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Progressive States Network Applauds Daschle Nomination (VIDEO)

Health and Human Services Nominee Daschle's 2008 remarks forecast crucial role for federal-state collaboration in health care reform effort.

(NEW YORK) - The Progressive States Network warmly applauds Wednesday's announcement that Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will be nominated as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in President-Elect Barack Obama's future cabinet.

As a luminary voice on the urgent issue of health care reform, Mr. Daschle understands far more than most the key role progressive state leaders have played over the past decade in keeping the struggle for reform alive in the face of stiff opposition from entrenched conservative leadership in Washington D.C.

As Daschle very eloquently put it at Progressive States Network's Annual Gala this June, "Without the progressive movement in the states, the movement for health care in this country for all intents and purposes would be dead."

Boy Crushed by Truck Continues to Inspire Disabled Veterans (VIDEO)

"Big Evan" is a 'Boy Wonder' whose good deeds would compete with Superman any day.

(MARION, Ill.) - Few stories give my heart strings the workout that this one does. A 4-year boy who spends his extra time cheering up wounded and disabled vets with his grandmother in Illinois, narrowly survived being crushed by a pick-up truck. The story involves gritted teeth, forgiveness, perseverance, recovery, and a really unforgettable airplane ride.

On October 8th 2008, Susan Tackitt's youngest grandson was run over by a 3/4 ton pickup. Both wheels went over this tiny child who has been a VA Volunteer for more than half of his life. When "Big Evan" was hit by the truck, he was seriously injured, according to Tackitt.

"His femor and pelvis were broken, he had lacerations on his liver and spline and is in a full body cast," Tackitt said, adding that, "For four days he wouldn't eat."

Oregon Guard Soldier Joins Capitol War Protest (VIDEO)

An Oregon Guard soldier joins the 24-hour vigil protesting a deployment to Iraq in 2009.

(SALEM, Ore.) - An Oregon woman protesting a national guard deployment to the Iraq War was arrested Friday night by Oregon state troopers. Political activist Michele Darr of Corvallis is no stranger to capitol demonstrations; she spent months outside the capitol in protest of the Iraq War in 2003.

Advocates taking part in the vigil and fast say Michele Darr's Civil Rights were violated when she was arrested, and Saturday the list of advocates on the capitol steps grew to include an Oregon soldier who is part of the scheduled deployment. News of the arrest prompted Richard Portelli, a soldier in the Oregon Guard, to join Darr's cause.

Attorneys say the state law that allow police to arrest Darr conflicts with federal laws that grant the public, rights to access public property.

Santa Ana Winds Drive California Wildfires Toward Celebrity Homes (VIDEO)

Santa Ana Winds Fuel Raging California Wildfire Threaten Celebrity Homes and Westmont College

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) - Santa Ana winds that developed on Thursday will continue into Sunday in Southern California. They have fueled a raging wildfire that has destroyed at least 100 homes in a celebrity enclave near Montecito, according to AccuWeather.com.

The winds began on Thursday as high pressure built over the Intermountain West. By Thursday night, the winds known locally as "sundowners" were gusting to as high as 70 mph through the canyons and passes of Southern California.

The winds fed the "Tea Fire" that broke out Thursday evening in the foothills of Montecito, just southeast of Santa Barbara. Associated Press and Fox News Channel report that by this morning, the fast-moving blaze has destroyed as many as 100 luxury homes and parts of a college campus.

Woman in China Faces Imminent Forced Abortion (VIDEO)

China's treatment of Muslim minority citizens is often shocking.

(HONG KONG) - Arzigul Tursun, six months pregnant with her third child, is under guard in a hospital in China's northwestern Xinjiang region, scheduled to undergo an abortion against her will because authorities say she is entitled to only two children.

As a member of the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority, Tursun is legally permitted to more than the one child allowed most people in China. But when word of a third pregnancy reached local authorities, they coerced her into the hospital for an abortion, her husband told Radio Free Asia (RFA).

"Arzigul is being kept in bed number three," a nurse in the women's section at Gulja's Water Gate Hospital said in a telephone interview with RFA's Uyghur service.

