.jpg)
Nevada's Online State News Journal
|
|||||||||||||||||
December 2004-June 2005; July-September 2005; October-December 2005; January-March 2006; April-May 2006; July 2006; August 2006; September 2006; October 2006; November 2006; December 2006; January 2007; February 2007; March 2007; April 2007; May 2007; June 2007; August 2007; September 2007; October 2007; November 2007; December 2007
==============================
July 15, 2007
_____
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.
__________
July 16, 2007
_____
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)
=================================
July 17, 2007
[11:10 AM]
_____
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
The Carson River
Paiutes challenge Carson Valley water transfers (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
California lacks law to prevent mussel spread (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
Nevada Culture
Fallon tribal youth learn about their culture, education and healthy living (Lahontan Valley News article)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
=================================
July 18, 2007
[9:10 AM]
_____
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)
____________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
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)
__________
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)
__________
Nevada Culture
Popular Mexican rodeo event spurs interest in Dayton (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
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)
__________
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)
=================================
July 19, 2007
[9:10 AM]
_____
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
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)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Education
Prelude to hell: Vegas hates teachers (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)
__________
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)
__________
Nevada Mining
Mining exploration up across Nevada due to high gold prices (Associated Press article)
__________
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)
=================================
July 20-21, 2007
[1:10 PM]
_____
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
_small.jpg)
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 to serve as Fernley City Attorney (Mason Valley News article)
City Of Yerington
Pair of Councilmen oppose Sheriff's services for City (Mason Valley News article)
Nye County
Commissioners up their own pay (Pahrump Valley Times article)
RPC opposed one: County rezones two sites for detention facility (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Commission OKs comptroller as assistant county manager (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Storey County
Cordevista master-plan amendment denied (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
JANE ANN MORRISON: Arizona officials want to take another look at Rhodes-Kenny connection (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Jon Ralston on two who know a different Kenny (Las Vegas Sun column)
The Nevada Tax Commission: An Agency In Need Of Comprehensive Reform
"'It just clearly violates the intent and spirit of the law,' she said."
Lobbyists try to take back as state tries to save (Las Vegas Sun article)
___________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Elections
Edwards’ ‘Plan to Build One America Tour’ stops in Elko (Elko Free Press article)
PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL: Edwards all ears in LV -- Union workers vent to willing ally at gathering (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
In politics, Nevadans give and give (Las Vegas Sun article)
Dems aren't do-nothings, ad blitz will say (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
CSN broke rule for firms linked to Gilbert: Companies worked at the official's estate as well as for the college (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Churchill County School District
School district on list for $50,000 in federal funds (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County School District
Few teachers drop union membership despite challenge: Teamsters vow elections to oust CCEA (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Lyon County School District
School District receives $3.2 million from 404 grant program (Mason Valley News article)
Aug. 10-11 set for school district mediation report, goal setting session (Mason Valley News article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
'Contaminated waste'? Judge orders hospital to comply with mother's request (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
New Medicaid center offers wealth of services (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Impact statement out today for new forest road rules (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Funding requested for invasive inspections (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Get rid of pest? Not if it turns tap water pink: But there's another way to fight off the pipe-clogging mussels (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
New Fires
WILDFIRES: Fire preparedness level raised -- Nevada put at top of the federal wildfire priority list (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
State tops national priority list (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
EVACUATIONS ORDERED: Wildfires ravage Nevada --- Firefighters make gains as top BLM official tours Nevada fires (Associated Press article)
Wildfires hem in Jarbidge; Winecup Complex swells by 22,000 acres (Elko Free Press article)
Six fires raging between Austin and Battle Mountain: More than 72,000 acres burning in north central Nevada (US Forest Service Press Release)
"More than 394 square miles of Northern Nevada was burning Thursday morning from west of Reno to northeastern Elko County."
Antelope Complex largest in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Area fires mild, non-threatening so far (Mason Valley News article)
Clark County strike teams join Northern Nevada effort (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Hawken Fire to be contained today (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Construction work lit Hawken inferno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Lake Tahoe's Angora Fire
Angora victims promised speedy rebuilding effort (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fire board lauds response to Angora (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Fire Preparation And Preparedness
Doolittle: Allow forest thinning in sensitive environmental areas (Nevada Appeal article)
Incline defensible space awareness viewed as model for county, basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Defending your space (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Incline/Crystal Bay in good hands (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Fire Miscellany
An artistic thanks to Lake Tahoe firefighters (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Predatory Pedophiles
Protecting Nevada's children online (Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Department Of Corrections
Corrections officers face discipline (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Practicing With Pipe Bombs
Suspects start fire with pipe bombs in east county (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
More Copper Thefts
Fallon copper thefts growing (Lahontan Valley News article)
Drunk Drivers
CARD group holds second meeting (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
New fuel pipeline would be big plus for valley (In Business Las Vegas article)
Regulators approve pipeline expansion: Decision follows recent announcement by Dallas company (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Solar field going in at TRI (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Mineral exploration in state digs in (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Ways Of The Ancestors
Nevada Indian Days begins tonight in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)
Preserving traditions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Moonstruck
Moon gazing party begins tonight at Sand Harbor (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Farmers Markets
Farmer's Market has one missing ingredient (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
The Red And The Black
IGT spins winner for third quarter: Analysts not so wary after slot maker reports 16 percent increase in profits (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
THE STRIP: Emperor's new clothes -- Harrah's unveils plans for addition to Caesars Palace (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A Contrast
A tale of two casino owners (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Sports Betting Scandal
INVESTIGATION OF REFEREE: Gambling probe rocks NBA -- Sports bookmakers say FBI case has no link to Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Betting allegation surprises players: NBA instructs members of Team USA not to address probe of referee (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ED GRANEY: GAMBLING PROBE (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada's Past
Lassen-Applegate Route
A four-wheel trek on an emigrant trail (Nevada Appeal article)
Kiel Ranch
Kiel Ranch still the worse for wear: The future of long-neglected site remains up in the air (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Our Neighbors To The West
Alpine County then and now (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Yucca water dispute brews: Feds reject Nevada's demand to stop use for drilling work (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Clinton ups the ante on Yucca Mountain: Senator calls for congressional hearings to expose problems (Las Vegas Sun article)
Sleeping with the enemy: Gibbons administration helps the Energy Department further its Yucca Mountain plan (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Jon Ralston on Politics: Capitol power (In Business Las Vegas column)
Senator Reid's recent comment disgraceful (Conrad Velin column, Nevada Appeal)
House approves grant for school: Berkley, Porter laud Agassi's contributions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Agassi school closer to pork, thanks to Berkley (Las Vegas Sun article)
Rep. Heller vows to protect rural Nevada (David C. Henley column, Lahontan Valley News)
Old friend of Heller gets surprise calls from war foes (Las Vegas Sun article)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
Gouging Contractors
What's a little waste? Like a drunken sailor, the Pentagon throws money around on Iraq contractors (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Tainted Food
The Bush Administration's Un-Inspection Program, Part IV: Connecting the Dollar Signs (Desert Beacon)
The Bush Administration's Un-inspection System Part III: Meat and Tomatoes (Desert Beacon)
The Bush Administration's Food Un-inspection System Part II: A Night in the Senate Dining Room (Desert Beacon)
Earlier Article
Tastes like chicken, could be fish? The Bush Administration's Un-inspection System for Food Safety (Desert Beacon)
=================================
July 22-23, 2007
[11:10 AM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada Highways
JANE ANN MORRISON: Sands execs want room tax revenues to ease our transportation pains (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Dead Kids
Missing girl focus of legal battles: Parents say foster care system failed daughter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Our State Economy
SMALL-BUSINESS SALARIES: NEVADA CLOSES GAP -- Small-business workers approaching national average after 21.5 percent jump (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Again in June, foreclosures hit Nevada harder than any other state: 'It's probably going to get worse,' expert says, and others agree (Las Vegas Sun article)
Real estate slump affects all (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Housing slump slows job growth (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Don't Like Gov. Gibbons
Jon Ralston on why Gibbons' decisions on an appointment to the nuclear project panel and a dismissal from the Homeland Security Commission have him scratching his head (Las Vegas Sun column)
Gov. Gibbons struggling for acceptance (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
For the city's sake, it's time to clean up the zoo of government (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)
Positive news was timely for Carson City (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Clark County
City Of Las Vegas
Laboring over day laborers: City proposal ignores the obvious (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Development And Redevelopment
REI NEON PROJECT: Land deal 'like herding cats' -- Pair assembled 85 acres from 80-plus owners for plan including arena (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Don't like arena plan? 'Tough,' mayor says (Las Vegas Sun article)
Turnberry residents allege turnabout by developer who's ruining their views (Las Vegas Sun article)
Regional Economy
Foreclosures eat away at upscale enclave (Las Vegas Sun article)
De Profundis
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Searching Las Vegas tunnels for the truth (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Brain Drain
Brian Greenspun laments the recent migration of some of our best and brightest from the valley that nurtured them (Las Vegas Sun column)
Lyon County
Lyon commissioners approve Willowcreek GID rate hike (Nevada Appeal article)
Mineral County
Massive development planned in Hawthorne (Lahontan Valley News article)
White Pine County
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- State gets White Pine back in the black (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
"Kenny's accountant, Daniel Geiger, told FBI agents that the commissioner received between $70,000 and $100,000 from golf course developer Bill Walters. Geiger also said residential developer Jim Rhodes gave Kenny $100,000."
