Stay tuned for more DiversityInc coverage of Election '08.

(See also: Oprah Endorses Obama)

Sen. Craig Rethinks Resignation

Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho is reconsidering his decision to resign on Sept. 30 amid negative press over his arrest in an airport sex sting and public speculation about his orientation. Word is Craig has already hired a prominent lawyer to investigate the possibility of reversing his plea. Sidney Smith, Craig's spokesperson, says there's still a chance Craig may fight for his seat on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, Smith says it's difficult to say at this time whether the senator will continue his fight given his legal problems. Read more.

(See also: What LGBT Groups Are Saying About Sen. Craig)

Lewis Apologizes for Anti-Gay Slur

After receiving a flood of phone calls from members of the LGBT community and GLAAD supporters urging actor and comedian Jerry Lewis to apologize for using an anti-gay slur during his 42nd annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over Labor Day weekend, Lewis issued a statement addressing organizers of the telethon, stating that he was sorry "to anyone who was offended. I obviously made a bad choice of words. Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard," said Lewis. "The success of the [telethon] and all the good that will come from it shouldn't be lost because of one unfortunate word. I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses. I am sorry." GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano has since accepted Lewis' apology. Read more.

Whoopi Stands Up for Vick on 'The View'

Whoopi Goldberg, comedian and new co-host of ABC's "The View," is starting off her debut with a bang. In what began as an attempt to appeal to fellow southerners, during the first commercial break of the program, Goldberg used geography as a possible explanation for former NFL quarterback Mike Vick's extracurricular dogfighting activities. "You know from his background, this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from," Goldberg explained. "There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country." Goldberg said that Vick is from "the deep South" and that "this is part of his cultural upbringing." Her co-hosts Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, however, both shook their heads in disagreement, pointing out that in some cultures it's considered acceptable to beat your wife. In an interview with Buzz, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society, agreed, saying that Goldberg couldn't be more wrong, but they are willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Read more.

Read what DiversityInc readers say about Vick's ordeal.

In other Vick news, an original, hand-written copy of his letter of apology for orchestrating a dogfighting operation is allegedly being sold for more than $100 on eBay. Representatives from the Humane Society claim they picked up Vick's abandoned notes from the podium after Vick issued his public statement last month. The letter included the following six talking points: "1) Apologize for what I've done, 2) Apologize to commissioner, A.B. (Arthur Blank], [Falcons head coach Bobby] Petrino, ashamed, disappointed, 3) Young kids, I acted immature, 4) Forgiveness and understanding, 5) Take full responsibility for my actions and 6) We all make mistakes. I've made mistakes." 

Below his final line, Vick added in smaller letters: "dogs have suffered." Read more. 

New Orleans Mayor Eyes Governor's Seat 

Will the Feds Ban Job Discrimination Against LGBTs?

Police officer Michael Carney will join countless other LGBT-community members in a plea to encourage the passing of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, introduced by Congressional Representative Barney Frank, D-Mass. If passed, the act would make firing or hiring gay and lesbian employees based on orientation illegal. Carney recalls first attending a police-academy party shortly after graduating and witnessing a fellow classmate bloodied after a police supervisor discovered the classmate brought a same-sex lover to the party. This prompted Carney to hide his orientation during his 25-year stint with the force—until now. Today, Carney says he is part of a different police force, one that supports his mission. "My objective is to support those who are closeted as well as out," said Carney. "I feel when I speak, I speak for those who can't speak for themselves." Read more.

Potential Baggy-Pants Ban Stokes Controversy in Atlanta

Newly proposed legislation will add Atlanta, Ga., to the list of cities in the fight to ban baggy pants. Introduced by Atlanta City Councilman C.T. Martin, the proposal would impose a civil penalty for "the indecent exposure of his or her undergarments" in public. Atlanta, the self-anointed hip-hop capital of the South, is home to hip-hop star duo Outkast and other industry moguls, including Ludacris, T.I. and Bow Wow. The proposed ordinance has received criticism from civil-liberty groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, who deemed the rule unconstitutional. "On the very face of it, it's unconstitutional," said Debbie Seagraves, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union chapter. "It has chosen one form of dress and singled it out to criminalize it. This is clearly a violation of freedom of expression" states The Chicago Tribune.

Latino Workers Sue Federal Immigration-Enforcement Agency

Ten Swift & Co's Worthington, Minn., plant employees have filed suit against federal immigration agents who raided the meatpacking plant and detained Latino workers. The lawsuit alleges the agents hurled racial epithets and forced the women to disrobe. None were informed of their constitutional rights. After being detained, searched and interrogated, no one was charged with a crime, says Gloria Contreras-Edin of Centro Legal, the firm representing the employees. The raid was part of a six-state raid of Swift plants on Dec. 12, resulting in more than 1,200 arrests. Read more.