March 1, 2007

[1:30 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Dead Kids

Clark County Family Services Denies Reported Claims, Says Report Is Wrong: All Children Well And Accounted For (Nevada Observer article)

Eminent Domain

"The Senate Judiciary Committee learned that Assembly Joint Resolution 3 is the result of an agreement between supporters of PISTOL, which received strong support from voters in November, and Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who represented local government concerns on the proposal."

EMINENT DOMAIN: Land compromise pushed -- PISTOL backers endorse Assembly Joint Resolution 3 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Eminent Domain Issues Debated Despite Public: Transportation Officials Unhappy With Public Vote On PISTOL (Nevada Observer article)

"Kermit Waters, an eminent domain lawyer who co-authored the People's Initiative to Stop the Taking of Our Land, said he isn't backing away from having the initiative on the 2008 ballot for a required second round of voting. It passed in 2006 with 63 percent of the vote."

Senate panel eyes three eminent domain bills (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Ethics Laws

AJR1: Ethics Or Politics As Usual? Do Not Go To Jail, Collect All That You Can (Nevada Observer article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

"The proposal comes as state officials and the Legislature grapple with where to put the 12,800 inmates currently in the system, which is 1,000 more than the budget can cover, and what to do about inmate projections that demand billions of dollars in new prison construction unless new policies are developed."

Hardesty works on his proposal to deport inmates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Highways

Highway Needs Should Receive Full Debate: Growth Has Brought Severe Stress To Nevada's Highways (Nevada Observer article)

Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Industry

Mortgage, Real Estate-Related Industry Problems Continue: State Oversight Severely Lacking As Companies Fall Like Dominoes (Nevada Observer article)

Regulation Of Utilities

"Tom Pittman complained that Nevada Power proposed to raise general rates higher for consumers than big businesses such as casinos. While Nevada Power wants to increase single-family residential general rates by 11.6 percent, rates for a large Strip casino would increase by 3.9 percent, the company said."

Power-rate proposal irks citizens (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A proposed bill that would label power plants that burn tires as a form of renewable energy didn't appear to get much traction from members of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Wednesday."

No treads on me: Tire-burning energy plan raises protests -- Officials oppose idea for its pollution potential (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada lawmakers discuss bills changing utility regulation (Associated Press article)

The Methamphetamine Problem And The Bills Meant To Solve It

War On Meth Gets Help From Representative Berkley: Slowly The Giant Problem Gains Awareness (Nevada Observer article)

Leave my cold medicine alone Turning cold medicine into a prescription drug complicates life needlessly for everyone, especially those 400,000 Nevadans without health insurance (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)

Nevada's Lieutenant Governor

Now that's funny (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Treating It Just Like The Original Alcohol Prohibition Act

"And so it goes: Bar and tavern operators are claiming to live by the letter of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act - while allowing customers to eat and puff away in violation of the new law."

No smoking, wink, wink: Taverns comply with letter of law, but enforcement is another story (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Agencies

Shakeup At State Ag Division Leads To Resignation: Questions Of Mismanagement, Audit Problems Hinted (Nevada Observer article)

Domestic Living

Not Bad

Nevada No. 12 in child care: Staff-to-child ratio at centers falls short (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Economy

Timeshare industry generates $2.8 billion in Nevada (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Housing Sales Continue Long Decline In Nevada: Forty Other States Also Face Declines In Real Estate Sales (Nevada Observer article)

Local Government

Churchill County

Task force on illegal dumping meets tonight (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

County Affairs

County workers in line for raises: Commission to vote on labor agreement (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The City Of Las Vegas And Free Speech

"But the most appalling thing about this tax-funded anti-free-speech chorus was their willingness to haul out arguments that have already been thoroughly considered and definitively thrown out by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, for all the world like necromancers digging up the pet cemetery and trying to re-sell the senators a dumpster full of dead Fluffies."

In contempt of free speech? Despite court rulings, local officials continue to ignore First Amendment (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Housing Market

Las Vegas home sales plummet in January: Analyst sees little chance of sector rebounding this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe County

Inequitable Taxation

Washoe DA Gammick Foiled Again: Tax Board Won't Bow To Demands, Gammick In A Twit (Nevada Observer article)

City Of Reno

Landlord Says He Didn't Know About Conditions

"Some of the nearly 175 displaced residents of Reno's Lakemill Lodge, which was shut down by city officials this week for code and safety violations, say they are glad to be gone because crime was rampant there."

Former residents tell of life at Lakemill Lodge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Affordable Housing

City looking for land for affordable housing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Politics

Early Presidential Caucuses And Debates

"The Brookings Institution, which for 80 years has offered nonpartisan policy analysis, is bringing the expertise of its scholars to a series of panel discussions - possibly including one in Nevada - and to online events. The purpose is to try to keep the political discourse from being waged only in sound bites and to keep media coverage from focusing on the horse race and mudslinging."

Brookings wants to elevate '08 political debate (Las Vegas Sun article)

That Caucus Question Again --- Purely A Public Relations Stunt? (Nevada Observer editorial)

State Democratic Party

New water level: Presidential candidate Bill Richardson wants to raise the visibility of water as an issue (Reno News & Review article)

Clinton hijacks the spotlight: The political spotlight moved away from the presidential candidate forum in Nevada (Reno News & Review article)

Clinton hires Nevada campaign director (Associated Press article)

Establishment v. Independent Bloggers Imbroglio

Are We Really This Stupid? (Coyote Angry)

Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie Talks About FOX and The Debate Controversy (Dullard Mush)

Washoe Dem Chair Responds To FOX Debate Controversy (Dullard Mush)

"From my perspective, it's time for MoveOn to move on."

ERIN NEFF: An 'unholy alliance' with Fox? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Republican Party

"Nevada Republicans are scrambling to make the state more relevant in the presidential nominating process, with state and national leaders this week conferring on how to arrange a caucus for the state and when to schedule it."

2008 NOMINATION: GOP feeling need to compete -- State's Republicans ponder moving up presidential caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The caucus would help offset the national attention given Nevada's Democratic presidential caucus next January and help the Republican nominee win the state's five electoral votes in 2008, state Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said."

GOP eyes an early Nevada caucus (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

A tall tale in Nevada: Rudy Giuliani is doomed! Stories about a fundraiser don't check out (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

A Morale Matter

"The recently published survey that measures morale at the University of Nevada, Reno is a little unnerving, because tensions among the faculty, staff and administration have begun to ease after the arrival of the new president, Milton Glick."

Keep boosting UNR morale (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Public Schools

In The Legislature

BUDGET PRIORITIES: Bill offers school choice -- Paying for transportation costs a question (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Education should be a bipartisan issue, and lawmakers should do the right thing - find ways to improve education and do what it takes to make them happen. Otherwise, in two years, lawmakers will be in the same spot, facing an education system that will have fallen even further behind."

Let's get moving - now: Lawmakers have good ways in front of them to improve schools and they need to act (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Churchill County School District

School board OKs $250,000 in retirement buy-outs (Lahontan Valley News article)

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Nevada Water Matters

SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs

Water Agency Head Pleads With Legislature For More: SNWA Not Well Received By Many Rural Members (Nevada Observer article)

The Truckee River

Washoe Looking For Super Water Agency: Doubling Of The Population Also In The Works (Nevada Observer article)

"The council asked its lawyers to review whether it must abide by a prior agreement with state transportation and historic resources agencies to preserve historic, doubled-arched bridge. The Corps wants a clear-span bridge so more floodwaters pass."

City council looks at downtown flood control improvements (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Not Keeping Track

Some LV hospitals failing to track data (Associated Press article)

HIV-AIDS

AIDS In Nevada On The Rise Statewide: Thousands Have Died In The Silver State (Nevada Observer article)

Mental Health

Mental Illness: From The Inside Out (Bob Bennett column, Nevada Observer)

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Nevada's Environment

Alternative And Renewable Energy Discussed: Permitting Process May Become A Bit Easier (Nevada Observer article)

Blinded by science: The results of valid research are politicized, manipulated, misrepresented and discredited in the name of dogma (Reno News & Review article)

"The controversial project will require removal of 1,144 trees, more than 150 large, old-growth type that have all but vanished from the Tahoe Basin."

Upgrades to Heavenly anger environmentalists (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Plea deal costs strip club job: Crazy Horse Too worker gets probation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Nuclear waste dump still alive -- Panel hears warning about rail shipping routes (Associated Press article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

U.S. attorney leaves office with no word on successor (Las Vegas Sun article)

Labor Union Organizing

"A Las Vegas woman was put forward on Wednesday as a face behind a drive by Democrats to help labor unions organize workers and to hinder employers from fighting such efforts."

Las Vegan takes union stand: In support of bill, woman describes difficulties in trying to organize (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

House to vote on how workers are allowed to unionize (Las Vegas Sun article)

Look for the Union Label? (Desert Beacon)

Price Control Proposals

In Search Of Free Markets: Have You Seen One Lately?

What gives you the right? When it comes to profits, it’s the market that decides what’s fair (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Our Nation's Environment

"Both the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Wildlife Federation have joined forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to support a House measure that would provide tax credits to landowners who take steps to protect endangered species on their property."

Endangered species (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"Transparent" Government: A Strange Opacity

Bush Administration: Taking being a loser literally? (Desert Beacon)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

The Case of the Missing Movie: The government made a secret video of its interrogations of 'enemy combatant' Jose Padilla. But now that he's on trial, the Feds claim they don't know where it went (Newsweek article, via Desert Beacon)

Veterans Affairs

Walter Reed patients told to keep quiet (Army Times article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

'Surge' leaves training behind: Two Army combat brigades are being sent to Iraq without final exercises at Fort Irwin (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

In The US Supreme Court

High court rejects Nevadan's appeal: Las Vegas man sought right to cross-examine girl in molestation case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Whorton v. Bockting (US Supreme Court website)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

The Red And The Black

Station reports income jump: Newest casino provides boost (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The company, it seems, has learned a few lessons about how to pursue its neighborhood projects: Design a casino within acceptable parameters, stick to it, and make friends along the way."

Station Casinos learns lesson about neighbors (Las Vegas Sun article)

February fade for IGT, Sands drags down index: Bally Technologies, MGM Mirage rise (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Chinese Gambling: Handle With Tongs

Opponents move Macau fight to New Jersey: Anti-gaming group says reports on Pansy and Stanley Ho are genuine (Las Vegas Business Press article)

"She needed to show she is independent of her father, even though he provided most of the $80 million she and her sister (her "first lieutenant") needed for the joint venture, and even though Pansy Ho is a major player in her father's various companies, including ferries, casinos, land and commercial properties."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Pansy Ho escapes the shadow of her Hong Kong billionaire father (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada's Past

An Outline of Capital Punishment in Nevada (Guy Rocha column, Nevada Observer)

__________

Nevada Journalism

The science of control (Reno News & Review editorial)

==========================================

March 2, 2007

[10:55 AM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Unbudgeted Bills

"Bills requesting more than $88 million in supplemental and one-shot appropriations - a number of them not included in the governor's proposed budget - are being introduced in the Nevada Legislature this week."

Budget increases requested by Legislature body (Nevada Appeal article)

"The assault on the state treasury begins in earnest this week."

This little piggy ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"A study found that Nevada ranked No. 1 nationally in use of the drug, with 2 percent of its population over age 12 having used meth at least once."

Group meets to create plan against meth: Gibbons-appointed panel holds first strategy session in drug battle (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"It became the refrain of the first meeting of the governor's methamphetamine addiction working group: Nevada needs more treatment facilities to deal with the epidemic that is destroying more lives every year."

Panel holds first meeting on meth addiction (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

National Identity Card System

"Both Nolan and his Assembly counterpart, Transportation Chairman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, are seeking nonbinding resolutions asking for a complete revamping of the Real ID Act by Congress."

Legislator says new ID program should be delayed: States offered extension on DMV requirement (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Right To Petition

"It was, apparently, a legislative oversight. Someone forgot about the First Amendment."

Solidifying a public right: Lawmakers should pass a bill to restore public access to licensing hearings (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Judicial Records-Sealing

"Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday that Democrats and Republicans on the committee have asked legislative staff to research the issue and draft a bill that is 'in the best interest of the public.'"

Lawmakers weigh legislation against sealing of lawsuits (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

What's In A Name?

"Jon Bauman, better known as the former leader of the oldies group Sha Na Na, testified in support of a bill that would make it a deceptive trade practice for musical groups with no original members to pass themselves off as the Coasters, Drifters, Platters or others."

Not so great pretenders: Originals support 'Truth in Music' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Minimum Wage Initiative

Caught in the Middle: Minimum wage triggers dilemma for state’s disabled (Elko Free Press article)

Office Of The Governor

Administrative Fees

"Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, chairwoman of a Senate-Assembly budget committee dealing with health agencies, criticized Gibbons' move as a "fiscally irresponsible" one that marks a departure from the long tradition of charging industries for their regulation."

Gibbons called 'fiscally irresponsible' after he yanks fee plan (Las Vegas Sun article)

eTreppid Investigation

Gibbons to cooperate in FBI investigation (Associated Press article)

Gibbons retains noted specialist in white-collar crime (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"Absent more draconian enforcement measures than voters approved or the courts will allow, customers still vote with their feet, preferring to go somewhere where some freedom remains? What a shock. And what is the answer? Why, harsher penalties, of course, while stomping out those exasperating remaining islands of free choice. What shall we try next -- a smokers' resettlement camp?"

Making up the rules as they go along: The Health Department and a no-smoking law (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The State Judiciary

"The Nevada Supreme Court will be holding historic oral arguments this year in Ely and Elko and the first session of the full court at its southern home atop the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas."

Nevada Supreme Court to convene in Ely March 15 (Ely Times article)

From The State Attorney General's Office

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES REINSTATES CRIMINAL CONVICTION OF NEVADA CHILD RAPIST MARVIN BOCKTING (Attorney General Press Release)

Our State Economy

Nevada sales up 3 percent: Clark County receipts decrease by 0.8 percent (Associated Press article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Ross Park planned-unit development moves forward: Neighbors voice parking concerns (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Those Airport Land Deals

"Gragson was involved in 20 of the airport's 46 land deals, and Morse was hired to appraise property in each of those exchanges. Gragson then flipped most of the property, making millions in profit."

