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Nevada's Online State News Journal
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December 2004-June 2005; July-September 2005; October-December 2005; January-March 2006; June 2006; July 2006; August 2006; September 2006; October 2006; November 2006; December 2006; January 2007; February 2007; March 2007; April 2007; May 2007; June 2007; July 2007; August 2007; September 2007; October 2007; November 2007; December 2007
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April 1, 2006
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[9:50 AM]
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"Titus catalogued 14 instances in which Gibson took a contribution from a corporation shortly before it had business before the Henderson City Council. In each case, Gibson voted in favor of what the corporation wanted, in actions that included sales of city lands, zoning changes, development approvals and appointments."
"Secretary of State Dean Heller says he wants more than $1 million returned from a company that failed to produce a new voter registration system to comply with federal law."
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"Assuage your guilt by not paying attention to the grimy little details of taking cash. Adopt a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach to payoffs, taking money without asking what you might be expected to do in return. And delude yourself into thinking you are working just as hard for the guys paying you hundreds of thousands of dollars as you are for the little people."
"In November 2000, the city's Ethics Review Board found that McDonald had worked actively to thwart a strip club from going up near the Crazy Horse Too on property owned by political consultant Sig Rogich. The board also determined that McDonald had acted improperly by trying to get the city to buy a financially struggling sportspark owned by his former boss, Larry Scheffler."
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"Metro Police's Internal Affairs detail is investigating three officers for allegedly violating Metro policy by helping out family or friends in custody-related disputes while on the job."
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Clark County School District
"District officials deserve credit for implementing programs designed to ensure more students acquire the rudimentary skills necessary to pass the test. The next question, then: Why do many who pass the test still need remedial math and English after they enroll in college?"
Washoe County School District
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"The company wants to increase Spring Creek’s water rates by up to 58 percent and sewer rates by 4,175 percent."
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"The consortium consists of 96 universities in 29 states, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; the University of Nevada, Reno; and the Nevada-based Desert Research Institute. The group manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, a Department of Energy facility."
"Spray-on metal coatings that could resist corrosion for half the cost of expensive alloys. Timesaving electron beam welding that could seal canisters in a single pass. Longer lasting disc blades that might be able to cut through 2,000 feet of rock before wearing out."
Demonstrations Continue
Illegal Immigrants
"Nearly 10 percent of Nevada's laborers are unauthorized workers - the second-highest ranking in the nation - according to a survey by a national research center."
Opinion
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[10:50 AM]
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Immigration Reform And The 2006 Congressional Races
"With the country's focus squarely on immigration this close to Election Day, Muth, the Republican strategist, said it's an issue that could stand between victory and defeat at the polls. 'This issue does resonate with an awful lot of voters,' he said. 'It is very much the kind of issue that could tip the balance of an election.'"
"Every student with unexcused absences should be suspended and required to wait in line -- with their parents -- to discuss their priorities with school officials. If the school district doesn't do something right now to discourage disruptive walkouts, how frequently will they occur when Congress actually makes progress on reform legislation?"
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Angle Property Tax Restraint Initiative
Angle Property Tax Restraint Initiative
The Problem With The Present Law
"'In the past 10 years, the 10 years I've been in Washington, state government right here grew by approximately 100.5 percent,' Gibbons said."
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"All politicians, like most people, have two sides: the public and the private. It's hard to believe Kenny has been the only one in Southern Nevada so expertly using a populist public persona to mask a darker avaricious side. She can't be the only one with the chutzpah to talk publicly about being ethically pristine, yet privately be anything but.
But who are they? Who else among the elected elite is so remarkably effective at getting what he wants, so ready with the quote to charm an eager public, and yet privately cares only about the greedy pursuit of self-aggrandizement?
I wonder."
"Anyone who watches bills make their way through the Legislature or sees developers get their way time and again before local elected boards has to wonder these days how many other Kennys are out there.
Imagine what wiretaps on the 63 legislators might reveal, beyond the acceptance of Rolling Stones tickets and discounts on cruises.
Imagine if someone could intercept the real banking records of county commissioners who can afford to build mansions on their $50,000-a-year job.
What if someone with a badge could poke through the pulpy juice of real estate deals numerous elected officials make?"
"Re-zoning prime parcel for a CVS or other similar store: $200,000 in untraceable cash. Making sure county ordinances allow lap dances in strip clubs? $30,000. Approving a neighborhood casino? $3,000 per month, for years."
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$3.33 For Regular Unleaded Gas
"Although I've never been one to air dirty laundry and I do not usually openly criticize the actions of judges, in this instance the actions of persons sitting on the bench on Pahrump Justice Court must be brought to light."
"This weekend 6,000 runners representing law enforcement agencies from the U.S., England, Germany, Australia and Canada are expected to participate in 22nd annual Baker to Vegas Challenge."
Incline Lake
Child Abuse
Firefighting Grant
"We believe the city taxpayers are being asked to subsidize the county sheriff's office. Our elected city officials are not being allowed to determine the level of city law enforcement."
"The City of Ely thinks it holds all the cards in service agreement negotiations with White Pine County."
"A court decision last Thursday obligates Ely Mayor George Chachas to pay the city $4,943. And it could put an early end to his term as mayor."
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[10:30 AM]
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The Franking Privilege
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"Churchill County has gained a reputation as conservative regarding expenses and property tax increases, Goetsch said. The county's intent, through impact fees, has been for to shoulder the burden for more services upon residents moving to the area and building new homes, he said. However, a property tax increase is still possible."
"Despite projections that Big League Dreams will cost 40 percent more than the city expected when it unanimously approved the deal late last year, officials are pushing forward with plans to build the facility out at Freedom Park. 'There's no need to panic now,' Councilman Larry Brown said."
"The council is attempting to figure out next fiscal year’s $13.7 million general fund budget. The biggest headache for councilmen may be trying to find an additional $900,739 for the Elko Regional Airport."
"City leaders, businesses and residents uniformly agree the park has been a major success and a centerpiece for a promising turnaround in the downtown area."
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"Regional Gang Unit members are monitoring school-aged gang members who might use student walk-outs in support of immigration and Hispanic pride-related events as a platform for potential violence."
"Meanwhile, the debate and the demonstrations can be the centerpiece for a wide range of lessons, not the least of which includes the legislative process, the rule of law, citizenship, civic responsibility and the First Amendment."
"Alternative schools fill an important niche. It is clear that many need help to get off the ground and operate efficiently. Their failures should never be so extreme that a judge must decide whether they remain open. It is time for the Legislature to re-evaluate the charter system and determine how it can support the schools and keep the Halima fiasco from recurring."
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"A report recently released by the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that groundwater withdrawals from mining and agricultural uses has had minimal effects on the flow of the Humboldt River."
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"Sempra's move supports the notion that next to renewable solar, wind and geothermal sources, natural gas should be the industry's next best project."
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Las Vegas Chamber Of Commerce On Employing Illegal Immigrants
"The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce believes that the need for immigration reform is necessary in order to find a legal way for foreign workers to participate in the economy in a manner than enables the government to know who is in the country. An estimated 10-12 million unauthorized immigrants currently live in the United States, and provide roughly 5% of the labor force. Nevada alone has an estimated 200,000 illegal immigrants in the state, many of whom fill vital jobs such as construction, gaming, and hospitality."
"U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Friday the agency is ready to finalize proposed updated grazing regulations, after answering critics and extra analysis of the proposed revisions."
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[6:15 PM]
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No Means Of Verification, No Criminal Penalties, No Enforcement
Bob Beers' April Fool Joke
Sparks Municipal Court
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"Gov. Kenny Guinn announced today the formation of a collaborative effort by multiple state and local government agencies designed to increase the ability to continue operating vital computer systems in the event of an emergency. The Nevada Shared Information Technologies Services project (NSITS) is one of the first of its kind in the nation, and could become a model for other projects across the United States."
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[10:00 AM]
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"Three weeks after their incumbent attorney general declared he wouldn't run in November's election, the state's Republicans still don't have a candidate for the post."
"Tiffany, who is running for a second state Senate term, has come under fire for allegations she used her position in the Legislature to gain advantages for her online auction business. Last month, the state Ethics Commission announced it would hold a hearing on the charges, which Tiffany has denied."
HAVA Debacle
In Nevada, It's Every County For Itself
___________
"Aside from that, corruption tends to warp economic growth, moving it away from the most productive and toward those who rig the game, said Emilio Viano, a professor at American University who studies the effects of corruption on societies.
'There is a cost to corruption. There, you had the violation of urban planning with consequences for housing, quality of life, neighborhoods. It undermines the quality of life by imposing a system to the advantage of a few people,' he said."
__________
"What it has done, they complain, is prevent people with legitimate claims from being fairly compensated while making it difficult for some to even pursue litigation. They also point out that malpractice insurance rates have yet to decrease."
"The difficulties the state is having in completing a network of radio relay towers could be putting Highway Patrol troopers in danger. And the blame seems to fall primarily on a bloated federal bureaucracy in which common sense has long been buried under mountains of regulations."
"Currently there are no legal requirements for local governments to have internal audits, and for a long time there was no such function in the City of Reno."
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"UNLV's Boyd School of Law found itself kicked off the U.S. News & World Report list of the top 100 law schools in the nation Monday."
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"This year's second-in-a-row wet winter has dealt a final blow to the five-year drought that had strained water supplies in the Truckee Meadows."
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[7:25 PM]
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“In order to expand our nuclear generating capacity, we need a safe, permanent, geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain. This proposed legislation will help provide stability, clarity, and predictability to the Yucca Mountain Project and will help lay a solid foundation for America’s future energy security.”
"The Bush administration wants to bury tens of thousands of tons more nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain dump in Nevada than now allowed - part of a package of new proposals meant to spur development of the controversial and long-delayed dump."
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Congressional District 3
__________
"Such bonds, according to the agenda summary for this item, don’t count against the county’s debt limit. The bondholders are limited to the value of the property in the event of a default."
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[9:50 AM]
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"Gibson cited seven cases in which Titus, his rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, took money from attorneys, a liquor distributor and a business services company either before or after she supported that group's interests in the Legislature."
"I have been saying for years that what the ex-commissioners are accused of is just a shade different from the legalized bribery that the campaign financing system has become. Whether or not Gibson, who has taken large amounts of money from developers who do business in Henderson, is an especially egregious violator will play out during the campaign."
"'I know, as a criminal prosecutor, that we must strengthen the laws,' Miller said at a news conference announcing the proposed changes. 'There is a lack of integrity in the process.'"
__________
"Prosecutors showed that Emily Herrera often paid Lamuraglia with checks, but Dario Herrera delivered cash through Kelvin Atkinson, who served as Herrera's community liaison at the county. Atkinson is now a state assemblyman."
"The prosecution wants jurors to read the state's ethics laws and understand the money Kincaid-Chauncey admitted receiving from Galardi and the money and other services Herrera enjoyed were at the very least gifts that should have been disclosed. For the record, they weren't."
"Galardi will be the second of the government's high-profile witnesses to take the stand this week in the political corruption trial of Dario Herrera and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, the former Clark County commissioners accused of taking bribes from the strip club owner in exchange for favorable votes."
"This week, Municipal Judge Toy Gregory, District Judge Donald Mosley and District Judge Nancy Saitta received subpoenas to appear in court on dates that have not yet been finalized."
__________
"Prosecutors say the Nevada Supreme Court's ruling last week in the 2003 Laughlin motorcycle melee case 'changed 140 years of practice in the way we hold people accountable for crime.'"
Regas v. District Court (Nevada Supreme Court website - pdf format)
__________
"The Nevada State Board of Education would be wise to reconsider Halima’s charter revocation in light of the testimony and evidence given in court for the stay. It is better for a deliberating board to be viewed as thoughtful and fair minded rather than as selective, arbitrary and capricious. Let us all hope the former will be the case and prevail in the true best interests of the students."
__________
"The federal agency's lawyer, Steve Palmer, said the withdrawal was in response to concessions by Whittemore that should ensure the endangered Moapa dace fish is not harmed by Whittemore's golf community, which is expected to eventually include as many as 85,000 homes and 16 golf courses straddling the border between Lincoln and Clark counties."
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[7:30 PM]
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[Sorry, TNO readers. Ms. Titus's handlers haven't gotten around to putting this important proposal on her campaign website yet.]
"This proven super-majority concept would allow elected officials in our representative democracy to do the jobs they were elected to do, while simultaneously accomplishing the intent of limiting government spending without littering the state's constitution with 3,994 words of legislative legalese."
__________
"Former strip club owner Mike Galardi says that then County Commissioner Lance Malone told him there were four other county commissioners that he could bribe: Bruce Woodberry, Dario Herrera, Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and Yvonne Atkinson-Gates."
__________
"A regional survey found that the number of people who believe this is a bad time to buy a home is at its highest point in 15 years."
"Nye County's biggest headache just now may be starting to make its throbbing pain noticed."
"The Reno City Council today rezoned all of downtown to mixed-use zoning to rebuild the central city as an area where people can live, work and play."
__________
__________
"What should bother us most is this: If we don't change our ways, the little people in our lives will live very different lives than we have."
__________
"This legislation is a desperate attempt by DOE officials to move the Project forward before more problems can be uncovered."
Only Two Entries For Nevada
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[9:20 AM]
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"This is an age when it's hard enough to get straight, unbiased information on candidates. Even in legitimate appearances and press releases, candidates are misstating the views and records of their opponents. Beers' fake press release only added to that troubling trend, and that's not funny."
__________
"Galardi said he quickly learned that in the Las Vegas Valley, the most effective way to navigate through government bureaucracy was to shower elected officials with thousands of dollars in cash. It was a tactic he used for years."
"Prosecutors argued that the tawdry testimony suggesting a sexually voracious Herrera was necessary to show that he was being paid with sexual favors and that money wasn't the only 'currency of corruption.' The defense contended that the testimony was meant to make jurors despise Herrera."
__________
"While the city and county have, to their credit, formulated master development plans, they have yet to effectively articulate a clear vision to the community of where we're going and how we're going to get there."
"The city gained control of a vast swath of the Eldorado Valley in 1995, when the federal government relinquished control of 200 square miles of empty desert south and west of the Boulder City Airport, selling the entire 107,500 acres to the city for about $12 an acre."
"Investors, most of whom are retired and many of whom are on fixed or limited incomes, bought $1,000 shares from Barbara Orcutt in the mid-1990s. Most investors bought just a few shares, but collectively they raised $2 million for the project. The only return on their investment, numerous shareholders have said, was one check about five years ago - which bounced."
"Council members Tuesday approved increasing the landing fees by 3.8 percent, the terminal rent by 25 percent and the parking fees by 20 percent."
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"Susan Joseph-Taylor raised concerns during a hearing that selling the water rights would conflict with state law and that water applicants must themselves use the water."
__________
"The bill contains provisions that would streamline repository development and shorten a final license review that is required before nuclear waste could be moved to the site, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas."
State Emergency Radio System
"This situation is further evidence that public lands are not really public at all -- and that the sooner the federal government transfers more of its vast real estate portfolio to the private sector, the better."
Nevada's Fire Festival
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[7:20 PM]
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“The DOE is following the same road that has led them to countless health, safety, and scientific violations. This bill has no future; it’s dead when it gets here. We need to move away from these failed policies and towards on-site dry cask storage of nuclear waste. Dry cask storage would save our country billions of dollars and keep us safer. It’s already being used successfully at 34 nuclear sites.”
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[12:15 PM]
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"More than just candidates vying for position, the skirmishes reflect the ongoing battle simply to grab the voters' attention in the early days of a campaign that is expected to be expensive and vicious."
"'This is another attempt by Bob Beers to get under Jim Gibbons' skin,' Damore said. 'If he has taken Beers' bait, that's good for Beers. It's allowing Beers to effectively control the agenda.'"
"Former topless dancer Barbara Scott has decided to make another run for the Democratic nomination for governor."
__________
"Galardi testified that so many politicians' hands were out for money that he felt like he was being extorted. He was concerned that if he stopped making payments, elected officials would introduce legislation harmful to the adult-use industry."
__________
"The hearing offered a rare window into the Indian community, where some leaders speak of losing entire generations to the drug."
Rehab Ranch: A Related Story
"State prison officials fired a vocational program director Thursday, a day after she led an assemblyman on a tour of the women's prison in North Las Vegas to view what she and others are calling horrible conditions."
"The commission's vote overturns a decision by the planning commission in February, where a special use permit was approved by a vote of 6-1 with Myles Vangorder the only commissioner opposed."
"It appears some members of a California-based off-roading group, Friends of Sand Mountain, are unhappy with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe's participation in the discussions over recreational use at Sand Mountain."
"This week. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials announced a 60-day, extended public- comment period will ostensibly delay the release of the shorezone plan and ensuing ordinances until May."
"A citizens group will present an alternative plan next week for the Truckee Meadows that would stop growth in more distant hills and valleys until the region decides which areas should be protected first."
"The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved a plan to generate up to $27 million to put a plaza over the heart of the downtown railroad trench and another $15 million for other downtown projects."
"A mutual aid agreement that allows officers of the Reno Police Department, the Washoe County Sheriff's Department and the Truckee Meadows Community College Department of Public Safety to assist one another has gotten an OK from Reno City Council."
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"To many Nevadans, the mushroom cloud is a haunting icon that has come to symbolize the government's disregard for the health and safety of citizens during Cold War atmospheric nuclear testing."
"If anybody still believes "campaign finance reform" is really about good government, consider the hypocrisy oozing from both sides of the aisle during a House debate this week on limiting donations."
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Dina Titus And Jim Gibson
That April Fool Joke
New Blog
Those Latest Poll Figures
Clark County
Lyon County
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Nye County Bribery Case
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State Emergency Radio System
Nye County
County Affairs
Pahrump Town
Washoe County
"The Regional Planning Commission wants people to know they must have a Home Occupation Permit for any business they conduct in their home."
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Who Watches Over These Projects For The Taxpayers' Protection?
"He plans to fund the construction with the Nevada System of Higher Education's revenue bonds. He would pay those off by sharing the campus with commercial entities and collecting rent checks. So a Starbucks or a Border's bookstore or a fast-food restaurant will be next to classrooms and faculty offices, he said."
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Walker River
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_____
"Admittedly, candidates often take themselves too seriously. But an election is serious business and a certain decorum is required when running for the state's top job. It is no time for misrepresentation."
"Nevada voters care most about K-12 education, and the political hopefuls who meaningfully can tap into that issue, along with concerns about affordable health care, will do well come November."
__________
"Galardi made more money in 2002 through just one of his many strip clubs in Las Vegas and San Diego than MGM Mirage chief Terry Lanni makes in salary today for running the world's second-largest gaming company."
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Judicial Ethics Complaints
"But it's also important to ensure that a hard and fast deadline not become an excuse for investigators to run out the clock to protect an accused judge. And one way to accomplish that -- while improving public confidence in the system -- is to insist that any judicial discipline reform efforts emphasize increased openness."
"Everyone would benefit from quicker resolutions."
"In 1994, the Legislature created the Fund to Stabilize the Operation of State Government, which is more popularly known as the "Rainy Day Fund." Created to act as a safety net in the event of an economic crisis, the Rainy Day Fund has only been used once since its creation."
"Visitors and locals identify Carson City as a historic area with lots of gambling and government. It's the Old West and the gateway to Reno and Tahoe. A national tourism expert said this marketing message needs to change if the community wants to attract more visitors."
"The best relationship between government and the community is one in which officials recognize responsibilities to, as well as for, the public they serve. The responsibility to educate, for instance (explain things and cultivate an atmosphere of transparency), and to listen (local people often know more than officials might think)."
__________
"Despite its failed coup d'etat in the hiring process, the Council for a Better Nevada, showing the trademark tenacity of the arrogant elite, is now serving as the proverbial thorn in Rulffes' side. The council has created a subgroup called CARE (Community Alliance to Reform Education) that wants to tell Rulffes how to do his job."
__________
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the desert, Yucca Mountain rears its convoluted, ugly head."
Opinion
"Voters seem to be split into three different camps on the big picture question, and a good chunk didn't know if they fell into any of them."
"So, since we are guilty of harboring, hiring and benefiting from the labor of this illegal underclass, where do we get off taking a holier-than-thou stance that says they have no right to be here. We have, by our tacit activity, invited and accepted them on this side of the border."
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"The idea for the contest came from the Sazarac Lying Club, a group of Old West fibbers in Austin, Lander County which told their tales in a saloon on Main Street in the 1870s."
Fred Hart, The Sazerac Lying Club (1878) [pdf] Part 1; Part 2
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[9:40 AM]
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Congressional District 2
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"The overall issue, though, is that the system will almost certainly not be reformed from within. Only if those outside the elected realm can really ensure that real changes are made to a system that the public thinks is broken and corrupt and that national and local events give voters every reason to believe they are right in that assumption."
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"A little better showing by consumers — sure to be outraged when their bills arrive in the mail — would help make the case that such costs are worth the effort."
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"CAGW defines "pork" as allocations that meet at least one of seven criteria, though most meet at least two. Pork spending tends to be requested by only one member of Congress, the group explains; to serve only a local or special interest; to be awarded without competitive bidding; to be absent from the president's budget proposal; and to be slipped in without benefit of public hearings."
Citizens Against Government Waste Annual Pig Book (Searchable by State)
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Transportation of Lumber by Water (1881)
Sam P. Davis, Square Sets of Timbering and V-Flume (1912)
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[6:20 PM]
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LVR-J Poll
That April Fool Joke
Congressional District 2
Lost Opportunities
Republican Assembly Candidate Drops Out
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
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Economic Consequences Of The No Child Left Behind Act
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[10:05 AM]
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"Jim Gibson did not receive $248,500 in campaign contributions between October and December 2005, and then, within weeks of the contributions, act favorably on 14 projects proposed by those contributors. It was only $247,500. And it was only 13 projects."
Corrupt Practices
Minimum Wage
Education First
No Smoking Tobacco
No Smoking Marijuana
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"Former strip club owner Michael Galardi rattled off a list of public officials Monday to whom he said he made cash payments and confirmed that he had several sexual encounters with former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny."
"On Monday in U.S. District Court, former Cheetah's topless bar owner Michael Galardi implicated ex-County Business Licensing Director Ardel Jorgensen and current County Manager Thom Reilly in his increasingly elaborate web of political payoffs."
"'I've heard people expressing absolute outrage,' said Craig Walton, a professor emeritus at UNLV and the president of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics. 'The problem with outrage is that it can tar the good guy with the bad guy.'"
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Medical Malpractice Reform
Nevada Supreme Court
Churchill County
Go Somewhere Else
"As County Commissioner Lynn Pearce, the lone commissioner who didn't vote against the permit, pointed out, 'It's always going to be next door to somebody.'"
Clark County
Rural Housing Subsidies
Elko County
Hiking A Favorite This Year
Washoe County
Citizens v. Assessor
"Incline residents Les Barta and Maryanne Ingemanson told the judge that McGowan's office did not follow new state land-appraisal rules that apply to Lake Tahoe."
Ballardini Ranch Plans
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More Money Needed
Funding And Accountability Go Together
"Certainly, the project might be made easier if school districts and the state education department would demonstrate their own commitment to better management of the funds schools do receive."
Carson City School District
Churchill County School District
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Humboldt River
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"No political issue in recent memory has stirred Nevadans to action in the same way as the immigration debate, surprising many longtime local politicians."
Nevada Test Site
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[10:45 AM]
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Congressional District 3
"With the primaries about four months off and the election not until November, you wouldn't expect things to be heating up in the state races quite yet, but you'd be wrong."
"The problem is, the party in general is CLUELESS on how to get more people involved. It’s the same crowd at EVERY county convention complaining about the same old things every time."
__________
"Our tourism industry encourages self-indulgence, greed and personal gain without shame or consequences. That's fine for visitors seeking a little make-believe. But it has no place in the real world, and the testimony heard the past month shows us that, somehow, it has ended up there."
__________
"Meth is an insidious drug. It wreaks havoc on individuals, families, children and to some extent communities, which must deal with the criminal activities of meth users and pay the bill for incarceration, courts, welfare and more."
Airport Concessions
"There is no functioning system in place to identify concessionaires who have failed to submit the required annual financial statements to the Department of Aviation."
"The system could cost $1.1 billion to build as a light rail line or $713 million as an express bus system that uses bus-only lanes and makes infrequent stops, officials have said. But that price tag is in 2006 dollars; inflation is expected to drive those costs up by 35 percent."
"A year after homeowner opposition scuttled plans for a mass transit center in Henderson, the Regional Transportation Commission wants to pay the city $4.4 million for an 18-acre site officials hope escapes public criticism this time."
Reference Sites
Proposed Regional Fixed Guideway Web Site
Stop The Regional Fixed Guideway In Henderson Web Site
Boulder City And Gated Communities
"Signs need to capture the ambiance of the area and "tell the story" of your community, said Roger Brooks, from Destination Development of Olympia, Wash., who was hired to study tourism in the Carson Valley."
South Canyon Road Settlement Agreement
Citizens v. Tax Assessor
Ballardini Ranch Park Proposal
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Clark County School District
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Water Moloch Angst
"Elko County is applying for municipal water rights 'to invest in the future,' Elko County Commission Chairman Warren Russell said."
Northern Nevada
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Use It Up
Federation of American Scientists Project On Government Secrecy
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[7:35 PM]
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EDAWN Gathering
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
State Sen. Beers
Congressional District 2
Angle Requests State's Full Participation of ICE Training Program: ICE federal partnership empowers local officers to detain violators of federal immigration law (Angle Campaign Press Release)
Assembly District 36
"Curiously, in an age of diminished expectations, from politicians as well as practically all other sources of assistance, this local state assembly race is shaping up to be about who really represents what is most rural about rural Nevada - not just in the past, but for Nevada's future."
Douglas County
Some Thoughts From A Nye County Candidate
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Prosecution Rests; Defense Begins
Background Reports
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Ethics Commission
Trummell cleared: Ethics commission dismisses charge against commissioner based on procedural rule (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Background (From Ethics Commission website)
Complaint 5-17
Executive Director Report & Recommendations
Complaint 5-18
Executive Director Report & Recommendations
Executive Director Supplemental Recommendation To Panel
Nye County
Town Of Pahrump
"While growth for growth's sake may be debatable, it is recognized by most residents in Pahrump that unless more businesses move to town, homeowners will be burdened with taxes for infrastructure that rival or possibly surpass those paid in California."
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Nevada State College
"Two pledges were instrumental in winning legislative support for the college's creation. The first stipulated that eager donors would cover much of the construction costs for the college's first building. The second held that the college would keep its costs down by offering only four-year degrees and leaving graduate studies to the state's two public universities."
Nye County School District
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Going Up
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Nevada Blasts Proposed Yucca Legislation
The Proposed Legislation
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Gaming And Gambling
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The Old Spanish Trail
Background
Gov. James G. Scrugham, The Exploration and Development of Southeastern Nevada (1935) (Nevada Observer history feature)
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[10:50 AM]
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Spending The People's Money
"At issue is whether to slash taxes in the face of record-breaking revenue growth, repeat Gov. Kenny Guinn's $300 million tax rebate of 2005 or invest the extra money in infrastructure to keep up with the state's exploding population."
State Sen. Beers
Dema Backs Lorraine
Assembly District 21
__________
"After testifying Wednesday, Buonotony said Galardi told the truth when he told prosecutors of all the Las Vegas Valley lawyers, elected officials and police officers to whom he made payments and to whom he provided free lap dances and sexual favors."
"Disinformation and lies are legal crime-fighting devices. The U.S. Supreme Court says so. But it still leaves a bad taste."
"Club owners and strippers themselves have gone before elected boards and denied that their industry fronts prostitution. Yet Galardi himself admits that at all hours of the day, he has "dancers" willing to do just about anything for the right price."
"Reilly said his situation and Deane's weren't as similar as the attacks would suggest. 'Fran Deane has an active investigation with the police and the district attorney's office. I have no investigation. The allegation isn't substantiated.'"
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The Politics Of Abortion
“'Not only are we paying anywhere from 13 to 30 cents more than we did a month ago but we’re still more than a month away from the Memorial Day weekend, which signals the start of the summer travel period,' he said."
One Man, One Vote
Churchill County
"Sherman Rattner strode into Boulder City Hall a few minutes before closing time Wednesday and officially launched his campaign to turn everyone in town into a millionaire."
The Convention Business
Condo Craze
What Happened To The Money?
Steady Developments
"'We filed this lawsuit to force them to comply with the law and to get them to stop playing games with the planning commission and the people of this valley,' said Bob Fulkerson, spokesman for the citizen groups."
"Twice now the Washoe County Commission has put off a vote to sell $35 million in bonds to fund the purchase despite a clear majority on the board in favor of buying the ranch. The two sides should make good use of the delay and find a way to get a deal done. For the future of this area, it's the right thing to do."
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"Frances Arnold is looking forward relaxing in a new $63 million student union when it opens next year at the University of Nevada, Reno."
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"'The problem is we don't need three or four nuclear plants in my judgment. We need 14 or 24. We need a large number. And that's the driver behind Yucca Mountain,' Bodman said."
"The Bush administration's ambitious plans to reprocess nuclear waste may be tied in part to dissatisfaction over the lagging repository project at Yucca Mountain, a leading scientist and former Energy Department executive said Wednesday."
"If you think the immigration law has nothing to do with you, think again. The bill being debated in Congress includes a provision that would create a national system to verify every worker's legal status."
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Home Means Nevada
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Publicity And Las Vegas
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[6:50 PM]
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Congressional Districts 2 and 3
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Adjourned 'Til Monday
G-Sting: New Battle Begins Over Nine Witnesses (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Judicial Discipline Commission
RTC approves mass transit system (KVBC-TV report)
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Truckee Meadows Community College
Washoe County School District
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Toxic pollutants in Nevada down 33 percent, EPA says (Nevada AP article)
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Stop the madness, Sen. Reid! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Nevada Test Site
Immigration Reform
Rural Grants
$20 Million In USDA Grants For Distance Learning and Tele-Medicine Now Available For Rural Communities
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[10:00 AM]
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Congressional District 1
2006 Legislative Elections
Assembly District 30
Douglas County
__________
"And it's a reminder to the rest of us that the sexy, freedom-embracing image of Las Vegas sometimes covers a seedy reality, where elected officials are corrupted by money and sex, and citizens are screwed in the process."
"What is already clear is that strip club money---bribes, honest campaign contributions, consulting fees, whatever you want to call it--- bought way too much attention and time from the County Commission."
"One of the legal yet dubious practices that is common in the Las Vegas area is that elected officials frequently become paid consultants for local businesses (in areas, of course, they had no expertise worth consulting on before their election)."
Strip Club Owner Galardi Claims to be a Gigolo (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
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Judicial Discipline Commission
Nevada State Prison: Another Lockdown
"Inmates at the state women's prison in North Las Vegas were placed in lockdown Thursday after a report that staff members had encouraged prisoners to contact the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada."
Churchill County
"Members of a newly-formed Meth Task Force plan to educate as many people in the Lahontan Valley as possible about the dangers and prevalence of methamphetamine abuse."
"The failing Economic Opportunity Board suffered another financial blow this week when directors decided voluntarily to relinquish the organization's status as the state's largest community action agency."
"Judging by the names of Las Vegas communities, we live in Italian villas, or in the hills of Scotland, or in homes overlooking meadows, forests or the Pacific Ocean."
Douglas County
The Circle Game
Sign Up Now
Good signs draw many customers (Gardnerville Record-Courier* editorial)
Lyon County
Think Counterintuitive
"In order to prevent a tax increase, Lyon County Commissioners will have to request one."
Washoe County
Citizens v. Assessor
League representative Maryanne Ingemanson said the reason Tuesday's dismissal 'had to happen' was because the court 'determined the burden of proof was the same as if it were a murder trial."
Domestic Violence
Fire-Fighting
__________
Loyalty Oaths
Educational Expansion
Student Demonstrations
Washoe County School District
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The More It Takes, The More It Needs: SNWA Water Moloch Makes Rural Nevadans Edgy
"The gap analysis is one segment of a project to protect water rights and water resources in the basin, especially in light of southern Nevada’s interest in new water resources."
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Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Glowing Praise
Public Opposition
Public Citizen Yucca Mountain Page
Looking For Scapegoats
"If 12 million people disobeying the law can win instant amnesty, we await the declaration that because more than 12 million Americans use cocaine or marijuana, all our drug laws are therefore repealed because 'Nobody could possibly round 'em all up.'"
Needs Study
"Only through a legitimate review of immigration and its effects will we learn what is the right course for future legislation. Until we do that, it is premature to craft a comprehensive border policy, especially if it is based purely on politics."
Needs A Humane Approach
"In all the years I have been active with the GOP Republicans from Incline /Crystal Bay have been "Wall Street Journal" Republicans ... fiercely supportive of entrepreneurial free enterprise, low taxes and minimal regulation but libertarian and non-judgmental when it comes to social issues. I'm proud of you folks!"
Demonstrations Continue
2 Legit 2 Quit
"The federal income tax is complicated because every provision that appears on the 66,000 pages of rules and regulations has its own constituency, its own beneficiaries. What member of Congress wants to deal with the army of lobbyists who would descend on his or her office should changes be proposed?"
Never Mind You, What About My Vacation?
"Never mind that more than a few weighty matters confront them--not the least of which is some attention to the long-pending tax legislation which has been the subject of much blathering, but no action."
"A House committee has unanimously approved a measure that would, among other things, eliminate the "sensitive but unclassified" designation the Bush administration uses to restrict access to public documents."
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Historic Preservation
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April 15, 2006
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[1:50 PM]
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Congressional District 3
Angle Property Tax Restraint Initiative
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Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
'Oh For Heaven's Sake'
The Weekly would just like to take this moment to underscore the most astute comment ever made about Vegas politics, the G-Sting trial and former Commissioner Erin Kenny's practice of blowing bribester Michael Galardi, uttered by an unknown woman in the G-Sting courtroom and quoted by the R-J's Adrienne Packer. That pretty much sums it up. Kudos.
"District Judge Nancy Saitta said the allegations of former strip club owner Michael Galardi against her won't have a bearing on her decision to run for the state Supreme Court."
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Rising Gas Prices
Economic Development Commission
City And County Of Carson
Freeway Bypass
Everybody Stand Back
Mesquite set for explosive growth (In Business Las Vegas article)
Real Estate Values
Henderson Constable
"The Henderson constable collects about $160,000 in fees, according to county records, and Mitchell says he gives about two-thirds of the money to his four deputies and also pays for uniforms and training. He wouldn't say exactly how much and said he didn't have to turn over that information."
Nye County
Anti-Meth Movement
"Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid used the Nye County Sheriff's Office to speak on how the nation's war on drugs needs refocusing on rural areas where methamphetamine use by young people has exploded in recent years."
'Refocus on war against drugs' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Troubled Youth
Positive Action program brings successful results: Help for troubled kids to find their way (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Right Decisions
White Pine County
City-Count Disagreement Over Police Costs
"White Pine County experienced some heartache over the Nevada Department of Taxation's decision regarding the police protection, fire protection and animal control interlocal agreements."
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Professorial Evaluations
Searching For A President
A Guide to the Clark County School Board: The Clark County School Board has more control over your life than you thought. We scope out just how much. (Las Vegas Weekly article)
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Endangered Species
Beware The Leviathan
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SNWA's Suction Scheme
__________
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Western States Governors Protest Proposed Yucca Mountain Legislation
Nuclear Waste Reprocessing Program
Radioactive Railroad
Welcome To The Machine
'The Machine' is highlight of Yucca Mountain tour (Nevada AP article)
"You let all these Mexicans in, they're going to take all those fruit-picking jobs I've dreamed of all my life. Working outdoors, sleeping in my car, fighting with dogs for food. Just like camping, only different."
US Air Force Fly-Overs
Appeals Court Dismisses Sex Discrimination Case
"A federal appeals court on Friday threw out a sexual-discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Harrah's casino bartender who was fired for refusing to conform to a newly implemented grooming policy that required women to wear makeup."
Duck Creek Basin
Silver State Trail
"The Silver State Trail, designated for off-highway vehicle use, brought about $2 million in federal funding into Lincoln County. Designating an expansion of the trail could do the same in White Pine County, as well as limit the impact of off-highway vehicle use."
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Stations' Secrets
Casino Sales
Gaming: Strip land values drive casino sales (In Business Las Vegas article)
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V&TRR
[1:10 PM]
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Rep. Gibbons
Rogers reverses opposition to Nev. congressman's bid (Nevada AP article)
Lt. Gov. Hunt, State Sen. Titus, Mayor Gibson Speak At Forum
"The audience that heard three gubernatorial candidates speak on Saturday may have wondered why they needed to vote at all, considering that the three took nearly identical positions on every issue."
Governor hopefuls take similar stands at candidate forum: Weapons tests, reproductive rights among issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Term Limits
A Bad Idea Is Looking Worse
"In 1996, voters amended the constitution to limit state lawmakers to 12 years in both the Senate and the Assembly."
State senators come to terms with term limits (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Irascible One (Nevada Observer Blog)
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The Real Questions: How Much More Remains, And How To Clean It Up
BRIBERY TRIAL RECAP (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Everybody Does It In The City Of Favors
"'If this is a day when certain deputy district attorneys show up for people they consider family and friends, it's just unacceptable,' Walton said."
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State Government
State Prison Problems
"A spokesman for Gov. Kenny Guinn told the Sun that state prison officials will begin investigating the prison's medical system next week. We hope they broaden their scope, as recent events suggest that problems may extend beyond the delivery of medical care. Prison staff and inmates who have legitimate questions about whether the facility is meeting standards for basic human rights and medical care should be allowed to raise those concerns without retribution."
Health Care Costs
NNRH financial reporting questioned (Elko Free Press article)
State Tourism
EDAWN And Target2010
Economic Stability Coupled With Favorable Lifestyle Goal Of Program (Nevada Observer article)
State Emergency Radio System
SNEA
"The fight between the State of Nevada Employees Association director and its board is giving the labor movement a black eye and could result in a step back for state employees."
For good of state workers, association has to cleanup its act quickly (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Clark County
Vote no on risky proposal: An industrial site that is home to chemical plants is not safe for a retail development (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Elko County
ECVA marketing makes difference, says Newman (Elko Free Press article)
State’s counter likes Elko numbers (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Tax increase considered in Lyon County (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Wants More Money
Public Schools
Lyon County School District
School rezoning sparks emotional debate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
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Water Outlook Good For Nevada But Developers Still Want More (Nevada Observer article)
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Immigration Reform
"For me, the bottom line is the defense of and respect for our Constitution and its fundamental principles outlining rights of individual citizens under the law. The best way to protect that is not to cow to marchers with picket signs but to rationally and logically debate the pros and cons and grounds for compromise."
I'm an immigrant and America needs me (Hector Gonzalez column, Nevada Appeal*)
"What has become crystal clear in the past couple of weeks is that there won't be a serious attempt by Congress to "solve" the illegal immigration "problem" as long as there is an election just a few months down the road."
Election is the real issue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Retired Generals Call For Resignation Of Secretary of Defense
"On Thursday, retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs and retired Gen. Charles Swannack joined Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste, all retired, in calling for Rumsfeld's resignation."
More Retired Generals Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation (New York Times article)
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Raking It In
Insidious Spread of Minicasinos
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Those Old Blue Jeans
Levi's 501 Jeans: A Riveting Story in Early Reno (Guy Rocha column, Nevada Observer)
Piper's Opera House
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[10:00 AM]
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2006 Congressional Races
2006 Secretary of State's Race
2006 State Supreme Court Races
Immigration Reform
Health Care Costs
"Everybody in Nevada wants somebody else to pick up the tab," the Reno Democrat said. "Problems don't get solved here until it's a crisis of epidemic proportions."
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Corruption? In Nevada?
__________
Nevada Government
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Love That Dirty Water
Clark County
Cast A Giant Shadow
Breathe Deep
Toxic releases increase in Clark County (Las Vegas Sun article)
Densely-Packed Casinotown Planned For North Las Vegas
"A development company that paid a record $639 million for 2,675 acres of federal land in North Las Vegas plans to build more than 16,000 homes and a proposed casino anchoring the development."
New NLV community, casino are raising questions (Las Vegas Sun article)
Move To Upgrade Traffic Ticket Collection System
Traffic ticketing to get 'smart': Changes to reduce hassle of paying fines (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lyon County
When The Exceptions Swallow The Rule
Code change would limit chances to amend Lyon master plan -- Chief planner: Change would allow more efficient work on plan due in '08 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nye County
Defamation Suit Settled
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Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Unanticipated Problems
"Augustus Society Chairman George Gingerelli said the lure of the $10,000 Millennium Scholarship, awarded to Nevada students with B averages and above, has kept students from seeking out private scholarships."
Public Schools
Washoe County School District
__________
Tom Gorman on separating the emotion from substance in the debate over immigration (Las Vegas Sun column)
Income Tax Reform
Amen.
"It's time to demand a simple, clear system that explains who owes any excises, and who owes any direct taxes, with single rates designed to pay legitimate government bills, not to redistribute income or effect other 'social goals.'"
Federal Lands
9th Circuit Court Of Appeals
Jesperson v. Harrah's (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website - pdf format)
Prosecutor's Murder Still Unsolved
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[9:55 PM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Incumbents winning money race in U.S. House, Senate contests (Nevada AP article)
The money race (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Congressional District 2
Angle Campaign Expands With New Fundraising Numbers - Outpacing Both GOP Primary Opponents for the Quarter (Angle Campaign Press Release)
Derby Fundraising Momentum Continues: Nearly $190,000 Raised in Q1, over $350,000 Cash on Hand (Derby Campaign Press Release)
2006 Governor's Race
Beers criticizes opponent's support for minimum wage increase (Nevada AP article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
G-Sting: Kincaid-Chauncey Tells Her Side of The Story (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
Mary Kincaid-Chauncey takes the G-Sting stand (KVBC-TV report)
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Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
State of Nevada's Letter to Sen. Domenici RE: Recent public discussions between the Energy Department’s scientists and the NRC Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects website, pdf format-118k)
Immigration Reform
Reid Spokesman: Republicans Can't Hide Trying To Make Immigrants Felons (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Illegal Immigration Perspective from an American Latina (Rosa Villanueva-White/ Richard Disney column, Battle Born News)
Homeland Security
Reid meets with first responders to discuss security in Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Generals' Call For Rumsfeld Resignation
Reid says recent calls for Rumsfeld's ouster aimed at Bush (Nevada AP article)
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From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Battle of the parent companies: Caesars owner outbids Boomtown owner for casino sites (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Bidding war heats up as fourth suitor emerges for Aztar Corp. (Nevada AP article)
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[11:45 AM]
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2006 Governor's Race
Gubernatorial hopefuls take on immigration: Candidates agree policy is a federal issue, largely skirt what can be done at state level (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Congressional Races
Democrat top fundraiser in race to succeed Gibbons (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Show me the money! (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Defendant Denies Charges
Oral Suasions
ERIN NEFF: Public media's Brave New World (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
The Spreading Taint Of $kindustry Corruption
"Just when it seems that the stories can't get any worse in the federal corruption trial involving four former Clark County commissioners and a Las Vegas strip club owner, internal Justice Department documents have revealed that local FBI agents were among those who received drinks, lap dances and other freebies from Cheetahs owner Michael Galardi."
