June 1-6, 2007

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Legislature

Overviews

News

Assembly, Senate legislators uncover money, approve pork measures (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

So-called 'pork' bills passed in final hours (Nevada Appeal article)

Agreement reached on compromise 'pork' list (Nevada Appeal article)

MAJOR BILLS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada budget highlights (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Legislative time woes: just human nature (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Money for prison projects approved: University system also lands funding (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lots of hubbub, little to show for it: State's lawmakers started with high expectations, ran into budget realities (Las Vegas Sun article)

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- A few drops of hope in a desert of cynicism (Las Vegas Sun article)

Opinion

"Life is relatively simple when you keep your promises. And Gibbons did."

JOHN L. SMITH: After keeping his promise, governor can declare a victory for his Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

ERIN NEFF: Tell me it's over (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"Wow. Did you hear about the tough new ethics laws passed by the Legislature? Of course not, it never happened."

JANE ANN MORRISON: You can lead lawmakers to ethics reforms, but you can't make them vote (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BEERS: There's reality, and then there's the version spun by the Vegas Republican (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jon Ralston on why nothing ever seems to get done in a timely or acceptable fashion at the end of the Legislature (Las Vegas Sun column)

NV Legislature finally done: Did Raggio tell a fish tale? (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Winners & Losers of the 2007 Legislature (Muth's Truths)

Blogging The Final Days

Doom 2: Extra innings (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The word, around 3 a.m. (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Half past doom (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

And that's doom! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The hour of doom having arrived… (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Doom approaches! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Doom? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Too many secrets (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Transportation done! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Republicans oppose Democrats, democracy (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Special Session

2007 LEGISLATURE: Special delivery -- Lawmakers pass leftover bills during extended session (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Legislature opens, closes special session (Nevada Appeal article)

Legislators rush to the finish: Work continues beyond deadline (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Special session finishes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Governor Gibbons Issues Proclamation Calling for Special Session (Gov. Gibbons Proclamation)

Governor Jim Gibbons Calls 2007 Legislature into Special Session (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

The End Of The Regular Session

Last day at the 2007 Legislature (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Highways

Highways to get additional $1 billion: Ballot plan to raise diesel fuel taxes fails (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Silent for most of four months on the issue of transportation funding, they finally found their voice in the waning days of the Legislature this weekend after it appeared that Gov. Jim Gibbons had grabbed control of the issue. And they certainly couldn't let that happen -- especially Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, still stinging from her electoral beating at the hands of Gov. Gibbons in last November's gubernatorial race."

Playing games on the road bill: Democratic chicanery holds up legislation (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Transportation Bill Passes Legislature: Legislation Headed to Governor's Desk for Signature (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION: Legislators land a road deal -- Parts of three existing taxes would repay $1 billion bond (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Democrats bid to boost road funding: Governor fumes over last-ditch efforts to open door to new taxes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION: Funding bill hits a roadblock -- Las Vegas senators say compromise measure still falls short (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"They're not crazy about surrendering a slice of their property tax revenue, but Clark County officials won't stand in the way of a legislative plan to fund $1 billion in highway construction."

County reluctantly goes along (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Late deal on roads fails to connect: Only big highways will get attention with $1 billion finally scraped together (Las Vegas Sun article)

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY -- State road improvements likely to mean sacrificing local projects (Las Vegas Sun article)

The No New Taxes Highway Bill (Muth's Truths)

Gibbons Chalks Up Another Victory (Muth's Truths)

No New Tax Highway Bill Passes in Assembly (Muth's Truths)

Spending Cap

"The Public Employee Benefits Program has an unfunded liability for its retirees estimated at $3.8 billion."

Legislature changes spending cap (Nevada Appeal article)

Green Building Tax Breaks

REDUCTION OF TAX BREAK: 'Green' construction bill sent to Gibbons -- Six projects excluded from change to 2005 measure (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SIX PROJECTS EXEMPTED: Senate OKs lower 'green' tax breaks -- Measure must return to the Assembly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

TAX BREAKS: 'Green' construction bill altered -- Change could eliminate funds for teacher raises (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

'Green' tax breaks will bite Clark County (Las Vegas Sun article)

Downtown developer seeing red: Jewelry center project slated to lose 'green' tax breaks under bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"Lawmakers hailed the compromise but said more resources were still needed for treatment of meth addicts."