CORRUPTION CASE: Jurors wonder after trial -- 'There are people higher up involved in all this,' one says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Will 30 months in prison improve Erin Kenny's memory? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Corruption Cases Chronology (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
Spending paints state's political scene blue: Democrats putting more money to work in Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Health care a key for Democratic candidates (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
For Some, "Diversity" Trumps Merit
Seeing beyond the numbers: Grade-point averages are not the only qualities that count for college admission (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Schools
Schools with good ideas share $56 million jackpot (Las Vegas Sun article)
Tough to keep newer teachers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Heat plagues crews fighting wildfires in Northern Nevada: One blaze advances to within seven miles of Jarbidge (Associated Press article)
BLM official sees progress against wildfires: Concerns remain about dry conditions (Associated Press article)
Storm forecast points to more fires (Elko Free Press article)
Idaho fire threatens Air Force training range (Elko Free Press article)
ID wildfire jumps canyon, sparing small town’s homes (Associated Press article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
LOCKED DOWN: NEVADA OFFICIALS CALLED IN FEDERAL HELP TO CRACK DOWN ON A VIOLENT PRISON GANG, THE ARYAN WARRIORS. IS IT ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM IN CHECK? (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Stinking Emissions
Bango Oil complies with NDEP orders regarding reported odor (Lahontan Valley News article)
Ursine Marauders
What to do and not to do in the company of bears (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Starry Starry Night
SPACING OUT: LOOK, UP IN THE SKY -- It's a bird (no), it's a plane (no), it's ... whatisit? (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Star Party shines at Sand Harbor (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Shakespeare At The Lake
Shakespeare features pair of classics this summer (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
The Bicycle Trails Of Tahoe
Biking in and around the Basin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Our Neighbors To The East
TRIP OF THE WEEK: Kodachrome Basin shouldn't be overlooked (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
The Pharaoh's New Clothes
THE LUXOR'S NEW THREADS: The glass pyramid's ambitious rush away from Egypt and toward generic luxury defines a new template for Las Vegas hotels (Las Vegas Sun article)
Labor Relations
Culinary turns to others as MGM Mirage talks stall (Las Vegas Sun article)
Regulation Of Gambling
LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Luxor: Don't take CatHouse name literally (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Reid defends being blunt (Associated Press article)
Reid says Bush worst president in U.S. history -- Senator: Censure is not needed to prove point (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Reid praises book despite portrayal -- Wynns' names appear in campaign reports (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ERIN NEFF: Berkley, staff go above and beyond (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Local earmark (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
THE WEEK IN REVIEW: WASHINGTON D.C. -- Berkley: I liked Nicholson as a person, but as VA chief? Uh, no (Las Vegas Sun article)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
A new shade of lipstick for the pig: More on the farm bill follies (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Wasting taxpayers' money: Federal government outsourcing more of its work, and Americans getting less in return (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Hire more food inspectors: Government needs to keep pace with the rapidly increasing volume of imports (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Bush Approves New CIA Methods: Interrogations Of Detainees To Resume (Washington Post article)
Who's behind that badge? Plan for U.S. airports would give false impression of vastly stepped-up security (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Smiles and tears welcome soldiers home: Soldiers from Nevada National Guard's 1/221st Cavalry arrived in Reno on Saturday after one-year deployment in Iraq (Nevada Appeal article)
=================================
July 24, 2007
[9:05 AM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Judiciary
Buckley: Judge selection plan faces challenges -- Lawmaker: Voters still need to be convinced (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Office Of The State Treasurer
"A firm that legislative auditors say was allowed to improperly retain control over more than $3 million in state fees while serving in an advisory role overseeing Nevada's college savings plan has rebutted the auditors' finding in a letter sent to state Treasurer Kate Marshall."
Georgia firm rebuts state auditors' finding: Company retained funds as it oversaw college savings plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Local Government
Clark County
"An audit last month of Clark County's telephone systems revealed all kinds of problems."
LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY -- Golf course neighbors find hope in keeping growth at bay (Las Vegas Sun article)
Clark County Telephone Audit (Clark Count Website)
Industrial vacancies remain low: Inventory of space rises to 96.4 million square feet during second quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Eviction looms, clock ticks, but 800 renters find an ally (Las Vegas Sun article)
Teamsters approve new pact with trash hauler (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Washoe County
Sparks, feds want to label I-80 as a levee (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Candidates still visit traditional states more than Nevada (Associated Press article)
Nevada Democratic Vets launch web site
Political Opinion
The Presidential Signature (Desert Beacon)
The Sunday Punch (Desert Beacon)
Remembering Barry Goldwater (Chuck Muth column, Muth's Truths)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Teachers learn gee-whiz science (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Nontraditional elementary schools in session (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
What Ever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
State officials air concerns over Sierra Health buyout (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Additional meetings on insurance merger set for this week (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Nevadans Unite Against Wildfires (Gov. Gibbons Message)
Thunderstorm threat for huge wildfires across northern Nevada (Associated Press article)
Agencies draw criticism at Tahoe fire forum (Associated Press article)
Forest, water and lake agencies give their side of the Angora fire (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
California Prison Overcrowding
California prison woes worry Nevada D.A.s (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Indigent Defendants
Nye experience highlights system flaws (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
"The goal is to drive out people who in unspoken and unwritten sorts of ways meet the city's definition of undesirable."
Is city acting legally? Supreme Court should follow through on order to address legality of arrests (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Mix-ups put man in jail, leave him out in the cold (Las Vegas Sun article)
Non-Prosecution
Fireworks fight smolders: The Clark County district attorney's office sparks controversy by not prosecuting people accused of bringing illegal fireworks into the valley (Las Vegas Sun article)
Metro Civilians
New contract boosts pay, benefits of civilians who work for police (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Pipeline fever hits home: New gas and diesel pipelines could make a difference in local pump prices (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Las Vegas Sands sees strong demand for new flagship Macau hotel (Associated Press article)
JOHN L. SMITH: NBA scandal prompts the usual media hand-wringing about Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
NBA betting probe (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Railroad cost estimates for Yucca top $3 billion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Hauling plans sought: DOE seeks proposals to ship nuclear waste (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nuclear wasted: Federal government uses Gibbons' Yucca Mountain actions against Nevada (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
ENSIGN, REID SECURE NEARLY $700,000 IN EMERGENCY RELIEF HIGHWAY FUNDING FOR NORTHERN NEVADA (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Ensign, Reid Secure Nearly $700,000 In Emergency Relief Highway Funding For Northern Nevada (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: Education Bill Makes College More Affordable For Working Nevadans (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Senate leader Harry Reid not shy about slinging barbs (Associated Press article)
BERKLEY SAFEGUARDS $200,000 IN TECHNOLOGY FUNDING FOR ANDRE AGASSI PREPARATORY ACADEMY (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
Heller's bill to the front, to keep our water flowing (Las Vegas Sun article)
Heller: All for it until he voted against it? (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)
The Price Of Tax Breaks
The Budgetary Costs of EGTRRA and JGTRRA Compared with Projected Deficits July 20, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Campaign Finance Reform
House Votes Vs. Campaign Pay for Spouses (Associated Press article)
National Law Enforcement Matters
Gonzales Vows to Repair Justice's Image (Associated Press article)
Gonzales Denies Pressuring Ashcroft (Associated Press article)
Specter Suggests Special Prosecutor (Associated Press article)
Gonzales Faces More Senate Questioning (Associated Press article)
Cybercrime: Public and Private Entities Face Challenges in Addressing Cyber Threats GAO-07-705, June 22, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
USDA Sent Dead Farmers $1.1 Billion (Associated Press article)
Federal Farm Programs: USDA Needs to Strengthen Controls to Prevent Improper Payments to Estates and Deceased Individuals GAO-07-818, July 9, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Financial Audit: Significant Internal Control Weaknesses Remain in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the U.S. Government GAO-07-805, July 23, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Managerial Cost Accounting Practices: Implementation and Use Vary Widely across 10 Federal Agencies GAO-07-679, July 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Federal Real Property: DHS Has Made Progress, but Additional Actions Are Needed to Address Real Property Management and Security Challenges GAO-07-658, June 22, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Hanford Waste Treatment Plant: Department of Energy Needs to Strengthen Controls over Contractor Payments and Project Assets GAO-07-888, July 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Air Traffic Operators Fault Maintenance (Associated Press article)
Freedom And The Federal Government
The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
Gun-buyers might face additional background checks (Associated Press article)
Ill-Defined Standards
Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq (White House website)
Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities
Spy Chief Defends Interrogation Tactics (Associated Press article)
Executive Order: Interpretation of the Geneva Conventions Common Article 3 as Applied to a Program of Detention and Interrogation Operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (White House website)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Wisdom from our returning soldiers (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Injured Iraq War Veterans Sue VA Head (Associated Press article)