MCCARRAN LAND DEALS: County to reassess proposed payment -- Counsel recommends accepting $407,500 offer (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Planning And Reality

What’s wrong with this picture? A visual tour of the city stupidscape (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Las Vegas

"I'm the mayor of everything. Everybody thinks that everything is the city of Las Vegas, and I'm certainly not going to do anything to dissuade them."

Jon Ralston on a glimpse again of the real Goodman (Las Vegas Sun column)

Las Vegas Monorail

"Repeatedly and publicly hammered over falling ridership numbers in 2006, the Las Vegas Monorail apparently has decided that less news will be good news in 2007."

Monorail to report ridership numbers with less regularity (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

"According to the Douglas County Transportation Plan being considered by commissioners, the transportation accounts start running up deficits in 2010 without additional revenue. Using present revenue sources, the county will have a $7.7 million deficit by 2012."

Facing 5 years of bad road (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Elko County

Spring Creek: Legal snag delays start of planning (Elko Free Press article)

Minor earthquakes rattle Wells (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

"'The TRPA has essentially abandoned its role as an environmental protector and assigned itself the task of promoting the economic development of the basin,' said Rochelle Nason, executive director for the League to Save Lake Tahoe."

Controversial Heavenly master plan... approved (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Staying on course to conserve Lake Tahoe (John Singlaub column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

"The behemoth plan to regulate boats, piers and buoys over the next 22 years (originally slated for a vote at the end of January) will most likely be delayed until at least late-April due to more concerns from regional entities."

Shorezone plan delayed again (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Incline Village General Improvement District

Recycling mandate at IVGID (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

Sell Them

"Northgate loses more than $500,000 a year, and Wildcreek $50,000 to $100,000 depending on spring weather, said Joe Kelly, RSCVA facilities vice president."

Golf courses might merge to save cash (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

County Affairs

"According to Airport Advisory Board Chairman James Adams, storage facility Nevada U-Stor occupies a portion of county-owned land that has been designated a “no-build zone.” A section of a modular house on the property is “literally” sitting where an old airport road used to be, Adams said."

Yelland Field's space encroached by business (Ely Times article)

City Of Ely

Ely Energy Center's move could cost Ely (Ely Times article)

"The mood at Ely City Hall has improved dramatically since Mayor George Chachas stopped bringing his tape recorder inside the building, a city staffer said last week."

Ely City Hall now a kinder, gentler place (Ely Times article)

Primary election set again for April 3 (Ely Times article)

As We See It ~ More city election mess (Ely Times editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Campaigning 101: Hillary Clinton woos Las Vegas teachers, but not everyone is swooning (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Dodd Wins Nevada Candidate Forum Poll, Kucinich Second (Dullard Mush)

Establishment v. Independent Democrats Imbroglio

"There is a new urban jungle political war being waged in Nevada, largely in Las Vegas and Clark County and political animals of every type are actively seeking to build alliances, destroy their old and new enemies, gain new territories and consolidate their personal power; sadly, regardless of the real needs of the common citizens."

Fear & Loathing in the Las Vegas Political Jungle (Johnathan L. Abbinett column, Taylor Marsh)

Carson City Democratic Chairman On The FOX Debate Fight (Dullard Mush)

Clarification for 'The Man' (Nevada Up North)

Nevada State Democratic Party Debating Fox News Debate (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

"University system Chancellor Jim Rogers, risking his recently repaired relationship with regents, is telling state lawmakers he would support a state constitutional amendment to have his bosses appointed instead of elected."

Rogers again alienates regents by publicly backing appointed board (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Trustees want more information on time teachers are out of class (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

"One teacher who resigned from C.T. Sewell Elementary says the administration created an intolerable working environment; one who retired from Del Sol High School says she is old, and it was just time to go; one who quit Sierra Vista High School after less than one semester on the job says the burdens laid on teachers—too many students, inadequate space, little support, insurmountable paperwork—were too much to bear; and Dean Wither, who resigned from Coronado High School earlier this year, packages and delivers the most popular reason with a sigh: 'Not enough money.'"

Teachers flee! Loads of cash would bring them back! (Las Vegas Weekly article)

Douglas County School District

Superintendent: Fewer students affect funding, not school quality (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs

"Household water use in the Las Vegas Valley would drop dramatically if the Southern Nevada Water Authority used a pricing structure similar to that of Tucson, Ariz., a water conservation advocate testified Thursday."

Water pricing policy questioned: Tiered rate structure suggested to promote more conservation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Mulroy complains to Legislature about WPC Commission (Ely Times article)

The Carson River

Farmers can expect 100 percent water allocation (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Birdflu

Scientists warn poultry imports could spread bird flu (Ely Times article)

No sign of bird flu in Nevada water fowl (Ely Times article)

University Medical Center

"The management and red ink problems at University Medical Center have reverberated up to Carson City, where several legislators are said to be ready to call for hearings into the troubled public hospital."

JOHN L. SMITH: Legislature could prescribe bitter pill as cure for UMC's problems (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"'I was given an explanation that seemed to me to be political in nature, that had nothing to do with any issues with my performance or issues with the performance of my office,' Bogden said."

Bogden questions reason for ouster (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president. Nonetheless, congressional Democrats have argued that the administration targeted prosecutors who were aggressively pursuing white-collar crime or crimes involving Republican lawmakers."

Bogden suspects politics as reason for his ouster (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Strange Death Of Kathy Augustine

Judge lets Higgs out on hefty bail (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Speed Kills

"Local law enforcement officials launched a statewide campaign Thursday that cracks down on heavy-footed motorists who have driven up the percentage of speed-related crashes."

Local law enforcement kick off speed campaign (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Excessive Force

APPEALS COURT RULING: Excessive force claims reinstated -- Handcuffed suspect's neck broken during arrest (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Appellate court finds Las Vegas officer used excessive force (Nevada Appeal article)

Davis v. City Of Las Vegas (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)

Fatal Affray At Laughlin

Last three bikers sentenced in melee: State, federal time to run concurrently (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Culture

Women's History Month

"Now, Women of Diversity Productions has produced an exhibit highlighting the century's worth of contributions by women in the shaping of Las Vegas."

Exhibiting 100 years worth of influence (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada woman leaves legacy in history project (Nevada Appeal article)

The Nevada Observer's Contribution To Women's History Month

The Overland Journal of "Nonsensical Nellie" Phelps (1859) (TNO Reading Room feature)

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins, Life Among The Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims (1883) (TNO Reading Room feature)

Chapter I First Meeting of Piutes and Whites; Chapter II Domestic and Social Moralities; Chapter III Wars and Their Causes; Chapter IV Captain Truckee's Death; Chapter V Reservation of Pyramid and Muddy Lakes; Chapter VI The Malheur Agency; Chapter VII The Bannock War; Chapter VIII The Yakima Affair; Appendix

Anne Martin, Woman Suffrage (TNO Reading Room feature)

Lear Theater

"Before the building is moved, arts groups need to determine whether there's really a desire for a theater complex in the Truckee Meadows."

Don't rush into land sale (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Atomic Testing Museum

Unleashed: Thoughts on the beauty and terror of atomic images (Las Vegas Weekly article)

Death Of A Scholar

A deafening silence: UNLV professor and Las Vegas commentator Hal Rothman is dead at 48 (Las Vegas CityLife article)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

"Five years after the attacks of September 11, only about half of the recommendations made by the Commission have been implemented."

REID FIGHTS TO IMPLEMENT 9/11 RECOMMENDATIONS (Sen. Reid Press Release)

REID WORKS TO PROTECT ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Harry Reid's pragmatic policy (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Berkley abuzz: Empowered by the Democratic majority, the always quick-with-a-quip congresswoman has even more to say (Las Vegas Weekly article)

Veterans Affairs

"Martin-Smith said they appeared to include documents stamped "Confidential" in red, federal employment applications with names, addresses and Social Security numbers and individuals' military service records."

Feds following up on report of VA files left in trash bins (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The war within: Psychologists say the Pentagon has failed to fully address returning troops' mental anguish (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Military's mental health care system strained (American Psychological Association Press Release, with links to Report)

Global Warming

‘Plan A' to save Mother Earth (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Reno Company Has Questionable Associations, Paperwork

"He was bound and gagged, stuffed into a private plane, and flown to Kabul, Afghanistan. For five long months he was kept in isolation at an unidentified prison, where he was beaten and tortured by Arab-speaking men in masks. They wanted him to tell them everything about terrorism. El Masri couldn't tell them squat about terrorism since he wasn't -- and isn't -- a terrorist. His abductors had kidnapped the wrong guy."

Nevada welcomes Torture Airlines (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

The Red And The Black

No surprise: Pinnacle reports loss of $5 million for quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

NNRy

At the Throttle: Maintaining the maintenance (Marty Westland column, Ely Times)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Young publisher lets homeless speak: UNLV student releases street newspaper (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LVN offers reward to stop newspaper theft and littering (Lahontan Valley News article)

==========================================

March 3, 2007

[4:20 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"While law enforcement continues to arrest and prosecute methamphetamine dealers and educate the public about its dangers, addiction counselors warned state leaders on Thursday that if more money isn't put into treatment, the meth threat will never be gone."

Counselors: More treatment centers needed (Nevada Appeal article)

Federal funds could go toward meth treatment, playing fields (Nevada Appeal article)

"With education the main weapon in the battle against methamphetamine use, Lyon County social service providers are holding forums on the drug throughout this month."

Lyon group putting plans together to fight meth (Nevada Appeal article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

"'Why should we house them if they are able to be deported?' asked Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno. 'It seems to me that's a viable solution.'"

Prison talks focus on illegal immigrants: Deportation described as way for system to save millions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada lawmakers: ACLU ideas for prisons are hard to justify (Associated Press article)

Inequitable Taxation

Jon Ralston on Politics: Bankers' bounty (In Business Las Vegas column)

State Sales And Use Tax

December sales tax numbers drop: Latest figures well below population growth (Las Vegas Business Press article)

"A December boom in tiny Eureka County single-handedly kept Nevada's sales tax numbers from going down in December."

Eureka tax boom bails out state (Nevada Appeal article)

Create-A-Crime Seatbelt Stops

If they pass the seatbelt law, Erik Holland cartoon [click on image to enlarge]

Seat-belt use in Nevada not a problem (Nevada Appeal editorial)

A Bill To Subsidize Towing Services And Impound Yards

"A Las Vegas assemblywoman introduced a bill Friday that would require police to impound cars of motorists they stop who do not have driver's licenses."

Bill would crack down on unlicensed drivers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

It's Wet

"The cost to construct an urban fishing pond at the Carson City Fairgrounds more than doubled when a soil inspection showed the area is wetter than expected."

Pond plan price tag higher than expected (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

Obstacles removed for planned expansion of Fallon Industries (Lahontan Valley News article)

Foundation to fight dumping discussed (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Real Estate Market

"With the supply of land for residential development in the Las Vegas Valley expected to last only 6 1/2 years, the political pressure is starting to mount for the federal government to make more land available for public auctions."

Residential land dwindling (In Business Las Vegas article)

More Tourists

Another record month at McCarran (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Airport traffic rises 6 percent in January (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Las Vegas Monorail

Monorail: If you don't know about it, does it still suck? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Big Leagues

Real Estate and Development: Still not prime time for pro sports franchise in LV (In Business Las Vegas article)

Elko County

New Justice: Kacin puts his stamp on court (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

Budget Shortfall

$1.75M budget shortfall causes first cutbacks in Lyon County: Interlocal agreement postponed, jail seminar canceled (Nevada Appeal article)

What's With The Middleman?

Lyon approves contract hiring Hadfield (Nevada Appeal article)

Youth Programs

"Lyon County Parks and Recreation is expanding its youth programs, offering both year-round and seasonal activities, including new programs in Silver Springs."

No more excuses for, 'Mom, I'm bored.' (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County

County Affairs

"Commissioner Roberta "Midge" Carver tops the list in spending, with $10,745 in travel expenses billed to the general fund last fiscal year, or about a third of the total. Carver attributed her high expenses to her remote location, saying they are all the mileage reimbursement. She pointed out that it is a 120-mile round trip just from her home in Round Mountain to Tonopah."

Carver tops in travel (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Pahrump

Town board OKs survey of potential detention site (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"The Pahrump Town Board struck a blow against the town's notorious reputation for hiring consultants at its meeting last Tuesday when the board rejected a proposal from the WillDan Engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive parks master development plan at its meeting last Tuesday."

Board rejects consultant (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town board opens community center bids (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"The town board approved the purchase of up to 60 acre feet of water rights at $11,500 per acre foot, for a total of $690,000, at its meeting last Tuesday."

Town scores deal on water (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Republican Party

"Leading Nevada Republicans on Friday agreed to hold a presidential nominating caucus in Nevada on Feb. 7, 2008, two days after the "Giga-Tuesday" that is expected to narrow the race to become the party's nominee."

2008 POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT: GOP sets presidential caucus -- Move answers Democrats' calendar shift (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Republicans sure to be overlooked (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

President Bush Discusses No Child Left Behind Reauthorization (White House website)

In The Legislature

"One of the Clark County School District's chief critics said Friday that a district study used to bolster the argument for full-day kindergarten showed that students who were not "at risk" who attended full-day kindergarten fared worse than students who attended just half days."

Full-day kindergarten critic says study data misleading: Lawmaker's news release prompts response from district (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"But the most important fact here is that the Clark County School District is now revealed to be not an objective and reliable judge and arbiter when it comes to measuring the efficacy of all-day kindergarten, but rather a lobbyist for said program, willing and able to massage and manipulate facts and findings to get this endeavor approved."

All-day kindergarten: More details on school district study (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

CCSD vs. Beers (Vegas Pundit)

Churchill County School District

School trustees want legal opinion on Internet bids (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Dropping back into school: Desire to join Marines propels one troubled teen to seek his diploma (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Piping water to Las Vegas called a mistake (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Pahrump Medical Center

"John McDonald, newly elected as a Pahrump town board member, has renewed his charges that corruption played a hand in the way the Nye County Commission handled the lease of Pahrump Medical Center."

McDonald claims Nye in the wrong over medical center (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"Dr. Pejman Bady, president of Medical Systems Management, will be allowed to reduce the hours at Pahrump Medical Center from 14 hours to 12 hours per day, after Nye County Commission voted 4-1 to amend the lease last week."

