The Supreme Court ruling in favor of white New Haven firefighters who said they were victims of reverse discrimination will probably leave employers confused, civil rights advocates and labor attorneys say.
The court ruled 5-4 Monday that the white firefighters were denied promotions unfairly because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as a federal appeals court judge. The majority of justices said the city was wrong to scrap a promotion exam because no African-Americans and only two Hispanic firefighters were likely to be made lieutenants or captains based on the results. The city said it had acted to avoid a lawsuit from minorities. . . .

Immediately following the announcement of Michael Jackson's sudden death, enterprising individuals began selling memorabilia online to take advantage of the increased demand. Better Business Bureau warns that the value of most memorabilia and commemorative items being sold is sentimental and the currently inflated prices for many items will drop over time. According to Smartmoney, before Jackson's death, sellers listed an average 200 to 400 memorabilia items daily on eBay, but by the morning following his death almost 20,000 Michael Jackson-related items and memorabilia were for sale on the auction Web site. Items included autographs, gloves, posters, newspapers and even a Cheeto which supposedly predicted the death of the pop star. . . .

Organizers for the proposed charter school High School for Recording Arts Portland will be submitting their application to Portland Public Schools on July 15. They need letters of support from parents, students and community members in Portland in order to get their charter approved ...  The school provides specialized training in studio and sound engineering, graphic design, business practices, video production, dance and theater and other areas of expertise. . . .

Keith V. Goodman, a beloved figure in the Portland arts community, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, June 27. He was 54. Goodman collapsed after gracefully finishing a dance performance outside the Beaverton Library. A memorial service will take place this Thursday where artists who loved Keith will be sharing their work on stage. . . .

With this edition hitting the streets during record unemployment levels in Washington and Oregon, we at The Skanner sought out the most inspirational person we could find to offer advice on preparing for the future. That's why we spoke with recent De La Salle North Catholic High School graduate Shantel Monk about her preparations for college and her career plans. . . .

With this 2009 Careers Edition hitting the streets during record unemployment levels in Washington and Oregon, we at The Skanner sought out the most inspirational person we could find to offer advice on preparing for the future. . . .

As summer heats up and yields thousands of unemployed teenagers anxious for a break from school and looking for something to do, Black leaders and state governments are hoping that President Obama's investment in youth initiatives will help put them to work – boosting the economy and away from crime. "Unemployment among youth has far reaching consequences across society. . . .

For people convicted of a crime, they'll tell you the punishment rarely ends at the jailhouse gates. Legal histories, especially those with more serious felonies, can follow people decades, impacting their ability to find adequate housing and employment. "Widespread homelessness reappeared in America in the early 1980s for the first time since the Great Depression," said Sally Erickson, manager of the Ending Homelessness program at the city . . .

The $2 million renovation of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge is complete, and festivities marking the achievement are Tuesday, June 23, from 3 - 7 p.m. at the lodge, 6 North Tillamook St. The public is invited to a walkthrough of the completed facility, and to enjoy a wine and cheese tasting catered by Pans Pots and Skillets, with valet parking and music. Members of The National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon, which spearheaded the renovation, say they hope attendees at the event "who build, remodel, and develop seek the work of members and consider using the members of NAMCO so that we can continue to reinvest in our community.". . .

Terrell Shegog waits to enter the auditorium at Summit K-12 in Seattle, Friday, June 12, for his high school graduation. The Class of 2009 will be the last graduating class from Summit because it is one of the five schools scheduled to close at the end of this school year.