Bill limits some cold medicines to pharmacies: Governor has made fighting meth a priority (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tax And Spending Control (TASC)

Taking Beers to TASC (Muth's Truths)

Tsk, TASC (Muth's Truths)

Miscellaneous Bills

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Prison reforms OK'd -- Senate panel passes good-time credits, judicial discretion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Law toughened on sex offenders (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Lawmakers agree on $800 million construction plan (Nevada Appeal article)

Liability plan gets do-over: Vetoed tort cap paired with homestead bill in rare maneuvering (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bill links lawsuit limits, homestead exemption (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Pushing for fairness: At issue is long-needed, modest increase in damage cap on civil suits against government (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Capping liability (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Pricey 'theme park' bill bobs up again, then is sunk (Las Vegas Sun article)

'Arena' bill overstepped its bounds: Lawmakers, lobbyists scramble to revise AB598 (Las Vegas Sun article)

MOST ISSUES RESOLVED: Session may beat deadline -- Lawmakers optimistic about finishing on time (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

WEEK IN REVIEW: Compromises make special session unlikely (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Legislature takes it down to the wire (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Governor Of Nevada

From The Office Of The Governor

GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION: Illegal worker bill passes -- Another law limits closed meetings for tax commission (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Payday loan bill signed into law (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Veto !!!

Assembly overrides Gibbons veto on grand jury rules; Senate sustains it (Nevada Appeal article)

Governor adds two more vetoes: Gibbons rejects giving agriculture officials arrest powers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Party Line

Living for the moment: The governor will trumpet his personal success, but what about Nevada's future? (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston explains why Session Lite will pack a hangover (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jon Ralston on the power the governor - even Gibbons - wields in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun column)

Whose interest in mind? Governor's office listening to high-interest lenders who want to keep exploiting the poor (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Brian Greenspun on how our governor made sure we'd stay at the bottom (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jeff Simpson on the courage it will take to tackle a simple governor and a greedy paper (Las Vegas Sun column)

The governor as roadblock: Gibbons' dawdling and spineless tax stance places state roads at risk of gridlock (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Jimmy one-note (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Lieutenant Governor

Krolicki defends fund management, responds to audit: Ex-treasurer says law allows outside investments (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Salary Increases

Meanwhile ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Pay hikes approved for district, supreme court judges (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County Judges Controversy

Cleanup deal is in works: Halverson, county discussing timetable to finish yardwork (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Halverson must go: Rookie judge has repeatedly demonstrated that she doesn't belong on the bench (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Halverson cooking her own goose? Halverson's appeal may have prompted an investigation (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lawyers opt out of judge's courtroom (Las Vegas Sun article)

Traffic Tickets

Judge handles tickets just fine: Drivers can avoid traffic court, getting points (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Traffic court referee tries to give motorists breaks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our State's Economy

STATE ECONOMY: State sales increase 4.1 percent -- Portion for general fund just misses target (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

TAXATION: BIRDIE IN THE HAND: Golf courses received $4.4 million in tax breaks during 2006, records show (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Social Services

Children and society suffer when nobody wants to pay (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Bikes for Tikes…at Taxpayer Expense (Muth's Truths)

Local Government

Churchill County

County taxable sales decrease (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

State puts the screws to Clark County: $14 million here, $300 million there - budget pain adds up (Las Vegas Sun article)

"The United Way released a report on Tuesday that paints yet another grim picture of the quality of life in Southern Nevada, especially for the poor, minorities and women."

United Way report lists Southern Nevada quality-of-life challenges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A new study ranks Las Vegas the 154th best place to live in the United States."

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Las Vegas still a middle-of-the-pack mess (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Panel tables LV playground ordinance -- City attorney: Lawsuit could affect regulation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- Tangle over Neonopolis ties up efforts to keep restaurant open (Las Vegas Sun article)

In Business Q and A: Sharon Powers, President of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (In Business Las Vegas interview)

Building in the boondocks: Marnell breaking ground on $700 million resort on south end of valley (Las Vegas Sun article)

Real Estate and Development: Office vacancy rate expected to reach 12 percent (In Business Las Vegas article)

Land office sale, Las Vegas style (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Douglas County

Growing Pains

Growth cap may get final approval (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Agreement close on growth management (John Garvin column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Growth rule back again (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

"It looks like Douglas County taxpayers exist only to support government employees and developers."

