Beverly Perdue has committed to five debates.

The Democratic gubernatorial nominee said today that she would appear at five events before the November election, including three in the Triangle:

June 21: N.C. Bar Association, Atlantic Beach

Aug. 19: WTVD, Durham

Sept. 9: WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting, Raleigh

Sept. 19: Public School Forum on Education/Everybody's Business Coalition, Cary

Oct. 15: Charlotte-Mecklenburg League of Women Voters/ WSOC/WTVI, Charlotte

"I look forward to the debates and the opportunity to have a real discussion about the issues facing North Carolina," she said in a statement.

Janet Cowell raised $210,260 by the end of 2007.

The Democratic candidate for state treasurer raised $187,222 from major donors, including state Sen. Martin Nesbitt, Public Policy Polling owner Dean Debnam, political consultant Brad Crone and Capitol Broadcasting owner James Goodmon.

She also raised $16,608 from donors who gave less than $50, and $6,430 from political action committees, including Wal-Mart's PAC, NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and state Sen. William Purcell's campaign, according to a campaign finance report filed with the State Board of Elections last week.

At the same time, she spent $69,354 on consulting, database software and staff salaries.

That left her with cash on hand of $137,396.

Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon told U.S. senators this morning that he does not support the FCC's proposed rule changes allowing more media consolidation in local markets.

"As broadcasters move from analog to digital, now is not the time to revise the media ownership rules," Goodmon said in prepared testimony.

Goodmon warned that with the Federal Comminications Commission’s consolidation rules from 2003, his company could own not only a pair of television stations and five radio stations within the Raleigh-Durham area, but also The News & Observer and Durham's daily newspaper as well.

"In 2007, let's not repeat the mistakes of 2003," Goodmon said. "Over the course of the last few years, the public—our viewers—have become increasingly aware that the airwaves belong to them and that we, as broadcasters, are accountable."

After the jump, his prepared testimony.

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Jim Goodmon is testifying on Capitol Hill about media ownership.

The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee is holding a hearing on media consolidation this morning, Barb Barrett reports.

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed relaxing current rules on media ownership. Now, federal regulations forbid some media consolidation such as the ownership of a TV station and a newspaper in the same market.

Goodmon, who owns the local CBS affiliate, WRAL-TV, has long been a proponent of media diversity.

The FCC's proposed changes have drawn some opposition. U.S. Rep. David Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, held a meeting in Durham that drew "hundreds" of residents the last time the FCC proposed rule changes, said his spokesman, Paul Cox.

Price also has written FCC chairman Kevin Martin asking Martin to explain the proposed changes, Cox said.