Pentagon to Junk Millions in Combat Gear (Associated Press article)
The All-Volunteer Military: Issues and Performance, July 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Influenza Pandemic: DOD Combatant Commands' Preparedness Efforts Could Benefit from More Clearly Defined Roles, Resources, and Risk Mitigation GAO-07-696, June 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Defense Health Care: Comprehensive Oversight Framework Needed to Help Ensure Effective Implementation of a Deployment Health Quality Assurance Program GAO-07-831, June 22, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Military Personnel: Improved Quality Controls Needed over Servicemembers' Employment Rights Claims at DOL GAO-07-907, July 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Foreign Affairs
RL33627 NATO in Afghanistan: A Test of the Transatlantic Alliance July 16, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)
RL33534 China's Economic Conditions July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)
RL30957 Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990 July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)
A Federal Reader
RL33648 Critical Infrastructure: The National Asset Database July 16, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)
Federal Housing Administration: Proposed Legislative Changes Would Affect Borrower Benefits and Risks to the Insurance Funds GAO-07-1109T, July 18, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board: Many Responsibilities and Investment Policies Set by Congress GAO-07-611, June 21, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Information Technology: Treasury Needs to Strengthen Its Investment Board Operations and Oversight GAO-07-865, July 23, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Intermodal Transportation: DOT Could Take Further Actions to Address Intermodal Barriers GAO-07-718, June 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
National Marine Fisheries Service: Improved Economic Analysis and Evaluation Strategies Needed for Proposed Changes to Atlantic Large Whale Protection Plan GAO-07-881, July 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
=================================
July 25, 2007
[11:00 AM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The Governor Of Nevada
Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons
This just in: Governor tries to appear governor-like (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
State Prisons And Prisoners
Panel examines state prison needs: Official says infrastructure lacking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
"The commission appointed to reform Nevada's criminal justice system from courtroom through parole and release found a common thread through all the issues on the table Tuesday: The lack of funding for anything other than imprisonment."
Criminal justice commission sees lack of services as key issue (Nevada Appeal article)
Inmates hope to use degrees to succeed after prison: Programs like these are good for both inmates and society (Nevada Appeal article)
Nevada's new parole law raises concerns, legal questions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The State Judiciary
Judge grants request to unseal all papers in Mack civil case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Commissioners appoint Sferrazza to be Reno judge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Woman who sought recall won't be prosecuted (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
Next monorail stop: Pollyanna Station (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Go after fireworks violators: As risk from illegal explosives is severe, aggressive prosecution is in order (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Douglas County
County subsidizing business in north county (Jack Van Dien column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)
Elko County
Judge denies grand jury against city (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Ethics
"Bill Horn and John Bohn could face ethics violations for their alleged roles in the resignation cover-up of a former Incline Village General Improvement District trustee last year."
Ethics panel: Reason to proceed -- IVGID's Bohn, Horn decline to comment (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
More Money
Manager bonus on IVGID agenda (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Recycling
Incline residents respond well to blue bag program (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Lyon County
City Attorney says section of proposed public use rules are unconstitutional (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
"When he checked on how much it would cost to install one, he was told a whopping $750. Others received lower quotes, but few were happy."
Lyon County Utilities backs off push for water regulating valves: Angry homeowners complain about cost of new equipment (Nevada Appeal article)
Mineral County
Patience required in reaction to large Hawthorne project (Lahontan Valley News article)
Storey County
Proposed Virginia City community center to have industrial look (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County
6 downtown Reno bridges to be examined as part of flood project (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reno council buys YMCA, raises concerns (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
Las Vegas City Council
Unscathed McDonald now faces feds on taxes (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
Rhodes distances himself from Kenny (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Clinton campaign rolls out group of women supporters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Barack Obama to visit Elko in rural America listening tour (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Group invites top Democrats to UNR forum (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Politics In General
Democratic budget-cutters (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
YouTube electors: Presidential debate was a good way to bring Americans into political campaign (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
He just doesn't get it: President Bush's views on government-funded health insurance out of step for the times (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Immigration has a face -- in Incline (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Carson City School District
Carson district schools achieve highest score yet (Nevada Appeal article)
Churchill County School District
School board's complaint policy to be discussed (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County School District
Teachers grab extra incentive to retire -- Health plan choice may create unintended result: an exodus (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lyon County School District
School Trustees appoint members to negotiating committees (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Washoe County School District
Washoe County approves budget (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Children In Nevada
State's youth trends rated: Kids Count report ranks Nevada 33rd in indicators (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada kids fare better but problems persist (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The 18th Annual 2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book (Kids Count website)
Nevada Profile (Kids Count website)
What Ever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- AMA says proposed health takeover is one sick deal (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Climate Change
Warming in state monitored (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada summer getting warmer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
New Report: Temperatures Up In Washington And In Cities Across The Country (PIRG website)
Public Interest Research Group
Green Buildings
Tax break further narrowed: Only buildings to be included in windfall (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Colorado River Wetlands
Wetlands bill brought before Congress: Aim is to form habitats to protect 26 species (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Mt. Charleston Blues
Rare butterfly struggles, flutters higher (Las Vegas Sun article)
Ursine Marauders
340-pound bear trapped in Genoa (Nevada Appeal article)
Bears, bears and more bears (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Wild Horses
Horse deaths investigated (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Fires burn as Nevada dodges thunderstorms (Associated Press article)
Fires still a threat: Flames spread in northern part of Elko County (Elko Free Press article)
Federal funds authorized for Murphy Complex (Elko Free Press article)
Thunderstorm threat for huge wildfires across northern Nevada (Elko Free Press article)
Nevada firefighters hurt in Idaho fire (Nevada Appeal article)
USFS to hold forum on reducing wildfire threat with fuels reduction (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Forest Service pays for Tahoe rehabilitation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Indigent Defendants
Panel endorses limiting public defender cases (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
City Of Yerington
Yerington to keep its police force (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
DRI scientist wins grant to reduce land mine threat (Associated Press article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Other People's Money
LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Vegas feels the pinch as global market puts the squeeze on borrowing (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Regulation Of Gambling
New casino might use old permit (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
NBA Scandal
Betting scandal leaves city's NBA hopes alive (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ED GRANEY: Arrogance contributed to catastrophe (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada's Past
The California Trail
Trail center takes shape: Construction more than half finished (Elko Free Press article)
Historic Preservation
History takes note of what black achievement built (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
State officials renew charge against DOE (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A Yucca counteroffer: When one boondoggle begets another, think creatively (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
GOP's attack on Democrats aims straight at Harry Reid (Las Vegas Sun article)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Travel Restrictions
Nevada woman bears some blame in passport fiasco: Demand following changes underestimated (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Strange Cargo
Incidents at U.S. Airports May Suggest Possible Pre-Attack Probing (MSNBC website)
=================================
Update for July 25, 2007
[5:30 PM]
_____
Nevada's Burning Hills
A way of life, saved: Decades-old Prunty Ranch survives assault by wildfire (Elko Free Press article)
Two fire complexes contained (Elko Free Press article)
Sheriff lifts evacuation order for Jarbidge (Elko Free Press article)
Duck Valley enduring in face of power outage (Elko Free Press article)
Residents get overview of fire situation (Elko Free Press article)
Seven wildfires burn in White Pine County (Ely Times article)
Elko fires still burning (Ely Times article)
Nevada wildfires a disaster for the state's wildlife (Ely Times article)
Governor Gibbons Attends Community Forum in South Lake Tahoe: Fire Safety and Prevention Among Key Issues (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Ensign
ENSIGN INTRODUCES BILL TO REQUIRE VOTER-VERIFIED PAPER TRAIL IN VOTING MACHINES (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
ENSIGN SUPPORTS AMENDMENT TO IMPROVE BORDER SECURITY FIRST (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Sen. Reid
Reid: Senate Passes Long-Overdue Health Care Overhaul, Pay Raise For Troops (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Democrats Discuss Efforts To Make America Safer Through Homeland Security, 9/11 Commission Bills (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid Introduces Legislation To Prevent Senior Suicide (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Rep. Berkley