More troubling revelations: FBI agent's admission that he accepted favors and gifts from a strip-club owner, who is a key witness in a political corruption trial, casts a shadow on the agency (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Special Favors In Las Vegas Traffic Court: We've Always Done It This Way
Tiffany ticketed; matter reduced to parking violation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Isn't there anyone who remembers that justice is supposed to be the same for everyone?"
'Friends and family calendar' a travesty: Preferential treatment on traffic tickets? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Ethics Commission
Allegations Against Assemblyman Scott Sibley
Commission lacks authority to consider complaint (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Courts
It's Not A Normal Case
Case of dead guinea pigs will go to court: Attorney's fee will be a dozen of the animals raised by woman fighting county fine (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Clark County
Plight Of The Homeless
"Las Vegas, like Los Angeles, is on the list of the 20 "meanest" cities to homeless in the United States, compiled by advocacy groups. City officials disagree with the characterization, and the City Council recently approved a 10-year plan aimed at ending homelessness in the city."
ACLU hails homeless ruling -- City officials: Decision in L.A. case has no effect on LV enforcement (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Appeals court ruling on homeless sparks local debate (Las Vegas Sun article)
Cameras, Cameras Everywhere: The Surveillance Scene
"While Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the world's security camera epicenters, the surveillance craze is spilling over into other areas, too, from libraries and taxicabs to interstates and elevators."
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Non-Reporting Of Minority Students' Scores
"'It's important to see who is being excluded because in the past that was a common way to hide the problems of underachieving ethnic groups,' Rheault said . 'The new federal law did expose that type of practice.'"
Nevada education chief wants closer look at reporting of minority test scores (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
States across nation taking advantage of loophole to boost numbers (Associated Press article)
Clark County School District
No Middle Path
"Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson's intervention in the dispute between the Clark County School District and some residents of a rural neighborhood appears to have been fruitless."
Gibson fails to sway plan for schools CCSD (Las Vegas Sun article)
Schools And Labor Unions
Teamsters optimistic in schools election (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Seven Utilities And The Frontier Line
Utilities in Nv, west form partnership (Associated Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
From The US Congress
Reid outlines platforms in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News* article)
"The current battle between President George Bush and Nevada Senator Harry Reid over immigration policy is a good example of how the people get short-changed when government leaders cannot manage their professional relationships."
Attack dog role taking toll on Reid (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Federal Lands
National parks facing crisis: President Bush's push for more budget cuts is forcing national parks to curtail services (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Sell it off, Burn it off, and Contract it out -- The Bush Administration Policy on Public Lands (Desert Beacon Blog)
Secrecy At The Department Of Energy
"The Department of Energy Office of Intelligence has reverted to a policy of budget secrecy that it rejected more than a decade ago."
DoE Intelligence Embraces Discredited Budget Secrecy Policy (Federation of American Scientists Secrecy News article)
Recent Sex Discrimination Case
Claims call for evidence (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Generals' Call For Rumsfeld Resignation
Top brass demand attention (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
New From The US Census Bureau
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[6:50 PM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
New Poll Results
New poll: Also bad for Titus (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
The Race Generally
Good for Gibbons, bad for Titus (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Rep. Jim Gibbons
Gibbons requests Anaconda cleanup as priority (Mason Valley News article)
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt
Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt decides to engage (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
She's aliiive! (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 24
Planning for the Future: Apple coming to Reno- but is it enough? (David Bobzien Campaign website)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Just Ask Them
Officials testify they got no bribes from Vegas strip club owner (Nevada AP article)
G-Sting: Atkinson-Gates Gives Surprise Testimony (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
Allegations Against Clark County Recorder Frances Deane
The Teddy Bears Had Pockets
Second Search Warrant Served on Fran Deane's Home (George Knapp report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Bridget Robb Peck and Wayne Pederson Appointed To District Judgeships
Governor Names Judicial Appointments (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Local Government
Clark County
Allure Las Vegas
High-rise project uses innovative financing: Union finance and tax breaks needed to make the deal pencil out (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Lyon County
Lyon County Commissioners' Agenda For April 20 (Nancy Dallas column, NewsDesk)
"Lyon’s development community might have to adjust their planning schedules a bit if the Lyon County Board of Commissioners approves an ordinance to limit master plan amendment requests to only once per year."
Lyon PlanCom votes to funnel master plan amendments to annual meeting (Mason Valley News article)
New landscape ordinance heading to County Commission (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Local Governments Raising Taxes, Fees To Cover Developing Costs
County
County to consider tax increase to gain access to discussion (Mason Valley News article)
County approves guidelines for special assessment districts: Dayton development looking at idea to fund improvements; county to also consider bond counsel (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Dayton Conservation District
Conservation District gets OK to seek more Question 1 funds (Mason Valley News article)
Silver Springs General Improvement District
Residents protesting SSGID fee schedule (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
"ERGS, Inc., has passed another hurdle toward creating the largest development Silver Springs has ever seen following a 6-1 approval vote from the Lyon County Planning Commission (PlanCom) last Tuesday."
SS planned community plan earns PlanCom OK (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Stagecoach General Improvement District
Stagecoach rate hearing draws full house: GID board tables septic system rates to work with homeowners (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Yerington
City locks seat at tax increase hearing with 3¢ request: County follows suit, sets budget hearing for April 20 meeting (Mason Valley News article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Nevada Democrats propose merit pay for teachers (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Sticking business with the doctor's bill (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Healthcare shortcomings in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Helping Out Harvey
"'You're kidding me,' said Bob Fulkerson, director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, whose group opposes the wells and pipelines proposed for the project."
Development wins EPA award (Las Vegas Sun article)
Can't make this stuff up (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Truckee River
City to discuss Truckee River Operating Agreement (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Walker River
WRID awards bid on Topaz diversion project: Low bidder hadn’t been able to obtain performance bond thus far; other option was to re-bid project (Mason Valley News article)
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Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Former Nevada Test Site workers helped by agency action (Nevada AP article)
Recent Sex Discrimination Case
Humpty Dumpty justice (Andy Barbano column, Barbwire)
Analysis of the Humpty Dumpty decision from Jespersen attorney Jenny Pizer (Jenny Pizer column, Barbwire)
Cruel And Unusual Punishment, And Laws Directed At The Homeless
Jones et al. v. City of Los Angeles (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)
Extravagant Corporate Salaries
"Boards and executives should be made to behave if they don't have enough shame to do it themselves."
SEC has a great opportunity (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
From The US Congress
Democrats Call For Action To Prevent Gas Price Gouging (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Columbia Sussex tosses hat into Aztar ring (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Las Vegas' Top Tourist Attractions
Jay Sarno's legacy stands tall on the Strip (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Media: Don't blow your job (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
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[11:00 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Rep. Gibbons And Lt. Gov. Hunt
"Hunt said Tuesday the attack on Gibbons was prompted by her realization that 'I am up against two big, powerful, old-boy political machines, one on the Republican side and one on the Democratic side.'"
Hunt goes on attack against rival Gibbons (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"I've heard more about China from Lorraine Hunt than I've heard about the education needs of Nevada's students."
Gibbons fires back at Hunt (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
No love song from Lorraine to Jim (Vegas Pundit website)
2006 Secretary Of State's Race
Candidate Scroggins wants business-friendly Nevada (Elko Free Press article)
State Democratic Party
Education Reform Proposal
Democrats have a plan (Vegas Pundit website)
"Incentive pay for teachers, full-day kindergarten and more options for high schoolers -- paid for in part by a state lottery -- are the main education proposals Nevada Democrats plan to back in the state Legislature next year."
Party unveils education agenda: Democrats back incentive pay for teachers (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"My guess is many voters of both parties will like parts or most of this Democratic beginning. And even though it is merely a start, the question for the Republicans is a simple one: What's your plan?"
Jon Ralston says Democrats have started ball rolling on education; now it's time for GOP to say where it stands (Las Vegas Sun column)
NV Dems unveil education plan (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
State Party Primaries
"Fairness demands distributing the power to choose a presidential nominee."
State needs early primary (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Defense witnesses contradict Galardi's testimony (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The Old Fixeroo
We've Always Done It That Way
"The most amazing revelations in the Strippergate trial continue to be the legal ones."
How to Fix a Ticket in Vegas (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State ACLU Back To Defending Millionaires Again; $kindustry Exploiters Want To Stop Paying Entertainment Tax
"The owners of eight of the Las Vegas Valley's most well-known strip clubs want a federal judge to repeal the state's live entertainment tax and refund the millions of dollars it already has cost the clubs."
Strip club owners challenge entertainment tax (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Ethics Commission
Clark County Judge's Dismissal Of Charges To Be Appealed To State Supreme Court
Goodman ethics case to be pursued (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Judiciary
"District Judge Nancy Saitta, who is considering a run for state Supreme Court, had the most reversals in the state during that period: seven."
Nevada judges do well when cases are reviewed (Las Vegas Sun article)
Governor appoints Pederson to Third District judgeship (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Douglas, Humboldt, Nye And Washoe
Prescription drug card available in four Nevada counties (Nevada Appeal* article)
Black Businessmen
Black-owned business growth in Nevada outpaces nation (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Welfare Funding
"U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., sought to forge a partnership Tuesday between government and religious organizations in Northern Nevada to better serve the needy."
Summit helps connect faith-based groups, Reid says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Going For The Grants
Nonprofits to vie for city grants at supervisors meeting (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Metro Statements On Mob Attack at MGM Grand
A 'good-faith' cover-up? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
What Happens in Vegas is None of Your Business (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
Taking Up The Slack
County to temporarily run some EOB programs (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The New Eldorado
"The group has floated a plan to sell off some 200 square miles of vacant city land in the Eldorado Valley and share the proceeds among all Boulder City "residents-of-record" as of March 31, 2006."
Boulder City land sale proposal advances (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Zoned Out
Zoning may force homeless agency in West Las Vegas to find a new home (Las Vegas Sun article)
That Homeless Problem
Good law, bad attitude: City of Las Vegas' homelessness ordinance cited as a good example, but how it's actually enforced is the real test of its effectiveness, humaneness (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Elko County
Elko Convention And Visitors Authority
Hernandez not seeking re-election (Elko Free Press article)
Budget And Re-Budget
County continues working on budget this week (Elko Free Press article)
Carlin’s draft budget falls $200,465 short (Elko Free Press article)
Anti-Meth
Sheriff’s office plans drug forum (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Rapacious Tax Cabal
"Every time we have attempted to seek justice, the Washoe County government network, including the county commission, District Attorney Gammick, McGowan, and the Washoe courts have orchestrated deliberate schemes to thwart our efforts."
Working to obtain justice in taxation until we prevail (Les Barta column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Nuisance Ordinances Under Review
"Incline residents may finally get a chance to custom-tailor land-use and nuisance ordinances to the needs of the community, as Washoe County recently released a tentative plan for the Citizen's Advisory Board to review."
Nuisance ordinances could change (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Looking For Someone Presidential
UNR president finalists are solid, official says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Six principals apply for local-control program (Las Vegas Sun article)
Washoe County School District
"The chairwoman of the Assembly Education Committee said she was dismayed to learn that 38 percent of Washoe County ninth-graders received at least one F last semester, with almost 20 percent receiving two or more Fs."
9th-graders most at risk for failing (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Welcome To The Nineteenth Century
At what price clean? Proposed power grid losing steam due to primitive cleaning technology of coal-fired plants (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Lake Tahoe
Workshops help keep lake blue (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Carson River
Brunswick Reservoir
Wetland might ease wastewater problem (Nevada Appeal* article)
Flood Danger Seen
Officials monitor the river, weather to curb potential flooding in valley (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Local flood preparation shows agency cooperation (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Truckee River
Flood Control
"A coalition of local governments favors a "living river" flood control strategy to minimize the use of unsightly levees and flood walls and allow floodwaters to slow and spread on undeveloped floodplains and terraced portions of the riverbank."
Commissioners agree to $3.3 million flood control plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
New DOE strategy won't help Yucca situation (Bob Loux column, Las Vegas Sun)
Homeland Security Funding
"The federal government relied on inaccurate data to help justify dropping Las Vegas from a list of cities eligible for special anti-terrorism funding, according to county officials who viewed the information last week."
HOMELAND SECURITY: U.S. data on LV challenged -- County officials point out errors in criteria for grant allocations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
Republican Slime Ad
GOP ad blames Democrats: Immigration fight taken to airwaves (Las Vegas Sun article)
Planned Boycott
"Immigrant advocates should think clearly about the advantages and disadvantages of boycotting jobs and classes, especially."
Great Boycott could backfire (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Federal Largesse
$522 million in government contracts granted to Nevada businesses last year (Nevada Appeal* article)
Confidence In US Dollar Slides
Gold at 25-year highs (Elko Free Press article)
Predatory Lending Practices
A return to Caveat Emptor? (Desert Beacon Blog)
From The US Congress
Poll: Reid's support slips (Nevada AP article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Pinnacle raises offer for Aztar as bidding war escalates (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[7:10 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Hunt keeps 'em coming (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Hunt-ing for Jim Gibbons (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Term Limits
"It will take time and hard work for us to get back to a responsive and healthy political system. It can't be done with nostrums and quick fixes, and the first moves are up to the politicians."
We'll get kicked when term limits kick in (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Denies Taking Bribes; Says He Won Money Gambling
G-Sting: Dario Herrera Called to Witness Stand (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Yet Another Nevada Mortgage Broker Firm Goes Bankrupt, Leaving Investors Holding The Bag
Filing leaves people miffed: USA Capital investors facing big financial hit (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
Clark County
It's Fixed
Mayor touts recovery of downtown LV (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Airport Tunnel Project Planned
McCarran tunnel expansion planned: Airport allowed to negotiate contract (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Mystery Tapes Of Henderson
Judge rules 911 snafu not enough to dismiss case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
It Happened There
Police Confirm MGM Assault (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
Nye County
The Cooperative Monopoly Of Nye
What are your thoughts on making VEA more efficient? (Calvin and Norma Morrison column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
DOE Secretary Bodman's Recent Visit To Yucca Mountain
It turns out Bush owes Porter a favor (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
That Recent 9th Circuit Decision On The Homeless
'Cruel and unusual' punishment? Appeals court cites Eighth Amendment in homeless case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
A Government Obsessed With Secrecy
How will we ever know? (Desert Beacon Blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Tropicana expenses bleed Aztar's first quarter (Las Vegas Business Press article)
==========================================
[10:30 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Oscar's Dance Of The Seven Veils Finally Ends
'I LOVE LAS VEGAS': Goodman rules out Senate bid -- Mayor lists several projects he wants to shepherd to the finish (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Dean Heller Finally Gets A Website
2006 Supreme Court Races
"Becker was first elected to the high court in 1998. She is the only justice up for election this year who joined the controversial opinion invalidating the two-thirds requirement for the Legislature to raise taxes, a decision Saitta said she disagreed with."
Supreme Court race a tale of two Nancys: District judge vows to 'listen to the voice of the people' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Democratic Party
Democratic Party to counter GOP ads: Views on immigration aired on radio stations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Republican Party
Angst among Republicans: GOP consultants worry that Bush's woes might hurt House and Senate candidates (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"'I have never received a payment from Mr. Galardi or Mr. Malone, anywhere,' Herrera said."
CORRUPTION TRIAL: Herrera fights back -- Ex-commissioner denies taking cash, admits indiscretions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"But perils remain for Herrera today, as Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Schiess goes to the heart of his cross-examination, revisiting the entire case and replaying wiretaps that allegedly link Herrera to Galardi's bribes."
Risky move could build sympathy -- ANALYSIS: DARIO HERRERA TAKES THE STAND (Jeff German article, Las Vegas Sun)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
More Problems At The Nevada State Prison
Dangerous Conditions
"Cosgrove said many of the guards have kept quiet for fear of retaliation. He said he was willing to come forward because he's retiring soon."
Guards say state prison is unsafe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Not That Funny
Firing of state prison lieutenant is upheld: He set up pepper spray 'prank' on officer (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Couldn't Find The Elephant: USA Capital And State Regulators
Audit of firm showed no woes: Many borrowers lapsed on payment schedules (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
That Lucky Las Vegas Land Deal
Walters land deal probe goes on: LV holding off on any votes on plan (Las Vegas Sun article)
Emergency Planning
"After California and Alaska, Nevada is the most seismically active state in the union."
Anniversary a grim reminder to prepare (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Public Safety
Crime State Rankings 2006 Again Designates Nevada as the Nation’s Most Dangerous State (Morgan Quitno Press Release)
Local Government
Churchill County
That Mysterious Dune
Sand Mountain attendance grows as weather warms (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Las Vegas
Public Doesn't Get To Vote On Massive Indebtedness Measure
"The city of Las Vegas plans to take on the largest amount of debt in its history to pay for parks and prepare a chunk of vacant downtown land for development."
City to use bonds to pay for parks, Union Park plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Go Somewhere Else
Hopes for moratorium dashed: Commission kills proposed land-use restrictions on mobile home parks (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
North Las Vegas
"The still unnamed community, being developed by the Olympia Group, would be constructed on 2,675 acres of former Bureau of Land Management land the company bought for $639 million in November. It would include more than 16,000 housing units, six school sites, a post office, library, and fire and police stations."
Developer's plan for NLV site is unveiled (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Land act dollars allocated for park (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Elko County
City building permits soar in March (Elko Free Press article)
ECVA eyes creating event funding cycles (Elko Free Press article)
Washout near Jiggs (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Regional Transportation Commission
RTC to ponder fare increases (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
ERIN NEFF: It's education, stupid (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
"Could it be that state Democrats have finally decided to jump down off the lap of the hidebound Nevada education establishment and run free?"
A 'new approach'? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Nevada Now The 47th Smartest State (Morgan Quitno website)
Will education act lead to segregation? The requirements placed on schools to demonstrate students in specific groups are succeeding may lead schools to resist efforts to diversify (Associated Press article)
How AP analyzed test scores under No Child Left Behind law (Associated Press article)
Public Schools
Washoe County School District
Basic Proficiency Push A Success (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Fernley Pipeline To Replace Leaking, Decrepit 100 Year-Old Truckee Canal
Likes It Leaky
"One of the myths frequently hurled around in debates about water is the most "efficient" way to move this life-sustaining commodity from place to place is by putting it in a pipeline."
'Efficiency' overrated in tribe's pipeline plan (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Fear The Leviathan
Mine pollution into Sierra creek reduced (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Reality And The Price Of Gas
Time to buy into bio-fuels (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Dirty Dumpers
Dirty work: In commemoration of Earth Day, we took a look at the environmental impacts from some local industries (Reno News & Review article)
Easing up on polluters: Finding out what toxic gunk is released in your neighborhood may be about to get harder. (Reno News & Review article)
Gibbons dumped on Nevada (Reno News & Review editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"The planned Yucca Mountain repository could hold between four to nine times more nuclear waste if it were expanded and redesigned, according to an industry report previewed Wednesday."
Bigger repository backed in study preview: Yucca Mountain could be redesigned to hold up to 628,000 tons (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Repairs, upgrades planned at nuclear waste dump site (Associated Press article)
"Is it the senator's position that such a chemically active reprocessing plant would be a boon to the state, while burying the same fuel rods inside a mountain would terrify tourists for generations to come?"
Nuclear reprocessing in Nevada? A proposed $5 million contract for UNLV (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Homeland Security Funding
Las Vegas, an invisible city: Glaring omissions on tourism, facilities and economy in Homeland Security Department's research offered poor assessment of Las Vegas Valley's risks of a terrorist attack (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
National Budget
Payments In Lieu Of Taxes
"The PILT program was enacted in 1976 to partially compensate county governments whose territory includes large amounts of non-taxable federal lands within their borders."
County must fight against PILT cutback (Elko Free Press article)
Immigration Reform
"'They don't have the manpower, the equipment or the technology they need,' Ensign said of the border agents. 'They need us to supply them with that.'"
Ensign calls tour of Mexican border 'eye-opening experience' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Democrats pander to illegal aliens for votes (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
Reconsidering Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld versus The Generals (Richard Disney column, Battle Born News)
__________
Nevada's Past
1906 San Francisco Earthquake And Fire
Shock waves: From Winnemucca to Rhyolite, Nevadans felt the ripples of the great quake (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
==========================================
[5:45 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Supreme Court Races
Vegas judge to challenge Nevada high court justice (Nevada AP article)
A judge in their pocket: "Mr. Rizzolo has a good name in the community." (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Legalize Marijuana Petition
"It's still early in the 2006 campaign, but our initiative to tax and regulate marijuana on the November ballot is already generating quite a buzz."
Evil weeds (Neal Levine column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Case To Go To Jury Next Week
G-Sting: Herrera Denies Being Influenced (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
"Herrera further claims that, despite a broken ankle that forced him to call in to the commission chambers for a key vote on Jaguar's (another Galardi club), he somehow managed to drive down to Cheetah's that very day. To get his bribe money? No, silly! To meet with Galardi about issues!"
Dario Herrera, D-Fantasyland (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
"Keep in mind that this particular prosecutor, according to other G-sting documents I've seen, also allegedly served as a courier for some of Galardi's campaign contributions to local judges. Galardi told the FBI that Guymon liked playing the role of deliveryman for the contributions because it put him in good standing with the judges who received the money."
Guymon rode the gift horse hard (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
"A cross between Boy's Town, and Sodom and Gomorrah" (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada Ranked No. 1 In Nation For Incoming Migrants
Domestic Net Migration in the United States 2000-2004 (US Census Bureau website)
Nevada Ranked No. 1 In Nation For Internet Fraud
Technology Crime Board Considers Response to Nevada Leading Nation as Home to Most Perpetrators of Internet Fraud (Attorney General Press Release)
IC3 2005 Internet Crime Report (pdf format - 5.67 MB)
Nevada State Prison Conditions
Prison guards protest over conditions at Nevada State Prison (Nevada AP article)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
Nevada approves regulations to allow Canadian drug imports (Nevada AP article)
State Controller Collects Millions
$5 Million Paid to Nevada Through State Controller's Debt Collection Program (State Controller Press Release)
Nevada controller's debt collections top $5 million (Nevada AP article)
Nevada Sues To Collect Tobacco Revenues
States sue tobacco companies over settlement payments (Nevada AP article)
From The Nevada Supreme Court
Unverified Posthypnotic Testimony Inadmissible
Nevada And The First Amendment
Different Faces Of Censorship
Did you hear? Nope (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Special waste for a special place: The 'Fix Yucca' bill could turn the proposed nuke dump into an ultra-privileged, quasi-secret project (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Porter Subcommittee To Hold Yucca Mountain Hearing: Updated GAO Report Will Be Scrutinized (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Letter from Nevada Attorney General George Chanos to other states' AGs concerning the Administration's proposed "fix" Yucca Mountain legislation (pdf format - 70 KB)
Immigration Reform
Administration Begins Crackdown On Illegal Immigrants
Department of Homeland Security Unveils Comprehensive Immigration Enforcement Strategy for the Nation’s Interior (Department of Homeland Security Press Release)
Feds Warn Companies Using Illegal Workers (Associated Press article)
ICE Agents Arrest Seven Managers of Nationwide Pallet Company and 1,187 of the Firm’s Illegal Alien Employees in 26 States (Department of Homeland Security Press Release)
Reid: Border Security Needs More Than A Press Conference (Sen. Reid Press Release)
==========================================
[10:35 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
Fun times with the Dems (Anjeanette Damon article, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Minimum Wage Increase
Erik Holland cartoon on this subject
Subsidized Supra-National Corporations And Free-Market Fantasies
Government Wage Control (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
The Other Guy Must Have Stolen It
Herrera testifies Malone pocketed bribe money (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Herrera, lawyer breathe sighs of relief and hope for belief among jurors (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
The Thin Green Line Between A Contribution And A Bribe
"This is Las Vegas. You look around. There's a lot of people getting nice deals on land around here. I'm not saying all of the political people and attorneys are corrupt. I'm not saying that. I'm saying if I give you money, and I get left alone. No one gets hurt. A lot of people didn't see what was wrong with that."
Telling all about G-Sting (Vegas Pundit website)
"Buonantony obviously is frustrated and outraged that his friend is being portrayed as a sleazy flesh peddler while holier-than-thou public officials, many of whom frequented the clubs and accepted comps (at least) from Galardi, are treated differently and given the benefit of the doubt."
Jon Ralston watches Michael Galardi's friend and GM come out swinging (Las Vegas Sun column)
The Teddy Bear Had Pockets
"We prefer our casinos smoky. We like our cars fast. So how do we want our bribes?"
And inside teddy bear No. 2 ...: Where and how are they (allegedly) being bribed? (Las Vegas Sun article)
Cautious, For Now
Cautious commissioners: Conflicts of interest causing more vote abstentions by panel in wake of G-Sting (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Grasping Speculators
"Krueger and Geeser said investors speculating on fuel to make a profit -- buying it now with the expectation of making money by selling it for a higher price in the future -- are part of the reason fuel prices are going up."
Reno gas prices near $3 a gallon (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
BOARD OF PHARMACY: Rules allow drug importation -- Guidelines approved for Canadian pharmacists (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
More drug options for Nevadans (Nevada AP article)
God Told Me Not To Fill Your Prescription
No 'conscience clause' for pharmacists (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Treatment Of The Mentally Ill
MENTAL HEALTH COURT: Mentally ill get fresh start -- Program uses team approach to keep participants off street (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Banks Not Hurting
BANKING: Banks report solid profits -- CEO sees valley escaping from dip in housing with little damage (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Tobacco Revenues
Nevada sues tobacco firms for missing payments (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Brotherhood Of Workers
Ex-carpenter union employee indicted for embezzlement (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Local Government
Clark County
Public Perceptions
"'This (incident) leads to all sorts of problems, because a handshake understanding with certain businesses creates the impression on the part of the public that there is unequal treatment by police,' said Alan Lichtenstein, attorney for the Nevada American Civil Liberties Union."
Missing detail raises eyebrows: Handling of beating highlights an unspoken pact with business (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
County 2007 budget one step closer to approval (Elko Free Press article)
DA sees Jarbidge ruling in late summer (Elko Free Press article)
Deeth battling spring floodwaters: Fire station, residences damaged (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Cease And Desist
"A Washoe district judge Thursday gave authority to the Regional Planning Commission to deal with proposed changes in the regional plan that would guide growth for 100 years and told the Regional Planning Governing Board to stop trying to bully the commission."
Judge lets planning commission take charge of growth amendments (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fare Increase?
Small RTC hike is needed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Environment
Bad: The Little Devils Are Dying
"The tally, recorded Saturday by a diver in a warm Mojave Desert spring 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, is less than half of the 84 fish counted in November, said Bob Williams, Nevada field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
Count of pupfish shows sharp drop: Tally of endangered species finds only 38 left (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Slightly Better
Deal signed to protect fish: Water pact makes provision for endangered Moapa dace (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Better Yet
'A great success story': Teams count 67 bald eagle sightings at lakes Mead, Mohave (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Western Shoshone Tribe
Suit filed to block explosion: 700-ton blast scheduled on June 2 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
IMMIGRATION DEBATE: Reid takes swipe at Bush -- Democrat blames GOP for impasse (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Homeland Security?
Striving For Adequacy
"Homeland Security is riddled with incompetence -- and, considering the importance of the agency's charge, it's a danger to the taxpayers it's supposed to protect."
Bungling at Homeland Security: Bumbling bureaucrats determine Las Vegas has no military base or significant convention traffic (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
You Can Go To The Head Of The Line, For A Price
"The Transportation Security Administration's program that allows airline passengers to pay for speedier passage through airport security checkpoints isn't catching on as federal officials had hoped."
Airport security for sale? Allowing passengers to pay to avoid some security procedures isn't being embraced (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Airport will not enlist in program: Official: U.S. effort has no efficiencies (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Paying For The Wars
Two Nevada parks reviewing costs: Great Basin and Lake Mead asked to look at budgets (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The President's "Night And Fog" Decree
"Nevertheless, that our government, which portrays itself and its people to the world as the face of fairness and justice has done what no American would accept from this country or any other is one of the hardest realities to face."
Guantanamo list welcome (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Mining
Golden Age
Newmont earnings more than double (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada's Past
The Epic Of The Donner Party
"'The public will always be fascinated with the Donner Party because they were families -- just ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances,' she said. 'The more we learn about them, the more questions are raised. It's a story like the Titanic, an icon of American history, that will continue to fascinate.'"
Historians say Donner Party cannibalism still on menu (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Related TNO History Feature
C.F. McGlashan, History of the Donner Party, A Tragedy of the Sierra (1879) -- Chapter I; Chapter II; Chapter III; Chapter IV; Chapter V; Chapter VI; Chapter VII; Chapter VIII; Chapter IX; Chapter X; Chapter XI; Chapter XII; Chapter XIII; Chapter XIV; Chapter XV; Chapter XVI; Chapter XVII; Chapter XVIII; Chapter XIX; Chapter XX; Chapter XXI; Chapter XXII; Chapter XXIII; Chapter XXIV
Old Mormon Station
Construction at Genoa park progresses, officials say (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Related TNO History Features
Col. John Reese, Mormon Station (1884)
Nevada: The Settlement of Carson Valley 1851 (1881)
Gov. James G. Scrugham, Settlements and Beginnings in Western Utah (1935)
Nevada's Ranching Heritage
Lecture focuses on historical Nevada farms (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
==========================================
[11:00 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Nice. But Do They Have Teeth?
"Reaffirming his personal commitment to upholding the highest standard of honesty and integrity in government, Jim Gibson today unveiled ethics reforms that he will work to enact as the next governor of Nevada."
Jim Gibson's Commitment To Ethics In Government (Gibson 2006 Campaign website)
The Democrats' Best Chance
Jon Ralston on Politics: Hunt goes on offensive (In Business Las Vegas column)
2006 Secretary Of State's Race
Mr DA, just a few things.... (Vegas Pundit website)
2006 Attorney General's Race
Mystery Candidate
GOP candidate for AG (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
State Republican Party
Nevada GOP’s Misplaced Priorities (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
2006 Nevada Voters
Nevada Voter Registration Figures For March 2006 (Secretary of State website; lead courtesy of Desert Beacon blog)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"'Obviously from a strictly business point of view, if a significant portion of the budget has to be set aside for bribery, it's a corruption tariff,' he said. 'It's a cost. ... It's a deterrent to honest business.'"
Political scandal no setback in luring companies (In Business Las Vegas article)
Seven Lessons Learned From G-Sting: Something to take home from your elected officials' (alleged) behavior (Las Vegas Weekly article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Employment & Unemployment
Nevada Employment and Unemployment Statistics For March 2006 (Nevada Department of Employment website)
Nevada unemployment rate holds steady at 3.8 percent (Nevada AP article)
State Prison Problems
Prison guards to protest at NSP today (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nevada Highway Patrol Commander Gets Pay Raise At Last
Personnel commission orders pay raise for head of NHP (Nevada Appeal article)
From The Office Of The Attorney General
Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Other Agencies Recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: April 23-29, 2006 (Attorney General Press Release)
Local Government
Clark County
Child Abuse Deaths
Report finds lax oversight at Clark County agencies (Nevada AP article)
A Different Slant On Things
Developer hits paydirt on hillside (In Business Las Vegas article)
Nye County
Last Year's Hurricane
FEMA pays back the sheriff (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nye County Family Services
Child, family social workers motivated (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nuisances
Non-compliance from nuisances: Most blighted properties cited remain unmitigated (Pahrump Valley Times article)
The Town Of Pahrump
Pahrump Mystery Charges
Here We Go Again: Town manager's future on agenda (Pahrump Valley Times article)
NDOT Grant Lost
Seniors bus will not stop here (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Reno's Budget (Myrna the Minx column, Reno and Its Discontents blog)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Utilities: Nevada Power adds another 580 megawatts (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Late Entries on Rep. Berkley's Website
Bush Makes Yucca Mountain Water Grab: Berkley: “Vicious Assault on Nevadans"
Important Meeting
Meeting Agenda: Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects, Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:00 a.m., Clark County Commission Chambers (pdf format - 73 KB)
Nevada Test Site
From The US Congress
Harry's Punching Back (Desert Beacon Blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Gaming: Bidding for Aztar Corp. continues to rise (In Business Las Vegas article)
Ameristar raises bid for Aztar in casino bidding war (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[6:00 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
State senator Titus speaks on issues facing women (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
State Democratic Party
Made it to lovely Las Vegas (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Reid Shushes Jack Carter (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
JANE ANN MORRISON: Herrera's charm and charisma couldn't fill in the big hole in his story (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Inadequate State Supervision Of Mortgage Brokers
After Over Twenty Years Of Fraud And Failed Investment Companies, The State Still Doing Nothing
"Unlike banks, investment companies are not federally insured which mean investors have no guarantee that when a company files bankruptcy they will get their money back."
Investors stung by USA Capital (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
"'We do not have a mechanism in place to know if a company is defrauding their investors,' Penn said. She said investors need to rely on independent auditors who are certified public accountants to determine the financial soundness of private lenders."
More private-lending laws called unnecessary: Two Nevada executives suggest that state tighten controls (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
More Investors Than Investments: Business On The Ponzi Plan?
"'We basically grew too fast. We got overwhelmed by loan servicing,' he said. 'Our liabilities were exceeding our ability to pay.'"
Private-lender founder says rapid growth killed company (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada State Prison Conditions
NEVADA STATE PRISON: Working conditions protested -- Correctional officers stage rally (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Prison protest draws nearly 100 participants (Nevada Appeal* article)
Dozens rally at prison (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada prison officials change execution procedure after lawsuit (Nevada AP article)
State Supreme Court
"The court ruled that Jammie Jackson of Las Vegas can withdraw the plea because District Judge Joseph Bonaventure effectively convinced him to accept the plea offer by making him think he would get a lesser sentence."
State high court rules judge interfered in plea deal (Nevada Appeal* article)
Pipelines And Fuel Trains
CRUDE REALITY LOOMS: Where will Las Vegas get its fuel? Southern Nevada on pace to exceed limits of California pipelines (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada facing record gasoline prices (Nevada AP article)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
Breaking The Law (Sean Schmitt column, Battle Born News)
Fire-Fighting Flocks
Sheep assume fire-prevention duties (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
Clark County
Child Abuse
Children's protective services lacking: Expert finds local efforts lag area growth (Las Vegas Sun article)
The New Eldorado
Gambling on becoming rich: Boulder City residents sign land-sale petition despite odds (Las Vegas Sun article)
Trying To Make Ends Meet
Tom Gorman on when parents learn their missing daughter was a Vegas call girl (Las Vegas Sun column)
Washoe County
Going In Circles
Panel gets advice on roundabout planned for Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
White Pine County
Be Gone
"Chachas recently lost a lawsuit regarding unpaid utility bills when he failed to show up for the final hearing. City officials believe that under state law, the decision makes him ineligible to hold office."
Council to seek mayor's removal (Ely Times article)
$kindustry's Dark Side
Stomped His Face
"Ely ex-brothel owner, John Bloomberg, received a one to three year sentence Monday April 10 for beating an extremely intoxicated patron at the Stardust Ranch nearly two years ago."
Brothel owner gets prison time (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Clark County School District
School must come first: Essential services take precedence over quality of life issues in rural preservation districts (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Douglas County School District
No child should be left behind in Douglas (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Carson River
Brimming Release
Water released from Lahontan Reservoir to make way for snow melt: Residents cautioned to move animals, items from low-lying areas (Nevada Appeal* article)
Brunswick Reservoir: Have A Little Filth
"Residents are concerned about plans to move the water through their area using rapid-infiltration basins to allow treatment and disposal of the effluent, or wastewater. Nitrogen would also need to be removed, according to the city's water-reuse master plan update."
Water re-use plan for Carson River draws ire in community (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Lake Tahoe
"'When SNPLMA was originally passed, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that proceeds from land sales under the bill would be roughly $70 million per year; receipts will be 17 times that level in 2005,' the recent Department of the Interior Office of Management and Budget Program Assessment Rating Tool study reads. The 2006 Budget proposes to amend SNPLMA to redirect 70 percent of all receipts to the Treasury, where land sale receipts have historically been deposited."
Money gone? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Pyramid Lake
The treasure that is Pyramid Lake (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
The Sierra Nevada
Sierra snowpack, past and future (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Earth Day celebrated (Patricia Hickson column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
This space for sale: New survey shows Americans are worried about the environment - with good reason (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Dying Devils
Biologists worry as pupfish disappear from Death Valley (Nevada AP article)
Worried About Their Last Dime
Save the pupfish! Even if it takes every last dime of your money (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Fire-Swept Hills
"Because of fervent fire suppression in the 100 years after Tahoe's Comstock era in the mid-1800s, the forests around the lake are overgrown and overloaded with ground fuel, constituting what experts describe as a tinderbox."
Supervisor delves deeper into biomass for Tahoe (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Raids across U.S. 'a message': Immigrants, employers targeted (Las Vegas Sun article)
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Deadline nears to enroll in drug plan (Rep. Jim Gibbons column, Ely Times)
Fencing Off The Sky
Air Force plan to close air space near Ely to be discussed here (Ely Times article)
Federal Grants
Conservation Reserve Program
CRP deadline extended (Ely Times article)
Rumsfeld Reconsidered
Republican Fairy Tales (Desert Beacon Blog)
__________
Nevada Journalism
R-J owners unfazed by R-J editorials (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
==========================================
[10:20 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Nevada Democratic Party
Democratic convention: Party sees ballot of opportunities -- L.A. mayor tells delegates to start 'thinking big again' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"'The Republicans are handing us an election,' said U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas. 'Let us not blow it.'"
Democrats hold state convention (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Collins elected chairman (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Brian Greenspun on why we should be blaming Bush (Las Vegas Sun column)
State Republican Party
"I understand why the state party needs to embrace the president. He is, after all, a Republican. He is, after all, the president. And, after all, the state GOP is broke."
Jon Ralston on the awkward position in which Bush's visit puts the state GOP (Las Vegas Sun column)
2006 Ballot Petitions And Initiatives
Marijuana opponent missed the point on legalization initiative (Neal Levine column, Nevada Appeal*)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 26
Republican candidates campaign in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Entertainment Tax
How Tight Are Those Blinders? LVR-J's Defense Of $kindustry Exploiters
"Taxes are supposed to be the same for everyone. In a free country, those who invest wisely and make a lot of money are not supposed to be singled out for 'special extractions.'"
A truly entertaining tax: Strip clubs challenge levy (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
Canadian drugs OK'd in Nevada (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Pharmacy panel is courageous (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
A Thoughtful Analysis Of Community Action Problems
"Nevada's emphasis on individual freedoms spawns a parochial selfishness that encourages people to think that the only interests that matter are their own. We are all guilty of this in some form, for it is part of the air we breathe in the Silver State. This allows community issues to appear smaller, to seem to impact only a specific area. It is easy to look across the valley and say, 'What I see over there is someone else's problem.'"
Hal Rothman recalls a failed citizens' effort to prevent Red Rock Resort from ever taking root in Summerlin (Las Vegas Sun column)
State, Federal Government Not Getting Their Money's Worth
"The group called Fighting AIDS in our Community Today (FACT) is hoping to rebound from what, by any measure, has been an awful three years."
ERIN NEFF: Simply a money pit (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Speculation-Fueled Gas Price Increases
Tired of high gas prices? Do something about it (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Local Government
Clark County
The New Eldorado
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Boulder City must persevere against growth pressures (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Ballpark Estimate
"Unable to pay as they go but itching to move forward, council members have found a solution to their budget problem: go into debt."
Circumventing voters (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Carson City School District
A new law and new food requirements (Nevada Appeal* article)
Soda's out, juice is in under new school nutrition policy (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Earth Day Recap
Reno’s Earth Day largest in state (Sparks Tribune article)
Helping Out Harvey
"The dog ate my homework"
SHERMAN FREDERICK: The birth of Nevada's newest town (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Tahoe Rim Trail
"From its 25th Anniversary to recently constructed trails, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) offers a variety of new experiences this summer."
Get your hiking shoes on, the TRT awaits you (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
If You Don't Vote, Your Opinion Makes Little Difference
Rational action needed: Useful immigration debate can be lost among emotional demonstrations and demands (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Republicans smear Harry Reid: Radio ad accuses Democrats of wanting to make being an illegal immigrant a felony (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Expect voter backlash against politicians supporting illegal immigrant amnesty (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)
Federal Tax Reform
Why is it so hard to find out how much you owe in taxes?
Hoping for a less taxing April in the future (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
I don't mind paying my fair share...how about the corporations doing the same? (cls post, Blue Lyon blog)
From Our Troops Overseas
"'When we got there, we found the kids would throw rocks at the helicopters, understandably because some of their parents hated us,' he said. 'So we threw candy back, and pretty soon they stopped throwing rocks. Most Afghans want to have peace.'"
Genoan describes life in Kandahar (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
California Gaming: No Problem
CALIFORNIA GAMING: TRIBES FLY HIGH: San Diego leads the charge that makes California hotbed for U.S. tribal gaming (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
California gaming not hurting LV (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
In California, gambling is all about the cards (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Whether To Promote Social Divisions
THOMAS MITCHELL: Crime coverage and racial issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
==========================================
[7:40 PM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
State Judiciary
Report: Nevada Legal System Ranked 37th In The Nation For Fairness
Best To Worst Legal Systems In America (Institute for Legal Reform website)
2006 Report Summary (pdf format)
2006 US Chambers of Commerce State Liability Systems Ranking Study (pdf format)
Local Government
Clark County
Charleston Station LLC
"Leave it to a casino company, a business built on numbers and how to manipulate them, to explain how 227 really is no more than 198. And win while doing it."
Critics: Tower's new math is not adding up (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Politics
State Democratic Party
Immigration sparks debate among Nevada Democrats (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Lake Mead
"A former biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, Timothy Gross, says he quit his job because a report on harmful chemicals being introduced into the lake has been suppressed. The USGS denies the accusation."