Hours may be reduced at PMC (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The lengthy history of the PMC (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

Senate invites Bogden to testify: Nevadan among six fired prosecutors asked to appear before panel (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bogden likely will testify about his dismissal (Las Vegas Sun article)

White House Backed U.S. Attorney Firings, Officials Say (Washington Post article)

The Firing Of The US Attorneys (Jack Wood column, Nye: Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Insurance Fraud

"A federal indictment claims unidentified doctors and lawyers in Las Vegas conspired with a medical consultant for two years to pad their own pockets by "artificially and fraudulently inflating settlements or judgments" in personal injury cases, prosecutors announced Friday."

FEDERAL INDICTMENT: Doctor-lawyer scam alleged -- Man faces fraud charges in Las Vegas personal injury cases (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

 The Practice Of Rousting

"The department, citing licensing concerns and outrage among neighbors who recently discovered that halfway houses for sex offenders were operating in their communities, decided that residents of four such North Las Vegas facilities, or at least 22 men, would have to go."

Sex offenders sent packing: After neighbors' outrage, officials hope to relocate them from NLV homes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

New sighting of invasive mussels: Quagga found at hatchery on Lake Mohave (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Invasion of the Pipe Snatchers (Desert Beacon)

__________

Nevada's Working Men And Women

Culinary Union rallies laundry workers for new labor contract (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Rolling Thunder

"It began early that morning at the Las Vegas Elks Lodge at 4100 W. Charleston Blvd and ended at the saloon in Crystal after nearly a 200-mile ride through the countryside. Stops included Sheri's Ranch as well as the Chicken Ranch (surely to get their blackjack cards)."

Bordello Thunder Run roars through county: Participants show up from as far away as Panama, Canada, Ohio (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca Rail: Rurals concerned about Mina route (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada Test Site

"Opponents fear that the government will conduct smaller blasts that, while not as large as Divine Strake, could still stir up potentially deadly radioactive dust that lies on the ground of the test site and could be blown to their homes."

Divine Strake's legal issues keep controversy alive: U.S. judge schedules status report (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Friday's approval by the National Nuclear Security Administration of a replacement warhead design for possible development won't work at the Nevada Test Site, where full-scale nuclear weapons tests were put on hold indefinitely in 1992."

New design won't affect test site (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Health Care and Workplace: Berkley upbeat about labor-friendly measure (In Business Las Vegas article)

Global Warming

RL33849 - January 25, 2007 Climate Change: Science and Policy Implications (Congressional Research Service Report)

Veterans Affairs

Bush Orders Review of Veterans' Hospitals (Associated Press article)

Information Security: Veterans Affairs Needs to Address Long-Standing Weaknesses GAO-07-532T, February 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

National Health Matters

Children's Health Insurance: States' SCHIP Enrollment and Spending Experiences and Considerations for Reauthorization GAO-07-558T, March 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Testimony on Medicare's Payments to Physicians: Options for Changing the Sustainable Growth Rate, March 1, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Our National Budget

CBO Doubts Estimates in Bush Budget (Associated Press article)

Preliminary Analysis of the President's Budget Request for 2008, March 2, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Federal Financial Management: Critical Accountability and Fiscal Stewardship Challenges Facing Our Nation GAO-07-542T, March 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

GSA Leasing: Initial Implementation of the National Broker Services Contracts Demonstrates Need for Improvements GAO-07-17, January 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Disaster Assistance: Better Planning Needed for Housing Victims of Catastrophic Disasters GAO-07-88, February 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Hurricane Katrina: Agency Contracting Data Should Be More Complete Regarding Subcontracting Opportunities for Small Businesses GAO-07-205, March 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The Department of Energy: Key Steps Needed to Help Ensure the Success of the New Loan Guarantee Program for Innovative Technologies by Better Managing Its Financial Risk GAO-07-339R, February 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Energy Efficiency: Long-standing Problems with DOE's Program for Setting Efficiency Standards Continue to Result in Forgone Energy Savings GAO-07-42, January 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

NASA: Enhanced Use Leasing Program Needs Additional Controls GAO-07-306R, March 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Statement by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on Resignation of Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (US Defense Department Press Release)

Feds Select Plan for New Nuclear Warhead (Associated Press article)

Reliable Replacement Warhead Design Decision Announced (US Defense Department Press Release)

RL32572 - January 9, 2007 Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

Defense Inventory: Opportunities Exist to Improve the Management of DOD's Acquisition Lead Times for Spare Parts GAO-07-281, March 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The US Congress

Measuring Democratic Impact on America (Associated Press article)

Plight Of The Homeless

"Based on surveys conducted two years ago, the Housing and Urban Development Department reported Tuesday that its calculations show there are 754,000 people either living on the streets, in shelters or in transitional housing."

Homeless population booming: As surveys show more accurate numbers, budgets should begin reflecting the need (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) (US Department of Housing and Urban Development Press Release, with links to Report)

The US Constitution And National War Powers

"A newly formed bipartisan commission headed by former Secretaries of State James Baker and Warren Christopher has begun research into one of the most important but unresolved questions of our time: How does the Constitution allocate the powers of beginning, conducting and ending war?"

War and power: Answers sought to decades-old question of how the Constitution addresses war powers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RL33532 - January 16, 2007 War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32170 - January 8, 2007 Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2006 -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

The War Against Terrorists

RL33873 - February 13, 2007 Sharing Law Enforcement and Intelligence Information: The Congressional Role (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS21049 - January 22, 2007 Latin America: Terrorism Issues -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

Venezuela Rejects U.S. Drug Report (Associated Press article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Guantánamo prisoner charged five years after capture (The Guardian [UK] article)

"The relatively minor, single charge after such a long detention 'means they’ve botched it,' said Barnaby Joyce, a federal senator for Australia’s conservative National Party, which is part of the governing coalition. 'They’ve completely abused the process of justice.'”

Growing Calls in Australia for Terror Suspect’s Return (New York Times article)

U.S. Criticized For Detainees' Treatment: U.N. Human Rights Chief Criticizes U.S. Action Barring Guantanamo Detainees From Using Courts (CBS News article)

Extend Legal Rights to Guantanamo (Alberto J. Mora and Thomas R. Pickering column, Washington Post)

Gitmo Detainee's Death Possibly Suicide (Associated Press article)

Foreign Policy

96-816 - January 8, 2007 Countries of the World and International Organizations: Sources of Information -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

NATO Short on Troops in Afghanistan (Associated Press article)

China

U.S. casino tycoon says life is good for the Chinese (Associated Press article)

RL33877 - February 14, 2007 China-U.S. Relations: Current Issues and Implications for U.S. Policy (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33604 - January 23, 2007 Is China a Threat to the U.S. Economy? -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31403 - January 4, 2007 China's Trade with the United States and the World -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

Iran

RS21592 - February 22, 2007 Iran's Nuclear Program: Recent Developments -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32048 - February 20, 2007 Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

DoD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Anderson from Iraq (US Defense Department Press Release)

Rice Taps Iraq Reconstruction Critic (Associated Press article)

RS21968 -February 27, 2007 Iraq: Elections, Constitution, and Government -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31339 - February 22, 2007 Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

Bodies of 14 Policeman Found in Iraq (Associated Press article)

Family's Tragedy Tells of Iraq's Divide (Associated Press article)

Islamic Factions

RS21654 - January 23, 2007 Islamic Religious Schools, Madrasas: Background -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS21695 - January 17, 2007 The Islamic Traditions of Wahhabism and Salfiyya -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

RS21659 - January 24, 2007 NATO's Prague Capabilities Commitment -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

Russia

RL33407 - January 18, 2007 Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests -- Updated (Congressional Research Service Report)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

New Station Casino

"'I used to come out here and ride my dirt bike in the desert,' Montandon said, minutes after tossing a shovel full of dirt with a silver-plated spade in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Aliante Station hotel-casino."

Work starts on Aliante Station (In Business Las Vegas article)

Macau Gambling Concessions: Handle With Tongs

"New details have raised fresh questions about Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho’s daughter and her suitability as a partner with MGM Mirage in its ventures in Macau."

Triad links, embezzlement alleged in documents on Ho family business: Source confirms reports are genuine (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Macau follows Vegas' lead: Enclave willing to rid itself of mob influence (Las Vegas Sun article)

==========================================

March 4, 2007

[9:25 AM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws

"There is no reason in 2007 that candidates should not be made to file everything electronically and instantly. That way voters would know when a candidate gets $150,000 at a fund-raiser, and more importantly, who gave what."

ERIN NEFF: Show me the money -- right now (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

There's no hope for quick fixes to meth problem (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Deportation Proposal

"Justice Hardesty's plan is loosely aimed at immigration, but it advances the discussion. That is more help than has come from Congress, to which many representatives were elected because they promised to do something about the border and about illegal crossings."

Plan solves problem, creates others (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

National Identity Card System

DMV: Real ID extension won't help much (Nevada Appeal article)

Heath Care

"Assembly Democrats offered their plan last week. Here's the math: The state has about 450,000 residents without health insurance, or roughly 20 percent of the population. The Democratic proposal strives to insure about 12,000 of them."

A modest approach to health care (Las Vegas Sun article)

Horrible

A little boy's wait: ONE CHILD SPENT MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS AT CHILD HAVEN BEFORE JOINING A FOSTER FAMILY (Las Vegas Sun article)

Open Records

"A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both," Madison wrote. "Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And the people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

THOMAS MITCHELL: Thrown into 'a deep, dark well' (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Don't Like Gov. Gibbons

Must fill Gibbons' vacuum: With the governor offering no solution to looming roads crisis, the Legislature must act (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston on how, believe it or not, the legislative session has been even worse for Gov. Jim Gibbons than his first week in office (Las Vegas Sun column)

Coming Up

Monday in the Legislature: Energy, Prescription Prices, and Fee Waivers (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"My country, 'tis of thee," Rollin Kirby cartoon [click on image to enlarge]

Protecting The Casino Monopoly

Obey law, stop smoking: Some tavern owners and customers are flouting law that outlaws smoking in many bars (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Local Government

Churchill County

County approves more transfers of development rights (Lahontan Valley News article)

Urban planners analyze layout of the community (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Public Employee Pay Raises

"Is there anybody on the Clark County Commission willing to stand up for taxpayers? OK, OK, stop laughing. The joke, after all, is on you."

Pay raises (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Housing Market

HOUSING: SLACK OF APPRECIATION -- Gain rates for local home prices lose steam as housing market cools (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Take The Bus

Light rail option is derailed: Valley transit officials pursue the cheaper, more flexible 'rapid bus' plan (Las Vegas Sun article)

Las Vegas Developer Faces Stricter Scrutiny In Arizona

"Las Vegas developer Jim Rhodes spent six hours on the witness stand Friday as state regulators explored whether he's "fit and proper" to do business in Arizona and whether there's adequate water to serve a master-planned community he proposes in Golden Valley, between Kingman and Bullhead City."

Developer Rhodes testifies in Arizona: Proposal for Golden Valley project weighed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Meeting shows significance of growth but no conclusions (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

The Trees Next Door

Meet your neighbors: urban forest lots (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

When Tsunamis Strike

Tsunami danger at Tahoe (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Emergency Preparedness

When disaster strikes, will Incline be ready? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Budget to be presented to Lyon Commission won't be balanced (Mason Valley News article)

County to consider canceling attendance at jail planning conference (Mason Valley News article)

City Of Yerington

New business license ordinance has City's approval (Mason Valley News article)

Alternate routes master plan amendment before City PlanCom Monday (Mason Valley News article)

Circle Bar N industrial subdivision has final map approval (Mason Valley News article)

Silver Springs General Improvement District

Silver Springs GID board member denied special-use permit (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

"Never has an occupant of the White House been a lame duck for as long as George W. Bush is destined to be."

Sprawling 2008 election is called a 'race on steroids': Candidates can't afford to wait to declare, but some literally can't afford to declare early (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Democratic Party

The Democratic forum: What we learned (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

State Republican Party

"Most useful to the GOP and to the state right now is to decide what goals the party is striving toward and identify what strategies will get it there."

GOP: Get up to speed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Nichols sides with Rogers on appointing regents (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

"There is a good deal of waste in our current public education system which is failing students in the early years with a high cost to remediate later. To set things right, America must look at adopting internationally benchmarked standards for educating our students."

Educating for success in a flat world (Larry Large column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Lyon County School District

Trustees delay action on Professional Development Center (Mason Valley News article)

School Trustees agree to drop Portfolio as graduation requirement (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Mesquite Suction Scheme

"Among those testifying on behalf of Wind River was Michael E. Johnson, chief hydrologist for the Virgin Valley Water District. He said that without an additional source of water, Mesquite could begin to outgrow its current supply within the next five to seven years. Johnson also testified that none of the groundwater piped to Mesquite would be sold for use in the Las Vegas Valley, an allegation made by some of Wind River's opponents."

ACROSS STATE LINES: Views heard on water proposal -- Judge to make recommendation on company's request to pump water from Arizona to Mesquite (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Walker River

Walker snowpack improves to 55% (Mason Valley News article)

Reid talks about Walker Basin, future legislation (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Dirty Anaconda

ARCO signs order to investigate mine, air and water monitoring (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Mining

Tales Of Bonanza And Borrasca

IN DEPTH: Brothers believe glory days are coming back -- Pair bring new businesses to old downtown (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: Brothel business mirrors booms, busts -- Times are good, but 'nothing like it used to be' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: Tight real estate market felt outside mines -- Community overwhelmed by its own prosperity (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Bitter Springs Trail a challenge for adventure-seekers (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

__________

Nevada Culture

"Nevada's Commission on Cultural Affairs has awarded $3.1 million in grants for historic and other projects this year, including the largest grant in its 13-year history and an award that should just about complete work on Virginia City's Fourth Ward School."

Grants for historic and cultural projects awarded (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"What could be less honest than playing politics with top federal prosecutors?"

JOHN L. SMITH: Patriot Act lets politics trump professionalism with U.S. attorney's firing (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Bogden reluctant witness in The Purge? (Desert Beacon)

Global Warming

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Global warming and self-righteous zealots (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Global warming isn't the only reason to pay attention to the environment (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Organized Labor

Union bosses say, 'Jump'... And Pelosi Democrats ask, 'How high?' (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Veterans Affairs

More accountability: Reports that top officials knew of hospital's neglect adds insult to veterans' injuries (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Former Halliburton Execs held contract for Walter Reed MC services (Desert Beacon)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

"It isn't that our armed services aren't the best in the world, because they are. It is, rather, that the world and warfare have changed and from now on wars, if they must be fought, will have to be multipronged affairs."