BERKLEY SECURES $1.5 MILLION FOR SOUTHERN NEVADA TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, NEW NORTH LAS VEGAS SENIOR CENTER (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
National Health Matters
Medicaid: States Reported That Citizenship Documentation Requirement Resulted in Enrollment Declines for Eligible Citizens and Posed Administrative Burdens GAO-07-889, June 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Estimates of the Number of Uninsured Children Who Are Eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP July 24, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
September 11: HHS Needs to Ensure the Availability of Health Screening and Monitoring for All Responders GAO-07-892, July 23, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Food and Drug Administration: Methodologies for Identifying and Allocating Costs of Reviewing Medical Device Applications Are Consistent with Federal Cost Accounting Standards, and Staffing Levels for Reviews Have Generally Increased in Recent Years GAO-07-882R, June 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Wanted: Wearable Power System, Batteries Included (American Forces Press Service article)
Commission Urges Improvements to Servicemembers’ Care (American Forces Press Service article)
Testimony on the Navy's 2008 Shipbuilding Plan and Key Ship Programs, July 24, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Defense Acquisitions: Realistic Business Cases Needed to Execute Navy Shipbuilding Programs GAO-07-943T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
Two Defendants Arrested in Bribery, Money Laundering Case Related to Department of Defense Contracts in Iraq and Kuwait (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Former Army Reserve Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and Money Laundering (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Former Lockheed Martin Employees’ Political Action Committee Official Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Making False Statements to the Federal Election Commission (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Former Marine and FBI Analyst Sentenced to 10 Years for Transferring Classified Information to Assist in Overthrow of Philippine Government (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Miami Durable Medical Equipment Company Owner Pleads Guilty To $2 Million Medicare Fraud (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Northrop Grumman to Pay $8 Million to Resolve Allegations of Improperly Testing Equipment Used by U.S. Military (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Miami Jury Convicts Defendant For Defrauding Medicare Of Millions Of Dollars (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Virginia Company Enters into Deferred Prosecution Agreement & Agrees to Pay $30.5 Million (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Inspectors General: Opportunities to Enhance Independence and Accountability GAO-07-1089T, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Long-Term Fiscal Challenge: Additional Transparency and Controls Are Needed GAO-07-1144T, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Federal Farm Programs: USDA Needs to Strengthen Management Controls to Prevent Improper Payments to Estates and Deceased Individuals GAO-07-1137T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Tax Compliance: Thousands of Organizations Exempt from Federal Income Tax Owe Nearly $1 Billion in Payroll and Other Taxes GAO-07-1090T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Tax Compliance: Thousands of Organizations Exempt from Federal Income Tax Owe Nearly $1 Billion in Payroll and Other Taxes GAO-07-563, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Environmental Justice: Measurable Benchmarks Needed to Gauge EPA Progress in Correcting Past Problems GAO-07-1140T, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Veterans Affairs: Inadequate Controls over IT Equipment at Selected VA Locations Pose Continuing Risk of Theft, Loss, and Misappropriation GAO-07-505, July 16, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Veterans Affairs: Lack of Accountability and Control Weaknesses over IT Equipment at Selected VA Locations GAO-07-1100T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Property Management: Lack of Accountability and Weak Internal Controls Leave NASA Equipment Vulnerable to Loss, Theft, and Misuse GAO-07-432, June 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Small Business Administration: Response to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Highlights Need for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness GAO-07-1124T, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Foreign Affairs
The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan
07/25/2007: DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Rodriguez from Afghanistan (US Defense Department website)
Troops in Afghanistan Making Progress, Striving to Minimize Civilian Casualties (American Forces Press Service article)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Troops Nab 48 Suspects, Kill One Insurgent in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)
Joint Contracting Command Helps Boost Iraq’s Economy (American Forces Press Service article)
Suspected Terrorists Detained in Iraq, al Qaeda Cell Leader Killed (American Forces Press Service article)
Terrorists’ Weapons Being Found in ‘Remarkable Numbers,’ Admiral Says (American Forces Press Service article)
Reconstruction Teams Help Iraqis Connect With Central Government (American Forces Press Service article)
A Federal Reader
Homeland Security: DHS Privacy Office Has Made Progress but Faces Continuing Challenges GAO-07-1024T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Cost Estimate for H.R. 2419, Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 July 24, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Testimony on Issues in Reinstating a Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Requirement July 25, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals GAO-07-1125T, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Compact of Free Association: Implementation Activities Have Progressed, but the Marshall Islands Faces Challenges to Achieving Long-Term Compact Goals GAO-07-1115T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
NASA Supplier Base: Challenges Exist in Transitioning from the Space Shuttle Program to the Next Generation of Human Space Flight Systems GAO-07-940, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
NASA: Challenges in Completing and Sustaining the International Space Station GAO-07-1121T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Nonprofit Sector: Increasing Numbers and Key Role in Delivering Federal Services GAO-07-1084T, July 24, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
=================================
July 26, 2007
[3:00 PM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Judiciary
JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Panel suspends Halverson -- Judge will continue to draw pay (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Halverson suspension seen as what works: Elected judges can be booted out when they fall short, peers say (Las Vegas Sun article)
You’re NOT the Boss of Me: It’s hard to shock them in Las Vegas, but a former law clerk is managing to do just that (American Bar Review Journal article)
'We never stop learning': Judge cites First Amendment, unseals Mack case (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
State Prisons And Prisoners
Prison time (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Gov. Gibbons to visit Ely; tour prison (Ely Times article)
Department Of Business And Industry
"The public has no legal right to know how state regulators rate the financial health of private lenders soliciting investor money, according to the Nevada attorney general's office."
HARD-MONEY LENDERS: State denies request for lenders' data -- Review-Journal had made request for grade given to private lenders (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Homeland Security
Gibbons picks new homeland security chief: 29 years with immigration agencies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Our State Economy
Existing home sales decline again in June (Associated Press article)
Nevada Highways
State hopes cable barrier will stop head-on accidents along 395: Project between Carson and Minden will be built at night (Nevada Appeal article)
Highway 395 cable is one barrier we welcome (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
A new coalition prepares to battle poverty in Carson City (Lisa Keating column, Nevada Appeal)
Clark County
County to pay in land case: Appeals court rules in favor of family in airspace dispute (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Vacation Village v. Clark County (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)
DEVELOPMENT: Panel upholds plan for downtown arena -- Special committee decides gambling may be part of proposed project (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Out to hurt builder, union takes aim at tenant instead (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Lattin airs beef with city (Elko Free Press article)
Lyon County
Public transit on the minds of some Dayton residents (Nevada Appeal article)
Nye County
County flicks off funding for park lights (Pahrump Valley Times article)
County vows to press animal cruelty charges (Pahrump Valley Times article)
CONTACT ... IGNITION ...: Pahrump Airport plans take off (Pahrump Valley Times article)
White Pine County
DOT wants to reduce flight subsidies to small towns (Ely Times article)
__________
Corruption? In Nevada?
FEDERAL CASE: Tax probe targeting McDonald -- Investigators issue subpoenas related to ex-city councilman (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Republican senator challenges Clinton's opposition to Yucca (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Clinton backers activate campaign in Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Edwards picks up support in state: Veterans group backs his presidential bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Obama campaign plans stop to broaden appeal in Nevada: Senator's visit to Elko to be part of 'rural America listening tour' (Associated Press article)
General Political Opinion
The decline of political courage (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Listen up: OK, it’s no call to action, but sometimes it feels good to scream (Reno News & Review editorial)
Don't just do something: Another option in Iraq (Reno News & Review article)
When a debt provides surplus relief: If there’s one thing liberals know, it’s how to spend money (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
"A century ago America's papers fielded nearly 2,000 cartoonists. Today there are fewer than 80 staff cartoonists interpreting events, zinging their targets, challenging the perspectives of their readers and making their editors uneasy."
Editorial cartoonists disappearing from US newspapers (David Fitzsimmons column, Ely Times)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
For schools, what does progress mean? Nevada has one idea, the feds another (Las Vegas Sun article)
Churchill County School District
District to review drug and alcohol testing procedures (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County School District
Never too tired to teach: Law allows school district to fill needs with retired educators (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
"A touch" is shorthand for a shady procedure that goes on in Southern Nevada operating rooms.
JANE ANN MORRISON: Some doctors putting 'a touch' on their Las Vegas patients and insurers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
"Kathleen Shinn learned her baby girl was given a dose of zinc 1,000 times larger than her attending physician had ordered to be added to the intravenous solution that was her only source of nutrition."
