By Andy Dworkin, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. Nov. 7--Portland's water-and-sewer bills could rise significantly in a few years after the U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday smacked down a city effort to avoid a federal water-treatment rule.

By Danielle Deaver, Winston-Salem Journal, N.C. Mar. 4--The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system is graduating more students in four years than most school systems in the state, but some groups are still having a hard time making it through high school.

By Anna Griffin, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. Mar. 31--Portland has gotten some big-city help in its battle against the Environmental Protection Agency.