Brian Greenspun on some hard facts from the nation's capital about our situation in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Must-Do List (New York Times editorial)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Macau Gambling Ventures: Handle With Tongs

Just Repeat After Me

"MGM Mirage's partnership with Pansy Ho does not reflect discredit or disrepute on Nevada."

Jeff Simpson on a good, fair decision made by the Gaming Control Board (Las Vegas Sun column)

Something Fresh

Sahara buyer sees new life for old resort -- Nazarian: 'Fresh ideas' to work wonders (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Nellie Verrill Mighels Davis (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada Women in History: Hannah Keziah Clapp (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson City a testament to how far the fight against bias has come (Nevada Appeal article)

==========================================

March 5, 2007

[11:45 AM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Comparison Shopping For Health Care

"Assembly Bill 146, introduced by Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, would require the state to create and maintain an online listing that would provide information on the costs of medical procedures, the average lengths of stay, the overall quality of care and the death rates of Nevada hospitals."

Getting the scoop: Legislation seeks to offer people an online opportunity to shop for the best medical care (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State Elections

Lawmakers to review election budget (Associated Press article)

More Legislative Websites

Nevada Assembly Democrats Caucus

Nevada Republican Assembly Caucus

State Judiciary

Contracting Out Conflicts

"A system for assigning private attorneys to poor defendants in Clark County suffers from a lack of oversight that yields uneven justice and questionable government spending, a Review-Journal investigation has found."

Probe finds uneven justice: 'Contract attorney' system to be subject of committee inquiry (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Contract Attorneys and Uneven Justice (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

REAL Life

"Eleven teenagers walked into a holding cell at the Regional Justice Center, saw the uninviting stainless steel benches and the toilet where your business would be everybody's business. A few faces flickered with revulsion. Soon after, they left Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle's courtroom with a clearer understanding of the reality of the law."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Project R.E.A.L. helps teens experience, understand harsh reality of law (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Court Offers HOPE

Judge offers HOPE for habitual offenders who want to change: Nontraditional rehabilitation program turns lives around without crowding prisons (Las Vegas Sun article)

Judicial Sealing Of Court Records

"In response to a series of articles last month in the Review-Journal, members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee have requested a bill draft to set out guidelines for when judges may seal lawsuits from public view."

Sealed from view (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

"Graffiti bandits have been working overtime recently, painting everything in sight it seems, and the sheriff's department is struggling to keep up, said Lt. Ken Sandage."

Vandals keep city busy with cleanup (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Boulder City

"Boulder City's humongous garbage can is nearly full - and the city hasn't found a second one."

Boulder City on the verge of trashing its image (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, the Drink Makes the Mayor (New York Times article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Improvements continue at popular Lake Tahoe state park (Associated Press article)

Washoe County

Government-Owned Golf Courses

Sell Them Or Turn Them Into Public Parks

"The current system makes little sense."

Yes, consolidate courses (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

The 2008 Presidential Election

Political Bloggers' Poll

Dullard Mush Presidential "Blog Mention" Poll: McCain, Obama Leading (Dullard Mush)

State Democratic Party

Richardson: Nevada crucial to determining Democrats' nominee (Associated Press article)

Next race for Porter's seat already drawing 'maybes': Titus, Perkins, Rory Reid among names being discussed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Wine And Dine

"All told, Harter spent more $427,000 in her last year as president to host community and campus events, wine and dine donors and community leaders, and otherwise promote the needs of the university."

Harter opened purse for parties (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

"Office managers have improperly dipped into campus money boxes to cash personal checks for teachers and staff, and money is missing from student activity funds, according to a Sun review of more than 100 school audits."

School District workers could use remedial accounting class: Audits show that many schools throughout the Las Vegas Valley are missing money (Las Vegas Sun article)

Storey County School District

Storey school board attorney defends against alleged open-meeting violation (Nevada Appeal article)

Storey superintendent still drawing controversy (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Incline Lake

"If the Incline Lake site sells to the government, the property eventually would be open to the public for the first time in 70 years. If the deal dies, the woodland could become a private gated community with 40-acre lots."

Incline Lake enclave sale undecided (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Wild Horse Herds

"Wild-horse advocates are gearing up to inform the public about Nevada's "fence-out" laws on range land and to put pressure local and county governments to enforce those laws."

Wild horse advocates to push information disclosure campaign (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"While U.S. attorneys, who are the top federal law enforcement official in a jurisdiction, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, they should be insulated from politics because of the power their office holds."

U.S. attorney firings: Congress should press ahead with investigation into dismissal of U.S. attorneys (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

 In New Mexico

"The identity of the other lawmaker who contacted Mr. Iglesias remains unknown. Mr. Domenici is one of three Republican members of the state’s Congressional delegation. One of the others, Representative Steve Pearce, has said he did not contact Mr. Iglesias. The third, Representative Heather A. Wilson, has said she will not comment on the matter."

Senator Sought Dismissal of New Mexico Prosecutor (New York Times article)

Senator Complained About Fired Attorney (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

"Hundreds of people attended a reception in Gardnerville to greet a soldier wounded by a mortar round in Iraq in January."

Hundreds greet wounded soldier (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Veterans Affairs

A Disgusting Debacle

"The shake-up came after The Washington Post documented squalid, unhealthy living conditions for some outpatient soldiers at Walter Reed and bureaucratic problems that prevented many troops from getting adequate care."

Want universal health care? You'll love the VA: Scandal at the nation's top veterans hospital (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"'When I have to show my Purple Heart to get my uniform, you know it's bad,' said Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon. Waiting for the plastic surgery that would allow him to wear a prosthetic eye, Shannon said he was angry that Army Secretary Frances Harvey was allowed to resign."

'I failed,' says fired Walter Reed general (Los Angeles Times article)

Witness slams 'nightmares' of Army medical system (CNN News article)

Senators Vow Quick Action on Walter Reed (Associated Press article)

One of the mothers of one of the few, the proud (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

Its Not Just Walter Reed (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

When Johnny comes stumbling home? (Desert Beacon)

Washington Post's Walter Reed Hospital coverage page

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

New job puts Reid in delicate position: Majority leader looks for legislation that's just right (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Alison 'Eilley' Oram Bowers (Nevada Appeal article)

For more on Eilley and Sandy Bowers, see:

Sandy Bowers and His Mansion (TNO Reading Room feature)

Racism

Racism was woven into Nevada's culture (Rev. John H. Emerson column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

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Update for March 4, 2007

[3:00 PM]

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Federal Nevada

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

It Smells Like Something Died

In Nevada . . .

"After several more calls, Mr. Bogden reached a senior official who offered an answer. “There is a window of opportunity to put candidates into an office like mine,' Mr. Bogden said, recalling the conversation. 'They were attempting to open a slot and bring someone else in.'”

A New Mystery to Prosecutors: Their Lost Jobs (New York Times article)

And in New Mexico.

Domenici Says He Called Fired Prosecutor (Associated Press article)

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March 8, 2007

[2:45 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Busy schedule for Assemblyman Grady (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Create-A-Crime And Enhanced Punishment Proposals

Erik Holland, "Crowded Prisons" [Click on image to enlarge]

The Problem In General

"'If you build them, we will fill them,' Assemblymember Chris Giunchigliani said in 2005. The proof of that comes in an ACLU report that says incarceration went up as crime went down: The crime rate in Nevada has fallen sharply since 1995, while available prison beds grew steadily between 1994 and 2001. As such, Nevada almost doubled the number of prison beds since 1992 for a population that committed no additional violent crimes."

Crime doesn't pay: With legislators beating the drum for harsh criminal penalties and a little help from the Iraq war, Nevada is back in a financial corner (Reno News & Review article)

Specific Examples

"Judiciary Committee Chairman Bernie Anderson, D-Las Vegas, wondered if the bill would lead to more overcrowding in jails and prisons."

Meth bill decried by public defenders: Drug users would be treated as traffickers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Do we really need to create another special class in the eyes of the law?"

Crimes against the homeless (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"Driving without a properly fastened seat belt is a pretty stupid thing to do. We don't legislate against stupidity, however, and law enforcement officers have more important things to do than to try to force us all into being smart."

Seat belts shouldn't be top priority (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws

They're Confusing, Which Helps Keep Them From Being Enforced

"NRS 281.561 requires candidates for offices that pay at least $6,000 to file a financial disclosure form with the secretary of state within 10 days of filing for office. But the law also states that judicial candidates must provide financial disclosure information pursuant to a judicial canon which specifies the form should be filed with the Administrative Office of the Courts."

ERIN NEFF: More disclosure (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Industry

"'The problem with Nevada's current structure with one commissioner is that it's antiquated. It's from the Dark Ages,' Sabalos said. 'It's a regulatory dinosaur.'"

Bill to establish mortgage commission kindles discussion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regressive "Soak The Poor" Revenue Proposal

This Old Tape Loop Again

"For the 25th time since 1975, legislation to allow creation of a Nevada lottery was introduced in the state Legislature."

Assemblyman tries again with proposal calling for creation of state lottery (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regulation Of State Utility Corporations

"A unanimous Nevada Supreme Court last summer misinterpreted state law when it ordered state utility regulators to raise rates by $180 million for Nevada Power Co., Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley told a panel on Wednesday."

Court misinterpreted law in utility case, speaker says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Energy bill endorsed by Nevada Assembly panel (Associated Press article)

Medical Malpractice

"Words can't bring back Dianne Meyer's legs, nor her ability to do the jitterbug."

Bill lets doctors speak freely: Proposal allows for apologies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Abusive Debt Collection Practices

Lawmaker seeks secret recordings of abusive phone tactics (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Defense Fund

We Hope The Secretary Of State Is This Diligent With Every Other Candidate For Public Office

"Secretary of State Ross Miller on Wednesday asked Gov. Jim Gibbons why he didn't initially disclose donors to a fund set up to pay his legal fees associated with scandals, including an accusation currently being investigated by the FBI that he took payments from a friend for secret federal contracts."

Gibbons quizzed on 'gifts': Secretary of state asks about amended filing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"In his letter, Miller asked Gibbons for proof that the $169,100 was received last year, and he said he wanted the governor to verify that none of the cash was previously reported as campaign donations."

Gibbons asked to give explanation: Secretary of state seeks more details on governor's legal defense fund (Las Vegas Sun article)

eTreppid Investigation

"Paul Pugliese, who previously worked in the U.S. attorney's office in Reno, said Wednesday that he was not forced into carrying out the raid on the home and storage facilities of Dennis Montgomery, the former business partner of Warren Trepp."

No influence in FBI raid, ex-official says: Home of former business partner of Gibbons friend was searched (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Chief Justice Maupin On The State Of The Judiciary

Justice says crowded prisons, courts should be priorities: Speech touches on meth, foster children (Associated Press article)

Asking Too Much

"State Sen. Bob Beers complained Wednesday that Nevada's Supreme Court and District Court judges would become the highest paid in the country if the Legislature approved the pay increases recommended in the court system's $178 million two-year budget."

Beers flags pay proposal for courts: Raises too much, senator argues (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Open Meeting Law

"The important thing now is to reiterate that the public's business must be done in public."

The Parole Board and open meetings: As always, the default setting should be sunshine (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Five more inmates file lawsuits amid dispute over Open Meeting Law (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Economy

State Tax Haul Shortfall

Sales tax shortfall could affect Medicaid, education funding (Associated Press article)

Going Up Again

FUEL COSTS: Las Vegas gasoline prices soar -- Increase coming weeks earlier than in past (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Real Estate Market

Home sales slow in February (Las Vegas Business Press article)

FEW ACRES, FEW BIDS: BLM auction results in sale of four parcels, 25 acres (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

"A brief brouhaha broke out at Wednesday's Las Vegas City Council meeting as community members of Ward 5 complained that they have no representative on the council."

Vacant seat spurs outcry: Residents want representation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of North Las Vegas

"North Las Vegas has big plans to turn its 132-acre Craig Ranch Golf Course into one of the city's crown jewels: a sprawling regional park where families can stroll, picnic and play together."

NORTH LAS VEGAS CITY COUNCIL: Plans for park debated -- Differing visions emerging for 132-acre facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Work set to begin on Muller Lane Parkway (Nevada Appeal article)

Elko County

Zoning dispute delays master plan (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

About The Budget

$1.75 million shortfall projected for County budget (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Parks And Recreation

Parks, Rec Council holds special meeting to examine purpose, goals (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Lyon awards bid for Mark Twain Park expansion (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

When The Aspens Turn In Colorado And A New Jail That Won't Be Built For Another 5-6 Years

County may only delay jail planning trip until August (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Juvenile Jail

Lyon OKs new funding formula for WNRYC (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

City Of Fernley

"As the City of Fernley initiates a Human Resource Department, Mayor Todd Cutler wanted the City Council to consider the city's philosophy of hiring contractors versus regular employees."

Council to keep open mind about contract workers (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Town Of Dayton

DRAC to hear two new planning requests (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Community Of Mound House

Mound House east of Garnet up for multiple land use changes at PlanCom (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Art Wilson Company making second request for mill permit (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Stagecoach General Improvement District

"A bill that would allow the Stagecoach General Improvement District to build and operate sewer facilities in the Stagecoach Valley is moving through Nevada's Legislature."

Stagecoach bill begins moving through legislature (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Nye County

County Affairs

Too Much Work

"'When you adopt a development agreement, the first thing you do is put a burden on many staffers to follow the agreement to make sure things take place that are supposed to take place,' Williams said. 'You're generating a lot of work for us to do.'"

Developers see mixed results on Blagg Road projects (Pahrump Valley Times)

Town Of Pahrump

Will proposed town center be too small? (Pahrump Valley Times)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

"Acting as the redevelopment agency board, council members supported the list of projects as priorities and directed further planning be done on a new parking garage and a possible retail-entertainment block. Those projects would boost the price tag to near $60 million."

Council members endorse $16.5 million for projects (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"After some wrangling over Whites Lake in Cold Springs, the Reno City Council approved the city's first open space plan to protect important wildlife and recreation areas and a route for a future network of trails and bikeways."

Council OKs Reno's first open space plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Despite the improvements, much on the edges of downtown remains run down and unappealing; the forced closing of the Lakemill Lodge last week because of crime and unsafe conditions was a reminder of how much work remains to be done."

Reno picking up steam (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Presidential Debates

"The Nevada Democratic Party on Wednesday announced several changes to the debate's format, seemingly designed to keep more candidates from abandoning the event, which has been the subject of a protest campaign by the liberal blogosphere."

