11-03-2024  8:48 pm   •   PDX and SEA Weather

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NORTHWEST NEWS

African American Alliance On Homeownership Turns 25, Honors The Skanner Cofounder Bernie Foster

AAAH's executive director Cheryl Roberts recalls how the efforts of Bernie Foster led to an organization that now offers one-on-one counseling for prospective home buyers, homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention services, estate planning, assistance with down payments and more.

Police Say Fires Set at Ballot Boxes in Oregon and Washington Are Connected; ‘Suspect Vehicle’ ID'd

Surveillance images captured a Volvo stopping at a drop box in Portland, just before security personnel nearby discovered a fire inside the box. That fire damaged three ballots inside, while officials say a fire at a drop box in nearby Vancouver, Washington, early Monday destroyed hundreds of ballots.

Two Major Affordable Housing Developments Reach Milestones in Portland

Both will provide culturally specific supportive services to residents. 

Washington State AG and Ex-Sheriff Face off in Governor's Race

Former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert is trying to become Washington’s first GOP governor in 40 years. But he faces a difficult hurdle in the Democratic stronghold against longtime Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a darling of liberals for his many lawsuits against the Trump administration. 

NEWS BRIEFS

Oregon Begins Rollout of New Housing Benefits for Eligible OHP Members With Health Conditions

The housing benefits include rent assistance for up to six months, utility set-up and payments for up to six months, home...

Oregon Department of Education Releases Cell Phone Policy Guidance

ODE recommends creating policies to limit or reduce cell phone use during the school day. ...

Metro, Central City Concern and Partners to Mark Affordable Housing Complex Grand Opening With Halloween Celebration

Meridian Gardens will offer 85 single room occupancy and studio apartments to people who are in substance use disorder recovery and...

Oregon MESA Expands with Two New Regional Centers in Washington County and Lane County

“Our regional partners are embedded in the communities MESA serves, bringing a wealth of local knowledge and expertise. Regional...

Historic Seattle Black Church Hosts "Bring Your Ballot to Church" Event to Mobilize Voters

As Seattle's oldest African American-founded church, FAME carries forward the legacy of Black churches as centers of civic engagement...

Nevada lithium mine will crush rare plant habitat US said is critical to its survival, lawsuit says

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Conservationists and an advocacy group for Native Americans are suing the U.S. to try to block a Nevada lithium mine they say will drive an endangered desert wildflower to extinction, disrupt groundwater flows and threaten cultural resources. The Center for...

AP Top 25: Oregon a unanimous No. 1 ahead of 1st CFP rankings, followed by Georgia, Ohio State

Oregon was the unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday, strengthening its bid for the top spot in the College Football Playoff selection committee's first rankings of the season. The Ducks are No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight...

Memphis Tigers open season at home against the Missouri Tigers

Missouri Tigers at Memphis Tigers Memphis, Tennessee; Monday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -4.5; over/under is 152.5 BOTTOM LINE: Memphis opens the season at home against Missouri. Memphis finished 13-2 at home a season ago while...

Many top players from one-bid leagues left for bigger schools. Here are some of the best who stayed

Identifying the top returning players in the era of the transfer portal is trickier than ever. Now that players can transfer without having to sit out a season, mid-major and low-major programs have essentially become farm systems for power-conference teams. Players who earn...

OPINION

The Skanner News 2024 Presidential Endorsement

It will come as no surprise that we strongly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. ...

Black Retirees Growing Older and Poorer: 2025 Social Security COLA lowest in 10 years

As Americans live longer, the ability to remain financially independent is an ongoing struggle. Especially for Black and other people of color whose lifetime incomes are often lower than that of other contemporaries, finding money to save for ‘old age’ is...

The Skanner Endorsements: Oregon State and Local Ballot Measures

Ballots are now being mailed out for this very important election. Election Day is November 5. Ballots must be received or mailed with a valid postmark by 8 p.m. Election Day. View The Skanner's ballot measure endorsements. ...

Measure 117 is a Simple Improvement to Our Elections

Political forces around the country have launched an all-out assault on voting rights that targets Black communities. State legislatures are restricting voting access in districts with large Black populations and are imposing other barriers and pernicious...

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NEWS

Harris, Obamas and voting rights leaders work to turn out Black voters in run-up to Election Day

MIAMI (AP) — Concerts and carnivals hosted at polling precincts. “Souls to the Polls” mobilizations after Sunday service. And star-studded rallies featuring Hollywood actors, business leaders, musical artists and activists. Such seemingly disparate efforts all have a single...

Moldova’s pro-Western president wins 2nd term in runoff overshadowed by Russian meddling claims

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate...

Mexico City’s floating gardens have fed people for hundreds of years. Now they’re threatened

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cassandra Garduño squinted in the sunlight, her pink boots smudged by dirt as she gazed out over her family's chinampa — one of the islands first built up by the Aztecs with fertile mud from the bottom of a lake that, later drained, would one day become Mexico City. ...

ENTERTAINMENT

Samuel L. Jackson lauded at MoMA film benefit by close family and friends

NEW YORK (AP) — The Museum of Modern Art was filled with expletives and laughter Wednesday evening as Samuel L. Jackson’s family and friends celebrated the actor and director’s storied career of box office hits, larger-than-life characters and explosive one-liners at the annual film benefit. ...

A playwright in Africa hopes to break the cultural silence on rape

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Under a spotlight in an otherwise dark room, Oliva Ouedraogo held up a piece of fabric that looked stained with blood. “Long live the girl!” she cried, her voice competing with the loud hum of a generator. Ouedraogo was starring in her own play —...

