LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS WILL PAY 2-MILLION DOLLARS IN A SETTLEMENT WITH THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION OVER THE WAY WOMEN HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED. THE COMMISSION SAYS FEMALE APPLICANTS WERE SENT TO OFFICE JOBS, WHILE MEN WERE PUT TO WORK IN THE TIRE BAYS, IN JOBS THAT OFTEN LED TO PROMOTIONS. E-E-O-C DISTRICT DIRECTOR MIKE BALDONADO SAYS THE COMPANY HAS MADE CHANGES: BALDONADO SAYS HE HOPES LES SCHWAB BECOMES A MODEL EMPLOYER OF WOMEN IN THE TIRE INDUSTRY.

CHRIS DUDLEY BROUGHT HIS “RENEW OREGON TOUR” TO THE ROUND-UP CITY YESTERDAY. THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR APPEARED ON THE KUMA COFFEE HOUR AND SAYS A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED. DUDLEY SAYS AS GOVERNOR HE WOULD VISIT OREGONIANS AROUND THE STATE WITH ANNUAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS. DUDLEY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF MEASURES 66 AND 67 AND KEEPING BUSINESSES IN OREGON AND HE TAKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING EDUCATION.

OREGON CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN, HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP CHAIRMAN, IS HELPING THE G-O-P LEAD THE CHARGE ON A POLICY TO BAN EARMARK SPENDING PROJECTS. WALDEN SAYS CHANGING THE LONG-STANDING BROKEN WAYS OF CONGRESS IS LONG OVER-DUE. WALDEN SAYS THE MORATORIUM ON EARMARKS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP, BUT THERE’S A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET THE FLAWED BUDGET PROCESS UNDER CONTROL.

THIS WEEKEND'S TIME CHANGE WILL LEAVE A LOT OF US DROWSY AND OUT OF SORTS COME MONDAY MORNING. DOCTOR ROBERT SACK AT O-H-S-U EXPLAINS THE LOST OF HOUR OF SLEEP CAN LEAD TO OTHER PROBLEMS. THE DOCTOR SAYS ANOTHER WAY TO GET OVER THIS FORM OF JET LAG IS TO EXPOSE YOURSELF TO BRIGHT LIGHT WHEN YOU FIRST GET UP.

THE MARINERS BEAT THE RANGERS 6-3 YESTERDAY IN EXHIBITION BASEBALL. CLIFF LEE GOT THE WIN--GOING THREE INNINGS--GIVING UP A RUN ON FIVE HITS.