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGNING: Edwards says no to debate in Reno -- Fox News' involvement one factor for decision (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"After weeks of sniping from online activists unhappy with the Nevada Democratic Party's decision to partner with Fox News for a Democratic presidential debate, party officials unveiled a peace offering Wednesday."

Democrats alter Fox debate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tom Collins, Chairman, Nevada State Democratic Party on FOX News (Jack Wood column, Nye- Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Announcement From Tom Collins On Fox News Debate (Reno and Its Discontents)

From Harry, er, Tom, with love (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)

Presidential Campaigns

The Democrats' caucus -- get ready for some fun (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)

AFL-CIO asks members to wait to endorse (Associated Press article)

One-time titans are among the candidates (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

"We're fighting for the presidency. This is a contact sport. We're ready. There will be no swift-boating of Hillary Clinton."

Hillary is ready to rumble: Campaign chairman sets ground rules for personal attacks (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Republican Party

State's Republicans approve moving up caucus to February (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

GOP slates caucus Feb. 7 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada GOP look to raise money (Associated Press article)

McGinness will try for another term (Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

In The Legislature

Empowerment Schools

EMPOWERMENT SCHOOLS: Gibbons sees plan in action -- Governor visits elementary campus where program's already in place (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Millennium Scholarships

"Eligibility for the Millennium Scholarship should be determined by some objective test or performance standard instead of high school grade-point averages that can be subject to grade inflation, Sen. Bob Beers told a legislative panel Wednesday."

Measure takes aim at grade inflation: Millennium Scholarship rule change sought (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Parental Report Cards

Erik Holland, "Better than yours" [Click on image to enlarge]

"Raggio may have the best of intentions, but we can't agree with his proposal, which would create too much government intrusion."

Giving parents a grade? Senator's proposal to increase parents' participation should open new dialogue (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Churchill County School District

Report on local teacher absences tops tonight's school board agenda (Lahontan Valley News article)

Washoe County School District

"Congratulations to Washoe County Schools for coming into the 21st century. Now be careful with all this technology."

 We'll call you (Reno News & Review editorial)

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Nevada Utilities

Nye County's Cooperative Monopoly

VEA eyes Utah coal for future power (Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Quagga & Co.

Official urges rapid-response tactics to curb invasive species (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Burnt Hills

Reid to push for Nevada fire relief funds through supplemental Iraq spending bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Re-seeding to breathe new life into Peavine following wildfire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Alleged Doctor-Attorney Fleecing Combine

"Prosecutors are alleging that doctors conspired to inflate the value of settlements and judgments by causing the patients to incur 'costly, aggressive, and excessive medical treatments.'"

JANE ANN MORRISON: Simple human pain at core of complex doctor-lawyer conspiracy charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Nevada's Flourishing, Unregulated $kindustry

It's human nature: A birds-eye view of Vegas call girls (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)

__________

Nevada Culture

Lear Theater

Lear plan is needed for the arts in Reno (Nettie Olivero column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Nevada Test Site

Atomic vets advocate seeks quick resolution: Says veterans should not have to have doses reconstructed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"Sen. John Ensign on Wednesday charged that the Justice Department botched the dismissals of U.S. attorneys and suggested he was misled as to why the Nevada chief federal prosecutor, Daniel Bogden, was removed from office."

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT: Ensign voices ire at agency -- Explanations for dismissal of U.S. attorney differ (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Democrats made the need for congressional oversight of the Bush administration a pillar of their campaign last year, and this week that oversight produced an unlikely result: Democrats presided over hearings that revealed motives inside Bush's Justice Department that had been kept from Republican lawmakers, including Nevada Sen. John Ensign."

Democrats' hearings uncover motives: Testimony on U.S. attorneys' firings (Las Vegas Sun article)

Veterans Affairs

Woes at Walter Reed a surprise to Nevadans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Labor Union Organizing

AFL-CIO pursuing united push in 2008: Council asks unions to hold off on endorsements (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tainted Food

Who inspected that sandwich? Major change is needed in federal system for ensuring the safety of our food supply (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Regulation Of Gamblers And Gambling

Primm purchase gets board support: Herbst Gaming seeks three border properties (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Aging But Genteel Charms Still Effective

El Cortez astir in new mix downtown: Revamped hotel-casino to beckon young crowd with old-time charm (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Anne Henrietta Martin (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Demand It From Your Drowsy, Indifferent Local Newspaper

Otherwise, You Pay While They Sleep

"The world needs investigative journalists--women and men who doggedly dig into the doings of the powerful. It's risky business. Of journalists killed in peace time, said Charles Lewis, founder of the Center for Public Integrity, 85 percent were covering corruption."

Investigate the bastards (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)

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Update for March 8, 2007

[8:15 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Criminal Prosecutions Would Be More Useful

Nevada lobbyists could face expanded reporting, training rules (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor Gibbons to Tour Reno's VA Hospital (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Governor Gibbons Appoints Dodgion Chairman of Environmental Commission (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

From The Office Of The Attorney General

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TEAMS WITH ALY’S PROM CLOSET TO HAND OUT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE MATERIALS (Attorney General Press Release)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Contaminated water leaks from Elko County mine (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

DOE official praises Mina route for Yucca rail line (Associated Press article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

"Today, U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada met with numerous Nevada county commissioners to discuss local Nevada issues including the importance of working together to fight the growing methamphetamine epidemic and funding allocations for the valuable Payment In Lieu of Taxes program and Workforce Investment Act. The group also discussed opposition to the proposed federal budget that will repeal geothermal rents and royalties."

REID MEETS WITH NEVADA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (Sen. Reid Press Release)

In The US Congress

Conservative Democrats Assert Power (Associated Press article)

Panel Slams Banks Over Credit Practices (Associated Press article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

White House Bows on Attorney Reforms (Associated Press article)

Subpoenas Likely for Justice Officials in Prosecutor Firings (Washington Post article)

Republicans Could Face New Ethics Probes (Associated Press article)

Why Were These U.S. Attorneys Fired? (Time Magazine article)

"Six fired U.S. attorneys testified on Capitol Hill yesterday that they had separately been the target of complaints, improper telephone calls and thinly veiled threats from a high-ranking Justice Department official or members of Congress, both before and after they were abruptly removed from their jobs."

Prosecutors Say They Felt Pressured, Threatened: Hill Republicans, Justice Dept. Cited (Washington Post article)

Veterans Affairs

President Bush Meets with Co-Chairs of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors (White House Press Release)

Disability Evaluation System Needs ‘Top-Down’ Overhaul, Officials Say (Armed Forces Press Service)

Veterans' Disability Benefits: Long-Standing Claims Processing Challenges Persist GAO-07-512T, March 7, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

VA Student Financial Aid: Management Actions Needed to Reduce Overlap in Approving Education and Training Programs and to Assess State Approving Agencies GAO-07-384, March 8, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Voting

Elections: All Levels of Government Are Needed to Address Electronic Voting System Challenges GAO-07-576T, March 7, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Watchdog Group Applauds 'Pork' Ban (Associated Press article)

Unauthorized Release Of Limited Household Data On Census Bureau Web Site (US Census Bureau Press Release)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Freedom Of Information

"In December 1989, one month after the fall of the Berlin Wall, President George H. W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev met in Malta and, in the words of a Soviet spokesman, “buried the cold war at the bottom of the Mediterranean.” The Russian transcript of that momentous summit was published in Moscow in 1993. Fourteen years later American historians are still waiting for their own government to release a transcript."

Historians Fight Bush on Access to Papers (New York Times article)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Administrative Tribunals to Begin for High-Value Guantanamo Detainees (Armed Forces Press Service article)

Legal Experts Rap Media Ban at Gitmo (Associated Press article)

From The Office Of The President

Mar. 7, 2007 Press Briefing by Tony Snow (White House News Briefing)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Defense Department Media Roundtable with Secretary Gates and Gen. Pace from the Pentagon (Defense Department transcript)

National Guard (In Federal Status) And Reserve Mobilized as Of March 7, 2007 (Defense Department Press Release)

Defense Acquisitions: Issues Concerning Airlift and Tanker Programs GAO-07-566T, March 7, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Military Personnel: DMDC Data on Officers' Commissioning Programs is Insufficiently Reliable and Needs to be Corrected GAO-07-372R, March 8, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Coast Guard: Status of Efforts to Improve Deepwater Program Management and Address Operational Challenges GAO-07-575T, March 8, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Foreign Affairs

World Trade Organization: Congress Faces Key Decisions as Efforts to Reach Doha Agreement Intensify GAO-07-379, March 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

AP IMPACT: Afghan anti-corruption chief is a convicted heroin trafficker (Associated Press article)

Afghan Warlord Splits With Taliban (Associated Press article)

Taliban Commander Caught in Afghanistan (Associated Press article)

China

China Not Strategic Adversary of U.S., Gates Says (Armed Forces Press Service)

Guatemala

"Opposition politicians calling for Vielmann to step down say he had knowledge of death squads inside the country's police force, which began by killing youth gang members and went on to carry out drug killings."

Guatemala minister offers to quit over drug murders (Reuters article)

Drug trade vices grip Guatemala (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

White House Hangs Veto Over Pullout Plan (Associated Press article)

Democrats Want Iraq Pullout by Fall 2008 (Associated Press article)

Analysis: Iraq Solution Proves Elusive (Associated Press article)

Petraeus: Iraq Security Plan Can Work, But Will Take Time (Armed Forces Press Service)

U.S. General in Iraq Decries ‘Barbaric’ Insurgent Attacks (Armed Forces Press Service)

Baghdad Security Efforts Seem to Yield Results (Armed Forces Press Service)

Need For More MPs in Iraq ‘Was Always Anticipated,’ Petraeus Says (Armed Forces Press Service)

Pentagon Deploys More Troops to Baghdad (Associated Press article)

Mexico

Shooting of Cop in Mexico Spurs Outrage (Associated Press article)

Mexico launches crime database in drug fight (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Mexico: A Rise in Killings in Sonora State (Stratfor article)

A Federal Reader

Long-Term Spending on Entitlement Programs, March 8, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Passenger Rail Security: Federal Strategy and Enhanced Coordination Needed to Prioritize and Guide Security Efforts GAO-07-583T, March 7, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

National Institutes of Health Extramural Research Grants: Oversight of Cost Reimbursements to Universities GAO-07-294R, January 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

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March 9, 2007

[1:55 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Overview

Today and Tomorrow (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Ethics Laws

"The public wants to know that those who are running the government are constantly aware of how to stay within the limits placed on gifts and services and that officials understand the appropriate use of taxpayer funds. They want expenditures and political contributions reports filed completely and on time."

Make ethics rules clear, accessible (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Eminent Domain

Legislature looks at eminent domain (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Vehicle Tax Cut Proposal

"State Sen. Bob Beers told a legislative panel on Thursday that local governments are "inundated with cash" and would not suffer any financial harm under his plan to halve the car tax in Clark and Washoe counties."

Car tax reduction proposed: Measure targets Clark, Washoe counties (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Governor Of Nevada

eTreppid Investigation

"'The allegations border on the preposterous,' he said."

Lawyers: Trepp link unfounded (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Recall Rumors

A recall? Really? But what about… (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Don't Like Gov. Gibbons

Jon Ralston on the sheer ineptitude of Team Gibbons and why more questions are being raised about his legal defense fund (Las Vegas Sun column)

"Gov. Jim Gibbons, taking an extraordinarily expansive view of his no-new-taxes pledge last week, withdrew budget requests that would increase the fees used to regulate health care and other industries."

Gibbons' tax pledge: Legislature will have to find a way to ensure adequate regulation and oversight (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Office Of The Attorney General

Case Dismissed

"Seventh Judicial District Judge Dan Papez granted defense counsel Benjamin Gaumond's motion to dismiss following revelations that Deputy Attorney General Joe Long had not provided the defense with an audio tape of interviews featuring state witnesses until the day before the trial was set to commence."

Judge Papez loses patience with state prosecutor; drops ESP charges (Ely Times article)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Salaries

"A survey from the National Center for State Courts showed Nevada Supreme Court justices have the 20th-best salaries in the country, with an annual base pay of $140,000 per year and the chance to earn as much as $171,000 through longevity bonuses and special assignments. The state's District Court judges rank 14th at $130,000 per year, thanks to a recent pay boost."

An air ball on judicial pay: Judges push for extravagant raises (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

From The Nevada Supreme Court

State high court backs homestead exemption (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Justices affirm Nevada's statute on habitual offenders (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Crime And Mental Illness

"By the time Teresa was last arrested, her mental illness had fully taken root."

Attitude adjustment: Mental Health Court helps defendants end cycle of crime on way to independence (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Initiative Was A Casino Subsidy

"Although we only have a few weeks' results for 2007, the revenues appear to be declining in a range of 15 to 20 percent."

Slot-route operations down: Herbst revenues dip after ban on smoking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Why a developer gave up his casino dream: Coleman sold land, not for usual reasons (Nevada Appeal article)

Construction starts on development at Bodine's property (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

The Problem Of Traffic

"There's a new deadline for when traffic signal synchronization efforts will allow commuters to drive across town without hitting a single red light: never."

Potential dims for retiming of lights: Official: Don't expect effort to be traffic fix (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Fingers Of Stanley Ho

"Documents suggesting Rohit Joshi, the owner's representative for Neonopolis, misrepresented his business relationship with a Hong Kong billionaire have prompted Las Vegas officials to take a closer look at Joshi."

Neonopolis operator to get closer look by city (Las Vegas Sun article)

North Las Vegas $kindustry Regulation

"North Las Vegas officials, citing constitutional concerns, on Wednesday yanked from a proposed ordinance provisions that would have made it more difficult to set up new strip clubs and other sexually oriented businesses in the city."

Sexual slant dropped from NLV ordinance (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hazardous Cargo

Collision course: Railroad workers worry about the safety of Las Vegas Valley's toxic trains (Las Vegas CityLife article)

The Real Estate Market

"For all the debate over whether there's enough water to sustain Las Vegas' growth, there seems to be the same level of discussion over whether there's enough developable land to ensure the region's economic future."

Real Estate and Development: Time is ripe for debate on land supply shortage (In Business Las Vegas article)

Southern Nevada economy ‘flat,’ but ‘good,’ says economist (Las Vegas Business Press article)

"The Nevada Association of Realtors has predicted a "modest correction" in the statewide housing market in 2007 by projecting home sales will decrease 12 to 18 percent and prices will fall 7 percent to 10 percent by early 2008."

