August 1, 2007

The new issue of The Nevada Observer is posted and ready for reading.  Please check the middle column for this issue's features, stories, articles and columns.  TNO would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers for giving us our most successful month ever -- over 70,000 sessions in July.

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Nevada Government

State Government

Our State Economy

Nevada sales down 3.6 percent in May (Associated Press article)

Property Taxes

Property taxes: Group wants to qualify another ballot initiative (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

County assessors to attend CAB meeting this evening (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Court: All Incline eligible for tax refund (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

State Boxing Commission

Another black eye: Boxing must clean up its act before another fighter dies in the ring (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Revamping downtown Carson City, step 2: With the vision in place, Carson City works on the details (Nevada Appeal article)

Another step to a new downtown vision (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Supervisors being asked to reshuffle parks priorities (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Dead Kids

Study details Clark County child deaths: Children under 1 account for 43 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Urban Renewal

REDEVELOPING DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: World Market viewed as catalyst -- Officials credit center for helping drive proposed jewelry market, arena for sports (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Downtown's savior or getting ready for a 'flip'? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

Windmill, straw bale construction before county Thursday (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"Landowners squeezed by taxes and lousy government policies saw their chance to unload some property and make a million or two. Too many lowered their standards to the 'best and highest use of land,' meaning making a fast buck, maximum density, streets that are really alleys, no place for kids to play, squeezing maximum living units into every acre, get county taxpayers to throw in a few million, and hang the consequences, that became county management policy."

How the county made growth profits disappear (Jack Van Dien column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

Mountain City district reopened by Forest Service (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Incline Village General Improvement District

IVGID explores ways to broadcast board meetings (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Ethics probe should be limited to Bohn (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

King's Beach

Beach parking revenues important to downtown: Utility district beach nets $155,000 in fees for parking and concessions in 2006-07 (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Truckee

Two wells dry: Truckee utility holds hearing -- Prosser residents blame irrigation (Sierra Sun article)

Lyon County

BLM plans fuels treatment project at Mill Canyon in Pine Nuts (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

City Of Fernley

Citizens against Water Treatment Plant formed (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Some Fernley residents strongly opposed to water treatment plant (Lahontan Valley News article)

Councilman explains absences from upcoming meetings (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Town Of Dayton

Lyon agrees to further extend Dayton Airpark map due to water rights protests (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Washoe County

"Four condominium towers up to 30 stories tall, altering the skyline of the south Truckee Meadows, could be built under a zoning change in a project to be considered tonight by the Reno Planning Commission."

A new look for south Reno? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Child Abuse, neglect can be reported to county (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Mitt Romney plans Nevada visits (Associated Press article)

General Political Opinion

Popular vote (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Q+A: Michael Richards -- Interim chief wants to keep CSN's ship on a firm course (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Poor showing in federal testing sheds light on problems in special education, staff says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Lyon County School District

County Commission to hear presentation on school district facilities planning effort (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

School board awards bid for paving projects (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Third assistant principal hired at Fernley High School (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

New grants manager hired for School District (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

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Nevada Water Matters

Utah lawmakers want closer look at Nevada water line (Associated Press article)

More "Science" from the Bush Administration: BARCASS (Desert Beacon)

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Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Insurers criticize deal's foes for 'fiction': Context takes backseat in UnitedHealth, Sierra Health's 'facts' (Las Vegas Sun article)

Raggio could benefit from controversial health care merger (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Environment

Starry Starry Night

"During the UC Davis and Space Science for Schools Star Party at Sand Harbor State Park July 20, a spotlight used by the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival ruined the amateur astronomers evening, Guttman said."

Searchlights pose nuisance enforcement questions (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Ursine Marauder

Bear still feasting on VC Highlands buffet (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Mining

Mining Law Reform: Local testifies before Congress (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Utilities

Plans for new coal-fired power plants in Nevada challenged (Associated Press article)

Solar rebates offered: Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power taking applications (Nevada Appeal article)

Rebates for customers who use 'green' energy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

For police, new anti-meth law nothing to sneeze at: State increases penalties, restricts sales of key ingredient (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Organized Crime

LV police: MS-13 has 100 members (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Consumer Protection

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS: Vehicle repairs draw inquiry -- Nevada attorney general expands number of stores under investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

"She purchased the property late last year after deciding that owning and operating a brothel would earn income to support her non-profit animal rescue foundation in Southern California."

Salt Wells owner devastated by fire (Lahontan Valley News article)

eTreppid Litigation

"Gibbons on Tuesday issued a statement denying that the claim in the motion was true, calling it 'the same old fabrication that was concocted by Mr. Montgomery when he initiated his suit against his former partner. It is not true, as I have said before.'"

Claims against Gibbons revealed: Court filing alleges then-congressman interceded for friend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"In recent filings, Montgomery's lawyers have said Bogden and others in the U.S. attorney and FBI office in Nevada were fired for mishandling the case, which they deny."

Unsealed document says Gibbons urged FBI search (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Culture

Silver Dollar Car Classic offers alternative to 'mob scene' of Hot August Nights (Nevada Appeal article)

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From The Neon Empire

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

LV Sands, Wynn survive market slide: Gaming companies zinged by downturn (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Las Vegas Sands profit falls 69 percent in second quarter (Associated Press article)

Las Vegas' Culinary Union sets strike vote for Sept. 12 (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Journalism

Ghost of Mark Twain roasts top newspaper publishers (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

State files court papers to halt Yucca Mountain water use (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

DOE evaluating media consultants: Contract forthcoming for Yucca public outreach (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Pull the plug already: Provision of energy bill that allows expansion of nuclear power should be discarded (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid, Feinstein, Lieberman Announce Most Sweeping Ethics, Lobbying Reform In Generations (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Harry takes on coal: Utah leaders should join Nevada senator's cause (Salt Lake City Tribune editorial)

PORTER SECURES $1 MILLION FOR CITY OF HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT (Rep. Porter Press Release)

Heller and Porter join the Roadblock Republicans (Desert Beacon)

A Tale of Two Announcements: Clinton on Yucca Mtn., Heller on Iraq (Desert Beacon)

Immigration Reform

A way to turn the immigration problem into a solution to a pressing problem (Robert Cutts column, Nevada Appeal)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

House Passes Lobbying and Ethics Overhaul (Congressional Quarterly article)

Ethics Bill Summary (Associated Press article)

Lawmakers Being Investigated (Associated Press article)

Feds Question Bookkeeper in Stevens Case (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Nominees for Joint Chiefs Are Questioned on Iraq (New York Times article)

White House Eyes Bomb Resistant Vehicles (Associated Press article)

Testimony on Estimated Costs of U.S. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and of Other Activities Related to the War on Terrorism July 31, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

The Death Of Patrick Tillman

Censure of retired general appropriate in Tillman case (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

Rumsfeld Denies Cover-Up in Tillman Case (Associated Press article)

Waxman Questions Army Candor on Tillman (Associated Press article)

Results of the Tillman Review by Army (Associated Press article)

Text of Censure Letter to Gen. Kensinger (Associated Press article)

No Cover-up in Tillman Fratricide, Former Pentagon Officials Say (American Forces Press Service article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghans Say They Won't Free Prisoners (Associated Press article)

Afghan, Coalition Troops Conduct Successful Missions Against Taliban (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In Nevada

Hello, Baghdad, anyone there? A new day for Iraq will not dawn until its leaders stand up and take charge (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

In Washington, DC

Bush, Al-Maliki Stress Political Urgency (Associated Press article)

Iraqi President Tries to Save Government (Associated Press article)

Iraq Makes Security, Economic, Political Gains, Officials Say (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraq Budget Decisions Depend on Situation, Progress, England Says (American Forces Press Service article)

07/30/2007: DoD Media Roundtable with Sheila M. Earl and RADM Donna Crisp in the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington Va. (US Defense Department website)

07/31/2007: DoD News Briefing with Secretary Geren and Gen. Cody from the Pentagon (US Defense Department website)

On The Battlefield

Coalition Raids Kill Five Terrorists in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Toll in Iraq Lowest in 8 Months (Associated Press article)

Coalition Continues to Target al Qaeda Leaders in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Surge Putting Pressure on Terrorists; Air Power Surges with Ground Troops (American Forces Press Service article)

Petraeus Says U.S. Will Retain Presence in Iraq for Foreseeable Future (American Forces Press Service article)

Petraeus Working to Keep Iraq Assessment Apolitical (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Police Undergo Specialized Training (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Special Ops, Army Civil Affairs Rally to Aid Iraqi Child (American Forces Press Service article)

When Ordered, Iraq Withdrawal Should be ‘Methodical,’ General Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Kurdish Leader Warns of Iraqi Civil War (Associated Press article)

New Surveillance Camera Minimizes Danger in Iraq (Army.Mil News article)

Iraqi Community Reopens Kindergarten: School receives much-needed structural repairs (Iraq Multinational Forces Press Release)

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August 2-3, 2007

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws

Candidates who failed to file contribution, expense reports sent for prosecution (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's Wretched Ethics Laws

Ethics Commission director resigning: Hired a year ago, Oregon transplant plans return to live closer to family, friends (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Councilman's labor post a concern for some on ethics panel: Ross insists dual role will not cause any conflicts of interest (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clear and present conflict: Las Vegas Councilman Steve Ross is courting trouble with his new union position (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

In the matter of Las Vegas Councilman Steve Ross (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Property Tax Cap

Ex-lawmaker declares war on Nevadans (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Term Limits

Unclean hands on term limits? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Do we have to go over this again? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Nevada's Highways

Nevada officials confident of quality of bridges: Magazine rates state's structures best in U.S. (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our State Economy

STATE ECONOMY: Sales drop biggest since 2001 -- Clark County sales fall 3.8 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Taxable sales fall throughout Nevada in May (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Caveat emptor (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

SUSPENDED DISTRICT JUDGE: Defamation suit to proceed -- Ruling favors Halverson's ex-secretary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

They had it in for Halverson (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

"Loehrer recently agreed to recuse herself from a civil trial after one of the parties discovered that she had publicly endorsed the lawyers for the other side - a prominent Las Vegas law firm now called Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish - in an advertisement."