Answers bring more tears: Pharmacists fined in baby's death (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Wild horses found dead on Nevada range (Lahontan Valley News article)
New state regulations aim to curb trichomonosis (Lahontan Valley News article)
Power house: Windmill and solar power was a wiser--and cheaper-- investment for a Washoe County family than installing a power line (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
IMPROVING WEATHER: Fire crews making progress -- Evacuation orders lifted (Associated Press article)
Panel to examine response to Lake Tahoe wildfire: Remedies sought to maze of regulations (Associated Press article)
Governors sign agreement to form Blue Ribbon commission (Tahoe City Tribune article)
Governors back Tahoe fire commission: Appointed panel will review forest health (Sierra Sun article)
___________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Aryan Warriors
'Aryans' operate on both sides of prison walls (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Copper Thefts
Authorities say copper wiring still being stolen by meth addicts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Rule change reduces interest Nevada Power charges customers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Sierra Pacific Resources meeting less critical (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Outdoorsmen join push for new mining laws (Associated Press article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
SPRING MOUNTAIN RANCH: Public airs fears about park -- Officials attempt to separate fact, fiction on changes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Park to ban cameras on cave tours (Ely Times article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
NBA Betting Scandal
Technical foul: Using NBA cheating scandal to stop Las Vegas' bid for a team is out of bounds (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Jeff Haney on why Nevada's betting industry and the big-time leagues are natural allies in maintaining the integrity of sports (Las Vegas Sun column)
Internet Gambling
Nation wants to strike bargain: Caribbean country prefers deal over fine (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
For Valor In Combat
CIA to honor Reno pilot for secret mission: Helped shoot down two aircraft during Vietnam War (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fake History
Las Vegas' false facts (Richard Abowitz column, Las Vegas Weekly)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Government challenges order halting water use at Yucca site (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Gibbons' stance on Yucca perplexing: Lawmakers say caving on water issues is not good (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Breach in the wall: Gov. Jim Gibbons has given federal officials state water for use at Yucca Mountain drill sites (Reno News & Review article)
STATE NUKE AGENCY: Eastley invited in, then ushered out (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
War on the West (Rep. Dean Heller column, Ely Times)
Porter seeks more tracking of offenders (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
=================================
July 27, 2007
[10:35 AM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Judiciary
JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Judge's prospects evaluated -- Conversation at courthouse focuses on Halverson's future (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Judge Halverson suspended with pay: Commission on Judicial Discipline reacts with relative urgency (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Certified Copy of Final Order of Interim Suspension (Nevada Supreme Court website - 1.08 MB pdf file)
Order (Nevada Supreme Court website - 46 KB pdf file)
State Public Works Board
Five named to oversee building projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Governor Gibbons Names Public Works Board Members (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)
Homeland Security
Governor Gibbons Names Rick Eaton Director of Homeland Security (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)
Local Government
BLM to launch new payment system: Local governments to receive land auction dollars electronically (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
City And County Of Carson
Carson City cleared to acquire 86-acre property as open space (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County
Day labor center envisioned: City looks at approach after critics attack suggestion of permit system (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Douglas County
Business center proposed for 395-88 junction (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Some suggestions for the Highway 395 corridor (Steve Buckley column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)
Max Baer's casino goes to county commission (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Elko County
City to push ahead with airport taxiway (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
What were the reasons IVGID board declined easement? (Kim Mares column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Washoe County
Truckee River flood project moves along (County Manager Katy Singlaub column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Health care a key for Democratic candidates (Kirk Caraway column, Lahontan Valley News)
Presidential forum upsets UNR students (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Obama plans to visit Elko (Elko Free Press article)
Barack Obama to Visit Nevada’s Rurals! (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateways to Nevada's Rurals)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Nevada’s 11 percent HS dropout rate worst in nation (Associated Press article)
Churchill County School District
School district desperate for substitute bus drivers (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County School District
Divided Clark County School Board approves pay raises for trustees (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
CLARK COUNTY RESULTS: Rulffes hails gains posted by schools -- District meets No Child Left Behind benchmarks for first time (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Douglas County School District
School board trustees give superintendent high marks (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Many oppose UnitedHealth merger (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Medical workers blast $2.6 billion merger (Associated Press article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Feds propose 400,000-acre habitat for endangered bighorn sheep (Associated Press article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Rain helps firefighters (Elko Free Press article)
Fire creates challenges for Duck Valley residents (Elko Free Press article)
Generators provide temporary solution to Duck Valley (Elko Free Press article)
Forest Service Ok's fire funds (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
USFS to hold forum on reducing wildfire threat with fuels reduction (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Mack Murder Case
Mack lawyers reiterate call for dismissal (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
Davidson's prosecutors granted extension: Decision pending on retrial on deadlocked counts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A Bad Idea
"The settlement came after U.S. Magistrate Robert A. McQuaid ruled against the county in a lawsuit filed by the six, saying former Sheriff Dennis Balaam's policy requiring strip searches of everyone who surrenders on outstanding warrants violated the Fourth Amendment."
Strip search lawsuit settled (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Gang Suppression Tactics
Judge: Man not harassed by gang unit officers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Indigent Defendants
Indigent defense (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
$kindustry Regulation
Gibbons says Nevada has outgrown legal brothels (Nevada Appeal article)
Of County Jails And Prisoners
Deputies cope with aging facility, inmates' needs (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
eTreppid Litigation
Gibbons accuser: Case being held up -- Software developer says government is blocking his attempts to get new lawyers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
ENERGY: Reid vows to fight coal plants -- Senate majority leader raps use of air, water by 'power moguls' (Associated Press article)
Well, tanks for the memory: Fuel price dip seen fading soon -- Analysts: Gasoline prices will rise in August (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Diverse groups join to urge overhaul of 1872 mining law (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Walker Lake
Nevada's hidden treasure? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
A Monster Bass
Awesome Wiper caught by Dayton fisherman at Lahontan Reservoir (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Bluegrass festival planned for Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)
SFA hosts several shooting matches (Lahontan Valley News article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
JOHN L. SMITH: Our 'Strip Titans' are up to their old, and some new, tricks (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Navegante gets OK to take over Sahara: Group may take management control of Strip property as early as Tuesday; no operational changes planned (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Dayton Historical Society gets two more buildings: The historical society of Dayton Valley will take care of the C&C Depot and the firehouse/jail (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Nuclear panel appointment confusing: Yucca Mountain supporter says Gibbons aides recruited her (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
ENSIGN COMMENDS DISNEY'S MOVE TO BAN SMOKING IN MOVIES TO PROTECT CHILDREN (Sen. Ensign Press Release)
Senate Secures $3 Billion For Border Security: Reid Calls On President To Show Commitment To Border Security By Backing Homeland Security Bill (Sen. Reid Press Release)
BERKLEY DELIVERS $25 MILLION FOR NEW MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM TO SERVE LAS VEGAS: Fixed Route Bus System will Travel Between Sahara and Downtown (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
Dean Heller Softening on Iraq? (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateways to Nevada's Rurals)
PORTER INTRODUCES PROTECTING AMERICA’S CHILDREN ACT OF 2007 (Rep. Porter Press Release)
National Health Matters
Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act
Preliminary Budgetary Estimates of the CHAMP Act Based on the Version of the Legislation Made Public on July 24, 2007 July 25, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Congressional Investigations
The Political Administration Of Justice
FBI Director Contradicts Gonzales (Associated Press article)
Testimony of The Honorable Robert S. Mueller, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (House Judiciary Committee hearings)
Testimony of The Honorable Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General of the United States (US Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings)
Statement of The Honorable Patrick Leahy, United States Senator, Vermont (US Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings)
Democrats Urge Perjury Probe of Gonzales (Associated Press article)
House Judiciary Reports Contempt Citations to the House of Representatives (House Judiciary Committee)
7/25/2007 Conyers Memo Re: Refusal by Miers and Bolten to Comply with Committee Subpoenas (House Judiciary Committee)
Government Secrecy
Chairman Waxman Asks About the White House Counsel's Knowledge of Potential Presidential Records Act Violations (House Government Reform and Oversight Committee)
Committee Requests Specific Tillman Documents from the White House (House Government Reform and Oversight Committee)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
Iraq Contracting Scandals
Third Individual Arrested in Case Involving Bribery, Money Laundering, and Conspiracy Related to Department of Defense Contracts in Iraq and Kuwait (US Department of Justice Press Release)
Free-Running, Sweating, Squealing Pork
Side Deals Smooth Over Farm Bill Bumps (Associated Press article)
Other Problem Areas