Playing politics with lake: Scientist says safety of drinking water takes a back seat to economic growth (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Arizona State official top choice for UNR post (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Living
Nevadans Aren't A Religious Bunch (Myrna the Minx column, Reno and Its Discontents blog)
==========================================
[9:00 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Mayor Missed Out On A Lot
"Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's decision to take a pass on challenging U.S. Sen. John Ensign means the deliriously happy mayor still won't know what it's like to go up against a hard-hitting political team with the resources to mount an ad campaign designed to humiliate, embarrass and destroy him as a candidate."
JANE ANN MORRISON: Mayor's choice to avoid senatorial fray robs Ensign team of easy prey (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Sen. Reid And Jack Carter
"In the face of such churlish behavior, behavior which stands in such stark contrast to the humble grandpa Reid has been playing on national TV lately, we should make some excuse for Reid. And we've got one. Harry Reid is something of an ass."
Harry Reid when he's at home (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Democrat raises $370,000 in race against Porter: Reid colleagues help former aide's campaign (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Senator Reid
"'Absolutely it hurts him at home,' said Eric Herzik, a UNR political scientist. 'He has to take up the cause of the most liberal wing of the party.'"
Home not so sweet: As Reid's power grows in D.C., his support slides in NV (Las Vegas Sun article)
State Democratic Party
Immigration debate divides Democrats during convention: Platform change removes word 'legal' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Proposed Robin Hood Petition To Tax Casinos, Lower Property Taxes
Activist unsure of petition to raise tax (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Politics And The Internet
"The image speaks louder than any words could: Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, a Democratic candidate for governor, is pictured next to a weather vane and an elephant's behind."
Democratic consultant scores with Web sites: Geary garners two awards for political advertising (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Prison Problems
"In the interest of safety, whatever disagreements exist between staff and management must be mended."
Prison rift saps controls (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Looking For Laundered Money In Las Vegas
Michigan probes owners of large cemetery company (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
Clark County
Offices Scattered All Over Town
Metro Police handcuffed by a lack of headquarters (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Clark County School District
School District Overpaid $5 Million; May Have To Write Off $1.6
District will pay the price for error (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Social Security fraud and illegals: Federal government has plenty of information on which to proceed (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Las Vegas resorts, restaurants prepare for immigration protest (Nevada AP article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Tribal Gambling
TRIBAL GAMBLING: LEAVING LAS VEGAS -- Casino employees find trade-offs with San Diego work (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Aztar Acquisition
Ameristar tells Aztar, 'Take it or leave it' (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Nevada's Past
A Transitional Figure
"Alderfer, 61, chief financial officer of Vestin Group and related companies, helped Howard Hughes buy a string of casinos and later helped Hughes' estate sell them along with other assets. He is one of the few living people who was intimately involved in the transformation of Las Vegas casinos from ventures run by organized crime bosses and eccentrics to modern corporations."
NEVADAN AT WORK: Exec helped LV transform from mobsters to corporations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
[7:30 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Bush stumps for Nevada congressman at Las Vegas Strip fundraiser (Nevada AP article)
Protesters gear up for Bush arrival in Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
2006 US Senate Race
Sen. Reid And Jack Carter
Something's Rotten In Nevada (Myrna the Minx column, Reno and Its Discontents blog)
2006 Local Races
Washoe County
District Court Elections
Another Reno lawyer files for vacant court seat (Nevada AP article)
Nevada Voting
Want Photo Identification For Voters
Beers/Tarkanian on ID requirements (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
Democratic Party's Identity Crisis
The Politics of Definition (Part 1 of a lengthy essay in The American Prospect)
2006 Politics In General
Daily Glean: Jim Gibbons "may" be in a campaign (Hugh Jackson, Las Vegas Gleaner)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
God Told Me Not To Fill Your Prescription
No Conscience Clause For Pharmacists (Don Nelson column, Nevada LIFE via Battle Born News)
Local Government
Washoe County
Developers See Green Light
"Our local business weekly recently reported that about 66,000 housing units are in the planning process in Northern Nevada. This includes 11,000 units in subdivisions with final map approval and 55,000 units with tentative approval."
A Pipeline Full of Proposals (Reno Realty Blog)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Churchill County School District
Mothers form anti-bullying group in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Washoe County School District
Reno youth who won court order is 2nd at state poetry finals (Nevada AP article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
DNC: Bush Flip-Flopped on Yucca Mountain, Owes Nevadans Answers (US Newswire article)
Immigration Reform
Blaming the Democrats (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News*)
From The US Congress
Reid Calls For The Senate To Address The Concerns Of The American People (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: The Senate Should Work On The Issues That Matter Most To Americans (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: Earth Day Is An Opportunity For Bush To Change Course (Sen. Reid Press Release)
American Victims Of Radioactive Fallout
Holocaust Denial? (TruckeeRiverLover Blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Pinnacle Entertainment raises offer for Aztar to $45 a share (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[10:50 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Porter Fundraiser
STRIP FUNDRAISER: Porter gets Bush boost -- President touts tax cuts, warns of terrorist threat (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"In just one lunch at The Venetian (wonder how the Culinary Union Local 226 feels about Porter these days?) Porter raised more money than Democratic challenger Tessa Hafen has in the first six weeks of her campaign."
Presidential visits and such (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Bush raises $400K for Slanker's candidate (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Bush takes no questions.
Inside the bubble: President Bush, White House press corps detached from the people who live everyday lives across the nation (Las Vegas Sun article)
Congressional District 2
ERIN NEFF: Derby has better shot than Titus (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 US Senate Race
Sen. Reid And Jack Carter
Another convention, another Reid faux pas (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
Union Endorsement
Public employees' union endorses Titus (Nevada Appeal* article)
Bailing Out
"'It's not about me leaving Jim Gibson's campaign. It's about a great opportunity I have to do something for DRI,' he said."
Former campaign spokesman for Jim Gibson to join Desert Research Institute as lobbyist (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 University Regents Races
University Chancellor Rogers Solicits Candidates To Run Against His Regent Bosses
"Rogers said he saw no conflict in encouraging others to run for regent seats, even though he reports to the board. He said he is not selecting the regents, just encouraging people who he thinks would do a good job."
Regent will face tough opposition in election (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"Defense attorneys for two former county commissioners accused of public corruption used the federal government's own employee Monday to try to undercut the testimony of the prosecution's star witness, Michael Galardi, who says he paid bribes to the commissioners to win favors for his business."
CORRUPTION CASE: Prosecutor disputes Galardi -- U.S. attorney contradicts testimony of key witness (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Under cross-examination by federal prosecutor Daniel Schiess, Bryan acknowledged he did not know the specific details of Kincaid-Chauncey's reported involvement in G-Sting. He did say that when Kincaid-Chauncey was indicted in late 2003, he was very surprised."
G-Sting: Former U.S. Senator Called to Testify (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
JOHN L. SMITH: Testimony of U.S. attorney adds comic twist to corruption trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
POLITICAL CORRUPTION TRIAL: Attorney enjoys show -- Ex-prosecutor predicts split jury verdict (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Medical Care Adhesion Contracts And Public Policy
"Arbitration agreements often saddle the consumer with the expense of the procedure but allow the doctor or contractor to choose the arbitrator. We hope the Nevada Legislature takes up this issue during its 2007 session and passes a law prohibiting pre-claim arbitration agreements."
Signing your rights away: Preserve access to courts for consumers, including those who are seeing doctors (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Treatment Of Sex Offenders
"He and others at the conference emphasized that the term "sex offender" carries connotations of pedophiles and rapists but includes men who expose themselves and young men who have been caught having consensual sex with minor girlfriends. He said 95 percent of the people who commit sex crimes are never charged or arrested."
Therapist promotes sex offender program: Nevada lawmaker questions practicality of approach (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
Soaring Property Values Keep Local Government Revenue Up
Property tax cap not pinching budgets of local cities (Las Vegas Sun article)
Churchill County
Transfers Of Development Rights
"The intent behind TDRs is for developers to buy development rights from existing agricultural land, known as sending sites, and transfer those rights to areas in the northwest area of the county where water and sewer systems are being built, known as receiving sites."
Input sought in development rights process (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Playing The Variance
Resort planned for Lee Canyon rouses residents (Las Vegas Sun article)
Child Abuse Non-Profit
New agency to target child abuse in Clark County (Las Vegas Sun article)
Centralized Police Facility
"The need for new police and jail facilities is as great as was the need for a new county building 13 years ago. That was constructed without undue strain on taxpayers, and we believe the same would be true for these facilities."
Tackling the space crunch: City and county are right in seeing the need for a new jail and new police headquarters (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Washoe County
Local Infrastructure Already Overtaxed As More Development Looms
"The Sparks Boulevard project is a prime example of efforts to lessen congestion as explosive growth puts more cars on the road. The road currently serves some 15,000 vehicles per day, an amount expected to double by 2020."
RTC starts on $50 million in 2006 road projects (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
State Board Of Education
What Barbara Myers Wants to Do on Her Summer Vacation (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Stop the Myers’ Junket to Opryland (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Carson City School District
Don't Give The Kids Food; Just Tell Them What They Can't Eat
"Fremont Elementary School administrators found no credence in the state's wellness policy that well-fed students produce eager minds. All they found was a mess in the cafeteria."
Weighing the decision on state's wellness policy: Fremont officials asking for time to schedule before-lunch recess (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nutrition policy good idea, but shouldn't be forced (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Clark County School District
Teacher Housing Subsidies
"At the very least, the city should insist that the school district create stricter qualifications, including commitments to teach for the district for at least five years. Otherwise, these few lucky teachers, like this taxpayer money, might be gone by next year."
Housing allowances for Las Vegas teachers: A lucky few in line for free money (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Elko County School District
Benefit Buyouts
Retirement buyouts on school board agenda (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Split rights, economic issues (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Peaceful May Day march set: Elko event supports immigration reform (Elko Free Press article)
Federal Lands
Conditions Of Use
Lands panel talks about OHVs (Elko Free Press article)
Travel limited on Spruce Mt. (Elko Free Press article)
Reform Energy Legislation
"The bill now in place was crafted by Vice President Dick Cheney. It reflects his loyalty to oil and gas corporations that are receiving generous federal subsidies while racking up staggering profits."
2005 energy bill is obsolete: Oil profits are way up, largely because energy bill does nothing to reduce consumption (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
"Gaming observers said the bidders may be nearing a point of overpaying for Aztar, which operates a Las Vegas casino, a resort in Atlantic City and three smaller casinos in Laughlin, Missouri and Indiana."
DEALS ON THE STRIP: Bidding war for Aztar flares again -- Pinnacle boosts offer for Tropicana parent by $2 a share (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sports Betting
"No, it's the principle of the thing - as if we in Nevada agree that prohibiting gambling on a particular sporting event somehow represents a step in the direction of a more refined society, and away from those less civilized days of yore."
Jeff Haney on why it was a bad call to play into the NBA's hands and ban wagering on the game, related events: All-Star deal is a sucker's bet (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada's Past
Railroad History
Public to be offered look at latest V&T developments: Chinese Workers Museum and Destination Nevada plans open for review Wednesday (Nevada Appeal* article)
State's Ranching Heritage
Office looking to honor the role of Nevada's family ranches (Nevada Appeal* article)
He Wore Two Hats At Once
Lawyer holds unique claim in Nevada's legal history: Christensen was district attorney, public defender at same time (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
[7:35 PM]
_____
Another Nevadan Killed In Fighting Overseas
AFGHANISTAN CASUALTY: Former Nevada Guard soldier killed -- Captain, 43, was serving with Kentucky Guard (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Sharron Angle To Announce 5-point Plan for National Fiscal Responsibility: Reveals that "Tax Freedom Day" is taking longer each year to commemorate (Angle For Congress Campaign announcement)
Angle unveils tax plan (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Sharron Angle announces plan to battle PORK (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
Congressional District 3
Text Of The President's Speech
President Attends Jon Porter for Congress Luncheon (White House Press Release)
2006 US Senate Race
Jack Carter at the Democratic State Convention (Sarah Carter Blog, Carter Nevada 2006)
2006 Local Elections
City Of Fernley
City election to feature contests for Mayor, pair of Council seats (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
In Praise Of Sen. Reid
Reid is the power behind Nevada's wants and needs (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
G-Sting: Attorney Calls Himself as a Witness (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The High Costs Of Health Care
Are profits the healthcare problem? (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Local Government
Clark County
High Land Prices And Sprawl
Homeowner affordability fuels suburbs (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Lyon County
Paying The Price Of Rapid Development
"Discussion of Lyon County’s fiscal year 2006-07 budget revision last Thursday ended with the County voting 4-1 in favor of requesting the maximum allowable tax increase under the cap."
County plays tax increase card (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Lyon unemployment rate ranks as state’s highest: High unemployment, job growth equal growing pains (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Municipal Monopolies
City to renegotiate franchise agreement with Waste Management (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
D & S Waste seeks county support to obtain BLM land: Local firm looking to expand, handle white metal, recycling and ‘C & D’ waste (Mason Valley News article)
Fernley
City Council denies bank’s request: Bank of America’s special use permit for current location expires in December of this year (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Silver Springs
DA’s Office reviewing letter protesting SSGID action (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Yerington
City PlanCom OKs industrial subdivision tentative map: Special use permit hearing for bottling plant postponed to next meeting (Mason Valley News article)
Washoe County
Failure Of The Imagination
"'My understanding is it is more aesthetically pleasing as a parking lot,' Harvey said."
Liberty Belle owners to get $1 million; building will be demolished (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV on cutting edge of alternative-fuel vehicles: Hydrogen-powered truck is first step to developing viable gas alternative (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Public Schools
Lyon County School District
School Trustees OK hirings for Fernley school (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Fight Brewing Over Decrepit, Leaking 100-Year Old Truckee Canal
"The Fernley Mayor claims the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is opposed to the City of Fernley receiving upstream storage and is asking the city to abandon the Truckee Canal."
Fernley Mayor, City Attorney travel to nation’s Capitol: To meet with Interior Secretary regarding upstream storage (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Water Rights Hearings
Hearing on water rights appropriations slated for May 3 (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Congressional Hearings
“'With the way this Project has been managed, we can never be confident that we’re dealing with ‘sound’ science,' Porter stated after the hearing. 'I’d like to say Project officials addressed my concerns about quality assurance failures and examples of mismanagement raised in the updated GAO report, but unfortunately, I’m left even more concerned for the safety of Nevadans.”
Porter Examines GAO Report At Yucca Mountain Hearing -- Highlights mismanagement and quality assurance failures, questions DOE response (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Ensign Offers Testimony On Yucca Mountain Hearing (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Yucca Mountain: DOE's Planned Nuclear Waste Repository Faces Quality Assurance and Management Challenges, by James E. Wells, Jr., director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, House Committee on Government Reform (Government Accountability Office - pdf format)
No Prosecution For Fake & Fudge Memos
No criminal charges in Yucca Mountain e-mail controversy (Nevada AP article)
Investigations of Allegations Involving False Statements and False Claims at the Yucca Mountain Project (OIG Case No. I05LV002) (pdf format - 292KB)
Soaring Fuel Prices
"Today, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin sent the following letter to President Bush, urging him to help ease the pain Americans are experiencing at the gas station by putting aside the energy policies he allowed oil companies to write and joining Democrats in their continuing efforts to stop price gouging, rein in gratuitous subsidies to Big Oil, and make America energy independent."
Democrats Call On Bush For Real Help For Americans, Not Big Oil (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Aztar bidding war narrows to Pinnacle, Columbia Sussex (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Comparison Shopping
A tale of two Strip casinos: Buyers wooing Tropicana, but Riviera has been in a holding pattern (Las Vegas Business Press article)
==========================================
[9:35 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Time Running Out
Jon Ralston wonders what surprises await Nevada as politicians and would-be politicians begin filing for elected office on Monday morning (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Schiess asked Wright why he did not record the conversation with Kincaid, following the same line of questioning Wright has repeatedly posed to FBI agents who testified about their interviews with the defendants."
POLITICAL CORRUPTION TRIAL: Attorney calls himself to testify -- Defense questions testimony of Kincaid-Chauncey's son (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"If everything goes her way, you'll spend more time in morning traffic than Kenny will spend in prison."
JOHN L. SMITH: Liz Renay's vice pales in comparison to today's sleaze (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Office Of The Secretary Of State
Heller names new chief deputy (Nevada Appeal* article)
State Pay Increases
Money for state pay increases approved (Nevada Appeal* article)
The Judicial Power
"In 2001, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Washoe County District Court could take over the court clerk's office, which is listed in the state constitution as a responsibility of the elected county clerk."
District Court to take over office: Clerk says operation should stay with county (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
"The chief judge said the disagreement stems from the fact that the county clerk's office, as it is now structured, is part of the executive branch and has needs that compete with those of the court."
County clerk's duties may shift: Judges accused of power grab (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Fortunate Mr. Walters
"If the taxing agencies reduce the value of the properties by several million dollars, as property owners have requested, the tax savings could amount to more than $100,000."
State told to reassess Walters developments: Supreme Court says wrong figures used (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
The Problems Of Northern Nevada
"The consulting firm, AngelouEconomics, reduced the data down to five critical issues: a lack of diverse and high wage jobs, lack of a young and professional work force, low number of college graduates, the rising cost of living and unaffordable housing and the strain on infrastructure and natural resources."
Steering committee discusses region's economic future and strategy (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
The Latest Development Scheme
Study of sports arena potential to be unveiled (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The New Eldorado
Money overcomes no-growth spirit: Desert tortoise could block a jackpot for Boulder City residents (Las Vegas Sun article)
Taxicab Regulations
"Balaban's business was among 13 valley cab companies cited Monday by the Taxicab Authority after cabs assigned solely to Las Vegas Convention Center pickups instead went elsewhere trolling for fares in February."
PASSENGER PICKUPS: Taxi rules cause rift in industry -- Some question efficiency of restricting cabs to areas (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Metro Strength
LV police won't reach staffing goals despite sales tax increase: Department looks to '07 to have new officers trained and on the street (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Help For Young Parents
A welcome new service: A center for helping families cope with the stress of young children launches Thursday (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Washoe County
Ballardini Ranch
Citizens Cool Their Heels While Commissioners Haggle In Secrecy
"After more than four hours Tuesday, half the time in closed-door negotiations, Washoe County commissioners voted 4-1 for a resolution to sell $35.1 million in bonds to purchase the Ballardini Ranch in a condemnation lawsuit."
Commissioners vote to buy Ballardini Ranch (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
More Poor County Planning: No Parking At Justice Center
Courtroom drama is outside (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Nashville Bound
Activist questions proposed trip to legislative conference (Nevada Appeal* article)
One Got Wasted And The Other's A Waste
Two wasted lives renew passion for teaching (Jennifer Locke column, Nevada Appeal*)
Carson City School District
Utility Hikes Hurt Everyone
Carson schools cut repairs to pay for rising energy costs (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Road To Wellsville
Trustees OK nutrition policy: State wellness policy will take effect July 1 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County School District
Return To Basics
School Board to consider returning to more rigorous grading standards (Las Vegas Sun article)
Power To The Pupils
Principals picked for program: Four to lead initial Empowerment Schools (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Washoe County School District
Trustees postpone mandatory summer school vote (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Health Insurance
"An estimated 36 percent of uninsured adults in Nevada are unable to get care."
Many in state left without health care (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Government Monopolies Jeopardize Patients
"There is a pervasive politicized process in Nevada that obstructs the dissemination of ideal patient care. Our company has been threatened with litigation by EMS authorities if we serve patients in their county."
Your Turn: Politics get in the way of services (Nathan Giesbrecht column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Bird Flu Preparations
County prepares for bird flu: In a pandemic, expect little help from feds (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement Matters
Capital Punishment
A Man Who Knows How To Kill Should Learn How To Die
Punishment or torture? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
"When will the next non-white, poor, uneducated, mentally-ill "volunteer" sentenced by an unconstitutional process have his turn for Nevada-style justice?"
Execution is embarrassing for Nevadans (Richard L. Siegel column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Forgotten Victims
Victim awareness walk draws more than 200 (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Lake Mead
Scientist's alarming charge: Allegations that a public water-quality study is being covered up need public airing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Tahoe Tree Poisoner
"The wrong was in changing rules in the middle of the game. There is no fairness in that. Set a fair fine and stick to it."
Decide on fine and stick to it (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Yucca e-mails bring no charges: U.S. attorney's office says criminal intent cannot be proved (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Homeland Security Funding
A spot on the hit list: LV seeks inclusion for anti-terrorism funding (Las Vegas Sun article)
Immigration Reform
IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL: Bush boosts immigration bill -- President meets with Reid, other senators on proposal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Emergency Spending Bill In Congress
Highlighting spending abuses: Will Republicans actually step forward? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Federal Campaign Finance Reform
'First Amendment-protected' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Home Means Nevada
MGM Mirage, casino to partner: Joint ventures to follow agreement with Foxwoods (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
[5:50 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Angle unveils federal tax relief plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Governor's Race
Sinatra stumping for Hunt (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Coordinated attack goes largely unnoticed (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 26
"The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has spotlighted the University of Nevada here in Reno as having an “illegal and immoral “free speech zone” policy”, on its campus."
Free Speech Under Quarantine at UNR (Richard Disney column, Battle Born News)
2006 Local Races
Douglas County
Brady wants to keep seat on county commission (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
State Democratic Party
Democrats go a-door knocking (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
"The Blogads survey found that the typical blog reader is a 41-50 year-old male who makes $60,000 a year, and who participates as an activist out in the real world."
Demographics of Democratic Blog Activists (MyDD Direct Democracy Blog, lead courtesy of Sarah Carter Blog)
Nevada Qualities
"Should we really buy the idea that people on one side of a county line are intrinsically different than on the other side? Do we really need one more way to divide us?"
When politicians sort us all out they'll find our values are similar (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
G-Sting: Jurors Could Hear Galardi's Plea Deal (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Sales Tax Haul Up 15.13 Percent Over Last Year; State Taxable Sales Were $3.6 Billion
Taxation Revenue Statistics - February 2006 (State Department of Taxation Press Release)
Nevada sales up 11.4 percent in February (Nevada AP article)
The Fortunate Mr. Walters
State told to reassess Las Vegas developer's golf courses (Nevada AP article)
From The Office Of The Governor
Governor Proclaims May As National Foster Care Month (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Local Government
Clark County
Latest Development To Get A Fix
A study with a predetermined outcome (Vegas Pundit website)
Nye County
Cop Contempt Case Dismissed
"Visiting Justice of the Peace Dawn Haviland last week found the case against Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo of willfully ignoring orders of the justice court full of reasonable doubt and dismissed the charges in a courtroom packed with spectators."
DeMeo cleared in justice court hearing (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Town Of Pahrump
"Two separate subdivision development agreements came before the town board on April 11. The first proposal passed easily."
Town board battles for open space fees (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
The Cooperative Monopoly Of Nye County
"At Valley Electric Association's annual meeting Saturday, members voted down 21 bylaw changes proposed by the association's board of directors."
Off the Meter: Consumers have say in raucous annual meeting (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Mustang Prairie
How to keep Nevada's wild horses sustained (Willis Lamm column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Reid, Ensign Say Investigation Shows Yucca Mountain Is Unsafe (Sen. Reid Press Release)
No Charges in Falsified Nuclear Waste Data (New York Times article)
Immigration Reform
Businesses close to protest immigration issues: Hispanics organize first worker protest (Nevada AP article)
From The US Congress
Alternative Energy
Gibbons to Hold Hearing in Nevada: Hearing Will Address Today’s Urgent Need for Alternative Energy Production (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Education
Ensign urges American Gains in Math and Science Education (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Democrats Announce Legislation To Help Lower Gas Prices (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Fight To Protect Americans From Gas Price Gouging (Sen. Reid Press Release)
National Defense
Reid: Senate Republicans Cut $2 Billion For Our Troops (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Demand Real Security At America's Ports (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Equal Pay Day
Reid Statement On Equal Pay Day (Sen. Reid Press Release)
==========================================
[9:45 AM]
_____
Another Nevada Soldier Dead In Overseas Fighting
Nevada soldier among three killed in Iraq bombing (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Congressional Derby: No Democrat has ever won Nevada’s northern congressional seat. Is this the year for it? (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Latest Republican Primary Polls
CD 2 Race Heating Up (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Congressional District 3
Second Democrat files in congressional race (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Porter's hot money (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 US Senate Race
Jack Carter to stump in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Nevada Leadership PACs
Nevada Leadership PAC Rundown (Reno and Its Discontents Blog)
2006 Governor's Race
"Beers said his priorities for the state of Nevada rank K-12 education first, public safely second, higher education third and social services and welfare as fourth. He said basic education is something government can provide as a way to break the poverty cycle."
Gubernatorial candidate Bob Beers stumps in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Goodman for governor (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 4
Attorney to run for Allen's Assembly seat (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Republican vs. Sort-of Republican (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Willis announces he's running for judge (Nevada Appeal* article)
On Running For Office
"In some ways politics has become a rich man’s game, and reforms will be needed to level the playing field if government is truly to remain accessible to all."
More political choices good for democracy (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"The focus of the legal debate centered on how "honest-services fraud" will be explained in the jury instructions."
Closing arguments to begin Monday: Judge needs time to consider jury instructions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Club dancers' reputations also on trial in corruption case (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Judicial Power And The Clark County Clerk
Judges' support less than stated: Hardcastle's takeover plan draws some doubt, criticism (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Officials Deny Commercial Exploitation Plans For Convicted Felon State Park
Status quo at state park (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Government Fundraisers
The concept of collaborative fundraising is explained (Kellie Cutler column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Clark County
Latest Development Scheme
MODERN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER: Officials: LV needs new arena -- Task force also to evaluate future of an aging Thomas & Mack (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The New Eldorado
BOULDER CITY: Petition drive coasting -- Voters eager to sign land sale proposal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Condo Construction Craze And Local Artists
"The construction of condominiums in downtown Las Vegas is being welcomed by business owners in the growing Arts District - but creating anxiety among some artists who fear the loss of affordable housing."
Arts District divided: Residents in the tightknit community take sides over high-rise plan (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Subsidizing The Airport
City axes air traffic control from budget (Elko Free Press article)
Meth Suppression
Community vs. meth addiction: Sheriff seeks solutions in fighting drug problem (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe
Spring shows TRPA's commitment to Tahoe (John Singlaub column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Lyon County
Huge Rate Hikes Planned
Mound House residents upset over proposed Lyon water-rate hikes: Dayton water users face increase as well (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Dividing The Pie: Washoe County Land Grab
Public workshop will proceed as planned Monday (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Dividing The Pie: Funding Special Events
Events funding reviewed (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Downtown Parking Debacle
More parking is needed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Another Example Of Unnecessary Government Secrecy
"To hide behind a self-imposed gag order is unethical, irresponsible and contemptuous of the members of the public who allow these public officials to keep their jobs."
Gagging over secrecy (Reno News & Review editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Elko School District
Board rejects buyouts (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Fallon Leukemia Clusters
Arsenic and Tungsten
Mouse study findings key in Fallon cancer cases, scientists say (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Bird Flu Pandemic Preparations
Washoe County officials to hold meetings on bird flu plans (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Helping Out Harvey
Award of the state (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Full disclosure on Yucca Mountain: Officials must provide more information on e-mail inquiry (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Nevada Test Site
Officials show off pit, offer assurances blast will be safe (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
Casinos, union announce plans for May 1 immigration boycott (Nevada AP article)
Homeland Security Funding
Report detailing terror targets discussed behind closed doors: Decision about releasing parts of assessment to be made later (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Officials weigh security, right to know (Las Vegas Sun article)
Latest US Supreme Court Decision
"When the government seizes a home to collect back taxes, how much effort must the state make to notify the owner?"
Home sweet home (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Jones v. Flowers (US Supreme Court website - pdf format)
Soaring Fuel Costs
Bush's words on gas fall flat: President's attempt to empathize with ordinary wage earners more political than sincere (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Finger-pointing won't cut gas price (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
The 'fix' for high gas prices (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Congressional Ethics Reform
House dilutes ethics reform: Bill should include strict disclosures and a permanent ban on privately funded travel (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Fencing Off The Sky
Air Force presents revised plan (Elko Free Press article)
Commercial Regulation
How bad is the regulatory environment? (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Internet Regulation
Update On Efforts To Kill Net Neutrality (Reno and Its Discontents Blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Keno
"It works like this: Players go to Fandango's keno desk and purchase PlayAway tickets with fixed denominations. They go home and log on to play the games. The player returns to the casino to pick up any earnings."
It's not online gambling, but it looks like it: Boston-based company creates the illusion of online gambling - and it's legal (Nevada Appeal* article)
Ups And Downs
Harrah's first quarter profit rises 75 percent (Nevada AP article)
MGM Mirage first-quarter profit rises on strong sales (Nevada AP article)
Boyd Gaming shares fall 5 percent despite profit rise (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[7:20 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Nevada Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Oh, and another thing ...: Bush's visit draws all-purpose protest (Las Vegas CityLife article)
2006 US Senator's Race
Ensign's hot money (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
State Legislative Races
State Senate - Raggio, Fellow State Senators Back One Of Their Own Accused Of Ethics Violations
Tiffany draws some big name support (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Assembly District 4
Las Vegas assemblywoman will face primary challenge (Nevada AP article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"The thing you have to remember about former Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera is this: He's a grifter, and grifters are always on the make."
The new Dario (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Death Of A Nevadan In Combat
Gibbons Statement on the Death of Nevadan, U.S. Army Corporal Shawn Thomas Lasswell Jr. (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Governor Mourns Loss of Nevada Soldier (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
The State's Foster Care System
Comeback kid: Foster care survivor -- Chris Brooks never really had a childhood. Now he hopes to reform the system to give other kids a chance (Las Vegas CityLife article)
New Equal Rights Administrator
Governor Appoints New Equal Rights Administrator (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Latest Decisions From The Nevada Supreme Court
Unnecessarily Prejudicial Evidence, Corpus Delicti Problem Require New Trial For Ex-Felon
Sex Offender Psych Reviews Subject To Open Meeting Law
Stockmeier v. State, Dep’t of Corrections
Related Story
Ruling: Nevada prison review panels subject to open meeting law (Nevada AP article)
Armed Robber Fails In Attempt To Challenge Exclusion Of Jurors On Racial Grounds
Successive Offers Of Judgment Extinguish Previous Offers
Albios v. Horizon Communities, Inc.
The Words "Shall Not" In Juvenile Certification Statute Are Ambiguous, Courts Retain Discretion To Certify Juvenile As Adult
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
State Democratic Party Plan For Education
Missing the point (Chip Moser column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Federal Nevada
Crackdown On Sex Offenders, Fugitives
“OPERATION FALCON II”: More Than 1,100 Sex Offender Arrests By U.S. Marshals’ (Department of Justice Press Release)
Operation Falcon II (US Marshals' Service Press Release)
More than 1,100 sex offenders caught in weeklong fugitive roundup (Nevada AP article)
Gibbons Commends Federal Arrest of Sex Offenders in Nevada: U.S. Department of Justice Arrests 35 in Southern Nevada (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Immigration Reform
Try entering Mexico illegally (George Knapp column, Las Vegs CityLife)
Emergency Spending Bill
Ensign Moves To Uphold Limit On Emergency Spending (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Reid: The Republican Big Oil Addiction Grows (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Call For An End To Big Oil's Tax Breaks (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Medicare Benefits
Democrats Call For A Real Drug Benefit That Serves Seniors (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Federal Tort Reform
Ensign Joins Physicians At Rally For Quick Passage Of Medical Liability Reform (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
War On Drugs
Drug war myths and facts (Randall G. Shelden column, Las Vegas CityLife)
The Environment
The 'Meathook' delusion (Kevin A. Greene column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Profits Way Up
Harrah's, MGM first quarter profits grow as mergers pay off (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[10:10 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Beers resurrects proposal to eliminate state fuel tax (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Beers calls for repeal of state gas tax (Nevada Appeal* article)
Beers calls for gas tax repeal (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 US Senate Race
Carter betting many Nevadans fed up with Washington (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
CD-2 Primary Money (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
2006 Legislative Races
What To Do With Nevada's Immense Tax Haul
Tax Rebate II from Carson City? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
2006 Local Races
Douglas County
Brady seeks to keep seat on Douglas commission (Nevada Appeal* article)
State Democratic Party
Early Primaries
Jon Ralston shows that the compelling pitch made by Nevada Democrats to bring an early presidential caucus to our state might not be all hype (Las Vegas Sun column)
17 Percent Of Registered Dems Read Them Once A Week Or More
DEMOCRATS AND BLOGS (Washington Monthly column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
$kindustry Buddies
JOHN L. SMITH: Pictures with strip club owner may come back to haunt politicians (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Honest Public Services
FLASHPOINT for Apr 28, 2006 (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Supervision Of An Industry With A Long History Of Abuses: Mortgage Brokers
USA Capital
"State law requires annual financial reviews of mortgage lenders, but he said he has been allowed to hire only seven examiners."
Most of lender's loans overdue: Companies with ties to executives got loans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Juvenile Justice System
"State detention programs do not offer substance abuse programs and at least 70 percent of juvenile offenders have drug and mental health problems, Voy said."
JUVENILE OFFENDERS: Judge seeks new facilities, longer terms -- Legislative subcommittee hears testimony about growing problem (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Foster Care System
Foster parents are heroes; we need more heroes (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Sex Offender Psych Evaluations
Court : Sex case must be public -- State to consider risk of recidivism (Las Vegas Sun article)
Supreme Court orders new rules for prison psychiatric hearings (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
What Carson Needs
More workers, better benefits needed in Carson City: Economic growth begins with listening, expert says (Nevada Appeal* article)
Park Needs Facelift
Developer says he's committed to improving Fuji Park (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Children's Programs
More fund-raising efforts need to target individuals (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Clark County
Developers' Campaign Contributions Questioned
"'I think there is an odor attached to this project,' said Henderson resident and developer Rich MacDonald, who faces competition from Crystal Ridge. 'They got a waiver when I didn't think you could get a waiver.'"
Henderson project irks neighbors down below (Las Vegas Sun article)
Latest Consumer Folly: Shiny New Rent-To-Own Car Wheels
The bling's the thing: Expensive wheels are latest must-have - for thieves, too (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Elko Prospers
Nevada sales on the rise; Elko’s up 11.7% (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Ballardini Ranch
"Avoiding a potentially bruising courtroom battle, Washoe County commissioners Thursday announced a tentative settlement with owners of the Ballardini Ranch that some say gives the county too little and the developers too much."
County OKs Ballardini settlement (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Ballardini ranch history (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reno Urban Renewal
Dust off Cordish plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Anti-Meth
Meth awareness meeting to be May 4 in Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Education
Churchill County School District
School impact fee approved (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County School District
Board sticks with Edison at six low-performing schools: Five-year contract extension worth $120 million wins approval (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"District officials said the decision, intended to bring consistency to how teachers grade their students, should temper criticism from those who say grade inflation is prominent in the school system."
Board votes to standardize grades: New system will bring consistency to how teachers grade students (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
School starting times to stay: Consultants will study issue further (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Washoe County School District
School trustees plead for financial help (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Looking For Protection Against Water Grabs By Government, Speculators
State hears ideas to protect water (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"Klein 'was in ads about Yucca Mountain long before any of the scientific information was in,' Loux said. 'He is entirely biased and completely subservient to the nuclear industry.'"
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION: Nominee backs repository -- Bush choice aided Nevada Initiative (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Test Site
Test blast linked to nuke weapons (Las Vegas Sun article)
Utah officials not confident public informed about Nevada test (Nevada AP article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Nevadans feeling gas pinch look for ways to conserve (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Alternative Energy Solutions
An Opponents Is Always Skeptical
Opponents skeptical about Gibbons' interest in renewable energy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Emergency Management
"There is no doubt that the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs a major overhaul."
No need to reinvent bureaucracy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Federal Tort Reform
"With Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., as their point man, Republicans are planning a new push for caps on jury awards and limits on how much personal injury lawyers can collect from medical malpractice lawsuits."
Ensign leads push for tort reform: Bill aims to control health care costs (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Carson Library
Library officials make effort to solve budget woes (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Tourism board awards $18,000 to local events (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada's Past
The California Trail
Following the trails of emigrants (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[11:15 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Caught in party politics: Carter must endure the occasional snub from Reid, who works with his opponent Ensign (Las Vegas Sun article)
Money Raised And Spent: US Senate Race (Open Secrets, Center for Responsive Politics website)
John Ensign's Campaign Contributions (Open Secrets, Center for Responsive Politics website)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 1
Money Raised And Spent: CD1 Race (Open Secrets, Center for Responsive Politics website)
Congressional District 2
Money Raised And Spent: 2006 CD2 Race (Open Secrets, Center for Responsive Politics website)
Derby to get national Democratic fundraising help (Nevada Appeal* article)
Congressional District 3
Money Raised And Spent: 2006 CD3 Race (Open Secrets, Center for Responsive Politics website)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 4
Assembly District 4 Shoot-Out at the GOP Corral (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
One, small unhappy family (Vegas Pundit website)
Assembly District 25
Political newcomer raises some dough (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Assembly District 39
Minority Leader Hettrick giving up seat in Assembly: Republican Garn Mabey has expressed interest in party leader post (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Hettrick calls it quits (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Elections Filing Time
Election filing period opens on Monday (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
An Excellent Overview
Nevada Focus: Corruption trial bares all in Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Demonstrations Against Immigration Reform Bill
"Members of the Culinary Union and the city's biggest hotel operators are cooperating on a planned pro-immigration rally Monday evening on Fremont Street."
Hotels, union opt for rally (In Business Las Vegas article)
DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS: Casinos push petition -- Gaming executives say signatures would mean more than boycott (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Bosses plan to get by without workers: Businesses adjust for Day Without Immigrants (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Boycott has made its point: Managers and union leaders are urging their immigrant workers to stay on the job Monday (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Wide range of Hispanic businesses plan to close (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Many Hispanic businesses to close Monday: March organizers want Carson City to see the unity of Hispanic community (Nevada Appeal* article)
"This is not just another labor march. Both sides of the issue are hardening their positions: The more the sanctimonious "America - love it or leave it" crowd has carried on about breaking the law, the more the immigrants, both legal and illegal, have been encouraged to see this as a fundamental issue of civil rights."
Get ready for Monday (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
"I am fed up to the full limit of my limited patience with this entire issue. I am mad, I am frustrated, I am confused. I am sick and tired of hearing of the plight of the illegal residents of this country."
Enough of this illegal immigrant broughaha (Nancy Dallas column, Battle Born News)
The National Anthem, In Spanish
Nevada delegation split on anthem (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Domestic Violence
"Despite a new annual report showing 25,000 incidents of domestic violence in Nevada, only 10 of 28 members showed up Friday for the spring meeting of the state Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence."
Domestic violence panel lacks quorum (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Juvenile Justice System
New facilities sought for errant Nevada youths (Nevada AP article)
Local Homeland Security Planning
Caution, openness urged on terror data (Las Vegas Sun article)
Live Entertainment Tax And Southern Nevada's $kindustry
"Authorities have a hypocritical and ironic aversion toward sex, he says, for they continually burden explicit venues, like strip clubs, while turning a blind eye to implicit ones, like those on the Strip."
Freedom of Speech For Strip Clubs? A look at the reasoning behind the taxing of nudie joints (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Local Government
Clark County
Clark County's Economy
Moody's upgrades county's bond rating: Ongoing corruption trial has not affected finances, official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
In Business Q and A: Jennifer Lewis, president of Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (In Business Las Vegas interview)
Real Estate and Development: Demand for retail centers outgrows short supply (In Business Las Vegas article)
Banking and Finance: Banks continue to bask in LV's strong economy (In Business Las Vegas article)
LV economy 'strong' despite numbers drop (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Latest Development Scheme
"A seven-member task force will examine whether Las Vegas needs a new, state-of-the-art special events center to ensure it remains the world's premiere (sic) event destination well into the 21st century."
Jon Ralston on Politics: Duck and cover (In Business Las Vegas column)
Charity Case
"A criminal case involving a Clark County firefighter accused of stealing cash meant for Hurricane Katrina victims is shedding some light on the operations of the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation."
JANE ANN MORRISON: As case unfolds, burn foundation looks deserving of scrutiny, too (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Condo Craze
A Condo in the Arts District? Artists don't want a tower in their community (Las Vegas Weekly article)
City Of Henderson
HORIZON RIDGE: Developer has high hopes -- 29-story tower planned in Henderson (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Carlin may raise room tax rate (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe
70 Percent Of South Shore's Homes Now Owned By People Who Don't Live There
In comparing ski towns, Tahoe lags (Jeremy Evans column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Promoting North Shore
"Escapists - that's the target audience for a new campaign in the works to market the Lake Tahoe's North Shore."
'N is for north' (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nye County
Extraordinary Proceedings At The Pahrump Town Board
Boys gone wild: Hospital Ambulance Contract Question, Town Attorney Replaced, Manager Skates (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
Washoe panel criticized for tentative Ballardini Ranch deal (Nevada AP article)
"Not only will we recover lost revenue due to slow pace of play, this system will also offer a place for advertising space and menu access to our food and beverage operation."
Trustees approve $250k GPS system for golf course (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza* article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Search For UNLV President
Candidates for UNLV president cut to four (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Search For UNR President
UNR president candidate not sure he'd take job (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
TMCC Sexual Harassment Case
Settlement deal closes TMCC harassment suit (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
New Baseball Stadium at WNCC
College builds field of dreams (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Grade inflation: Consistent grading scale won't burst district's GPA bubble (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Washoe County School District
Schools face tough fight for new funds (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Study: Nevada Ranked 47th Best State for Doctor Discipline
Nevada board of medical examiners: Disciplinary actions increase -- Agency still ranks among nation's worst in revoking or suspending doctors' licenses (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Study shows fall in disciplinary actions by Nevada medical board (Nevada AP article)
Open For Business
What A Desert View: Hospital is open! (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Union Skeptical
Health Care: Union skeptical of Wal-Mart's health care (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
State Improperly Eased Water Quality Restrictions
High court upholds Nevada mining decision (Nevada AP article)
Pupfish
Pupfish outlook grim, but it is not hopeless (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pelicans
Pelicans take a rest on Tahoe (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Tree Poisoner
Tree poisoner says he's sorry (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Wild Horses
Fish Springs wild horses find home thanks to local advocates (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Supply And Demand
Nevada gold production dips; but value soars (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Don't Know How Much But They Want It
Sierra Pacific determining rate hike amount (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Profits Up
Sierra Pacific earns $1.2 million in first quarter (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
No crimes at Yucca? No charges in falsified data case involving proposed nuke dump raise doubt about probe (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Nye/Yucca audit 'glowing'; Hammermeister resigns (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Utah leaders rally against proposed nuclear waste storage site (Nevada AP article)
Nevada Test Site
Utah legislator remains opposed to blast at test site: Democrat suspects link to nuclear plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
National Budget
Tax and spend versus borrow and spend - GOP hypocrisy (Jack Wood column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Minimum Wage
"But it's been almost 10 long years since Congress, the people we elect to represent us, has touched the minimum wage rate of $5.15 an hour."
