July 15, 2007

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The new edition of The Nevada Observer is now up and ready for reading.  Take a look at the middle column for our articles and features. 

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July 16, 2007

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A Federal Reader [Special Catch-Up Edition]

Our Bloated National Budget

Financing Projected Spending in the Long Run July 9, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

National Environment Matters

Supplemental Information About Trade-Offs in Allocating Allowances for CO2 Emissions July 9, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

Environmental Satellite Acquisitions: Progress and Challenges GAO-07-1099T, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The BEACH Act of 2000: EPA and States Have Made Progress Implementing the Act, but Further Actions Could Increase Public Health Protection GAO-07-1073T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Environmental Contamination: Department of Defense Activities Related to Trichloroethylene, Perchlorate, and Other Emerging Contaminants GAO-07-1042T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL34059 The Carbon Cycle: Implications for Climate Change and Congress June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34060 Conservation and the 2007 Farm Bill June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Business Regulation And Subsidies

Energy Derivatives: Preliminary Views on Energy Derivatives Trading and CFTC Oversight GAO-07-1095T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Credit Derivatives: Confirmation Backlogs Increased Dealers' Operational Risks, but Were Successfully Addressed after Joint Regulatory Action GAO-07-716, June 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Intercollegiate Athletics: Recent Trends in Teams and Participants in National Collegiate Athletic Association Sports GAO-07-535, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Intercollegiate Athletics: Trends by Sport in National Collegiate Athletic Association Sports GAO-07-744SP, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RS22685 Copyright Protection for Fashion Design: A Legal Analysis of the Design Piracy Prohibition Act, H.R. 2033 June 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34054 Public-Private Partnership Options for Managing Wireless Networks June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34053 Measuring Equity in Farm Support Levels June 22, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Testimony on the Taxation of Carried Interest, July 11, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

 Homeland Security And Natural Disasters

RL34061 Intelligence and Information-Sharing Elements of S. 4 and H.R. 1 June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34070 Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress July 06, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Weather Forecasting: National Weather Service's Operations Prototype Needs More Rigorous Planning GAO-07-650, June 8, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL34065 FEMA's Community Disaster Loan Program: Action in the 110th Congress June 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34052 The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007: A Summary of Key Provisions June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

They're Evolving

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Sector Plans and Sector Councils Continue to Evolve GAO-07-706R, July 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Critical Infrastructure: Sector Plans Complete and Sector Councils Evolving GAO-07-1075T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Transportation

Testimony on the Status of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund July 12, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

Federal Aviation Administration: Viability of Current Funding Structure for Aviation Activities and Observations on Funding Provisions of Reauthorization Proposals GAO-07-1104T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Motor Carrier Safety: Preliminary Information on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Efforts to Identify and Follow Up with High-risk Carriers GAO-07-1074T, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Nuclear Security: Actions Taken by NRC to Strengthen Its Licensing Process for Sealed Radioactive Sources Are Not Effective GAO-07-1038T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL30349 GAO: Government Accountability Office and General Accounting Office June 22, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

98-379 Statutory Offices of Inspector General: Past and Present June 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

RL30677 Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act June 08, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33180 Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

RL33532 War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance June 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33865 Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements June 01, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32773 The Global Peace Operations Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress June 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Sea Basing and Alternatives for Deploying and Sustaining Ground Combat Forces July 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

Defense Logistics: Efforts to Improve Distribution and Supply Support for Joint Military Operations Could Benefit from a Coordinated Management Approach GAO-07-807, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