County decides to pick all of our pockets (Jack Van Dien column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

"That's because the study is conducted by the National Association of Home Builders which, for a fee, will customize a report "to get a project approved, or counter the arguments of no-growth advocates," according to their Web site."

Builders' study backs building (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Lyon looks to extend contract for interim Manager (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Silver Springs General Improvement District

SSGID to consider standby fees (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

White Pine County

No Money

Lawmakers axe funding WP judicial complex (Ely Times article)

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Corruption? In Nevada?

Another Clark County Commission Corruption Case

Authorities giving Boggs time to report: Ex-Clark County commissioner has been traveling in West Africa (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"When the case against her is finished and she's very likely convicted of all those counts, we can look back and applaud her for inadvertently helping to change the ethically sloppy traditions that have thrived in our local political muck for decades. Whether the charges against her result in jail time or just a good scolding, they are undoubtedly the greatest accomplishment of her overinflated, underweighted political career."

JOHN L. SMITH: Perhaps we will have Boggs to thank for end of slippery traditions (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"Yes, the unions presented Mr. Roger with evidence he couldn't ignore. But shouldn't the district attorney and his staff now be obliged to root out any similarly blatant violations of the residency requirement, examples of mis-spent campaign cash, even political payoffs disguised as "pay-me-later" land deals?"

Wrong address (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

DEFEATED COMMISSIONER: Boggs charged with lying -- Ex-official's residency claim the basis of criminal case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The state's criminal investigation into former Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs has widened to include the unusual circumstances surrounding her purchase of a high-priced automobile last year."

More trouble on horizon for Boggs? (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Although Boggs is presumed innocent, we hope this prosecution is a sign that politics in Southern Nevada will be cleaned up."

Another corruption case: Charges against Lynette Boggs are the latest to target a former Clark County commissioner (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Nevada Politics

National Presidential Primaries

Gov. Richardson

Presidential hopefuls plan trips to valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sen. Edwards

Edwards caters his speech to Culinary workers' tastes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Culinary holds golden snitch in caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Edwards sweet-talks Culinary (Las Vegas Sun article)

Edwards says he had all the intelligence he needed for Iraq vote (Associated Press article)

Sen. Obama

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: Obama campaigns in Reno -- Stop comes day before LV events (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama's LV visit draws comparisons: Campaign stop comes on heels of Clinton's swing through valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama crowds thin out: Snapshot captures a campaign that needs to build organizational muscle (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama digging in: Trailing front-runner Clinton, candidate planting grass roots in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)

Carson City cheers Obama (Nevada Appeal article)

Obama: Bush's environmental policy 'deeply disturbing' (Nevada Appeal article)

Presidential hopeful says it's time to 'turn the page' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Obama strikes a chord with locals (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Obama's Biggest Little City Visit (Dullard Mush)

Obama Does Vegas (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Hiatus Interruptus: Obama’s Reno Campaign Stop (Reno and Its Discontents)

Sen. Clinton

Giunchigliani endorses Clinton (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Team Clinton continues to add Nevada notables to lineup (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Sen./ V.P. Gore

THOMAS MITCHELL: Gore's new testament of liberal gobbledygook (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Democratic Party

Hungry for political knowledge? This event might be for you (Nevada Appeal article)

Collins Unplugged…Tom, Not Phil (Muth's Truths)

Local Elections

Churchill County

Tedford, Erickson claim election victories (Lahontan Valley News article)

City candidates spend, receive less than $10,000 (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: Registrar says turnout lowest in years -- Only 11.6 percent of Clark County voters cast ballots (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ELECTION DAY: Municipal races in play -- Mesquite, LV, NLV, Boulder City conclude campaigns (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tobler, Chandler win seats: Boulder City voters make some changes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

DUI arrest sidestepped in race (Las Vegas Sun article)

Municipal election results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LAS VEGAS CITY COUNCIL: Barlow winner in Ward 5 -- Liaison defeats Truesdell by fewer than 400 votes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

