DETROIT—A federal judge ruled Thursday that the U.S. government's warrantless domestic eavesdropping program is not only legal, but unconstitutional, and ordered an immediate halt to it.
U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency's program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
The Justice Department launched an appeal within hours of Taylor's decision.

City Commissioner Erik Sten, left, Portland Community College Cascade Campus President Algie Gatewood, PCC Cascade Emergency Services Department Director Carol Robertson and Mayor Tom Potter celebrate the city's donation of a new police training cruiser to the school.

The state of Oregon and the city of Portland, in recent years, have worked to increase diversity…

Oregon has expanded its nationally recognized gambling-treatment services with the opening of the state's first inpatient facility. Within a week of opening its doors, the new facility was filled to capacity and had a growing waiting list.

With eight cheerleaders holding up report cards giving the Portland Public Schools district failing…

The Brazilian martial art of capoeira was one of the featured art forms on display at the eighth annual Brasilfest, held Aug. 20 at the Seattle Center.

SPOKANE—The federal government is suing a restaurant in Ellensburg after a Black employee contended she was refused a better-paying job because she is a Muslim and because the owner wanted only "hot, White girls" to be cocktail servers.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
The lawsuit contends the owner of the Starlight Lounge failed to promote waitress Angela Harper to a cocktail server position because of race and religion.

A lawyer for an Army officer facing possible court-martial for refusing to go to Iraq says he plans to call two witnesses to support the soldier's claim that the war is illegal.
A hearing to determine whether 1st Lt. Ehren Watada will stand trial is scheduled  for Thursday at Fort Lewis, about 50 miles south of Seattle.

Looking for a way to support democracy and meet other civic-minded residents? Sign up to be a King County Elections poll worker.
Poll workers help safeguard the elections process by being responsible for opening and closing their polling place on Election Day and instructing voters on proper voting procedures.

King County"s efforts to combat global warming and air pollution are also saving big money."