Judge in ad for firm is off its case (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Taxable sales hit by slumping housing and car sales (Nevada Appeal article)

Mixed results in city's first financial report of the year (Nevada Appeal article)

Unfilled positions keep the city in the black, at least for now (Nevada Appeal article)

More power sought for Regional Transportation Commission (Nevada Appeal article)

On further review, no evidence of disrespect to the flag (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Churchill County

Slow housing market affecting sale of homes built by students (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

"Local government overtime rose sharply in Southern Nevada in the past fiscal year, continuing a trend that some experts attribute to poor management."

Overtime total jumps again (Las Vegas Sun article)

County again confronts issue of redistricting (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of Las Vegas

LV city manager gets raise he didn't want: Council rejects Selby's offer to stay at current salary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Real Estate Market

Scout's dishonor: Real-estate savvy, greed and faith land the local Boy Scouts a windfall (Las Vegas CityLife article)

HOUSING MARKET: LV homes head to auction block -- Some 100 properties slated to go up for bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hugely Patriotic

TOWBIN HUMMER DISPUTE: City votes flagpole down -- Car dealer says he'll keep fighting after council vote (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Town Of Genoa

Genoans may seek new town manager (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Jethro's Palace

Beverly Hillbillies casino approved (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Baer wins on Hillbilly casino; derrick delay (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Max Baer Jr. feuds with the NIMBYs: Max Baer Jr. hits another snag with his Beverly Hillbillies casino (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Nuisances in Incline need attention (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

County needs to allow Incline -specific nuisance ordinance (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Lyon County

Stark chosen for Lyon County manager (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County

SANCTUARY GONE AWRY: Squalid conditions discovered -- 125 sick, starving cats found at ex-shelter head's home (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

FLOCK: Former chief may have been overwhelmed (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Fire inspection work given to Abbott (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

Inequitable Taxation

"Most citizens grilled Wilson on why he still was assessing new rates, despite a Nevada Supreme Court decision last week that upheld previous rulings, again saying all 9,000 members of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay community were illegally taxed."

Citizens vent frustrations at CAB board meeting (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Residents of Incline Village to fight to keep county tax appeals board concessions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Incline Village residents hopeful of court's order (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Court order praised: Taxpayers challenge view assessments (Associated Press article)

UPAY4ME

Commission delays action until fall on giant condo project: Residents oppose Boulevard South towers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

City Of Ely

The war on Christmas in July (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

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Nevada Politics

Democrats use soccer in outreach to Hispanic community (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Power brokers, friends split over room tax raid, dismissal of wife (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

2008 Presidential Races

Dirty money? Democrats backed out of a Fox News-sponsored debate, but accepted campaign contributions from the network's execs (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Jon Ralston on the little attention Nevada's caucus gets (Las Vegas Sun article)

A punk for president: We need a bright prez who can speak the language of the people (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)

General Political Opinion

"Most people would probably assume that legislative journals are sacred and faithful records of legislative proceedings."

Tampering with the public's record (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Efficient education: As energy prices rise, so does the demand for energy efficient experts. Local colleges step up by offering a “green” degree (Reno News & Review article)

"The University of Nevada, Reno Alumni Association has been cited as one of about 120 alumni associations nationwide found to have received money through an unethical arrangement with a prominent student loan consolidation company."

UNR alumni group paid in endorsement of student loan firm: Nelnet paid $88,400 for logo, student lists (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

UNLV programs getting it 'write': Harter all smiles as university receives unusual recognition (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Poll: Education law needs big changes -- No Child Left Behind Act up for reauthorization (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Churchill County School District

Energy upgrades could save school district $300,000 a year (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Principal dismisses failing label (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Empowerment teachers get little something extra (Las Vegas Sun article)

The perfect sphere of the human heart (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Nye County School District

Nye County schools deemed high-achieving (Pahrump Valley Times article)

School trustees OK mandated pay (Pahrump Valley Times article)

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Nevada Water Matters

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

Second water study pushed: Senator cites Utah farmers' concerns (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

GROUNDWATER TAPPING: Battle with Utah brewing -- Request for study of plans upsets water chief Mulroy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Mulroy blasts Utah call for pipeline study (Associated Press article)

SNWA opponents question BARCASS (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Insect-Borne Disease

Getting them where they live: Integrity Pest Management keeps mosquitoes at bay by killing the larvae, not just the bug (Nevada Appeal article)

Scientists say West Nile virus cause of lower bird populations (John Gibbons column, Ely Times)

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Nevada's Environment

White Pine County Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Reid says he'll stop rural power projects (Ely Times article)

Ely councilmen react to Harry Reid's comments (Ely Times article)

As We See It: Reid forsakes Nevada's interests (Ely Times editorial)

Reid regurgitating Green mantra (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Greenhouse Gases

We're No. 1!: The Reid Gardner power plant in southern Nevada has been named the nation’s dirtiest (Reno News & Review article)

Dirty Anaconda

EPA testing extent of contamination at Anaconda Mine (Nevada Appeal article)

EPA testing for hazards at toxic Nevada mine site: Cleanup work near Yerington will take years (Associated Press article)

The Jewel Of The Sierra

Bill Clinton to attend Lake Tahoe Forum (Nevada Appeal article)

Ursine Marauder

Official: Bear slaying was preventable -- Washoe deputies use shotguns to kill 660-pound bear Thursday in south Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Big bear killed after home entry (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Dead Horses

BLM attempts to limit horse deaths (Pahrump Valley Times article)

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Our Beautiful Region

Backing the ranch: A wild rumor about a state park reveals anxieties about runaway growth (Las Vegas CityLife article)

A Ruby in the rough: backpacking a northeastern range (Nevada Appeal article)

A short trip into the high country of the Sierra (Ron Walker column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Man finds 1,800-pound meteorite (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

Frustrated by Fire: Rancher’s wife tells governor about concerns (Elko Free Press article)

Gibbons attends fire briefing (Elko Free Press article)

Governor talks wildfires, energy in local visit (Lahontan Valley News article)

First ever basin-wide forest fuel plan meets federal mandate (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Governors announce fire commission members (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

After fire, let's unite around solutions (John Friedrich column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

Lyon County may hike fees for brothel work cards: Ordinance amendment to be considered during county commissioners meeting this morning (Nevada Appeal article)

Brothel fire ignites many memories (David C. Henley column, Lahontan Valley News)

Indigent Defendants

New PD backs up original PD: Washoe An unusual new public office in Washoe County came into existence this year—the Alternate Public Defender (Reno News & Review article)

Unfortunate

Trial set for Oct. 29 in civil suit against Nevada prosecutors (Associated Press article)

Prosecutor, UNLV star remembered in service (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe prosecutor remembered online (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Mining

Newmont posts $2 billion loss (Associated Press article)

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From The Neon Empire

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

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Lofty plans put on hold as junk bond market reels (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sales spark surge for MGM Mirage: Pretax gain of $263.9 million from selling Primm casinos lifts quarterly results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Who cares about earnings? Las Vegas Sands Corp. executives giddy about prospects for Macau (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Charges figure in sending Boyd Gaming's profits lower (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

Reminiscing about the fashions, and publications, of way back when (Ruby McFarland column, Nevada Appeal)

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Nevada Journalism

Ghost of Twain assaulted by punster (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

House panel OKs bill protecting reporters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Jon Ralston on campaign money, Yucca Mountain (Las Vegas Sun column)

Who is Gibbons' lawyer? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Ensign opposes bill expanding health services for children: Amendment to redirect cigarette taxes blocked (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ensign's insurance strictly private: Colleague fights him on plan to shift funds (Las Vegas Sun article)

Children's health insurance: Ensign uses empty political rhetoric to try to derail sensible plan (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Is Ensign the new Quayle? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Our Bloated National Budget

A billion here, a billion there ...: Hey, it's only your money (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Military matters: Soldiers described what duty in Iraq is like and now are under fire (Reno News & Review article)

Don't ask, don't tell (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Placing the blame: Rumsfeld is responsible for the Pentagon's lies about Pat Tillman's death (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Update for August 3, 2007

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Nevada Government

State Government

From The Governor Of Nevada

TALKING WITH NEVADANS ON THE TOUR (Gov. Gibbons Message)

Governor Jim Gibbons to Meet with Idaho and Utah Governors About Wildfire Issues in the West (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Governor Gibbons Makes Appointments to State Boards and Commissions (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

From Nevada's Attorney General

TWO LAS VEGAS GROUP HOME OPERATORS GUILTY OF NEGLECT (Attorney General Press Release)

NEW LAW ADDRESSING MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE GOES INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1, 2007 (Attorney General Press Release)

ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPANDS CASE AGAINST PURRFECT AUTO SERVICE FRANCHISES (Attorney General Press Release)

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Federal Nevada

From Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Joint Communiqués

ENSIGN, REID LEAD EFFORT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR CLEAN DRINKING WATER IN NEVADA'S SMALL COMMUNITIES (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid, Ensign Lead Effort To Provide Funding For Clean Drinking Water In Nevada's Small Communities (Sen. Reid Press Release)

ENSIGN, REID ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR WASHOE COUNTY BUS PROJECT (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Reid, Ensign Announce Funding For Washoe County Bus Project (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Sen. Ensign

ENSIGN'S EFFORTS CONTRIBUTE TO PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN COMPETITIVENESS LEGISLATION (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

ENSIGN CONTINUES FIGHT TO REFORM EARMARKING PROCESS (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

ENSIGN: HALLMARK'S DECISION TO BAN SMOKING CONTINUES INDUSTRY'S TREND TO PROTECT CHILDREN (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Ensign Votes Against Ethics Bill (Desert Beacon)