Poverty sucks (Montie Pierce column, Lahontan Valley News*)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Aztar soap opera to be continued next week (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Columbia Sussex raises bid for Aztar Corp. (Nevada AP article)
Speculation stirs stock rise: Analyst sees greater gaming sector interest (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Good Bye And Good Luck: An Unfortunate Departure
One last rant before I ride into the sunset (Pahrump Valley Times editorial)
__________
Nevada Culture
Douglas County Display
School displays slavery-related artifacts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Tonopah's Place In History
"When the ground shook during the great San Francisco earthquake 100 years ago, as of April 18, the shockwaves didn't just rattle the homes of residents in neighboring Nevada."
Tonopah helped rebuild San Francisco (Pahrump Valley Times article)
"The Belvada Building is soaked in history."
Landmark Tonopah hotel gets new life (Pahrump Valley Times article)
==========================================
[12:20 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Brian Greenspun wonders why Jon Porter would embrace Nevada enemy (Las Vegas Sun column)
2006 Governor's Race
Dealing With The Dissatisfied
Gibbons' critics seize on report: They say record shows Republican is hostile to environment (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Sen. Beers' Gas Tax Proposal
Not ready to suspend gas tax (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
"Even as one gubernatorial candidate wants to repeal the state's gasoline tax - the state's largest source of road-construction funds - a task force is searching for more than $4.5 billion in new revenue to finance large road projects, mostly in Clark County."
Highway construction needs another $4.5 billion (Las Vegas Sun article)
2006 Elections: Time To File Candidacy
Election filing begins Monday (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
___________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Highly Recommended Reading
Jon Ralston considers some possible instructions for G-Sting jurors (Las Vegas Sun column)
A Good Overview
BRIBERY TRIAL RECAP (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Related Story Of $kindustry Corruption And Violence
Strip club deal near -- Sources: Crazy Horse Too settlement puts Rizzolo in prison (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Clark County Bar And The Judiciary
How Clark County Attorneys Rank Local Judges In The 37th Fairest Legal System In The US
Judging the Judges (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: Survey indicates high court has bounced back from controversy -- At least 70 percent of lawyers recommend that each justice be retained (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: Three Supreme Court seats up for election -- Nine local judges also face voters this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: Scores suggest satisfaction with most local JPs -- Bixler captures highest rating at 94 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: In municipal courts, some swim and some sink -- Brown receives strong support, but some colleagues fare feebly (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: Evaluations run the gamut -- Judges with survey's highest, lowest scores both work in Family Court (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: The Field of 64 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JUDGING THE JUDGES: About The Survey (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Mortgage Brokers: State Regulation Of An Infamously Abusive Industry
Underperforming Loans, False Reports
"Before Allison's appointment, USA Capital filed monthly reports with the Mortgage Lending Division, falsely showing that all of its borrowers were making timely loan payments."
Turnaround pro calls for patience at USA Capital: Interim chief restructuring officer aims to right lender (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The Public, Sex Offenders, And The Law
"The state Supreme Court didn't directly address the constitutional issues inherent in keeping a man locked up based on allegations that were never even introduced during his criminal trial."
Prisoners and open meetings: Case of sex offender denied release raises obvious constitutional issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Nevada's Economic Infrastructure
Sunday Economic Questions (Desert Beacon blog)
Neither Diligent Nor Open
ERIN NEFF: A pro boxing controversy that matters (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Local Government
Clark County
Just Because It's Not Ours Doesn't Keep Us From Taking It
"Apparently, the interest was deducted monthly from the trust account that included Moldon's condemnation settlement and transferred to the county general fund, a practice set forth in state law."
Eminent Domain: Fight moves from city to county -- Man seeking interest on $725,000 settlement placed in trust with court (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
NRS 355.210 Investment of money deposited in court: When permitted; authorized investments
Latest Development Scheme
Goodbye to the Thomas & Mack? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
"While the government officials say that the task force will decide whether a new arena is needed, the fact sheet makes it clear that they already believe one is needed."
Thinking about a new arena: Task force to see if a new center is needed that could draw a major-league team (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Recommended Reading On Local Government Contracting Practices
Construction bid prompts look at process (Las Vegas Sun article)
Trying To Sort It Out
Arbitrators tackle lawsuit over firing of original veterans home contractor (Las Vegas Sun article)
Washoe County
Well Worth Considering
Anti-Development Candidates (TruckeeRiverLover blog)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Search For University Presidents
"It's Vegas, baby."
UNLV candidates overshadow UNR's (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
"Ultimately, we need to expect more out of our students and in turn expect that teachers are giving them the grade they truly deserve. Grades are no place for charity."
Aiming at grade inflation: School Board passes new policy to set strict numerical scales for earning grades (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Washoe County School District
"The Nevada Legislature no longer can ignore the Washoe County School District's plea for help in meeting the need for new schools."
School district needs help (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Water Authority urges vigilance over irrigation clocks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Test Site is once again making noise: June detonation draws wide attention (Las Vegas Sun article)
Immigration Reform
Reaching the other side: U.S.-Mexico border town becomes staging area for illegal immigrants (Las Vegas Sun article)
Health Care Reform
Generic drugs in jeopardy: Side deals made between brand-name drug manufacturers and generic makers are good for their bottom lines, but force consumers to pay more for their prescriptions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Government Records And Government Secrecy
The 4th Complaint to King George (Desert Beacon blog)
__________
Nevada's Past
TRIP OF THE WEEK: Clark County Museum takes visitors back in time with displays (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
_____
Above All That
"President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution."
Bush challenges hundreds of laws: President cites powers of his office (Boston Globe article)
==========================================
[6:55 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Candidacy Filing Begins
Bob Stupak To Run For Lieutenant Governor; Don Chairez For AG
Filing day surprises (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Nevada candidates rush to file for office (Nevada AP article)
Candidates to begin filing for election today (Nevada Appeal* article)
Carson candidates can officially declare campaign intentions (Nevada Appeal* article)
"Over the next two weeks we will learn who will step forward to lead us over the next two to four years."
It's time to step up to the plate and file (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
2006 Election: Candidates begin filing (Elko Free Press article)
Candidates can file to run in elections (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Candidate filings make campaigns official (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Out And About With Politicos As Things Begin To Heat Up (Nevada Observer article)
2006 Governor's Race
Beers happy being on right: Candidate targets taxes, spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Singer Greenwood blesses Hunt candidacy: Country artist supports Republican lieutenant governor's gubernatorial bid in radio commercial (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"'The main reason we are not doing as well as we should is that we have failed to make education a real priority and have failed to fund it adequately,' Titus said."
Titus outlines educational plan in governor's contest (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Real Education Reform (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
2006 Lieutenant Governor's Race
Our choice for Lt. Gube (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Opposing Tax Initiatives Create Constitutional Questions (Nevada Observer article)
2006 Local Races
Elko County
Two file to challenge Elko County sheriff (Elko Free Press article)
Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws
Nevada Politics: The Dossier Expands -- A Major Difference Between Federal And Nevada Election Finance Law (Nevada Observer article)
2006 Voter Registration
Republicans Continue To Hold Thin Edge In Statewide Registration (Nevada Observer article)
State Democratic Party
"It's time to work together. Forget the wedge issues, the votes staged to create campaign ammunition and all the other tricks of the trade. Democrats (and Republicans) need to look for compromises that include their foes and those independents in the middle, creating balanced policies that serve everyone."
New rule for Democrats: Don't repeat GOP mistakes (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
Dems Hold State Platform Convention Amid Confusion Over Immigration (Nevada Observer article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Anti-Immigration Reform Demonstrations
Northern Nevada
Thousands Rally Against Immigration Reform (KOLO-TV report)
Protests prove peaceful, police continue to patrol evening march (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Immigration Rally: Local Hispanics protest reform bill (Elko Free Press article)
Thousands march in Reno to protest proposed immigration reform (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Area Hispanics gather for protest rally (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Schools uncertain of marches' impact (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Southern Nevada
Thousands Take to Las Vegas Streets for Rally (KLAS-TV report)
Local organizers expect big turnout: Rallies scheduled for this morning, evening (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Las Vegas casinos say workers showing up on day of boycott (Las Vegas Sun article)
Hotel-Culinary teamwork might stave off walkout (Las Vegas Sun article)
Hispanic stores closing: Immigrants hear conflicting May Day messages (Las Vegas Sun article)
Opinion
"The president of a militia group formed to try to stop people from illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico is encouraging the work stoppage and boycott planned for today."
Minuteman chief backs boycott: Simcox addresses party convention (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Congress must take action in the coming weeks, not after the election. It must approve a rational program that controls the border, that provides a path for legalizing the status of those who've done nothing more than work hard here (not "amnesty") and an incentive for illegals to follow that path."
Time for Congress to act (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Cops Operating As Federal Law Enforcement? And Guess Who Gets To Pay For This Piece Of Non-Thinking? (Nevada Observer editorial)
Should we be thinking beyond our borders? (Desert Beacon blog)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Closings begin in bribery trial of former Clark County lawmakers (Nevada AP article)
G-Sting: Defense Rests, Prosecution Presents Closing Arguments (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Sales Taxes
Sales Tax Collection Remains High For First Eight Months Of fiscal Year 2006 (Nevada Observer article)
Employment Rosy
Nevada's Employment Picture Rosy According To State Employment Agency (Nevada Observer article)
Local Government
Local Governments Getting Interest On Court Judgments
"Whatever the intention of the statute, as it is being applied to Mr. Moldon it amounts to nothing less than state-sanctioned thievery."
State-sanctioned thievery (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Clark County
Latest Development Scheme
Ron Kantowski wonders what has changed between now and basketball season that has made the Thomas & Mack Center obsolete as a viable venue for sporting events (Las Vegas Sun column)
Condo Craze
Many stalled in race to the sky: Most of Vegas' high-rise proposals unlikely to advance (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lack Of Liquor Stores
Liquor stores don't have much of a shot: Scarcity attributed to valley's grocery stores, slot bars (Las Vegas Sun article)
North Las Vegas And The Americans With Disabilities Act
NLV on track for meeting ADA rules: Thousands to be spent on fixing dozens of violations (Las Vegas Sun article)
Plight Of The Homeless
Sheriff defends officers in actions against homeless (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Jarbidge on county agenda (Elko Free Press article)
Storey County
New Report Praises Storey
"It ranks Storey County first in an eight-state region in both teen involvement and educational opportunity, second in being an "engaged" community and third in family support among 61 counties of its size."
Storey County rates as kid-friendly (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County
Ballardini suit finally settled (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe Commission Finally Makes Decision On Ballardini Ranch: The Decision Gives Away All But 115 Acres Of What Was To Be Parkland (Nevada Observer article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Search For UNLV President
"Candidates who are uncomfortable being part of a talent search that complies with the law have no business landing the job anyway."
The search for UNLV's next leader: Calls to close future processes should be ignored (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Search For UNR President
Search panel recommends ASU Provost Glick for UNR president (Nevada AP article)
Other Matters
UNR professor realizes love's labour: Scholar spending year co-editing Shakespeare's plays (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Public Schools
Churchill County School District
District finds way to meet mandate regarding local Hispanic students (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Sierra Pacific rate increases finalized (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Renewable Resources Abound In Nevada But Ignored By Sierra Pacific (Nevada Observer article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Mental Health And Suicide In Nevada
"Nevada has the third-highest suicide rate in the country at 19.4 suicides per 100,000 people, according to the American Association of Suicidology."
Struggling with suicide (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Planning For A Pandemic
Planning crucial to dealing with flu (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Missives Fly As More Join The Anti-Yucca Mountain Tumult (Nevada Observer article)
Two Independent Federal Investigations Blast DOE (State of Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects website - pdf format)
Slide Presentation to the Nevada Commission on Nuclear Projects Las Vegas meeting April 26, 2006 RE: Global Nuclear Energy Partnership--What is it? How does it relate to Yucca Mountain? (State of Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects website - pdf format)
Letter to Sen Domenici and Sen Bingaman RE: to express our concern over S. 2589, The Nuclear Fuel Management and Disposal Act (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance - pdf format)
Telecommunications Reform
Portion Of Telecom Reform Bill Modeled After Ensign Legislation (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
The Nation's Economy
Ensign: Numbers Show Continuing Economic Health (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
__________
Nevada Mining
Gold: A Look At Then And Now And Why The Big Surge In Price (Nevada Observer article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
IGT v. Ballys
Reno-based slot maker sues rival over patent infringement (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Relics Of A Bygone Age
Forgotten details uncovered in historic home: Couple uses newspapers and directories to track history of home (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[7:55 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Candidate Filings
Stupak, former girlfriend in race: One-time casino executive among 112 filing for county, state offices on first day (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Several major candidates kick off first day of filing (Nevada Appeal* article)
Why wait? Most incumbents file on first day (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Governor's Race
The Gubernatorial Debate Debate (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Taking odds on whether Augustine files (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 32
Marvel vs Weber: Could go down as ugliest Republican primary in 2006 (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Tatro files for re-election to justice court (Nevada Appeal* article)
A1 city - filed breakout 5-2 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Douglas County
Tradition allows for early filing by longest-serving in Douglas (Nevada Appeal* article)
Elko County
Lehmann files for sheriff’s office (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Candidates filing in Lyon County (Nevada Appeal* article)
Storey County
Carson City prosecutor running in Storey County (Nevada Appeal* article)
Storey County candidate filings (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Candidate Filing Information (Washoe County website)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Political Corruption: The Galardi Investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
G-Sting: Prosecutors Finish Closing Statements (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
"'She was trying to deceive you that she just doesn't get it, she's not all there, she's grandma,' Schiess said. 'She understood what he meant.'"
Prosecutors turn to intercepted calls: Attorney uses tapes in wrap-up against Kincaid-Chauncey (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Immigration Reform Demonstrations
Northern Nevada
Immigration march ends peacefully (Elko Free Press article)
Walkout affected garbage service, schools (Elko Free Press article)
5,000+ rally in Reno; American Indians, religious leaders join in (Nevada AP article)
Shouting match between opponents at Reno rally (Nevada AP article)
Southern Nevada
DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS: Thousands march on Strip -- Crowd stuns tourists, snarls traffic along resort corridor (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Stores report day without shoppers: Other businesses say absenteeism slowed output (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Strip tourists, casino officials have a mostly quiet day: On day of protests, boycotts, workers at resorts show up (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Illegal immigrant appreciates protest, even though he couldn't afford to join it (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
A reason to change places: Jobless immigrants not impressed by work stoppage (Las Vegas Sun article)
Las Vegas casinos report no disruptions on day of boycott (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Economy
Nevada's Financial Institutions (Nevada Business Journal article)
MINING OUTLOOK: What Are Nevada's Prospects? (Nevada Business Journal article)
Building for Government (Nevada Business Journal article)
Marketing Professionals (Nevada Business Journal article)
Land Prices Plunging? Don't Believe Everything You Read (Nevada Business Journal article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
PUMPED UP: Gasoline cost clears $3 mark -- Average price per gallon sets another record (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Disciplining Doctors
Doctor discipline statistics: Is Nevada really that bad? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Land sales to federal government will preserve open space (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
City Hall
Las Vegas rethinks City Hall: New site considered near 61 acres (Las Vegas Sun article)
Government-Sponsored Monopolies
"Although the county allows residents to cancel waste collection if they shut down their utilities, part-time homeowners complain that the system is nothing more than a slightly veiled way to line the pockets of a private company."
Snowbirds buried in garbage bills they believe they shouldn't have to pay (Las Vegas Sun article)
Latest Developments
W Las Vegas unveils project details (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Southern Nevada's $kindustry
Vegas slimes a Southern California Sheriff and gets a well deserved black eye: Rizzolo becomes pal of a Sheriff with access to secret organized crime databases (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)
Washoe County
Ballardini Ranch Settlement Denounced As Sell-Out
Open-space proponents criticize deal over Reno ranch's fate (Nevada AP article)
Hunger
"Statistics show that more than 32,000 people in Washoe County need food assistance, many living below the poverty level."
Hunger in U.S. still a problem (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Spotlight On Reno
Area Focus: Reno! (Nevada Business Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV President Search
UNLV PRESIDENT SEARCH: One of four vying for post drops out -- Only minority candidate withdraws his name (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Candidate with ties to Rogers drops out of UNLV search (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Leaving Some Children Behind (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Around the World with Barbara Myers (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Carson City School District
Student absences rise Monday at Carson High: No way to tell if they were connected with protest (Nevada Appeal* article)
Carson schools eliminating junk food, soda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County School District
High school boasts four National Merit Scholars (Las Vegas Sun article)
Washoe County School District
Youth growing up activist (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
EPA vows to set mark: Radiation standard for Yucca expected by end of this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
Reid: Democrats Stand Ready To Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)
JOHN L. SMITH: Sides of immigration debate can unite on one thing: blaming politicians (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Democrats Demand A Real Commitment To Energy Independence (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Release Devastating Report On Bush Energy Policies (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Republicans Block Energy Independence Again (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Homeland Security
McCarran, other airports, slow to adopt 'Registered Traveler' (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Minimum Wage
A rise in the minimum wage won't solve anything (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Week)
From The US Congress
Reid: We Need Bipartisan Cooperation To Strengthen Social Security And Medicare (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid Statement On Cover The Uninsured Week (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Gibbons to Hold Town Hall Meetings in Lincoln County (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Gibbons Announces Staff Changes in Reno and Washington, D.C. Offices (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Aztar calls Columbia's $50 per share offer superior (Nevada AP article)
Another Neighborhood Casino That The Neighborhood Doesn't Want
Opposition builds against NLV casino: Petitions submitted to the city (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Empire Strikes Back
Harrah's putting muscle into Roman Empire: Selesner has high hopes Caesars Palace can regain its former standing (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Is It Legal?
"Although a new, online game platform deployed at six Northern Nevada casinos may look, walk and quack like Internet gambling, casino executives, regulators and the game makers themselves insist that it is anything but."
Casinos putting PlayAway through its paces (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Playing The Shill
Is this the best we can do? (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Week)
Scratching The Itch
Homo sapiens' urge to gamble goes back to the caveman (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Week)
__________
Nevada's Past
Preservation Awards
Nevadans awarded for historic preservation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The California Trail
California trail center bids sought (Elko Free Press article)
A Black Entrepreneur's Face
Historians now have face to put with the name of historic Virginia City saloon owner (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[9:30 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Candidate Filings
Regent has change of heart: Dondero files to run for Assembly seat, pulls out later in day (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Candidate filing slows on second day (Nevada AP article)
2006 US Senate Race
Carter wows bi-partisan Incline crowd (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Governor's Race
Governor front-runners Gibbons and Titus file papers (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Lieutenant Governor's Race
The master of overstatement returns (Vegas Pundit website)
2006 Local Races
Douglas County
Two races official on first filing day (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Washoe County
County seats up for grabs (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax Caps
Republicans grandstand on tax issues (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Education First
Fight over education initiative (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Something To Think About
Jon Ralston takes a look back at 1994 to gauge the possibility that the balance of power will shift after this year's November elections (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Defense: The Witnesses Are All Bought And Paid For
"Defense attorneys continued their closing arguments Tuesday, emphasizing that inferences gleaned from recorded phone calls combined with testimony from two witnesses who have questionable credibility are not enough to find their clients guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Hard proof lacking, defense attorneys say (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Defense lawyers deride word of witnesses in Vegas bribery trial (Nevada AP article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
May Day Demonstrations
DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS: Boycott's effects mixed -- Businesses looking ahead after taking protests in stride (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Organizers energized and ready to push ahead with agenda (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigrants celebrate 'this historic moment' (Las Vegas Sun article)
Las Vegas union says 40,000 signed immigration petition (Nevada AP article)
Incline Latinos in solidarity with protesters nationwide (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
"Does this now mean the mass of American citizens who have grown tired of being played by politicians and business interests on the immigration debate will take to the streets? Don't count on it. But a Day Without Taxpayers would sure get the attention of the people who write checks in Washington."
JOHN L. SMITH: Illegal immigrants show American citizens how to exercise rights (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Tired, poor, huddled masses (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Related Matters
The human side of 'illegals': Sun reporter travels to Mexican staging area, reports on the hardship and deprivation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Burning Hills
Officials brace for fire year: Invasive weeds provide fuels for what might be busy season (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Two-Legged Sharks
Greater Nevada part of anti-predatory-lending campaign (Nevada Appeal* article)
Failed Mortgage Broker Firm
Investors may bid for cash: Lawyers for investors in USA Capital may seek to free loan shares (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
USA Capital: Investors be patient (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
EDAWN Awards
Best businesses honored (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Fallon should be picky with new commerce (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Clark County
Downtown Races
DOWNTOWN: Council to hear race pitch -- Champ Car World Series requires upgraded streets (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Government-Sponsored Monopolies
No reprieve from trash cost: A break for seasonal residents on cost of garbage service would not be practical or fair (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The Housing Market
Mixed messages on housing: Statistics from Las Vegas may not be as strong as they appear, analyst says (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Strip Development
Group buys 63-acre plot near Las Vegas Strip for $201 million (Nevada AP article)
Douglas County
Proposed Carson-Douglas Alliance
An interesting idea in Carson (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article/editorial)
Lyon County
Got To Have More Money
Sales tax increase proposal going to County Commissioners (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
"Lyon County Utility Manager Mike Workman stressed that the area’s growth is not factored into the increases, new construction is funded through connection fees. He also said the increase would not pay for new equipment or infrastructure. 'The rate increase is a direct result of increased costs of operating the water and sewer system,' he said."
Consensus is utility rate increase is inevitable: Utility can’t continue to lose money (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
North Lyon
Fire District goes to 24 hour shifts (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Silver Springs Developments
Silver Springs SS Villages planned community map going to Commission Thursday (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Fernley Traffic Circle
Motorists to enter roundabout ‘education period’: Portion set to open on May 16 (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County
The Public Be Damned
"Tiptoeing around a lawsuit filed by citizens groups, the Regional Planning Commission will take another step next week toward considering plans to provide for 100 years of growth."
Regional Planning Commission looks to continue forward with growth plans (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe District Judge Publicly Scolds Elected Members Of Board: Regional Planning Board Told Stop Bullying The Planning Commission (Nevada Observer article)
County Flush With Cash
New spending plan could add 86 jobs to Washoe County's payroll (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
A Million Dollar Engine
Sheriff's office loses key helicopter (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Some Like It Dark
UNLV search is a question of privacy: Nevada's openness rules keep many from applying for president's job (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Washoe County School District
Mandatory summer school OK'd (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
The Average Of Extremes
"The rivers are rushing with water but there's more -- quite a lot more -- where it's coming from."
'DROUGHT-BUSTER' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
100 years of snow surveys marked: Sierra Nevada snowpack far above normal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement Matters
Illicit Drug Trafficking
Getting Higher
State meth use on the rise: Addiction rate in Nevada is higher than other states, yet federal help is diminishing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
140 pounds of marijuana and five pounds of meth
More than 100 arrests at Laughlin bike rally (Nevada AP article)
Down On Drugs
Seattle is a city with a permissive drug culture (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)
__________
Federal Nevada
Internet Regulation
Ensign attacks the Internets (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
You could be about three clicks away from saving a free internet (Desert Beacon blog)
Social Security Reform
Entitlement reform now (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
A Social Security bellyflop: Full steam toward insolvency, despite President Bush making it a campaign theme in 2000 (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Homeland Security And Emergency Management
Leadership during a crisis: FEMA needs more than a reorganization to repair its structure and its reputation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Above It All
Imperial presidency is alive: Bush, in signing bills, thwarts will of Congress with a little-known practice (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Rumsfeld Reconsidered
Let the generals be heard: Generals calling for Rumsfeld to step down may be invited to testify before key committee (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Federal Waste And Pork-barrel Projects
Senate votes to protect earmarks: Ensign among voices urging spending restraint (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Actually, a recent poll says reforming earmarks is the most important issue facing Congress. Expect lawmakers to respond by tarting up the process with some new rouge and eyeliner, thereafter arguing it's no longer a pig."
Porkfat reformers face uphill fight: Even modest lard-cutting meets full-court press (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Pinnacle wows Street, finds Aztar bid topped (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Riviera Sale
Riviera boss blasts speculation: Exec says no credible offers have arisen to rival Riv Acquisition Holdings' bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Death Of A Sheriff
BILL ROBERTS: 1906 slaying still echoes in Nye County (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Churchill County Museum
Museum raffle funds expansion (Lahontan Valley News* article)
==========================================
[7:25 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Carter on Target - Ensign off Mark (Desert Beacon blog)
Ensign Introduces Bill To Protect Patient Access To Health Care (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Jack Carter Criticizes Ensign Effort to Erode Health Insurance Coverage (Carter 2006 campaign website)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Dawn Gibbons dismisses campaign consultant (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Dawn Gibbons says she's not quitting (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Supreme Court Races
"Two Nevada Supreme Court justices filed for re-election today, while two Clark County judges have filed to run for seats on the state's highest court."
Judges file for state Supreme Court seats (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada Supreme Court candidates, others file (Nevada AP article)
2006 Legislative Races
Amodei, Grady and Goicoechea file (Nevada Appeal article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Carson City election filings (Nevada Appeal* article)
Storey County
Storey district attorney aiming for re-election (Nevada Appeal* article)
Other Candidate Filings
Independent American Party files list of 32 candidates: Other minor parties wishing to qualify for ballot access have until July 7 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Birds Of A Feather Flock Together
The Freebie Faction: Sen. Raggio Fundraiser For Embattled Sen. Tiffany To Be Held At The Restaurant And Golf Club Of The Fortunate Mr. Walters
Bill, I mean Sandra, we love you (Vegas Pundit website)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
G-Sting: Jury Deliberations Begin (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
Political Corruption: The Galardi Investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* updates)
Jury begins deliberations in Las Vegas political corruption trial (Nevada AP article)
Corruption scandal makes a jaded Las Vegas blush (Nevada AP article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
May Day Demonstrations
Causes
"There are a lot of employers out there breaking the law who were exposed by the walkouts around the nation. They've become dependent on paying cheap wages, and we would probably never have known how common they were had not Monday's protests drawn attention to them."
Rallies sent a different message than intended (Nevada Appeal* article)
Mexican government real villain in debate on immigration (Catarino Angel Escobar Chavez column, Nevada Appeal*)
Effects
Shutdowns
Surprise Immigration March Closes Down Strip (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times blog)
Firings
Two fired, accused of intimidating co-workers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reprisals: Never Mind Your Pride, Where Are My Tacos?
Carson City simmers after immigrants' rally: Business owner posts her own message to the vandals who marred her bakery (Nevada Appeal* article)
Peaceful boycott angers customers (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Emergency Planning
Earthquake Report: A whole lot of shaking going on ... maybe (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Local Government
Clark County
Las Vegas Passes Resolution Opposing The Patriot Act (KLAS-TV report)
Las Vegas airport tops 4 million passengers in one month (Nevada AP article)
Washoe County
Ballardini Ranch Sellout
Tar and Feathers on MayDay (Andy Barbano column, Barbwire)
Reno Scores High As Mid-Range Market
Inc. Magazine ranks Reno #5 for biz (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNR prof who figured how to predict runoff from snowpack honored (Nevada AP article)
Public Schools
House Passes Porter Resolution Honoring Charter Schools (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Elementary school absences increased Monday: Student absences doubled at two elementary schools (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Yucca e-mails: No blood, no foul (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nevada Test Site
Berkley stands up; guess who doesn't? (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Congressional Lobby Reform
The Bush Congress Chooses Campaign Cash Over Lobbying Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Gibbons Supports Increased Lobbying Accountability: Nevada Lawmaker Supports Full Disclosure and Transparency (Rep. Gibson Press Release)
Porter and Gibbons staunchly in favor of "Righteous Platitudes" (Desert Beacon blog)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Democrats Fight To Ease Ripple Effect Of High Gas Prices (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Tax Reform
Reid: The Bush Tax Plan Leaves The Middle Class Behind (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Preparing For A Pandemic
Reid Statement On The White House Pandemic Flu Plan (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Teen Pregnancies
Reid And Clinton: New Teen Pregnancy Stats Show The Need To Put Prevention First (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
Nevada Mining
Nevada remains top gold producer in United States (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Beatty takes aim at Brownfields grant: Shuttered Barrick Bullfrog Mine could site solar energy project; Bondo's pond at issue (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Ameristar pulls out of bidding war for Aztar (Nevada AP article)
Profits And Losses
Wynn Resorts narrows first-quarter loss (Nevada AP article)
Wireless Gambling
Wireless gambling company gets endorsement from Nevada regulators (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Amargosa Days party shows the quirkier side of the West (Pahrump Valley Times article)
==========================================
[10:05 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Oiling the campaign: Two candidates for governor use a congressional hearing to scrap over energy policy (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
2006 Supreme Court Races
Saitta, Steel battle tradition in quest for high court (Las Vegas Sun article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Initiative To Legalize Marijuana
ERIN NEFF: 'Drugs are bad, mm'kay?' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 Local Elections
Elko County
Judge faces challenge (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Candidate Filings
State candidates filing (Nevada Appeal* article)
Candidates Who Filed For Office On Wednesday (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sagebrush Gothic
Political odd-fellows: In Nevada, voters choose from a cast of characters (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
BRIBERY TRIAL: Jury gets corruption case -- Taped phone calls can be reviewed during deliberations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Kincaid-Chauncey was believable because it's appallingly clear she didn't think it was wrong to ask for money or favors from people who had business before the county commission, despite ethics laws that spell out that no-brainer is unethical."
JANE ANN MORRISON: History will echo with chorus of catcalls against ex-commissioners (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Allegations Against Clark County Recorder Frances Deane
"A grand jury investigative subpoena has been served on the Clark County Recorder's office as part of the continuing investigation into County Recorder Fran Deane and whether she abused her office for financial gain."
Grand jury serves recorder's office with subpoena: Investigative tool used to glean more records (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Cinco De Mayo Celebrations
Cinco de Mayo: Parade kicks off festival Saturday (Elko Free Press article)
Sharing cultures focus of Cinco de Mayo celebration (Nevada Appeal article)
Festival to be held in Sparks this weekend (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Will current events color this year's celebration? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Recent Demonstrations
Backlash to protests hits lawmakers like a brick (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Demonstrations took toll on police, sheriff says: Authorities calculating costs for extra duty of keeping watch on immigration marches (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State's Failure To Properly Supervise Mortgage Lenders
Failed Mortgage Broker: "This Is Not A Pretty Case"
"The key owners of USA Capital, a $950 million private lender that is in bankruptcy, owe $57 million to their company for an unsecured loan they received four years ago, interim managers of the company said Wednesday."
Owners of lender owe $57 million to company (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Family Planning
State should provide funds for family planning (Karen HRuby column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Supreme Court Won't Reconsider
High court rules hospital wage decision was valid (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Recreation Center
Centennial picked as alternative site for rec center (Nevada Appeal* article)
With Centennial picked, push for real rec center site (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
The New Fandango
Fandango unveils $60 million expansion (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fandango plans 184 homes in hills west of South Carson City: $60 M, 40-acre project includes a hotel along South Carson Street; expansion of casino (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Agency Head Resigns In Wake Of Child Abuse Deaths Investigation
Director of troubled Family Services resigns: Exit comes as agency addresses review of child deaths (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Dealing With Other People's Developments
Dipping into the future for roads: Boulder City eyes faster traffic relief (Las Vegas Sun article)
One Little Problem: Paying For It
Horse park has 'money issue': The proposed project needs millions to get started (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Taxes
Local entities set tentative tax rates (Elko Free Press article)
Utilities
Spring Creek utility sold to Hydro Star (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Plan: Truckee Meadows Residents Will Have To Subsidize Developers' Profits
"By 2016, Eco:Logic, which did the study, expects the region to exhaust about 20,000 acre-feet in existing water supplies because of the rapid growth over the past few years. That water had been expected to last through 2025."
$1 billion cost for new water (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
"One thing is clear--the cost. Local water purveyors hired a consulting firm that calculated we'll need over a billion dollars to supply water for new growth over 30 years. Developers insist that you and I should pay for it."
The Great Terrain Robbery (Bob Fulkerson column, Reno News & Review)
"A petition drive filed Wednesday seeks a Reno ballot measure that, if successful, would force new casinos outside of downtown, near the airport or convention center to help retire debt for downtown redevelopment projects."
Petition drive seeks help to retire downtown debt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Paying Too Much For Too Little: The Ballardini Ranch Sellout
"In the end, plenty of open space will be "preserved," and the free-market investors get a reasonable chance to develop their holdings at a profit. Sounds like a pretty good deal."
Washoe settles land-grab case: Threat of eminent domain leads to deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Blames Society
"Our ignorance about geography, and history and science, isn't a teacher's fault, a principal's fault, a school board's fault. It's society's fault."
Where in the world...? (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
No Follow-Through
"Protesters who objected to paying for a member of the Nevada State Board of Education to attend a conference in Nashville, Tenn., skipped a meeting last week, allowing the trip to be approved."
'Junket' approved after protesters are no-shows (Nevada Appeal* article)
This One's Not For You
Drink makers agree to stop soda sales to public schools (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Churchill County School District
Trustee says new attendance policy not effective (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Truckee River
It's a living river, not a water park (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Truckee And Carson Rivers
Keep your children out of the canals (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
"Ballots are cast by water users in each of the seven districts. Water users must own at least five acres of water rights to be eligible to vote and must reside in the district which they vote on. Overvold said water users get as many votes as the number of acres of water rights they own."
TCID holds board elections, approves new operations plan (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"A survey of 600 Southern Nevada residents conducted in February by a Clark County consultant found that 71 percent would vote against the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project if they had a chance to, according to a statement Wednesday from county planners."
Survey suggests opposition (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: Senators reserve judgment on nominee -- Ensign, Reid not yet commenting on Klein (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Test Site
Nevada opposition remains to huge test detonation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Congressional Lobby Reform
"But as his votes this week prove, when it comes time to put his mouth where our money is, Sen. Reid is out back oinking it up in the slop with the rest of the congressional swine."
This little piggy (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Federal Lands
Western Watersheds, BLM lock horns again (Elko Free Press article)
Patriot Act
Council opposes parts of Patriot Act: 'Symbolic' move applauded by state ACLU (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Internet Gambling
Panel approves ban on Web wagering: Proposal would update 1961 federal statute (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Reconsidering Rumsfeld
Generals who questioned orders should have spoken (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
Above All That
Bush's Unlaws (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
==========================================
[6:30 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Beer's Gas Tax Proposal
And another thing... (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
The State Republican Party
First, The President's Unpopularity, And Now This
Rumbles in the GOP Jungle (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
Going to the dogs (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Bad people and the people who love them (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Strippergate Goes to the Jury (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
United front: Locals came out by the thousands for peaceful and impressive immigrant rallies on May 1 (Las Vegas CityLife article)
What about the other immigrants? (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Clark County School District
Fun And (Supervisory) Games At School
The boy scout incident (Chip Moser column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Federal Nevada
On Foreign Battlefields
The long strange trip: Elliot Anderson went halfway around the world to fight terrorists. He returned with a mission and a surprising message (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Port Security
Gibbons Votes to Improve Port Security: Legislation Increases Domestic Security and Improves Prevention Strategies (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Porter Votes To Protect Nation's Ports (Rep. Porter Press Release)
A Loophole big enough to drive a bomb through, and other matters (Desert Beacon blog)
National Defense
Defense Bill Includes Nevada Projects (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Health Legislation
Ensign Speaks On Medical Liability Reform (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Democrats Demand Stem Cell Action During Republican "Health" Week (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: One Year Is Too Long To Wait For Stem Cell Research (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Government Spending
Ensign Bill Will Allow Public To Monitor Spending (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
==========================================
[10:00 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Education First
"Sen. Titus is certainly free to complain about the Education First initiative. But let's not forget it's on the ballot today thanks to Democratic lawmakers such as Sen. Titus."
Education First posturing (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
2006 Candidate Filings
Masto files for attorney general; Townsend for state Senate (Nevada Appeal* article)
Carpenter, Johnson file for state offices (Elko Free Press article)
Candidates Who Filed For Office On Thursday (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Local Elections
Elko County
Two incumbent commissioners seek re-election (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Jurors review tape of ex-commissioner: Kincaid-Chauncey talked about ordinance (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Rizzolo $kindustry Investigation
No Hint Of Any Further Political Corruption Probe
JOHN L. SMITH: Penalties for Rizzolo stripped further as settlement negotiations continue (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Demonstration Follow-Up
Organizers of march plan next steps: More immigration reform events in works (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The "Let's Make Things Worse" Element
"Nothing noble or productive would come from boycotting a cultural event or ethnic businesses ... just to show them how it feels. The idea implies unclear ideas about the role of peaceful protest in our history. It is ill-conceived and mean-spirited, and nothing good can come of it."
Forget boycott backlash (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
MAIL-IN ORDERS: Prescription plan approved -- Four Canadian pharmacies get go-ahead (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Commendably Frugal . . .
Only two new jobs to be added to city operations: Property tax increase on new construction could begin July 1 (Nevada Appeal* article)
And Prudent
Supervisors want nonprofits to show accountability (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Fixing The Gerrymander
"Clark County wants to get rid of the dragon's neck and the finger. But in doing so, it might wind up with three hammerheads."
County hopes to redraw districts to reflect voters: Commissioners seek to fix the politically motivated boundaries in place now (Las Vegas Sun article)
A Yes For This Development . . .
"Despite concerns raised by a citizens advisory board, the Clark County Commission has given the go-ahead to a long-delayed construction project near the top of Mount Charleston."
County Commission allows Orcutt to move forward with home project (Las Vegas Sun article)
And A No For That.
High-rise project gets flat-out thumbs down: Henderson crowd hostile to Gibson Road proposal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Child Care Change
Child care enters new era: A respected expert takes over county department, but resources must be increased (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Why Admission Standards Are So Low: It Means More Money
"The state funds higher education based on student enrollment, and fewer students means less money."
UNLV may lose millions in funds: Money hinges on enrollment growth, projected to be slow (Las Vegas Sun article)
Thinking Concretely About The New UNR Library
"The 295,000-square-foot Knowledge Center will be the second-largest public project in state history, only 6,000 square-feet shy of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas library of 301,000 square-feet, UNR officials said."
Foundation of knowledge weighs in at 12 million pounds (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Schools
Nevada Ranked Worst Again
Report: Nevada last in nation in school technology use (Nevada AP article)
Technology Counts 2006: The Information Edge (Education Week Report)
Nevada Detailed Analysis (Education Week Report)
Clark County School District
DISCRIMINATION DISCUSSION: Schools face racism accusations -- Civil rights leaders contend discipline administered unevenly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said, 'What it really confirms is that the quality assurance program at Yucca Mountain is totally ineffective. But until we learn more about why no criminal charges have been filed as a result of this e-mail scandal, the story remains incomplete.'"
Criminal charges won't be filed in Yucca e-mail scandal: Prosecutors: Evidence of criminal acts lacking (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Top Mormon church leaders oppose waste repository in Utah (Nevada AP article)
Nevada Test Site
Bomb testing valley's patience: Action growing over huge explosion -- Public meetings to address concerns on health, environment (Las Vegas Sun article)
Congressional Lobby Reform
"If the House prevails in allowing lobbyists to continue their wanton gift-giving, expect more scandals and more laws skewed toward special interests."
Let the freebies roll: Ethics bill passed by House does not strike at the heart of scandals and skewed legislation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Federal Tort Reform
Ensign presses tort reform legislation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Gold Mining
Barrick income triples (Elko Free Press article)
==========================================
[10:30 PM]
_____
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
GUILTY
"Mark this day, readers. It's the day that Las Vegas — and Las Vegans — came to terms with corruption, looked it squarely in the eye, and said "no more." It's the day the people continued a campaign begun at the ballot box to claim legitimacy, honor and honesty in public life. And they did it with a single word, repeated over and over. Guilty."
G-sting: They're guilty (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
"Both were found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud and extortion tied to charges that they accepted cash bribes and other services from former strip club owner Michael Galardi of Las Vegas. The former officials each face up to 45 years in prison."
Former commissioners found guilty in corruption trial (Las Vegas Sun article)
Verdicts Reached in Las Vegas Operation G-Sting Trial (Brian Allen report, KLAS-TV)
Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey guilty (Las Vegas Review-Journal* update)
Former commissioners found guilty in Las Vegas corruption trial (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Dawn Gibbons files for husband's congressional seat (Nevada AP article)
2006 Candidate Filings
Candidates who have filed for office (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Local Elections
Washoe County
Sparks councilman Schmitt says he won't run for mayor (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
State Republican Party
Then Along Came John (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
God Told Me Not To Fill Your Prescription: State Bars Moral Judgments
Nevada rule on prescription refills gets final approval (Nevada AP article)
Crooked State Worked Convicted
Former NDOT Employee Sentenced For Misconduct, Grand Larceny & Embezzlement Charges (Nevada AG Press Release)
Nevada Commission of Police Officers Standards and Training
Chairman elected for police commission (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
Washoe County
Some Good Advice For Arrogant Local Officials
"Real citizens keep showing up and asking questions until they understand things. And any good city official will tell you they're usually the ones who ultimately make the difference in how things get better".
If I ran the zoo, I'd try to be a real citizen (Mark Curtis column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Glick named UNR president (Nevada AP article)
"Glick, the Arizona State University provost, is a defendant in a lawsuit over the firing of the ASU cancer center director, reported Thursday in the Wall Street Journal."
Suit against Glick won't interfere with decision for next head of UNR (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Another Water Moloch In The Making?