No cooperation: Federal officials have failed to fund, help anti-terrorism 'fusion' centers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Export Controls: Vulnerabilities and Inefficiencies Undermine System's Ability to Protect U.S. Interests GAO-07-1135T, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Federal Family Education Loan Program: Eliminating the Exceptional Performer Designation Would Result in Substantial Savings without Adversely Affecting the Loan Program GAO-07-1087, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Millennium Challenge Corporation: Projected Impact of Vanuatu Compact Is Overstated GAO-07-1122T, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Millennium Challenge Corporation: Vanuatu Compact Overstates Projected Program Impact GAO-07-909, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
From The Office Of The President
Jul. 26, 2007 Press Gaggle by Tony Snow (White House website)
Jul. 25, 2007 Press Briefing by Tony Snow (White House website)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Iraq, Afghanistan Campaigns Have Kept U.S. Safe, Intelligence Official Says (American Forces Press Service article)
Global War on Terrorism: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense GAO-07-1056R, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Marine Corps Total Force System
Military Personnel: The Navy Has Not Provided Adequate Justification For Its Decision to Invest in MCTFS GAO-07-1139R, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Foreign Affairs
The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan
Troops in Afghanistan Thwart Ambushes, Kill Scores of Enemy Fighters (American Forces Press Service article)
Civilian Job Skills Help Guardsmen Address Afghanistan’s Poppy Problem (American Forces Press Service article)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Troops Detain Suspects in Iraq; U.S. Condemns Baghdad Attack (American Forces Press Service article)
U.S., Iraqi Generals Chart Security Progress in Baghdad (American Forces Press Service article)
Bush Urges Patience, Support as Troop Surge in Iraq Progresses (American Forces Press Service article)
More of the same: Bush's strategy would seem to be one that could keep U.S. troops in Iraq a lot longer (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Lawmakers Probe Embassy Complex in Iraq (Associated Press article)
Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at the New U.S. Embassy in Iraq (House Government Reform and Oversight Committee)
A Federal Reader
Human Trafficking: A Strategic Framework Could Help Enhance the Interagency Collaboration Needed to Effectively Combat Trafficking Crimes GAO-07-915, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Human Trafficking: Monitoring and Evaluation of International Projects Are Limited, but Experts Suggest Improvements GAO-07-1034, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Surface Transportation: Strategies Are Available for Making Existing Road Infrastructure Perform Better GAO-07-920, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Highway and Transit Investments: Flexible Funding Supports State and Local Transportation Priorities and Multimodal Planning GAO-07-772, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Higher Education: Information Sharing Could Help Institutions Identify and Address Challenges Some Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Students Face GAO-07-925, July 25, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
U.S. Postal Service: Mail Processing Realignment Efforts Under Way Need Better Integration and Explanation GAO-07-717, June 21, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
U.S. Postal Service: Progress Made in Implementing Mail Processing Realignment Efforts, but Better Integration and Performance Measurement Still Needed GAO-07-1083T, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
2010 Census: Diversity in Human Capital, Outreach Efforts Can Benefit the 2010 Census GAO-07-1132T, July 26, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
=================================
July 28, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Judiciary
SUPREME COURT RULING: Halverson remains off bench -- But justices say chief judge overstepped her authority (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Benching a judge: Acting quickly, commission rightly puts Halverson on leave from her courtroom (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Opinion granting in part and denying in part original petition for a writ of quo warranto filed by the Honorable Elizabeth Halverson, District Judge (Nevada Supreme Court website - 2.2 MB pdf file)
The Governor Of Nevada
Heading Your Way - The Summer Tour (Gov. Gibbons Message)
State Agencies
An Agency In Need Of Comprehensive Reform
"Criticized heavily by state lawmakers, the Tax Commission is backing off sweeping law revisions - some called it a "gutting" - that would have increased tax breaks for environmentally friendly developers, even after lawmakers spent months trying to reduce those breaks."
Lobbyists fended off on 'green' tax breaks (Las Vegas Sun article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Lenders
Judge warns attorneys in USA Capital case: Legal fights costing investors, she says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The Right To Know What You're Paying For
"With controversy starting to emerge, the Nevada attorney general's office said Friday it will review its opinion on the secrecy of findings about the financial health of private lenders."
Ruling on lender-health data secrecy to get second look (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
State Tourism
Gibbons outlines tourism vision for industry group (Associated Press article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Carson City manager opts to stick around (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
Now it's a 'center' for 'day laborers': Never mind that such a plan has already failed (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Dead Kids
POLICE INVESTIGATING: Infant found dead in foster home -- Girl, other children in home were being watched by 14-year-old (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Gas tax hearing Thursday (Elko Free Press article)
Nye County
County Affairs
Tonopah hospital tax dropped (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Town Of Pahrump
Park master plan on agenda (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Noise ordinance gets tweaked (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
UPAY4ME
"The owners of the controversial Winnemucca Ranch, now called Spring Mountain, have filed for zoning changes with the city of Reno to proceed with their project, now taking shape as three villages containing 10,571 homes, west of Pyramid Lake."
Ranch owners file for zoning changes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
Latinos Unidos to gain voters, political power (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
2008 Presidential Races
Democrats to unions: Caucuses help you, so help pay for them (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Development's big man on campus: Investors say they're writing big checks because of Oscar Goodman (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Schools' test scores may puzzle parents: 'No Child' law criteria don't measure overall quality of education (Las Vegas Sun article)
Teaching to the test: New study confirms that subjects not being tested are receiving lower priority (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Carson City School District
"Carson City School Board members voted to more than double their pay saying they deserved it, people would be more likely to seek office because of it and pay was going to increase soon anyway."
Carson City School Board defends pay raise (Nevada Appeal article)
Schools meet challenge to leave no child behind (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Churchill County School District
School board's complaint policy amended (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County School District
For principals, it's often 5 strikes and you're out: Four schools fail to show progress needed under federal guidelines (Las Vegas Sun article)
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Chief of police to quit post -- Garcia says move unrelated to incident in labor talks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Buyout sessions conclude -- Some 47 people comment on deal for Sierra Health (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Former AMA head opposes health insurance merger (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Dead Horses
40 horses dead at test range (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Dead Bears
Record 20 bears killed by cars at Tahoe (Associated Press article)
Liquid Hazardous Waste
US Ecology opens processing facility (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Marketable Green
Firms take green to market (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Fires nearly contained (Elko Free Press article)
Murphy torches grazing lands (Elko Free Press article)
Governor Gibbons Announces Members of the Tahoe Basin Fire Commission (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Mack Murder Case
Judge denies Mack's motion (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Judge refuses to dismiss Mack murder case: District attorney's statements about alleged confession criticized, but court fails to grant change of venue (Associated Press article)
State Prisons And Prisoners
New law: Let them out of prison -- 2,000 probationers, parolees off the hook because of crowding (Las Vegas Sun article)
$kindustry Regulation
Don't expect X-rated ads for X-rated activity: Brothels win their case to advertise but plan to stay coy rather than flaunt it (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Goldfield Days all set (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
The Monster Bass
Local fishermen take turns breaking state wiper records (Lahontan Valley News article)
A Nice Walk
Where to walk in U.S.? Henderson: Magazine rates city among the best strolling communities (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Hiring Hurdles: Major resorts to create labor migraines for small businesses (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Harrah's announces $1 billion Caesars expansion (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Broker says fee unpaid in New Frontier deal: Resort Properties of America sues Elad Properties, Fidelity National Title Agency for $12 million plus damages (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Gambling Cartels And Organized Labor
Culinary workers will vote on authorization to strike (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fed-up Culinary talks tough, talks strike: Vote set, union demands to share prosperity, aims for a show of solidarity (Las Vegas Sun article)
NBA Betting Scandal
Say it ain't so: Fans cheer their heroes, who play in the shadows of doping, dog-fighting and betting scandals (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
__________
Nevada's Past
The Legendary Comstock
Gould & Curry Reduction Works, photograph by Timothy O'Sullivan c. 1867 (US Interior Department) [click on image to enlarge].
Mill to give tourists new look at Virginia City's history (Nevada Appeal article)
Unfortunate
Veterans museum talk erupts in controversy (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Journalists tough on Gibbons, Legislature (In Business Las Vegas article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Survey shows most Americans oppose Yucca Mountain (Nevada Appeal article)
Yucca rail estimated at more than $3b (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Two commissioners will tour Scandinavian nuclear sites (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Yucca Opponent: Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone, led protests (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Yucca Pricks Gibbons (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Reid
Reid Helps Senate Pass Important Security Funding For Nevada: Homeland Security Appropriations Bill and 9/11 Commission Recommendations make Nevada more secure (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid Announces Funding For Bark Beetle Research: Grant will help UNR study control methods (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Rep. Heller
[Rep. Heller's office posted a very large number of press releases on his website yesterday, which can be seen here. Those listed below are the most recent.]