DOD's High-Risk Areas: Efforts to Improve Supply Chain Can Be Enhanced by Linkage to Outcomes, Progress in Transforming Business Operations, and Reexamination of Logistics Governance and Strategy GAO-07-1064T, July 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL34051 Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe June 22, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33067 Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress June 19, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33543 Tactical Aircraft Modernization: Issues for Congress June 08, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Advance Coordination and Increased Visibility Needed to Optimize Capabilities GAO-07-836, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RS22684 Potential F-22 Raptor Export to Japan July 02, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL30685 Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program June 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32513 Navy-Marine Corps Amphibious and Maritime Prepositioning Ship Programs: Background and Oversight Issues for Congress June 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32418 Navy Attack Submarine Force-Level Goal and Procurement Rate: Background and Issues for Congress June 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22559 Navy CG(X) Cruiser Design Options: Background and Oversight Issues for Congress June 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32109 Navy DDG-1000 (DD(X)) and CG(X) Ship Acquisition Programs: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress June 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32665 Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress June 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33753 Coast Guard Deepwater Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress June 22, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL30011 Medal of Honor Recipients: 1979-2007 May 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Veterans Affairs

RL34063 Veterans' Medical Care: FY2008 Appropriations June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Foreign Affairs

RL32165 China's Currency: Economic Issues and Options for U.S. Trade Policy June 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33529 India-U.S. Relations June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32394 Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests June 20, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34064 Iraq: Oil and Gas Legislation, Revenue Sharing, and U.S. Policy June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34056 Mongolia and U.S. Policy: Political and Economic Relations June 22, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Miscellany

RL33310 Recess Appointments Made by President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001-June 4, 2007 June 14, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Child Welfare: HHS Actions Would Help States Prepare Youth in the Foster Care System for Independent Living GAO-07-1097T, July 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Retirement Decisions: Federal Policies Offer Mixed Signals about When to Retire GAO-07-753, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RS22686 Pay Discrimination Claims Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: A Legal Analysis of the Supreme Court's Decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc. June 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22683 Legal Challenges to the Client Communication Provisions of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 June 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

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July 17, 2007

[11:10 AM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

Office Of The Governor

Gibbons to kick off schedule July 30 in Carson City (Nevada Appeal article)

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General Masto says 3,317 Nevada Consumers are Eligible for over $1.6 Million in Ameriquest Restitution (Attorney General Press Release)

Nevada's Legislature

State Sen. Beers queried about fundraiser (Associated Press article)

The State Judiciary

Panel begins hearing on jurist: Halverson subject of closed proceeding (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Economy

State to release jobless report (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

It's your government, and it's supposed to work for you (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

County wants bigger cut of room tax pie (Las Vegas Sun article)

Flag dispute to be revisited: Las Vegas City Council plans rehearing during Aug. 1 meeting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Former auto dealership makes way for high-rises: Pinnacle Las Vegas slated for 12-acre site (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

800 renters ordered out: NLV apartments unsafe, feds say as they offer moving help (Las Vegas Sun article)

Office vacancy edges upward: Boom in supply outstrips demand, new report notes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Real estate bust (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Lake Tahoe Basin

New water taxi makes a splash on the North Shore: Despite financial challenges, Tahoe entrepreneurs start new business (Nevada Appeal article)

Parasol aims to extend its Tahoe umbrella (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

Sparks City Council OKs complex, awards $21.3 million building bid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

Deliberations on Davidson to continue (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jon Ralston puts into perspective former County Commissioner Erin Kenny's fall from grace (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jeff Simpson on why the Las Vegas community is honor-bound not to do business with Rhodes Homes as long as Erin Kenny is on the payroll (Las Vegas Sun column)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

COLORFUL CAMPAIGNS: Making an issue of T-shirts -- Color-coded messages on health care, education and more greet candidates (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Silver State offers McCain a silver lining: Arizonan tops Nevada fundraising in quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Contender Giuliani says he is not a 'fair tax' man (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The Swollen Salaries Of University Administrators

Investigation doesn't stop pay raise at CSN (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Diversity" And Education

Diversity takes hit for higher academic standards: Presidents postpone Phase II to tweak admissions process (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Teacher void starting to fill: School District more than halfway to reaching its goal (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada Water Matters

The Carson River

Paiutes challenge Carson Valley water transfers (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada's Environment

California lacks law to prevent mussel spread (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Health Matters

University Medical Center

Public weighs in on UMC at forum: Some critical of meeting's format (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Of Hospital Bills And Insurance Companies