Officials agree to establish new regional water authority (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Preparing For A Pandemic
Agencies monitor for bird flu in Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Hospitals And Unions
Unionista Goes Postal in Hospital Zone (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born News)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Fire Season Starts Early
Wildfire burning in Mormon Mountains of southern Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Just As Fire Season Begins
BLM considers closing Minden Fire Tanker base (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Federal Nevada
From Foreign Battlefields
Nev. Air Nat'l Guard returns from Iraq (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada Test Site
Lawyer says date postponed for mushroom cloud explosion in Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Congressional Health Care Reforms
Reid Calls For Real Solutions To America's Health Care Crisis (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Ensign gets a used toy for the campaign season? (Desert Beacon blog)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Democrats Outline Immediate Actions For President Bush To Lower Gas Prices (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Immigration Reform
Reid: On Cinco De Mayo, Democrats Celebrate Latino Contributions To The Nation (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: America Needs Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Not Criminalization (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Weighing In On The Immigration Debate (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
CIA Director Resigns
Reid Statement On The Resignation Of Porter Goss (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Who's buying cell phone records online? Cops: Net sellers tell Congress they supply law enforcement officials with call lists (MSNBC News article)
Feds' Watch List Eats Its Own (Wired News article)
Everyone Wants to 'Own' Your PC (Wired News article)
Contractor Pensions
Democrats Urge Energy Secretary To Change Course On Contractor Pensions (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Pinnacle leads bidding war for casino operator (Nevada AP article)
How much is too much? (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
==========================================
[4:15 PM]
_____
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"Take a deep breath, Las Vegas. It's a new day, and the air is slightly less foul."
JOHN L. SMITH: Jury in corruption case provides breath of fresh air just by doing its duty (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
"'Elected officials are no more above the law' than regular citizens, Bogden said. 'Their purpose is promoting the public good. A violation of that strikes to the very foundation of our government.'"
POLITICAL CORRUPTION TRIAL: CONVICTED -- Sentencing scheduled for Aug. 21; appeals anticipated (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"We hope that the convictions will serve as a warning to other elected officials about what can happen to them, too, if they betray the public trust. It also should be remembered that the convictions demonstrate that no one - including a member of arguably the most powerful government board in the state - is above the law."
Emphatic guilty verdicts: Former County Commissioners Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey guilty in corruption trial (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Former commissioners found guilty in corruption trial (Las Vegas Sun article)
"Michael Galardi's testimony was the key factor in a jury's decision to convict two former county commissioners on public corruption charges, a juror in the trial said Friday."
Juror says Galardi's testimony led to consensus: Kenny also deemed credible (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"'Crooked politicians are getting clever,' Walton said. 'You can't prosecute dishonest government if you use a standard of proof that they've learned to get around.'"
Reactions of trial watchers run gamut: Some see justice, others saddened (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Weeds among the flowers: Image of integrity wilts -- Reputation falls by wayside amid withering evidence (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"After the verdicts were read Friday, he clasped the hand of his wife and, with his jaw clenched, walked through the horde of reporters he used to try to charm."
Steep fall into disgrace: Rising star burns out fast -- Charm fails to keep 'poster boy' from self-inflicted harm (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
At Cheetah's, verdicts stir mixture of mirth, scorn (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"'I think there's a very strong anti-politician sentiment in our culture today, and it's very difficult to overcome,' he said."
Lawyer: Trial 'rehearsal' for upcoming Malone case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District2
"A poll conducted last month by Peter Hart showed her defeating Angle and Heller in the primary."
Dawn Gibbons files for husband's congressional seat: Republican sees no problems with handling duties as first lady with work in U.S. House (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Governor's Race
Gibson files for governor: Dawn Gibbons files for Congress (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
City's senior civil deputy district attorney files for top post (Nevada Appeal* article)
Second candidate files for Carson district attorney race (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 State Politics
Jon Ralston has end-of-the-week nuggets about bizarre behavior, Republican infighting and Democratic literacy (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
More State Worker Theft Alleged
"The investigation of Randy Potts began after he filed claims seeking $1,757 in reimbursement for expenses incurred attending a homeland security conference on cyber-security issues in Denver."
Nevada's head of cyber-security charged with embezzlement (Nevada Appeal* article)
God Told Me Not To Fill Your Prescription
Pharmacy asked to withhold judgment: Morals not grounds for refusal, state says (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nevada Tourism
Adventure race promoters eager to show off Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Adventure reality show highlights Nevada's hidden treasures (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Fandango Hills Development
Southside development requires major scrutiny (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Churchill County
Fallon Wants Money
City looks to raise water, electric and sanitation rates (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
The New Eldorado
Initiative could make millionaires of everyone in Nevada city (Nevada AP article)
Nye County
County Business
Lawyers compete for public defender deal (Pahrump Valley Times article)
An Age Of Transition
'Interim' in front of Nye job titles (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Amargosa Valley
"'It's totally irresponsible we're allowing this to occur,' Cox said by videoconference from Pahrump. 'If we don't put something in place we're going to have tons of applications and 20 years from now people are going to blame us for letting this happen.'"
Amargosa ripe for exploitation: County Commission opens the door for land developers to circumvent subdivision laws (Pahrump Valley Times article)
The Circle Game
NDOT official gets earful on roundabout plan for 160 (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pahrump's Problems
County meetings scheduled for budget, growth in Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Town board meets (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Time for Pahrump to declare independence (Laurayne Murray column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Washoe County
Property Tax Protestors Win Another Court Battle
"Griffin wrote, 'there is no consistent regulation or procedure established by the county to ensure that the assessment of real property is not solely subjective guess work.'"
Incline tax protesters win another time in Carson court (Nevada Appeal* article)
Ballardini Ranch Sellout
"Only those present last week at the closed-door meeting between county commissioners and their attorney, at which a majority apparently indicated they'd approve the agreement, know why commission chairman Bob Larkin capitulated on all issues involved in the long-standing controversy and most commissioners went along."
Ranch is lost opportunity (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
White Pine County
City Of Ely
City hall workers taunt mayor with ‘camera' spoof (Ely Times article)
Goicoechea flays council for balking at franchise fee (Ely Times article)
Ely called a new boomtown (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNR gets 'populist elitist': New president to help improve research (Las Vegas Sun article)
Glick gets 4-year deal to lead UNR (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Schools
It's Not Good For You
Soda gets failing grade: Beverage industry, responding to pressure, agrees to not sell soda in public schools (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Churchill County School District
So far, few file for school board seats (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Board trustee: Neighborhood schools are a 'hot topic' (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Nye County School District
Amargosa teacher accused of bigotry (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Pandemic Preparation
Avian flu discussed (Pahrump Valley Times article)
County works on pandemic planning (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Medicare Deadline Looms
Seniors face Medicare deadline (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Energy Matters
"Ponderosa Dairies in Amargosa Valley has a cooperative agreement with Bioenergy Solutions Inc. of Las Vegas to operate an anaerobic digester, turning the dairy's cow flops into kilowatts and cutting down on odors and flies in the process."
At Ponderosa Dairies -- Plan: Turn waste into electricity (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nuclear Test Site
"There is growing concern about the impact from the blast, which is believed to be the largest open-air chemical explosion ever to be conducted at the Test Site, the home to atomic tests until 1992."
Let's hear straight talk: Defense Department to hold town hall meetings about huge explosion at Test Site (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Federal Tort Reform
It's Not Protectionism; It's "Reform"
Federal tort reform: For Democrats, it's all about protecting lawyers (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Journalism
An Interesting Approach
The Importance of Being Earnest: A graphic nonfiction article (Reno News & Review story)
__________
Nevada's Past
Unearthing The Dead
Pioneer graves excavated in PV (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Northern Nevada Railway
Museum Update (Mark S. Bassett column, Ely Times)
==========================================
[10:30 AM]
_____
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"Justice was served Friday by the verdict in the federal trial of two former Clark County commissioners -- but the stain on the body politic won't fade for years."
Corruption trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Pair might get sent to stay at 'Club Fed' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Something To Think About
"This case sets the baseline for corruption and few people, not just the hectoring masses, think nothing worse has occurred or is occurring. The message the feds want sent here is that this is the beginning, not the end."
Jon Ralston on Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey convictions showing how far we have to go (Las Vegas Sun column)
Rizzolo $kindustry Investigation
Liberal Plea Bargain Offers May Dispose Of Case
"The Crazy Horse Too investigation, which in recent years focused on allegations of violence, tax evasion, money laundering, and prostitution at the club, began a decade ago and kicked around law enforcement offices for years without much interest shown."
JOHN L. SMITH: Government offers Rizzolo a sweet deal he shouldn't refuse (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Local Races
Elko County
Bingaman, Nethery seek Carlin JP seat (Elko Free Press article)
Assessor Aguirre seeks another term (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
First day of election filings draws 16 candidates: Number stood at 19 as of midday Wednesday (Mason Valley News article)
Infra-Party Strife
ERIN NEFF: Infighting among Democrats, Republicans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Ignorance Of The US Constitution A Serious Problem In American Society
The Problem Starts With The Schools
"The lack of understanding of our founding principles is widespread and can even be found on the editorial boards of some newspapers."
THOMAS MITCHELL: 'If only we understand them correctly' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
A Related Subject
"The First Amendment is alive and well, but in order for it to be more than just a piece of paper, it requires all of us to be vigilant and stand forthright for freedom of speech when bullies - no matter how high their position in government - try to squelch dissent."
Troubling time in history: Pardons granted - 88 years late - to those convicted of sedition during World War I (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Capital Punishment
Going out with a whimper a good idea (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Clark County
Condo Craze
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Suburban high-rise projects miss the point (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
New $350 million Palms high-rise breaks ground (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Developing Trends
"Mixed-use development, which typically combines retail, office and residential land use into one high-density site, has been the rage in Las Vegas lately."
DEVELOPMENT: The mix is in -- Developers plot projects that blend space for work, living (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Disabled Life
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: Granting Access to All -- Las Vegas above average when it comes to meeting needs of disabled clientele (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Town & Country
Keep our horse heritage: Plan for new horse park in northwest Las Vegas is worthy of Interior Department's support (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Lyon County
Local Government Entities Back Off Tax Hike Proposals
County, City, Hospital District rescind requests for tax increase (Mason Valley News article)
Dirty Anaconda
Mine site dust-capping hitting obvious sources: Sulfide tailings likely source of dust majority (Mason Valley News article)
New Subdivision Proposal
63-lot subdivision south of Mason headed for PlanCom (Mason Valley News article)
Washoe County
Developing Profits
"With thousands of new homes across the valley and thousands more ready to erupt, businesses cannot ignore the chance to catch the masses of motorists plying Pyramid each day, observers believe."
Destination: Pyramid Highway no longer just a road to the lake (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Child Abuse
Community efforts help deter abuse (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Road Construction And Repair
Busy road work season ahead in all parts of basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Chopper Controversy
Debate continues to hover over Tahoe helicopters (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Carson City School District
School district looking to sell land off Highway 50 (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Immigration Reform
Immigrants look to find alternative reforms (Nevada Appeal* article)
The issue larger than ‘illegals' (Ely Times editorial)
Hal Rothman on what was proven by the May Day immigration rally in the valley (Las Vegas Sun column)
Illegal immigrants are stealing freedom; should be sent back (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal*)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA Surveillance
Water-smart effort hits new heights: Authority using satellite images to spot places to take turf battle (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Tahoe Sewage Spill
$700,000 fine eyed in Lake Tahoe sewage spill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Regional Water Agency For Northwestern Nevada
Erik Holland cartoon on this subject [click on image to enlarge]
"This much is clear: Residents of Northern Nevada will not sit quietly by while their water bills rise to pay for the search for water needed for growth. They certainly will not agree to meet the $1 billion price tag suggested by a report last week."
Regional approach right (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Elko Flooding
Tabor Creek Campground, Mary's River Bridge Affected
Road washed out (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Federal Budget Cuts And Nevada's Fire Season
Costs don't justify closing Minden air base (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Home Defense
Defensible space changes (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Tax Cut Proposals
Is congress holding up smoke and mirrors for tax cut plan? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Pandemic Preparedness
Urgent need for vaccine: President's bird flu funding should be approved in full so more can be spent on preparation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
We may have an Aztar winner (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Nevada's Past
Government Secrecy And The Fascinating Mystery Of Ancient Man In North America
"Olds and her colleague Deb Sutherland wanted to teach students about a 10,600-year-old Nevadan called Spirit Cave Man."
Battle for the bones (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Tribes claim kinship to ancient man (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Critics fear Indians will control archaeology (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Spirit Cave Man Virtual Museum (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Relic Of Reno's Earliest Days
Lake Mansion tours mark Reno's birthday (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Memory Lane
SHERMAN FREDERICK: We could use a few more like Chic Hecht (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
==========================================
[8:30 AM]
_____
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"The first requisite of successful self-government is unflinching enforcement of the law and the cutting out of corruption."
Trial shakes halls of power: Experts say convictions will make things tougher on those who dealt with Galardi (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Legislative Races
Arf!
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: State senator puts dogs in spotlight -- Fundraiser invitation tries something different (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The State Democratic Party Plan For Educational Reform
Would Anyone Care To Discuss It?
Jon Ralston on Politics: Inept, even in English (In Business Las Vegas column)
Remote, Arrogant Public Officials A Statewide Problem
Voting Sends The Strongest Message
Brian Greenspun on growing pains in NLV causing some confusion about the facts (Las Vegas Sun column)
Redistricting
"Clark County plans to defy the Legislature and move forward with a plan to draw new County Commission district lines four years before the next U.S. Census, despite a recent opinion by the Legislature's attorneys saying the county is restricted from doing so."
County to draw new lines despite opposition (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Government
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
The Affordability Issue
Can you afford to live in Carson City? In the capital city, economic contrasts are all around (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Health & Safety Inspections = A Nazi Police Measure
"'The way it was being spun was the city was going to be like the Gestapo, busting into apartments without notification, and impose fees,' Goodman said Friday."
CODE ENFORCEMENT: $25 rental unit fee proposed -- Apartment complex owners would face annual inspections (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The New Eldorado
Initiative to make Boulder City town full of millionaires if passed (Nevada AP article)
Mayor Goodman: "Show Me The Money"
Texas group proposes huge sports complex south of Las Vegas Strip (Nevada AP article)
Condo Craze
Mid-rise condos gain stature (In Business Las Vegas article)
New Construction
Real Estate and Development: Town Square is for real south of Mandalay (In Business Las Vegas article)
Washoe County
Paying For Downtown Redevelopment
Culinary tries to block new jobs: A thinly veiled attack on Station Casinos in Reno (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Washoe County School District
"Even In Reno"
JANE ANN MORRISON: Even in Reno, charter school can't say, 'To hell with the First Amendment' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Possible Plagues
West Nile Virus
"They looked like tiny black worms on methamphetamine, thousands wriggling around in a swimming pool of green water."
POOLS HARBORING WEST NILE RISK: Stagnant water helps spread mosquito-borne virus (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Not Here
Gaming: Casinos no haven for illegal immigrants (In Business Las Vegas article)
Hispanic Health
Health Care: Day of rallies followed by day without firings (In Business Las Vegas article)
Hospitals step up efforts to lure Hispanic patients (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
With Rate Hikes Already In Place
Utilities: Moderate winter leaves plenty of natural gas (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Soaring Fuel Prices
"Coming up with a workable definition for gouging could be a step forward. In the meantime, all efforts only pander to angry consumers in the run-up to elections. After that the issue is likely to become a memory. Until next time."
Penalty for price gouging (Reno Gazette-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada's Past
Reliving A Tragic Tale
California man begins final trek in footsteps of Donner Party (Nevada AP article)
Preserving The Past
Architect, restaurant owners to be honored for preservation efforts (Nevada Appeal* article)
Rapacious Transportation Monopolies East And West
Lecture highlights history of RR towns: Railroad Museum director draws similarities between East Coast and Nevada communities (Nevada Appeal* article)
R.I.P.
J.A. Tiberti, Las Vegas pioneer (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
==========================================
[7:50 PM]
_____
From The Nation's Battlefields
Carlos Saenz, Teodoro Torres Jr.
Two Nevada Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Afghanistan (KLAS-TV report)
Soldier with Las Vegas tie killed in Iraq (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Carter finds ‘Democratic stronghold’: Former U.S. president’s son visits Sparks during Cinco de Mayo festivities (Sparks Tribune article)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
What kind of shot does Democrat Derby have in CD2? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
More good news for Jill Derby (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Congressional District 3
Another Franking Story
Campaign piece or informative brochure? (Vegas Pundit website)
Who's the guy in the pictures? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
“The case was different in that the corruption had apparently been going on for a longer period of time in Las Vegas,' said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat, who prosecuted the San Diego case with three colleagues. 'The San Diego case was a sapling compared to an oak tree in Las Vegas.”
Las Vegas trumps S.D. with smut, bribes, drama (San Diego Union-Tribune article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Vestin Again
"Tens of millions of dollars are at stake in a legal wrangle between the state of Hawaii, Vestin Mortgage and one of its borrowers, RightStar Hawaii Management. That company operates funeral homes in the Hawaiian islands and is accused of plundering accounts held in trust and making an illegal cash infusion to Vestin."
Vestin downplays ties to Hawaiian politician (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Board Of Medical Examiners
Medical board not tough enough? State ranks low in Public Citizen report (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Clark County
About That $20,000 . . .
Search is on for missing centennial funds (Las Vegas Sun article)
Not You
Bridge has shaky future: Commissioners deny permit to concrete supplier (Las Vegas Sun article)
Homeless Homeless Project
"Family Promise, a shelter program that helps homeless Las Vegas families, is losing hope that it can avoid joining the ranks of the temporarily homeless."
Homeless program may need new place of its own (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Other Side Of The Tracts
"They had no use for two- and three-story stucco homes built cheek-to-jowl on postage-sized lots, in master-planned communities governed by homeowner's associations."
Goodbye to the 'burbs: Many seeking homes in older, in-town neighborhoods (Las Vegas Sun article)
Condo Craze
Do celebs make or break 'pricey pads?' Some developers strike out despite their star attractions (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Northern Nevada
EDAWN report shows Nev. ahead of curve (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County
Ballardini Ranch Sellout
Girly men and battlebots: Last Monday's Ballardini Ranch debacle is now officially installed in the Barbwire Rogues Gallery of Bad Government Boondoggles (Andy Barbano column, Barbwire)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Medicare Problems
Medicare drug plan snafu: Government investigators discover faulty info given out about prescription plan (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Utilities
White Pine Power Plants
"Two coal-fired energy plants are under development in White Pine County and both could provide needed electric power to Southern Nevada while stabilizing Sierra Pacific Resources' energy portfolio."
No deal on White Pine power plant (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
The New CIA Director- Designate
Reid Statement On The Nomination Of Gen. Michael Hayden (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Paper Tiger Watches Civil Liberties: Who will watch Hayden? (Desert Beacon blog)
Related Stories
Hayden's Can of Worms (Desert Beacon blog)
General Expected to Get CIA Nomination (Associated Press article)
"If Bush, as he claims, has actually kept Congress adequately informed about his secret war on American privacy, he shouldn't be afraid to release a simple document that proves it."
President's cone of silence: White House won't make public which congressmen were briefed on wiretapping (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
CIA chief quits after 'Hookergate' (London Times article)
Homeland Security
'Woefully short' McCarran getting more screeners (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Reid: Americans Deserve A Real Investigation Into Gas Prices (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Federal Tort Reform
Senate defeats bill to cap medical liability jury awards (Nevada AP article)
Senate takes up Ensign bill to cap malpractice awards (Nevada AP article)
From The US Congress
Reid: Bush Republicans Keep Insurance Companies Healthy (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Call For Russian/ Iranian Military Relationship To Be Included In G-8 Agenda (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Fools And Their Money
Report: Internet gamblers can afford it (Nevada AP article)
Hotel Notorious
Fremont Hotel's history just as colorful as the city's (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
==========================================
[9:30 AM]
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
"'There are so many insulting things about this idea that she needed to be forced out of the race,' he said. 'A lot of it is just outright sexist.'"
Naysayers dog Dawn Gibbons in Congress bid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Governor's Race
Jim Gibson's campaign mailer (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 State Controller's Race
Candidate for Nevada controller files (Nevada AP article)
2006 Candidates
Candidate filings (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Candidates who have filed for the 2006 general election as of Monday (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County Redistricting
"The county should abide by the opinion of the legislative attorneys and hold off on redistricting until after the 2010 Census."
Not so fast, Clark County: Redistricting is a process that should take place only after official census figures are in (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
"Incline Village voters scanning the list of candidates for the naughty and nice will find Santa Claus on the November ballot."
Yes, he is who you think he is (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Politicians Trying To Ignore The Lesson
"Candidates who don't understand the disgust out there may just find themselves bounced by the voters who do."
ERIN NEFF: Where's the outrage? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Herrera faces higher power: Former commissioner's standing in church could be his next trial (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
More State Prison Problems
Prison system alleged to have inadequate medical services (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Highway Patrol Problems
"The head of Nevada's Highway Patrol and one of his majors have been placed on administrative leave while allegations of harassment are investigated."
NHP chief and top deputy on administrative leave: Investigation centers on comments concerning woman in charge of traffic, commercial and administrative operations for the Northern Command (Nevada Appeal* article)
Civil Rights
Little interest shown in workings of Civil Rights Commission: Few show up for first public hearing in 15 years (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nevada's Open Meeting Law
"Legislators in 2007 should continue to be wary of public officials looking for exemptions to Nevada's model Open Meeting Law."
Be wary of changes to meeting law (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Mount Charleston Blues
Bureaucracy no friend to blue butterfly: Rare species facing extinction (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Good Neighbor Policy Helps Preserve Agricultural Lands
Navy, county celebrate buffer zone agreement (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Gone In 60 Seconds
"Duvall said the Metropolitan Police Department has been understaffed and hasn't been able to keep up with the high rates of property crimes. Violent crimes such as homicides and rapes have had to take a priority to auto thefts, he said."
NATIONAL STATISTICS: Clark County No. 2 in car theft -- Number of stolen vehicles in 2005 jumped 13 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Let Them Eat Rats
"This proposal, which would require the hiring of many new city workers, forces all Las Vegas renters to pay for the policing of a few dumps operated by slumlords and invites government intrusion into the private residences of local taxpayers. It's a lousy idea."
Apartment inspections (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Turf War
More fodder tossed into land fight: Clark County's plans for utility corridor could hurt Henderson's efforts in expanding south along Las Vegas Boulevard (Las Vegas Sun article)
About That $20,000 . . .
"The man who was paid $20,000 to promote Las Vegas Centennial activities on cable television - and didn't - said Monday there is more to the story than what has been reported. But he did not explain what happened to the money."
The other side of the Centennial money story told (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
Controversial Development At Clear Creek
"'County officials cite the record to justify the master plan amendment, but it appears that the needs of a development project are driving an amendment to the master plan, rather than the reverse,' Gamble said. 'Substantial evidence points to denying the request rather than granting it.'"
Supreme Court to hear Clear Creek Tuesday (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
"'A lot of people are unhappy about an approval that puts Douglas County taxpayers on the hook for maintenance and liability for this road, when Douglas County doesn't even have an approved project,' Garvin said. 'There's more to this picture than the public is aware of and I'd like to know what that is.'"
Douglas to maintain Clear Creek (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Elko County
Payment In Lieu of Taxes Program
PILT funds face another budget threat (Elko Free Press article)
Qualifying For The Property Tax Cap Break
"Elko County Assessor Joe Aguirre has been working to raise awareness about owner occupancy verification cards, which help residents save money on their property taxes."
Occupancy cards save tax dollars (Elko Free Press article)
Storey County
Storey County Wants To Turn Public Highway Into A Toll Road
Pass system proposed for Six Mile Canyon commuters: Nonresidents would pay $300 annually to use road (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Incline Tax Cases On Appeal
"Maddox invalidated rating systems created by the assessor for judging lake views, beaches, updating old land sales and valuing land as if the homes were already torn down."
State high court to rule on Incline tax dispute (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Prefers To Be Single
"The city of Sparks has proven that we can do more with fewer resources."
Sparks City Council rejects government consolidation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
New UNR President Looks Promising
UNR: Ready to move on (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Has A Very Hefty Salary, Too
Glick Is In At University (Reno & Its Discontents blog)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
"The survey is not intended to enlighten the public - such as the media or parents - as to how satisfied teachers are with their working environments, Rice said."
Survey by teachers finds privacy: Once feared by principals, report gives positive criticism (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County School District
School board to OK support staff contract (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Pandemic Preparations
Not too soon to plan for avian flu outbreak (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
After The May Day Demonstrations
Counting The Crowds
IMMIGRATION DEMONSTRATIONS: Figures a big debate -- Organizers, police often in disputes (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Garbage Service Failure In Elko
City to hear complaints on garbage ‘day off’ (Elko Free Press article)
Some Thoughts
Is legal immigration so orderly? (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Combat Losses
State suffers 'dark day': More soldiers with Nevada ties killed overseas (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Federal Taxes
Paying their fair share: States, tribes assert that billions in natural gas royalties have gone uncollected (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
New CIA Director-Designate
Choice for CIA has baggage: Air Force general's key role in legally questionable domestic spying could prove divisive (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Veterans' Claims
Military veterans and lawyers: Move to repeal 'museum piece' deserves support (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Televised Poker Tournament
"Kulis and attorneys for the event, which will air on FOX Sports Net, insist the concept does not involve gambling. 'It's simply a contest,' said Paul Larsen, a partner with the law firm Lionel Sawyer and Collins."
Renovations continue despite legal questions: Televised poker series organizers hope to tape at Neonopolis but may need gaming license (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Don't Bet On It
"The survey revealed that there is some confusion about the legality of online gambling in the United States; only 19 percent of those surveyed realize the activity is considered illegal in the United States."
Survey: Gamblers seek action on Internet (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
[7:45 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
American Values (Jack Carter column, Give 'Em Hell Harry website)
On Deficits (Give 'Em Hell Harry website)
2006 Congressional Races
Jill Derby, Tessa Hafen Dropped From Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" Fundraising Program
DCCC welches on deal with NV candidates (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Congressional District 2
Transcript Of Angle-Heller Interviews
Who needs Dawn? (Vegas Pundit website)
Angle Aid
Minuteman Founder To Help Raise Funds For Sharron Angle's Campaign Chris Simcox in Reno June 2nd (Eric Odom column, Battle Born News)
2006 Local Races
Lyon County
Some races getting crowded (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Gaming Revenues
Another Billion Dollar Month; Tax Collections Up 4.67 Percent Over Last Year
Nevada Gaming Revenues And Collections - March 2006 (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Local Government
Lyon County
City Of Fernley
Mayor declares state of City is strong (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Mayor says Washington trip a success (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Zone change vote sparks request for Fernley City Councilman to resign (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Silver City
SS Villages gain 3-2 OK from Commission (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Recent TMCC Sexual Harassment Settlement
Anne-Louise Bennett Responds To Chancellor Rogers (Reno and Its Discontents blog)
Public Schools
Lyon County School District
Some of staff hired for new elementary school: 18 transfers of professional staff approved from other LCSD schools (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Carson River
Declining Use Contested Some charge water right curtailment is unnecessary: Developers say new water usage models show basin is stable (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Managers’ float trip offers close-up look at river: But some say trip was unnecessary for taxpayers to shoulder (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Dead In The Service Of Our Republic
Governor Mourns Loss Of Nevada Soldiers (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Disruption Of Funeral Services By Political Agitators
Protecting the Honor of Our American Heroes (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Fallen Heroes to Receive Final Honors in Peace: Demonstrations Banned from Military Funerals at National Cemeteries (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Porter Votes To Protect Dignity Of Military Funerals (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Tax Reform
Reid: Bush Republican Tax Plan Takes The Country In The Wrong Direction (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Unwarranted Surveillance And The New CIA Director-Designate
Address to the National Press Club: What American Intelligence & Especially The NSA Have Been Doing To Defend The Nation (Office of the Director of National Intelligence website)
Former NSA Head Gen. Hayden Grilled by Journalists on NSA Eavesdropping on U.S. Citizens (Democracy Now! website)
Reference Materials
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
Federation of American Scientists' FISA page
Related Story
Spies Among Us: Despite a troubled history, police across the nation are keeping tabs on ordinary Americans (US News and World Report, May 8, 2006)
==========================================
[1:15 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Gibson discusses religion in 4-page campaign mailer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Democrat and Mormon touts his faith in campaign mailer (Nevada AP article)
"Fallon resident Stanleigh Harold Lusak believes strongly that America has deviated from constitutional law and is under the influence of the New World Order. He said Social Security numbers are not necessary, and licenses, like driver's licenses and marriage licenses, are largely unnecessary."
Fallon man files for governor's race (Lahontan Valley News* article)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Dawn Gibbons Deals With A Scarlet Herring
"If Republican party leaders prefer another candidate, they should say so and not use the first lady position as an excuse. On the other hand, if the only reason for her to quit involves a possible conflict between first lady and congresswoman, throwing her aside is both misplaced and shameful."
Election not about gender (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Nevada treasurer candidate, others file for office (Nevada AP article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Neil Weaver makes third bid for Ward 3 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Candidates list for city election (Nevada Appeal* article)
Elko County
Independent files for commission (Elko Free Press article)
Clark County
Clark County Sheriff's Race
"Oram said running two successive campaigns -- his own and then the More Cops ballot measure, which voters approved in November 2004 -- took a toll on Young. But the sudden death of Young's mother was the knockout punch."
'I WANT MY LIFE BACK': Sheriff ends re-election bid -- Young, saying he is weary of politics, ends campaign (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Clark County sheriff won't run for re-election (Nevada AP article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Reluctant sheriff earned right to hang up gloves in never-ending fight (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Undersheriff's style different from Young's (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Five candidates meet voters: Some of those hoping to succeed Young as sheriff attend forum (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Hopefuls offer their views (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
County Recorder's Race
Republicans pile on challenges to Deane (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lyon County
Lawson challenges Hillyard for Lyon County commission position (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Candidate Filings
CANDIDATES WHO FILED FOR OFFICE ON TUESDAY (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State election filings list (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"Rivera said only witnesses who feel their lives are in danger are escorted through secured areas. If an employee of the U.S. Marshal's office had walked Herrera out a secured exit, disciplinary action would be taken."
Reid's aide helped exit: Herrera escorted from courthouse (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Reid disappointed in Herrera: Senator says ex-commissioner, now convicted, 'can still contribute to society' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State charges unlikely against duo: DA to review Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
In The State Supreme Court
Clear Creek Development Case
Clear Creek project before Supreme Court (Nevada Appeal* article)
High court reviews proposed development in scenic northern Nevada valley (Nevada AP article)
Attorney's Actions To Be Reviewed
Woman bilked by corrupt lawyer takes case to state Supreme Court (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Freedom Financial Group
Internet lender fined, ordered out of business (Nevada Appeal* article)
Change Of Jobs
Nevada ethics director going to work for secretary of state (Nevada AP article)
A Lot Of Money
NHP seizes $140,700 in traffic stop (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Bias charges against Carson City judge unfounded, attorney says (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Peek-A-Boo
Court recordings come under fire: Privilege was violated, attorney says (Las Vegas Sun article)
New Trends
Internet connection: Sites bring valley residents together (Las Vegas Sun article)
Bygone areas born again: Trend of people investing in older neighborhoods is adding interest and charm to Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Lyon County
Developer of Villages of Silver Springs eager to get started (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Commission Continues The Kowtows
"Saying Washoe County will be sued either way, county commissioners refused Tuesday to rescind their approval of a shopping center opposed by nearby Hidden Valley homeowners who fear a busy Starbucks."
Officials refuse to rescind shopping center approval (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
"Water would no longer be an issue if the Vidler Water Co. builds a pipeline to import water from the Honey Lake basin later this year as planned."
Washoe County approves area plan for the North Valleys (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Coalition opposes search for more water to fuel Reno growth (Nevada AP article)
More Subsidies for Developers
"Washoe County commissioners introduced an ordinance Tuesday night to raise flood control fees for more than 4,000 Spanish Springs residents by 25 percent but raise connection fees 250 percent for new homeowners."
Commissioners introduce plan to raise flood control fees (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Looking For A Bigger Tax Base
Reno might expand redevelopment area (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
High school requirement put to test: California ruling could affect Nevada students (Las Vegas Sun article)
More schools coming up short: Number in serious trouble under federal rules rises 44 percent (Associated Press article)
Churchill County School District
Police offer tips to school officials on gangs (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Creating safe schools in the Churchill County School District (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Medicare
Seniors' confusion mounts as enrollment time runs out (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Pharmacists, doctors overwhelmed by people 'falling through the cracks' (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Doctor Discipline
Closer scrutiny for doctors: Legislature should review medical board, which infrequently imposes serious discipline (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Pandemic Preparations
Bird flu plans are revealed at Reno forum (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County plans for flu pandemic (Nevada AP article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Mushroom cloud blast in Nevada delayed to June 23, agencies say (Nevada AP article)
Immigration Reform
National anthem in perspective (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Alternative Energy Legislation
Give ethanol a chance here: Bill introduced by Arizona congressman would threaten newly charged-up industry (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Congressional Health Care Bill
Nevada senators split over health-care bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Endangered Species Act
"The law has been a dismal failure at saving species. It has been a smashing success at abolishing private property rights."
The endangered landowner (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News*)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Foreign Casino Construction Rivals And May Surpass Nevada Efforts
Vast resorts: U.A.E. hotel will overtake MGM Grand as world's largest (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Uprooting A Historic House
"The Rule house was built in the 1870's by the Rule family."
Historic home begins its move into the future: Couple plans to begin $100,000 renovation once foundation is complete, and funds come in (Nevada Appeal* article)==========================================
[6:40 PM]
_____
From Our Nation's Battlefields
Another Nevadan Dead In Overseas Fighting
US Army Sergeant John Griffith
Gibbons Comments on Nevadan killed in Afghanistan (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Nevada Soldier Dies In Combat (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Jack Carter Takes His Views To The People: It's More Than Can Be Said About Most Candidates
The importance of the 2006 Elections: Oversight (Jack Carter column, Give 'Em Hell Harry website)
2006 Congressional Races
Candidates file for two Nevada congressional seats (Nevada AP article)
Congressional District 2
Doesn't Like Dawn: A Las Vegas Columnist Tells The Public How He Feels About A Northern Nevada Congressional Candidate
Jon Ralston on elections and how they shouldn't be a joke, but so often are during the campaign season in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)
"Ralston tells Roll Call (subscription, drat) that GOP CD2 candidate Dawn Gibbons shouldn't be running because she's 'erratic.'"
Daily Glean: The churchilicious campaign of 'Democrat' Jim Gibson (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Previous Story: Columnist's Controversial Comments Misfire In Fallon
"Tedford was expecting edgy from a guy who makes his living slamming politicians, but thought this particular attack crossed the line into something a lot more personal, like a shot below the belt. The mayor was so embarrassed that he later called Gibbons to apologize and assure her 'People in Fallon aren't like that' and what Ralston had done 'was just wrong.'"
Despite attack, Gibbons may have the last laugh (Rick Swart column, Lahontan Valley News*)
2006 Governor's Race
Gibbons' latest policy announcement (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette Journal)
Sorry, TNO Readers -- Announcement Not Up on Gibbons Campaign Website
2006 Local Races
Clark County
Farewell to Sheriff Young (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Douglas County
Senior center tax to stay on ballot (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Washoe County
Sheriff candidate visits Incline, shares views (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Candidate Filings
Fish, Or Cut Bait
Deadline to sign up for elections Friday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Distributional Inequities
BILL ROBERTS: Population quotas leave rurals in the lurch (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Herrera's little helper (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
Canadian Pharmacy Site Now Live And Operational (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Information Regarding the Purchase of Prescription Drugs From Canadian Pharmacies (State of Nevada website)
The Continuing Problems At The Highway Patrol
NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL: Chief, deputy investigated -- Female captain accuses pair of sexual harassment; both placed on leave (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State's Inadequate Supervision Of Mortgage Lenders
"'They had no right to the money, and their motive is to avoid criminal prosecution,' said one industry insider."
USA Capital exec: Collateral offered to square matters -- Analysts question motives of owners' claim (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Courts
Bid to expand defect case denied: Judge won't let tests from home sample apply to community (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Job Change
Ethics official to leave post: Commission's executive director going to work for secretary of state (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
Clark County
Car Thefts And Other Crimes
"One of the major reasons Clark County has the second highest auto theft rate in the nation is the number of financially pressed people in the Las Vegas Valley who try to collect insurance money after taking their car out into the desert, torching it, then claiming it was stolen."
Auto theft rise tied to insurance "jobs" (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Police plan how to cut auto thefts (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Adios To The Economic Opportunity Board
EOB to transfer remaining programs to other agencies: Meeting Thursday may be nonprofit's last (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Going Up
Union Park plans taking shape: Developer to recommend $4 billion in privately funded construction (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
No Concrete Plant Permit, No Problem
"Commissioners must come to their senses and hammer out a compromise that allows work on the bridge to continue without interruption."
Union harassment (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Concrete mixes continue, despite permit being pulled (Nevada AP article)
Nye County
Could You Double It?
"Nye County will ask the U.S. Department of Energy for more than twice as much in Payment Equal to Taxes for the years 2008 to 2013 for the land value of the Yucca Mountain project than it's currently receiving."
County goal: increase in PETT funds (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Thinking Big
31 new jobs planned by the commissioners (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Looking For A Little Elbow Room
Commissioners seeking more space (Pahrump Valley Times article)
It Cost $82,000 Last Year, But This Year It's $392,000
Giving deputies physical exams now a costly venture (Pahrump Valley Times article)
About Those Roads
"The old joke about living in cold climates is there's only two seasons: winter and road construction."
County highways targeted for work (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Rather Disturbing
"The advisory comes in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Homeland Security and the federal Transportation Security Administration."
From the Sheriff: Beware strangers asking directions (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Picking A President
"Six regents of the UNLV Presidential Search Committee today unanimously selected Lt. Gen. Bill Lennox to be the next president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lennox is superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point."
Regents select UNLV president (Las Vegas Review-Journal* breaking news bulletin)
UNLV Moves Closer to Selecting New President (KLAS-TV report)
UNLV PRESIDENT: Finalists face more interviews -- Regents may decide today (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Principal upset over not getting high-level post: Whistle-blower says district 'getting even' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Congressional Tax Relief Legislation
House Passes Tax Relief: Gibbons Votes to Maintain Economic Growth (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Porter Votes For Continued Economic Growth (Rep. Porter Press Relief)
__________
From The Neon Empire
That Billion Dollar Month
Gaming win numbers come in big, again (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Wants To Up The Ante
Gambler, detained at Vegas casino, seeks bigger court award (Nevada AP article)
Laissez-Faire Is The Gangster's Best Friend
"In the real world, laissez faire is often the best solution. But in Washington, the operative theory is that everything has to be either taxed and regulated, or else banned outright. Like fire, government is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Those who have summoned up this federal study had better decide what conclusion they want it to reach -- or they may find that someone else has made that decision for them."
A federal 'study' on Internet gaming: Can't put the genie back in the bottle (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada's Past
Journalism And History
How to sort the wheat from the shaft ... er, chaff (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
==========================================
[9:15 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Heller visits Elko (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Eiben declares Ward 3 candidacy (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Sheriff Young withdraws: He embraces undersheriff as his potential successor (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Straight shooter's legacy: Bill Young, who made some tough decisions as sheriff, decides against re-election (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Young's pick Gillespie joins nine in sheriff's race (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Water District action questioned: Plan to run for office led to firing, woman says (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Woodbury seeking fourth term as DA (Elko Free Press article)
School board members file: Two incumbents to run again; two will drop out (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Candidate Filings
ELECTION FILING: Several surprises as deadline nears -- Ex-judicial hopeful seeks Senate seat (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Derby files for Congress: Settelmeyer files for Assembly (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Prison Problems
"The women's prison has previously come under fire for allegedly not providing medications to inmates and for employment problems. Since December, at least five employees at the prison have filed complaints against the prison system with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Nevada Equal Rights Commission."
Jackson takes 'tear-jerking' tour of NLV women's prison (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Embezzlement Trial Of Former Cyber-Security Chief
Court date set in state embezzlement case: New cyber-security head named (Nevada Appeal* article)
State's Inadequate Regulation Of Mortgage Lenders
USA Capital investors band together in Web group: In bid to recover their money, 250 people form new alliance (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Bail Bond Claims Settled
"The civil suit accuses the state of defamation, abuse of process, international interference with contract, violation of the civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, and constitutional violations."
State to finally settle with bail bond companies (Las Vegas Sun article)
For The Birds
Tourism: Catering to bird watchers could prove lucrative (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
Clark County
The New Eldorado
Options on land sales limited: Boulder City plan faces restrictions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Budget Plans
"Fueled by growth in property values, revenues to the city's general fund are projected to increase by about 5.7 percent. Meanwhile, the city's expenses are expected to be up about 9.6 percent, according to the tentative budget released this week."
Budget shows revenue growth: But city of Las Vegas' expenses expected to be up even more (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Stand Back
ERIN NEFF: Downtown will thrive if city gets out of way (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Not Ready To Be Paid
"The delay of at least three months will jeopardize efforts to conserve endangered, threatened and rare species during their active seasons, critics warn."
Wildlife funds to be delayed: County needs more time to study projects (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
New Construction
County building activity heats up (Elko Free Press article)
May Day Demonstrations
City OK with Elko Sanitation 'day off’ (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Housing Prices
Median Prices: Reno $404,500, Sparks $329,000, North Valleys $280,000
Home prices up, but market still slows (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Redevelopment Districts
"We are looking at a city redeveloping on its own," she said. "It's corporate welfare."
City of Reno considers expanded development district (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Corporate Welfare For New Developments
"Under state law enacted in 2003, Cabela's could keep three-quarters of the sales taxes it generates to pay for construction costs if it can show a preponderance of its sales would come from out-of-state visitors. Cabela's also would benefit in having most of its property taxes put into a Reno redevelopment district created last year to help build up the area."