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $50,000 for Combating Meth in Churchill County (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $100,000 for Combating Meth in Carson City (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $75,000 for Combating Meth in Elko County (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $100,000 for Combating Meth in Douglas County (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $100,000 for Combating Meth in Lyon County (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $75,000 for Combating Meth in Nye County (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 26, 2007 - Heller Secures $700,000 for Combating Meth in Nevada: Washoe County to Receive $200,000 (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 25, 2007 - Heller Secures $1 Million for Carson Freeway Construction (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 25, 2007 - Heller Secures $500,000 for Meadowood Interchange (Rep. Heller Press Release)
July 24, 2007 - House Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Heller’s Colorado River Conservation Bill (Rep. Heller Press Release)
Rep. Porter
PORTER SECURES $1 MILLION FOR CITY OF HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT (Rep. Porter Press Release)
In The US Congress
Congress Sends 9/11 Bill to Bush (Associated Press article)
House OKs Farm Bill Despite Veto Threat (Associated Press article)
House Farm Bill Roll Call (Associated Press article)
House Votes on Campaign Ad Enforcement (Associated Press article)
Politics And Justice
This fight traces to Bush: White House at root of growing divide between Congress and Justice Department (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Analysis: Gonzales Endurance Is Baffling (Associated Press article)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
Official Says Consumer Agency at Risk (Associated Press article)
Government Auditing Standards: July 2007 Revision GAO-07-731G, July 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Information Security: Despite Reported Progress, Federal Agencies Need to Address Persistent Weaknesses GAO-07-837, July 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Nuclear Safety: Construction of the Protective Shelter for the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Faces Schedule Delays, Potential Cost Increases, and Technical Uncertainties GAO-07-923, July 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Unwarranted Surveillance
Reject FBI's request: Agency's desire to pay companies to store personal data violates liberty, common sense (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Travel Restrictions
Customs, visa changes OK'd: Legislation would benefit Las Vegas tourism (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
From The Office Of The President
Jul. 27, 2007 Press Briefing on the Economy by Senior Administration Officials (White House website)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
‘Admiral G’ Urges Force to Embrace Change, Stay True to Fundamentals (American Forces Press Service article)
DOD Business Transformation: Lack of an Integrated Strategy Puts the Army's Asset Visibility System Investments at Risk GAO-07-860, July 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Foreign Affairs
China
China Passes New Food Safety Regulations (Associated Press article)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Consolidating Anbar Gains (American Forces Press Service article)
Iraq Operations Net Suspected Weapons Smuggler (American Forces Press Service article)
Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Teams Help Rebuild Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)
Improved Ninewah Security May Mean Fewer U.S. Troops in Future (American Forces Press Service article)
07/27/2007: DoD News Briefing with Col. Twitty from Iraq (US Defense Department website)
U.S. Troops Clash With Shiite Fighters (Associated Press article)
Mexico
The Very Strange Case Of Zhenli Ye Gon
_small.jpg)
In Tale of Millionaire Drug Suspect, Mexicans Judge Government Guilty (Washington Post article)
Mistress's Alleged Role in Drug Case Outlined (Washington Post article)
Girlfriend of accused drug trafficker detained in Las Vegas (KVBC News report)
"Did this guy really throw away 125 million at the tables in Vegas? Gosh, that's downright careless -- unless he was pretending to lose 125 million while laundering 1.25 billion."
Zhenli Ye Gon: Cherchez La Femme (Bruce Sterling blog, Wired)
Zhenli Ye Gon, Chinese-Mexican Methamphetamine Entrepreneur (Bruce Sterling blog, Wired)
U.S. indicts Chinese-Mexican businessman on drug charges (Associated Press article)
Not Your Average Drug Bust: Suspect Wanted in Mexico Found in Wheaton Restaurant (Washington Post article)
International Intrigue Is The Least of It in Drug Case (Washington Post article)
Chinese-Mexican businessman in meth trafficking case held in U.S. (Associated Press article)
Drug suspect on lam appeals to Mexico's president (Houston Chronicle article)
Mexico Denies Drug Suspect's Allegations (Guardian [UK] article)
Mexico says pseudoephedrine case signals breakdown in port security in US, China (Associated Press article)
Other News From Mexico
Mexico to try 18 police officers after kidnapping of federal agents (Associated Press article)
Mexico anti-drug aid plan reported: $700 million deal could help Calderon's effort (Houston Chronicle article)
Mexico limits some cold remedies in narcotics war (Reuters article)
Rescue Mexico from US guns: Lax gun laws and enforcement in the US only feed the 'iron river' of weapons across the border (Christian Science Monitor article)
US guns arm Mexico's drug wars: The Calderón government is asking for – and getting – more US support in cracking down on gun smuggling (Christian Science Monitor article)
Accused Cartel Gunman, 17, Admits Murder (Associated Press article)
Mexico unveils $37 billion transport facelift (San Diego Tribune article)
Freedom of Information Comes of Age in Mexico (AScribe Magazine article)
Pakistan
New Violence at Reopened Pakistan Mosque (Associated Press article)
Russia
Gorbachev Blasts American 'Imperialism' (Associated Press article)
Sudan
UN Rights Committee Criticizes Sudan (Associated Press article)
A Federal Reader
Cost Estimate for Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 July 26, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Federal Timber Sales: Forest Service Could Improve Efficiency of Field-Level Timber Sales Management by Maintaining More Detailed Data GAO-07-764, June 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Public Transportation: Future Demand Is Likely for New Starts and Small Starts Programs, but Improvements Needed to the Small Starts Application Process GAO-07-917, July 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Public Transportation: Survey of Project Sponsors on Their Transit Projects and Experience with the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts and Small Starts Programs (GAO-07-927SP, July 2007), an E-supplement to GAO-07-917 GAO-07-927SP, July 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
Information Management: The National Archives and Records Administration's Fiscal Year 2007 Expenditure Plan GAO-07-987, July 27, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)
=================================
July 29-30, 2007
[12:30 PM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The Right To Vote
Term limits debate goes on: Legislators talking as 2011 approaches (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Reading other people's mail: Vote suppression in Nevada and the Civil Rights Act (Desert Beacon)
It Can Happen Here, Right Here (Desert Beacon)
Don't like the rules? Change the book: Gonzales DoJ changes the Election Crimes Manual (Desert Beacon)
Public Records And State Secrecy
We wouldn't want the public to know: Deputy attorney general comes down on the side of secrecy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
THOMAS MITCHELL: Bright lights and dim bulbs (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Nevada Highways
Safer roads, safer traffic: Nevada should learn from Missouri's experience in reducing traffic fatalities (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Resident wants NDOT to clean up properties (Nevada Appeal article)
The State Judiciary
Improving the Judiciary in Las Vegas (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)
Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists
.jpg)
My Country, 'tis of thee, Rollin Kirby cartoon [click on image to enlarge].
Smoking ban tests resourcefulness: Barkeeps find ways to let patrons keep smoking without running afoul of the law (Las Vegas Sun article)
Local Government
Churchill County
Chamber of commerce's executive director resigns (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County
Dead Kids
The kids aren't alright: Frustrated with the child welfare system, Judge Gerald Hardcastle is moving on to the divorce court (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Trade Union Tactics
"The objective of this type of campaign is to inflict as much economic pain and hardship as possible on a contractor's customer in an effort to get them to do the unions' bidding."
Guest columnist Warren B Hardy II: Union tactic harms honest employers (Las Vegas Sun column)
Douglas County
Just give Max Baer Jr. a chance and he'll hit a home run (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)
Elko County
Thanks To Nevada's Firefighters
Portions of U.S. Forest lands in Elko County to re-open (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Independent Incline to meet with county officials (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Shore-zone: Lawsuit threat appears likely (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Lyon County
County Affairs
Final County Manager interview still a go (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
City Of Fernley
Fernley Council to address extended, excessive absences (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
City Of Yerington
City finds consensus: Police department to stay (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County
Government-Chartered Monopolies
Bandwidth bandidos (Andy Barbano column, BarbWire)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Strong negatives, electability doubts dog front-runner (Las Vegas Sun article)
Kids health bill rouses fear of 'Hillary-care' (Las Vegas Sun article)
Guest columnist Samantha Galing Gaddy: Health care reform is top issue in America this election cycle (Las Vegas Sun column)
How big an issue will guns be? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
I Tube, You Tube, Boob-Tube Debate (Chuck Muth column, Muth's Truths)
General Political Opinion
"If you want to know where this will eventually lead, go watch an old Woody Allen movie called "Bananas," in which a lovable revolutionary more than a little reminiscent of Fidel Castro gains total power, only to immediately go nuts and start issuing bizarre decrees, including an edict that everyone will now wear their underwear on the outside, 'so we can check.'"
VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Is everybody going 'Bananas'? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Friction between branches historical (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Why I'm a Democrat and not Republican (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
A Matter Of Money
Consensus through cuts: UNLV president builds rapport by seeking input on tough budget calls (Las Vegas Sun article)
Research sprouts from small seeds: Professors add grants from outside to money UNLV's president scraped together (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
"Instead of marching to Carson City every other year demanding that tens of millions of dollars be spent on universal full-day kindergarten, the district's appointed and elected leaders should re-focus much of their energy on their secondary schools."
