Senate Pres. Peter Courtney

»Portland Schools Foundation executive director Connie Van Brunt is leaving. The announcement Tuesday, Jan. 29, by the nonprofit follows a report on WWire last Friday that the foundation’s board was investigating how Van Brunt used foundation money to pay her rent—beyond the agreed-upon date after she moved to Portland last summer. The investigation also looked into whether Van Brunt, who started at the foundation in July, sought to hire her husband, Michael Samachson, as a grant writer. The foundation said Tuesday there is no “pending’ investigation and called the departure “mutual.” Van Brunt’s attorney, Nick Fish, couldn’t be reached for comment.

»Last week, Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) told WW he wasn’t sure the special one-month legislative session starting Feb. 4 had enough time to deal with reform of lending practices (see “Fix It Yourself, Part II,” WW , Jan. 23, 2008). By mutual agreement, each senator may only introduce one bill in the session, which Courtney says was called to deal with “critical issues.” His critical issue? Courtney will introduce a bill making attendance at a dog fight a felony . Courtney couldn’t be reached for comment.

»Same situation, different outcome for lawmakers running statewide this May. House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Southeast Portland) can keep raising money for his U.S. Senate primary race during the February special legislative session because federal election law governs his race against Democratic activist SteveNovick . But a 2007 state House rule bars Rep. Greg Macpherson (D-Lake Oswego), a candidate for state attorney general, from raising money during session. Macpherson faces stiff competition from law professor John Kroger, who is not constrained by legislative rules. Among five state senators running, only Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Welches) is swearing off fundraising during the session. Senate rules permit in-session fundraising, but contributions must be reported within 48 hours. Macpherson says, “The rules do put me at a disadvantage, but it’s important for legislators to be above reproach.”

»The race to replace a retiring federal judge is down to three final candidates—and U.S. Attorney Karin Immergut is not among them. Immergut, Oregon’s top federal prosecutor, was the favorite of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) to replace U.S. District Court Judge Garr King (“Judgment Call,” Jan. 16, 2008). But Immergut’s political past—including work she did for Special Prosecutor Ken Starr’s investigation of President Clinton —made her appointment in Congress uncertain. Two sources close to the selection process say WW’ s story noting that past killed Immergut’s chances. Instead, a selection committee forwarded to the Bush administration the candidacies of Portland defense lawyer Robert Barton, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Marco Hernandez and U.S. Magistrate Dennis Hubel.

»Buzz over the transom: OPB Radio’s Morning Edition anchor, April Baer , known for her evocative descriptions of morning traffic on “The Curves,” may be in line for Colin Fogarty’s old job as political reporter. OPB vice president for news Morgan Holm says staff changes are in the works, but tells Murmurs, “I still have some details to iron out.” (Fogarty left public radio early this month to work for a consulting firm; BTW, Murmurs incorrectly reported on Dec. 19 that he started at OPB as an intern. In fact, he started as a freelancer. Either way, the pay is lousy.)