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Nevada's Online State News Journal
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December 2004-June 2005; July-September 2005; October-December 2005; 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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July 1, 2006
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July 1-9, 2006
For TNO readers -- Our webmaster will be taking the next several days off. The Nevada News Digest feature will resume after the Fourth of July celebrations.
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July 10, 2006
[11:45 AM}
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Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
Gibson goes negative (Reno News & Review article)
Gibson says Titus misuses PAC funds (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
The Banana Republic Problem
"Businesses don't give philosophical money. The money in politics is mostly about who is going to win."
Jeff Simpson explains why candidates such as Lorraine Hunt don't get casino money (Las Vegas Sun column)
Past And Present
"A liberal Democrat attacked the federal government and a conservative Republican defended it. That's why you'll find no predictions here. Forty years later, Nevada politics isn't much more comprehensible."
Gov. race promises to be knock-down, drag-out fight (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Better Late Than Never
Heller files financial report: Candidate has indirect link to movie industry (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Lieutenant Governor's Race
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Flier's funding fodder in race -- Businesswoman running for lieutenant governor targets candidate Krolicki (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
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Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Recorder Bribery Case
Justice Delayed
"Justice of the Peace Bennett-Haron wants 70 days to decide whether Frances Deane should face trial, based on sworn testimony from two separate local businessmen that they had $10,000 and $16,000 in cash delivered to this public official for access to public records in her care -- the latter sum hidden in stuffed animals!"
Case goes down the Bennett-Haron bypass: Handling of county recorder's case has been unusual (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
JANE ANN MORRISON: Justice of the peace's handling of Deane case makes special impression (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
The Preliminary Hearing Of Frances Deane
"When asked why Deane was taking the cash, Gekko paraphrased Deane as saying, 'I'm not going to get re-elected, so it's time for me to get a piece like everyone else.'"
Businessmen say they paid recorder for data (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Hearing in Deane case concludes (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Clark County Commission Corruption Case
Proposed forfeiture too high, lawyer for former official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
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Nevada Government
State Government
Another Ill-Conceived Law From The 2005 Legislature
"Here, under a law that took effect Oct. 1 but only now is attracting attention, if the state allows a polluter to ruin the landscape and soil the sky, you have no standing to "petition the government" to order the pollution to stop - unless you have a financial stake in doing so."
Ruling over mine exposes flaw in new law: Petitioners required to have standing in case (Las Vegas Sun article)
Paying The Price Of Incompetence In Public Works Construction Contracts
State officials start paying big judgment: Board of Examiners OKs payments (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada panel OK's payments in construction contract dispute (Las Vegas Sun article)
Unreported Child Deaths Investigation
Official: Records-Keeping Slovenly, But Not Malicious
Nevada panel hears how 11 children died (Nevada AP article)
Problems At The Department Of Parole And Probation
"Last year the state Division of Internal Audits determined Parole and Probation officers hadn't adequately supervised potentially dangerous criminals. In a study of 61 cases, auditors found officers didn't perform required duties 70 percent of the time, most often by failing to check on high-risk offenders with enough regularity - if at all."
Underfunded, understaffed parole officers overwhelmed (Las Vegas Sun article)
Clark County's Troubled Judiciary
SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR JUDGE JONES? (Las Vegas CityLife column)
Cabscam Investigation
Cab companies: DMV scam denied by official: Company representative says businesses use contractor to complete smog checks (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
DMV INVESTIGATION: Six taxicab firms cited -- Companies accused of faking smog checks on vehicles (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Paying For Public Information
"A resident has filed a lawsuit against Carson City, alleging charges he was required to pay for obtaining records are excessive."
Man sues city over records fees dispute (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Heavy Increase In Insurance Arsons
"Las Vegas and Henderson have seen a steady and dramatic increase in arson cases in the past five years, and experts say that an increase in insurance fraud may be to blame."
Arson numbers going through roof: Las Vegas, Henderson report steady increases in number of fires, bucking national trend (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
A Gathering Of Law Enforcement Chiefs
Law enforcement summit set (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Reach For The Sky
"The death of a proposal to impose height limitations on a small stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South is an important victory for those who want to see the burgeoning vertical development of downtown continue."
