Fake campaign signs spoofing GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley popped up all over Portland this week. The signs, which take a jab at Dudley keeping a house in Washington to avoid paying some Oregon taxes, feature Dudley's name above the state of Washington and the tagline "Representation Avoiding Taxation." It's a mystery as to who put up the signs—both opponent John Kitzhaber's campaign and the state Democratic Party say it wasn't them. (The state repealed a law in 2001 that forced political groups to identify themselves on campaign literature.) The signs are funny, dirty politics, but they're probably not illegal: Deputy Secretary of State Barry Pack explains that they most likely don't violate the state's ban on distributing "false statements of material fact," but that the state would still investigate if someone complained. SARAH MIRK

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Mayor Sam Adams' office announced last Wednesday, September 22, that big-box retailer Target had come sniffing around for a store somewhere downtown, and that the city would roll out the welcome wagon. Although Adams has been a staunch opponent of other boxy chains, most notably Wal-Mart, his office said Target's labor and environmental policies were less troubling and that a downtown location would be good fit for the store. But what about the anti-gay-rights politicking of Target's top brass? In a statement, Adams' office said a discussion about "the values of diversity and inclusion" would be a "part of our ongoing negotiations" [Blogtown, "Target's Anti-Gay Politicking vs. Portland's Gay Mayor," Sept 22]. DENIS C. THERIAULT