After several years of behind-the-scenes planning, negotiating and stalling, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is about to burst with new development.

But as new projects — valued at between $80 and $100 million — begin to change the boulevard's look, opportunities for existing businesses also are emerging. Staffers for the Portland Development Commission say they are developing "tools" that will stimulate "wealth creation," add more jobs in the area and transform the rag-tag thoroughfare into a "livable and functional main street."

Legislation has been introduced in Congress to reauthorize the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Called the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006," the bill, introduced on May 2, would extend the act for 25 years. It also would update several provisions of the original Voting Rights Act to take into account continuing obstacles to voting by minority voters.

  2006 Breakfast InformationFor tickets e-mail [email protected] or come to The…

Catherine Sims, right, a 2006 graduate from De LaSalle North Catholic High School — the…

Urban League of Portland Chief Executive Officer Vanessa R. Gaston is leaving Portland for a new job in Nevada.

Gaston has accepted the position of assistant director of social services for Clark County, Nevada, said Charles Wilhoite, Chair of the Urban League of Portland Board of Directors. Gaston begins her new duties in Las Vegas in July.

"Vanessa has been a tremendous leader for the Urban League, and she will be sorely missed," Wilhoite said.

Urban League of Portland Chief Executive Officer Vanessa R. Gaston is leaving Portland for a new job in Nevada.

Gaston has accepted the position of assistant director of social services for Clark County, Nevada, said Charles Wilhoite, Chair of the Urban League of Portland Board of Directors. Gaston begins her new duties in Las Vegas in July.

"Vanessa has been a tremendous leader for the Urban League, and she will be sorely missed," Wilhoite said.

EUGENE—Anti-Christian cartoons in a University of Oregon student newspaper, The Insurgent, has riled students, local Catholic organizations and now involves national cable TV commentator Bill O'Reilly.

Many say the cartoons in the March issue overstep the First Amendment, and they want U of O President Dave Frohnmayer to step in.

The conservative O'Reilly says Frohnmayer is a coward who should be fired and that the issue is one of hate, not free speech.

Vicki Phillips

The two proposed academies for young men and women in Jefferson High School will be delayed for a year and will open in September 2007, said district Superintendent Vicki Phillips.

Time is running out for Oregon to stem the "overwhelming" problem of alcohol and drug abuse, according to a government report.

The report, prepared by the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, provides an overview of alcohol and drug treatment programs in Oregon and recommendations for the 2007-2009 legislative session.

"The data show that time is running out for Oregon to act," said Council Chair Ann Uhler, of Tigard. "For example, foster care has increased by 45 percent over the past four years due to a huge increase in drug- and alcohol-related arrests."

VANCOUVER, Wash.—With an eye on startups and established companies looking to expand their product lines, services and target markets, Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County will present "Generating and Marketing Profitable Ideas" at its free monthly session, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Jim Parsley Community Center, 4100 Plomondon St. in Vancouver.