• Opponents of gay-rights laws abandon repeal effort
Organizers conceded Monday that their initiatives to repeal two Oregon gay rights laws will not make the November ballot.

• This Sunday, it's no cars allowed in North Portland
Motorists weary of paying $4 a gallon for gas may have recently fantasized about this: A city without cars.

• Day labor center opens in central, eastside Portland
Within a few weeks, if the success of similar projects elsewhere is any indication, the new city-sponsored day labor center in Portland's central eastside business district will become a bustling example of capitalism at its most basic.

• Intel leads $50 million investment as it enters photovoltaic market
Computer chipmaker Intel is jumping into green energy with a multimillion-dollar investment in a solar-cell manufacturer to be based in Hillsboro.

• Multnomah County cuts some contracts with Cascadia
Multnomah County announced a reorganization of its local mental health system Monday, substantially scaling back contracts with struggling Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and setting the stage for a potentially difficult transition for clients with mental illness.

• Caspian terns flock to man-made island in southeast Oregon
Hungry Caspian terns that have worn out their welcome in the Columbia River by gobbling protected salmon are now arriving in surprising numbers on a new nesting ground built for them in a southeast Oregon lake.

• Trial opens in Portland homicide case involving roommates
On the afternoon of Nov. 4, 2006, Francis Weber told his brother he was about to kick out his deadbeat renter, Frank Gronross Hudson.