Sen. Reid

Reid Leads Passage Of Bill To Fund Nevada Check-Up (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid: Senate Passes Landmark Ethics, Lobbying Bill To Change How Washington Does Business (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid Introduces Legislation To Combat Invasive Species (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid: DOE Hiring PR Firm To Do Yucca's Dirty Work (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid, Pryor, Murray Introduce Legislation To Help Innovate Our Middle And High Schools (Sen. Reid Press Release) 

Democrats Send President Bill To Fully Implement 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid Honors Lake Mead Rangers On World Rangers Day (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Rep. Berkley

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY BERKLEY REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF PAT TILLMAN (Rep. Berkley Press Release)

Rep. Heller

Nevada Rural Water program to Receive $150 Million (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Heller Backed Water Provision Included in Conference Agreement (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Heller Statement on the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act (Rep. Heller Press Release)

Heller returns from Iraq: some signs of progress (Ely Times article)

Our Federal System Of Government

RL34097 Congress's Contempt Power: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure July 24, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL30319 Presidential Claims of Executive Privilege: History, Law, Practice and Recent Developments July 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31989 Supreme Court Appointment Process: Roles of the President, Judiciary Committee, and Senate June 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

National Health Matters

Cost Estimate for H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act August 1, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Highlights of a Forum: Modernizing Federal Disability Policy GAO-07-934SP, August 3, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Our Bloated National Budget

Up in smoke: Congress proposes higher taxes for cigarettes and cigars (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Water projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Environment

Vehicle Fuel Economy: Reforming Fuel Economy Standards Could Help Reduce Oil Consumption by Cars and Light Trucks, and Other Options Could Complement These Standards GAO-07-921, August 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

National Education Matters

Federal Family Education Loan Program: Increased Department of Education Oversight of Lender and School Activities Needed to Help Ensure Program Compliance GAO-07-750, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Higher Education: Including Public, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Institutions in a Single Definition Is Unlikely to Immediately Affect Federal Spending, but Long-term Effects Are Unclear GAO-07-857, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

National Health Matters

Defense Health Care: Under TRICARE, Children's Hospitals Paid More Than Other Hospitals After Accounting for Patient Complexity GAO-07-947, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Medicare Advantage: Required Audits of Limited Value GAO-07-945, July 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

TRICARE: Changes to Access Policies and Payment Rates for Services Provided by Civilian Obstetricians GAO-07-941R, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Medicare: Geographic Areas Used to Adjust Physician Payments for Variation in Practice Costs Should Be Revised GAO-07-466, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

National Transportation Matters

"U.S. Transportation Department statistics show that 26 percent of the nation's flights were late or canceled during the first five months of this year - the worst record since 1995."

Going nowhere fast: Endless flight delays and cancellations frustrate travelers, who deserve better (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Now can we talk about infrastructure? (Desert Beacon)

Testimony on the Status of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund August 1, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Aviation Finance: Observations on the Current FAA Funding Structure's Support for Aviation Activities, Issues Affecting Future Costs, and Proposed Funding Changes GAO-07-1163T, August 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Airport Finance: Observations on Planned Airport Development Costs and Funding Levels and the Administration's Proposed Changes in the Airport Improvement Program GAO-07-885, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Transportation Disadvantaged: Progress in Implementing the New Freedom Program Has Been Limited, and Better Monitoring Procedures Would Help Ensure Program Funds Are Used as Intended GAO-07-999R, July 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Homeland Defense And Natural Disasters

Federal Reinsurance for Terrorism Risks: Issues in Reauthorization August 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts to Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters and Address Related Recommendations and Legislation GAO-07-1142T, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Emergency Management Assistance Compact: Enhancing EMAC's Collaborative and Administrative Capacity Should Improve National Disaster Response GAO-07-854, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Border Security: Long-term Strategy Needed to Keep Pace with Increasing Demand for Visas GAO-07-847, July 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Information Security: Homeland Security Needs to Immediately Address Significant Weaknesses in Systems Supporting the US-VISIT Program GAO-07-870, July 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Border Security: Security of New Passports and Visas Enhanced, but More Needs to Be Done to Prevent Their Fraudulent Use GAO-07-1006, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Aviation Security: Federal Coordination for Responding to In-flight Security Threats Has Matured, but Procedures Can Be Strengthened GAO-07-891R, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Observations on Federal Financial Implications GAO-07-1079T, August 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL33847 Chemical Facility Security: Regulation and Issues for Congress June 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33347 Pipeline Safety and Security: Federal Programs July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Federal Law Enforcement

Former Public Officials Sentenced For Participating In Bribery And Extortion Conspiracy (US Justice Department Press Release)

Two South Carolina Businessmen Plead Guilty To Causing False Statements To The Federal Election Commission (US Justice Department Press Release)

Statement Of Brian Roehrkasse, Acting Director Of Public Affairs, On The Appeals Court Ruling In The Jefferson Case (US Justice Department Press Release)

Former Chinese National Convicted of Economic Espionage to Benefit China Navy Research Center (US Justice Department Press Release)

British Airways PLC And Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd. Agree To Plead Guilty And Pay Criminal Fines Totaling $600 Million For Fixing Prices On Passenger and Cargo Flights (US Justice Department Press Release)

Alaska Senator's Home Is Raided: Stevens Scrutinized In a Wide Inquiry Into Corruption in the State (Washington Post article)

California Man to Plead Guilty in Plot to Export Restricted Technology to India (US Department of Justice Press Release)

Former Qwest Chief Executive Officer Joseph Nacchio Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Insider Trading (US Department of Justice Press Release)

Two Former Executives Of ITXC Corp Plead Guilty And Former Regional Director Sentenced In Foreign Bribery Scheme (US Department of Justice Press Release)

RL33473 Judicial Security: Comparison of Legislation in the 110th Congress July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33464 Judicial Security: Responsibilities and Current Issues July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32824 Federal Crime Control: Background, Legislation, and Issues June 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Information Technology: FBI Following a Number of Key Acquisition Practices on New Case Management System but Improvements Still Needed GAO-07-912, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

RL32766 Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Background, Legal Analysis, and Policy Options June 30, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32806 Journalists' Privilege to Withhold Information in Judicial and Other Proceedings: State Shield Statutes June 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Unwarranted Surveillance

Bush Vows Veto if Bill Doesn’t Close Intelligence Gaps (American Forces Press Service article)

Surveillance Of Animals

National Animal Identification System: USDA Needs to Resolve Several Key Implementation Issues to Achieve Rapid and Effective Disease Traceback GAO-07-592, July 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Government Secrecy And Deceit

Distorting the truth: In Bush's administration, politics eclipses science and good sense (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RS22533 Restructuring EPA's Libraries: Background and Issues for Congress June 15, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

RL32438 U.N. Convention Against Torture (CAT): Overview and Application to Interrogation Techniques January 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Strategic Defense

RS22120 Ballistic Missile Defense: Historical Overview July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33745 Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense -- Background and Issues for Congress June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33748 Nuclear Warheads: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program and the Life Extension Program July 16, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32929 The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program: Background and Current Developments July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

DOD is Making Progress in Adopting Best Practices for the Transformational Satellite Communications System and Space Radar but Still Faces Challenges GAO-07-1029R, August 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The US Navy

RL33741 Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Oversight Issues and Options for Congress June 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Personnel

Military Personnel: Air National Guard Has Taken Steps to Improve the Reliability of Personnel Strength Data, but More Needs to Be Done GAO-07-1138R, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Procurement

RL33757 U.S. Army and Marine Corps Equipment Requirements: Background and Issues for Congress June 15, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Sales Of Strategic Parts

GAO: F-14 Parts Sold by Pentagon (Associated Press article)

GAO Report Recognizes DLA’s Excess Property Program Improvements (American Forces Press Service article)

Sales of Sensitive Military Property to the Public GAO-07-929R, July 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

AFRICOM

Pentagon Official Describes AFRICOM’s Mission, Dispels Misconceptions (American Forces Press Service article)

RL34003 Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa July 06, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Defense Miscellany

RS21048 U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress June 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32123 Airborne Laser (ABL): Issues for Congress July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Veterans Affairs

Defense Department, VA Work to Integrate Health Records (American Forces Press Service article)

Veterans Affairs: Improved Planning Needed to Guide Development and Implementation of Education Benefits System GAO-07-1045, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Nuclear Proliferation

"A comprehensive test ban treaty, or CTBT, is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda."

RL33548 Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31957 Nonproliferation and Threat Reduction Assistance: U.S. Programs in the Former Soviet Union February 23, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33590 North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Development and Diplomacy July 02, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Foreign Affairs

State Department: Staffing and Foreign Language Shortfalls Persist Despite Initiatives to Address Gaps GAO-07-1154T, August 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

United Nations Organizations: Enhanced Efforts Needed to Increase U.S. Employment at UN Agencies GAO-07-1152T, August 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The Middle East Generally

Gates: Middle East Trip Aimed to Sow Long-Term Relationships (American Forces Press Service article)

Arms Sale to Help Bolster Long-Term Gulf Security (American Forces Press Service article)

07/31/2007: News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Secretary Rice from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (US Defense Department website)

Saudi Arabia Pledges to Support Iraq, Promote Regional Stability (American Forces Press Service article)

RL32260 U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2008 Request July 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33453 Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan Army on Right Track, CENTCOM Sergeant Major Says (American Forces Press Service article)

China

Officials Oppose Bills Pressuring China (Associated Press article)

U.S. Team in China for Food Safety Talks (Associated Press article)

Haiti

RL32294 Haiti: Developments and U.S. Policy Since 1991 and Current Congressional Concerns June 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Iran

RS20871 The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22323 Iran's Influence in Iraq July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

From Nevada

War in Congress not changing war in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun article)

Heller and Porter vote against rest and retraining for U.S. troops (Desert Beacon)

From Washington, DC

Gates Optimistic on Iraqi Security Front (American Forces Press Service article)

From The Battlefield

Coalition Raids Detain 17 Suspected Terrorists in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Court Sentences Snipers to Death for Terrorist Acts (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Forces Capture Two Alleged Senior al Qaeda Leaders (American Forces Press Service article)

Progress Continues on Many Fronts in Iraq’s Anbar Province (American Forces Press Service article)

Top Central Command Enlisted Leader Says Surge Making Progress (American Forces Press Service article)

Baqubah Transitions to ‘Hold’ Status, Commander Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Stabilizing Iraq: DOD Cannot Ensure That U.S.-Funded Equipment Has Reached Iraqi Security Forces GAO-07-711, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Israel

"Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II."

