First budget review for new Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett calls for agency's overall operations spending to decrease by 2 percent. The planning cuts partially reflect a change in that department's focus.

Whether that's in transportation, environmental quality or economic development, councilors said, the interconnected nature of the region means that no city can be an island.

This project started with some seemingly simple questions – what are the region's cities' main priorities for investment? What do they need money for, and how do they plan on spending it? What's the anticipated return? What barriers do they have to success?

As the Community Investment Initiative moves closer to recommendations for regional collaboration, local leaders talk about what it will take to work together.

In the last two months, Metro News interviewed eight mayors and one county chair about politics and community goals. This week, we're taking a deeper look at what's on the minds of the region's leaders.

Beaverton develops blueprint for downtown redevelopment with community help, and will work with Metro and community leaders to implement its vision.

A bilingual community forum, scheduled for June 28, will be a part of the outreach for the East Metro Connections Plan, which is working on developing a strategy that supports the prosperity and livability of the eastern part of the region.

Did you know your city government is working to prioritize how it will spend its share of state and federal dollars over the next 20 years? This process is called the East Metro Connections Plan, and it will result in agreement on near- and long-term investments. In your neighborhood, these improvements should help you and your neighbors better meet your daily needs. Read on to find out how and how to get involved.

Neighbors in Northeast Portland are taking on an invasive weed that may be relatively new to the Portland metropolitan area but has wreaked havoc in California, other parts of the United States and France. The Metro Council, on May 19, awarded more than $572,000 in Nature in Neighborhoods grants to seven community projects in Multnomah County. One of the projects received a capital grant funded by the natural areas bond measure approved by voters in 2006. The six other projects will get restoration and enhancement grants that come out of Metro's general fund.

Envision standing underneath a magnificent old oak and looking down into the Willamette River to see salmon and trout making their way into the mouth of Johnson Creek. Now imagine watching an invasive weed new to the Portland metropolitan area clog ponds at the Blue Heron Wetlands and make its way to nearby waterways including Smith and Bybee lakes. Efforts to protect, restore, promote and celebrate nature throughout the Portland metropolitan region received a nearly $1.6 million boost from Metro on Thursday. The Metro Council awarded 17 Nature in Neighborhood grants to a variety of worthwhile projects.