Kids, Pets & Family

Life & Style Bye bye mud pit... hello new courtyard (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: Feb 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM PST Last Updated: Feb 19, 2012 at 11:55 AM PST

An elementary school's courtyard got a makeover thanks to a community that pulled together to transform a muddy mess into a usable space.

Life & Style Portland's brand new children's hospital will be opening soon

Published: Feb 7, 2012 at 7:25 PM PST

A new children's hospital is about to open in North Portland and the public is invited to come on down this weekend for a community celebration.

Life & Style Study: Babies try lip-reading in learning to talk

By Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer Published: Jan 16, 2012 at 12:08 PM PST

New research suggests babies don't learn to talk just from hearing sounds — they're lip-readers, too.

Community Stories

Lake Oswego's Kaunitz leads Lakers to second-place at state swim meet

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. -- The Lake Oswego High School girls swim team finished second last weekend at the OSAA Class 6A Oregon State Swim Championships at Mount Hood Community College.

Sarah Kaunitz led the way, winning four events -- the 100 breaststroke, the 200 individual medley, the 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay. Because of her efforts, Kaunitz was named the MVP of the meet as she scored the most points out of any swimmer for her team.

Along with Kaunitz, Catherine Yee, Celia Keany and Abby Lyons were members of the 400 freestyle state championship. Hannah Cutts, Keany and Lyons were also members of the state championship 200 freestyle relay teams. Yee also placed second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 50 freestyle. Cutts placed eighth in the 500 freestyle and 12th in the 200 freestyle. Keany placed fourth in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle. Also for the Lakers, Lyons finished ninth in the 50 freestyle.
As a team,

Soccer court planned to keep kids out of the street

A Portland housing nonprofit is planning to build a small, semi-enclosed futsal court on a vacant lot in a Northeast Portland Latino neighborhood.

Sign up quickly for 2012 Wine Run in Battle Ground

The second annual Wine Run is set for Sept. 22 in the heart of beautiful North Clark County.

The race begins and ends just east of Battle Ground at Rusty Grape Vineyards. The route highlights the gorgeous country scenery with breathtaking views of Mt. St. Helens. Join in by participating at this event and helping out the Doerbecher Children's Hospital Foundation.

Your entry fees include; Tech T-shirt, Finishers Medal, Italian Pasta meal with garlic bread, wine glass, glass of wine, professional race with chip timing, music, entertainment, vendors, special wine deals at Rusty Grape Vineyard, Heisen House Vineyards and Olequa Cellars.

Sign-ups are going fast. No more than 1,000 entrants will compete in the event.

Life & Style 'My small town is so willing to help other people in need'

By ALEX PAUL Albany Democrat-Herald Published: Jan 5, 2012 at 9:30 AM PST

Christmas has come and gone here, but it will arrive in a few weeks for 460 schoolchildren in Buedu, Sierra Leone, Africa. And Santa Claus is going to arrive by jumbo jet in the form of Rheanna McDan of Oregon.

Health More US women having twins

By Mike Stobbe, AP Medical Writer Published: Jan 4, 2012 at 2:23 PM PST Last Updated: Jan 10, 2012 at 3:15 PM PST

The number of twins born in the U.S. soared over the last three decades, mostly the result of test-tube babies and women waiting to have children until their 30s, when the chances of twins increase.

Life & Style Your ZIP code could hold clues to your flu risk (Video)

By Kerry Tomlinson, KATU Problem Solver Published: Dec 28, 2011 at 5:17 PM PST Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 at 11:30 AM PST

As we enter flu season, your ZIP code may hold some hints about your risk of getting a bad case of the flu this year.

Entertainment Photos: Portland Cello Project (Photo Gallery)

By KATU.com Staff Published: Dec 18, 2011 at 2:15 PM PST Last Updated: Feb 13, 2012 at 10:55 AM PST

A photo gallery from Saturday night's show at the Aladdin.

Life & Style Santa answers the mail with help from Gresham postal worker (Video)

By Shellie Bailey-Shah KATU News Published: Dec 1, 2011 at 11:18 PM PST

In a world of form letters and automated emails, one person still manages to give that personal touch – Santa Claus.

Life & Style More kids skipping school shots in Oregon, Washington (Video)

By Mike Stobbe, AP Medical Writer Published: Nov 28, 2011 at 12:20 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 29, 2011 at 12:34 AM PST

In both Oregon and Washington, more than 1 in 20 public school kindergartners aren't getting all the vaccines required for students.

Life & Style Scam alert: Black Friday online shopping

By KATU.com Staff Published: Nov 22, 2011 at 3:00 PM PST

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is warning consumers to watch out for scams when shopping online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Life & Style Holiday shopping survival guide: Black Friday tips (Video)

By Shellie Bailey-Shah KATU Problem Solver Published: Nov 21, 2011 at 6:00 PM PST

The KATU Problem Solvers share their tips on what shoppers can do before the big day.

Life & Style Where's the salt? Hidden in your Thanksgiving menu

By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: Nov 21, 2011 at 3:21 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 21, 2011 at 5:30 PM PST

No need for a salt shaker on the Thanksgiving table: Unless you really cooked from scratch, there's lots of sodium already hidden in the menu.

Life & Style Holiday shopping survival guide: Discount gift cards (Video)

By Shellie Bailey-Shah KATU Problem Solver Published: Nov 21, 2011 at 5:00 PM PST

Gift cards are a popular holiday present, but what if you could use discounted gift cards to buy the gifts you want to give? There are several websites that can help you do that.

Life & Style Holiday shopping survival guide: Top toys on a budget (Video)

By Shellie Bailey-Shah, KATU Problem Solver Published: Nov 21, 2011 at 4:00 PM PST

KATU News challenged the owners of Frog Pond Toys in Lake Oswego and Finnegan's in downtown Portland to come up with this year’s top toy list, with one catch – every toy has to cost less than $20.

Life & Style 'He's never going to be the cat he was born to be' (Video)

By Dan Tilkin KATU News Published: Nov 21, 2011 at 11:03 AM PST Last Updated: Nov 21, 2011 at 5:58 PM PST

A Portland cat owner is backing a group of pet owners in a lawsuit claiming flea and tick products are making pets sick.

Problem Solvers Home alone? KATU tests kids on staying safe (Video)

By Shellie Bailey-Shah, KATU News and KATU.com Published: Nov 15, 2011 at 12:59 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 15, 2011 at 5:31 PM PST

KATU News, in cooperation with three sets of parents, recently put some kids to the test on how safe they stayed and how closely they followed their parent’s instructions to stay safe.