WARD 5 COUNCIL RACE: Goodman refuses to take sides -- Mayor endorses both Barlow, Truesdell (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

RADIO DEBATE: Ward 5 candidates give voters earful -- City Council election Tuesday (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hastings captures seat on LV court: Attorney triumphs over public defender Avants for judgeship (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Robinson re-elected to last council term: Six-term incumbent beats rival in a landslide (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Holecheck new mayor of Mesquite (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Pathway paved with political mailers leads to gaming's door: Mesquite casino executive has long ties to operatives at Nevada Policy Group (Las Vegas Business Press article)

White Pine County

Hickman wins in landslide (Ely Times article)

Elections Past

Theory linking Bisch, Walters hangs on: Councilwoman Tarkanian's backers cite Binion connection (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

UNLV Dental School

Empire building: A shortage of dentists? Well, maybe not (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

LICENSING CHANGES: Dental grads find tough pull -- Influx of dentists to state makes it hard to find work (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CCSN

In the end, Carpenter heeded call of South: Community college chief denied interest in leaving (Las Vegas Sun article)

CCSN president's departure: Despite Carpenter's actions, university system leaders show commitment to the school (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

CCSN president decides to leave, take post at Houston institution (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The University Chancellor

Rogers' return paid off for system (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Public Schools

Failing our students: The unworkable No Child Left Behind Act should be overhauled by Congress or junked (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

In The Legislature

Governor Gibbons Signs AB 627: Education First Initiative a Proven Success (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Governor Gibbons Praises Passage of SB238 Empowerment Legislation Headed to Governor's Desk for Signature (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

SUCCESS IN EDUCATION (Gov. Gibbons Message)

Gibbons signs $2.2B education bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Board of Education bill tests GOP unity: Raggio suffers rare defeat on floor of Senate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

EDUCATION FIRST: Schools budget OK'd -- Bill's passage clears way for other spending measures (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Education bill passes Assembly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

They're sticking to the union: 'Extra' money doesn't go to the kids (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Vote on school issue resolved (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Victory for Home-Schoolers (Muth's Truths)

Churchill County School District

Teacher suspected of being drunk resigns (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

School police chief accused: Union alleges official exhibited inappropriate behavior at meeting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Seasoned educator can't get a bite in Las Vegas: Area schools say they're hiring, but newcomer finds otherwise and gives up (Las Vegas Sun article)

Washoe County School District

Local leaders must step in where lawmakers wouldn't (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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Nevada Water Matters

The Developers' Dream: Northern Nevada Water Authority

Compromise would set up water panel (Associated Press article)

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

"Southern Nevada is currently caught in the grips of a seven-year drought, yet it still grew by 25.6 percent or 480,397 new residents in that same time frame."

Design-build to fast-track Water Authority work (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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Nevada Health Matters

What Ever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Quest for medical intervention: Critics worry that insurers will merge, rule out competition (Las Vegas Sun article)

Psychiatric Care

"An agency that evaluates the operational practices of health care organizations has noted "serious" concerns at the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas."

Agency reviews LV mental facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

University Medical Center

Losses fell in April for UMC (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

West Nile Virus

Churchill magpie tests positive for West Nile Virus: First reported case of season (Nevada Appeal article)

Agriculture Department reports West Nile case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Environment

White Pine County Coal-Burning Power Plant

Park Service opposes LS Power project (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Alternative Energy

Cost a factor for hybrids: Taxi companies have legitimate concerns, which car manufacturers should note (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

ENSIGN, REID FIGHT TO ENSURE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FUNDING: Geothermal Energy Key for Nevada's Rural Economies (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid, Ensign Fight to Ensure Geothermal Energy Funding: Geothermal Energy Key for Nevada's Rural Economies (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Mount Charleston Blues

Fish and Wildlife to review Mt. Charleston butterfly (Pahrump Valley Times article)

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Nevada Utilities

Going Up -- Again

Increases in power rates now in effect -- One-family residential fees up 11.84 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

An unfair advantage: Utility companies must stop using high-interest lenders as customer payment centers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Sierra Pacific gets slight rate increase (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Telephone Service

'Gloves off' in Cox-Embarq fight for home phone customers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

"Despite a police report that linked Rizzolo to the new "owner," the City Council voted in April to grant Signorelli a permanent liquor license for the Crazy Horse Too. Now the council looks like a bunch of rubes. That's nothing new. The Crazy Horse Too saga has been making local politicians look like suckers for years."