Realtors: Sales, prices to fall (In Business Las Vegas article)

Creative financing: There's still hope for middle-income earners looking to buy a home -- if they act fast (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Developing Stories

"A leading national homebuilder known for its entry-level and workforce housing has chosen the Las Vegas Valley to go upscale."

KB Home enters Las Vegas million-dollar home market (In Business Las Vegas article)

Douglas County

Genoa town lease formula sent back for massaging (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

Developing Carlin

Carlin Rising: Big projects to break ground this year (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

"The Incline Village General Improvement District board of trustees at Wednesday's meeting, debated whether to run the district more like a private company and give some rec venues the chance to turn a profit."

Is IVGID in the business of running many businesses? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Lyon County sheriff works to keep small-town feel in growing communities (Nevada Appeal article)

Mound House projects back in pipeline (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Inequitable Taxation

"'Had the county acted in a businesslike manner at the beginning it would've cost them $55,000 but now it's up to 14 million,' she said."

Revolters back in court seeking more tax refunds (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

An Open Letter From Your Washoe County Treasurer (Nevada Property Tax Revolt website)

White Pine County

City Of Ely

Ely City Primary Election (Ely Times feature)

Candidates' Forum: Ely City Council - Seat 3 (Ely Times feature)

Candidates' Forum: Ely City Council - Seat 4 (Ely Times feature)

__________

Nevada Politics

The Bipartisan Cavalcade Of Corruption And Mismanagement

78 Percent Of Public Thinks Our System Of Government Is Broken

Analysis: Scandals Sap Public's Morale (Associated Press article)

State Democratic Party

Democrats pressured to drop Fox News despite compromise (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"So what happens when the Democrats have too much prosperity? They resort to cannibalism, of course."

Jon Ralston on Politics: Dems target themselves (In Business Las Vegas column)

Is John Edwards Too Enamored With The Netroots? (Dullard Mush)

What Am I? Chopped Liver? Well Maybe But… (Reno and Its Discontents)

Carson City Democrats Say No To Fox News Debate (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

In The Legislature

Millennium Scholarship

"Tightening eligibility requirements for the Millennium Scholarship remains vital -- and adding college entrance exams to the equation is the best and most objective means of doing so."

Scholarship plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Federal And State School Testing

"Not counting the preparation, Washoe County students spent anywhere from six to 13 hours a year completing the government-mandated tests, district officials said."

Educators say testing takes up too much class time (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Education For Disabled Children

Jacob's ladder (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Budget Cuts

"Rheault responded that he had been directed by the governor to cut $15 million out of the budget requests he made for the schools. But after the meeting, Rheault said it was Gov. Kenny Guinn who requested the reductions, not Gibbons."

Democrats complain about education cuts: Gibbons budget fails to fund series of programs (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County School District

School Board OKs purchase of buildings (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County School District

Douglas schools all about science (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Student examines Pine Nut soils (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Washoe County School District

Trustees fund rest of elementary school (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"We applaud the district for approving this expenditure for Incline Elementary School this week, and are very grateful that they even added $450,000 for the new track and field at Incline High School. But why did the board wait until the 2007 allocation when voters were given the expectation that it would be included in the 2002 bond expenditures?"

School district finally delivers (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

White Pine County School District

Students learn to brutalize each other after 'Dream' performance (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

University Medical Center

"'The bills were sent to the right people, they just may not be accurate,' said Cheryl Persinger, a hospital spokeswoman."

Some UMC patient bills sent in error (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The out-of-state company hired to provide physicians at University Medical Center says it will be able to step in on schedule - in part by hiring doctors from the University of Nevada School of Medicine, whose proposal to do the job had been rejected by the county."

Hospitalist firm says it's on pace for UMC (Las Vegas Sun article)

Health Care Plans

Health Care and Workplace: Sierra Health seeks cure for its ailing Rx plan (In Business Las Vegas article)

Patient Fraud

"Some of the doctors under scrutiny are among the finest physicians in the state. Ditto for many of the lawyers in the crosshairs. They are superior litigators, ferocious trial attorneys who have bagged some of the largest jury awards and settlements in the history of Nevada jurisprudence. The lawyers have stated publicly and privately that this investigation was prompted by the powerful insurance industry because of all the verdicts they've won. It's an argument that might resonate with a jury, although it would be tough to prove, especially since it isn't true."

Medical Mafia probe has barely started (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Quicksilver Legacy

"Citing elevated levels of mercury, state health officials Thursday recommended people avoid or limit consumption of fish in six Nevada lakes, reservoirs and rivers."

Fish consumption warning issued for 6 waterways (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Leaking Mine

Pit lake leak under review (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Coal-fired politics: Gov. Gibbons signs up with new coal council, ignoring the global warming reductions favored by neighboring states (Las Vegas CityLife article)

"Sierra Pacific Resources has repeatedly vowed that its Ely Energy Center project will be the cleanest and most efficient coal-fired plant in the West."

Not all locals fans of the Ely Energy Center (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Culture

One Of America's Great National Pastimes Is The Worship Of Speed

The great race: Speedway's improvements promise to give NASCAR fans plenty of new access (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Federal Nevada

Veterans Affairs

Honoring soldier honors all of us (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Who's to blame for Building 18? (Ely Times editorial)

Federal Taxes

TAXATION: Debate on deduction may wait -- Official says question of tax break may not come up till late in session (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Labor Union Organizing

"The House voted 241-185 last week to make it easier for unions to organize workers, but the margin is not enough to overcome a veto promised by President Bush."

Nevada Dems vote for union measure; GOP votes against (Ely Times article)

Law and Small Business: Labor secretary slams union card-check bill (In Business Las Vegas article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Freedom Of Information

"The bill would mandate that all government documents are presumed open. The government could still claim any number of privacy exemptions - such as those to protect national security, sensitive personnel information and trade secrets - to keep documents confidential, but officials would have to justify their decisions."

Keeping government open: Congress is considering a much-needed bill to strengthen the public's right to know (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Travel Restrictions

"Travel became a lot less fun on Aug. 10 when the Transportation Security Administration implemented its new rules banning more than 3 ounces of liquids in carry-on luggage."

Tourism and Gaming: In spirit of TSA compliance, travel products emerge (In Business Las Vegas article)

Unwarranted Surveillance

Frequent Errors In FBI's Secret Records Requests: Audit Finds Possible Rule Violations (Washington Post article)

FBI Criticized for Patriot Act Use (Associated Press article)

A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Use of National Security Letters (Unclassified), March 2007 (US Department of Justice Inspector General - 34 MB pdf file)

A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Use of Section 215 Order for Business Records (Unclassified), March 2007 (US Department of Justice Inspector General - 10 MB pdf file)

Report to Congress on Implementation of Section 1001 of the USA PATRIOT Act, Special Report, March 2007 (US Department of Justice Inspector General)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Regulation Of Gamblers

"The gambler, a poker player, made the mistake of treating the chip like currency. And all he's got to show for it today is a piece of paper - a receipt for the chip he no longer has - and no money."

Chips no longer good as cash (Las Vegas Sun article)

A Competitive Business

Stratosphere owner uses value to compete (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Fanny Gore Hazlett (Nevada Appeal article)

For Fanny Hazlett's recollections of a very full life, check out:

Historical Sketch and Reminiscences of Dayton, Nevada (1910) (TNO Reading Room feature)

NNRy

Perils of progress at the Nevada Northern Railway (Natasha Bettis column, Ely Times)

__________

Nevada Journalism

A newspaper is about its community (Tanya Canino column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

===========================================

Update for March 9, 2007

[10:00 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

National Identity Card System

Gibbons seeks aid to implement Real ID Act (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Nevada governor's lawyer responds to contribution questions (Associated Press article)

Local Government

Clark County

A little (huge!) traffic issue: Maryland Parkway won't stop Midtown UNLV (Las Vegas Weekly article)

Elko County

South Fork planners seek direction (Elko Free Press article)

Commissioner Charlie Myers back on board (Elko Free Press article)

Nye County

County Affairs

"Nye County commissioners were unanimous Wednesday about backing off on a plan to submit their own bid to build a federal detention center after liability concerns were raised."

Nye shies off from detention bid (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Civic Action

Throughout Nye County: Youth groups tackle community problems (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Beatty

Master plan debate focuses on growth (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Richardson backs out of Fox debate amid online protest (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

More Yucca documents to be released (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

REID: SHOSHONE FUNDS FINALLY COMING TO THE COMMUNITY (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Veterans Affairs

Bush Names Seven to Veteran Care Panel (Associated Press article)

"The Independent Review Group recently established by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wants to hear from patients and family members about their experiences with military medical care, the review group announced today."

Medical Independent Review Group Seeks Comments (Armed Forces Press Service article)

Skelton Says Committee Will Consider Legislation To Meet The Needs Of Wounded Service Members (House Armed Services Committee Press Release)

DOD and VA Health Care: Challenges Encountered by Injured Servicemembers during Their Recovery Process GAO-07-606T, March 8, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Homeland Security

REID MEETS WITH CHERTOFF TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENTS AT MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Homeland Security: Preparing for and Responding to Disasters GAO-07-395T, March 9, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

Judiciary Committee Launches Investigation into Fired U.S. Attorneys: Conyers and Sanchez Demand Documents, Interviews (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

House Judiciary Committee Calls for White House, Miers to Provide Information on Fired U.S. Attorneys: Conyers, Sánchez Welcome Attorney General’s Stated Support for Legislative Fix and Expand Investigation (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

US Attorney Hearing Follow-up Letter to DOJ (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

US Attorney hearing follow up letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

US Attorney hearing follow up letter to former White House Counsel Harriet Miers (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

Gonzales Yields On Hiring Interim U.S. Attorneys (Washington Post article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Keep And Bear Arms

Appeals Court Overturns D.C. Gun Ban (Associated Press article)

Federal appeals court strikes down DC handgun ban (Jurist article)

Parker v. District of Columbia (US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia)

Unwarranted Surveillance

REID CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OVER BUSH ADMINISTRATION ABUSE OF POWER (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Gonzales, Mueller Admit FBI Broke Law (Associated Press article)

Analysis: Patriot Woes Weigh on Gonzales (Associated Press article)

How National Security Letters Work (Associated Press article)

House Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearings on FBI's Secret Records Reports (House Judiciary Committee Press Release)

The Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

U.S. Holds First Hearings at Gitmo (Associated Press article)

"The Executive cannot be criminally prosecuted domestically (above a few low level soldiers - Abu Ghraib - or CIA interrogators - Passarro) for its acts because it controls the federal prosecutors. If the Executive charges someone in court, then as a defense the person can seek to have evidence of horrible treatment brought in but will be confronted with the state secrets doctrine (see Padilla). If the Executive charges the person in a military commission the evidence issues again will come up against the state secrets doctrine (watch Hicks). If the person injured brings a civil suit as did el-Masri, the Fourth Circuit has told us that the state secrets doctrine will be allowed to trump and dismissal will occur."

The Un-American Way: The Kafkaesque Case of Khalid El-Masri (Benjamin Davis column, Jurist)

Foreign Policy

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

U.S. Claims Progress in Afghan Opium War (Associated Press article)

China

China Military in Legislative Spotlight (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

SENATE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE JOINT RESOLUTION TO TRANSITION THE MISSION IN IRAQ (Sen. Reid Press Release)

DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Mixon from Iraq (Department of Defense transcript)

Iraqi Government Making Progress, Ambassador Says (Armed Forces Press Service article)

"Iraqis in the country’s north, fed up with ongoing violence, are leading U.S. and Iraqi forces to some of the largest weapons and bombs caches found in the region to date, the commander of Multinational Division North told Pentagon reporters today."

Iraqis Helping Troops Find Weapons Caches, General Says (Armed Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Forces Control Three of Four Divisions in Northern Iraq (Armed Forces Press Service article)

Mexico

"Calderon is struggling to rein in ruthless but sophisticated drug cartels who frequently manipulate Mexico's chaotic and corrupt police and court systems."

Mexico's Calderon pushes criminal law overhaul (Reuters article)

"'The attacks against us are becoming more brazen. Drug cartels have instructed their people to go down fighting, to do whatever is necessary to get the narcotics through,' said Rick Flores, Webb County sheriff in Laredo, Texas."

U.S. agents under greater attack on Mexico border (Reuters article)

"The portly Slim has more than tripled his fortune since Forbes published its 2004 list, thanks to a string of acquisitions and the ballooning value of his telecom holdings. His current net worth is equivalent to nearly 6% of his nation's gross domestic product, a feat unmatched even by America's robber barons at the height of their influence."

$49 billion is Slim's pickings in Mexico (Chicago Tribune article)

===========================================

March 10, 2007

[3:40 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

2007 Nevada Legislature starts sixth week (Associated Press article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"'Death isn't the scary part,' David, a recovering meth addict, said. 'It's all the crap you have to go through before you die.'"

Former meth user: 'You get sick and tired of being sick and tired' (Mason Valley News article)

New Crime Proposal

Lawmaker cites 2005 threat on LV bus in urging bill to prevent hoax terrorism (Associated Press article)

Criminal Sentencing Enhancements

Grieving dads speak out against crime bill: Measure would cut extra sentences given for use of deadly weapon (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

Tahoe land regulator budget under subcommittee review (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Agricultural Wells

Bill to set formula for ag well power rates to be heard today (Mason Valley News article)

An Active Assemblyman

Busy schedule for Assemblyman Grady (Mason Valley News article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons lawyer defends legal fund: Secretary of state told donations were properly disclosed (Associated Press article)

Democrats Critique

Gibbons urged to halt funds flow: Watchdog groups say governor was 'playing fast and loose' with House rules (Las Vegas Sun article)

Watching A Black And White Movie

Gibbons confuses the issue: There should be no talk of 'gray areas' regarding governor's legal defense fund (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws

"'Today in Nevada, there's one qualification to be judge' -- money, Adams asserted -- '$500,000 for a district court judgeship or $1 million to be on the state Supreme Court.' The relentless search for money to feed the machine that propels a candidate to victory results in negative but shallow media sound bites, the judge claimed.'

Judicial campaign financing debated: Free speech versus donation solicitation argued (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Judiciary

Proposed legislation would put Fallon in new 10th Judicial District (Mason Valley News article)

Gas Up

"Problems refining oil in California and rising fuel prices nationally have caused Reno-area gasoline prices to rise almost 30 cents a gallon in the last month, industry watchers said."

