For the first time in 25 years, the number of African Americans incarcerated in state prisons for drug offenses has declined substantially, according to a study released by The Sentencing Project. There has been a 21.6 percent drop in the number of Blacks incarcerated for a drug offense, a decline of 31,000 people during the period 1999-2005. While overall drug offenses rose only 1 percent during this period, federal drug inmates increased by 32 percent. The study, The Changing Racial Dynamics of the War on Drugs, also documents a corresponding rise in the number of Whites in state prison for a drug offense, an increase of 42.6% during this time frame, or more than 21,000 people. . . .

The current degree of job loss among Black men is catastrophic and these losses will likely only increase as the economic crisis deepens. That's according to the Center for American Progress, which today released a report titled "Weathering the Storm: Black Men in the Recession." The report, authored by CAP research associate Alexandra Cawthorne, addresses how the current recession, which has resulted in job losses not seen in almost 25 years, is affecting Black men especially hard. According to the thinktank, policymakers must address the root causes of Black men's difficulties in the labor market, including high rates of incarceration, limited education, child support arrearages, and discrimination. . . .

Augustina Robinson 6, enjoys some pancakes at the Van Asselt Community Center Spring Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast April 11 in Seattle.  Despite the cool weather the annual event drew a lot of enthusiastic children and their parents. Spring Egg Hunts and Pancake Breakfasts were held at community centers all over Seattle.
Photo by Susan Fried

The Dallas police officer who pulled out his gun and threatened an NFL player with jail instead of allowing him inside a hospital where his mother-in-law was dying resigned Wednesday. . . . Click here for the actual uncut video of Officer Robert Powell threatening to arrest NFL running back Ryan Moats for running a red light . . . .

Of the 14 homes in Oregon that are registered as LEED Platinum – one of the highest ratings for environmentally sustainable building in the United States – none are considered to be affordable. That is, until now.
Habitat for Humanity unveiled two LEED Platinum homes for low-income people on March 31. The homes are located at 602 NE Webster St. and are being purchased by Janette Clark and the Alemayoh family with a no interest loan.
Steve Messinetti, executive director of Portland Habitat for Humanity, says creating an affordable home that meets LEED standards is no small feat. Actually getting LEED certification is costly and based on a point system . . .

Cuts to the health care safety net will increase health disparities in Washington state, according to a report by Washington health officials. The report, by the Washington State Board of Health in collaboration with the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities, was released hours after the Washington State House of Representatives released its proposed budget.
"Communities of color disproportionately depend on public health insurance programs to cover their health care needs," said Tony Lee, policy director of the Statewide Poverty Action Network.  "It is important to save the health care safety net to ensure that we do not exacerbate racial disparities in health care." . . .

Tens of thousands of Americans, from teenagers to baby boomers, soon will get a fresh chance to lend a helping hand in a time of need.
The House voted 275-149 Tuesday for a $5.7 billion bill that triples positions in the Clinton-era AmeriCorps program, its largest expansion since the agency's creation in 1993, and establishes a fund to help nonprofit organizations recruit and manage more volunteers. AmeriCorps offers a range of volunteer opportunities including housing construction, youth outreach, disaster response and caring for the elderly.
Congress was sending the bill to President Barack Obama, who often cites his years as a Chicago community organizer for giving him his political start. Obama has made national service programs a high priority. His budget proposal calls for more than $1.1 billion for the programs, an increase of more than $210 million. . . .

What's happening for you in your city this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below . . . .

. . . the Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter School failed to score an easy turnaround against a shutdown proposal at a packed Monday night meeting, but put members of the Portland Public Schools Board on the record as supporting their eventual charter renewal. . . .

When a thief stole the charity collection jar at Bagel Land on NE 42^nd and Fremont last week, he took more than just cash; gone with the $600 is a sense of community spirit. Café owner Bernard Ferere is a native of Haiti who was gathering money for medicines destined to help impoverished families in the Carribean nation – the poorest country in the western hemisphere. . . .