Silverton: Home of Nation`s First Transgender Mayor (VIDEO)

Stu Rasmussen won the election for mayor of this rural Oregon town by a landslide.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Another Oregon mayor is making headlines, but for some reason nobody is going after Stu Rasmussen for posing in a low cut top. America's first transgender mayor joins the former Mayor of Arlington, Oregon, Carmen Kontur Gronquist, who was blasted over bathing suit photos on MySpace earlier this year, in the ranks of unexpected and offbeat NW media celebrities.

A very familiar face around Silverton, Stu is no stranger to politics. The last time Mayor Rasmussen held office, he wore men's clothing. He won't be wearing a suit and tie to work though, this mayor is into ladies fashions and make up. Rasmussen says he is the candidate who will help Silverton keep its small town feel, even if his personal approach reflects the latest surgical technology.

Appearing on "Good Morning America", Rasmussen said that the town went through the transition with him, and it wasn't always easy. "Obviously, it was shocking to them," he told ABC.

Kitzhaber Shows Interest in Joining Obama Team (VIDEO)

It's only in the talking stages, but Kitzhaber could serve in one of two positions with Barack Obama's cabinet.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's former Governor John Kitzhaber said today that is would like to be a part of the Obama Administration if he is asked. Kitzhaber could possibly serve as secretary for either of two departments: Health and Human Services or Interior, The Oregonian reported today. Either would be a top-level administration position.

Kitzhaber told The Associated Press today that he hasn't been contacted by Obama's transition team, but he says he would be open to either position if they were offered to him.

Kitzhaber's time in politics began with his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981. In 1980, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate, serving three terms from 1981 to 1993, and as President of the Senate from 1985 until 1993.

Roads Closed by Slides in Oregon Coast Range (VIDEOS)

Good weather should aid Oregon highway crews dispatched to clear the areas.

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - A mud slide has closed Oregon 6, the Wilson River Highway, at mile post 15. Crews are responding and working to clear the scene, according to Adam Torgerson with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

"Crews will continue to work from both sides of the slide area and hope to have at least one lane cleared today. Depending on the condition of the underlying road, crews will determine whether or not further repairs are needed before traffic can safely travel through the area," Torgerson said.

U.S. 101 remains closed from mile post 23 - 24, between its junction with U.S. 26 and Seaside, because standing water is creating a safety concern. Torgerson told Salem-News it is an idea the agency watches closely during periods of adverse weather.

Albany Veterans Day Parade Mixes Patriotic Displays With Reality (VIDEO)

See the sites and sounds of the Albany Veterans Day Parade through the lens of Tim King's television camera. Also catch our slide show presentation of photos by Bonnie King.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - The Albany, Oregon Veterans Day Parade drew more than 40,000 spectators and participants to this Willamette Valley city. The November 11th event marks the day World War One ended in 1918. Salem-News.com caught up with the last part of the parade and the video is published below.

In this record of the parade you will see everything from a float decked out with bamboo to signify Vietnam, to old cars, a Miatta club, marching bands and anti-war groups like Vietnam Veterans For Peace.

The event brought together all of these groups that represent and serve veterans, without political interference. The organizers allowed all to pay homage in their own way to the men and women who serve this nation in uniform.

Is John McCain the Ultimate Infidel? (VIDEO)

People instantly associate the word "Infidel" with Islam, but in reality it, like the word infidelity, simply refers to someone who is not faithful or "Nunquam Fidelis".

(SALEM, Ore.) - I have been contacted by many people over John McCain's war record. Many believe important facts about the senator's history are being overlooked while his campaign speaks of integrity and honor.

This is not something to tread upon nonchalantly, but the amount of questions from viewers led us to research many facts and theories. Some findings have been shocking, others not so much. Either way, it is information worthy of your knowledge.

Recognizing that John McCain has used his former POW status as a platform for his election campaign, it seemed only fitting to shine a light on McCain's other accomplishments, the ones that are less than flattering.

The list of less than faithful actions by McCain tend to make former President Bill Clinton's indiscretions look tame.