Sky is still the limit on Las Vegas Boulevard South (Las Vegas Sun article)
Growth As God: The Las Vegas Story
Hal Rothman on how the valley's growth pattern has helped shape the future of the American downtown (Las Vegas Sun column)
Nye County
Proposed Sales Tax Hike
Sales tax hike causes deadlock (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pahrump board wants sales tax put before voters (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Can tax hike be used for new ambulance purchases? (Pahrump Valley Times article)
New General Improvement District
"A General Improvement District set up to fund storm water and drainage problems in Pahrump would be set up to also fund water and sewer improvements, Nye County Commissioners decided Wednesday."
Commission broadens service district plan (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Storey County
Paying Extra: Governments And Toll Roads
Toll road issue poses legal questions (Nevada Appeal* article)
All toll roads led to the Comstock - almost: The Six Mile Canyon route was a free road (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Growth And Public Awareness
"The problem is, there's no moving here and then closing the door behind you. Everyone has an equal right to move here and degrade the environment. Politicians who don't take contributions from developers lose elections (very similar to the power casino owners used to wield). People who saw the oncoming train and shouted loudest are still shouting as the train rolls by."
I'm with stupid (Reno News & Review editorial)
White Pine County
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Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Law gets a failing grade: Nation's teachers say No Child Left Behind Act isn't working and needs reform (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
For our students' health: Nevada is recognized as a progressive state in creating healthier school environments (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Churchill County School District
"The Churchill County School District will test the substance from a second leaking light ballast through a Sparks laboratory after an earlier sample got lost en route to Virginia."
District plans second test for PCBs First sample lost (Lahontan Valley News* article)
"Churchill County School Board Trustee Mark Hyde said missing five of the last six school board meetings doesn't mean he is neglecting his job as an elected official."
Hyde cites 'family obligations' for absence at five of six meetings (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County School District
When do rights become wrongs? Foothill High's valedictorian raises questions over freedoms of speech and religion (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County School District
Carol Lark: Douglas position an educator's dream (Gardnerville Record-Courier* article)
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Nevada Water Matters
SNWA's Suction Scheme
State engineer to post all SNWA documents online (Ely Times article)
":Plans to pump millions of gallons of water to the Las Vegas area from rural Nevada will leave the land scarred, cut the wildlife population and drop the water table by more than 20 feet, an environmental organization claims."
Warnings made over rural water: Groups claim pumping for LV Valley will endanger wildlife, scar land (Las Vegas Sun article)
Warnings issued over rural Nevada water (Nevada AP article)
"Dozens of Nevada and Utah residents are challenging a state law that bars them from participating in hearings on the Southern Nevada Water Authority's plan to pump rural Nevada ground water to Las Vegas."
Newer residents protest water law: Dozens demand voice at hearing (Las Vegas Sun article)
State Engineer's Water Rights Database Webpage (State Engineer website)
Water Words Dictionary (State Engineer website)
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Nevada Utilities
Ely Coal-Burning Power Plant Draws Foes
"Opponents to Nevada Power Co.'s planned $3 billion coal-fired power plant at Ely are starting to emerge following a late Friday filing by Nevada Power Co. to seek approval of the project."
LS Power opposes second WP plant (Ely Times article)
Nevada Power files plan for Ely Energy Center with PUC (Ely Times article)
Trash Hauling Monopolies Want More Money
Garbage plan recycled: Pilot program again calls for once-a-week pickup with recycling on same day (Las Vegas Sun article)
Las Vegas area politicians wary of smell from recycling proposal (Nevada AP article)
25% hike for trash pickups on table (Elko Free Press article)
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Federal Nevada
Unwarranted Surveillance
"A political demonstration in Reno was listed in a California Office of Homeland Security's daily briefing by mistake, a spokesman for the office said Friday."
California kept tabs on Reno protest (Reno Gazette-Journal article)"You know who the government wants uninformed? You. Why? Because if you know the government is acting in ways you don’t think it should, you might do something about it."
Interested party (Reno News & Review editorial)
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Nevada's Past
Bowers Mansion
Stretching the mind and the body in Washoe Valley: Park ranger leads historic hike at Bowers Mansion Regional Park (Nevada Appeal* article)
Sandy Bowers and His Mansion (From TNO's Reading Room)
Don't Care About History: Kiel Ranch
Kiel ranch, historic dump (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
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July 11, 2006
[9:00 AM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 US Senate Race
Like Father? Jack Carter is counting on lineage (his dad was president) and loot (a $1 million-plus war chest) to topple the seemingly invincible Sen. John Ensign (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Carter beaming into living rooms (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 3
Second Time Around: Progressive Anna Nevenic tries again to run on her terms (Las Vegas Weekly article)
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
Democratic gubernatorial race: Gibson, Titus trade ethics allegations: Mayor files formal complaint; senator unveils statewide TV ad (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Some new ads in the governor's race (Vegas Pundit website)
State Sen. Beers
"Thanks to TASC, and the discomfort it causes his opponents, he's emerged as a political player with the chance to stand before the people and tell them what he thinks. Not just about taxes and budgets, but about public education and transportation, crime and welfare."