Rise in gas cost sparks concern (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Government

Churchill County

County water, wastewater plants nearing completion (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

City Of Henderson

Voters in Henderson can cast ballots freely: Precincts, polling places open-ended for primary election (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

Las Vegas growth seen at standstill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Las Vegas is looking at the grim possibility of not being able to hire additional staff next fiscal year, even as the city's population grows and projects that demand more workers expand, officials said."

Build it, but who'll staff it? In fiscal crunch, city may lack cash to hire workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

$1.75 million shortfall projected for County budget (Mason Valley News article)

County to conduct budget meetings next week (Mason Valley News article)

City Of Yerington

A Matter Of Money

"The City of Yerington's request to renew an interlocal agreement with the County to perpetuate an annual $200,000 allotted for lost tax rate has come at a time when the County is facing a $1.75 million deficit."

Deficit could impact 40-year agreement with City (Mason Valley News article)

It's All In The Mind

City says alternate route proposal is 'conceptual' (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Nevada Democrats cancel candidate debate co-hosted by Fox News (Associated Press article)

"A few hours after state Democratic Chairman Tom Collins told the Review-Journal that the party had no plans to cancel an August presidential candidate debate that was to be co-sponsored by the Fox News Channel, he and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., sent a letter to Fox canceling the debate and blaming comments by the channel's president for the decision."

Democrats drop debate with Fox tie (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Meltdown over Fox: Network co-sponsors state Democratic debate -- oh my! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Reno Democratic candidates forum canceled (Nevada Appeal article)

"'It shows a distinct split the Democrats have to deal with,' said Eric Herzik, a political scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, and registered Republican. 'There is a very liberal wing of the Democratic Party that's out for blood. The party puts itself at risk if they go to that extreme.'"

Democrats cancel Reno debate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

What Others Think About The "FOX Debate" Debate; Is A New Democratic Debate Headed To FOX? (Dullard Mush)

Fox goes poof (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)

Its Official, Debate Broadcast By Fox Is Off (Reno and Its Discontents)

Nevada Democrats Slay The Beast And Say “NO” To Fox News (Reno and Its Discontents)

State Republican Party

Giuliani to slip quietly into Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Want More Money

"Lawmakers and higher education officials swallowed hard Friday while reviewing updated enrollment figures for the state's universities and colleges."

Lower turnout bad for higher education: Flattening enrollment rates at four institutions will force hard call to secure funds (Las Vegas Sun article)

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Gibbons, Parnell to meet with regents on funding, other issues (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

In The Legislature

"A teacher advocate and a lawmaker suggested Friday that the 180-day school year should be extended to compensate for time lost because of excessive testing of students."

Lawmakers debate imposing limitations on school testing: Loss of instructional time because of examinations criticized (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County School District

"Cell phones, iPods and televisions may be the anathema to a good education, but later this month educators hope they'll be the sweet siren to lure students to school."

Educators hoping to 'bribe' students to take tests: High schools strive for 95 percent mark (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

The Walker River

"The initial storage allocations set by the Walker River Irrigation District for the east and west forks of the Walker River aren't good, although that likely surprises few at this point."

West Walker allocation at 38%, East Walker at 51% (Mason Valley News article)

Watermaster: Walker water situation is 'pretty sad' (Mason Valley News article)

WRID's Topaz diversion project should start by April (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Alleged Doctor-Lawyer Fraud Ring

PERSONAL INJURY CASES: Suspect claims poverty -- Awand says the seizure of his assets prevents hiring lawyer (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

South Lyon Medical Center

"Unexpected costs and requirements are casting doubt on portions of South Lyon Medical Center's renovation master plan; however, Administrator Joan Hall is urging Hospital Trustees not to lose sight of necessity."

Hospital Administrator urges 'stay the course' with master plan (Mason Valley News article)

"South Lyon Medical Center is hoping soon to become a hub of information for residents suffering from various ailments."

Hospital aims to open Community Resource Center (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Don't Eat The Fish

Anglers advised to avoid eating Lahontan fish (Lahontan Valley News article)

Health advisory placed on fish caught in Northern Nevada waters: Fish from Carson River, Lahontan reservoir unsafe (Nevada Appeal article)

Chemical Spill

Acid spill leads to Mound House plant evacuation (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

Test site audit sees fire risk: Report says brush must be cleared, roads upgraded (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The Department's Wildland Fire Planning and Preparation Efforts" (US Department of Energy Inspector General)

Test site board plans session (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"Don't think these stories are simply about Bogden's reputation. It's about senators wanting to preserve their political patronage appointment rights and protect the system of checks and balances between the White House and the Senate. And it's about Justice Department officials who feel free to deceive senators."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Justice Department finds that lies fuel fury in formerly friendly senators (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Monthly State Tax Haul

GAMING WIN: Down month but no panic -- Analysts see reasons for big January drop (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casino win down in January (Nevada Appeal article)

Casino revenue dips in January (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn responds (David McKee column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Nevada's Past

Following The Paths

Two volumes focus on Indian trails (Ruby Happel-Holtz column, Pahrump Valley Times)

===========================================

March 11, 2007

[11:45 AM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The State Legislature

Overview

NV Legislature in the News and Monday Committee Hearings (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Recapitulation

Gibbons unveils school empowerment plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Open Government

"In the spirit of Sunshine Week, a yearly event to promote open government through open records and open meetings, the Las Vegas Review-Journal conducted its own audit of seven local governments in Southern Nevada."

SUNSHINE WEEK: Most local governments grant requests -- But North Las Vegas, Mesquite deny access to emergency plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SUNSHINE WEEK: Access not always so easy -- Many agencies broke federal law by withholding hazardous materials plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SUNSHINE WEEK: Nonprofit's criteria suggest some shortcomings in Clark County (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Advocates seek to cut through exceptions (Associated Press article)

"Why is Buckley an advocate of open government? She says it is a matter a trust. When government agencies hide information, the governed tend to be suspicious. Secrecy raises doubt about the credibility of government agencies."

THOMAS MITCHELL: On issues of openness, we love Barbara Buckley (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Nevada Highways

"'The will is just not there,' he said. 'They all acknowledge the problem, but the political will isn't there to do anything about it. It is the most disappointing thing I've seen.'"

$3.8 BILLION HIGHWAY PLAN: Traffic congestion hits tax wall -- Governor, many legislators oppose increases (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"In the race to remedy the Las Vegas Valley's traffic woes, the Legislature and the governor's office resemble rusted-out beaters in the breakdown lane."

Big ideas for valley roads (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Utilities Regulation

"As the Enron scandal clearly illustrated, it would be naive to simply assume that utility companies' purchases and the resulting rate increases are always penny-wise and in the best interests of customers. Sometimes, they are just plain bad decisions. And when a utility makes a poor financial decision, the utility - not its customers - should have to pay."

Blocking a power play: Legislation would add some accountability to the process when utilities seek rate hikes (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Governor Of Nevada

Legal Defense Fund

GOP defends Gibbons over legal defense fund: County Republicans criticize secretary of state's actions (Associated Press article)

The governor's lawyer tells secretary of state to pound sand (Vegas Pundit)

The State Judiciary

Appointed Judges

Plan for judges faces uphill battle (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

"Michael Hohl has owned dealerships in Carson City for two decades, but says he wants to develop an auto mall - a huge site that would house auto dealerships representing several manufacturers. The problem is that Carson City does not have the land necessary, approximately 50 acres, for him to build it."

The biggest story of the week was ... (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Mean Streets

"The Rev. John Crowley echoed those thoughts: 'We're tired of the violence. We're tired of the senseless killings and the senseless funerals. We're tired of our children not being able to play outside at night. We're tired of older folks not being able to sit on their porch. We will take a stand. We will let it be known there is no more tolerance for it.'"

SAFE VILLAGE TASK FORCE: Marchers' message: Stop the violence -- Gathering puts focus on West Las Vegas neighborhood (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Recycling

Minden questions recycling proposal (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Town And Country Living

"Picking fruit and stowing garbage is the best way to Genoa-proof Sierra black bears, Nevada Division of Wildlife biologist Carl Lackey told town board members on Tuesday."

Bears find easy pickings in oldest town (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Coyotes on the prowl - watch out for your pets (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

The Farmers Market

Farmers market coming to Minden (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

"The Elko Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors has scheduled a special meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday in the convention center to discuss possible endorsement or disapproval of Assemblyman John Carpenter’s proposed bill, AB 163."

ECVA calls special meeting (Elko Free Press article)

"If passed, Assembly Bill 163 would amend the city’s charter to require the Elko Convention & Visitors Authority to receive a certain percentage of room tax. Elko City Manager Curtis Calder said Carpenter did not consult the city about the proposed change."

Carpenter, city at odds over room tax bill (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

National Politics

Poll: Character Trumps Policy for Voters (Associated Press article)

Nevadans like Giuliani, Clinton (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State Democratic Party

"When you travel outside Las Vegas and talk to voters in Elko, Lincoln and Nye counties, you find plenty who could go for Democrats if the candidate was fairly fiscally conservative and 'doesn't try to take our guns.'"

ERIN NEFF: Mixing Richardson and rurals could help turn Nevada blue (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Appeal proud to have hosted presidential candidate event (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

Nevada Democratic Party By-Laws and Charter Now Online (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Who's Running for Election as Nevada State Democratic Party Offices? (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

State Republican Party

Giuliani checks out Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Giuliani defends Gingrich (Associated Press article)

"Fasten your seat belts because it's going to be a wild ride."

Republican caucuses may put Nevada on GOP radar (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

Party Paralysis (Terresa Monroe-Hamilton column, Noisy Room)

Will the Nevada GOP EVER learn? (Eric Odom column, Carson City Conservative)

Conservative Leadership Conference

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Some sound advice on getting children involved (Nevada Appeal article)

In The Legislature

Money Battle Looms

Democrats, Republicans head for collision over education: Parties slate dueling news conferences (Associated Press article)

Empowerment Proposal

"But this is anathema to the unions and the administrators who coddle them. Theirs is essentially a movement of levelers -- just as bright kids should not be allowed to race too far ahead of their plodding classmates, damaging the self-esteem of the epsilons, so "solidarity" among the sisterhood cannot be jeopardized by allowing principals to "play favorites," implying (heaven forfend) that some teachers are more effective than others."

The dance of the seven empowerments: Governor's plan will go through the grinder (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

CARSON CITY: WEEK IN REVIEW -- Governor has another awkward moment (Las Vegas Sun article)

All-Day Kindergarten

"Since those who were not "'at-risk" saw a decrease in performance by 3 percentage points, and those students make up a majority of Clark County School District students, then what the study is telling us is that a majority of students belong to the group that is harmed, rather than helped, by full-day kindergarten."

NEVADA VIEWS: The district's full-day kindergarten stats -- Children who aren't 'at-risk' actually do worse on tests (Andy Mathis column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

"Politicians should start with a reasoned approach using problem analysis to define the difference between children who graduate and those who do not and then work toward finding the real cause of why children drop out of high school."

All-day kindergarten the wrong solution (Dan Mooney column, Nevada Appeal)

Churchill County School District

Board learns administrator signed contract before approval (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

"Here's the problem: If the Clark County School District wants to allow more schools greater autonomy in the coming academic year, the planning must begin now. But it won't be known until June how much money, if any, the Legislature will approve toward such an endeavor."

Will Rulffes be feeling empowered? Schools chief, board might have to play waiting game (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elko County School District

Elko County Science Fair begins Monday (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Valley of Fire offers natural beauty near Las Vegas (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

__________

Nevada Culture

Burning With A Bright Blue Flame

A burning desire for another state welding title (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

WASHINGTON, D.C.: WEEK IN REVIEW -- U.S. attorneys tell all (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Federal prosecutors must be assured that when they investigate evidence of corruption, they will not be opening themselves to political retaliation."

Why were prosecutors fired? Congress is right to be inquiring about why eight U.S. attorneys lost their jobs (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

N.M. GOP Official Sought Attorney Ouster (Associated Press article)

Prosecutor’s Ouster Shifts Political Order (New York Times article)

"Mr. Bush should dismiss Mr. Gonzales and finally appoint an attorney general who will use the job to enforce the law and defend the Constitution."

The Failed Attorney General (New York Times editorial)

Veterans Affairs

More from Terri Hutson-Groves (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

Democrats Slam GOP Over Walter Reed Woes (Associated Press article)

In The US Congress

House, Senate Dems Realize Power Limited (Associated Press article)

Deadline won't end war (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

RS22616 - March 05, 2007 House Committee Funding, 110th Congress (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33905 - March 07, 2007 Senate Committee Expenditures Resolutions, 110th Congress, and Funding Authorizations, 104th - 110th Congresses (Congressional Research Service Report)

Global Warming

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Calming hysteria, one zealot at a time (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Gibbons' stance puzzles global warming activists (Las Vegas Sun article)

RL33898 - March 06, 2007 Climate Change: The Role of the U.S. Agriculture Sector (Congressional Research Service Report)

Energy Policy

Brian Greenspun finds answers, raises questions on the golf course (Las Vegas Sun column)

National Health And Health Care

"Walker said that if we don't substantially reform our current system over the next 20 years, it will bankrupt the country, not to mention what it will do to us."

Time running out to fix health care system (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

U.S. Struggles With Bioterror Defenses (Associated Press article)

RL33903 - March 07, 2007 Genetic Discrimination: Overview of the Issue and Proposed Legislation (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33902 - March 08, 2007 Living Organ Donation and Valuable Consideration (Congressional Research Service Report)

Organized Crime

"For the mobsters who crossed Brasco's path and took him into their confidence, crime paid very poorly, indeed."

JOHN L. SMITH: Thanks to Joe Pistone, mobsters have left lots of business unfinished (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Predatory Lending Practices

"Certainly, people who use credit cards must bear the responsibility that comes with them, which includes making payments on time and paying interest on balances that are not paid off. But the nearly indecipherable credit contracts, interest rate increases that have nothing to do with the actual accounts in question and fees that make paying off balances impossible, are unfair."