RL33222 U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel April 25, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Japan

RL33178 Japan's Currency Intervention: Policy Issues July 13, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL32649 U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: Significance, Prospects, and Policy Options July 09, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Kosovo

RS21721 Kosovo's Future Status and U.S. Policy July 12, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31053 Kosovo and U.S. Policy: Background and Current Issues July 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Kuwait

Kuwaiti Officer Marks 1990 Invasion Anniversary With Thanks, Resolve (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Meets With Kuwaiti Leaders, U.S. Troops During Middle East Swing (American Forces Press Service article)

Lebanon

RL33509 Lebanon July 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Libya

RL33142 Libya: Background and U.S. Relations June 19, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Russia

RS21123 Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Russia and U.S.-Russian Economic Ties July 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Zimbabwe

RL32723 Zimbabwe: Current Issues and U.S. Policy June 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

A Federal Reader

Elections: Status of GAO's Review of Voting Equipment Used in Florida's 13th Congressional District GAO-07-1167T, August 3, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Capitol Power Plant: Status of Utility Tunnel Projects GAO-07-1150T, August 1, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

African American Children In Foster Care: Additional HHS Assistance Needed to Help States Reduce the Proportion in Care GAO-07-816, July 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Corporate Shareholder Meetings: Issues Relating to Firms That Advise Institutional Investors on Proxy Voting GAO-07-765, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Trade Adjustment Assistance: Industry Certification Would Likely Make More Workers Eligible, but Design and Implementation Challenges Exist GAO-07-919, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Environmental Protection: EPA-State Enforcement Partnership Has Improved, but EPA's Oversight Needs Further Enhancement GAO-07-883, July 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Opportunities Remain to Improve Oversight and Management of Oil and Gas Activities on National Wildlife Refuges GAO-07-829R, June 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

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

August 4, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Governor Of Nevada

Road Trip

Gibbons says he wants farming protected, those involved in litigation should stand their ground (Mason Valley News article)

Rural Nevada tour puts Gibbons in his element (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gibbons reiterates stance on brothels during rural tour (Nevada Appeal article)

The Case Of The Unraveling Yarn

eTreppid court documents unsealed (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Attorney General

Opinion on releasing lenders' scores deserves failing grade (Las Vegas Business Press editorial)

New law on manufacture of meth goes into effect (Mason Valley News article)

The State Judiciary

Consent Searches

Court gives police more search leeway: Ruling involved case from Clark County (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State v. Ruscetta (Nevada Supreme Court website)

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Court access policy drafted: Officials want to clarify process for how documents will be handled (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"When the city released the report, all names with the exception of Adams were redacted."

Council went too far, judge rules (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Highways

Time to ante up: Nevada bridge backlog (Desert Beacon)

Local Government

Clark County

Developing Stories

Development activity declines in second quarter (Las Vegas Business Press article)

DOWNTOWN PROJECT: Lawsuit may delay arena plans -- Union says developer's control over property in question (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LV City Council gets OK for downtown plan (Las Vegas Sun article)

Understudy waiting in wings for arena developer to falter: Paradigm Sports and Resorts would need City Hall, city land for its plan (Las Vegas Sun article)

City didn't ask, so REI didn't tell of Michigan project's woes (Las Vegas Sun article)

Neonopolis owners expect face-lift will revive project (Las Vegas Business Press article)

New RTC line tailor-made for downtown (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Trademark fight goes on for downtown jewel (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Douglas County

Baer's casino gets good news (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Lyon County

Water issues need to be addressed countywide (Charlie Lawson column, Mason Valley News)

Nye County

Counts of cruelty: Former FLOCK president arrested (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Drug court continues to grow (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

Helping Out Harvey

Sparks planners move casino project forward (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Democratic leaders take leave to serve Richardson (Elko Free Press article)

Obama's visit to Elko will take him deep into state's GOP stronghold (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Giuliani and Thompson Edge Clinton In Poll; Clinton, Though, Leads Dems Big (Dullard Mush)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

More Alumni Sleaze

Alumni group's relationship with firm called unethical: In exchange for money, UNLV association gave alumni addresses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

Elko County School District

Elko High ‘in need of improvement’ (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County School District

LCSD officials see progress from latest Adequate Yearly Progress report (Mason Valley News article)

Yerington Elementary achieves AYP again, designated as exemplary (Mason Valley News article)

School board, superintendent to discuss mediation, goals on August 10-11 (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County School District

School board buys books for new year (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Substantial Funding

$89 million will help health system expand (Las Vegas Sun article)

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws

Raggio responds (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

West Nile Virus

Nevada State Health Division reports human case of West Nile Virus in Pershing County (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Clean Energy

Clean Energy Summit coming to Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Radioactive Water

Study finds elevated levels of polonium-210 in rural wells (Lahontan Valley News article)

Lots Of Blossoms, No Crop

Where are the bees? (Nevada Appeal article)

On The Hoof

Petition supports burros in Beatty (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Burning Hills

Gibbons set to meet with governors on wildfires (Nevada Appeal article)

New wildfires worsen habitat problems (Lahontan Valley News article)

Federal report: Thinning helped fight Angora Fire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Waterfall money in federal budget (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Dirty Power Plants

Nevada Power to cough up $60 mil. in latest settlement (Las Vegas Sun article)

Opposition to coal pressured by Reid's politics, practicality (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Looking To Expand

Sierra Pacific looks for another shot at building Mark Twain substation (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Riviera helps parent improve its profits (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

The Haunted Clock

Centuries-old haunted clock restored: Treasured antique at Governor's Mansion receives face lift (Nevada Appeal article)

An Old Time Sheriff

Bill Thomas: Last of the Great Frontier sheriffs (Bob McCracken column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Historian has no plans to retire any time soon (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The Gangster Years

JANE ANN MORRISON: In the end, mobsters tend to put their faith and trust in God (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada Journalism

"Based upon cost cutting mandates, the Mason Valley News will no longer carry the television listing insert 'TV Week,' beginning with this week."

MVN to seek alternative for TV listings (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Porter receives Yucca report: DOE has made progress, but some questions remain, GAO says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Roberts joins state nuclear panel -- Nye County superintendent of schools: Transporting waste to Yucca too risky (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Porter and Ensign announce support for Bush Iraq Occupation policy (Desert Beacon)

Berkley resurrects vets' burial cost bill: Federal payment would rise to $750 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Heller says health of local economy, watershed itself are priorities (Mason Valley News article)

In The US Congress

House Approves Foreign Wiretap Bill (Associated Press article)

Democrats Feel Pressure on Spy Program (New York Times article)

Science-related spending bill clears Congress (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

First Amendment help: Bill in Congress would boost the First Amendment by protecting journalists (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Raising the bar on ethics: Congress passes an ethics bill that would curb the blatant excesses of recent years (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Republicans Were Right to Oppose SCHIP (Muth's Truths)

Politics And Justice

Gonzales balks at explaining discrepancies (Associated Press article)

Gonzales Still at Odds With Congress (Associated Press article)

Statement of Sen. Patrick Leahy (US Senate Judiciary Committee website)

Federal Law Enforcement

Court Sides With Congressman on FBI Raid (Associated Press article)

United States v. Rayburn House Office Building Room 2113 (District of Columbia Court of Appeals website)

Homeland Defense

Researcher: Flaw Exposes Hack Threat (Associated Press article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghanistan Poppy Cultivation Skyrockets (Associated Press article)

Civilian Deaths and Counternarcotics to Top Agenda at Bush-Karzai Meeting (World Politics Review)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Iraqi Power Grid Nearing Collapse (Associated Press article)

Mexico

Continuing Narco-Troubles

Mexico wages war on drug lords, corruption of federal police (Austin Bay column, Creators Syndicate)

Despite Numerous Setbacks, Mexico's 'Legitimate President' Persists (David Agren column, World Politics Review)

Prosperous Haven in Mexico Is Invaded by Drug Violence (Washington Post article)

2 Federal Agents Gunned Down in Mexico (Guardian [UK] article)

US Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea for Alleged Mexican Drug Dealer (Voice of America report)

Tapes Implicate Tijuana Police in Drug Trafficking and a Killing (New York Times article)

Who paid for this? Tijuana's sophisticated surveillance system cost at least $15 million. But no one seems to be able to answer this question (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

The Candidacy Of Jorge Hank Rhon

Political and Electoral Transgressions in Mexico (Patrick Corcoran column, MexiData)

The Next Mexican Governor for Baja California? (MexiData article)

In Mexico, Rebel Politician Courts the Law-and-Order Vote (New York Times article)

Ex-Tijuana mayor forges link to poor: Jorge Hank Rhon is closing the gap in the race for governor of Baja California state (Los Angeles Times article)

Baja governor's race holds high stakes: If Hank wins, PRI returns to power (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Controversial tycoon eyes power on U.S.-Mexico border (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Free groceries feed charges in campaign (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Ex-Mayor Hank can run for governor: Ruling sets up heated political race in Baja (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Capitol Ideas