JOHN L. SMITH: TASC fuels Beers, makes his GOP gubernatorial challengers fidgety (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Melody DeMayo
Porn to Run: Melody Damayo stands up for strippers and students in her campaign for governor (Las Vegas Weekly article)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Heart attack fells official: Augustine in coma at Reno hospital (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Augustine unconscious in hospital (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Another deadline for Nevada initiatives (Nevada AP article)
Tax And Spending Control (TASC)
"Bob Adney, the manager of the TASC campaign, said the petition his organization circulated was the correct one. The one given to the secretary of state contained 'a secretarial error,' he added."
TYPING ERROR: Spending initiative in limbo -- Heller refers petition to attorney general's office (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
No Smoking Initiatives
Smoking conspiracy? Is the Surgeon General of the United States in league with Nevada's smoke-banners? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
2006 Legislative Races
The Candidate: Stan Vaughan is a model of the perennial political underdog (Las Vegas Weekly article)
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Nevada Government
State Government
State Health Care Plans
HEALTH CARE: State selects insurers for Medicaid contract -- Anthem, Health Plan of Nevada submit winning bids (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
State Seizures Of Children From Parents
Nevada seizes children at twice the national average.
Grabbing more kids: 'Child welfare' workers claim one more child for the state (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Lenders
"The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows it to continue operation, on April 13. Since then, the company has disclosed that many of its 115 loans are past due. USA Capital continued to make monthly payments, regardless of whether the loan was performing."
USA Capital managers say payments on way (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Highways
Galena Creek Bridge
"These problems hit the taxpayers directly in the pocket. They also hit businesses, and they raise the stress level of those who travel in the region. Improvements must be made, if not by those in charge of the department, then by those responsible for overseeing it, the governor and the Legislature."
Delays are unacceptable (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Retro-Government Toll Road Proposal
"Storey County's plan to establish a toll on Six Mile Canyon Road has already had its first flat tire, but it probably won't be its last."
Six Mile Canyon toll idea on a bumpy road (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Surrounded By Flames
"Saleen said he planned to meet Monday evening with some of Beatty's 1,032 residents, whom he said might get six to eight hours to clear out if ordered to evacuate."
Blazes bracket town of Beatty: Fires around town at 10 percent containment (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Nevada Labor
Strong growth could push up labor costs (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Ongoing Worker Disputes: Union, developers at odds over business practices: Are small public protests effective? (Las Vegas Weekly article)
Local Government
Churchill County
County water system expected to go online in February (Lahontan Valley News* article)
County hires engineering, capital projects manager (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Dream Of New Eldorado Dies A-Borning
"On Friday, District Judge Kathy Hardcastle threw all four questions off the ballot on the grounds that, if they were approved, they would take too much power away from Boulder City's government."
Government 'rights' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
"The champagne wishes and caviar dreams of some Boulder City residents were dashed Friday, when a judge tossed out a ballot question that could have made everyone in town a millionaire."
BOULDER CITY : Dreams of riches dashed -- Ballot question to sell land for residents tossed out (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
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Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Churchill County School District
"Churchill County School Board Trustee Mark Hyde says missing five of the last six school board meetings does not amount to a neglect of duty. We beg to differ."
Board member should show up or step down (Lahontan Valley News* editorial)
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Nevada Mining
Golden Future?
Jerritt Canyon’s 25th Anniversary: Solid Gold (Elko Free Press article)
"Nevada mining analysts say they are not yet worried about the rapid decline in the sale price of gold and other precious metals over the past month."
Officials not worried about metal prices (Ely Times article)
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Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"'It appears that at a minimum, $91,140,300 in activities described in DOE's budget request could be legitimately questioned as inappropriate for approval in fy (fiscal year) 2007,' planning manager Irene Navis said in the analysis."
