ATLANTA (AP) _ An influential Georgia lawmaker said Wednesday that the state's funding of historically Black public colleges is illegal. Seth Harp, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, introduced a resolution Wednesday urging the state Board of Regents to save money by merging Black colleges in Savannah and Albany with nearby schools that are predominantly white. Harp, a Midland Republican, said the schools are a vestige of the Jim Crow era and "perpetuate segregation in our state." ...

The Elliot Bay Book Company of Seattle will be bringing in a variety of influential Black writers and history makers for Black History Month. Speakers include Music Mogul Quincy Jones, Comedy writer Larry Wilmore, Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Novelist E. Lynn Harris, among others...

King County's alternatives to incarceration programs might have helped contribute to a 5.7 percent reduction in the number of inmates held in secure detention by King County last year – the first actual decline in average daily population since 2003. Alternatives to incarceration have helped contain the high costs of secure detention.
"After only a few years, our policy direction to focus on recovery rather than incarceration is starting to pay off in a very tangible way," said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert ...

The Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women in Portland will be showing a series of films as a part of Community Cinema, a free monthly preview of the Emmy® Award-Winning PBS Series, Independent Lens. Offered in 50 cities throughout the country, this event includes a one hour film screening followed by a panel discussion that encourages dialogue and action around important social issues. ...

Come experience the opening of the fourth annual Black Heritage City Hall Art Show on Feb. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4^th Ave.
The annual art exhibit titled "Seeds of Hope: Living to Leave a Legacy" will feature entertainment by the De La Salle Choir and DJ Ricky Pettiford. The Urban League of Portland-sponsored event is free and open to the public. Refreshments provided. It features artwork by ...

Our Oregon Congressional delegation is currently debating President Obama's $825 billion rescue package. Details on the House and Senate bills and what they mean for school district's current budget gaps are changing daily. I do know state and district leaders are working hard to ensure Oregon receives these stimulus dollars in time to provide needed resources .... We all are working to prevent Oregon schools from closing early this school year ...

During one of the region's hardest winters in 40 years, Portland General Electric and Oregon HEAT are working together to help thousands of low-income Oregon families pay their electricity bills.
In February, PGE will include Oregon HEAT donation envelopes in customers' electricity bills, which go directly to Oregon HEAT.  The donated funds will assist families who cannot afford to heat and light their homes. ...

About 1,800 people rode WES Commuter Rail Friday for free. From left, Washington County Commission Chair Tom Brian, U.S. Rep. David Wu and Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen take a ride of TriMet WES Commuter Rail, Oregon's first commuter rail line.  

For more than 30 years, Mt. Hood Community College students have benefited from the efforts of a group of generous volunteers known as the Neighborhood Saints.
Since its creation in 1976, the Neighborhood Saints have helped thousands of students secure emergency loans with funds raised through sales at the Saints Thrift Store. ...

Two children, one boy and one girl, will win bikes at a drawing on Wednesday ...
For the "Bikes to Books" program, second- and third-grade students have been reading books for the past three months and putting slips with their names into a box for the drawing for every 10 books they read. Winners are chosen at the drawing and must be present to win. ...