NEWSPAPER QUESTIONS PUBLIC FINANCING OF RAIDERS DEAL

     The San Jose Mercury News is asking the courts to force the
city of Oakland and Alameda County to release financial figures
they used in determining that the Raiders' deal was a "virtual
no-risk" for taxpayers.  The paper sued Alameda County Superior
Court Wednesday over release of the documents.  Earlier this
month, Oakland Deputy City Manager Ezra Rapport was asked for
projections, but he refused, saying the information "would be
kept secret because it could be easily manipulated by a hostile
press."  According to the paper, public officials "have been
allowed to see the papers but were ordered to return them to the
private consultants so the city and county would not be obligated
to release them" (AP/Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/28).