Audit questions Yucca spending: County report challenges DOE priorities (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
MIT geologist finds fault with Yucca assessment: Researcher says project rife with uncertainty (Nevada AP article)
Geologist: Yucca Mountain assessment lacks geological input (Las Vegas Sun article)
National Budget
Ensign's "Railroad the Congress" Act of 2006 (Desert Beacon website)
Federal Lobby Reform
Lobbyists' money talks: Spending by lobbyist groups makes huge jump despite ethics investigations (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Interstate Highway Program
Highway blues: Federal promotion of interstate highways has been a mixed blessing (Reno News & Review article)
Unwarranted Surveillance
"Officials in both states must make it clear that, unless there is real evidence of a possible threat, nothing more than routine safety monitoring of rallies is allowed."
Monitoring rallies is inappropriate (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
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From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
Web wagering under attack in Congress (Nevada AP article)
"But why does everything have to be taxed, regulated or banned outright? Why can't Congress simply keep its mitts off the Internet and let Americans choose whether and how to risk their money in games of chance?"
Internet gambling: Why must everything be taxed, regulated or banned outright? (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Casinos And Condos
Development sparking on North Strip — and in Sparks (David McKee column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Sparks Planning Commission dodges decision on casino at Lazy 8 resort: City staffer says justification needed for denial; meeting continued to July 17 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
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Nevada's Past
Women And The V&TRR
They may not have worked on the rail, but they were there (Nevada Appeal* article)
==========================================
July 12, 2006
[10:30 AM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Candidate Overview
Jon Ralston waits impatiently for a candidate in a major race to focus on issues relevant to the public, rather than empty rhetoric and hyperbole (Las Vegas Sun column)
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
Titus blames Gibson for energy woes: She says his work as an attorney makes him partly responsible for high electricity rates (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Power to the (right) people! (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
New Angle Radio Ad Addresses Heller's Negative Campaign, Fiscal Issues (Angle Campaign Press Release)
Working well with others is his style: Heller's run not ideology-based (Las Vegas Sun article)
Derby hits the FM dial (Monday Morning Pundit, Reno and Its Discontents)
Congressional District 3
National Education Association And American Federation of Teachers Endorse Hafen (Hafen Campaign Press Release)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Augustine dies without regaining consciousness (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Augustine death highlights stresses politicians must endure (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Ensign extends condolences to Augustine family (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Reid statement on the passing of Kathy Augustine (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Governor's statement on the passing of Kathy Augustine (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Eminent Domain
"Former District Judge Don Chairez said the petition is designed to stop abuses in which government entities acquire private land through eminent domain proceedings and then sells the land to facilitate private development. The petition states government transfers of land from one private party to another are not allowed public uses."
BALLOT QUESTIONS: Eminent domain petition OK'd -- Secretary of state verifies one measure, holds off on tax, spending bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Tax And Spending Control (TASC)
Let it Go to the Polls (Sean Schmitt column, Shoot a Liberal)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Battle Against Meth
New prisons needed to keep up with meth-laced crime wave (Las Vegas Sun article)
"Speaking at a crime summit for local law enforcement officials in Southern Nevada on Tuesday, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young and others described the drug as a major plague and the root of many other crimes, from robberies at construction sites to increased cases of child abuse and neglect."
Law enforcement details methamphetamine's ills (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2005 Legislature's Ill-Conceived "No Standing" Law
"Under a new - and badly written - state law, those who want to stop polluters from fouling the environment cannot petition the government to stop such activity unless they have a financial stake in the operation in question."
New law flawed: Attorney general, lawmaker call for rewrite of new law dealing with pollution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)"It is critical that the Legislature takes another look at this law when it meets next year and returns the public to its rightful place at the table."
Restore public's role in decisions (Reno Gazette-Journal* editorial)
State Health Care
Drug switching saves money, but the patients have to wait (Nevada Appeal* article)
Southern Nevada Judicial Problems
District Judge Steve Jones
Man with two felony criminal cases pending has ties to judge (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Family Court judge's role in failed real estate venture raises questions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
Nevada's Fire-Fighting Goats
Eradication by mastication (Nevada Appeal* article)
Interesting Figures
Nevada by the Numbers (Desert Beacon website)
Local Government
Clark County
Coroner's Inquests And Police Shootings
"Last year, 12 shootings involved Las Vegas police, nine of which resulted in deaths. In 2004, 21 police shootings occurred, 10 of which were fatal."