ERIN NEFF: It'll cost an arm and a leg (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada Utilities

Paying For Incompetence

Who will pay $20 million in utility costs? Company says customers should ante up; official disagrees (Associated Press article)

Regulators review plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

New Fires

Crews beat back Reno fire: Most evacuees receive OK to return home (Associated Press article)

Nevada wildfire flares up: 50 more acres burn southeast of Jackpot (Associated Press article)

Lake Tahoe's Angora Fire

Tahoe officials: Rehab efforts inadequate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Scholar: USFS conclusion wrong concerning Angora fire path (Nevada Appeal article)

Dispatchers dismissed early Angora fire calls -- CHP commander: Error caused delayed emergency response to the South Tahoe wildfire (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

TRPA: The record on fuels reduction and tree removal -- Provided by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

TRPA a convenient scapegoat in the Angora fire blame-game (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

Civic Gratitude For An Excellent Job

Barkley treats firefighters to dinner (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Federal Racketeering Indictment

ARYAN WARRIORS: Friends, kin rebut charges -- Federal prosecutors wrong about Egan, supporters say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

Brothel ads likely to be discreet (Nevada Appeal article)

Mustang Ranch reopens: Owner 'giving back' by opening world-famous brothel (Nevada Appeal article)

eTreppid Litigation

New lawyers added to eTreppid fray (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Accuser of eTreppid hires new lawyers: Montgomery selects attorneys from Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to represent him (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Culture

Fallon tribal youth learn about their culture, education and healthy living (Lahontan Valley News article)

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Our Beautiful Region

Go West, Carson City, for hidden wilderness beauty (Nevada Appeal article)

Climbing in paradise (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Sky's falling; don't miss the show (Nevada Appeal article)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Online gaming in the shadows: Bills to ease gambling get tepid support (Las Vegas Sun article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Underage gamblers could lose their shirts and face misdemeanor charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

LAS VEGAS PIONEER: Frontier's days end -- Hotel property grew from 1942 opening on now famous Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

Historic Mormon Station

Mormon Station expansion well under way in Genoa (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Gangster Years

JOHN L. SMITH: Mobster-turned-witness Cullotta getting the chance to have the last word (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Ensign

ENSIGN OPPOSES GOVERNMENT REGULATED MEDIA (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

ENSIGN: TAX CUTS HELPING TO REDUCE DEFICIT, RESTORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Sen. Reid

No sleep for you, Reid tells senators debating war (Las Vegas Sun article)

Brian Greenspun on how Sherm is ill-equipped to take on the likes of Harry (Las Vegas Sun column)

Reid Introduces Amendment To Help Nevada Test Site Workers: Amendment would compensate workers who contracted cancer from nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid: Democrats Support Troop-Readiness Amendment That Begins Rebuilding Our Overburdened Military (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Rep. Heller

Carson City's congressman won't back down from war stance (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

Heller Secures More Than $520,000 for Reno/Stead Airport (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Heller stocks up on re-election campaign cash (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Rep. Porter

Porter Delivers Weekly House Republican Conference Radio Address: House Republicans tout fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction (Rep. Porter Press Release)

Our Bloated National Budget

The shrinking budget deficit: Now, how about some federal spending restraint? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Lack of intelligence: Congress should demand full accounting of GOP leadership's role in corruption case (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

'D.C. Madam' had Nevada link: Phone records show conversations with someone in state between 2000 and 2004 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

20.5M Decisions to Classify Documents (Associated Press article)

Information Security Oversight Office 2006 Report

Homeland Security

Report Cites Continued Qaeda Threat (New York Times article)

National Intelligence Estimate: The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland (Director of National Intelligence)

Homeland Security: DHS's Actions to Recruit and Retain Staff and Comply with the Vacancies Reform Act GAO-07-758, July 16, 2007 (Government Accountability Office)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Human Capital: DOD Needs Better Internal Controls and Visibility over Costs for Implementing Its National Security Personnel System GAO-07-851, July 16, 2007 (Government Accountability Office)