Reno government officials still want Cabela's in Verdi (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Latest Developments
Dandini center gets new zoning rules with vote from city council (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Developer backs out of plans to build downtown (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Open Meeting Law And Searches For University Presidents
Committee members aim to limit state's open meeting law: They say statutes deter candidates in university presidential searches (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Search For UNLV President
UNLV PRESIDENT SEARCH: Generally impressed -- Regents panel backs West Point superintendent (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Public Schools
State Proficiency Tests
Fix exit test, or risk losing it: California case might endanger school proficiency exams here unless they are modified (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Medicare Confusion
Events aim to sign up Nevadans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Still time to beat deadline (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
State issues Web list of Canada drug firms (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Gold and mercury: Nevada is still the top gold producer, and a mining corporation is reopening two old districts to prove it. (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Saintly opposition? The Mormon Church issues an epistle that is being scrutinized for its real meaning (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Nevada Test Site
Planned blast at NTS is postponed (Las Vegas Sun article)
Federal Lands
Homeland Security Closes Popular Road
Are they keeping out terrorists or tourists? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Immigration Reform
Las Vegans press for immigration reform: Petitions presented to state's congressional delegation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Ensign pressed on immigrant rights (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sleeping giant: Why are U.S. politicians so in love with incendiary anti-alien politics? (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Gasoline price controls (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Cut gas taxes and prices will drop (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
Mileage standard outdated: Senators propose a new standard that would reflect needs of consumers and the country (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
From The US Congress
Reid prepares for next battle on judicial nominees: Two of president's selections draw criticism (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Crapped out: Northern Nevada’s U.S. House member is supporting a bill to protect corporate farmers from environmental regulation. (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Columbia affiliate hikes bid to $53 a share in Aztar bidding war (Nevada AP article)
Pinnacle chairman says Aztar used 'sleazy' negotiating tactics (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
[6:55 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
"Gibson was once a clergyman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If he's elected governor, will he keep the proper separation between the two?"
A solid wall (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Local Races
Churchill County
Seven more file for public office as deadline looms (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County
No Young conspiracy (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Ball bumpers (David Goldwater column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Let the blame games begin: G-sting defendants have only themselves to credit for downfall (George Knapp article, Las Vegas CityLife)
Southern Nevada $kindustry Not A Good Neighbor
Burn the place down? (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Latest Decisions From The Nevada Supreme Court
Distinguishing Inferences And Presumptions For Lost Evidence
Insurance Bad Faith Claims Do Not Apply To Sureties
Insurance Co. of the West v. Gibson Tile
Choice Of Law Analysis In Tort Actions Generally Governed By "Most Significant Relationship" Test
General Motors Corp. v. Dist. Ct.
No Showing Of Causal Connection Between Exclusion And Loss Necessary In Insurance Contracts Where Exclusion Is Unambiguous, Narrowly Tailored, And Essential To Risk
Griffin v. Old Republic Ins. Co.
From The Office Of The Attorney General
Las Vegas Father Sentenced To Jail For Abducting Son (AG Press Release)
Local Government
Churchill County
Fallon Rate Hike
City Council approves utility rate increases (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
3.4 Million Tourists
Visitors set another record (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Record number of visitors in Las Vegas in March (Nevada AP article)
Lyon County
Purchase Of Private Water Company
Crystal Clear purchase agreement nearly complete: Lyon Utilities says it could be ready for transfer in mid-June (Mason Valley News article)
Washoe County
River Festival
Kayakers flock to Truckee River for Reno River Festival (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Former UNLV President Harter
Governor Proclaims May 11, 2006 Day In Honor Of Carol Harter (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
UNLV President To Be
Superstar? (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Medicare
Attorney General Warns Of New Medicare Part D Fraud Scams As Enrollment Period Nears End (AG Press Release)
West Nile Virus
Big mosquito season expected this summer: Mosquito fish, chemical applications are main weapons to combat bugs; WNV remains an issue (Mason Valley News article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Dirty Anaconda
Dust capping wraps up at mine site (Mason Valley News article)
EPA hoping to close, redirect Arimetco pond this summer (Mason Valley News article)
Sierra Chemical
Sierra Chemical Does It Again: Poison gas, driver on leave, more excuses OSHA launches investigation (Andy Barbano column, Barbwire)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Reid: It Is Time To Move Forward On Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Unwarranted Surveillance
"Today’s press report that the government may be secretly collecting phone call records on millions of ordinary Americans is the latest example of why congressional oversight is so critical."
Reid Statement On Press Reports Of NSA Phone Record Collection (Sen. Reid Press Release)
"With access to records of billions of domestic calls, the NSA has gained a secret window into the communications habits of millions of Americans. Customers' names, street addresses and other personal information are not being handed over as part of NSA's domestic program, the sources said. But the phone numbers the NSA collects can easily be cross-checked with other databases to obtain that information."
NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls (USAToday article)
Big Brother's been watching all along? (Desert Beacon blog)
Military Spending
Millions Authorized for Projects at Nevada's Military Bases: Gibbons Lauds Passage of National Defense Authorization Act (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Stem Cell Research
Democrats Fight For Stem Cell Research (Sen. Reid Press Release)
From The US District Court
Yerington Woman Convicted Of Tax Evasion And Identity Theft
Former Nevada title company owner sentenced (Nevada AP article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Hard Rock Mystery Solved
Las Vegas Hard Rock casino sold to Morgans group for $770 million (Nevada AP article)
Aztar Acquisition
Aztar mulls latest Columbia Sussex offer (Las Vegas Business Press article)
==========================================
[10:30 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Nevada state senator files as candidate for governor (Nevada AP article)
"Titus said requirements for more and prompter disclosure of campaign contributions and contacts with lobbyists were not the answer."
GUBERNATORIAL RACE: Hopefuls field questions -- Business group holds forum (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Poll shows how much fun a Goodman bid for governor would be (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 Legislative Races
Throw The Bums Out
"'I'm looking for good men and women to run for the Nevada state Legislature or Congress,' Waters' message says. 'We need to vote against all of the incumbents. It makes no difference if you're a Republican or a Democrat, it's time to clean house.'"
Dialing up a 'clean house': Automated call seeks new blood for better politics (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Ohrenschall won't seek seventh term: Assemblywoman supports son's candidacy (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Kuhn files as fourth candidate for Ward 3 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Candidates filing (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
"As Sheriff Bill Young's campaign for re-election came to a sudden end this week, another campaign continued - out of public sight, conducted in the underbelly of Clark County politics."
Ugly side of sheriff race surfaces: One camp says it has information (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
Douglas County (Nevada Appeal* article)
Elko County
Third candidate enters county treasurer’s race (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Fourth candidate running for Lyon County sheriff (Nevada Appeal* article)
Candidates who have filed for election in Lyon County as of Thursday (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Elections Generally
Time is short for candidates to get in the race (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Candidates filing for statewide offices (Nevada Appeal* article)
A Handy Reference
2006 Elections: News, opinions & voter information (Las Vegas Review-Journal* feature)
Something To Think About
Nevada As A Banana Republic
"The tight web of influence is the result of Nevada's history as a small state with a single, dominant industry, and a defensive attitude toward the federal government and other meddling outsiders."
Nevada's political universe: Turns out it's just a small world where one clique orbits another (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"If Sen. Reid can't walk the walk on corruption, he should find a new talking point."
Tough on corruption? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Allegations Against Clark County Recorder Frances Deane
Recorder Deane bows out (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Inadequate State Supervision Of Mortgage Lenders
"The commissioner earlier acknowledged that the division had not sent an examiner to look at USA Capital's books and records for 16 months, although the state requires the division to do exams every year."
Official foresees lending reform: Commissioner says restrictions possible (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"In USA Capital Diversified Trust Deed Fund, 20 of 23 loans are nonperforming, Fell said. The other fund, USA Capital First Trust Deed Fund, has 53 loans of which 29 are nonperforming."
U.S. Trustees office selects people to panels to represent investors in USA Capital case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
"So the question must be raised again: Why are Americans paying so much more than residents of other countries for the same drugs? After years of controversy, that question still has not been answered to anyone's satisfaction in the U.S., and until it is, Americans are going to continue looking for bargains elsewhere."
Looking for a drug deal (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Local Government
Clark County
The New Eldorado
Plan has phones ringing: Boulder City mayor plans new conference to set record straight (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
It seems almost everyone wants to be a millionaire (Las Vegas Sun article)
Labor Negotiations: What Can We Disagree On First?
"Clark County and the union that represents its rank-and-file employees can't even agree on how many people should be at the negotiating table."
County contract talks held up by numbers (Las Vegas Sun article)
Clark County Family Services
Improving family services is his goal (Las Vegas Sun article)
Washoe County
Hurry Up And Cram It Down Before The November Elections
"The Regional Planning Commission has ordered staff to prepare a package of amendments sought by Reno, Sparks and Washoe County to provide a growth area of up to 160,000 acres, ending a stalemate over the issue."
Commission orders regional plan amendments (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
A Good Man Honored
Former judge Mills Lane honored by new justice center (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Truckee River Festival Has Its Dangers
Bring on the rapids (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Ousted UNLV President Honored
Complex named after Harter: UNLV classroom buildings to serve as reminder of outgoing president (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Picking The New UNLV President
Jon Ralston on the chancellor's role in hiring a new UNLV president (Las Vegas Sun column)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Charter Schools
Board approves charter school (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Teacher's Union
Teamsters lose out on bid for 10,000 school workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Teamsters challenge union votes (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Diminishing Devils
Endangered pupfish safe, unstressed in new homes: Fish taken to Shark Reef, hatchery for breeding experiments (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Some Like To Watch
Wildlife watching gets marketing push (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Not As Bad As They Thought
"Witnesses told the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board the amount of sewage reaching the lake after construction workers pierced a sewer line was vastly overestimated by the state."
Penalty for Tahoe spill could shrink (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Dollar Angst
Gold leaps well beyond $700 mark (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Yucca funding advances: House panel OKs request but slashes nuclear waste reprocessing plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Here's Something You Won't Find In The US Constitution
"The first step in the office's inquiry was to gain security clearances for its investigators from NSA, but on Tuesday the spy agency denied the clearances and the Justice Department promptly shut down the investigation, the Associated Press reported. So much for accountability in government."
Domestic spying revelation: Bush has some explaining to do after disclosure that tens of millions of Americans' phone call records were secretly obtained by the National Security Agency (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Let's Get Some Answers
"These revelations of an ever-widening circle of domestic information gathering raise obvious concerns. Some serious questioning is in order -- in the light of day."
Perusing our phone records: 'Trolling through the personal lives of ... innocent Americans'? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Southern Nevada Veterans' Hospital
VA 'fudging' on hospital in NLV, Berkley says (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Alternative Energy
Hydrogen is the big prize: Congress considers dangling millions before inventors to speed onset of hydrogen energy (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Tribal Gambling Operations Don't Want US Supervision
"Indian gambling officials on Thursday told a House panel that tribal casino regulations should be controlled by agreements between tribes and states, not the federal government."
Indian gambling officials urge regulation by compacts (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Congratulations!
Mining Quarterly editor named: McMurdo joins staff; Martin appointed business editor (Elko Free Press article)
==========================================
[4:45 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Candidate Filings
"A former porn star filed for governor, a former lieutenant governor filed to get his old job back, and a prominent criminal lawyer emerged to challenge the district attorney as candidate filing for the November elections drew to a close Friday."
Filing draws to a close: Last day for ballot bids brings out the usual unusuals (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Filing closes with Augustine and Hammargren (Nevada Appeal* article)
2006 Governor's Race
"Analysts say Gibbons is well positioned for a classic front-runner's campaign - he can avoid mistakes, ignore the other candidates, raise money from D.C. lobbyists, and do it all while saying he's staying in Washington to serve his constituents."
Gibbons 'wins' with absence: D.C. duties may help front-runner (Las Vegas Sun article)
Gibbons and the Suburban Strategy? (Desert Beacon blog)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
"This is a party in which the women constantly complain about 'the good old boys' who 'exclude them from opportunities.' Yet, it is the women I have heard 'dogging' Dawn."
Which house is right one for 'a lady'? (Ellie Lopez Bowlan column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Impeached controller to join treasurer's race (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Augustine makes candidacy official on filing deadline (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Augustine is in (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Legislative Races
14 lawmakers get free ride on way to another term: No opponents for four senators, 10 in Assembly (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Six seek District 36 job: Commission Races Also Draw Big Numbers (Pahrump Valley Times article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Keeton to seek supervisor seat (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Last day of filing brings a flurry of local candidates (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Seven more file for local offices (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Jon Ralston on Politics: Sheriff will be missed (In Business Las Vegas column)
CANDIDATES WHO FILED FOR OFFICE ON FRIDAY (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Elko County
Two more enter race for sheriff (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Lyon County deputy district attorney is running for office (Nevada Appeal* article)
Storey County
Storey County candidates filed (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Spanish Springs student joins school board race (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
White Pine County
Filing for office to close Friday, May 12 (Ely Times article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Ask if candidates support tax cap renewal (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Canadian Pharmaceuticals
Nevadans frequenting Internet sites (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Insurers might back Nevadans' use of Canadian pharmacies (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Prison Problems
Death row inmate sues ESP over medical care (Ely Times article)
State Judiciary
Judges struggle with big caseload (Elko Free Press article)
State Pay Raises
New round of pay raises funded by state board (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Not Caring Can Be Very Expensive
"The Fallon City Council approved a substantial utility rate increase Tuesday night - and not one citizen bothered to show up to share an opinion."
Apathy over city rates disturbing (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Good Neighbors
Navy-county buffer a win-win agreement (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Patrolling The Beat
Cruisin' with the cops - part one (Lahontan Valley News* column)
Duck Blind
Platform at Stillwater dedicated on opening day of Spring Wings festival (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
The New Eldorado
Boulder City land sale denounced: Ferraro, Woodbury criticize plan to sell 107,000 acres; Rattner says he wants people to decide (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Summerlin Beltway
"A development spurt plus more traffic equals a need to widen the Las Vegas Beltway and build a pair of freeway-style interchanges in Summerlin, Clark County officials say."
Public hearing focuses on Beltway in Summerlin (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Cable Guys
Cox faces competition in Henderson community (Las Vegas Sun article)
They're Not Making Any More Of It
Real Estate and Development: Available industrial land in valley dwindling fast (In Business Las Vegas article)
Hot Properties
Hotels are selling everywhere (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Visitors
"It was so crowded, dirty and cheap. My husband described it as an old prostitute that had long ago lost her charm. The street people handing out smut and the ladies of the evening hounding all the men was terrible. We decided never to return. We have been there quite a few times but this was the last. I am sure your survey (the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's recent market study) didn't tally responses like this. Actually all six of us felt the same way. I much prefer Lake Tahoe, Laughlin and Reno."
Tourism and Travel: Mayor, LVCVA members respond to sharp criticism (In Business Las Vegas article)
Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Regional Plan About To Expire
Under construction - projects underway in basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nye County
$2 billion project on south side: 7,000 units on 900 acres 'approved' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
Citizens v. County Assessor
Another win for revolters (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
New Justice Center
Mills Lane Justice Center answers the bell (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
White Pine County
No ruling yet in attempt to boot Chachas out of mayor's seat (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Record number of students to receive degrees (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Complex dedicated to Harter (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Diploma stats might climb, district reports: Clark County students still have two rounds of proficiency exam to go (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Washoe's Water Moloch
"An effort to merge activities of Washoe County water suppliers will likely expand someday to other areas of quickly growing Northern Nevada, lawmakers said Friday."
Water supply issues extend beyond Reno, Sparks to outlying regions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Create a northern Nevada water authority: Suburban growth concerns ratepayers (Nevada AP article)
White Pine Loses Out
"On Tuesday, Nevada State Engineer Hugh Ricci denied White Pine County's applications for water rights in Spring Valley due to a lack of a beneficial use."
County loses water-right applications in Spring Valley (Ely Times article)
Ely Water
Municipal water restrictions in effect until October (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Sale Of 4 Mines Brings $1.6 Billion
Barrick concludes Placer Dome deal (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
"Divine Strake"-- NTS: It's not a bolt from Thor (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Revised Finding Of No Significant Impact For The Large-Scale Open-Air Explosive Detonation At The Nevada Test Site (DOE website - pdf format)
IRS Sales Tax Exemption
Nevadans lose break on sales tax (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Federal Lands
BLM eyes Comins gravel pit (Ely Times article)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Phone-Records Surveillance Is Broadly Acceptable to Public (Nye blog)
Phone-Records Surveillance Is Broadly Acceptable to Public (ABC News article)
Could You Data Mine Yourself Out Of A Paperbag (Reno and Its Discontents blog)
__________
Nevada Culture
Jim Butler Days
Jim Butler Days: Celebration in Tonopah May 23-28 (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Paleolithic Mining Practices
Stoner to tell of 9,000 years of mining here (Ely Times article)
The Von Schmidt Line
Pair of citizens hope to restore vandalized 1872 border marker (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Levis
'The most American garment was created by two immigrants': Man who first put rivets in jeans to be honored in Reno (Nevada AP article)
Northern Nevada Railway Museum
At the Throttle ~ Fire and water biggest threat at NNRy Museum (Ely Times column)
Clara Bow And Rex Bell
Past Dreams: 'Walking Box' ranch recalled (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[10:40 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Election Overviews
Jon Ralston breaks down the field of candidates from top to bottom (Las Vegas Sun column)
County & state election bids: Scores of candidates fill ballot slots (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
More On Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws
Beholden
"To win in 2002, Young put up thousands of his own dollars and was rewarded with a $51,000 pay cut - from $135,000 as a deputy chief to $84,000 as sheriff (since increased to $134,263). To win a second term, he had raised $1.2 million - his current salary nine times over."
'The system is broken': Fed up with politics, Sheriff Bill Young talks about why he has decided to retire (Las Vegas Sun article)
2006 Supreme Court Races
ERIN NEFF: Voters can finally vent on tax ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Clark County
Revolting campaign tactic: A candidate for Clark County sheriff is spreading rumors and resorting to e-mail threats (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Washoe County
Last minute filings heat up election (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Ballot Petitions And Initiatives
Tax And Spending Control
"No, TASC isn't a threat to the city budget. The city's refusal to control its labor costs, however, is most certainly a threat."
A threat to the city budget? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
The Art Of Basking
Las Vegas mayor content to stay: Goodman declines to file as candidate for a higher office (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Jurors conflicted on Kincaid-Chauncey, but not Herrera (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"The sleaze is part and parcel of our politics, an accepted and even tolerated feature of Nevada that impoverishes us all. And besides talk, what are we doing?"
Hal Rothman is aghast at just how common scandals like the G-Sting trial are in Nevada, but is encouraged by the verdict turned in (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Prison Problems
Ely inmates dying before execution (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Death row inmates who have died at the Ely State Prison since 2000 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
From The Nevada Supreme Court
New trial ordered in the case of the missing security tape (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Clark County
Witness Intimidation Making Bad Situations Worse
JOHN L. SMITH: In gang-infested neighborhoods, 'snitches get stitches' and justice denied (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Washoe County
Local Government Subsidies To Favored Recipients
Overhaul: Events funding under microscope (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
No Parking
Beaches set to open, parking issues to follow (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
University Regents And The State's Open Meeting Law
"Certain members of the university system Board of Regents have forgotten who is servant and who is master. They forget that they were elected to be our representatives, to carry out our wishes in the conduct of higher education and are subject to removal when we see that they are failing to do our bidding."
THOMAS MITCHELL: Regents closed-minded on nature of openness (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
New UNLV President
This could get interesting: Challenging adjustment awaits incoming UNLV president (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Public Schools
Direct Rewards Incentive Programs Conflict With Union's Socialist Principles
NEVADA POLITICIANS: Consensus lacking on teacher pay -- Differences on issue are subtle, but they are there (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Hispanic Nevada
Immigration reform now: Debate on critical issue expected to resume this week in the Senate (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
'Marry me, America': Juan Hernandez's view of immigration rooted in America and raised on both sides of the border (Las Vegas Sun article)
Latinos are diverse but have to be united (Emma Sepulveda column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Pit Pumping
"The only long-term solution to Nevada's water issues is to control the state's explosive growth, and thus limit the need for more water, he said."
Water mines not in the cards (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Tax Cuts
President's tax-cut follies: Congress passes huge tax cut at a time when deficits are skyrocketing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Guard saved in House bill: But, owing to President Bush's tax cuts, future generations would have to pick up the cost (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Newest Form Of Predatory Lending
Mortgaging your future: Creative financing, like 50-year mortgages, can be risky business for home buyers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Government again broke trust (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
"If the government sees the need to snoop on our phone calls, then by golly we better get used to it. And if the NSA occasionally makes a mistake and you end up getting tortured in a Turkish prison after ordering a Persian rug, that's just the price you pay for living in a free country. If we don't sacrifice for that freedom, we could end up like the old Soviet Union, where they actually listened to all the calls. Wouldn't want that, unless, of course, the president thought it was absolutely necessary."
NSA, can you hear me now? (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
Institutionalized Degradation Of Persons Detained Without Trial, Warrant Or Writ
"It was my turn to be humiliated every time I was taken to have a shower," Yee wrote in his book. "Naked, I had to run my hands through my hair to show that I was not concealing a weapon in it. ... Lift the right testicle, nothing hidden. Lift the left. Turn around, bend over, spread your buttocks, knowing a camera was displaying my naked image as male and female guards watched."
Tangled up in the war on terror: Ex-Army chaplain recounts tale of faith under fire (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Secrecy, Conscience And The Public's Right To Know
Keeping the nation's secrets (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)
__________
Nevada's Past
Spirit Cave Man
Prehistory to next world (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
The Donner Party
Archaeologists to search for relics at Donner Party site in Sierra (Nevada AP article)
V&TRR
Railroad panel will pick its operator this year: Qualified operators will be asked to apply starting next month, commissioner says (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[7:30 PM]
_____
Another Nevada Soldier Killed In Overseas Combat
Staff Sgt. Emmanuel L. Legaspi
Soldier from Las Vegas killed in Iraq (Nevada AP article)
Gibbons Comments on Nevadan killed in Iraq (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Fourth Soldier Recently Killed In Action With Ties To Nevada (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Brand New Vistas
"It's got to be looked at," Walton said. "There are a lot of us in the valley who don't believe that bribery on retainer is the way of political life."
Power of Triple Five: Erin Kenny allegation opens the door for closer look at mall developers (Las Vegas Sun article)
That Airport Land Deal: No Grand Jury Investigation; Just Another Sweetheart Settlement
"A team of county auditors discovered that neither parcel was included in the original transaction approved by commissioners and, as a result, Gragson paid nothing for the land."
Accord reached on land: Gragson must pay $407,500 for two parcels (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Politics
Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws
"Former candidates are allowed to save their unspent campaign funds for a future campaign or to use them to pay off campaign debts. They can give the funds to other political candidates within campaign donation limits. They can give the money back, they can donate it to charity, or they can give it to a political party."
Options on funds limited: Law addresses what to do with unused campaign money (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 US Senate Race
On Nevada (Jack Carter column, Give 'Em Hell Harry blog)
The War on Terror is a War on American Values (Jack Carter column, Give 'Em Hell Harry blog)
Harry Reid and Jack Carter (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Second Valley resident running for Congress (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
2006 Governor's Race
No Non-Mormon Democrats Seem To Have Gotten One
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: 'Mormon mailer' a mystery -- Gibson campaign won't say how flier was targeted (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The Controversial Mailer
Desert Saint or sinner? (Vegas Pundit website)
2006 Local Races
Clark County
Public administrator: Little known, heavily sought -- County office draws second most crowded race (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
Last Douglas candidates file (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
2006 Elections Overview
Filing roundup (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Uncontested Incumbents
Must be nice if you don't have to, you know, campaign or anything (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
State Republican Party
State GOP Chair’s action will add some divisive spice to convention (Nancy Dallas column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Nevada Government
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Supervisors expected to OK budget (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Not Voting Can Be Expensive
"In last year's city election, less than 25 percent of registered voters bothered to show up at the polls. Far more than that will be affected by the city's impending utility rate hikes."
Brace yourself for campaign season (Lahontan Valley Times* editorial)
Butterflies Of The Dune
Sand Mountain group approves final draft of plan (Lahontan Valley Times* article)
Clark County
Yet Another Neighborhood Casino Project Meets Opposition
"If we approve this one, the next developer will want one, and we'll have seven, eight and nine casinos. Why do we need all these casinos? I think four is enough."
State law stands in way of new casino: NLV residents have help in opposing site (Las Vegas Sun article)
Looking For More Revenue Production
"Dropped from the newest blueprint, as expected, are plans for a new City Hall and a domed baseball stadium, which were featured prominently in earlier versions - before city officials decided the land was too valuable for those public uses."
Union Park plans are tweaked once again (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
$250k could be pulled for budget shortfall (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Washoe County
Get The Money From Developers -- They Seem To Have Plenty Of It To Give To The City Council
"The assessed value of the downtown district has dropped $151 million since 2000 because of reduced casinos values. For 2006-07, the Washoe County assessor's office significantly reduced the value of the four biggest casinos downtown because of declining profits."
Reno council considers raising franchise fees (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Get Up, Stand Up
"Truckee Meadows Residents have every reason to be bewildered, skeptical and angry over a surge of development proposals, which, if implemented, would exacerbate our present urban sprawl, turn deserts into suburban tract homes, decimate wildlife and drain desert aquifers. The cost of much of this growth would be passed on to those who now live in and appreciate the quality of life in "our" Truckee Meadows."
Your Turn: Voters can get rampant growth here under control (Stephen Tchudi column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV President Designate Bows Out
"Many faculty members expressed concerns last week that Lennox's 35-year military career wasn't the right fit for a university where the emphasis is supposed to be on academic freedom and faculty governance."
PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH: General does about-face -- West Point superintendent says no to UNLV position (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Jilted (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Public Schools
Proficiency Exams
Proficiency test still a graduation hurdle: Students facing last chance to get diploma at commencement (Las Vegas Sun article)
Churchill County School District
Harassment training planned for students, school staff (Lahontan Valley Times* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
DIVINE STRAKE: Experts defend blast -- They insist explosion not aimed at developing new nuclear weapon (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
President Bush Massing US National Guard Troops On The Mexican Border (Associated Press article)
Time to approve a bill (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Reid: Bush Must Answer Tough Questions On Immigration (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Pentagon Considering Ensign's Plan For National Guard On America's Borders (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Unwarranted Surveillance
NEWSWEEK Poll: Americans Wary of NSA Spying -- Bush’s approval ratings hit new lows as controversy rages (Newsweek article, link courtesy of Reno and Its Discontents blog)
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Dialing for The Man (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Will Jim Gibbons continue to defend privacy rights? (Desert Beacon blog)
Great Arguments For A 10 Percent Flat Rate Income Tax
A funny kind of 'tax cut': Democrats vote to raise taxes; Republicans vote to keep them where they are (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Reinstate the sales tax deduction (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Federal Lands
Official: Tanker base safe for now (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Doesn't Like The President
Hook, line and sinker (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Endangered Species Act
Endangered flies? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
==========================================
[10:45 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Legislative Races
More state lawmakers running unopposed (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Local Elections
Elko County
Five will vie for justice of peace (Elko Free Press article)
State Republican Party
Assembly Republicans Blow It Big Time…Again (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Of Parades And Politicians
ERIN NEFF : Raining on parades (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Upcoming Corruption Trial Of Lance Malone
The trials promise to confirm the impression that is common in town that developers own the County Commission and that every zoning change is tainted by money. Now it's just about the bribery (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
More On Meth
Nevada braces for out-of-control meth use: State is No. 1 in crime and illegal drugs are root of cause (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Board of Supervisors OKs increased budget, new jobs at jail (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County
Confronting $kindustry Corruption
NLV confronting morality issues: Residents' input sought on strip clubs, other adult establishments (Las Vegas Sun article)
Job Recruitment
"The area's image may be a plus in seducing some tourists, but can be one of the town's liabilities when trying to persuade professionals to move here with their families."
For job recruiters, Vegas can be a tough sell (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
County Railport
Railport discussion on county’s agenda (Elko Free Press article)
City Budget
Elko City Council to approve final budget (Elko Free Press article)
Eureka County
High price of gold keeps isolated Eureka in business: Now priced at about $550 per troy ounce, even microns of gold are worth the high cost of extraction (Associated Press article)
Washoe County
RSCA Problems With Subsidizing Special Events
RSCVA needs consensus on goals (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Sparks Budget
Sparks City Council approves final budget recommendations (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Today's College Students
College student activism on the rise (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Vacant UNLV Presidency
West Point leader passes on UNLV: Are the inmates running the asylum? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
University's near catch: West Point's superintendent turns down the opportunity to be next president of UNLV (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH: Two UNLV finalists remain -- Regents weigh decision as to who will lead university (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
New Fang Doctors
"With Nevada ranking 50th in the nation for its paucity of dentists, and with the state also posting the highest rate of dental disease in the country, planning for UNLV's School of Dental Medicine began in 1997."
Of caps, gowns and crowns: UNLV's dental school graduates its first class after years of planning and budget anxiety (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Student Proficiency Exam Performance Not Even Mediocre
Clark test scores lagging: Results from Southern Nevada trail Washoe County (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Medicare Prescriptions
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN: Medicare stragglers file in -- Some 300 see Part D counselors (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
West Nile Virus
County to launch offensive against mosquitoes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Want More
Sierra Pacific Power seeks 10 percent rate hike for natural gas (Nevada AP article)
Filthy Lucre
Entrepreneurs find ways to make money from manure (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Nevadans split on president's proposal: Republicans endorse plan, Democrats say it doesn't go far enough (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevadans offer hope, criticism for Guard plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada governor reacts to president's Mexican border plan (Nevada AP article)
Commander says, Nevada's Guard troops 'stand ready' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Troops will raise tensions: Citizenship program and more Border Patrol agents are superior to calling out troops (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Gibbons, Porter are juggling stance on immigrants (Las Vegas Sun article)
See George triangulate (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Internet Regulation
How do you screw up the Internet? By letting the FCC regulate it (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
US Supreme Court
Reverse Robin Hood: No Free Market In Public Subsidies To Favored Private Corporations
"The Supreme Court took the easy way out Monday in an Ohio case involving the legality of states and municipalities offering tax incentives to attract businesses."
Tax incentives and interstate commerce (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Is Crawford v. Washington Retroactive?
High court will hear Nevada case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Bockting v. Bayer (9th Cir. - 2005)
Crawford v. Washington (USSC - 2004)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Columbia affiliate tops own offer for Aztar with $54 a share bid (Nevada AP article)
Compulsive Gambling
Sports stars can be role models for addicted gamblers (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Nevada's Past
60 Years Old
North Las Vegas celebrates 60 years: Unlike its much bigger (and flashier) brother, city happy to be humble (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
New Book
California Trail: ‘Bloodshed, Crosses & Graves’ (Elko Free Press article)
==========================================
[7:25 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Local Elections
Lyon County
Six file for Mayor’s post, three for Ward 1 City Council seat (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Martin unopposed, will retain Ward 3 Council seat (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Nevada Republican Party
Adams v Augustine (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
From The Office Of The Attorney General
Nevada Attorney General's office to host meth summit (Attorney General Press Release)
Related Story
Chanos Rural Meth Summit Moves Into Winnemucca (Nevada Observer article)
United States Supreme Court to hear Nevada criminal case (Attorney General Press Release)
Local Government
Clark County
Can't, Won't Or Don't Recycle
Low trash recycling rate gaining attention in southern Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Lyon County
Want More Money
Dayton, Mound House utility rate increase hearing is Thursday (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County
Mayoral Summit
Goodman visits little ole' Reno (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Carson City School District
School district to start year with a balanced budget, for the first time in years: Public invited to comment on budget at meeting Wednesday (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Ensign: Domenici remarks cast further doubt on Yucca Project (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Temporary nuclear waste storage may be sought due to Yucca delays (Associated Press article)
Immigration Reform
Border watch fits the role of National Guard (Lahontan Valley Times* editorial)
Berkley: Bush Plan a Band-Aid (Desert Beacon blog)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Each day in May has seen a new record price for gas in Nevada (Nevada AP article)
Federal Largesse
Ensign, Reid announce funds for rural development in White Pine County (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Accused Of Arson
Ex-BLM firefighter's confession allowed in Nevada arson case (Nevada AP article)
From The US Census Bureau
2002 Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Company Statistics Series, Asian-Owned Firms: 2002 (US Census Bureau website - PDF format)
__________
Nevada's Past
The Lure Of The Gold Rush
Nevada's golden past charms Chinese tourists (Nevada Appeal* article)
Death Of Former US Senator Chic Hecht
Ensign: Chic Hecht will be greatly missed (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
==========================================
[11:15 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Extra! Extra! Read All About Him!
"'The mayor of Las Vegas has the attention of everybody in the world,' he said. 'I can call emperors. I can call kings. And they take my phone calls. I'm not sure anybody else in the world can do that.'"
Goodman noncommittal on governor candidates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Legislative Races
Assembly District 33
Carpenter assured 11th term (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
A pastor and a teacher vie for school board: Hukari and Enge face each other for school district seat (Nevada Appeal* article)
Elko County
Last-day filings alter school races (Elko Free Press article)
Elkoan to serve another term on education board (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Growth And Water The Top Issues
Two more candidates enter race for Lyon County commissioner: There will be two primary races as four bid for Lyon Commission seat (Nevada Appeal* article)
State Republican Party
Adams’ Antics (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Something To Think About
Brian Greenspun advocates a better-informed electorate now for the sake of future generations (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
That Airport Land Deal
"The audit was prompted by a Review-Journal story outlining a land deal in which Gragson acquired property at Durango Drive and Windmill Lane from the airport. Legal notices published in the newspaper said the 37.5 acres could only be used for a cemetery. Gragson was the sole bidder on the land. The county later changed the zoning to allow commercial development."
Gragson payment to county on hold: Commissioners seek other options before accepting $407,500 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Meth Summit
Attorney general’s office holds Rural Meth Summit (Elko Free Press article)
Nevada National Guard
Army Guard soldiers sport new duds (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
Clark County
County Budget
"The county's overall budget is about $5.9 billion; the county employs 11,985 people."
County awaits state OK for $1.2 billion budget: Money to allow 207 new positions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
County manager gets raise (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Henderson City Budget
Henderson adds 139 full-time posts: City Council approves $516.5 million budget (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Las Vegas City Budget
"Revenue to the city's general fund is projected to increase by about 5.7 percent. Meanwhile, expenses are expected to rise about 9.6 percent. However, when one-time expenses, such as park-construction costs, are excluded, ongoing operating expenses and revenue are projected to balance out, according to Finance Director Mark Vincent."
Council members scramble to get some of $8 million: Money would come from lower than expected bid for softball fields (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
North Las Vegas City Budget
"North Las Vegas officials on Tuesday adopted a budget that is a whopping 31 percent bigger than last year's, despite a 2005 property-tax cap mandated by the Nevada Legislature and a two-cent cut in the city's tax rate."
Growth allows North Las Vegas to increase budget while cutting property taxes (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
"No appraisal was done to set the proposed $5 million purchase price, according to Deputy City Manager Orlando Sanchez. The price was arrived at through negotiations between the city and the owner, he said."
MONTEREY VILLAS: City may make vacant apartments affordable -- City Council to consider buying complex (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Although the city has never been a residential landlord, some say that with the area in an affordable housing crunch, it needs to try new programs and approaches."
Las Vegas in role of landlord? City weighs plan to buy apartments (Las Vegas Sun article)
Hindering The Helpful
"In one of the most absurd debates in recent memory, the City Council will decide whether to make a business zoning exception for the nonprofit facility that provides housing to the homeless."
JOHN L. SMITH: City Council should not evict a neighborhood's most helpful family (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
No Bid, No Search Contract
Quick action on Family Services director not without detractors (Las Vegas Sun article)
Family Court Chronicles Website
Up A Little
Monorail ridership up a bit (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Elko County
County Budget
"As they have for the past several years, commissioners were able to balance the budget without raising taxes."
County adopts budget (Elko Free Press article)
Mental Health Center Opens
Mental health facility holds grand opening ceremony (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
Budgets
Reno, Washoe approve budgets (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Urban Renewal
City's patience paying off (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV Presidency
"Regents think they run the higher education system in Nevada. Their failed attempt to recruit West Point Lt. Gen. William Lennox as president of UNLV suggests otherwise."
A lesson from the faculty -- Officials: Don't underestimate the importance of staffers' opinions in a presidential search (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
School District's fuel costs expected to rise nearly 50 percent next year (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Senators snap over mixed messages on Yucca project (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigration Reform
Reid has harsh words for House immigration bill: Senator questions commitment of GOP leaders to reform (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
“'We are not at war with Mexico,' Cuevas said. 'Mexico is not going to blow up any buildings. We don’t want to. We want to clean buildings.'”
Local activist has mixed reaction to Bush’s speech (Elko Free Press article)
Border security must be first priority: 'Comprehensive' immigration reform won't stop flood of illegals (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Room for skilled immigrants: Legislation could mean more engineers, scientists, doctors in U.S. from overseas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
No consensus on immigration policy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
BILL ROBERTS: Rising fuel prices hit rural pocketbooks hard (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
How high will it go before drivers change habits? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
"The Reno-Sparks area is particularly dependent on the automobile for its visitors. The RSCVA's 2005 visitor profile study, released in March, showed 60 percent of visitors arriving by private automobile, 8 percent by bus and 1 percent by recreational vehicle. Most come from California."
Casinos, city keep eye on gas hike effect (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
High gas prices leads owner to shut down pumps: Nevada gas prices setting daily records, AAA reports (Nevada Appeal* article)
If Turkey Can Do It, So Can Reno (Reno and Its Discontents blog)
National Security
Post-9/11 meaning gets lost: A national security measure before Congress is delayed by pre-9/11-style political pork (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Federal Lands
Oil & Gas
Public will see little from drilling on public lands (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Fire Season Starts In Southern Nevada
Federal agencies issue fire restrictions on public lands in Southern Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The US Supreme Court
Should Crawford v. Washington Decision Be Retroactive?
"The default setting must be that the Constitution means what it says: The government must produce actual accusers, whom defendants then have a right to confront and cross-examine."
Facing our accusers (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
Nevada Culture
Cultural Arts Festival
Carson Valley festival celebrates world cultures (Nevada Appeal* article)
Reno Artown Festival
Music, dancing and more this July (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Silver State International Rodeo
County should step up to ensure SSIR's future (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Ante for Aztar upped again -- Columbia Sussex raises its bid to $54 per share (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Color It Blue
"Tourism officials welcome the upscale conversion of Caesars Tahoe to MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, saying the nature-themed property will complement efforts to attract tourists to the area."
South Shore sees new shade of blue (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
The Basket Weavers' Art
Basket exhibit on display at Nevada State Museum (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Death of Former US Sen. Chic Hecht
A good man who had his say: Chic Hecht, whose upset victory carried him to the U.S. Senate, will be remembered (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Jon Ralston recalls Chic Hecht as a surprisingly forceful politician (Las Vegas Sun column)
==========================================
[12:10 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Poll: Dawn Gibbons Leading The Pack
"Of 400 Republican voters polled, 32 percent said they would vote for Dawn Gibbons in the Aug. 15 primary. Heller took 27 percent and Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, 15 percent."
Dawn Gibbons leading in GOP primary, poll says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Lieutenant Governor's Race
Jefferson makes bid for lieutenant governor (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Judicial Races
Judicial races heat up (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Local Races
Clark County
Can't Be Just Anyone
Metro men on inside track: Union narrows sheriff search (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Nye County
Nye County candidate list (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Ousted County Manager Running For Commission Seat
Maher among late-filers (Pahrump Valley Times article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
"It is the first known effort in Nevada to target a ballot initiative signature-gathering campaign at the point where signatures are gathered."
Anti-TASC effort takes opposition into streets (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Republican Party
"Political consultant Gary Gray, executive director of the Assembly Democratic Caucus for 10 years, was stunned by the Republicans' failure to mount candidates in so many races. 'I can never recall a time where anywhere near that number were unchallenged.' He said it shows 'a lack of leadership from top to bottom' among Nevada Republicans."
JANE ANN MORRISON: Republicans open to criticism for failing to field Assembly candidates (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Concerned About Homosexuals
ERIN NEFF: More 'protection' (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
$kindustry Cases
"The deal calls for Rizzolo to plead guilty to conspiracy to evade taxes, a felony."
Rizzolo's signature is on plea deal: Agreement doesn't mention organized crime (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Judge asked to overturn verdicts against Herrera (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Battle Against Methamphetamine
Raquel's Escape: Running away (Nevada Appeal* article)
One in six Carson high-schoolers try meth (Nevada Appeal* article)
Facts for parents about meth (Nevada Appeal* article)
The dying days of an addict: Government treatment funds are scarce, but a $20 video might prevent addictions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Governor: Nevada could have big fire season (Nevada AP article)
Governor: Emergency funds not enough for bad fire season (Nevada Appeal* article)
Wildland fire danger arrives early this year (Elko Free Press article)
Heavy fuel, little rain increases potential for bad fire season (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
'Ripe' conditions prompt fire restrictions on public lands (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Rookie firefighters get real-life training session (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Fire season outlook grim for lower Sierra elevations (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Safety training takes on new importance (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
State's Inadequate Supervision Of Mortgage Lenders
USA Capital exec says funds being recovered (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Going Around In Circles Over Roundabouts
NDOT: No Money For Traffic Light, But Enough To Build A Traffic Circle
Opposition kills 160 roundabout (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Traffic Circle Price Increases From $300,000 To $1 Million; Traffic Lights Cost $200,000
How much for a roundabout? (Gardnerville Record-Courier* editorial)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Supervisors to vote on rec center bond (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Application denied for Fallon taxi company (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Exasperated With Sleazy Ads And Visual Clutter
"'They could make us go away tomorrow if they just pay us for them,' Larsen said."
Sign of the times: Billboards under fire (Las Vegas Sun article)
No Search No Bid Contract OK
"We believe Reilly, a former social worker himself, acted in the best interest of the county when he decided quickly on a quality candidate, rather than letting a crisis simmer for who knows how long."
No time for a long search: A new Family Services chief was needed immediately in light of the pressing demand (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Self-Satisfied
"Council members said they felt comfortable with the price for the Monterey Villas, despite not having an appraisal."
City to buy vacant apartments for $5 million: Site to be refurbished to create affordable housing (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nice Work. Now Get Out.
FAMILY PROMISE: Aid agency loses home -- Helper of homeless families given six months to relocate (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
To Be Homeless In Babylon
Veterans stand down: Homeless receive services -- Event offers help, haircuts and hope (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
North Las Vegas
Sleazy Payday Loans And $kindustry Corruption
Voters to be questioned about adult businesses, loan stores (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Billion Dollar Development
$1 billion development planned for NLV: City approves master plan of Olympia Group (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Douglas County
Too Close For Comfort
"What was once open space is now a private road within 5 feet of their backyard fences."
Homeowners battle over Frieda Lane (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Elko County
That's All, Folks
Scenic to end Elko air service (Elko Free Press article)
Lincoln County
Helping Out Harvey
"I think people are a little bit jealous. I am very blessed. I am the luckiest guy in America."