'ALARM BELLS ARE RINGING': Shootings spur review -- County to take look at whether inquests should be changed (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sheriff to go to FBI over shootings (Las Vegas Sun article)
Meeting questions head on: Increased use of deadly force discussed by sheriff, who would welcome federal scrutiny (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Developers Having a Blast At Henderson
'Fire in the hole' command lops off mountaintop (Las Vegas Sun article)
Moving mountains: Blast regulations questioned (Las Vegas Sun article)
More Developing News
Hotels target valley gateway (Las Vegas Sun article)
White Pine County
Ely City Government Brawls Continue
Mayor and council get in tiff over building sign (Ely Times article)
The mayor tries to save us again (Ely Times editorial)
Cleaning Up The Voters
Clerk wants help to clean up voters' list (Ely Times article)
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Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
"Nevada lawmakers made just one mistake in writing legislation asking parents, students and teachers to sign contracts to improve education: They left out themselves."
Legislators must be accountable (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
What America needs is education (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News*)
Touchy-Feely Do Nothing Legislation (Chuck Muth column, Battle Born Opinion News)
Churchill County School District
Employee contract tops school board agenda (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County School District
Faith in the system: Student learns about the separation of church and state the hard way (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA's Suction Scheme
Water authority to adopt agreement with Ely: City to get more than $1 million in deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Nuclear waste proliferation: A Russian dump doesn't let Yucca off (Las Vegas Sun article)
Federal Largesse
Ensign, Reid announce funds for rural airport improvements
US Currency
Reid, Ensign praise American buffalo gold coin (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities
"The ultimate goal must be to ensure that the worst of the worst can no longer threaten the United States, but are dealt with in a way that respects our legal traditions while also balancing the interests of national security."
Geneva Conventions (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling
House overwhelmingly passes Internet gambling ban (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lawmakers move toward ban on Internet gambling (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Berkley Opposes GOP Ban on Internet Betting: Legislation Restricting On-Line Gaming Part of Republican “Values Agenda” (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
PORTER VOTES AGAINST INTERNET GAMBLING BAN - Continues fight for comprehensive study of online wagering (Rep. Porter Press Release)
"Gambling can have a place in society if it's regulated and responsible. If it's not, its only potential is to ruin lives."
Efforts necessary to control Internet gambling (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Free the Web gamblers (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
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Nevada Journalism
TNO Gets Some Competition: A New Nevada Internet Magazine
Nevada Today (Las Vegas Gleaner)
==========================================
July 13, 2006
[10:20 PM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus And Mayor Gibson
"Behind the complaint, duly filed with the secretary of state's office, is a battle royal for the future of the Democratic primary in Nevada, and, more than that, its soul. Gibson is the establishment candidate, the man who represented Nevada Power in its pitched battle against ... well, the voters; and the Las Vegas Monorail which has battled against ... paying property and sales taxes. Titus, by contrast, is a university professor, much more liberal, for whom corporations represent more of a patsy than a paycheck."
Shiny objects: Is Dina Titus currently the governor of Nevada? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Quote this! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas City Life)
Lieutenant Governor Hunt
Hunt touts Guinn ties in 'Gibbons country': Gubernatorial hopeful targets Reno area Republicans (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 State Controller's Race
Governor appoints Steve Martin State Controller (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
Controller pick stirs opposition (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
2006 Legislative Races
Candidates Who Don't Care Much About Conservation
Confederacy of dunces: Nearly half of the state Legislature got a D or lower on new conservation scorecard (Las Vegas CityLife article)
2005 Nevada Conservation Scorecard (Nevada Conservation League)
Nevada Conservation League Website
Conservation? What's that? (Las Vegas CityLife article)
2005 Legislature's Ill-Conceived "No Standing" Law
Permission denied: Great Basin Mine Watch discovers that average citizens no longer have the right to challenge corporate polluters (Reno News & Review article)
State Sen. Maurice Washington Of Sparks
Fool's gold standard -- Liberty Watch: The Magazine gives extensive oral favors to unethical lawmaker (Las Vegas CityLife article)
2006 Local Races
Clark County
District E campaign gets uglier by the day: Primary race marked by vicious fliers (Las Vegas Sun article)
Candidates Who Won't Talk To Voters: Just Say No At The Polls
"At a well-attended candidate forum in June sponsored by the Reno Anti-War Coalition, well-funded candidates for U.S. House and Senate didn't show. Some politely refused the invitation. Others meant to send a representative, but oops. Forgot."
