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[August 24th, 2005] WINNERS

Tomorrow's forecast: sunny with a chance of wi-fi clouds. Portland's wireless advocates got a boost last week when Intel named the city one of 13 "digital communities" worldwide and promised its help on a project blanketing town with wireless Internet access.

Oregon's low-income and minority students are shrinking the achievement gap with middle-class whites, according to an Oregonian analysis of statewide test scores. Among the theories as to why: Lackluster 2003 ratings jostled a few principals into beefing up standards.

Portland lawyer Ron Saxton 's chances in the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary improved when state Sen. Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) announced his candidacy last week. In 2002, Saxton and Jack Roberts split the moderate vote in a three-way GOP primary, allowing the more conservative Kevin Mannix to win the nomination. With Mannix running in 2006, Saxton could benefit this time from Atkinson splitting the conservative vote with Mannix.

LOSERS

Good news for the Oregon Lottery is dismal for gamblers and their families : This year's introduction of line games such as video slots has caused a 20 percent jump in video-lottery income for the state. Any chance a smidge of that extra ka-ching is coming from compulsive bettors or creating new problem gamblers?

Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth recently pulled a Diane Linn with the announcement of plans to put a new decal on the doors of patrol cars. In contrast with the bureau's current, understated paint scheme, the new door decal will read "Sworn to Protect, Dedicated to Serve," thus spending scarce dollars and making Portland feel like some cheesy Southern California town. Don't do it, Chief!

The Oregon Garden appears to be withering away under a blooming $8 million debt. The cash-strapped tourist destination will turn over its grounds to Marion County, the city of Silverton and Chemeketa Community College on Aug. 31.

The Oregon National Guard was told what it could do with its policy concerning gays and lesbians in the military. The Oregon State Bar's board voted last week to ban the Guard from advertising in its magazine, saying "don't ask/don't tell" rules violate the Bar Bulletin's nondiscrimination ad policy.