SCRANTON, Pennsylvania (AP) _ Two judges charged with taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately run youth detention centers are expected to plead guilty to fraud.
Luzerne County Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan are scheduled to appear at a federal court hearing Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors say the two judges took $2.6 million in payoffs to put juvenile offenders in lockups ...

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai spent his first full day in office visiting political detainees he wants freed and meeting with labor officials who questioned his power-sharing deal with Zimbabwe's autocratic president, his spokesman said Thursday. The longtime opposition leader was sworn in as prime minister Wednesday by longtime rival Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai said in a speech after the inauguration ceremony that he wanted political prisoners freed immediately ...

A short listing of some of Portland's upcoming Black History Month events...

A short listing of some of Seattle's upcoming Black History Month events ...

The U.S. Small Business Administration last week announced it is making low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses that have been economically impacted by severe winter storms in Oregon that occurred from Dec. 14, 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009.   The declaration covers the primary Oregon counties of Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah and Washington as well as the neighboring counties of Clackamas, Clatsop, Tillamook, Wasco and Yamhill in Oregon and Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum in Washington....

When word spread that R&B sensation Chris Brown (19) turned himself into the police after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend the reigning "Princess of Pop" Robyn Rihanna Fenty (20) no one could believe it.  After all, Chris Brown is known for his incredible talent, good looks and squeaky-clean image. He wasn't the type do such a thing. And Rihanna? She's on top of the world right now, this couldn't possibly happen to her.
Whether the allegations are true or not, we do know that Brown has a history of domestic violence in his family....

SEATTLE – Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children, yet it is totally preventable. Early treatment can save teeth and relieve pain. In February, Washington dentists statewide are offering free dental care to low-income children. Education and instruction is provided, with screenings, cleanings, X-rays and fillings available wherever possible, and referrals for those who need further care. Here is a partial list of free care offered ...

Despite his recently tarnished image, crooner Chris Brown is still up for an NAACP Image Award.
The 19-year-old singer, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, is in the running for outstanding male artist at the 40th annual awards, being presented Thursday night at the Shrine Auditorium and airing on Fox.
Rihanna, his longtime girlfriend, is up for outstanding female artist.
The show had no plans to address the situation, and wouldn't know whether Brown or Rihanna won until the envelope was opened during the live telecast, said a person close to the Image Awards who was not authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named....

Party officials say Zimbabwean police no longer plan treason charges against a longtime opposition politician appointed to the unity government.
Roy Bennett's Movement for Democratic Change says police had accused the deputy agriculture minister nominee of treason. The party says police said Sunday that he faces a weapons charge instead. Police have been unreachable since Bennett's arrest.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC's leader and Zimbabwe's new prime minister, called Bennett's arrest an attempt by factions in President Robert Mugabe's party to derail power sharing.
The coalition was formed after months of impasse so that rival politicians can address the nation's economic meltdown. It keeps Mugabe as president after three decades in power.
Bennett was detained by police Friday while Tsvangirai and Mugabe were presiding over the inauguration of senior Cabinet ministers. Bennett, a well-known white lawmaker fluent in the local Shona language, had his farm seized years ago....

Freedom Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption to promote and protect individual freedom, announced that it has recently filed a complaint against the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve for failing to turn over information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the first half of the $700 billion dollar bailout. Freedom Watch's initial FOIA request sought to provide an answer as to where, exactly, the money went....