Fancy the fringes? Me too. (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
Early Voting 2006
July 29 To August 11 For Primary Elections
Early voting starts soon (Elko Free Press article)
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Corruption? In Nevada
Prosecution Of Clark County Recorder Frances Deane
Judge taking her sweet time (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Belated City $kindustry Regulation Of Club The Feds Took Down
"In the plea, according to the city's complaint, The Power Co. admitted that Crazy Horse Too 'sought to extort payment from patrons through explicit or implicit threats of violence, or through actual use of force.'"
CRAZY HORSE TOO: City sets hearing for club -- Council to decide punishment for guilty pleas (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
Battle Against Meth
Meth is devastating lives: More focus on treatment, in and out of prison, could help decrease this growing problem (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
State Homeland Security
State network to battle terrorism (Las Vegas Sun article)
Attempted Assassination Of Judge Weller
"Moving to take advantage of what it considers an improved political climate as a result of the attempted assassination of a family court judge, a group called Nevadans for Equal Parenting will be asking for appointment of a county 'family court advisory committee.'"
Making the most of Weller (Dennis Myers article, Reno News & Review)
Nevada Highways
Another Envious Effusion
"All of the state's most pressing highway needs are in Southern Nevada, a fact NDOT officials will readily acknowledge. Yet they continue to defend luxury projects for Northern Nevada on the flawed premise of "regional equity," which dictates that because Reno-area motorists pay into the state highway trust, they're entitled to capital expenditures regardless of whether they're necessary."
Our own 'bridge to nowhere': Northern Nevada project runs into trouble (Las Vegas Review-Journal* editorial)
Inadequate Supervision Of Mortgage Lenders
No foreclosures or lawsuits yet at USA Capital: Official suggests he may sue ex-owners (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Fuji Park, Carson City Fairgrounds rehab could cost $5 million (Nevada Appeal* article)
Churchill County
CC Communications, union reach a labor agreement (Lahontan Valley News* article)
Clark County
Let Me Call You Sweetheart: Another Lucky Las Vegas Land Deal
"The proposed deal would have the city sell 5.4 acres for $9.4 million - or roughly $1.74 million an acre - to California developer Robert Zarnegin. That's far below the value some city officials have touted as the norm for downtown and the market value of the land on the 61 acres, according to recent appraisals."
Downtown builder gets good land deal (Las Vegas Sun article)
Plight Of The Homeless
New Training, Same Old City Marshals: The city of Las Vegas continued its war on homelessness this week. (Las Vegas CityLife article)
"You can feed the pigeons in Las Vegas parks. Just make sure the homeless don't get any crumbs."
HOMELESS IN THE PARKS: 'Soup kitchens' targeted -- Ordinance would create misdemeanor (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
A word for Oscar (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Likely New County Manager
Valentine promotion to manager is likely (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Elko County
Elko Building Boom Continues
County building permits steady (Elko Free Press article)
Want More Money
The Public Utilities Commission will consider at its July 26 meeting increasing sewer rates for some accounts in Spring Creek by as much as 9,000 percent.
State ups Spring Creek sewer rate hike (Elko Free Press article)
Police Auction Results In Charges
"Cunningham has been charged with felony counts of misconduct of a public officer and fraudulent appropriation of property."
Former undersheriff indicted: Cunningham faces felony charges over car auction (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
1,700 trees to be cut at So. Lake airport (Nevada Appeal* article)
Agreement reached for $410 million convention center: Construction of convention center, hotel complex could begin in May 2007 (Nevada Appeal* article)
Lyon County
Shopping center will offer Daytonites more commercial options (Nevada Appeal* article)
Washoe County
Reno's Horrible Downtown Traffic Snarls
It's time ... to face facts (Reno News & Review editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNR professor drops suit, seeks court order (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Down on the pharm: Parents and doctors debate the merits of medicating our children for ADHD (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
And Then There Were Two
"So the state of Nevada is going to approve another $3 billion boondoggle and let the Nevada ratepayers subsidize it, while all the pollution blows into Utah. It is not just bad government economic policy, it is also disingenuous governmental and environmental policy."
Haze of power politics: Critics say proposed Northern Nevada coal-fired plants would emit carbon (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Rodeo!
Silver State Stampede: Rodeo kicks off Thursday at Fairgrounds (Elko Free Press article)
Pennsylvania cowboys traverse country to compete in Fallon rodeo (Nevada Appeal* article)
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Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Unsound science: Co-editor of new book on Yucca Mountain says the DOE's research is flawed (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Bush should listen to people on nuclear waste (Nevada Appeal* editorial)
Yucca Mountain--The World's Largest Dirty Bomb? (Political-Resources website)
Homeland Security
"In the report released Tuesday, the agency's internal watchdog found that a database that was supposed to be a compilation of potential targets of terrorism is too faulty to accurately help divide federal funds among states and cities. Among the vulnerable "critical infrastructure and key resources" listed in the database were an ice cream parlor, a petting zoo and a check cashing business."
