In WA, King County Exec Gary Locke "easily" won the
Democratic primary in the race for Governor (SEATTLE POST-
INTELLIGENCER, 9/18). He is favored in the general election
against his GOP opponent, State Sen. Ellen Caswell (SEATTLE
TIMES, 9/18)....The price of the Raiders' return to Oakland "has
soared" by $30M for unexpected costs, including "millions for a
vast kitchen," according to the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Renee
Koury writes with the extra expenses, "it appears even more
likely that taxpayer money will have to be used" to pay for the
$197M bond debt to refurbish the Oakland Coliseum (SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 9/19)....Yankees operation officials are reportedly
looking into cracks in Yankee Stadium which caused heavy leakage
during a rain storm Tuesday (N.Y. TIMES, 9/19)....As part of
their recent stadium deal, the Bucs' annual rent and income-
sharing at Houlihan's Stadium was reduced from $2M to zero, until
a new stadium is completed in '98. After the move, the team will
contribute $350,000 per game for operating and maintenance
expenses. The Bucs' landlord, Tampa Stadium Authority will make
up the revenue when they receive $19.4M for the imminent sale of
land to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 9/18)....Plans for the $40M RDV Sportsplex now
include a tennis center with eight courts and a 3,000-square-foot
clubhouse at their Maitland, FL headquarters (ORLANDO SENTINEL,
9/19).