JOHN L. SMITH: Time and federal patience has run out for Crazy Horse Too owner (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

County to consider settlement with brothel (Lahontan Valley News article)

Police Technology

STAR WARS TECHNOLOGY: Finding ways to zap terrorists' missiles -- McCarran among 'airports of interest' for studying weapons system (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Metro Police know who you are - or they will eventually: Technology, training give officers the upper hand in identifying arrestees (Las Vegas Sun article)

He'll Be Missed

Late detective hailed for cracking of tough cases (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Unfortunate

"Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick failed in his duties as a prosecutor by not telling Darren Mack during conversations they had while he was on the run in Mexico that he was represented by lawyers, a judge ruled Friday."

Judge: Mack's confession can't be used (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gammick blasts Mack rulings (Associated Press article)

Judge chides DA's office as being ‘lackadaisical' (Ely Times article)

Ex-prosecutor accused of helping murderer defraud grandmother (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Our Beautiful Region

Southern Nevada's New Park

IN DEPTH: Las Vegas history springs to life on desert trails -- Hiking area showcases native plants, wildlife (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: SPRINGS PRESERVE: Wet and wild Las Vegas -- Educational complex will focus on what drew animals, people to valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: Springs Preserve (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: Preserve will demonstrate 'green' living -- Efforts include cutting electricity use, recycling every drop of water (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: FUN WAYS TO LEARN -- Exhibits let visitors look back and ahead at life in the Las Vegas Valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

IN DEPTH: Jewel headlines varied lineup of entertainment for preserve's opening weekend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain a city unto itself during holiday weekend (Lahontan Valley News article)

Secrets Of Yosemite

Yosemite's Lost Valley (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Incline Lake

Incline Lake owners open escrow account (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Wheeler Peak

Wheeler Peak drive open (Ely Times article)

Cave Lake

Loop trail open at Cave Lake (Ely Times article)

Community Trail Systems

Trail building, maintenance depends on volunteers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Culture

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Celebrate Basque culture with June festivals (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Mules get their time in sun at races in Winnemucca (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fourth Ward parties are filling up fast (Nevada Appeal article)

NEVADA VIEWS: Las Vegas and the arts -- Promoting cultural activity helps the local economy (Oscar B. Goodman and Robert L. Lynch column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Maybe they are catching on . . . (Budget Watch Nevada)

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From The Neon Empire

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

Gambling Cartels And Labor Unions

Contract deadline passes; workers shrug (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LABOR TALKS: Major casinos extend pacts -- Casino giants lengthen collective agreements with Culinary local (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Culinary delivers unpleasant surprises (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tough issues stall talks (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Business Of Gambling

Index of gaming stocks slides in May (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Slot machines way high tech: Speed, wide screens, communal play added (Las Vegas Sun article)

Bally banking on new-fangled slots to put it back in the money (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tourism and Gaming: Protect customers on server-based slots (In Business Las Vegas article)

Australian magnate to invest in LV casino (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Exec speaks; Binion's rumors fly -- MTR Gaming boss identifies hotel-casino as 'investment property' but says no more (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Health Care and Workplace: MGM Mirage's diversity efforts boosted from abroad (In Business Las Vegas article)

Tourism and Gaming: Getting dialed in to the casino business (In Business Las Vegas article)

Gambling As A Disease

And the survey says: Yes, problem gambling can be treated (Las Vegas Sun article)

Home Means Nevada

A revenue source in plains sight: Law changes have several gaming companies seeing new potential in Kansas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

The Age Of The Trappers

"I took ye for an Injun!", Frederic Remington illustration [click on image to enlarge]

Carson City Rendezvous recreates history of Old West (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

In TNO's Reading Room

Myron Angel, Thompson & West's History Of Nevada (1881), The Trappers and Early Emigrants

Gov. James G. Scrugham, Nevada: The Narrative of the Conquest of a Frontier Land (1935), vol. I

