Stacy Spikes is the founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Urbanworld Film Festival, the premiere showcase for urban and ethnic films. The festival, which premiered in August of 1997, was born out of an inspired idea that Mr. Spikes jotted down on a napkin while dining in a restaurant. . . .

"There is a state of emergency in the urban community," determined Andre Mitchell, founder and CEO of Man Up Inc. "The government's $800 billion stimulus package has yet to land in the inner cities. It has not trickled down. That $800 billion means nothing if the right organizations cannot benefit from that money." . . .

Recent layoffs mean more Washington residents are without health insurance. The good news is they may qualify for assistance to help cover the costs of necessary prescription medications.
"In today's tough economy, every penny – and pricey pill – counts," Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "If you haven't checked into prescription drug assistance programs, you could be paying too much for your medicine." . . .

To appear on the King County ballot, all candidates must file a declaration of candidacy online, in-person or by mail no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5.  Mail-in filings must include a notarized declaration of candidacy and the appropriate filing fee.  All applications must be in the hands of King County Election officials by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5. . . .

DreamWorks' plan to film a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic may be stalled if the civil rights icon's children can't work out their differences, according to Eurweb.com. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III are threatening legal action against their brother Dexter, the overseer of their father's estate, for signing off on the DreamWorks deal without their involvement in the negotiations. . . .

The Oregon House on Monday passed legislation protecting renters who are living in foreclosed properties, ensuring that they cannot be evicted from the property until it is sold and ensuring that their security deposit and other up-front funds are protected.  The measure passed 59-0 and will now head back to the Senate for concurrence in House amendments. . . .

A Senate chairman who will have a major role in writing health care legislation said Tuesday he hopes to convince President Barack Obama that taxing some employer-provided benefits will help control escalating costs.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., faces a hard sell. During his campaign for president, Obama ruled out taxing health benefits provided by employers. . . .

Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna's office is sounding the siren on marketing firms accused of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars. The state announced two new lawsuits this week as part of an ongoing effort to enforce fair marketing practices.
"We've warned dealers and ad firms that they need to make sure their promotions comply with state laws," said Assistant Attorney General Mary Lobdell. "Now we've set up a roadblock to stop those businesses that continue to drive down the wrong side of the legal road." . . .

Dallas has an ugly history of racism - one that city leaders are not so eager to share with visiting tourists. Therefore, tourists find themselves unknowingly at Dallas' historical center of the South's most egregious brands of "justice."
Not far from the steps of the old Red Court House, hate groups lynched African-Americans without the due process of law. Among those lynched was an elderly man named Allen Brooks. On May 3, 1910, vigilantes administered justice, Texas style. Brooks, a 68-year-old Black man on trial for allegedly. . . .

Laid-off workers should consider having their unemployment benefits deposited directly into their bank accounts, say officials with the state's Employment Security Department. 
Direct deposit is secure and convenient, and Employment Security provides the service for free.
"Unemployed workers have enough on their minds . . .