Mayor Tries to Transform Mexico City (Associated Press article)

A Very Rich Man

The Secrets of the World's Richest Man: Mexico's Carlos Slim makes his billions the old-fashioned way: monopolies (Wall Street Journal article)

Human Traffickers And Organized Crime

Smuggling Of Cubans Surges In Mexico (Washington Post article)

Mexico Police Find Cuban-American's Body (Washington Post article)

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

August 5, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Born To Steal: Nevada's Wretched Ethics Laws

Jon Ralston on why Nevada politicians have a different outlook on ethics than regular folks (Las Vegas Sun column)

Nevada Voting

Nevada keeps paper trail on voting (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

City: Downtown businesses projects need tax money -- City's investment of $1.5 million has led to business investment of $100 million (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson City landfill expects profit from taking Angora fire debris (Nevada Appeal article)

Theater really is a great thing for Carson City (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Churchill County

Planning commission's decision to deny dance studio overturned (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Overtime is out of control: Local governments should hire more people rather than spend so much on overtime (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Context deflates manager's salary (Las Vegas Sun article)

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- Soon, glitter on Fremont will extend past canopy (Las Vegas Sun article)

Developer thinks outside the wooden box: Concrete construction costs more, he says - but saves big on energy bills (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

Stark offered job as Lyon County manager (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Presidential candidates thinking big think Elko (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Governor And The Senator

Growing partisanship frays key relationship (Las Vegas Sun article)

General Political Opinion

False papers (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fixes long overdue: Civil engineers say the nation's crumbling infrastructure is in desperate need of repair (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Muslim extremists will make us regret it if we pull out of Iraq early (Bob Thomas column, Nevada Appeal)

Supreme Court's racial quota decision a blow to the PC police (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

The case for impeaching Bush and Cheney (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

UNLV earns high praise: Two of its graduate-level writing programs are rated highly by Atlantic Monthly (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Public Schools

Washoe County School District

NCLB system has problems; value report for its positives (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Articles highlight education deficits (Ellie Lopez-Bowlan column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Deliberate stall tactic: Utah wants another study on water plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Nevada -- The Suicide State

Elders deepen tragedy of state's suicide rate: They take their own lives at rate nearly three times U.S. average (Las Vegas Sun article)

Death By Zinc

Error that led to baby's death slipped through many hands: Tragedy led to changes at Summerlin Hospital (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Coal-Fired Power Plants

Reid has plan to leave coal in the dust: Push for renewable energy in state seen as high risk, high reward (Las Vegas Sun article)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Join Reid in battling coal polluters ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Commentary... if you're among the new gang of flagellants (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Radioactive Milk

Milk dumped after isotope found in wells (Associated Press article)

Green Houses

Get your house in 'green' shape: Make your home as environmentally sensitive as you can (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Cattle Grazing And Prairie Fires

Gibbons, Otter, and the Great Western Legend: Only Cows Can Prevent Wild Fires (Desert Beacon)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: When visiting Lincoln County, there's no excuse for boredom (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

"Seven local women completed the circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe by kayak recently and it only took them three years."

Kayaking around the lake (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Kids In Cars

Nevada law aims to prevent kids left in cars: No fatal incidents involving children have been reported so far this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Indigent Defendants

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT: EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE: Indigent defendants must have capable counsel (David Carroll and Gary Peck column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

$kindustry's Newest Debutante

Mustang Ranch emerges in new splendor (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Copper Thefts

Copper theft suspect claims coercion into plea bargain (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Another Defamation Lawsuit From Sheldon Adelson

THOMAS MITCHELL: The surreal Kabuki of a libel deposition (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

In Business Las Vegas

Jeff Simpson explains why you should be reading In Business Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun column)

In Business Las Vegas website

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Harry Reid on putting America's best interests into focus (Las Vegas Sun column)

WEEK IN REVIEW: WASHINGTON, D.C. -- State's senators just can't wait for '08 to campaign (Las Vegas Sun article)

Congress adopts ethics, lobbying rules: All Nevadans but Ensign back bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Lands

PERMIT PROCESSING COSTS: Off-roaders ticked off -- BLM fees for annual trail ride go from $90 to nearly $5,500 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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

August 6, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

JANE ANN MORRISON: If Assembly speaker has regrets, she's keeping them to herself (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Government

Clark County

Culinary doesn't want new jobs? What's really behind union's lawsuit over downtown project? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- Man's got plan for exactly what's needed in North Las Vegas: A symphony orchestra (Las Vegas Sun article)

Storey County

Virginia City pigeon-feeding ban proposed (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Dems submit candidates for county commission (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

_______

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Obama launches rural campaign in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Obama appeals to young voters in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Democratic hopeful ventures into staunch GOP territory (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

'SIMPLE PROPOSITION': Obama stands by comment -- Senator draws cheers for Pakistan invasion remark (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama visits GOP country (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Obama defends foreign policy proposals in rural Nevada (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- State school board members invited to Milken's for dinner (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clark County School District

Private firm's record keeping snags school that principal says is making progress (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elko County School District

Elko High ‘in need of improvement’ (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Fire

Agencies inspect fire damage (Elko Free Press article)

Lot restoration under way (Nevada Appeal article)

Wild Beasts

Residents blamed for bear's death (Associated Press article)

Bolder coyotes prompt warnings to Reno-area pet owners (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

UPDATE: Prostitution bust leads to charges against two (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Communication Centers

A bus or a high-tech center - Lyon dispatchers make it work (Nevada Appeal article)

Storey Co.'s communication center gets upgraded (Nevada Appeal article)

Complicated

Wheelchair was towed as woes piled up: 'Complicated' fails to describe recovery effort (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

Rhodes granted delay on Arizona project permit: Link to Erin Kenny questioned (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Transportation Festivals

Classic cars catches onlookers eyes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Car aficionados rev it up at Mills Park: Silver Dollar Car Classic concludes today (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Dealer who defied Wynn can't get new job: Casinos deny they blacklist ex-workers (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Public Lands

Group calls off-road recreation a threat to public lands (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Harry is really giving them hell: Majority leader Reid stands by vow to make Senate work (Las Vegas Sun article)

Politicians jam for a cause in LV: Nevadan Porter part of five-member band (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

National Health Matters

Making doctor pay healthy: Health system should do a better job of rewarding doctors for preventive health care (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Poverty

Helping the poor: House increases funding for food safety and food stamps, even as Bush vows veto (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Bonuses just for showing up! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

No more waiting: Federal report says education officials are slow to fix student loan problems (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Approved bill only small step at congressional ethics reform (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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

Update for August 6, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Voting

Nevada election official tracking California voting controversy (Associated Press article)

Nevada Highways

Nevada officials take steps to improve safety on U.S. 395 (Associated Press article)

City could take over several state-controlled streets (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada Taxes

Nevada panel rejects tax refund request from strip clubs (Associated Press article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

An Agenda Of His Own

Nevada prison board meeting sought (Associated Press article)

Ross Miller to Jim Gibbons: Let's oversee prisons (Vegas Pundit)

NRS 209.101

Local Government

Clark County

"Honest? Integrity? Isn't this the city manager who was going to give golf course developer Bill Walters a huge gift of public funds, by removing a deed restriction on the Royal Links golf course and allowing him to build homes about 20 feet from the city's sewage treatment plant in exchange for just a fraction of what the unrestricted land was worth? Why, yes, it is!"

Case of the Monday Quick Hits (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Details of Romney visit announced (Elko Free Press article)

Is Elko Obama-land?: Candidate gets big turnout in rural Nevada (Elko Free Press article)

Obama touches on variety of issues (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Nevada's Suicide Rate for Elderly Triple the National Average (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Sierra Pacific hearing delayed (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Regional forester to discuss fire impacts (Elko Free Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Wynn Resorts profits soar on opening of casino in Macau (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

You MUST read this blog! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca Mountain: DOE Has Improved Its Quality Assurance Program, but Whether Its Application for a NRC License Will Be High Quality Is Unclear GAO-07-1010, August 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Our Bloated National Budget

Monthly Budget Review August 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Financial Management: Long-standing Financial Systems Weaknesses Present a Formidable Challenge GAO-07-914, August 3, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The Congress And The President

Analysis: Dems Confront, Deal With Bush (Associated Press article)

Federal Law Enforcement

Feds Fine American Express $65 Million (Associated Press article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Unwarranted Surveillance

Eavesdropping Reforms Empower Spy Chief (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Senate Confirms Mullen, Cartwright for Top Military Positions (American Forces Press Service article)

Officers' Role in Christian Video Probed (Associated Press article)

Military Training: Actions Needed to More Fully Develop the Army's Strategy for Training Modular Brigades and Address Implementation Challenges GAO-07-936, August 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Karzai Thanks Bush, American People for Support (American Forces Press Service article)

"President Bush declined today to say whether the United States would seek permission from Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf before attacking top Al Qaeda leaders if intelligence indicated they were hiding in Pakistan."