• F.N. Fletcher, Early Nevada: The Trappers and Fur Traders in the North 1812-1826

• F.N. Fletcher, Early Nevada: Jedediah Strong Smith 1826-1827

• F.N. Fletcher, Early Nevada: Jedediah Strong Smith 1827-1831

• F.N. Fletcher, Early Nevada: The Hudson's Bay Company in Nevada 1828-1829

• F.N. Fletcher, Early Nevada: The Bonneville-Walker Expedition 1833-1834

V&TRR

V&T Committee ready to play 'hardball': But 1996 agreement stands in its way (Nevada Appeal article)

McGill Centennial

McGill celebrates the past and the future (Ely Times article)

Gambling And Nevada

Here's looking at some new turning points for the history books (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

The Gangster Years

JANE ANN MORRISON: Mob killer tells his side of story in book, trial testimony, at state museum (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Expert sees little concern with waste at Yucca: Still, he doesn't see need for repository there (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca Mountain not dead after all? (Nevada Appeal article)

Dems show solid front against Yucca (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada Test Site

Senators urge action on program to compensate ill workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Agency investigates exposure to plutonium: Three at test site were plugging pipe (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

ENSIGN, DODD WORK TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

On the House: Wildfire Funding (Rep. Dean Heller column, Ely Times)

Heller got a break: DoJ selective prosecution on statewide voter registration lists (Desert Beacon)

Immigration Reform

Immigration debate continues: Amendments to Senate's reform proposal are no substitute for fair, compassionate legislation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Bush pushes, but Nevada Republicans resist on immigration (Las Vegas Sun article)

In short, the price of citizenship will more than double (Las Vegas Sun article)

The CEO president serves his Big Business masters on immigration (Kirk Caraway column, Lahontan Valley News)

Another Reason to Hate the Immigration Bill (Muth's Truths)

National Health Matters

TB flight raises questions: Atlanta man's travels while infected are motivating agencies to review their policies (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Airlines should share concerns of passengers over TB incident (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Congressional corruption (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Democratic earmark reforms lasted 100 days (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

'Senator Secrecy' blocks open government bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Bittersweet justice: Sentence in CIA leak case was just; 'cloud' still hangs over Vice President Cheney (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Sacrifices of area soldiers bring war closer to home (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

Damn the intelligence: It was full speed ahead for President Bush as he ignored warnings about war in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Reid: In June, Democrats Will Continue To Fight To Change Course In Iraq (Sen. Reid Press Release)

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June 7, 2007

[7:04 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Legislature

Overviews

The good, the bad and the unforgivable: Recapping the successes, failures of the 2007 Legislature (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Little good, really bad, and lots of ugly: The 2007 Legislature wraps, sort of (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Time to analyze what legislators have left behind (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Bills on Nevada's special session agenda (Associated Press article)

Some Worthwhile Suggestions For Legislative Reform

Learn the goddamn rules! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Nevada Highways

HIGHWAY BILL: I-15 gets budget support -- Priority list leaves out U.S. 95 widening, Boulder City bypass, other 'superprojects' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Paying for roads must be revisited, legislator says -- Assemblyman: 'Somebody has to pony up' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

No-new-taxes pledge hurts highway-construction plan (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Miscellaneous Bills

Washoe projects receive funding (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada lawmakers vote for open records bill (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons happy with Legislative results (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada governor reviews legislative gains, losses (Associated Press article)

From The Office Of The Governor

Governor Gibbons Requests Nevada PERS Divest From Sudan (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Governor to Sign Transportation Bill: $1 Billion in Addition Funding Provided for Nevada Roads (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Don't Like Gov. Gibbons

Government cuts: Gibbons' pledge pits state against Clark County, which will only hurt public in the long run (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

From The Office Of The Attorney General

DEFENDANT PLEADS NO CONTEST IN SECURITIES FRAUD SCAM PREYING ON THE ELDERLY THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN STATES (Attorney General Press Release)

The State Judiciary

Judges win again and again: Bill's revival might limit voters' say on who serves on the bench (Las Vegas Sun article)

Budget juggling gives state's courts much of their wish list (Las Vegas Sun article)

