TUESDAY, APRIL 25  ■  Immigrants' rights marches Monday, May 1 in Seattle, Yakima
■  In today’s Yakima H-R -- Demonstrate, don't disrupt at Yakima rally -- Organizers hope to attract up to 3,000 at a rally Monday to coincide with a national day of action for immigrant rights.
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Immigrants plan boycott -- Some are urging Hispanic immigrants and their supporters to boycott work, school and shopping May 1 to show their economic influence.
■  In today’s NY Times -- In immigration remarks, Bush hints he favors Senate plan
■  In today’s NY Times -- The immigration impasse (editorial) -- President Bush offered bland generalities in the debate over immigration when presidential leadership was urgently needed.
■  Today from Bloomberg -- Guest-worker proposal splits unions over wages, membership -- The SEIU supports the proposal to allow as many as 400,000 immigrants to enter the U.S. annually. The AFL-CIO opposes any guest-worker plan. The lack of a united front by labor may make it easier for Democratic lawmakers to support legislation that includes a guest-worker program.

Solidarity Forever update:
■  In today’s NY Times -- After quitting AFL-CIO, group suggests at reunion of sorts -- The Change to Win Coalition's Anna Burger writes AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to propose forming a new third federation called the Alliance for Worker Justice. Sweeney dismisses the idea.
■  Today from AP -- Organized labor fails to heal rift -- CTW unions are now balking at the AFL-CIO's solidarity charter program after United Farm Worker locals were not allowed to enter it early this year. Sweeney said he might be open to allowing the United Farm Workers to participate in solidarity charters, "but not under threats and ultimatums to the AFL-CIO."

Local news:
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Port security turns into a rallying point -- Teamsters rally with other unions over the low cargo container inspection rates and the lack of background checks for truck drivers and others with port access... Some at the port doubt the intentions of union workers.
■  In today’s Everett Herald -- Everett school workers protest on eve of contract talks -- Bargaining is to begin again today for 190 custodians, grounds workers, cooks and computer technicians (SEIU Local 925). They have been without a contract since September.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- For first time in 40 years, Seattle Times to hold separate contract talks
■  In today’s Spokesman-Review -- Spokane County facing budget problems -- The county will be broke and $2.5 million in debt by 2009 unless leaders cut expenses or raise more money.
■  In yesterday’s Daily World -- Future of Weyerhaeuser's Aberdeen yard unknown -- Eighty people, many of whom have worked for Weyerhaeuser for 20 or more years, work at the facility.
■  In today’s Tri-City Herald -- Boise Cascade paper mill invests in mid-Columbia's future (editorial) 
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Accounting snafus may cost jobs of 45 Shoreline teachers
■  In today’s Yakima H-R -- Union Gap will launch own bus service; voters will decide whether it stays
■  In today’s Olympian -- Tumwater OKs brewery deal; pact shares water rights with bottler

State Government news:
■  Today from AP -- Gregoire's next priority: Health care -- She'll work with a bipartisan group of legislators, business, insurance carriers and others to come up with some answers this year.
■  In today’s Seattle P-I -- Mayor turns to Olympia on Sonics -- Nickels asks leading state Democrats to endorse a hypothetical tax package to fund the $220 million KeyArena renovation.
■  In today’s Olympian -- Performance audits will save money (editorial) -- The public and front-line workers will be asked how government can be improved. In a time of tight budgets and demands for government efficiency, these audits will weed out duplication and ineffective programs.

Decider-in-Chief news:
■  Breaking news from AP -- Bush eases environmental rules on gasoline -- The Decider orders a temporary suspension of environmental rules, making it easier for oil refiners to meet demand.
■  In today’s Wash. Post -- Cost of gas puts pressure on GOP -- They have few if any policy choices to cut prices over the next few months as driving reaches its peak and midterm elections near.

National news:
■  Today from Reuters -- Many middle-income Americans lack health insurance, study says -- More than 40% making between $20,000 and $40,000 a year went without insurance for at least part of the year last year, a "dramatic and rapid increase from 2001," when 28% were uninsured.
■  In today’s Seattle Times -- Why we care about faltering WTO talks (editorial) -- Our country, and especially our region, have made a decision about trade. We're for it. Our interest in trade is that there be more of it. Our representatives need to remember that interest, and assert it loudly.
■  In today's Seattle P-I -- Stop the clock on prescription drug plan (editorial) -- The White House, Congress and the drug companies have had their little fun. It's time to stop scaring seniors with the upcoming May 15 deadline for enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
■  In today’s LA Times -- Unions' advice failing teachers -- Unions have joined forces with investment firms to steer members into savings plans that often have high expenses and poor returns.
■  In today’s Wash. Post -- Energy deregulation comes home to roost -- Maryland households face sharp rate hikes despite a deal intended to make utility industry more efficient and competitive.
■  In today’s NY Times -- NYC transit leader marches to jail to start serving 10-day sentence
■  In today’s Wash. Post -- Web site introduces new generation to federal government careers

SEATTLE -- All are invited to march on a Day of National Unity for immigration reform with dignity, human, civil and labor rights for all!  Wear black clothing to this silent march beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1 at St. Mary's Church, 611 20th Ave. South in Seattle. Click here to download a rally leaflet. For more info, contact the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project web site at www.NWIRP.org or call Janet at 206-957-8609 (en Español: 206-324-6044).