Bush meets with Karzai (Los Angeles Times article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Analysis: Military Makes Gains in Iraq (Associated Press article)

Gates: Troop Surge in Iraq Pays Off in Heightened Security (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Political Crisis Grows (Associated Press article)

Citizens Oust Terrorists from Mosque, Help Uncover Weapons Cache (American Forces Press Service article)

Task Force Analyzes Detainees' Motivation in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Apache Crews Protect Ground Soldiers During Iraq Operations (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqis Eager, Willing to Protect Their Community (American Forces Press Service article)

Air Strike Kills Mastermind Behind Iraqi Golden Mosque Bombings (American Forces Press Service article)

Recent Ops in Iraq Kill Extremists, Nab Suspects, Weapons (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Police Free Kidnapped Female Iraqi Soldier (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Air Force Growing in Size, Capability (American Forces Press Service article)

Insurgents could be using Pentagon's lost weapons, source says (CNN report)

Mexico

Mexico Security Memo: Aug. 6, 2007 (Stratfor report)

Ruling party leads in Baja California race (CNN report)

Mexican Billionaire Donates Laptops (Associated Press article)

Thailand

Bad Thai Cops to Endure Kitty Shame (Associated Press article)

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

August 7, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Prisons And Prisoners

Miller urges prison board to meet soon: Secretary of state cites crisis conditions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Del Webb told to pay up in Sun City settlement (Las Vegas Sun article)

Homeland Defense

HOMELAND SECURITY: Panel OKs funding for fusion hub -- Gibbons touts data sharing system (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tourism

Tourism expands marketing department (Nevada Appeal article)

Appointments

Governor makes appointments to Commission on Construction Education (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Mass Eviction

'Not the way we wanted it to be': Shaky network struggles to keep 800 from falling into homelessness (Las Vegas Sun article)

Housing Market

Realtors group reports more homes are for sale (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

HOUSING MARKET: Mortgage company bankrupt -- American Home Mortgage once 10th-largest in nation (Associated Press article)

Douglas County

Almost everyone seems to win in casino approval (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Washoe County

Sparks has short deadline for I-80 plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Democratic presidential hopefuls target state (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Democrats in Elko (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Clinton will walk in nurse's shoes for a day (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Secretive Educators

Public kept in the dark on potential conflicts in higher ed (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Carson City School District

Overwhelming majority of city's students qualify for meal assistance (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County School District

Alternative school honored: Burk Horizon High implements Community of Caring model (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe County School District

Yearly reports don't tell whole story of a school's progress, district says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Irradiated Groundwater

Tests: Fallon milk OK safe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

FDA clears Fallon dairies (Associated Press article)

Decision to hold milk from 2 local dairies appropriate (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

Milk precaution points to need for more environmental study (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Burning Hills

Gibbons joins battle against weed that fuels wildfires: Four Western governors pledge to get rid of invasive cheatgrass (Associated Press article)

Climate Change

Understanding weather changes in Northern Nevada (Nevada Appeal article)

Coal Burning Power Plants

Hearing set for challenge to proposed Nevada power plants (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Southwest Gas reports second-quarter loss: Low summer gas use linked to results; company says year-to-year customer count increases by 3 percent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Art Of Portraiture

'Fifty Years of Faces' portrait exhibit opens (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Cars With A Past

Owners share tales of their wheels (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Strip clubs lose tax refund bid -- State commission turns down claim of unconstitutionality (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Asian brothel raid brings probation: First man sentenced in Operation Doll House (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Investigators still probing cause of brothel fire (Lahontan Valley News article)

The Clark County Jail

To offset jail overcrowding, county may have to pay twice (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rent-a-jail would cost county plenty (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

Fallon gets grant to fight meth (Lahontan Valley News article)

Police Civic Action

Residents invited 'out' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fight crime with a night out (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

The Red And The Black

Wynn Resorts reverses quarterly loss: Strong showing by properties in Macau and Las Vegas improve casino company's results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Harrah's profits up, but miss estimates (Associated Press article)

It Takes A Village

Casino project draws critics: Not every neighborhood in Nevada needs gambling, opponents say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

More To Bet On

Chinese races may hit Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gambling Miscellany

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- It's all in good taste as Station opens own restaurant brands (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Prehistoric Nevada

Lincoln County to receive funds for archaeological projects (Nevada Appeal article)

Resurrecting A Railroad

V&T Railroad project gains land, loses time (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Ensign, Porter traveling abroad during August recess (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Lands

A 'processing fee': BLM jacks up charges for off-road group (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

National Energy Policy

One for you, 19 for me ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Money alone not enough: A whole new system of assessing infrastructure needs should be evaluated (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

A sickening situation: FEMA, in another botched effort, fails to ensure safety of trailers used by disaster victims (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Increased training keeps Hawthorne depot viable (Lahontan Valley News article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Gardnerville soldier injured in Iraq (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Our enemy, our weapons: Hastening to arm Iraqi security forces, U.S. military dispenses with accountability (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Looking for an exit strategy from Iraq (Ty Cobb column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

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

August 8, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Prisons And Prisoners

Prison board meeting welcomed (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor Gibbons' Statement on Test Results Proving Fallon Milk Safe (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Governors to Create Working Group to Address Land Management Practices and Wildfire Threats (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons

Jon Ralston on Politics: Pitiful picks (In Business Las Vegas column)

Jon Ralston on an up-and-coming politician here who is being dubbed a 'new kingmaker' (Las Vegas Sun column)

Valid Voting

Nevada avoids voting-machine controversy (Associated Press article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"Owners of new energy efficient buildings who want to qualify for tax breaks would have to ban smoking under a proposed state regulation."

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- To get green, buildings may have to go smoke-free (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Government

Clark County

County Affairs

Commission's redistricting plan advances: Some oppose redrawing in mid-decade (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

County manager gets bonus, 4 percent pay raise (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Real Estate Market

Auction for LV homes draws 2,500 bidders; 87 homes sold (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Real Estate and Development: From foreclosures come opportunities (In Business Las Vegas article)

Credit crunch hurts housing (In Business Las Vegas article)

Las Vegas executives stay tethered to offices (In Business Las Vegas article)

Douglas County

Leadership needed to make a difference (Mitch Dion column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

Canyon to repair concrete (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

County seeks project to fund (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

DRIVE requests home to county (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

New ski lodge and building upgrades on IVGID agenda (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Latinos call pedestrian safety top priority (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Getting public transit moving in Central Lyon requires a lot of work (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Washoe County

Inequitable Taxation

Meeting with assessor disappointing (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Democratic candidates to speak to Culinary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Romney in Elko at 7 a.m. Monday (Elko Free Press article)

Can Romney keep his facts straight in Elko? (Desert Beacon)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Secretive Educators

Open those records: No good reason to keep outside jobs by university system employees under wraps (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Public Schools

Department of Education report shows fewer schools need improvement (Associated Press article)

Teachers who get police training could get extra pay, carry guns (Las Vegas Sun article)

Carson City School District

Students succeed in spite of higher-than-average poverty level (Nevada Appeal article)

Dining on the taxpayer gravy train (Chuck Muth column, Nevada Appeal)

Churchill County School District

School trustees will discuss test scores (Lahontan Valley News article)

Lyon County School District

County schools' progress report showing some improvement (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

The Carson River

Carson River through Dayton reaches 'extreme drought' level (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Helping Out Harvey

State plans hearing on Nevada developer's water plan (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

The Suicide State

Experts weigh in on Nevada's numbers on elderly suicide (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

A tragic statistic: Nevada's suicide rate among the elderly is highest in U.S., and more services are needed (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada Elders: No help from Bush Administration Medicare or Medicaid either, Part II (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Public weighs in on merger: State decision should come by end of month (In Business Las Vegas article)

Unlicensed Businesses

"Brett Barratt, in-house counsel for the Nevada insurance commissioner, said Medi-Share is acting as an insurance company without a license."

Shut down Christian health plan, state says: Whether or not it's called insurance, rules must be followed (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Uninsured

Health Care and Workplace: Nevada summit seeks remedy for uninsured crisis (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Nevada's Burning Hills

Federal report to aid bi-state commission on Angora fire (Nevada Appeal article)

Report: Much of Angora fire's spread was house-to-house (Nevada Appeal article)

California enacts fire building codes (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Officials, residents to plan recovery after Hawken Fire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Man-Made Radiation

Study: Fallon tungsten particles not natural (Lahontan Valley News article)

Wild Beasts

Bear's death highlights problem (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Alternative Energy

Nevada Solar One builder sues developer over bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Mining

State looks at mines after six go missing in Utah disaster (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Public Utilities

More Reasons Why The Public Utilities Commission Should Be Elected

Power station rejected: Rate hike could pass to Storey ratepayers (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada regulators reschedule hearing on Enron settlement costs (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

24/7 Surveillance

Police unveil cameras to help keep eye on high-crime areas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County Jail

County delays action on jail: Annual lease from builder would cost $11.3 million (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Overcrowding at the local jail: County wants to lease a new facility -- for millions (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

On Angels Peak, camp offers a chance at redemption: Success often declared with young gang members, drug dealers, sex offenders (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elko County Recall

Recall drive targets sheriff (Elko Free Press article)

Lotspeich: Business as usual at sheriff’s office (Elko Free Press article)

National Night Out

For once sirens, screams a welcome sight at Mills Park: More than 3,000 residents attend Carson City's National Night Out (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Hot August Nights Festival

Who holds the future for Hot August Nights? As participants age, some wonder whether the car fest will survive (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

21st birthday is worth celebrating (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance

Boat show begins Thursday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

CASINO COMPANY EARNINGS: Revenue jumps for Harrah's -- LV thrives, Atlantic City dives during second quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casino proposal reaction mixed: 70 turn out to review Mount Charleston gateway development (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tourism and Gaming: NBA has its own gambling woes to worry about (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Prehistoric Nevada

SUNSET PARK: Dunes design still undone -- Indian archaeological sites force change in plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

That Old Silver City Schoolhouse

Silver City schoolhouse begins to rise from ashes (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Poll: Nuke waste still worrisome (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Lands

Senate approves Idaho man as BLM director (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our Nation's Environment

Challenging the Cult of Environmental Disaster (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)

National Transportation

Congress must act quickly on FAA modernization proposal (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Pretty Poison

Banning tainted trinkets: Federal inspectors say cheap children's jewelry often contains poisonous levels of lead (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal Law Enforcement

FBI hiring (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

Update for August 8, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Government Records Accessibility

RL34104 State E-Government Strategies: Identifying Best Practices and Applications July 23, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

From The Office Of The Governor

Governor Gibbons to Address Border Security, International Trade and Other Issues on Separate Visits with Nevada Guard Troops at US-Mexico Border, Mexican Government Officials and Arizona Governor Napolitano (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