Prison savings could go to courthouse projects (Associated Press article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Judge to issue injunction against bar in ‘test’ smoking-ban case (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Judge says she is likely to rule against bar in smoking case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Vegas Rules: Special Favors For Special Favorites

City bends rules for Jillian's: Neonopolis bar's landlord refuses background check but gets liquor license (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Las Vegas Monorail

LV Monorail ridership hits 20,552 a day: Farebox revenue continues to lag (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regional Economy

Economist predicting continued slowdown: Report on Southern Nevada indicators cloudy for '07 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Real Estate Market

Home inventory soars in May (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Elko County

Still hope for air route (Elko Free Press article)

Elko air bill only partially funded (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Incline Village General Improvement District

Double dose of meetings tonight on Incline issues (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Truckee

Sketching the future of Truckee in planning process (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Nye County

Town Of Pahrump

Meeting Aborted: RPC exits as residents wrangle (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Beatty

Petition challenges ordinance review (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

The Holland Project

Neighborly dispute: Following complaints from a neighbor, The Holland Project needs to comply with safety and fire codes, come up with a “reasonable” noise level, and get a special permit before they can reopen their Keystone warehouse. Ultimately, they need to find a new home (Reno News & Review article)

City to work with Holland Project after neighbor's complaint of noise (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

City's commitment to project welcome (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The Real Estate Market

Open house: The bubble has burst, and the housing world is flat. What’s a young homebuyer to do? (Reno News & Review article)

The world is flat: RN&R’s homebuying guide for dummies, otherwise known as first-time home buyers (Reno News & Review article)

You're not ready to buy a house if you ... (Reno News & Review article)

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Corruption? In Nevada?

The Latest Clark County Commission Corruption Case

Boggs returns from travel abroad to face charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'Thou shalt not lie' seems to be an optional commandment for Lynette Boggs."

JANE ANN MORRISON: A tale twice told by Boggs reveals the lies beneath (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"As a political tool, the surveillance film of a bathrobed Boggs hauling trash to the curb of a home outside her district is deserving of a Best Director award for private investigator David Groover."

ERIN NEFF: The power of video (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

$kindustry Regulation

City to determine club's fate: LV council to decide whether Crazy Horse will get permanent license (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Politics

National Democratic Party Presidential Primaries

Sen. Dodd

An Interview With Chris Dodd (Dullard Mush)

Gov. Richardson

Richardson promises to tackle transportation in Las Vegas (Associated Press article)

The New Hampshire Debates

Reading the NIE (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

The Early Call: Big Three Score Well In Democratic New Hampshire Debate (Dullard Mush)

Better Know a Candidate - Last Night's Debate (Blue Lyon)

National Republican Party Presidential Primaries

GOP Big Three Dominate New Hampshire Debate (Dullard Mush)

Local Elections

Rural Nevada cities elect mayors, council members (Associated Press article)

Churchill County

City of Fallon 2007 General Election recap (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Mesquite, Boulder City elect new mayors; voters decide city races (Associated Press article)

Elko County

Franzoia, Johnson re-elected (Elko Free Press article)

Eklund to take over as Carlin’s new mayor (Elko Free Press article)

Incumbents win in Wells (Elko Free Press article)

The Low Voter Turnout In Clark County

Empty ballot boxes: Spring municipal elections should be moved because no one seems to notice them (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Americans Could Care Less about Their Democracy (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

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Nevada Education Matters

The Public Schools

In The Legislature

Gibbons signs bill, notes state's strides in education (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Touting Education First, Gibbons signs funding bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Who needs Republicans? (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Clark County School District

Garcia critic objects to closed meeting: Board members discussed former schools chief (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CONTRACT TALKS: Union wants guns banned -- Police union asks that school district negotiators not carry weapons (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Schoolhouse blues: Clark County School District's response to job candidates needs closer scrutiny (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Nevada Health Matters

Pandemic Threat

TOURISM: Disease deemed LV threat -- Tuberculosis traveler case shows how epidemic could arrive, observer says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

West Nile Virus

Nevada's first West Nile Virus case found in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)

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Nevada's Environment

Wildfires

Fire throws a scare into Mound House, Silver City (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fire forces evacuation of Coleville (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Too hot to handle: It’s summer. Do your friends and neighbors a favor and fire-proof your home (Reno News & Review editorial)

A Stench In The Nostrils

"What would be the benefit of bringing something like this into your community?" he said. "It's not like communities are standing in line to bring in something like this."