Pilotless aircraft's debut nearing: Reaper to be guided from Nellis to deploy in Iraq, Afghanistan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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July 18, 2007

[9:10 AM]

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Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

STAR WITNESS DISCREDITED: Davidson guilty in bribe case -- Jury deadlocks on 18 counts, all involving testimony from Kenny (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Davidson verdict shows jury doubted Kenny's truthfulness as a witness (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Nevada Tax Commission: An Agency In Need Of Comprehensive Reform

Jon Ralston explains why lobbyists manage to get their way over and over and over again with state government (Las Vegas Sun column)

Nevada lawmakers worried about rules for 'green' tax breaks (Associated Press article)

Whose tax break is it anyway? (Vegas Pundit)

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor discusses his first 6 months (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Nevada Legislature

Letter from secretary of state conditionally clears Beers: Inquiry focused on fundraising window (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Report shows lobbyists' spending rose in 2007 Nevada Legislature (Associated Press article)

State Judiciary

In the shadows (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

State Agencies

State's Homeland Security funds dip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Letters shed light on City Hall drama: Mayor asked City Manager Linda Ritter to resign earlier this month (Nevada Appeal article)

What's Plan B for joint-use rec center? (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

County commissioners to review applications for home businesses (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

CLARK COUNTY COMMISSION: Nightclub rules set -- Ordinance targets underage partying (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Plan revises cities' portion of room tax (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

It's par for the course in Vegas: Links may give way to houses (Las Vegas Sun article)

$9.5 billion arena complex goes here - that's the plan (Las Vegas Sun article)

Apartment owners dispute 'unsafe' label (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Renters sent packing: Unsafe apartments closing, but tenants likely have few options for finding new ones (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Douglas County

Sunridge hotel and casino proposed: Brownstone GoldTown construction could begin by end of year (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson Valley hotel and casino proposed (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

Commission modifies Wednesday meeting (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Independent Incline push resurrected (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Lyon commissioners give themselves a small raise (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Rogers backs Clinton bid: University system chancellor lengthens senator's list of endorsements (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Edwards to meet with Culinary members (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elizabeth Edwards makes visit to Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Political Opinion

Gibbons:Too much, too soon (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Prolonged presidential campaigning further alienates American voters (Lahontan Valley News article)

Country based on freedom of religion (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Presidential courage despite polls (Ed Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Won't you come back, CSN asks unions: Carpenter berated for losing moneymaking apprentice program (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Board discusses role of school district's attorney (Lahontan Valley News article)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

New Fires

New Fires in Elko County (Elko Free Press article)

23 lightning-caused fires burn in north-central Nevada (Elko Free Press article)

Fire from the Sky (Elko Free Press article)

Winds, flames dog firefighters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Firefighters brace for fierce winds in Nevada (Associated Press article)

RESOURCE CRUNCH: Firefighters stretched thin -- Blazes spread across Nevada (Associated Press article)

Lake Tahoe's Angora Fire

Law enforcement to review Angora fire response (Nevada Appeal article)

Dispatcher error raises questions (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Recalling when 'environmentalism' wasn't a dirty word (Anne Macquarie column, Nevada Appeal)

Fire Miscellany

Small air tanker crashes in Nevada; pilot OK (Associated Press article)

Since Angora, more aware of defensible space (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Thousands of slash piles could help to ignite future wildfires (Nevada Appeal article)

Fire fears spur off-road restrictions: Forest Service cracks down on backcountry travel and campfires (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Suspects experimenting with pipe bombs cause fire (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

South county volunteer departments combine (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Street Gangs

THINK TANK: Report: Anti-gang tactics not working -- Recommendations include youth counseling, jobs (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gang Wars: The Failure of Enforcement Tactics and the Need for Effective Public Safety Strategies (Justice Policy Institute press release with links to report)

Justice Policy Institute

Vehicle Burglaries

Thefts spoil Tahoe outings for some (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

Brothel owners see increased use in summer (Nevada Appeal article)

eTreppid Litigation

Defense Department seeks to stall lawyer's departure in eTreppid case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Judge orders hospital to give mom placenta (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

