In Brief

More chances for candidates to argue
The May 18 Oregon primaries are less than a month away, and ascampaigning kicks into overdrive, candidates for the loftypositions of mayor and city commissioner have been bombarded bydebates and forums. Here are two much-hyped debates for thoseconsidered the top four candidates for mayor: Jim Francesconi, TomPotter, Phil Busse and James Posey.

Thursday, April 29

KGW Mayoral Debate
Airs live 7 p.m. on Channel 8
Questions may be submitted online at kgw.com

Thursday, May 6
OregonLive Online Mayoral Debate
Begins 1 p.m. at OregonLive.com
Submit questions online ahead of time

A quest for tourists
Gov. Ted Kulongoski leaves for New York on Wednesday in an attemptto boost Oregon’s tourism, according to reports from the AssociatedPress.

He will be staying two nights, courtesy of the state government,in part, and Oregon companies. He is also expected to drop by WallStreet and see how the state’s bonds are faring.

The trip is part of Kulongoski’s “Brand Oregon” project, to tryand boost the state’s economy by building up trade and localproducts through tourism.

Another campaign cash count
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has topped $4 million in raised campaignfunds for his reelection campaign. Most of his campaigning will notbegin until sometime after the May 18 state primaries, when theRepublican candidate for his seat will be decided.

Inquest, no indictment in police shooting
A grand jury announced on Thursday, April 22, that they would notissue an indictment against the officer who fatally shot JamesJahar Perez on March 28.

Portland Mayor Vera Katz has expressed support of a publicinquest, now being pursued by the district attorney’s office. Theofficers involved in the shooting, as well as witnesses, areexpected to testify at the inquest.

The Portland Police Bureau is also conducting an internalinvestigation.

This shooting comes nearly one year after the fatal shooting ofKendra James by a police officer in Northeast Portland.

Community members held a rally on Friday in protest of the grandjury’s decision.

The inquest will be held this Wednesday, April 28, beginning at9:30 a.m. in Multnomah County Circuit Court Room 544. There areonly seats for about 30-40 members of the public, but it isexpected to air live on a local cable channel.

This will be the first public inquest for a police shooting inPortland in over twenty years.