City blooming in desert: Coyote Springs developer touts natural element (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nye County
Commission approves fix for roadway flooding (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Town Board approves contract with firefighters (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Search For UNLV President
UNLV PRESIDENT: Rogers wants decision today -- Regents meet after search panel (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Public Schools
School Bullies
Guest column: Society needs to change paradigm to stop bullies (Domenic J. Maglio column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Clark County School District
$1.9 billion school budget OK'd (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Washoe County School District
School district plans pay raises for classified workers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services
Mental health director quitting (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Financing Ambulance Services
East Fork offers new ambulance subscriptions (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA Wants White Flag From White Pine
"The talks have stalled, at least for the moment, because of the water authority's desire to see the county drop its state-level protests of the authority's groundwater development plans. Some in White Pine County say they aren't ready to give up that particular fight."
Ely water talks slow to trickle: White Pine County officials cancel negotiating session with water authority (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Carson And Walker Rivers
Warm temperatures, high water confirm it's spring (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Humboldt River And Its Tributaries
Rivers, streams receding (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump
Panel trims nuclear waste spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nuclear agency nominee testifies: Job would require decisions on repository (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Project Skepticism is growing (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Nevada Test Site
Divine explosion: Is the scheduled Divine Strake explosion a precursor to more nuclear weapons testing? (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Native Americans protest planned non-nuclear blast at test site (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Immigration Reform
"Martinez and thousands of her fellow Culinary Union workers used hotel-sponsored phone banks up and down the Strip to lobby members of Nevada's congressional delegation about immigration reform."
Culinary workers tap Congress (Las Vegas Sun article)
How they voted: A rundown on the immigration voting records of members of Congress representing Northern Nevada (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
People who used to live in glass houses (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
Soaring Fuel Prices
It’s No Joke: Gas prices keep climbing (Elko Free Press article)
Federal Lands
House votes to speed logging in burned forests; Nevadans split (Nevada AP article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Sands Sale
Herbst Gaming to buy Sands Regent: Company's casino portfolio would swell to dozen with deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Sands could sell to Vegas-based firm for $148 million (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Carson City Renaissance Faire
A faire way to spend a Renaissance day in Pembrooke (Nevada Appeal* article)
Fallon's Portuguese Festa
Portuguese Festa will be celebrated this weekend (* article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Those Old Blue Jeans
Are you wearing 'Reno's rivets'? (Mella Harmon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Death Of Former US Senator Chic Hecht
Chic Hecht, at 77 (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
==========================================
[8:35 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Poll: Dawn Gibbons The Front Runner
It's poll time (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Nevada poll looks at House primary race (Nevada AP article)
2006 Governor's Race
Hunt bankrolls her campaign (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Miss Conduct Takes Her Case To The Voters
Augustine campaigns in Reno (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
A Slice Of Self-Basting Turkey
Goodman breaks his silence (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Political Overview
Few of our favorite things (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
A Very Important Question
"As the campaign for sheriff heats up, it's a question voters and reporters should ask of the candidates. Where do you stand on public corruption, and will the Intelligence Section detectives still have a green light to go after bad guys, no matter what office the crooks might hold?"
Will next sheriff keep corruption squad? (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Why they convicted in G-Sting, Part One (Vegas Pundit Website)
Upcoming $kindustry Trial
Las Vegas strip club owner to accept plea deal, give up business (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Burning Hills
Governor Briefed On Nevada's Wildfire Season (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Nevada's Worst Highways
The road not taken seriously: Officials have taken steps to make infamous State Route 160 safer. Why can't they do the same with 159? (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Nevada Living
You can run, you can hide, but you can't escape ... the server: Sneaky and single-minded, process servers don't rest until the papers are delivered (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
California university provost picked as new UNLV president (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Innovative Fundraiser
Nevada water rights go on auction block to aid cancer center (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Pollution Indictment
U.S. indictment accuses Nevada company of illegal pollution (Nevada AP article)
Recycling
Don't trash that can, man (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Needs A Little Explanation: How Do Illegal Workers Collect Benefits Paid To Someone Else's SSN?
Ensign Amendment Would Stop Social Security Benefits For Illegal Labor (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
From The US Congress
Sounds Good, But What Is It Exactly?
Ensign Innovation Bill Moves Forward (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Law Enforcement And Emergency Responders
Rural Nevadans Get High-Tech Help: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Awards Equipment (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILT)
Gibbons Fights for Increased PILT Funding: Western Members Secure Increase of $16 Million (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
Reforestation Bill
Nevada's Post-Fire Reforestation to Drastically Improve: Gibbons Hails Legislation to Expedite Recovery Efforts (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Flamingo Sale
American approved to buy Flamingo Laughlin for $170 million (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Death Of Former US Senator Chic Hecht
Hecht upset will live forever in state lore (Las Vegas Sun article)
==========================================
[11:40 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Poll: Jim Gibbons Continues In Lead
Gibbons maintains front-runner status over Democrats (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Bob Beers' New Campaign Manager
Beers names Hettrick to head campaign (Nevada Appeal* article)
Lorraine Hunt
Nevada tourism chair makes a pitch for state's top post (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC)
Conservative feedback on tax and spending issue (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
2006 Local Races
Clark County
DA finds himself in a race: Roger, once uncontested, draws challenges, criticism (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Glaser files for judge (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
District II County Commissioner race to require primary ballot (Mason Valley News article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Why Doesn't Clark County Have Grand Jury Investigations Of Its Lucky Land Deals?
Don't rush settlement in land giveaway: County should slow down on Gragson deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Rizzolo $kindustry Investigation
"The settlement allows him time to sell his club and lets him avoid being hit with a mob jacket. All in all, a pretty good deal."
JOHN L. SMITH: Attorney Sgro's work for Crazy Horse Too owner becomes very big deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Fight Against Meth
'Why can't they just let me get high?' (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nevada Is Not Alone
UNNECESSARY EPIDEMIC: A Five-Part Series (Portland Oregonian series [link courtesy of Desert Beacon blog])
Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Lenders
Bankruptcy judge allows two law firms to keep representing USA Capital (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Highways
Clark County
Road work gets boost in budget: $284 million set aside for improvements (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION: Getting a jump-start on gridlocks -- Real-time traffic flow data could be just around the bend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Churchill County
Bid awarded for repaving, widening of busy county road (Lahontan Valley News* article)
God speed the asphalt crews on Highway 50 (Lahontan Valley News* article)
"NDOT will immediately seek a new contractor to complete the $80 million project, now nearly two years behind schedule."
Washoe County
NDOT ends contract with company building Galena bridge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Contractor, NDOT part ways over Galena Creek bridge (Nevada Appeal* article)
The Problem With Roundabouts
Roundabout's costs better spent elsewhere (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Department Of Redundancy Department
Sex offender enforcement efforts duplicated (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
Clark County
Las Vegas Strategic Plan
"So the council that tramples on constitutional rights, doles out tax breaks to developers but disdains the less fortunate and substitutes braggadocio and spin for substance and accomplishments wants us to believe it has a STRATEGIC PLAN?"
Jon Ralston on how wrong Las Vegas' 'Strategic Plan' can be for the taxpayers (Las Vegas Sun column)
Special Events Center Task Force
"No sooner had the first meeting of a task force studying a new Las Vegas arena been called to order than Mayor Oscar Goodman threw the group a curveball."
Mayor tells arena task force about his 'parallel' negotiations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Douglas County
Supreme Court rejects new growth hearing (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Elko County
County Railport
"Elko County officials finalized a contract Wednesday to purchase 800 acres in Osino for the Northeastern Nevada Regional Railport."
Railport land deal closes (Elko Free Press article)
County updated on Railport’s business plan (Elko Free Press article)
City Of Elko
"Elko City Council approved the city’s 2006/2007 final budget Tuesday, including sewer and water rate increases and changes to the airport and recreation funds."
City balances budget for ’07 (Elko Free Press article)
Charter to sell Elko cable TV holdings (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
Seeking planning participation (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Lyon County
County Budget
Lyon budget approval sees emergency management position reinstated: Position was previously denied (Mason Valley News article)
New Judge
Pederson takes seat on District Court bench (Mason Valley News article)
Yerington
Lyon says it has little say in local Senior Center conflict (Mason Valley News article)
"After concerns were raised about a new ordinance dealing with farm equipment on city streets, an ordinance to rescind a prohibition dealing with large vehicular traffic on city streets has been proposed."
City takes steps toward rescinding (Mason Valley News article)
Dirty Anaconda
Mine site technical, stakeholder meetings are next week (Mason Valley News article)
Smith Valley
Hudson Aurora land use change requests continued by Commissioners (Mason Valley News article)
Washoe County
Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority
Tourism budget approved (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Incline Village General Improvement District
Fire board helps fund IVGID fuels work (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV's New President
UNLV PRESIDENT: Regents like how No. 2 fits -- Second choice to lead university accepts job offer (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"The incoming UNLV president has a choice. He can announce some dramatic goals and follow through with concrete changes -- the kind of boat-rocking that's bound to upset several of the vested interests who played midwife to this delivery. Or, he can mumble some unobjectionable academic platitudes and concentrate on the proper allocation of parking places for his assistants."
A new president for UNLV (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Challenges await at UNLV: New president's background gives him the potential to lead university to new heights (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Schools
Churchill County School District
6-10 Percent More
Survey: Most school district workers paid more than other Nevada districts (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA, The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs
"Water authority finance director Carey Casey said the agency has about $3 billion worth of construction and capital improvements either in the planning stages or now under way."
$180 million committed to water projects: Largest share of money to support development of pipeline network (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The Colorado River
Colorado River getting less water than projected from Rocky Mountain snow (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Spring flood warnings in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Soaring Fuel Prices
LAS VEGAS TOURISM: Fuel at a threshold? Studies show cost of gasoline near level that will limit Americans' travel (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Gas prices' rosy scenario (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Immigration Reform
Senate kills Ensign effort to shape bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Income Tax Reform
Nevada draws short straw in latest tax reform proposal (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Medicare
Go slow on changes to drug plan (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
Pinnacle Entertainment won't raise offer for Aztar (Nevada AP article)
Flamingo Laughlin
Icahn company to take over Flamingo Laughlin: Gaming Commission approves ownership switch (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
MontBleu Resort
Sign of times to come with rollout of new casino (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
They Were Expendable
Youth, good looks a gold mine on LV Strip (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Lyon County Air Fest
At the Lyon County Fly-In and Air Fest: About 5,000 expected to touch down in Silver Springs for annual event (Nevada Appeal* article)
Reno Sets The Standard
For art's sake (Cindy Funkhouser column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Nevada Journalism
This job has its benefits, and some taste mighty fine (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
__________
Nevada's Past
Key piece of Comstock saloon history discovered (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
==========================================
[6:20 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Gibbons has slight edge in race for governor's mansion, according to poll (Nevada AP article)
Bob Beers' latest commercial (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 US Senate Race
2006 Tax Reconciliation Bill
Carter says Ensign vote will cost Nevada taxpayers millions of dollars (Carter 2006 Campaign Press Release)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Porter Breaks Pledge On Vote For Reckless Budget (Tessa Hafen Campaign Press Release)
2006 Secretary Of State's Race
Doesn't Like Financial Disclosure
Secretary of State: Hansen seeks state office (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Local Races
City And County Of Carson
Campaign newcomer challenges longtime school trustee: Incumbent has competition third time around (Nevada Appeal* article)
Elko County
Triggs makes bid for county sheriff (Elko Free Press article)
White Pine County
Two local races require primary election, both GOP (Ely Times article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Teaching Evolution Initiative
Supporter of evolution ballot measure concedes (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Nevada Voting
Coming Back From The HAVA Debacle
Nevada election officials working with new registration system (Nevada AP article)
2006 Republican State Convention
Miss Conduct Strikes Back
Augustine defies critics during address at state's Republican convention (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
GAME DAY - Nevada GOP Convention (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Ensign says Dem leaders "hurt our country" (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
JANE ANN MORRISON: How Dario Herrera paid for his defense remains under wraps (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Jon Ralston on Politics: Jury system worked (In Business Las Vegas article)
More from the jurors (Vegas Pundit website)
Rizzolo $kindustry Prosecution
CRAZY HORSE TOO: 17th defendant accepts plea -- Agreement ends topless club investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Battle Against Meth
I'm Raquel (Nevada Appeal* article)
In her own words (Nevada Appeal* article)
Rehabilitation only begins in rehab (Nevada Appeal* article)
Landlords could pay under proposed ordinance (Nevada Appeal* article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Lenders
"Others speaking anonymously are skeptical about Allison's plan for continuing USA Capital as a business, not just because of the financing difficulty, but also because of the bad reputation USA Capital has gotten since its bankruptcy filing in April."
USA Capital officer's first effort to secure financing fails (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Highways
Galena Creek Bridge
State ends contract with firm (Nevada AP article)
Getting A Runaround
Residents blast roundabout proposal; signal is approved (Pahrump Valley Times article)
PV students demand traffic signals (Pahrump Valley Times article)
NDOT engineer vainly outlines the benefits of a roundabout (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Bird Flu
State report downplays avian flu threat from migratory birds to North America (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nevada Unemployment
Nevada's unemployment edges up in April (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Local Government
Clark County
Special Events Center Task Force
"The group's first order of business, it turned out, was to dodge one of the overly eager mayor's proverbial pompom thrusts - his attempt to introduce an arena builder before the task force had even decided whether a new arena was a good idea."
Goodman gets ahead of himself on arena issue (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nowhere To Go
Homeless charity still without a home: Goodman, Family Promise fail to find solution (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Calnev Fuel Pipeline
Two options under study for pipeline expansion (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nye County
Thinly Attended
Joint town board meeting doesn't draw many people (Pahrump Valley Times article)
White Pine County
County Budget
"A new budget created during a state of financial emergency means new tax increases."
County's '06-07 budget includes some pain (Ely Times article)
Scenic Departure
Airline quits Ely for more scenic location (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
New UNLV President
Ashley called 'total package': He's ready to succeed at UNLV (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Teacher shortage garners attention: Specialists might need to fill positions in the classrooms (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Good Counsel? The Council for a Better Nevada wants—what else—a better Nevada. Starting with its stand on decentralizing education, the council is ruffling quite a few feathers (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Elko County School District
The Elko County School Board has approved a $113 million budget for 2007. School budget up $3.8 million (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Fighting The Water Moloch And Its Suction Scheme
Talks with SNWA stall, but to start again next week (Ely Times article)
As We See It: Is county water policy all wet? (Ely Times editorial)
Arsenic Treatment
Porter Secures Funds For Arsenic Treatment Facilities (Rep. Porter Press Release)
__________
Federal Nevada
Soaring Fuel Prices
Utilities: Expect gasoline prices to stay pumped up for a while (In Business Las Vegas article)
Fuel prices on the rise: Motorists Fill Up, Pay Up (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Big Three, Congress and gas: U.S. automakers talk with lawmakers about how to make ethanol more available (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Immigration Reform
Immigration issue is dividing Republican Party (Las Vegas Sun article)
Positions Of Nevada's Congressional Delegation On Immigration Reform Bill (Las Vegas Sun article)
Federal Lands
BLM is way off course: Agency torn by competing missions of protecting land and allowing drilling (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Rare Devils Hole pupfish moved to hatchery, Las Vegas aquarium (Nevada AP article)
Veterans' Affairs
Gibbons Secures Critical Funding for Nevada's Veterans (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
__________
Nevada Culture
Jim Butler Days Parade In Tonopah
Judge Breen the grand marshal (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pahrump Valley Historical Museum
Historical Museum celebrates (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Aztar Acquisition
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Aztar bidding adieu -- Tropicana owner agrees to be sold to Columbia Sussex for $2.75 billion (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Aztar Corp. off the market; is the Sahara next? (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Hard Rock Sale
Peter Morton turns Hard Rock into gold (In Business Las Vegas article)
New Name
Age of 'Aquarius' comes to Flamingo Laughlin (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Internet Gambling
Officials aim to head off bet ban: Nevada lawmakers propose commission to study online wagering (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Marketing Nostalgia
Gaming: Older properties push nostalgia in meantime (In Business Las Vegas article)
They Were Expendable
Days Are Numbered for Non-Hottie Bartenders (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)
==========================================
[11:20 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Critical Underdogs
Two underdogs in governor's race criticize Gibbons at GOP meeting (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Local Races
Churchill County
Sheriff's Office Captain Becomes A Judicial Candidate
Richards running for Justice of the Peace (Fallon Star-Press article)
2006 Republican State Convention
Talking Tough On Immigration
GOP hurdles focus of convention talk: Attendees OK tough stance on immigration (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"In a reflection of the continued division among GOP faithful in the heated debate over illegal immigration, the Nevada Republican Party rejected President Bush's proposals Saturday and instead adopted a platform that opposes amnesty and supports denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants."
Delegates reject immigration proposals (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Voter Discontent Over Sleazy Incompetence
"Up and down the ballot in Nevada, Democratic candidates use stump speeches to hammer on what they see as the Bush administration's failings and Congress's ethics scandals."
GOP faces skeptical electorate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Republicans Reject Miss Conduct
"Delegates to the state Republican convention voted overwhelmingly Saturday to deny Controller Kathy Augustine party support in her bid for state treasurer this year."
GOP convention denies support for Augustine's state treasurer bid (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Chuck Muth's Coverage
Fireworks Lead Off Nevada GOP Convention (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
GAME DAY - Nevada GOP Convention (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
2006 Elections
"With some notable exceptions among the major candidates running for governor and Congress, the slate presented to voters reveals Nevada is still little more than a cow town. Don't believe me? Go watch the Legislature for a week."
ERIN NEFF: A depressing look at the names on the ballot (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
The Problem With Partisan Politics
"It is the victory of partisanship over logic that has brought us to this place, the blind loyalty so many of us on both sides placed in our leaders, whose trust they abused over and over. Partisanship prevents the kind of consensus building that is necessary to operate a government that serves all the people, not just certain blocks."
To test partisanship, take the Hillary Test (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
In Las Vegas, The Rot Starts At The Top
"All cities have a criminal element, a stratum of people who do stupid, mean, selfish things. But Sheriff Young suggests there's something more going on in Las Vegas, a community-sanctioned encouragement of lawlessness, a purposeful loosening of morals and values."
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Sheriff's exit reflects larger concerns (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
"'The drugs, the prostitution in and around that whole scenario out on the Strip - I'm a little concerned ... The 'What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas' mentality: People come here who just do whatever they want. There are no rules here. I'm a little worried about it.'
We believe everyone should be worried. Do we really want Las Vegas to be the weekend destination for thousands of strippers and prostitutes from Southern California? Do we want drug dealers making a grand living from our hotel guests?"
Where is the Strip heading? Comments by Sheriff Bill Young call for a community dialogue on resort entertainment (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Rizzolo $kindustry Prosecution
He's Not A Criminal, He's A Celebrity
"Those who had come to socialize with Rizzolo at Piero's, a few blocks from the Strip, and bid on sports memorabilia displayed by his nearly nude dancers included a city councilman, a top local prosecutor, a former mayor and the city's convention boss. When it was over, they sang the praises of Rizzolo, the man who made it an evening to remember - all willingly looking past his other darker life as the strong-willed proprietor of the Crazy Horse Too, one of the city's most notorious strip clubs."
Rizzolo's ride: From the heights to the depths (Las Vegas Sun article)
What Mafia?
JOHN L. SMITH: Crazy Horse Too settlement threatens to ruin mobster's reputation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
The Battle Against Methamphetamine
Law enforcement: Methamphetamines the No. 1 problem in Churchill County (Fallon Star-Press article)
"Meth ruins lives, and the problem is huge. A survey found that one in six Carson High School students have tried meth, a drug so powerful that it can create addicts out of people who intended to be one-time users. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong estimated that drugs are in some way involved in about 80 percent of crimes in the city."
Beating drugs will solve many other problems (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Going Up
"Sierra Pacific Power Co. will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the largest power plant project in Northern Nevada since 1985."
Power plant groundbreaking set for Monday (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Urban Redevelopment
What is redevelopment? (Nevada Appeal* article)
A powerful tool (Nevada Appeal* article)
Hillside residents watch, wonder and act (Nevada Appeal* article)
Talking About Bad Girls
"Some believe the Whistle Stop Inn may have been wanting to attract more than cleaning women, but the owner of the North Carson Street motel said those who think that 'have their minds in the gutter.'"
Sheriff pulls suggestive signs: Are signs a bad joke, or ads directed toward prostitutes? (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Nice Work. Now Get Out.
"This story reeks of hypocrisy and irony as Weekly pandered to fellow African-Americans whose plight the council has ignored for years, all the while providing sops and empty promises. The council can't find a grocery store for West Las Vegas, but it can find the time to boot a nonprofit group that bothers no one and helps many."
Jon Ralston on the Family Promise eviction, the latest humiliation of the homeless by the mayor and City Council (Las Vegas Sun column)
Better To Coddle Slumlords
A new city housing project: Las Vegas goes into the landlord business (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Buyer's Market
Home sellers beware: Buyers are in control as number of houses for sale soars in Las Vegas Valley (Las Vegas Sun article)
Clark County Coroners' Inquests
VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: More 'business as usual' at Metro (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Washoe County
Developing Dream
Growth continues (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Downtown Reno: A Revolution in the making (Downtown Makeover Blog)
Respect The Bogeymen
"Once again, people are creating bogeymen -- blaming 'evil developers' for all of the area's ills and pushing residents to take up sides and warning that without strict controls they will destroy our way of life."
Keep debate respectful (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Awaiting Results
"Will it take that long for the School Board to recognize that the district, in its current form, is a model of failure? Will it take several more years of testing well below national averages for taxpayers to demand performance pay for teachers, school choice and a breakup of the nation's fifth-largest school system? Our children shouldn't have to wait that long."
School district has a lot of work to do (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
No Wonder
Crisis in Clark County Classrooms (Sean Schmitt column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Brian Greenspun on why Bush gets an A for his stand on the issue of immigration (Las Vegas Sun column)
Bush is still wrong on immigration (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)
Punting on vital legislation: Nevada's Gibbons and Porter trade in their earlier positions on immigration reform (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Myths vs. Facts: Commonly used attacks against immigrants (ImmigrationProf Blog, via Reno and Its Discontents)
Congressional Inaction
Evening rant: What the Senate will and won't do (Desert Beacon blog)
Federal Lands
Area 51
"A former Area 51 worker who was on the list of plaintiffs in Turley's cases said Thursday he is angry that the Air Force warns emergency responders about these hazardous byproducts but won't compensate him and his former co-workers."
Warnings for emergency responders kept from Area 51 workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Grazing Permits
Halt to grazing denied: Environmentalist group loses bid on three Elko allotments (Elko Free Press article)
Wild Horses
Acting to save wild horses: Bill would close the gap opened in 2004 and save symbol of West from slaughterhouses (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Sen. Reid And The Democratic Party
"Nevadans who see Sen. Reid exercise his position as the Democratic leader of the Senate don't see the hardscrabble conservative Mormon from Searchlight. They see a political transvestite who forsakes his home state to kowtow to the wildly liberal wing of the Democratic Party. When Harry meets Nancy on the national stage, they seem indistinguishable."
SHERMAN FREDERICK: When Harry met Nancy (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Unwarranted Detentions
"As the committee suggested, closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center would go a long way toward restoring our international reputation."
Report right about Guantanamo Bay (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
An Appetite For Acquisitions
INSIDE GAMING: Immigrant protest has little effect on Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Jeff Simpson predicts some major gaming acquisitions we may see in near future (Las Vegas Sun column)
Feed The Need
"With all the changes in the delivery of information, the only thing stopping you from gambling on your cell phone is law; we all know that the law is mutable, changed at the discretion of the Legislature. Given the real challenge from Internet gaming, the prospect of a change in Nevada law to accommodate direct delivery of legalized gaming is not as far-fetched as it sounds."
Hal Rothman on the need for Las Vegas' gaming industry to catch up to technology, such as cell phone wagering (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada's Past
1879 Pants: The Birth Of The Blues
World's oldest jeans displayed in Reno tribute to jean pioneer (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
THOMAS MITCHELL: Could you get news fix without newspapers? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
==========================================
[11:00 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
The Importance Of Being A Voter
"Low voter turnouts symbolize apathy, and it is within an atmosphere of apathy that crooked politicians flourish."
Stand up to scandals - vote: We would like to see voters reverse low turnouts recorded in recent primary elections (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
2006 Congressional Races
Statewide poll: Nevadans prefer Democrats in Congress (Nevada AP article)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Political Action Committee Against Bastards and Bitches in Politics
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: PAC urges Augustine to withdraw from race -- Letter takes candidate for state treasurer to task (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Republican State Convention
Nevada GOP Convention Wrap-Up (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada Highways
Galena bridge needs builder (Reno Gazette-Journal* article)
Bad Drivers
LIMITING LICENSES: Older drivers cause concern -- Teenagers, elderly have worst records (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
MOUNT POTOSI CANYON ROAD: Wildfire burns more than 200 acres -- Several homes, camp areas subject to voluntary evacuation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Defamation
"The firm was tired of being mentioned in connection with an ongoing grand jury investigation into whether doctors and lawyers worked in cahoots to build up medical costs to get fat insurance settlements."
JANE ANN MORRISON: Win or lose, lawyer Eglet shuts some mouths with defamation lawsuit (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Still Need Water
Public Works gearing up to meet city's summer water demand (Nevada Appeal* article)
Tourism
Are cowboys and ads enough to lure Chinese tourists here? (Nevada Appeal* article)
Recreation Center Project
Carson City teams up with WNCC for indoor rec center (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County
Retro-Government: Another Toll Road Proposal
Boulder City might take a toll on motorists (Las Vegas Sun article)
Rara Avis
It's strictly for the birds: Many Las Vegans care less about drawing a royal flush but more about spotting a hiding thrush (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Shorezone plan to be released (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Tahoe Rim Trail Association to celebrate 25th (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Trolling Booters
City officials investigate car bootings (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Incline Village General Improvement District
IVGID finalizes rec fee; utility rate increases (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
High-Tech Cheating In The Classroom
"'That sort of mentality is why we ended up with stuff like Enron,' Burns said. 'If you learn in one area of life that it's OK to cheat in class or on a test, it affects your sense of personal honesty and integrity.'"
Profs wise to cellular cheats: Camera phones are new tool for some test takers (Las Vegas Sun article)
New UNLV President
New UNLV chief has key jobs to fill (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
State Performance Testing
Proficiency test results expected back quickly (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County School District
New Lake Tahoe school principals selected for Zephyr Cove, Whittell (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Former President Clinton agrees with Bush immigration plan (Nevada AP article)
Federal Lands
Management of public lands (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Alternative Energy Sources
Sensible plan on energy use: Democrats highlight their proposal that would lessen dependence on oil (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Las Vegas to get second hydrogen station for fuel cell vehicles (Nevada AP article)
Taxes And Spending
Ensign: tax cuts are fine, deficit will take care of itself (Desert Beacon blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Peppermill Improvements
Peppermill adds $70M in upgrades (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
More MontBleu
Sign of times to come with new Tahoe casino and spa (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Carson Valley's Historic Dangberg Home Ranch
RANCH LIFE: Officials developing historic property into 26th state park (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
V&TRR: Resurrection Of A Railroad
Big parcel, small price: V&T commission purchases 21 acres for $20,000; still more land to go (Nevada Appeal* article)
Historic Preservation
Data manager brings high-tech to historic preservation (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[7:45 PM]
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Smears From Beers
Gibbons response to Beers ad (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
The Second Beers Commercial (Eric Odom intro, Battle Born Opinion News)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Augustine comes back fighting, again… (Nancy Dallas column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
"When you handle the public's money, you'd better be cleaner than an angel's drawers."
G-Sting is so Las Vegas, and so not Las Vegas (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
An order, er memo, from the chancellor to the regents (Vegas Pundit website)
__________
Federal Nevada
Soaring Fuel Prices
Gas prices affected holiday travel, AAA says (Nevada AP article)
Reid: Americans Need All The Gas Price Protection They Can Get (Sen. Reid Press Release)
The Nation's Southern Border
Senate Approves Ensign Amendment Allowing National Guard On Border (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Forty acres and a casino: Mass firings, possible selloffs may follow Hard Rock purchase (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Kiel Ranch: An Historic Disgrace in North Las Vegas (George Knapp report, KLAS-TV)
==========================================
[10:20 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Shoot The Leader
Beers, Titus take aim at front-runner Gibbons over debates (Nevada Appeal* article)
Product Confusion
"Polls on a potential Gibbons-Gibson race show the two candidates in a statistical dead heat for the general election. That means if even 10 percent of voters confuse the two, it could have an impact on the race."
Most Nevadans know which candidate is which, but even a little confusion could swing election (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Complete results of governor's poll (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Complete 2nd Congressional District poll results (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
State Republican Party
Heller, Most Incumbent Legislators Were No-Shows
"In a state where they control everything but the lower house, the state convention in Mesquite drew a miniscule 135 delegates and only one state lawmaker who will be returning to Carson City next year."
ERIN NEFF: This is a party? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Getting To Know The Constituents A Necessity
"I think every person who is running for office should be showing exactly why they deserve to be elected," she said. "I know that the Democrats are not running on being a Democrat, and that's the end of the story. They are out there knocking on doors, shaking hands and winning people over voter by voter."
Backlash against Bush might not affect Nevada GOP (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Splits Don't Help
GOP splits over child-citizenship plank (Las Vegas Sun article)
The National Corruption Epidemic
"Corruption isn't a Republican or Democratic sin; it's a human one."
Neither party is free of corruption (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Nye County $kindustry Corruption Case
"Former "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss could soon find herself back in a courtroom, this time as a witness in the federal trial of a Nevada brothel owner accused of trying to bribe the chairwoman of the Nye County Commission."
FBI contacts Fleiss in brothel owner investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Clark County Commission Corruption Case
Not Just A Scandal Anymore -- Cheetah's: The Musical
"Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery – all those things we Las Vegans hold near and dear to our hearts. Thank you."
Bribin' in the club (Vegas Pundit website)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Emergency Funds
Money Eaten Up By Soaring Fuel Prices
A pot of money state government uses to pay for emergencies such as wildfires will be essentially empty once lawmakers hand out funding requests at their June 13 meeting."
Emergencies Contingency Fund will be broke in June (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Bad Times Seen For Summer
Firefighters preparing for the worst this summer (Nevada Appeal* article)
The Double-Up Wildfire
Wildfire lives up to its name: Doubles in size (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Transportation
Funding Elko's Airport
City to raise fees for airport usage (Elko Free Press article)
Galena Bridge
"If the contractor, one of the three largest bridge builders in the country, is worried about the safety of the work ordered by the NDOT, then it is likely that it will be difficult for the state to find another contractor willing to tackle the project ... or it is going to cost a lot more than the $80 million called for by the Kraemer & Sons contract."
A troubling disagreement (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Another Washout
Bridge washes out south of Jarbidge (Elko Free Press article)
Fighting States Of Mind: Drug Recognition Examinations (DREs)
Officers get training on drug detection: Their 12-point test can help prosecutors in court (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Industrial Expansion
Kennametal plans $1.67 million expansion (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Nice Job. Now Get Out.
"Boarding up the neatly maintained house will do nothing to salve all the victimization, patronization, hurt feelings and thinly veiled racism the black community has suffered through the generations. On the contrary, Family Promise for a decade has stood as a symbol of hope amid the hopelessness of the area."
JOHN L. SMITH: Decision to ditch homeless center one council, mayor likely to regret (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Home Prices
Home buyers find relief While median prices remain high, buyers are now in a better position to find deals (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Elko County
A Wholesome Civic Pride In Community Cleanliness
Volunteers Clean Up (Elko Free Press article)
Cellular Telephone Relay
Cell phone tower to go up near Spring Creek (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County
New Government Outposts For Reno
Reno officials look to build three new public safety centers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Sparks Marina
Sparks Council OKs proposal for 92 acres of marina project (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Former Golden Phoenix
Montage enjoys early beginning (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Running A Deficit
"'We're losing opportunities to recruit technology companies,' said Bob Cooper, economic development manager for Henderson."
COMPUTER SCIENCE: Class enrollment down -- Business leaders lament lack of tech savvy grads (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Open Government And Job Search Secrecy
Balancing privacy, openness: Legislature should change law to improve process of hiring a university president (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Alternative Fuels
Pioneering a clean fuel: Las Vegas, UNLV team up to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
The Teacher Shortage
"The solution to the district's teacher shortage is to immediately expand and radically transform these alternative licensure programs by eliminating the requirement of additional college course work. Let new recruits be judged on what they can do in a classroom full of kids, not a classroom full of adults."
Solving teacher shortages (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Leases And Purchases
School leases costly: Purchase of building not alleviating costs (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Elko County School District
Let The Bidding Begin
School Board to open Middle School bids (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County School District
Testing For Tensions
"Larkinwright and other Hug students said that talking about immigration issues has become the new taboo, replacing sexual preference as a subject that is a conversation stopper and a fight starter."
Trustees to speak with high schoolers on immigration, possible racial tensions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Nervous About Nervousness
LV leaders worrying about creating a bird flu 'panic-demic' (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Even Canada Is Worried
"'Once a reasonable technological model is created, the only thing stopping such a transfer is politics, and we know what money does to politics,' Rothman says."
Thirsty, eh? The glass is half empty for Canadians fearful that we may export our crisis by importing their water (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DEBATE: Senate backs Bush on Guard -- Amendment that codifies sending troops to border approved, 83-10 (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Federal Lands
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor Promoted Out Of Area
County bids farewell to Bob Vaught (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Silver State International Rodeo
SSIR looks to county for funding (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Fallon's Oats Park Arts Center
Arts council plans improvements with $400,000 grant (Lahontan Valley News* article)
==========================================
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Nevada governor candidate criticized over debate plans (Nevada AP article)
Ads Fail To Discuss Real Issues And Problems Facing Nevada
Beers Campaign’s Credibility Gap (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Burning Hills
Firefighters near containment of 400-acre wildfire near Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
Governor's Appointments
Governor Announces Appointment of Wagner to Public Utilities Commission; Linvill Named Energy Advisor To Governor (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Former Nevada energy adviser gets old job back (Nevada AP article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Nuclear Industry Has Its Own Spin
“'See those shacks off to the left?' he adds as we approach the site. 'Those are brothels. As some of you may know, prostitution is legal in many rural counties of Nevada. The state has no trouble licensing them and providing them with ample water, but they won’t do the same for us.'”
The Slow Climb Up Yucca Mountain (American Enterprise article)
Nevada Test Site
DOE Inspector General's Report: Concerns Regarding Lead Contamination And Radiological Controls At Nevada Test Site (DOE website)
Warrantless Surveillance
After Meeting, Ensign Intends To Support Hayden (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Identity Theft Alert For 26.5 Million Veterans
"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronic data from VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of our policies. This data contained identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability ratings. Importantly, the affected data did not include any of VA’s electronic health records nor any financial information. The employee’s home was burglarized and this data was stolen."
A Statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA website)
Related Story
No ADVISE without consent? (Desert Beacon blog)
Municipal Concerns
Lawmakers who were mayors, including Porter, push city issues (Nevada AP article)
==========================================
[2:10 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Gibbons won't take part in several debates (Nevada AP article)
2006 Local Elections
City And County Of Carson
Residents can meet, question candidates at chamber forum (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
Clark DA Candidate Opposed To $kindustry Corruption, Wide-Spread Prostitution
"There's something wrong with this town. I can't get over how casually for years so much stuff has been accepted and nobody does anything."
JOHN L. SMITH: On Frank Cremen entering the DA's race: Better late than never (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Elko County
Ballard guaranteed school board seat (Elko Free Press article)
2006 Republican State Convention
"Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."
Jon Ralston on how the state GOP has managed to shoot itself in the foot convention (Las Vegas Sun column)
Immigration Reform
GOP plank is all warped: Showing their extremist view on immigration, state Republicans distort 14th Amendment (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Criticism Of Iraq War Critics
Remarks were warped, too: Nevada's GOP senator tells convention that congressional war critics are hurting troops (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Can't keep it under wraps in Mesquite (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Rejecting Miss Conduct
"The GOP's decision will not keep Augustine off the ballot, either in the primary or in November's General Election should she win in August. The voters still will get the right to decide her political fate. But the party has made a strong statement about what it stands for, and it deserves to be congratulated for it."
A principled decision (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Burning Hills
"Gov. Kenny Guinn said the state will find the money if the fires come, but that having money in that contingency fund will prepare them to get it more quickly. Replenishing that fund will require a special session of the Legislature."
Time to send the right message on wildfires (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Child Deaths
"Among the proposed recommendations are several designed to strengthen reporting and investigations of unexpected child deaths. They include mandating autopsies and law-enforcement investigations of all child deaths when a welfare or social services case is open, notification of the coroner and law enforcement whenever a child death, occurs and investigation of all unexpected child deaths."
Child deaths in Nevada reviewed by special panel (Nevada Appeal* article)
Psychological Examinations
Court seeking state-county partnership to conduct mental tests (Las Vegas Sun article)
Corporate Surveillance
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology
"As you walk into your bank, your every move is tracked and studied. Once at the teller, there will be little need to present your ID. They already know who you are."
Citibank experiments with RFID technology (Las Vegas Business Press article)
The State And Business
Nevada has good story for Fortune 500 CEOs (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Secretary Of State's Office
Money buys faster service: For $1,000, corporation filings can be done in an hour (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Fallon tungsten plant to expand (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Clark County Family Services Department
Reform challenges await new DFS director (Las Vegas Sun article)
Where Cars Collide: Las Vegas 170th Safest City Of 200 For Auto Wrecks
LV drivers place 170th in study (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Allstate America's Best Drivers Report
Boulder City's Toll Road Plans
Boulder City to study tollbooth plan: Municipality looks to accelerate construction of bypass road (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Housing Authority Looking For A New Face
Housing authority director out: Board declines to extend Ghadiri's contract (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Developing Project
General Growth unveils Summerlin Centre plans (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Traffic Congestion At The Mall
"Crowded malls can be a pain to navigate. Parking lots often are filled early ... so angry motorists then have to circle like piranha for an available parking spot ... which backs up traffic on main arteries. You get the idea. However, the developers of Town Square have solved that problem."
Town Square will build fly-over ramp to ease traffic woes (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Gasoline prices not yet affecting valley taxicab fares: With fuel prices over $3 per gallon, however, agency may change rate if prices go higher (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Washout!
Jarbidge route cut off (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Reward In Sabotage Case
Reward doubled in Lake Tahoe-area telephone vandalism case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Previous Article
Vandals cut phone service at Tahoe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Lincoln County
Helping Out Harvey
Huge development starting in Nev. desert (Nevada AP article)
Washoe County
Regional Government Outposts
Decentralizing services a good plan (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Nevada scores decline slightly on national science test (Nevada AP article)
The Nation’s Report Card: Science 2005 (National Center for Education Statistics website)
Churchill County School District
Fallon schools participate in recycling of old computers (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Nevada Labor
Labor And Southern Nevada's Health Industry
Nurses rally outside hospital: Protest staged to highlight stalled negotiations (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Medco Health Solutions Inc. and United Steelworkers International Local 675 have agreed to end the labor dispute at the company's Las Vegas pharmaceutical distribution facility."
Local drug facility strikes a deal with workers (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Senators meet with nominee for NRC: Klein would head agency tasked with licensing Yucca (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Congressional Corruption
Corruption Is A Bipartisan Problem
"For as the Jefferson case proves -- along with decades of beltway history -- scandal is not the exclusive domain of any one political party. Nor will it ever be."
Political corruption (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Identity Theft
Identities at high risk: Congress should address the lack of priority in guarding people's private information (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
US Supreme Court
"Each incremental step may seem reasonable in and of itself. But if the Fourth Amendment protects only those things that we choose to do in the dark, while hiding under the bed, after sealing all our doors and windows with duct tape and aluminum foil, what practical privacy do we really have left?"
Privacy protection eroded a little more: U.S. Supreme Court rules for cops in Utah search case (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Brigham City v. Stuart (US Supreme Court website - pdf format)
__________
Nevada Culture
Elko's ATV Jamboree
ATV riders get Down & Dirty (Elko Free Press article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Betting More Now, But Enjoying It Less
"The study found that seven out of 10 people questioned believe that legalized gambling encourages folks to spend more money than they can afford on the activity."
WAGERING IN THE UNITED STATES: Survey finds gambling 'backlash' -- Most Americans believe people bet beyond their means (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Gambling: As the Take Rises, So Does Public Concern (Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Report)
Expanding Atlantis
Atlantis to expand in $50 million plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
==========================================
[8:00 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
The end of the Bob Beers for governor campaign (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 US Senate Race
Group backing veterans in elections wants Ensign to apologize (Nevada AP article)
Lies, damned lies and John Ensign (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
"With the second highest number of Republicans in the 2nd Congressional District, Douglas will be a battleground in the Republican primary for that seat."
Douglas could lead the nation (Gardnerville Record-Courier* editorial)
Deja Vu in CD-2? (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Lobbying for Prop 13-like measure (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Angle Property Tax Restraint Initiative
2006 Republican State Convention
Nevada GOP trying to lose elections (Reno and Its Discontents blog)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Burning Hills
Double-Up Done In
Firefighters contain 400-acre wildfire near Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
Fire Season Begins: Pahrump, Potosi Canyon are struck by wildfires (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Federal Funding For Smith Valley
Smith Valley Fire Protection District Awarded Long-awaited Funding (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
State Engineer
Nevada State Engineer To Retire (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Nevada's water chief retiring (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
Clark County
Boulder City Toll Road Plans
Proposal for first Nevada toll road to get study in Boulder City (Nevada AP article)
Douglas County
A Commendable Idea: Judges Call Grand Jury To Review Government Operations
"Douglas County district judges Dave Gamble and Michael Gibbons have called for a grand jury for a routine 'wellness check' of county government."
