2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — State economists say Oregon’s labor market is tightening. The Oregon Employment Department says employers reported 10,000 more job vacancies than they did a year ago and more trouble finding the right candidates. That led to a boost in wages. The Oregon Employment Department says the number of unemployed Oregonians also is falling.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman is suing Nike for trademark infringement and unfair competition over its Lights Out apparel line. According to the suit filed in San Diego, Nike created a Lights Out apparel line after unsuccessfully negotiating with Merriman for use of the name. A Nike spokesman said the company doesn’t comment on litigation.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregonian newspaper has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing about the state’s public pension system. Oregonian Media Group President N. Christian Anderson III says the editorials were rewarded for being straightforward, informative and, at times, pointed. The prize was the third in the newspaper’s history for editorial writing.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A long-time resident of the Oregon Zoo celebrated his 52nd birthday yesterday. Packy the elephant was the first elephant to be born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years when he was born in 1962. To celebrate, zookeepers gave him a 40-pound cake made of whole wheat, carrots, bananas, apples and sweet potatoes