Music Review: Muna frontwoman Katie Gavin makes her solo debut with folky, evocative 'What A Relief'

On “What a Relief,” the debut solo album from Katie Gavin, the Muna frontwoman tackles love, family and selfhood through folk and country twang that departs from the band's usual dance-forward pop. Don't worry, this isn't the end of Muna — the trio of Gavin, Naomi McPherson and...

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

Iran’s help has transformed Yemen's Houthi rebels into a potent military force, UN experts say

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been transformed from a local armed group with limited...

Oklahoma storms injure at least 11 and leave thousands without power

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Severe storms and tornadoes battered Oklahoma early Sunday, tossing cars and ripping roofs...

Federal judge lets Iowa keep challenging voter rolls although naturalized citizens may be affected

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge ruled Sunday that Iowa can continue challenging the validity of hundreds...

Israel's path of destruction in southern Lebanon raises fears of an attempt to create a buffer zone

BEIRUT (AP) — Perched on a hilltop a short walk from the Israeli border, the tiny southern Lebanese village of...

Lawmakers are vetting the EU chief's new team. It might be tough but she has the right on her side

BRUSSELS (AP) — Five months after the European Union lurched to the political right, the influence of...

Russia sends nearly 100 drones into Ukraine, as Zelenskyy urges tougher sanctions against Moscow

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Moscow sent 96 drones and a guided air missile into Ukraine overnight into Sunday,...

Seattle Seahawks
By TIM BOOTH Associated Press

In the bigger picture of the top two teams in the NFC meeting Monday night and what could be at stake in the postseason, getting a victory would be of more importance for New Orleans.

As much as Drew Brees and Sean Payton have worked to change the perception of a franchise that for most of its history has struggled, there is one reality about the postseason still staring New Orleans in the face: The Saints have never won a playoff game on the road.

While nothing can be clinched by the outcome Monday between the Saints (9-2) and Seahawks (10-1), New Orleans seems to understand a loss likely means the road through the NFC playoffs will go through Seattle.

“Both teams understand what we got ahead of us, what this game means to both teams,” New Orleans safety Roman Harper said. “It's huge, and if we can get this one, we understand what it sets up for us to be able to do. It puts us in position to accomplish some things we've been talking about all year long. All these things are starting to build up and we're right in the place we want to be. It's a great opportunity for us. We've got a tough one on the road and it will be a great matchup for us.”

Seattle understands the home-field importance, too. While the Seahawks showed last year they can win on the road in the postseason, Seattle's only Super Bowl trip came after having home-field advantage in the playoffs in the 2005 season.

A win over the Saints would leave Seattle two games up on everyone in the NFC with tiebreakers in hand.

“It feels good just with the way our team is performing. Everybody is playing together, everybody is playing for one another, and everybody is executing down the stretch,” Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said. “Nobody is getting nervous or starting to look ahead or looking past anyone.

Here are five other things to watch in the Monday night showdown:

KNOCK OFF THE RUST: The last time Seattle was on the field, it had its offensive line fully intact for the first time since the first quarter of Week 2 with the returns of Russell Okung, Breno Giacomini and Max Unger from injuries. Wilson was sacked only once, but the line was admittedly rusty in protections.

The Seahawks better be at their best against the Saints, who lead the NFL with 37 sacks. Cameron Jordan tops the Saints' pass rush with 9 1-2 sacks, and the Seahawks know a variety of pressures are coming from defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

“He does like to change his plan week to week so it's a little bit harder to zero in on what he's going to do, but it's always aggressive and always tough,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

BEAST MODE: Marshawn Lynch's 67-yard TD run against the Saints in the playoffs three seasons ago has been viewed over a million times on YouTube. It was a career-highlight run for Lynch, but his ability to regularly get 4 or 5 yards against the current Saints on Monday night could be critical. New Orleans' run defense is 25th in the NFL, but the Saints are so often playing with a lead that their ability to stop the run becomes moot as opponents try to rally.

If Lynch and the Seahawks can control possession and convert drives into points, the Saints' struggles with stopping the run could be exposed.

CORNERBACK CONCERN: Seattle was without starting cornerback Brandon Browner due to a groin injury. His replacement, Walter Thurmond, was suspended four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Seahawks will face the most prolific passing offense in the NFC with backup Byron Maxwell starting opposite Sherman and second-year player Jeremy Lane seeing significant playing time.

“They are going to come in and play the same type of technique,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “You don't see something change differently in regards to how they play a certain coverage or how they play a technique.”

GRAHAM'S GREATNESS: Jimmy Graham has already tied the NFL record for most 100-yard receiving games in a season by a tight end with six. The one time this season Graham was held in check this season was against New England. The Patriots put cornerback Aqib Talib on Graham almost exclusively on him and it worked. Graham was targeted six times and went without a catch. It was the first time since his rookie season that Graham was shut out.

Could Seattle follow suit and use Sherman on Graham?

HARVIN HEALTH: Just when it seemed the Seahawks were getting fully healthy, they go into Monday's game with wide receiver Percy Harvin doubtful due to lingering soreness in his surgically repaired hip. Harvin was in on 19 offensive plays and two kickoff returns in Week 11 against Minnesota, but soreness from that game has lingered.

If Harvin can't go, the Seahawks would have just four healthy receivers on the active roster.

___

AP Sports Writer Brett Martel contributed to this report.

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