No West Nile cases in Douglas, yet (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada Culture

Popular Mexican rodeo event spurs interest in Dayton (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

Our Immigrant Ancestors

Early Italian immigrants forged history at Sutro (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Trip to old country brings past to life (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Gibbons lets Yucca Mountain project use state's water for another month (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid plans to block Republican NRC nominee: Seeks renomination for Jaczko (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Feds give $5 million for rural airport improvements (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Critics fault academy earmark: GOP lawmaker criticizes $200,000 spending bill as 'donation to a charity' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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July 19, 2007

[9:10 AM]

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Corruption? In Nevada?

The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

CONSPIRACY AND FRAUD: Kenny gets 2 1/2 years -- Attorney cites cooperation in arguing for shorter term (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

FALL FROM GRACE: Spirited Kenny offered promise -- Colleagues say they thought she stood for something (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Appropriate Erin Kenny sentence varies with the eye of the beholder (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"When it comes to discouraging the next Erin Kenny, does anyone think it'll be enough?"

Kenny sentence (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Sentence says: Crime pays -- Corrupt former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny gets slapped on the wrist (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Nevada Government

State Government

The State Judiciary

STILL ON THE BENCH: Therapist wrote: Halverson coping -- Document was part of petition filed with high court by embattled judge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Witnesses testify in secret, for and against judge (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

The Carson Ship of State, Erik Holland cartoon [click on image to enlarge; click here for more]

Andersen land purchase sought (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

New tourism events sought to increase commerce in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)

City Council approves retirement subdivision (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Arena, retail builder chosen: $9.5 billion project at Main, Charleston (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

REAL ESTATE: Home sales 'blah' -- 'It's a heck of a time to be looking,' home analyst says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

County: Whose side are lobbyists on? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

Douglas County should approve all or nothing (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Meyers landfill plan comment period extended (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Sex-harassment complaint dropped against ex-GID board member (Nevada Appeal article)

Storey County

Decision expected on Cordevista tonight (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Reno council awards funds for family services (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

Another airline quits Ely service (Ely Times article)

Councilman turns in resignation, recants (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Nevada gets more than 15 minutes: Second-tier presidential candidates working harder, staying longer, having fun (Las Vegas Sun article)

Street debate: A citizen and a presidential candidate debated at the Sparks Farmers’ Market (Reno News & Review article)

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony official named U.S. co-chair, adviser in Clinton campaign (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

Governor Declares State of Emergency (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

County declares fire emergency: 200,000 acres and burning (Elko Free Press article)

Newest fire reports name 12 active blazes (Elko Free Press article)

Fires force highway closures (Elko Free Press article)

Storms brought rain, but more lightning too (Ely Times article)

200 square miles burn in Nevada; less Reno threat (Associated Press article)

Air tanker crashes near Winnemucca: Plane was engaged in wildfire operations (Lahontan Valley News article)

Heroes: The time to appreciate heroism is when the heroes are still doing their jobs (Reno News & Review editorial)

Government bureaucracy burns me up: Adding another layer of government to fix bureaucracy is putting out a fire with gasoline (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

Legendary Mustang Ranch set to reopen: Conforte endorses new brothel owner (Associated Press article)

Conforte speaks to Northern Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Brothels say ruling will level the playing field (Pahrump Valley Times article)

eTreppid Litigation

Secrecy motion extends legal wrangling in eTreppid case (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Onion Festival brings music to Mason Valley (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Caesars' aim: Keep towering over Strip -- Owner to unveil $1 billion plan for a new high rise and convention center (Las Vegas Sun article)

Presidential race adds fuel to Culinary's fire: MGM Mirage must tread carefully in negotiations to protect its brand (Las Vegas Sun article)

IGT reports profits up for quarter on strong product sales (Associated Press article)

New York tribe seeks $3 billion from Harrah's Entertainment (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