From The Office Of The Attorney General

WINNEMUCCA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD (Attorney General Press Release)

NEVADA ATTORNEY GENERAL URGES CONSUMERS TO CHECK TIRE NUMBERS FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TIRES (Attorney General Press Release)

Local Government

Lyon County

County Affairs

State revenues to county continue to come in below projections (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Michigan City Manager offered County Manager job (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

City Of Fernley

Mesa Drive residents initiate petition to stop water plant (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

City Council debates absenteeism issue, resignation request (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Councilman responds to voters seeking his resignation (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Nye County

Kulkin sues county (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Elko GOP sees its town become Obama Nation (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

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

Mulroy upset Utah seeking a federal water study of SNWA's pipeline plan (Ely Times article)

Lake Lahontan

Lake Lahontan still busy despite falling water levels (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

The Carson River

New water rights table approved for Lyon County Utilities (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Clean Energy

Reid to host Nevada Clean Energy Summit in Reno (Ely Times article)

The Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects Of White Pine County

Senator offers straight talk about coal (Sen. Harry Reid column, Ely Times)

As We See It: Reid needs to rethink his vow (Ely Times editorial)

Harry owes county an apology (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

Climate Change

Nevada coalition seeks CO2 caps (Ely Times article)

Lake Tahoe Conference

President Bill Clinton to Join Reid, Ensign at 10th Anniversary of Tahoe Forum (Sen. Reid Press Release)

__________

Nevada Mining

Mines & Mercury, Part 1: Mines add little to global mercury pool (Elko Free Press article)

Mining Law Hearing Scheduled for Elko (Desert Beacon)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Civic Action Initiative

National Night Out (Elko Free Press article)

Central American Gangs

RL34112 Gangs in Central America August 02, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Strange Fate Of Daniel Bogden

Daniel Bogden And Indian Country (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

Annual Perseid Meteor Shower to light the night sky this weekend (Ely Times article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

More To Bet On

Nevada regulators recommend Vegas-Hong horse race venture (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Prehistoric Nevada

Peavine Mountain Rock Art Update (US Forest Service Press Release)

Historical Preservation

Bowman Ranch house moved to museum (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Daily Sparks Tribune has new editor from Calif. (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain

Roberts chosen for nuke agency (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Rep. Heller

Getting the rubbish ready for 2008 (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Social Security

RL32279 Primer on Disability Benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) December 26, 2006 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33179 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Proposed Changes to the Disability Determination and Appeals Processes April 24, 2006 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22512 Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Accounts Not Counted As Resources December 26, 2006 (Congressional Research Service Report)

National Education

RL34119 Impact Aid for Public K-12 Education: Reauthorization Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act August 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Lobbying Reform

RL33798 Lobbying Disclosure: Themes and Issues, 110th Congress May 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL31126 Lobbying Congress: An Overview of Legal Provisions and Congressional Ethics Rules December 27, 2006 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Unwarranted Surveillance

Warrantless wiretaps expanded: A surveillance law pushed through Congress and signed by Bush on Sunday will allow the government to monitor phone calls and e-mails without a warrant (Christian Science Monitor article)

FAQ: How far does the new wiretap law go? (CNET News article)

U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote

US House of Representatives Roll Call Vote

The Fear of Fear Itself (New York Times editorial)

The politics of fear: Democrats wary of being tagged as soft on terrorism caved in on an unacceptable surveillance law (Los Angeles Times editorial)

Who's Afraid of George W. Bush? (Dan Froomkin column, Washington Post)

RS22406 National Security Letters in Foreign Intelligence Investigations: A Glimpse of the Legal Background and Recent Amendments March 20, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Right To Seek Medical Treatment

Court Rules Out Terminally Ill for Tests (Associated Press article)

Abigail Alliance vs. Von Eschenbach (DC Circuit Court of Appeals website)

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Congress Seeks Surveillance Documents (Associated Press article)

Congress Rethinks New Intel Budget Law (Associated Press article)

Bill Directs Army to Disclose Graduates (Associated Press article)

ABA Plan Limits Access to Public Records (Associated Press article)

RL34120 Information Security and Data Breach Notification Safeguards July 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Longtime CIA Spy Unmasks for Retirement (Associated Press article)

A Breakdown of Guantanamo Detainees (Associated Press article)

UK Asks US to Release 5 From Guantanamo (Associated Press article)

The Black Sites: A rare look inside the C.I.A.’s secret interrogation program (New York Times article)

Defense Rests in Padilla Terror Trial (Associated Press article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Pace Urges Interagency Cooperation in Government (American Forces Press Service article)

Army Reserve Transforms in Unstable Climate (American Forces Press Service article)

From The Office Of The President

Aug. 8, 2007 Press Briefing by Tony Snow (White House website)

__________

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Rebuilding Afghanistan (White House website)

Local Afghan "Cop" Show a Big Success (US Defense Department website)

Central America

Overcoming the obstacles: Human rights activists in Guatemala and Honduras (Amnesty International Press Release)

Colombia

Drug Kingpin Lived Large Before Arrest (Associated Press article)

Alleged Drug Kingpin Arrested in Brazil (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

U.S. Urges Greater United Nations Role in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraq: Draft UN resolution fails to address human rights and humanitarian crisis (Amnesty International Press Release)

Gen. Petraeus Readies Sept. War Report (Associated Press article)

Iraqi Leader Talks Security in Iran (Associated Press article)

Coalition Successes Mount Against al Qaeda in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Raids Hit Suspected Iraqi Militias (Associated Press article)

Thirty Terrorists Killed, 12 Detained During Iraq Operations (American Forces Press Service article)

Shiite Pilgrims Under Security Watch (Associated Press article)

'Artificial Spike' Leads to Highest Troop Level in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Soldiers Partner With Iraqi Troops in Mahmudiyah (American Forces Press Service article)

Working Dog Sniffs Out Homemade Explosives (US Defense Department website)

Citizens Oust Terrorists from Mosque, Help Uncover Weapons Cache (American Forces Press Service article)

Provincial Reconstruction Teams Guide Progress in Iraq’s Provinces (American Forces Press Service article)

Date Processing Plant to Boost Economy: U.S. soldiers help Iraqis open new business (US Defense Department website)

Veterans Service Group Leaders Visit Iraq, Gain Understanding (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqis Sign Up to be Police Officers: Military Police company helps with recruitment drive (Multi-National Division Press Release)

Korea

Two Koreas to Hold Summit (Associated Press article)

Overview of Historic Koreas Summit (Associated Press article)

Mexico

U.S. Weighing Anti-Drug Aid for Mexico (Associated Press article)

Mexico: Amnesty International completes High Level Mission - President Calderon commits to human rights (Amnesty International Press Release)

Tijuana mayor concedes gov race, but 'never' dead (Chicago Sun-Times article)

Lawmakers Urge Action on Juarez Murders (Associated Press article)

Pakistan

Pakistan May Declare State of Emergency (Associated Press article)

US: Musharraf's Absence Understood (Associated Press article)

Thailand

Thai Buddhist Vigilante Squads Suspected (Associated Press article)

Turkey

Easing Turkey-US Tensions Faces a Catch (Associated Press article)

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

August 9, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Emergency Services

HOMELAND SECURITY: Emergency staffing lamented -- Commission members disappointed lawmakers didn't increase funding (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Power And Water

Officials fearing shortage of gas: Officials say state needs access to more pipelines and fields (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry

Hotel, condos of USA Capital affiliate for sale (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Highways

Workers demolishing structures in path of next section of freeway (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Nevada developer ordered to complete land deal: Arizona jury decides Rhodes breached agreement to sell some land back to partners (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Minden Town Board approves commercial center (Nevada Appeal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Multiple Bureaucracy Problem Again: Everyone Can Say No; No One Can Say Yes

Tahoe City farmers market could close: New permit needed to keep popular produce mart open (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Condo project in doubt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

"Funny how a public that believes it's been duped never quite gives up hope for justice."

ERIN NEFF: Shoes dropping (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS: Primary picture getting fuzzy -- Nevada's early caucus date coveted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton campaign finds perfect hosts for house party: Couple from Mexico symbolizes Las Vegas, American dreams (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama adds state lobbyist (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State Republican Party

Nevada GOP's foreign policy aired: The Nevada Republican Party supports a disputed George Bush claim with some quotes from George Bush (Reno News & Review article)

General Political Opinion

Quick Hits: Separate those powers! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Jefferson was the first limousine liberal: Trust government to mishandle your money and then demand some more (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Expensive Tastes

Union's goal: Bring students together (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Political Blinders

"Our political system already has too few voices in it. The two large political parties have become obstacles to change more than instruments for it, oriented to money and power instead of to people and issues."

Think narrow: The University of Nevada, Reno should not be used to limit political dialogue (Reno News & Review editorial)

Public Schools

Back to school: Our annual Back to School issue looks at three issues that affect students from first through 12th grades (Reno News & Review article)

School's out: National rankings say that even if kids stay in school, they get a more narrowly focused education (Reno News & Review article)

Carson City School District

Nevada students click into virtual school (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County School District

CONSTRUCTION PLANS: Valley's geology costs district -- Caverns, fault line turn up at site for school (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Don't rush to add coal plant, EPA warns: Nevada's air and water need more careful watchdogging, BLM told (Las Vegas Sun article)

Green Building

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Homes may get share of 'green' tax breaks (Las Vegas Sun article)

Building blocks: Sierra Green Building Association helps turn fuzzy concepts into concrete--our straw bale--answers (Reno News & Review article)

Green tease: If building energy-efficient homes in Nevada is such a no-brainer, what’s with all the headaches? (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)

Clean Air

Push for safe drinking water gains legs - runners' legs (Las Vegas Sun article)

Man-Made Toxins

Study shows Fallon tungsten is not from natural source (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Burning Hills

More fire victims: Nevada tribes are suffering from the impact of range fires (Reno News & Review article)

Residents learn Hawken Fire restoration plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Alternative Energy

Boulder City not at risk, officials say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

West Nile Virus

Mosquito positive for West Nile virus: Clark County health officials urge residents to take precautions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

West Nile is in Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Holy Health Insurance

"Medi-Share officials have tried to disguise an insurance program and hide behind religious freedom. The state is right to shut this group down."