County to impanel grand jury (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Planning For Lake Tahoe's Future
Visioning process gets fresh look (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Incline's youth works for change (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Shedding light on a 20-year debate (John Singlaub column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
TRPA to review convention center (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Health Problems
Uninsured patients a vicious circle in Tahoe basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Washoe County
Preparing For Disaster
Preparing for a local disaster (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Nye County School District
Nye County School District launches interactive Web site (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
No immediate plans for Nevada Guard border deployment (Nevada AP article)
Unwarranted Surveillance
ACLU files complaints over reports of government phone snooping (Nevada AP article)
South Shore woman says her cell phone was hacked (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
In The US Congress
Reid Praises Passage of Mine Safety Bill (Sen. Reid Press Release)
On One-Year Anniversary, Reid Calls For Action On Stem Cells (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Veterans' Health Care: Berkley votes against cuts (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
Porter Introduces Internet Gambling Legislation (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Conflicting Reports
Varying reports at Nevada conference on casino smoking restrictions (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
D.C.'s Newseum dedicated to free press (Las Vegas Sun article)
Reporters need to find real authorities (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Making myths in bad press coverage (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
==========================================
[3:10 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws
General Exasperation
"The skeptical electorate, fresh off the sworn testimony of adroit briber Michael Galardi, would love to take a look at who is funding this year's candidates. But the very first time you'll be able to see that information is Aug. 8, a full 11 days after early voting begins and just a week before the primary election."
ERIN NEFF: Show me the money (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 US Senate Race
Ensign comes alive: Nevada’s other senator breaks into the headlines (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
2006 Governor's Race
"If Bob and Lorraine cannot travel the state and come up with a message that resonates with voters on their own, that's a problem that they have to deal with. I can understand their frustration, feeling that the only way they can get attention is to be on the air with Jim Gibbons."
GOP GUBERNATORIAL RACE: Beers, Hunt take aim at front-runner -- Gibbons hit for lack of debate (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Dodging the anti-tax crowd (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
2006 Local Elections
Clark County
JANE ANN MORRISON: Sheriff candidate Conger relies on values shaped by war, police work, son (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Confessions of an ex-LV councilman: Miller, other operatives aiding Flores' campaign (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Sheriff candidates agree to forum (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Mayoral candidates speak out: Six vie for top City post (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Child Deaths
Investigation into children's deaths overdue (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Terror Study
"A month after receiving a taxpayer-funded study showing Nevada's vulnerability to terrorists, Gov. Kenny Guinn and state homeland security officials have yet to make any portions public, despite promises to do so."
Terrorism data still not made public (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nevada Highways
Roundabouts
Fernley's new roundabout an efficient, creative fix (Lahontan Valley News* article)
“'It’s the worst disaster they ever did,' said Joe Specchio Sr. of the roundabout."
Roundabout has some motorists’ heads spinning (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Hold That Thought
"NDOT spokesman Scott Magruder said complaints poured in to his department from frustrated people. 'This is totally unacceptable and it won’t happen again,' Magruder said, adding that the project was shut down Thursday morning and was not scheduled to resume until Tuesday afternoon."
Hour-long delays frustrate drivers: Complaints prompt lead to temporary halt in construction (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Older Drivers
Older drivers on the road: Should there be any restrictions? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Problem of older drivers is a hot potato (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Vital Expansion
Concrete company's $14 M expansion is vital to business, manager says (Nevada Appeal* article)
Changing The Charter
Changes may come from review of Carson City charter (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
Silver State International Rodeo
County provides funds for SSIR (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Bureaucratic Dawdling?
County: Schedule won't hurt species -- Scientists say slow pace could harm up to 78 plants, animals (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Paid Off
Council pays off sewer bond (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Unanimously Reluctant, But Want More Money
City Council gives reluctant approval to tax increase (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Want More Money Too
Dayton, Mound House utility rates going up (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County
Wants More Money Three
"The tax increase, Reno officials said, appears to be the only option in building the three police stations that would cost $65.7 million."
Council considers tax hike for police funding (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
That's Right, Wants More Money
"Acting as the Reno Redevelopment Agency board, the city council initially approved an ordinance to add 783 acres -- including streets -- to the 1,171-acre Redevelopment Area No. 2 approved last August."
Reno wants to double redevelopment area (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Teacher Shortage
SCHOOL WOES: Cutting class sizes looks unlikely -- Short 1,000 teachers, district looks at shifting specialists (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Again, a teacher shortage: Reasons for local and national teacher shortages have their roots in government policy (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Union Backs Off
Teamsters won't contest election for school staff (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County School District
Construction Contracts Middle school contract awarded (Elko Free Press article)
Washoe County School District
Washoe County schools feel effects of immigration debate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Suction Schemes
"A 63-mile stretch of the Owens River ran dry in 1913. Eleven years later, a sun-baked mud flat was all that remained of the 100 square-mile Owens Lake."
Legislative panel hears horror story of Owens Valley -- Lawmakers urged to rein in water authority (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Walker River
High water, debris making Walker River dangerous, officials warn (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Yucca cartoon figure withstands Berkley attack in Congress (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Soaring Fuel Prices
"If Sen. Clinton were serious about decreasing this country's reliance on foreign oil and increasing its use of ethanol, she'd demand that U.S. ethanol producers compete on the open market. Instead, she appears committed to protecting them and herself -- and making sure you pay more."
Ethanol games (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Immigration Reform
Employers Who Hire Illegal Immigrants
Are we serious this time? (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Immigrants nabbed in feds' valley sweep (Las Vegas Sun article)
Unwarranted Surveillance
"The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada and affiliates in 19 other states filed complaints with utility regulators or state attorneys general demanding investigations into whether telephone companies illegally let the National Security Agency spy on customers."
ACLU wants phone record investigation: Complaint filed over NSA spying (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"'It's time for this illegal invasion of privacy that could affect everyone in this country to be unveiled,' said Gary Peck executive director for ACLU of Nevada."
ACLU calls for investigation of phone companies (Nevada Appeal* article)
Identity Theft
"The scope of the security breach at the Department of Veterans Affairs revealed this week is breathtaking, but the reaction of the VA to the theft of personal information on 26.5 million vets is criminal."
VA director must answer questions (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Congressional Favors For Corporations
Lawmaker targets earmark in bill for Southwest Gas Corp. (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Predatory Lending Practices
Check the date (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Sex Offenders
Targeting sex offenders: A national registry is needed soon, in addition to steps being taken by individual states (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada's Past
Carson City
Come on in to Carson City's historic homes (Nevada Appeal* article)
Taking a walk on the wild (West) side of town on the Kit Carson Trail: Historic walking tour Saturday features characters from the 1860s (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
[9:35 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
John Ensign's America (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
How do you get on a ballot like this? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Governor's Race
Dina Titus
Titus points, clicks and points again...at Gibson (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
New Poll Shows Titus Leading Gibbons (Titus Campaign Press Release)
Titus Asks Gibbons to Defend Oil Company Incentives (Titus Campaign Press Release)
Gibbons And Gibson
Please don't call me Gary (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Marijuana Initiative
Do NOT rock the ganja! (Richard Perkins column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Local Elections
Clark County
Miller Time … for lies! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
2006 Republican Convention
Republican conventification: GOP meets, argues in finest resort Mesquite offers (Steve Sebelius article, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
From The Office Of The Attorney General
Advance Fee Fraud Scams Target Job Seekers (Attorney General Press Release)
Attorney General Announces Las Vegas Woman Arrested On Charges Of Theft And Identity Theft In Connection With On-Line Sales (Attorney General Press Release)
Latest Decisions Of The Nevada Supreme Court
Social Worker Interviews Of Criminal Suspects Don't Require Miranda Warnings
Clear And Convincing Evidence Of Fraud Required For Annulment Of Marriage
Pest Control Workers Can Sue Homeowners For Work Injuries
Counting Prior Convictions For Purposes Of Rehabilitative Treatment
Insurance Company With Nevada Coverage Can Be Sued In Nevada
Arbella Mut. Ins. Co. v. Dist. Ct.
Tolling Period For Appeals Now Includes Additional Time For Mailing
Winston Products Co. v. DeBoer
Highest And Best Use Of Property Standard To Value Condemned Land
City of North Las Vegas v. Robinson
Nevada's Burning Hills
Governor, firefighting agencies urging residents to do their part to lessen fire danger (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Nevada Tourism
The great migration: Grab your binoculars, and embrace your inner nature geek--flocks of birds are hitting Nevada skies for the spring migration. (Reno News & Review article)
Thousands flock to Fly-In (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Local Government
Clark County
Hot season in the 'hood: Between a new breed of gangs and an influx of California thugs, officials fear a summer of blood (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Washoe County
Foster, Guinn's chief of staff, named to Reno planning commission (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Dead Students The end is near (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Utah opponents get 600 signatures against Nevada explosives test (Nevada AP article)
Immigration Reform
Ensign Votes No on Immigration Bill (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Reid Praises Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Soaring Fuel Prices
Democrats Call For Action To Lower Gas Prices (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Enron Convictions
Reid On The Conviction Of Ken Lay (Sen. Reid Press Release)
GUILTY! (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Homeland Security
Democratic Summit Addresses Homeland Security Vulnerabilities (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Military Funding
Gibbons Calls for Restoration of Military Construction Funding (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
The Issues That Matter
Reid: The Senate Should Address The Issues That Matter Most To Americans (Sen. Reid Press Release)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
Crackdown on Internet gambling advances in Congress (Nevada AP article)
Mobile Gambling
Las Vegas Sands to introduce mobile gambling at Venetian, Palazzo (Nevada AP article)
Tahoe Gambling
Farewell, Caesars; welcome, Montbleu (Nevada Appeal* article)
Problem Gambling
Perception of luck linked to prob. gambling (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Past tense: Southern Nevada's endangered historic sites have a common foe: growth (Las Vegas CityLife article)
==========================================
[10:20 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
"A gubernatorial candidates' forum on Thursday night centered on whether Nevada's growth has been well or ill managed, with the candidates differing on whether the state should continue on its current path or go in a new direction."
GOVERNOR'S RACE: Candidates differ on state's direction -- Forum sought views on 'livable communities' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Gibson camp denies ties to cartoon: Titus calls Internet drawing racist (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"Titus has about as many ties to Enron as Gibson does to white supremacists. But maybe Titus can solidify the Hispanic vote and maybe Gibson can inoculate himself against the inevitable attack that he took a $500,000 legal fee from Nevada Power."
Jon Ralston on one Democrat rounding up some powerful fundraising help and two others trivializing the state's most important race (Las Vegas Sun column)
2006 Local Elections
Clark County
District Attorney's Race
JOHN L. SMITH: District attorney enjoys flow of official endorsements in re-election bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Sheriff's Race
Lt. Ron Williams Just Can't Hush: So we let the candidate for Sheriff talk about stuff (Las Vegas Weekly article)
__________
Nevada Government
Local Government
Churchill County
Farmers market association, merchants discuss issues (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Coroners' Juries
"No hard questions are asked, contradictions and discrepancies are left unresolved and the process of the inquest, like its composition, is one insurmountable advocacy for the police."
Chronicle of a Verdict Foretold: An argument against the coroner's inquest (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Crime And Culture
"As I was walking out of a grocery store in East Las Vegas on Saturday, May 6, I witnessed what appeared to be a mugging in progress."
'Hey! Over There! I'm Watching!' A commentary on culture and crime (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Boulder City's Experiment In Retro-Government
Toll roads in Nevada? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Elko County
Spring Creek wants ATVs out of greenbelts (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
County Buy-Out Of Private Water Company
County approves agreement to purchase Crystal Clear assets (Mason Valley News article)
Pay Raise May Help
New labor contract could aid in hiring, retention of deputies: Starting salary boosted to meet average of surrounding counties (Mason Valley News article)
Dirty Anaconda
Analysis continues to indicate no health risk from mine dust: Site air monitoring effort could soon be revamped (Mason Valley News article)
Dead bird sparks additional fluid sampling at mine (Mason Valley News article)
Washoe County
Developers' Water
State to loan $9 million for Sun Valley water projects (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Officials aiming for teacher shortfall plan by next week (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Leaving on his terms: Orci talks about accomplishments in 26 years with CCSD (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA's Suction Scheme
Nevada lawmakers urged to rein in water authority (Nevada AP article)
"John Chachas, vice chairman of the White Pine County Commission, said Thursday the first offer by the Southern Nevada Water Authority 'doesn't hold water,' adding that the authority 'should stay out of White Pine County.'"
Water offer rejected by White Pine (Las Vegas Sun article)
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Polygamist leader linked to LV: Construction company with admitted ties to Jeffs has done $7.5 million in jobs for Water District (Las Vegas Sun article)
Sierra Snowpack
Water, water everywhere -- and officials are thrilled (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Sierra runoff fills Nevada rivers, streams, reservoirs (Nevada AP article)
Truckee River
Meet the water master (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Truckee-Carson Irrigation District
TCID: No flooding is anticipated (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Bush loves nuclear power: President fails to acknowledge - again - the dangers of nuclear waste (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Immigration Reform
Southern Nevada Immigration Sweep
Crackdown nets 179 arrests in valley: Most faced outstanding deportation orders (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Arrests don't affect businesses: But spokeswoman says action possible if fraud is discovered (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Congressional Legislation
Ensign amendment OK'd on second try: Revision limits tax breaks for immigrants on income earned while working illegally (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Immigrants And Citizens
Jobbed or Robbed? Controversial website claims plant nursery abuses illegal immigrants (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Immigration: Legal vs. Illegal — Earning the Right: Mexican-American family builds life in Elko (Elko Free Press article)
How to Become a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Elko Free Press article)
Anti-Immigration Protestors Meet
Anti-illegal immigration summit scheduled (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Identity Theft
"The theft of personal information affecting 26.5 million veterans has motivated both the House and Senate to hold hearings and begin investigations. Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson is in the hot seat over this massive personal security breach, as well he should be."
All eyes on VA leadership: Veterans Affairs secretary in klieg lights after massive breach of personal information (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Whither The US Navy?
Rear admiral: Navy 'at a crossroads' (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
If I Get Mine, You'll Get Yours
Casino bosses Las Vegas' highest paid executives (Las Vegas Sun article)
Home Means Nevada
Las Vegas Sands to build Singapore's first casino (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Brian Greenspun on the timeliness of the Newseum and its
importance to our democracy (Las Vegas Sun
column)
==========================================
[1:20 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
A sustainable debate (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Cries of racism! (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Good news for Sharron Angle? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 Legislative Races
"If you are in business, you should be worried about the makeup of the next Legislature."
Jon Ralston on Politics: Slip slidin' in Senate (In Business Las Vegas column)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
Taxpayer bill of rights paid off for Colorado (Colorado Gov. Bill Owens column, Arizona Republic, via Battle Born Opinion News)
Sen. Reid And Nevada
"A new poll shows Reid's image among Nevada voters is continuing to take a hit as a result."
Nevada split on senator (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Women's Rights
JANE ANN MORRISON: Those who fought for women's rights don't take victories for granted (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
State Engineer
Hugh Ricci resigns; Tracy Taylor new engineer (Ely Times article)
Local Government
Clark County
Las Vegas No-Bid, No Appraisal Purchase
"'The city was duped,' said Walters, a California businessman who said he has bought and rehabilitated a number of Las Vegas apartment complexes. 'Either that, or they're the most dishonest, immoral people in Nevada.'"
Lawsuit snares housing plans: City's $5 million deal challenged (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Las Vegas Visitors & Convention Authority
Tourism and Travel: Meeting planners are Las Vegas heroes (In Business Las Vegas article)
Developing News
Real Estate and Development: Rising costs forcing developers to plan ahead (In Business Las Vegas article)
Business Climate
Las Vegas slips in Forbes ranking: But Inc. magazine lists city as hottest 'boom town' in U.S. (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Pier Pressure
New Tahoe pier plan advanced (Nevada AP article)
Disturbing Heist
ATF offers $5,000 reward in Stateline theft of explosives (Nevada AP article)
Lyon County
Ensign, Reid Announce Funds For Smith Valley Fire Department (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Nye County
Room At The Top
"Nye County suddenly finds itself with a lot of vacancies at the top of its totem pole."
Lester Kerr no longer with Nye County (Ely Times article)
Think tank seen as possible for Nye Co. (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Beatty
Beatty Town Board decides: 'We're out of the TV business' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pahrump
Developer plans for 7,000 homes (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNR provost decides to stay at Reno post (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
State Proficiency Examinations
"Of the 18,494 sophomores who took the test this year, 45 percent passed the math portion of the exam, compared with 40 percent of the sophomores who took the exam during the 2004-05 year, according to results released this week. Sophomores also improved the reading passing rate to 77 percent, up from 73 percent in 2004-05."
Math, reading gains noted: Sophomores in county improve on proficiency test (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Teacher Shortage
The Market Solution to Teacher Shortages (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Lyon And Storey County School Districts
COW is classroom on wheels for rural preschoolers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nye County School District
Mobile lab brings laptops to students (Pahrump Valley Times article)
White Pine School District
School district sells land for $310,000 (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA's Suction Scheme
SNWA project equated to Owens Valley disaster (Ely Times article)
County won't drop SNWA protest, but will still talk (Ely Times article)
Nevada county rejects initial offer to pipe water to Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Proposed Rate Hike Draws Opposition
"The staff of the Public Utilities Commission and consumer advocate Eric Witkoski's Bureau of Consumer Protection both want to lower the size of the proposed rate increase. A consultant retained by MGM Mirage, one of Nevada Power's largest customers, is proposing changes that would result in no immediate rate increase."
Analysts call for reduction to proposed utility-rate increase (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
In Business Q and A: Eric Witkoski, Nevada consumer advocate (In Business Las Vegas article)
Ely Coal-Burning Power Plant
SPR starts building 1st tower for Ely energy center study (Ely Times article)
Valley Electric
"My point here is how long must we suffer the few ignorant people who disrupt county commission meetings, town board meetings, senior center meetings, chamber meetings, church meetings, all of them not just VEA."
One man's opinion on VEA (Calvin Chisholm column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Energy, NRC nominees confirmed: Posts linked to Yucca Mountain Project (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Senate confirms appointments to DOE, NRC (Nevada AP article)
Radioactive Boosters
Boosters plan yucca strategy (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Radioactive Railway
Working on the railroad (Pahrump Valley Times article)
"Yucca Mountain Johnny"
"Let's hope Yucca Mountain Johnny is eventually sealed up in a mine shaft, where he belongs."
Yucca Mountain Johnny: Rep. Shelley Berkley fights a gallant battle (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Nevada Test Site
Divine Strake blast delayed indefinitely (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Mushroom cloud blast in Nevada delayed indefinitely (Nevada AP article)
Big bang goes poof (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Immigration Reform
Immigration: Legal vs. Illegal — Whatever the Cost: Family skirts law to live in Elko (Elko Free Press article)
National Guard not new to the border (Ely Times column)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Reid Statement In Support Of Gen. Michael Hayden (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Justice Department Probe Foiled (National Journal article)
Listening In (Seymour Hersh article, The New Yorker)
Documents Reveal AT&T-NSA Surveillance Details (e-Week.com article)
Why Does the NSA Engage in Mass Surveillance of Americans When It's Statistically Impossible for Such Spying to Detect Terrorists? (CounterPunch article)
Bullies are at it again Attorney general doesn't rule out using espionage laws to prosecute journalists (Las Vegas Sun article)
A surprising development Coast Guard is telling some cargo ships beforehand about 'surprise' inspections (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Identity Theft
Identity Theft At The Veterans Administration
Berkley calls for VA Secretary's Resignation: Nicholson repeatedly failed nation's veterans (Nevada Democratic Party Press Release, via Desert Beacon blog)
Identity Thefts Since January, 2005 - 82 Million Americans Affected
A Chronology of Data Breaches Reported Since the ChoicePoint Incident (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse article, via Desert Beacon blog)
Federal Taxes
Banking and Finance: Efforts to revive sales tax deduction suffer setback (In Business Las Vegas article)
Corporate Welfare
Where's My Subsidy?
Tell 'em to take a hike: Timber, oil and gas companies may lose subsidies if House gets its way (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Home Means Nevada
GAMING OUTSIDE NEVADA: Singapore picks Sands -- Las Vegas company wins bidding for district's first casino (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sands wins big in Singapore (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Macao experience may have been Adelson's ace in the hole (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Macau casino revenues eclipse Las Vegas Strip resorts (Nevada AP article)
Advantage Gamblers
Many card counters going online, experts say (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
International Gambling Conference At Stateline
'Advantage' gamblers find a welcome (Nevada AP article)
Skilled Help Wanted
Gaming: Experienced casino managers hard to find (In Business Las Vegas article)
Indian Casinos
Te-Moak consider starting a casino (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Northern Nevada Railway
"The museum has been bleeding red ink since day one. Museums are just like any other business. They need to be in the black, in twenty-one years that hasn't happened yet."
At the Throttle: Museum snagged on a ‘Catch 22' (Ely Times article)
==========================================
[2:10 PM]
_____
Lest We Forget
Memorial Day Honors The Men And Women Who Fought And Died To Defend Our Republic
Remember 'memorial' part of Memorial Day (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Insuring they are remembered (Nevada Appeal* article)
"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."
Memorial Day's ties to the Civil War (Nevada Appeal* article)
Fallen heroes remembered (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
In remembrance of one who gave his life for this country (Andrew Pridgen column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
"But one thing we don't do as well as we used to is transmit the meaning of our society and the price it takes to keep all the prerogatives we take for granted. That's what Memorial Day used to be for. It was the day when we remembered the sacrifices individuals made for the collective whole."
Hal Rothman pauses to remember the true meaning of a holiday many take for granted (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Puerile Pabulum: My Opponent Is Sleazy, But I Play With Children And Puppies On A Sun-Drenched Meadow
Jon Ralston follows the political game of chess being played through television, with the Democratic bid for governor going to the winner (Las Vegas Sun column)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Legal Marijuana Initiative
VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Best argument for drug freedom is ... freedom (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Nevada And Sen. Reid
Senator Harry Reid tends to play the race card - the Joker (David Strongin column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Brian Greenspun wonders why the Review-Journal's boss unleashed a diatribe against Harry Reid (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Afraid To Look: Why Isn't There Already A Grand Jury Investigation Underway?
No Other Community Would Tolerate These Unsettled Allegations For A Minute
POLITICAL CORRUPTION TRIAL: Galardi pointed at many -- Herrera, Kincaid-Chauncey just two of many officials he said were on take (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
_________
Nevada Government
State Government
Public Employees' Benefits
"Right now, Nevada taxpayers are on the hook for up to $4.5 billion over the next 30 years to cover the generous health insurance subsidy for retired state employees."
Unfunded mandates and retirement health benefits (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Lawmakers want seats on the employee benefits board (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Emergency funds not enough if bad fire season occurs (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Firefighters work to douse young firebugs (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Double-Up fire leads to new fire restrictions (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Local Government
Local Government Texation
The "Second Homers"
Florida hammers nonresidents - is Nevada far behind? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
City And County Of Carson
"Let's demand that all municipal candidates answer two vital questions: (1) Will you hold the line on further hillside development? (2) How much casino gaming is enough for this capital city? I look forward to hearing their answers."
Saving Carson City's hillsides (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal*)
Clark County
Want Less Ethics, Not More
"Commissioners have expressed concerns that too much caution and too many abstentions might be slighting voters by preventing commissioners from representing their constituents. As a result, they've started complaining that some ethical restrictions are too tight, and some are asking their legal counsel to review whether they need to abstain as often as they have in the past."
Commissioners play it safe: Legal woes of former county officials lead to abstentions (Las Vegas Sun article)
"Where is the voice of the black community? If Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly somehow thinks he's it, he'd better download something else to his iPod."
ERIN NEFF: Weekly looking out only for himself (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Douglas County
New developments coming to Fish Springs (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Get creative to bring culture to Carson Valley (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
TRPA releases shorezone plan (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Late TRPA meeting cancels convention center presentation (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Summer construction woes in the Tahoe basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Civic Pride In A Clean Incline
X-Stream Clean Village (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
The Chancellor And The Regents
SHERMAN FREDERICK: Regents opt for 'Sugar Daddy' management (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
UNLV
Star Trek science meets UNLV: Work in tiny nanotechnology can pay huge dividends (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Colorado River drought not rare (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
The Problem Of Suicide
Forum: Suicide preventable (Elko Free Press article)
Signs of Suicide (Elko Free Press article)
Nursing Shortage
Band-aid for nursing shortage: Easing restrictions on the number of foreign nurses in U.S. could harm other nations (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Health Care and Workplace: Staffing ratios still a sore spot for nurses (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
"The tired notion that the role of government is to clear the playing field is being replaced with the belief that nothing is more important than the health of our land, air, water and communities."
Wacky California is pragmatic leader of the West in preserving natural wealth (Paul Larmer column, Nevada Appeal*)]
How global warming might affect Lake Tahoe (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
"Spooner Lake was created in the 1850s for use as a millpond when a timber company constructed a dam across Spooner Creek."
Take a hike (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Immigration Reform
Immigration: Legal vs. Illegal — Huge task: Many responsibilities for immigration enforcement (Elko Free Press article)
"What senators call 'comprehensive' change is, in fact, amnesty for more than 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. What senators call 'responsible' legitimizes lawbreaking. And it's an invitation for tens of millions more unskilled foreign nationals to burden our schools and social services."
Senate immigration bill: Upper chamber's measure does little to address the real issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Real battle not yet begun: Months of debate over immigration reform just a primer for clash of competing bills (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
UNITE TO FIGHT SUMMIT II: Activists: War being waged against U.S. -- Illegal immigration opponents rally at Cashman Theatre (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Southern Nevada Immigration Sweep
JOHN L. SMITH: Go ahead and make their day -- they're going to need plenty of them (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Congressional Corruption
"If Democrats can't see fit to demand even the minimum of moral conduct from their own party leaders, then they have no ground to stand on to go after Republican corruption. They can either reach for the high ground, or be stuck wallowing in the mud with the GOP elephant."
Democrats deal with corruption in their own house (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal*)
Federal Communications Reform
"A push by telephone companies for the right to get in the TV business has area cities and Clark County fearing the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue and their oversight of the cable industry."
County, cities fear loss of revenue, cable control (Las Vegas Sun article)
Hatch Act
Board upholds Perkins ruling: Lawmaker prevails again in Hatch Act complaint (Las Vegas Sun article)
Wheeling And Dealing: Vote To Confirm Interior Secretary Secures Nevada Land Sale Funds
Reid says deal ends federal pursuit of land funds (Nevada AP article)
Rating The President
Is Bush the worst ever? (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
"First of all, ignore the polls."
How is Bush really doing? (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Free Flow of Information Act of 2006
"It should be totally unnecessary, but since the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the free press provision of the First Amendment with its 1972 Branzburg v. Hayes decision, I guess we'll have to settle for unenthusiastically supporting a bill that would slap a patch on the Constitution."
THOMAS MITCHELL: An act of Congress to keep the press free? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada's Past
Carson City
Can (or should) Jack's Bar be saved? (Nevada Appeal* article)
Virginia City And Gold Hill
Comstock saloon-history show closes soon (Rich Moreno column, Nevada Appeal*)
19th Century Homeless Weren't
Poor residents used to be kept at farm (Nevada Appeal* article)
Death On The Comstock
Unofficial ambassador of Comstock dies, leaves legacy of mining town (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
==========================================
[9:25 AM]
_____
Memorial Day Ceremonies
A flag for the militia? -- Memorial Day: Remembering the sacrifices of those who gave the final measure (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Holiday ceremonies honor sacrifices (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
1,000 flags honor veterans (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
A time for remembering (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
Hunt in another uphill struggle -- Political veteran's message to voters: Experience counts (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Lieutenant Governor's Race
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Spotlight on Hammargren home -- Ex-lieutenant governor leads tour of his 'Desert Kingdom' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada's Tax Surplus
Pay us back, taxpayers say in survey (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Burning Hills
Five years after Martis fire, area resembles 'tinderbox': Once dominated by old-growth pines, flammable vegetation is taking over the 15,000 acres that burned in June 2001 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Predatory Lending Practices
Borrowing trouble: For Carson City woman, predatory-lending nightmare started with $50 loan (Nevada Appeal* article)
Local Government
Lake Tahoe Basin
Proposals on Tahoe pier construction remain unresolved (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Washoe County School District
District losing custodians, drivers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Tour De Nez
Reno-Tahoe's Tour de Nez races onto national scene: What started as a coffeehouse party now attracts top cyclists (Nevada AP article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada Test Site
Divine Strake 'win' celebrated (Nevada AP article)
About 70 anti-nuclear activists arrested outside Nevada Test Site (Nevada AP article)
Congressional Corruption
Cold, hard cash (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Unwarranted Surveillance
Administration Claim: National Security Requires Power Without Accountability
"Justice Department attorneys said in their legal brief that the legality of the president's actions could be properly judged only by understanding 'the specific threat facing the nation.' They noted: 'That understanding is not possible without revealing to the very adversaries we are trying to defeat what we know about them and how we are proceeding to stop them.'"
Dismissal of Lawsuits Over NSA Eavesdropping Sought (Washington Post article)
You can't know what we know about what we know about you (Desert Beacon blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
No cleaning up the Wild, Wild Net (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
The Return Of Penny Slot Machines
JANE ANN MORRISON: Evolving technology turns penny slot players into casinos' new whales (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada's Past
Tonopah's Belvada
Historic building reawakens: Man labors on 'Herculean task' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
==========================================
[11:35 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
From Jack Carter on Memorial Day (Jack Carter Campaign website)
2006 Legislative Races
Francis Allen
The No Kids/No Job Assemblywoman (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
2006 Local Races
Clark County
With Deane out, recorder candidates begin trading barbs (Las Vegas Sun article)
Electric Democracy
"In a high-tech version of the town hall meeting, long a staple of American democracy, Boulder City officials and residents regularly duke it out via an Internet chat site run by citizens who want to share ideas and spark debate about local politics."
Sparks fly at e-town hall meetings: Boulder City officials have mixed emotions about Internet chat on public issues (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nevada And Sen. Reid
Gifts From The Regulated
AP Enterprise: Ethics with a punch: Reid took free boxing tickets (Nevada AP article)
"Senate ethics rules generally allow lawmakers to accept gifts from federal, state or local governments. But they specifically warn against taking such gifts -- particularly on multiple occasions -- when they might be connected to efforts to influence official actions."
Reid defends boxing tickets: Ringside seats came from state agency (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Skirting The Issue?
Brian Greenspun wonders why the Review-Journal's boss unleashed a diatribe against Harry Reid (Las Vegas Sun column)
When Harry met Sherm (and Brian, too) (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Let a pro criticize Harry Reid (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Running For Office
ERIN NEFF: Run, Erin, run! (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Controversial Appointment
"State law requires that commissioners have two years of experience in accounting, business administration, finance or economics, administrative law or professional engineering."
Governor's office says new utilities panelist is qualified (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Slow Turning Wheels
Carson City DA seeking to sue business owner over use of land (Nevada Appeal* article)
All silent at the Ormsby House: Work may resume in a few months (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Growth Industry
"The increase in stolen cars far outpaced the population growth in the Police Department's jurisdiction during the year, which was about 4 percent."
NO. 2 IN NATION: Vehicle thieves not slowing down -- Las Vegas records 23 percent increase so far this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nice Job. Now Get Out.
Welfare agencies create a paradox (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Plight Of The Homeless
Turning back the clock: Mayor pines for the olden days, when the homeless were bums without rights (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Excessive Force?
Use of force by LV police questioned: Court to hear contradictory versions of incident at airport (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Eco-Development
Developer wants to paint the town green: LV company thinking energy conservation for projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Nevada And Medicare
"Nevada should take full advantage of every bit of flexibility the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs now allow."
Seize opportunity to trim Medicaid costs: Nevada should follow the lead of other states (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
E-Prescriptions
Health officials see electronic prescribing as way to cut errors (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
New Mystery Disease
Mysterious skin illness gains more recognition (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Feeling Stressed
Drug makers and doctors: Pharmaceutical companies hope to persuade doctors to broaden definition of hypertension (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
New Interior Secretary-Designate
Kempthorne must prove he's a good choice (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Regulation Of Deceitful Omissions Of Material Fact
FCC should butt out (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
"Developing...." The globe trotting story of the Video News Releases (Desert Beacon blog)
Immigration Reform
Border Patrol union boss: Tighter border won't help (Las Vegas Sun article)
Senate OKs Tax Breaks For Illegals (Richard Disney column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Unwarranted Surveillance
NSA Spying: "What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" (Desert Beacon blog)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
"What a difference $15 billion makes."
Online gaming entices casinos (Las Vegas Sun article)
Home Means Nevada
Las Vegas Sands CEO outlines plans for Singapore resort (Nevada AP article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
New Kid On The Block
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[9:30 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Nevada And Sen. Reid
Sen. Reid's Response To Boxing Tickets Story (via MyDD blog and Desert Beacon blog)
Sen. Reid says boxing matches part of his official duties (Nevada AP article)
Daily Glean: Reid makes AP reporter hot (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Lovefest! (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Told you so (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Dean and Reid’s Corruption Road-Show Derailed: Harry Reid Ethical Issue Surfaces, Begs Question Of Democrat Corruption Message (State Republican Party info-mercial, Battle Born Opinion News)
2006 Governor's Race
Gibbons Campaign Headquarters Opening Friday
Ever want to see a campaign office? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2006 State Elections
An Ardent Democrat's Election Predictions
Miniglean (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
The 2006 State Budget Surplus
What to Do with the Budget Surplus (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
State Republican Party
Eric Odom Leaves NICPAC
God forbid you try and do what is right… (Eric Odom column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Former Executive Assistant For Nevada's Court Reporters' Board Sentenced For Theft And Forgery (Attorney General Press Release)
Former aide to Nevada Court Reporters Board sentenced for theft (Nevada AP article)
__________
Federal Nevada
New FBI Chief For Las Vegas
New chief takes over at FBI office in Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
Identity Theft
Berkley Calls For VA Secretary to Tender Resignation Following Failure to Safeguard Data From 26 Million Veterans: Incident is Latest in a String of Failures for VA Head Nicholson (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
Gibbons' News Alert for Nevada's Veterans (Rep. Gibbons Press Release)
==========================================
[9:50 AM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Nevada And Sen. Reid
"'It's not that anything that was done was wrong, but people could say that this wasn't the best thing to do,' Tobias said. 'It just had that appearance of, if you're going to regulate something, it doesn't look good' to take gifts."
RINGSIDE SEATS: Fight freebie defended -- Reid says attendance at matches part of job (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
"This is about how business is done in Nevada and on Capitol Hill and many, many other venues. From free Rolling Stones tickets to NASCAR comps to free lap dances, the slope can get slipperier and slipperier."
Jon Ralston sees a problem with Reid's response to fight-ticket storm (Las Vegas Sun article)
State Tax Surplus
As the state's budget surplus grows, so will the percentage of voters who'll want it back. Another round of rebates? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Return budget surplus by spending it wisely (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
2006 Assembly Races
Francis Allen
The Allen Files: Tax & Spend & Tax Again (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
State Republican Party
Bipartisan Machine Shows Its Face
"Assembly Republicans and Democrats voted identically 88 percent of the time on key bills before the Legislature last year, according to a survey by a Republican activist."
CONSERVATIVE BAROMETER: Activist gauges Assembly views -- Muth rates lawmakers through their votes (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
COPAC Rating Of The 2005 Nevada Legislature
GOP Decline Bad For Business
GOP leadership vacuum threatens business community (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
State Democratic Party
"There have been reports this spring of tense questions about where all the money is going. The party has raised at least $75 million since January 2005, but only had $10 million on hand at the time of filing its last quarterly report."
Eye on the future: Democrats wage cash tug of war (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Trial
Prosecutors rebut Herrera appeal: Request to vacate conviction of ex-commissioner on corruption charges opposed (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Inadequate State Supervision Of Mortgage Lenders
"The commissioner has acknowledged that his division failed to review the books and records of USA Capital within a year, as required by law, but he said examiners would have found nothing because the problems were concealed through false records."
USA Capital investors fret over rising legal fees (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
AG rules disaster money can be used for fires (Nevada Appeal* article)
Nevada Highways
Roundabout source of scorn and humor: Song penned about traffic control device (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
NDOT says hour-long traffic backup won’t happen again: Public Information Officer says problem was ‘totally unacceptable.’ (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
More State Prison Problems
Correctional officer says dismissal is punishment for criticism (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Brunswick Reservoir
City considers alternatives to basins (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Grand Theft Auto
"But the problem here doesn't start with police officers who now urge us to 'just call it in.' Judges who consider themselves overburdened by such 'petty' crimes and thus don't treat such an offender seriously till he's been caught the 10th or 12th time feed the dangerous notion that this is all 'no big deal.'"
Car thefts are important: Las Vegas numbers are embarrassing (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
The New Eldorado
"A petition drive that organizers hope could make every Boulder City resident a millionaire will wrap up this week, setting the stage for a legal battle by the city to keep the measure off the November ballot."
Sides brace for legal battle over millionaire petition (Las Vegas Sun article)
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
"'They refresh me,' the mayor said."
Goodman has his favorites: Showgirl, Elvis imitator often share stage with LV mayor (Las Vegas Sun article)
'Vegas Freedom' campaign is one for the books: R&R Partners credits 'customers' for ultra-successful slogan (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Developing News
"Let's do the math: 37,000 new hotel rooms x the 336 required visitor factor = 12,432,000 new visitors needed."
We're 'pushing tin' to get tourists here (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
"Local clothing magnate Fred Nassiri has withdrawn his plans for The Summit, a 64-acre development set to include a 27-story residential and office tower, a second 24-story tower and three other buildings of at least 10 stories."
Owner holds high-rise project: Residents gave plan for towers low marks (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Related's Las Ramblas project is kaput: Talks concerning real estate are heating up with W Hotel co-developer (Las Vegas Business Press article)
What Happened To The Money?
Orcutt lawsuit likely to be filed this week (Las Vegas Sun article)
Repossession Profits
Foreclosure companies aren't reaping riches: Many homes on market are upside-down or in need of costly repairs (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Elko County
Don't Tell The Sheriff
Train derails at Deeth: Sheriff not informed of railroad incidents (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
City Of Fernley
City to weigh acquiring BLM land (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Insurance Service Office Visit
Fernley to undergo another ISO survey: Officials expect better rating to improve fire, homeowner insurance premiums (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Stagecoach General Improvement District
Finances, user rates, sewage top SGID Board agenda: Budget includes $4 an hour raise for staff (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County
Growth And Density
"A regional plan goal to keep 35 percent of growth within the McCarran Ring Road would be replaced with more specific objectives to boost densities within Reno and Sparks, a regional planning committee agreed Tuesday."
Regional planners back revamped urban density plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Urban Renewal
First things first in downtown (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Want More Money
"'The only thing we've agreed to thus far is to ask for a boatload of money,' Regent James Dean Leavitt said midway through the three-hour meeting."
Educators see long, expensive wish list: $1 billion health science center needs $269 million to get off ground (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Regents mull plan for Health Sciences Center (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nanotechnology
Research lacks proper funding: Studies carry a hefty price tag and UNLV can't hope to compete unless it can pay to play (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Schools
State Teaching Standards
BILL ROBERTS: Most couldn't pass teaching test in 100 years (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Clark County School District
Teachers feel betrayed by union's collaboration with School District (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lyon County School District
Lyon School Trustees vote on Fernley elementary rezoning: Attendance zones set for all three Fernley schools; Board receives no parental comment before vote (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County School District
Nicotine Nazism
"'What this policy would do is get rid of all smoking areas for employees,' Mulvenon said. 'It would not be just for schools but for all district property.'"
Smoking snuffed on campuses (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Carson Cuts
Medical center to cut more than 50 jobs: Executives say recent consolidation prompted thinning staff and merger of some departments (Nevada Appeal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Identity Theft
Tracking identity theft: Inconsistent data storage methods and demands for fast credit aid identity thieves (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Re-Assessing Rumsfeld
Missing the real problem: President shakes up Treasury Department, but Pentagon might need more attention (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Riviera may turn into Cinderella yet: As Strip prices have soared, minority shareholder ready to walk (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Aztar Acquisition
Columbia Sussex offer too good to pass up (Las Vegas Business Press article)
==========================================
[5:10 PM]
_____
Nevada Politics
Nevada And Sen. Reid
State Opinion
"This is Nevada, after all, the land of mobster Bugsy Siegel and the wiseguys. We have a legacy of corruption to uphold in this state, and Sen. Reid is just doing his part to perpetuate the mystique."
Boxing tickets no big deal in Reid's world (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
Out Of State Opinion (via Desert Beacon and Las Vegas Gleaner websites)
"Senator Reid is hardly in the dock. But his discomfort — and that of House Speaker Dennis Hastert in being mentioned last week in the endless Abramoff speculations — certainly should reinforce the need for Congress to emphasize vigilance over regret by upgrading the enforcement of ethics rules."
Ringside With Caesar's Wife (New York Times editorial)
Sen. Reid's rope-a-dope (Albany Times-Union editorial)
Reid's self-inflicted blow (Nashville Tennessean editorial)
Ringside Harry (NorthJersey.com editorial)
2006 US Senate Race
John Ensign - Tax Cut Zombie? (Desert Beacon blog)
2006 Governor's Race
Rep. Gibbons And State Sen. Titus
Can they sound any more alike? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
New Ads
Gibson on TV (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
State Republican Party
Chairman Of Republican Men's Club Resigns
Houston… we have a problem (Eric Odom column, Battle Born Opinion News)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Highway Patrol Harassment Investigation
Probe into remarks by Nevada patrol chief, major, continues (Nevada AP article)
Relief For Clark County
Nevada panel helps cover anti-poverty program costs (Nevada AP article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Chickens used to monitor West Nile (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Douglas County
Park Cattle zoning before commission (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Fire season predicted to start late (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Pathway Forum
We hope it's not business as usual (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Citizens that schools should try to nurture (Steve McKibben column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Churchill County School District
Principals at Numa, Lahontan to swap duties (Lahontan Valley News* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
From The US Congress
Reid Statement On The Nomination Of Henry Paulson (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: White House Iran Decision Long Overdue (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Porter To Honor Area D-Day Veterans (Rep. Porter Press Release)
Homeland Security
Las Vegas Gets $7.7 Million, Down From $8.4 Last Year
Major urban areas to get Homeland Security grants (Nevada AP article)
US Supreme Court Decision On Whistleblowers
A Supreme Court Setback for Whistle-Blowers (New York Times article)
"The Supreme Court whittled away at the First Amendment yesterday, ruling against a prosecutor who raised concerns about the validity of a search warrant."
Blow the Whistle, Loudly (New York Times editorial)
"When public employees make statements pursuant to their official duties, they are not speaking as citizens for First Amendment purposes, and the Constitution does not insulate their communications from employer discipline."
__________
Nevada's Past
De Profundis, Tahoe-Style
Mysteries of lake's depths revealed (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
New Book On Nevada's First Years Of Settlement
'Devils Will Reign:' The story of us (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
Las Vegas, Minden And Sparks
A tale of three cities (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
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