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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Water Matters

SNWA's Suction Scheme

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada's Working Men And Women

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

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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)

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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)

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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]

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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 s