NNRy

At the Throttle: Saving our bacon (Mark S. Bassett column, Ely Times)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Governor Jim Gibbons Announces His Decision to Support the State Water Engineer’s Efforts to Halt Drilling at Yucca Mountain (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Stay of Water Use, Erik Holland cartoon [click on image to enlarge; click here for more]

State officials not content with Yucca plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gibbons seen undermining a nuke-free Yucca (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gibbons' appointee resigns from Nevada nuke dump panel (Associated Press article)

Gibbons backs off on nuclear panel pick (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Those darned headlines (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid's obligation: He reflects on what drives him on war, how history will judge him (Las Vegas Sun article)

Specter calls Reid 'rude,' 'dictatorial' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Summer of discontent: Rep. Heller is the target of a grass root effort to get him stop supporting the war (Reno News & Review article)

ERIN NEFF: Earmark? Yes, but it's our earmark (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Protecting the public's right to know: Congress considers a federal shield law (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Right To Keep And Bear Arms

Washington, D.C., gun ban: City will appeal federal court ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Pardon Power

Begging the president's pardon (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

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

Update for July 19, 2007

[6:40 PM]

_____

Corruption? In Nevada?

Nevada's Wretched Financial Disclosure Laws

No Verification; No Criminal Penalties

Nevada gets "F" on financial disclosure (Associated Press article)

Governors' Disclosure Ranking (Center for Public Integrity)

Nevada Governors' Disclosure Report Card (Center for Public Integrity)

Nevada Judges' Disclosure Report Card (Center for Public Integrity)

Nevada Disclosure Document Warehouse (Center for Public Integrity)

States Struggle to Regulate Gifts: Exceptions to laws provide loopholes (Center for Public Integrity Press Release with link to report)

Many States Fail Governors' Disclosures Survey: Top grade eludes all but one (Center for Public Integrity Press Release with link to report)

Most States Require Disclosures from High Court Judges: Private financial filings rarely seen by public (Center for Public Integrity Press Release with link to report)

Nevada Flunks Again: Candidate Financial Disclosure Reporting (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

Thursday Quick Hits: Erin Kenny Final Justice edition! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Two long-running sagas end (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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Nevada Government

State Government

A Wake-Up Call For State Finance

State and Local Governments: Persistent Fiscal Challenges Will Likely Emerge within the Next Decade GAO-07-1080SP, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Nevada Legislative Retrospective

Missed Opportunities #6: SB 82 and price gouging during emergencies (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Missed Opportunities #5: AB 515 and public employee rights (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Missed Opportunities: AB 577 and Nurses' Safety (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Missed Opportunities: No. 3 - AB 107 and Weapons on Campus (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Missed Opportunities: AB 125 no alimony for abusers (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Missed Opportunities: AB 3, protecting victims of domestic violence (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

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Nevada Education Matters

Public Education

Prelude to hell: Vegas hates teachers (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

Hundreds of square miles burn in Nevada; Jarbidge evacuated (Associated Press article)

Governor to Tour Nevada Fires (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

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Nevada Mining

Mining exploration up across Nevada due to high gold prices (Associated Press article)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Joint Communiqués of Sens. Ensign and Reid

ENSIGN, REID SECURE FUNDING FOR NEVADA HOMELAND SECURITY (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid, Ensign Secure Funding For Nevada Homeland Security (Sen. Reid Press Release)

ENSIGN, REID ANNOUNCE $5 MILLION TO IMPROVE RURAL NEVADA AIRPORTS (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid, Ensign Announce $5 Million To Improve Rural Nevada Airports (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Sen. Ensign

MEDIA ADVISORY: ENSIGN, ALLARD, GALLEGLY, HUMANE SOCIETY TO COMMENT ON THEIR EFFORTS TO END ANIMAL FIGHTING (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Sen. Reid

Reid: President Must Not Block Plan To Provide Health Insurance To Millions Of Low-Income Children (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid Highlights Yucca Safety Concerns After Japanese Quake Spills Nuclear Waste (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid "Incredibly Disappointed" At State's Decision To Lift Cease And Desist Order On Yucca (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Rep. Berkley