District grades (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Forced retirement: State should find ways to encourage qualified teachers to stick around (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Odyssey's elementary program 'exemplary' (Las Vegas Sun article)
Janison come lately (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Lyon County School District
Trustees to discuss salaries, health insurance coverage (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County School District
"Forty Washoe County schools failed to make adequate yearly progress in the No Child Left Behind testing for the 2006-07 school year, 15 more than in the previous school year, according to preliminary results."
Report shows schools slipping (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs
Thirsty Las Vegas seeks more rural Nevada water (Associated Press article)
The Carson River
Carson River faces the perils of popularity: Officials try to limit human pollution (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Walker River
Reid, Ensign and Heller say they will unite on legislation to help Walker River Basin (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
"UnitedHealth would hold 96 percent of the contracts for 75,000 people in the Medicare HMO market, the attorney general's office noted, and the monopoly could increase costs to Nevada's Medicaid program."
Opponents of health care takeover come out swinging in Round 2 (Las Vegas Sun article)
Warning: Merger Mania can give you Hiccups -- UnitedHealth defends takeover (Desert Beacon)
The Nursing Shortage
Hospitals hire foreign nurses with care: Language, medical skills equally critical (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Wild Beasts
"Bryant said more bears are coming down to the Truckee River or Lake Tahoe - and crossing roads to do so - because mountain creeks and streams are drying up."
Two more bears die after being hit by vehicles (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
A hospital with a wild side (Nevada Appeal article)
Into the wild: Dayton woman heals animals and returns them to nature (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
Feds face obstacles in corruption probe: Many see further charges as unlikely, but not impossible (Las Vegas Sun article)
Another Corruption Case?
Will McDonald get G-stung? (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Organized Crime
Family of victim links his death to Salvadoran gang (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
Lawmakers doubt they'll see a brothel ban next session (Nevada Appeal article)
Gibbons going after the brothels? (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Teasing but no pleasing: Ruling that allows brothels to advertise in counties where prostitution is illegal may have little impact (Las Vegas CityLife article)
State Prisons And Prisoners
Ripple effect: A new law may ease overcrowding in Nevada's prisons -- if the state can figure out how to implement it (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Utility to pay stock dividend: Nevada Power parent suspended payouts in 2002 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
NBA Betting Scandal
REFEREE SCANDAL AFTERMATH: Oddsmaker's new line: helping NBA -- White researching betting trends involving Donaghy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Jeff Simpson on why bad news involving gambling is bad news for Las Vegas, despite all the defenses of legalized sports betting (Las Vegas Sun column)
Ron Kantowski points out that the guy whose alleged actions could do the most harm in memory to the NBA just happens to be white (Las Vegas Sun column)
Ron Kantowski argues that the betting scandal is yet another reason the NBA needs Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun column)
Tip Pooling
Say what? Steve Wynn is spewing bunk about tip-sharing policy, experts suggest (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Cerro Gordo
CERCA: Spend a night in the 19th Century (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Echo Lakes
Echoes of serenity (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Historic Preservation
NDOT to rearrange grant funds to restore Depot (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The way we were: The Las Vegas News Bureau is preparing to share its classic black-and-white photo collection with the public (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Seeking to preserve the rich history of Incline this resident dove right into community activism (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Waste site work continues: Federal agency ignores state ban on water use (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Stalemate takes spotlight -- Clinton forces Democratic foes to take stand on dump (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Yucca Mountain looms for Thompson -- Ex-energy chief heads campaign of likely candidate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The people have spoken on Yucca Mtn. (Nevada Appeal editorial)
What killed Corbin Harney? A rift over health and dignity divides an activist community (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Reid and green power: Power 'moguls' stealing our air and water, he says (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Coal plant burnout: Taking control of air quality means rejecting arguments that bring us back to coal (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Brian Greenspun signs off for August with this thought: Going green will cost some well-spent green (Las Vegas Sun column)
Tax and spend has consequences (Sen. John Ensign column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
LOOKING IN ON: WASHINGTON -- Nevadans in House get lesson on seniority (Las Vegas Sun article)
Could the Unitary Executive scuttle Heller's Bill? (Desert Beacon)
Politics And Justice
Drug czar gets high ... on lies! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Dumb or dishonest? Either way, Gonzo's gotta go (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)
Tainted Food
Raw meat and profitmongers (Andy Barbano column, BarbWire)
Our Nation's Environment
Personally making a difference: New program allows individuals to act on their own to improve environment (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Not breaking news: The President wants more surveillance powers (Desert Beacon)
Regulation Of Business
"The Fairness Doctrine -- imposed in the late 1940s and abandoned in 1987 -- demanded that broadcasters present both sides of a controversial issue or risk having federal regulators pull their licenses."
All about 'fairness'? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Homeland Security
WASHINGTON DIGEST: Senate votes 89-1 to spend $3 billion to hire more Border Patrol agents (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Guard unit returns from Iraq deployment (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Veterans Affairs
Move quickly on report: A blueprint has been drafted for rapidly improving care to troops and veterans (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
A lack of care: Military medical system turns a cold shoulder to civilians wounded while serving in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Foreign Affairs
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Why should American soldiers fight when the Iraqi government is on a month-long vacation? (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)
==================================
July 31, 2007
[9:20 AM]
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The Governor Of Nevada
Gibbons boards bus to tour rural Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Governor tours Minden biodiesel plant (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Nevada's Ethics Laws
Official to lead union group: Legal opinions allow LV council member to pursue new post (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The Troubled Board Of Agriculture
Ag agency critic named to oversight board (Associated Press article)
State Property Management
Stewart colony residents tired of being in the dark: State says electrical system will be fixed soon (Nevada Appeal article)
Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists
My Country, 'tis of thee, Rollin Kirby cartoon [click on image to enlarge].
Where there's smoke: Health officials say some bar owners are still smoldering over smoking ban (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Local Government
Churchill County
County commissioners to consider two special use permits Thursday (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County
LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- NLV mayoral hopefuls emerge early (Las Vegas Sun article)
Washoe County
Reno, Sparks form panel to weigh tax issues (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
Upcoming Issues
NOVEMBER 2008 BALLOT: Tax activists gear up again -- Effort to cap property levy gets $200,000 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Term limit showdown looming? Some lawmakers may challenge Nevada amendment (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
2008 Presidential Races
Think tank plans candidate forums: Nevada events to spotlight presidential hopefuls, specific issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Sierra Health Services' earnings rise: Government program buoys quarterly results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Expanding
Saint Mary's begins $14 million expansion (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Death Of A Child
Nursing board will get report on girl's zinc overdose death (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Profits drop at Sierra Pacific: Nevada Power parent's results miss forecasts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Sierra Pacific net income falls (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Gibbons challenges Reid's stance on coal plants (Las Vegas Sun article)
Sticking with blue: "Keep Tahoe Blue" sticker has evolved into international symbol (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada's Burning Hills
Murphy Complex nears end: Officials expect full containment by Tuesday night (Elko Free Press article)
Two small fires in South Lake Tahoe knocked down (Nevada Appeal article)
McDermitt Fire Department receives $11K grant (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
The Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
Not Over Yet
Developer's ties to Kenny spur scrutiny (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Amen.
Root out all corruption: G-sting investigations should continue if evidence of other wrongdoing exists (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Copper Thefts
"From 2001 through 2005, there were four break-ins at federally owned substations in Nevada. Since April 2006, those same facilities have been broken into 13 times."
Copper thefts prompt plea for public help: Area power facilities offer rewards after surge of break-ins and vandalism in recent months (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Metal thieves a growing problem throughout state: Man allegedly tries to steal copper tubing at site of Angora fire (Nevada Appeal article)
Fusion Center
Anti-terrorism fusion center comes together: High-tech operation designed to bolster law enforcement (Las Vegas Sun article)
$kindustry Regulation
"The fire is suspicious because there was no electricity running to the buildings. Salt Wells used a generator to supply power before it closed in 2004."
Shuttered brothel destroyed in 'suspicious' blaze (Lahontan Valley News article)
Unfortunate
Washoe County deputy DA found dead in her home (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
No jail time for former undersheriff: Bill Cunningham to pay $4,675 in fraudulent vehicle bid case (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
NEVADA COMMISSION ON NUCLEAR PROJECTS: Brager appointed to board -- Clark County commissioner to replace Myrna Williams (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Heller sees progress, challenges in Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Heller likes some of what he sees during Iraq visit (Las Vegas Sun article)
Heller visits Iraq, continues support for surge: Republican congressman says normal life is returning to war ravaged Anbar Province (Nevada Appeal article)
Rep. Dean Heller shows independent thinking on Iraq (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Heller says surge is working in Iraq (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
==================================