Homeland Security report faults database (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Sorry, TNO Readers: No Report Posted On Homeland Security Press Or IG Webpages
DHS Inspector General's webpage
Federal Largesse
Reid legislation to expand popular park earns passage in Senate (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid secures $750K in grants to improve Clark County water systems (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Nevada Attorney General's office receives $548,000 from US Administration on Aging for Senior Medicare Patrol project (Attorney General Press Release)
USAF Base Expansion
Gov. Guinn will meet with Air Force representatives to discuss Hill Air Force Base expansion (Gov. Guinn Press Release)
More Rumsfeld Irregularities
A rude awakening: Pentagon officials are slow to respond when it comes to prisoners and contracts (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
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From The Neon Empire
Gaming Revenues Up 9.84 Percent Over Last Year; Gaming Tax Revenues Only Up 1.16 Percent
May 2006 Nevada Gaming Revenues and Collections (GCB Press Release)
Casinos rise far above caution: Gaming revenue massive in May (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Feds To Take Over Nevada Casino Money Laundering Regulation
"Nevada gaming authorities took initial steps Wednesday toward repealing the state's anti-money laundering regulation, saying they will turn that aspect over to the federal government."
Regulators moving to drop anti-money laundering law (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
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Nevada's Past
Preserving The Past
Reid secures $300K to preserve rural Nevada history (Sen. Reid Press Release)
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July 14, 2006
[10:55 AM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Governor's Race
State Sen. Titus
Hug that tree (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
2006 US Senate Race
NV-Sen: Jack Carter TV ads (Sarah R. Carter column, Daily Kos)
2006 Congressional Races
Congressional District 2
Dean Heller a true Democrat (George Harris column, Liberty Watch The Magazine via Battleborn Opinion News)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
State agency joins look into death of controller (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 State Controller's Race
Augustine's replacement sworn into office (Nevada AP article)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
TASC BALLOT INITIATIVE: Beers debates proposal -- Opponent says plan not reality (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
People's Initiative to Stop The Taking of Our Land (PISTOL)
"'This will result in state or local government being paralyzed or potentially bankrupted, paralyzed because of potential lawsuits, or if we go forward, being subject to unlimited lawsuits,' said Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury."
Officials decry domain measure -- Woodbury: Ballot question's OK could stall road projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
2006 Legislative Elections
Interview With Sheila Leslie: Assemblywoman For District 27 (Reno and Its Discontents)
2006 Local Elections
Clark County
"Frank Cremen's underdog campaign to unseat District Attorney David Roger in the Republican primary goes for the throat in a new series of ads that question whether the incumbent previously accepted political contributions from topless mogul Michael Galardi through channels."
JOHN L. SMITH: District attorney's challenger counting on topless mogul's credibility (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 Voting
Early voting gets easier (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
2006 Endorsements
Nevada Concerned Citizens (NCC)
NCC endorsements (Vegas Pundit)
Nevada Conservation League
Nevada Conservation League Endorsements (NCL website, via Reno and Its Discontents)
Voters And Party Identity Crises
Democrats More Eager to Vote, But Unhappy with Party: Gay Marriage, Inheritance Tax Among the Lowest Public Priorities (Pew Research Center report, via Reno and Its Discontents)
Other Pew Research Center Reports
Porter, Ensign, and the Conservatives Without Conscience (Daily Beacon)
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Corruption? In Nevada?