BERKLEY SECURES $3 MILLION FOR LAS VEGAS WASH RESTORATION, NEW SO. NEVADA WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

BERKLEY SECURES $12 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO IMPROVE NEVADA FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNICATIONS: Congresswoman Seeks to Ensure Communications Interoperability for Emergency Responders (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

Rep. Heller

Heller Secures $1 Million in Funding for Co-Generation Plant in Sparks (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Heller Secures $500,000 for Nye County Renewable Energy Projects (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Rep. Porter

PORTER SUPPORTS ISRAEL PROJECT’S EFFORTS TO HALT IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS (Rep. Porter Press Release)

Our Bloated National Budget

RL33818 Federal Budget Process Reform in the 110th Congress: A Brief Overview July 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34076 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: FY2008 Appropriations July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22693 Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension in the 2007 Farm Bill July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34081 Farm and Food Support Under USDA's Section 32 Program July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

National Health Matters

Tastes like chicken, could be fish? The Bush Administration's Un-inspection System for Food Safety (Desert Beacon)

RL34080 Food and Agricultural Imports from China July 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Background Paper: The Impact of Medicare's Payment Rates on the Volume of Services Provided by Skilled Nursing Facilities July 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Information Technology: VA and DOD Are Making Progress in Sharing Medical Information, but Remain Far from Having Comprehensive Electronic Medical Records GAO-07-1108T, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Feds Say Classified Material Was Stolen (Associated Press article)

Attorney General Faces New Questions (Associated Press article)

Ex-Bush Aide Says Again She Won't Appear (Associated Press article)

Official Criticizes Corporate Tax System (Associated Press article)

Marianas Governor: I'm Helping Probe (Associated Press article)

FEMA Slow to Test Toxicity of Trailers (Associated Press article)

Committee Probes FEMA's Response to Reports of Toxic Trailers (US House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform hearing)

Oversight doesn't mean Overlook: Iraq contracting (Desert Beacon)

Federal Acquisitions and Contracting: Systemic Challenges Need Attention GAO-07-1098T, July 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Federal Contracting: Use of Contractor Performance Information GAO-07-1111T, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

VA Head Quits Amid Scrutiny on Vets Care (Associated Press article)

Corporate Fraud Scandals Since 2002 (Associated Press article)

RS22691 FDA Advisory Committee Conflict of Interest Reform Efforts in the 110th Congress July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34085 Election Year Restrictions on Mass Mailings by Members of Congress: How H.R. 1614 / S. 936 / S. 1285 Would Change Current Law July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Winning War on Terror Requires Adaptable Warriors, Gates Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Military Personnel: DOD Lacks Reliable Personnel Tempo Data and Needs Quality Controls to Improve Data Accuracy GAO-07-780, July 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles

Defense Department Seeks MRAP Improvements While Accelerating Program (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Asks Congress to Transfer More Funds to MRAP Program (American Forces Press Service article)

Pentagon Asks $1.3B for Armored Vehicles (Associated Press article)

07/18/2007: DoD News Briefing with John Young, MRAP Task Force Chairman and others from the Pentagon (US Department of Defense website)

Foreign Affairs

International Trade

RL34083 The Dollar's Future as the World's Reserve Currency: The Challenge of the Euro July 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34082 Exon-Florio Foreign Investment Provision: Comparison of H.R. 556 and S. 1610 July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan, U.S. Forces Nab Six Insurgents, Disrupt Bomb-Making Cell (American Forces Press Service article)

Pace: U.S. Working to Send More Training Support to Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service article)

Estonia

RS22692 Estonia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

U.S. Troops Nab Terrorists, Weapons Caches in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Forces in Iraq Taking Down Enemy ‘Cell by Cell’ (American Forces Press Service article)

Officials Identify Captured Militia Leader; Car Bombs Kill 14 in Baghdad (American Forces Press Service article)

07/19/2007: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Odierno from Iraq (US Department of Defense website)

Al Qaeda Has No Sanctuary in Iraq, General Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Defense Secretary Honors Marine Corps’ ‘Lion of Fallujah’ (American Forces Press Service article)

