Weekend News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - LENGTH: 3:00

Former presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean is urging Oregon Democrats to rally around Governor Kulongoski's re-election bid.

Dean gave the opening address Friday night as hundreds of Oregon Democrats gathered for their state convention.

Dean made it clear he thinks it's time for Democrats to put aside any differences from the just-ended May primary election and rally around Kulongoski.

Kulongoski was opposed by two challengers who accused him of failing to show leadership on education, health care and other issues.

Dean said a Kulongoski victory will -- quote -- "set the stage" for a Democratic presidential candidate to win Oregon in 2008.

Kulongoski is scheduled to give the convention's keynote address saturday night.

Northwest lawmakers are praising a Bush administration plan to fight meth use.

But politicians from the region also say the administration needs to put its money where its mouth is. The White House says it wants to cut methamphetamine use in the United States by 15 percent by 2009.

The administration is calling for more cooperation with Mexico and the expansion of random drug testing in schools.

But the White House's current budget proposal cuts federal spending for state and local law enforcement to fight meth by 80 percent.

Oregon Democrat Darlene Hooley says she fears the administration's budget proposal will slow progress that is being made.

About one-point-four million Americans -- less than one percent of the population -- used meth in the past year, according to administration estimates.

After months of intense construction work, employees have begun moving back into the Marion County Courthouse.

There are a few weeks left until the buliding is fully reoccupied, but employees who normally conduct business in the building are expressing relief. The courthouse was severely damaged by vandalism and fire last November during a police standoff.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to twenty five hundred dollars leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of a suspected serial bank robber.

The man is wanted in connection with three bank robberies in Albany, Eugene and Springfield in April and May.

Witnesses describe the suspect as white, 5`7 TO 5`11, 180-200 Pounds, dark and graying hair, clean shaven, in his late 40'sto early 50's.

In two of the robberies the suspect wore glasses.

Pictures can be found on this Website.

Here is a list of Salem-Keizer High School graduation dates and times:

MCKAY - JUNE 9TH AT 8:00 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

MCNARY - JUNE 9TH AT 5:30 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

NORTH SALEM - JUNE 9TH AT 8:00 PM AT THE SALEM ARMORY

Roberts Alternative Education Program - JUNE 7TH AT 7:00 PM at the Elsinore Theater.

SOUTH SALEM - JUNE 9TH AT 7:00 PM AT BENNETT FIELD

SPRAUGE - JUNE 9TH AT 7:00 PM AT SPRAGUE STADIUM

WEST SALEM - JUNE 8TH AT 7:00 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

The latest Salem-area news, weather, sports and trafic is on demand at Salem-News.com.