New oil plant causes big stink near Bango Road (Lahontan Valley News article)

Greenness

Entrepreneurs see green: There’s a new Nevada environmental group that seeks to give everyone an easy entry into activism (Reno News & Review article)

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Our Beautiful Region

Southern Nevada's Newest Park

Hope springs eternal: Sustainable park opens as lawmakers nix green tax breaks and watchdogs cry foul (Las Vegas CityLife article)

The Hills Have Eyes

Not quite Hidden Cave (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)

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From The Neon Empire

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

Strip project gets new investor: Australian casino operator buys into Fontainebleau builder (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Action keeps Lake Las Vegas casino open (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

V&TRR

V&T engine to stay with McCloud No. 18: Commission votes down proposed name change (Nevada Appeal article)

A Treasure Trove

Liberty Belle slots to be acquired -- First: Liberty Belle slot machine collection to be acquired by state (Reno News & Review article)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

3 exposed to dose of plutonium during work at Nevada Test Site (Associated Press article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

DARFUR: BERKLEY CALLS ON CHINA TO STOP INVESTMENT, ARMS SALES IN SUDAN -- House Resolution Part of On-going Effort to Stop Genocide (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

BERKLEY PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN U.S. FORCES BURIED IN EUROPE, VISITS TROOPS WOUNDED IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN: Wreath Laying Ceremonies Held at U.S. Cemeteries in Italy & Luxembourg (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

Immigration Reform

Immigration bill dealt blow in Senate (Washington Post article)

ENSIGN AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE STRENGTHENED MERIT-BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

ENSIGN WANTS TO CONTINUE IMPROVING THE IMMIGRATION BILL (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

"In Las Vegas many immigrants, legal or not, have helped to propel the region's protracted economic boom. They wash hotel laundry, cook restaurant meals and build the luxurious casinos and homes that have made the region one of the most visited and fastest growing in the nation."

LV industries worry flow of immigrants will dry up (Las Vegas Sun article)

Cost Estimate for Senate Amendment 1150 to S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, June 4, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

Our Nation's Many And Growing Governments

Meanwhile ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Democrats need to keep openness promise (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

US holding at least 39 detainees in secret prisons: rights groups (Jurist article)

CIA ran secret prisons for detainees in Europe, says inquiry (The Guardian [UK] article)

The Report

Off the Record: US Responsibility for Enforced Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror' (Human Rights Watch website)

Panel Approves Bill to Restore Habeas Corpus to Guantanamo Detainees (Congressional Quarterly article)

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June 8-10, 2007

[3:15 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Legislature

Overviews

News

WEEK IN REVIEW: LEGISLATORS WRAP IT UP IN EXTENDED SESSION (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Power shift looms, to lobbyists' glee (Las Vegas Sun article)

"It really depends on whether there is a transportation package this time," Townsend said in May about the '09 session. "If there isn't one, the answer will be that '03 will look like a kindergarten skirmish with a little sand thrown in somebody's face next to the absolute Vietnam bloodbath that '09 could be."

'09 Legislature could be big showdown (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Opinion

AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Winners, losers stand out after the legislative session (Las Vegas Sun article)

The winners and losers of the 2007 Legislature (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Spending restraint deserves another try (Las Vegas Business Press editorial)

"Some simple changes would work miracles."

Jon Ralston on Politics: Carson caprice (In Business Las Vegas column)

Naked perversions and taxing fixations (Andy Barbano column, Sparks Tribune)

Legislature ends (Harry Spencer column, Sparks Tribune)

NV Legislature: Winners and Losers (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Nevada Highways

"The $1 billion transportation plan signed by Gov. Jim Gibbons will bring millions of dollars for projects in Northern Nevada, but isn't enough to pay for all the long-term improvements needed in the region's freeway system."

Highway funds 'a far cry short' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Highway 160 funding gets $16M payoff (Pahrump Valley Times article)

HIGHWAY FUNDING: Road bill pleases Gibbons -- But governor admits $1 billion won't go that far (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

2007 Legislature lets in more sunshine (Lahontan Valley News editorial)