tobacco companies and the states.
The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) requires tobacco manufacturers to make annual payments to the states, in part to compensate for billions of dollars in health care costs associated with treating tobacco-related diseases under state Medicaid programs. . . .

Although local media justice organization Reclaim the Media praised Congress' decision to delay the nation's shift to digital television, problems with the coupon program remain.
The vote by the House of Representatives delays the DTV transition, originally scheduled for Feb. 17, until June 12. By that date, television stations across the country will turn off their analog signals and continue broadcasting only in digital . . .

 A prominent Zimbabwean rights activist has been granted bail after three months but says she's too ill to leave the hospital. Jestina Mukoko was taken from her home in early December and held in an undisclosed location until being jailed Dec. 23. She's accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. She testified she was tortured and she was taken to the hospital three weeks ago . . .

Tommie J. Scott III died at his home on Feb. 26 after battling cancer. He was 57. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 5 at Albina Christian church.
Born on Aug. 15, 1951 in Robbins Hills, Ga., Tommie served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the First AME Zion Church and worked for 37 years at Pacific Corp.
During his work at Pacific Corp., Tommie received numerous awards for safety and achievement as an infrastructure specialist. He also conducted safety training for many of his coworkers . . .

The last surviving members of the only all female African American Army unit to deploy in World War II were honored by the U.S. Army last week . . . at a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. . . .

A three-judge appellate panel will hear arguments on whether the state must retry a former Black Panther for the 1972 killing of a prison guard.
The Tuesday morning hearing at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal is for Albert Woodfox, whose conviction was overturned by U.S. District Judge James Brady. The judge found that the trial was tainted by mistakes made by one of Woodfox's lawyers. State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office appealed. . . .

 The Skanner Annual Black History Edition is out now. The theme is using online resources to discover your history.
 Click here to read it.

ATLANTA (AP) - A building that has twice avoided the auction block could be sold to settle a $13.1 million loan owed by an embattled historically black college facing a financial crisis that threatens to close it doors.
Morris Brown College officials were scrambling to thwart the sale of Jordan Hall for a third time. The building houses classrooms and an art gallery and investors stopped auctions . . .