$kindustry Regulation
Goodman: Violent Extortion Of Patrons Not As Bad As Bribery, So Give Rizzolo A Break
Mayor defends club's owners: Crazy Horse Too faces loss of license (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
$kindustry Workers Want Recognition
Sex workers protest for rights, respect in Las Vegas (Nevada AP article)
LVCVA Embarrassed By AIDS Awareness Campaign's Indirect Attack on Las Vegas $kindustry
LVCVA flustered, not flattered (David McKee column, Las Vegas Business Press)
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Nevada Government
State Government
State Tourism
Dancing with dragons: Nevada courting Chinese tourists (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Youth And Alcohol
Parental supervision might go a long way (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Less Equal Than Others
Restrictions on teen drivers work (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Sheriff's Department steps up enforcement of sex offender laws (Nevada Appeal* article)
Clark County
Plight Of The Homeless
Slogans target notions about homelessness: Coalition hopes to increase help (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
That Las Vegas Orchard
A rotten apple doesn't fall far from the tree (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Douglas County
National chains interested in opening in Carson Valley (Nevada Appeal* article)
Lyon County
Government Subsidies For Favored Businesses
Lyon approves tax abatements as part of economic incentives for Dayton, Mound House firms (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
City Of Fernley
Council OKs zoning amendment in Highlands despite staff concerns (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
City Council accepts policy for water rights dedication (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Dayton
County to continue to look at options for Dayton substation (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County
How Reno City Government Works
Institute offers inside peek at how city works (John G. Metzker column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
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Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Teacher Shortage
Housing cited in teacher shortage: District aims to provide low-cost alternative (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lawsuit Over Censorship Of Valedictory Speech
"A federal lawsuit filed Thursday will test whether Foothill High School valedictorian Brittany McComb's constitutional rights were violated when school officials shut off her microphone after she mentioned God several times during a June 15 commencement speech."
Group files lawsuit, alleges school officials violated teen's rights (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
Lake Tahoe Unified School District
Discrimination suit filed against Tahoe school district: Teacher says she was fired in 2005 because she is openly gay (Nevada Appeal* article)
Lyon County School District
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Nevada Water Matters
SNWA's Suction Scheme
Nevada official presses for Utah agreement on water development (Nevada AP article)
Pyramid Lake And The Northern Paiutes: They've Been Ripped Off Before
Local Paiute tribe challenges plan to export water, citing potential impacts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
"The program was established during the 1999 Nevada Legislature as a compromise with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which filed a protest in 1993 against water right holders in the Newlands Irrigation Project. The tribe sought to reclaim water diverted at Derby Dam on the Truckee River for use at Pyramid Lake for the endangered cui-ui fish."
Water rights purchase program draws to a close: Other options explored after AB380 falls short of goal (Lahontan Valley News* article)
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Nevada Culture
Cultural Events, Plans And Grants
"A dual exhibit at the Historic Fourth Ward School in Virginia City is bringing some light to the history and contributions of an oft-ignored segment of Nevada's population - black people."
Emancipators and leaders honored at VC museum: Two exhibits show another side of history at the Fourth Ward School Museum (Nevada Appeal* article)
New head of Piper's Opera House to focus on restoration, 'living theater' (Nevada Appeal* article)
Old Copeland Lumber building in Minden could become theater (Nevada Appeal* article)
Friends and fellows in arts council grants: Two Carson City authors among nine recipients of $5,000 Nevada Arts Council fellowships (Nevada Appeal* article)
Vehicular Art
Artists express themselves through cars (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
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From The Neon Empire
Internet Gambling Ban
Sure it's hypocritical but what else is new (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Gambling Haul In The Merry Month Of May
May gaming win is another monster (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Unexpectedly Bad
Report: Boyd's revenue will be worse than Street (Las Vegas Business Press article)
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Nevada's Past
Dayton's old-timers enjoyed good times in Carson River (Ruby McFarland column, Nevada Appeal*)
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Update for July 14, 2006
[6:35 PM]
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Nevada Politics
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
State Attorney General Says TASC's Text Variances Aren't Fatal; Recommends It Go To The Voters
AG says let the people decide on TASC (Vegas Pundit website)
2006 State Treasurer's Race
Report: Dead Nevada controller's husband attempts suicide (Nevada AP article)
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July 15, 2006
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July 15, 2006
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Nevada Politics
Nevada's Wretched Financial Disclosure Laws
"Some elected officials don't want people to know how often they take gifts and who gives them those gifts."
JANE ANN MORRISON: Elected officials have gift for defining freebies as educational conferences (Las Vegas Review-Journal* column)
2006 Ballot Initiatives And Petitions
Tax And Spending Control (TASC) Initiative
LEGAL OPINION: Chanos approves initiative -- Typo in Tax and Spending Control measure 'not fatal' (Las Vegas Review-Journal* article)
People's Initiative to Stop The Taking of Our Land (PISTOL)
"The proposal would entitle property owners to have juries determine that the land to be taken is for a public use, not for private development. Compensation would be the highest price the property would bring on the open market and not a lesser fair market value now offered. And property owners would not be liable for attorney fees."