Al Qaeda Key Disrupter in Iraq, Ambassador Says (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Officials Say Iraq Gripped by Fear (Associated Press article)

Iraq: An Update from the Field -- Testimony of The Honorable Ryan C. Crocker, US Ambassador to Iraq (US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing)

Rebuilding Iraq: Serious Challenges Impair Efforts to Restore Iraq's Oil Sector and Enact Hydrocarbon Legislation GAO-07-1107T, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

07/16/2007: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Lamb from Iraq (US Department of Defense website)

RL31701 Iraq: U.S. Military Operations July 15, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31339 Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS21968 Iraq: Government Formation and Benchmarks July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS21867 U.S. Embassy in Iraq July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS21578 Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33837 Congressional Authority to Limit U.S. Military Operations in Iraq July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

A Federal Reader

Your Life Savings

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Governance Structure Needs Improvements to Ensure Policy Direction and Oversight GAO-07-808, July 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Domestic Violence

Services Provided to Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, and Stalking GAO-07-846R, July 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Student Loans

RL34084 Reconfiguring the Federal Pell Grant Program: Effect of Selected Changes on Program Costs and on Students in Different Income Groups July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Effective Research

U.S. Public Diplomacy: Actions Needed to Improve Strategic Use and Coordination of Research GAO-07-904, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Citizenship and Immigration

USCIS Transformation: Improvements to Performance, Human Capital, and Information Technology Management Needed as Modernization Proceeds GAO-07-1013R, July 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Government Does U-Turn on Green Cards (Associated Press article)

The costs of illegal immigration: Local entities rarely bother to keep track (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Census

2010 Census: Preparations for the 2010 Census Underway, but Continued Oversight and Risk Management Are Critical GAO-07-1106T, July 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Business Regulation

RL34078 Retransmission Consent and Other Federal Rules Affecting Programmer-Distributor Negotiations: Issues for Congress July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL34079 A Condensed Review of Retransmission Consent and Other Federal Rules Affecting Programmer-Distributor Negotiations July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

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July 20-21, 2007

[1:10 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Goedhart defends spending before Pahrump Chamber (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Our State Economy

STATE'S ECONOMY: Rate of jobless tops U.S. -- Nevada still at 4.6 percent; many construction jobs lost (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State foreclosures again top U.S. (In Business Las Vegas article)

Most will dodge coming wage boost: State's rate already exceeds that of U.S. (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rules complicate paying minimum wage (In Business Las Vegas article)

Nevada's credit union industry slowing, but remains robust (Las Vegas Business Press article)

State Agencies

Gibbons drops airport from safety panel (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Smoking foes questioning tax breaks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Andersen property to be purchased by city (Nevada Appeal article)

City planners see new library as key to revitalized downtown (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Clark County

County Affairs

Joint ventures paying off for county (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Dead Kids

TODDLER DEATH: County warned about father -- In letter, boy's mother expressed 'great concern' about parenting skills (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Las Vegas Convention Center

Don't underestimate value of center's makeover (In Business Las Vegas article)

Real Estate Market

Home sellers signal willingness to drop prices (In Business Las Vegas article)

High costs fueling boom in suburbia: New water rules helping spur new bedroom communities (Las Vegas Business Press article)

North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas: Engage the Future (Sharon Powers column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Douglas County

Suit filed to stop growth ordinance (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Genoans divided over management issue (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Baer insists casino project must include towers, derrick (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Identify a new vision for Douglas County's future (Jim Herd column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

A Crumbling Relationship: Legal battles loom as the city spars with a contractor over disintegrating airport concrete (Elko Free Press article)

Expansion on council’s docket (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Parasol director resigns; cites personal reasons (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

New water taxi makes splash on North Shore (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

County Manager interview is July 26, Carson City Manager applies also (Mason Valley News article)

Ritter application sidelined while Lyon panel considers current candidate (Nevada Appeal article)

Town Of Dayton

First final subdivision map approved for Traditions (Mason Valley News article)

City Of Fernley

McGowan