Giving some credit: Senators call for an end to what they say are unfair practices by credit card companies (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Corporate Regulation

Congress threatens to blow the froth off private equity (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Leaks And Lies

SHERMAN FREDERICK: The chilling Libby verdict -- Why be honest? Take the Fifth (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Unwarranted Surveillance

Bush: FBI Addresses Patriot Act Problems (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Pentagon Struggles to Find Fresh Troops (Associated Press article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan Parliament Passes Amnesty Law (Associated Press article)

U.S. Military: Censorship Was Justified (Associated Press article)

A Federal Reader

RL33904 - March 07, 2007 The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: A Framework for Evaluation (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33899 - March 06, 2007 Modifying the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): Revenue Costs and Potential Revenue Offsets (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33901 - March 05, 2007 Follow-On Biologics: Intellectual Property and Innovation Issues (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22617 - March 06, 2007 Supreme Court Decision in Jones v. Bock: Exhaustion Requirements under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (Congressional Research Service Report)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

The Place Has Character

Jeff Simpson on how the El Cortez is quickly becoming downtown's feel-good story of the year (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Jeanne Elizabeth Wier (Nevada Appeal article)

===========================================

Update for March 11, 2007

[9:20 PM]

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Nevada Politics

National Politics

Beyond Iraq, '08 Issues Starting to Form (Associated Press article)

State Democratic Party

A Wrangle After Democrats Shun Fox as Debate Platform (New York Times article)

State Republican Party

Former Nevada governor leads Romney finance group (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Culture

Influential AIDS/HIV Paper Authored By Nevada Scientist (Medical News Today article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Veterans Affairs

Walter Reed Panel Vows Broad Examination (Associated Press article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

"U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales has so politicized the Justice Department that he should step down for the sake of the nation, the Senate's third-ranking Democrat said Sunday."

Senator calls for attorney general's resignation (Los Angeles Times article)

Open Government

Let The Sun Shine In

Laws on Open Government Often Fall Short (Associated Press article)

Immigration Reform

Immigration Raids Split Families (Associated Press article)

Meanwhile, While We're Not Catching Osama Ben Laden

Medical Marijuana Clinics Face Crackdown (Associated Press article)

Leaks And Lies

Summary: Weighing Bush's Libby Options (Associated Press article)

Granting Pardons Can Cause Leaders Grief (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

"President Bush confirmed Sunday that he will be sending thousands of new support troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, above and beyond the previously announced "surge" of 21,500 combat troops."

Bush confirms troop escalation plans (Los Angeles Times article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan Violence Kills 9 Cops, 2 Taliban (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

47 Killed in Baghdad; 3 U.S. Troops Dead (Associated Press article)

Mexico

Jorge Hank: A Giant Step Backwards for Mexico (Mexidata article)

Mexico Tries Lower Profile For Immigration Discussion: Strategy Includes Strengthening Domestic Job Market (Washington Post article)

Cancun, Nature at War Over Beaches (Associated Press article)

===========================================

March 12, 2007

[11:15 AM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Cramps Their Style

State officials dismayed over lobbyist rules (Associated Press article)

State Judiciary

Lives in the balance: Mental Health Court has proven its value, and its request for more funding has merit (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"'What we are encountering in Clark County with these holdouts that are showing complete resistance to the law is open anarchy,'' said Buffy Martin-Tarbox, director of government relations for the state's chapter of the American Cancer Society."

Law's backers want no ifs, ands or butts: But some businesses try to get around smoking ban (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hazy reasoning: Concerns that regulating tobacco will increase smoking are clouded with misconceptions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Recycling

Living a 'Three R's' existence (Nevada Appeal article)

Comparing Carson City's recycling program (Nevada Appeal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"On a very serious topic, and a growing epidemic within our community, the Community Counseling Center and the Carson City Sheriff's Department have entered into a partnership to provide home drug tests for families who may be concerned about their "teenage children" using drugs. In a joint effort of early intervention parents can purchase a drug test kit for $4."

Home drug tests for teens now available (Nevada Appeal article)

A Prosecutor's Progress

Assistant DA happy where fate brought him (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

E-Commerce In Henderson

Henderson a major online port of call for eBay: Company says only two cities have more users of auction site per capita (Las Vegas Sun article)

Storey County

Highlands residents voice opposition to new development (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Just Take A Look At This Report With No Name Or Link

Open up to growth stats (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

City Of Reno

Downtown projects push city's evolution (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno-Sparks Convention Authority

Bringing visitors is the bottom line (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Obama reacts to Reno cancellation (Associated Press article)

State Republican Party

"Nevada Republicans barely had a week to bask in the glory of their new early presidential caucus before some in their own party began pushing back, saying the decision to move the contest's date was misguided - and perhaps illegal."

Some in GOP opposed to moving caucus (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

"Strip club mogul Michael Galardi dropped a barrage of bombshells last spring when he testified that he not only bribed former Clark County Commissioners Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and Dario Herrera, but also paid off prominent Las Vegas politicians, attorneys and sitting judges."

CORRUPTION CASE: Galardi will learn fate today -- Judge will weigh how much club owner aided prosecutors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The High Price Of Textbooks

"Sisolak said encouraging professors to turn in their book orders on time could be the only way that universities can put a dent in the skyrocketing price of textbooks."

Little relief from textbook costs: Colleges say professors can help most (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

The Importance Of Quality

Water authority testing lab opens (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Beauty And Movement

A dancing revolution at the Carson City Library (Nevada Appeal article)

Graffiti!

Graffiti artists feature work at area bar (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

Test site manager sees challenges ahead: From Thermos-5 to bunker buster (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Veterans Affairs

'He will be my lighthouse': Marine killed in Iraq buried in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Little nudge helps veterans get back their military memorabilia (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Right To Keep And Bear Arms

The right to bear arms: Appeals court throws out D.C. gun ban (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Unwarranted Surveillance

"By allowing the FBI to sidestep normal checks and balances in the name of fighting terror, Congress all but guaranteed that the agency would use its newfound power in ways other than intended."

Patriot Act (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Excuses are weak: Even if not deliberate, FBI's Patriot Act errors call for swift corrective action and oversight (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Casino revenues fall short: January’s numbers fail to replicate previous year’s record highs (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Big expansion planned for the Hard Rock (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Jennie O'Hare Riordan (Nevada Appeal article)

===========================================

Update for March 12, 2007

[8:00 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Lobby And Ethics Reform

Civil Obedience (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Early Releases

Nevada Senate panel kills jail overcrowding measure (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor Endorses Legislation Protecting Children (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

The State Attorney General

Nevada attorney general seeks to reduce board's outside legal fees (Associated Press article)

The State Labor Commissioner

Labor Commissioner publishes minimum wage regulations (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Local Government

Clark County

Developing Stories

Condo giant absorbed by local firm: Diamond Resorts obtains Sunterra Corp. in $700 million deal (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Too many casinos, developer says: Four's a crowd on Lamb Boulevard (Las Vegas Business Press article)

The Real Estate Market

"Today, the Golden Palm Hotel closes up shop, leaving Nevada with one less relic of the era when you didn't have to have 200 hotel rooms to open a casino. Whatever follows it, outgoing owner Marvin Lipschultz and Chicago-based broker NRC Realty Advisors have sent a clear message: Bring some long green."

Golden Palm owner seeks record price (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Residential market due for adjustment, say realtors (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Elko County

Wendover: Where East Meets West

Wendover welcome center gets wireless Internet (Elko Free Press article)

West Wendover to break ground on city complex (Elko Free Press article)

Spring Creek

Spring Creek sets information session (Elko Free Press article)

_________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

”With the action by the Nevada Democrats, however, the public may be witnessing the most direct sparring between a political party and a news outlet in recent years."

A Wrangle After Democrats Shun Fox as Debate Platform (New York Times article)

Kucinich Chides Fellow Candidates For Ditching Debates (Dullard Mush)

Its Not About Free Speech, Its About The Truth (Reno and Its Discontents)

State Republican Party

Letters to Senator Dennis Nolan Demanding Apology (Battleborn Opinion News)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

Strip club owner gets 30 months in Las Vegas bribery scandal (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

In The Legislature

A Bad Dream

"Maybe it's just a dream but the Legislature seems like it has been debating education in this really well-worn rut, session after session. And schools don't ever seem to improve."

We need an attitude adjustment on education (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Elko County School District

School board looks at graduation policy (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Health Care Organizations

Health insurance giant buys Sierra: Deal is worth $2.6 billion (Las Vegas Business Press article)

United gobbles up Sierra Health (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

UnitedHealth agrees to buy Sierra Health for $2.6 billion cash (Associated Press article)

Health Care Costs

Controlling the uncontrollable (Georges Maalouf column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Nevada Power weaning itself from natural gas: Questions of infrastructure and generating-capacity still unresolved (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada Mining

BLM reopens Leeville study (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Northeastern Nevada Museum

Museum Unveils Plan: Addition could house collection of Western art (Elko Free Press article)

Death Of A Scholar And Beyond

Historians die but their influence survives (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES BACK SPLITTING 9TH CIRCUIT (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Veterans Affairs

Army's Kiley Ousted in Walter Reed Furor (Associated Press article)

VA Orders Review of 1,400 Clinics (Associated Press article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

Justice Official 'Horrified' Phone Call Was Seen as Threat (Washington Post article)

Democrats Seek Rove in Attorney Firings (Associated Press article)

Immigration Reform

Beware of the law of unintended consequences (Blue Lyon)

The Shaky Subprime Mortgage Industry

Treasury Tracks Subprime Mortgage Spike (Associated Press article)

Regulation Of Corrupt Practices

Business Gets Sympathetic Ear From Govt. (Associated Press article)

Concern over Halliburton move to Dubai (MSNBC News article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Information And Accountability

Sunshine Week Legislation at a Glance (Associated Press article)

Partisan Prosecutorial  Profiling?

The Political Profiling of Elected Democratic Officials: When Rhetorical Vision Participation Runs Amok (Donald C. Shields and John F. Cragan, ePluribus Media, via Reno and Its Discontents)

Unwarranted Surveillance

Statement From Justice Department Spokesman Dean Boyd Regarding Office of Inspector General Report on FBI's use of Section 215 Orders (Department of Justice website)

FACT SHEET: Department of Justice Actions on FBI Use of National Security Letters (Department of Justice website)

FBI Response to DOJ Inspector General's Report on FBI's Use of National Security Letters (FBI website)

TRANSCRIPT OF FBI PRESS CONFERENCE ON DOJ INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT ON THE USE OF NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS (FBI Website)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

9/11 Suspects Get Hearings at Guantanamo (Associated Press article)

From The Office Of The President

Mar. 9, 2007 Press Briefing by Dan Fisk, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs, NSC (White House website)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Cheney Assails Those Favoring Iraq Drawdown (New York Times article)

Dems Abandon War Authority Provision (Associated Press article)

DoD News Briefing with Amb. Carney from Iraq (Department of Defense website)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Tip Pooling

Battle lines in tip war shift to Carson City: Labor Commissioner's office becomes free-fire zone of controversy (Las Vegas Business Press article)

===========================================

March 13, 2007

[1:25 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Dead Kids

"Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who leads the committee, noted how rare it is for any governor to offer testimony and lauded the appearance as a sign that child welfare reform has support on all levels this session."

'POLITICAL WILL IS THERE': Child care measures get top pitch -- Gibbons testifies before Assembly panel (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gibbons throws support behind child welfare bills (Associated Press article)

Pharmaceutical Prescriptions

Nevada lawmakers urged to pass prescription drug measures (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Fee Increase Proposals

"'Fee increases or assessments that do not fall on individual taxpayers, but are borne by an industry with the consent of that industry may pass muster if there is a strong and substantial justification for the fee or assessment,' Hicks wrote."

Gibbons' policy of no fee hikes has some grinding their teeth (Las Vegas Sun article)

No Dawdling

Gibbons wants new ag director in one month (Associated Press article)

Defense Fund Exchange With The Secretary Of State

"Lawyers for Gov. Jim Gibbons "failed to substantively address the issues" raised about Gibbons' legal defense fund by Secretary of State Ross Miller last week, according to a new letter from Miller on Monday."

Secretary of state seeks detail regarding legal defense fund: Miller says in letter that governor's lawyers failed to address questions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'We have statutory authority to investigate any wrongdoing in terms of campaign finance laws or the filing of false documents with our office,' he said. 'But we don't see any evidence of that at this point.'"

Miller to governor: I want answers -- Secretary of state says letter from lawyer wasn't good enough (Las Vegas Sun article)

Miller asks Gibbons for more details on $169,100 defense contribution (Associated Press article)

Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons

ERIN NEFF: I've seen enough -- Gibbons must go (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The State Treasurer

"Treasurer Kate Marshall told the Senate Finance Committee on Monday she hopes to return twice as much unclaimed property to its rightful owners as her predecessors."

Treasurer pushes program to give people money back (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Traffic light timing to be topic of discussion (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Developing Stories

"Robert Boughner knows comparisons will be made between Boyd Gaming Corp.'s planned $4.4 billion Echelon Place development and the $7 billion Project CityCenter that MGM Mirage is constructing a few miles south on the Strip."

Heading on with Echelon: Theme will not be tied to architecture in $4.4 billion project, executive says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Las Vegas-based Diamond Resorts announced it would purchase Sunterra Corp., which is headquartered in North Las Vegas, in a transaction valued at $700 million. Sunterra operates almost 100 time share resorts in 17 states and 13 countries and employs more than 3,300 people, including 400 in its corporate offices."

Local companies linked in $700 million deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Boulder City

"Whether seen from a bike or on foot, Bootleg Canyon offers panoramic views stretching from the Strip to Lake Mead. Bighorn sheep mill about on the sides of the mountains."

Ever-developing Bootleg Canyon helps put Boulder City on the map (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of North Las Vegas

Two to vie for NLV's Ward 2: Newcomer to take on six-term councilman (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

"Nevadans have Incline Village General Improvement District general manager Bill Horn to thank for seeking increased funding on rural projects."

IVGID GM goes to bat for Nevada (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Slew of incidents spark fire district warnings (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

Virginia Street Bridge

The 1905 Truckee River Bridge, Nevada Historical Society [click on image to enlarge]

"The Downtown Improvement Association is recommending local officials replace the 102-year-old bridge with a new span rather than restore the existing structure and convert it into a more flood-friendly structure."

Residents, businesses want new bridge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Dueling Reports, Dead Kids

"A national panel's study of local child abuse deaths was poorly done and exaggerates the number of cases that were bungled, overlooked or preventable, according to a county staff report to be given today to the Washoe County Commission."

Report: Study of local child abuse deaths poorly done (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

National Center for Child Death Review