Hardly a religious freedom: Christian group tries to hide behind Constitution in its effort to sell insurance (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Suicide State

Senior suicides shameful for state (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

Plan a late summer visit to Nevada's Great Basin National Park (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

The Red And The Black

CASINO COMPANY EARNINGS: Growth hurts Station's earnings -- Casino company sees drop of 44 percent during second quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Progressive Gaming profits slump in quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'This is an $85 billion industry (annually in the U.S.), but as of 1982, it was a $10 billion industry,' said Bill Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada."

Analyst warns of gaming decline in Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: An honest mistake collides with the cold, hard corporate reality (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada's Past

V&TRR Festival

Railfest steams into Carson, Virginia City (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

The Nevada Test Site

Health screenings of Nevada Test Site workers go private (Las Vegas Sun article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Seek Medical Treatment

No 'right' to save lives without the FDA's OK: D.C. appeals court upholds agency's power (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Kept under wraps (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Army offering $20,000 bonuses to new recruits: Offer aims at meeting recruiting goals, runs through September (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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

August 10-11, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons traveling to Mexico (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gibbons visits U.S. border (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Governor to appear at sustainable conference (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

The governor is a lawyer? Uh, oh! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Women In Nevada

You've come sort of a long way, baby: One panel reveals women are making progress in the workplace (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Nevada Highways

Two Carson bridges named among those unsafe in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Jon Ralston on Politics: Slammer time (In Business Las Vegas column)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Health district to crack down on smoking ban 'scam' (Las Vegas Business Press article)

State Agencies

Bureau of Early Intervention Services Reaches Milestone (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Churchill County

Rural Summit brings state leaders to Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Redistricting

Plan to redo districts shelved: Commission split, chairman says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County redistricting (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Real Estate Market

Price drop may signal correction (In Business Las Vegas article)

Excluding Strip deals, valley land prices soften (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Developing Stories

Index sees growth in population slowing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Real Estate and Development: Developers enjoying life in the slow lane (In Business Las Vegas article)

Forest City pays $136 million for downtown property (Las Vegas Business Press article)

61 acres will be green, city says: LV-owned Union Park part of environmental building program (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regional Economy

Out-of-town work: Despite heavy competition, there's still money to be made by companies looking to serve conventioneers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Neighbors Don't Like It

There goes the neighborhood: Ex-cons and mental cases call Lawry Avenue home. But neighbors are crying foul (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Cruel Shelter

ANIMAL WELFARE: City looking at shelter conditions -- Reasons for disease, deaths being targeted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

County stumps for business license tax (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

What is the height limit in Douglas County? (Terry Burnes column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

Railport conceptual plan approved (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

Lyon County pulls ad for manager (Nevada Appeal article)

Company making 'super soil' seeks special use permit: Planning Commission to hear request from company that says soil will grow 'lemons the size of cantaloupes' (Nevada Appeal article)

Smith Valley master plan work results in questions on farmland lot sizes (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County

Nye County up by 386 residents (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Three new courtrooms on agenda (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Justice Brisebill rebuffed on request for higher pay (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Liakopoulos ethics charge tossed out (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Guns at public meetings

Who's defending whom from what? (Pahrump Valley Times editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

The Primary System

The real primary race: States' fight to move their presidential contests is becoming a mess, headache (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston on how Nevada could be Western bellwether (Las Vegas Sun column)

2008 Presidential Races

Sen. Clinton

STUMPING IN LAS VEGAS: Clinton spreads message -- One day, three different audiences for presidential candidate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton makes the Vegas rounds: Candidate appears totally at ease on campaign trail here (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clinton sets visit Monday morning (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Former President Clinton to make stop in Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bill Clinton to bring in some cash for NV Dems (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Real people? Real rich people! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Sen. Obama

Democrats enjoy warm reception: Obama points out differences with Clinton (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

'Is he black enough?' It's not a simple question (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama stresses importance of visiting Nevada, other early states (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Michelle Obama illuminates husband's vision (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Obama and the lobbyists (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Other Aspects

Edwards draws out feud with Giuliani (Las Vegas Sun article)

Foreign policy problem: Candidates' bluntness worries State Department, but voters need to know their views (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada Voting

Despite California voting machine review results, Lyon Clerk remains confident in Nevada voting (Mason Valley News article)

Local Politics

Let's get ready to rumble! Nevada's parties chose their leaders (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Nevada GOP caucus still on Jan. 19 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Financial Disclosure

Regents not set to pull trigger on disclosure (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Plan for pistol-packing teachers is backward thinking, former officer says (Las Vegas Sun article)

Churchill County School District

CCSD exploring bond measure (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Freshmen getting a fresh start: New Eldorado students will have own school (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SCHOOL BOARD: Trustees cut time to talk -- Speakers get three minutes instead of five (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Restricting public comment: School Board wants less citizen input during meetings (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Washoe County School District

"More than six out of every 14 Washoe County juveniles is a minority, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday."

Census: Minority figures up (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Program designed to help with before- and after-school care (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Speaker calls for conditions if HMO merger is approved (Nevada Appeal article)

More Patients

Changes at Nevada Cancer Institute to handle more patients (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Uninsured

Watchdogs: State Medicaid program among worst in nation (Nevada Appeal article)

Uninsured Carson man finds only frustration in quest for medical aid (Nevada Appeal article)

Media needs to change its call for health-care reform (Nevada Appeal article)

Rural Health Care

Limits on clinic service still a concern in Beatty (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Mental Health

State mental health center receives accreditation (Nevada Appeal article)

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough identified in county (Elko Free Press article)

Lost Opportunity

Did UNR medical center lose contract to Bush Administration corporate crony? (Desert Beacon)

West Nile Virus

No positive West Nile Virus results in Mason Valley yet (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Damn those Utah eco-radicals! (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Carson River

Federal protection strategy in place for East Fork of Carson River (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Walker River

Walker system has more water than expected in dry year (Mason Valley News article)

WRID to seek $2 million federal appropriation (Mason Valley News article)

WRID plans meeting to discuss proposed federal legislation (Mason Valley News article)

Walker Basin Project stakeholders to meet Aug. 21 in Wellington (Mason Valley News article)

WRID's Topaz Diversion project finally officially underway (Mason Valley News article)

Northern Nevada Groundwater

Washoe to decide on water export protest (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Fire

Angora Fire clean up is encouraging (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

South Lake Tahoe to hold parade of thanks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wild Beasts

State issues plea on bears (Nevada Department of Wildlife article)

Wildlife dispatchers inundated with bear calls (Nevada Appeal article)

Record year for bear sightings, experts say: State wildlife biologist urges people to secure garbage (Associated Press article)

Bear cubs captured in Minden (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Board members discuss trash awareness after bear's death (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

States differ on bear policies (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

BLM nabs eight burros at Beatty High School (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nitrates may have killed test site horses (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

It's better to be an organic bee (Nevada Appeal article)

Invasive Species

Heed a potential disaster for the lake (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Bill would create fund to fight invasive species (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Alternative Energy

Will anyone see the (solar) light? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Mining And Mercury

Mines & Mercury, Part 1: Mines add little to global mercury pool (Elko Free Press article)

Mines & Mercury, Part 2: How dangerous is it? (Elko Free Press article)

Mines & Mercury, Part 3: Are mines doing enough? (Elko Free Press article)

Mines & Mercury, Part 4: Nevada has a clean bill of health — so far (Elko Free Press article)

Jerritt Canyon moves to correct testing capacity (Elko Free Press article)

Dirty Anaconda

EPA samples mine heap leach soils, surveys radiological hot spots (Mason Valley News article)

Sniffing Bango

State notifies Bango Oil of alleged violations (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Official deflects criticism of plant: Sierra Pacific executive says similar project OK (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Power for the people, in new plants: Nevada Power, in race to serve growing customer base, begins work on new project (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

The Perseids are coming, the Perseids are coming (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Fine place to take visiting flatland hikers (Nevada Appeal article)

Tourism and Gaming: Walker Lake a Nevada wonder worth experiencing (In Business Las Vegas article)

Desolation Wilderness (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Public Art

Five entrants in running to create landmarks (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte

JOHN L. SMITH: Jim Rhodes' ties to Erin Kenny come back to bedevil developer (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Violent Wedding Chapels

Walk down aisle preceded by a walk on the wild side (Las Vegas Sun article)

Night Out

National Night Out was a smashing success (Nevada Appeal editorial)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

The Red And The Black

CASINO REVENUE: Casinos not raking it in as readily -- Growth of gaming win through June slower than in past (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casinos win $12.7 billion in FY2007: Carson-area win down for first time in 14 years (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada gaming win up, except for Washoe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

MGM Mirage, Wynn report robust second quarters (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Tax charges erase progress for Binion's: Employment-tax discrepancy led to wider losses at casino, report shows (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Gambling Cartels And Labor Unions

Culinary official chides regulators as Tropicana contract talks begin (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Name Game

What's in a name? Owners of Plaza say plenty (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Park will commemorate unsung long-ago resident: John B. Mankins was one of the area's earliest settlers (Nevada Appeal article)

State Railroad Museum surprises, delights visitor from Carson Valley (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

History detective: Plumbing the bizarre (and sometimes banal) history of Fremont Street (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Crystal Bay Club celebrates 70 years (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Remembering 'Goofy' Watkins of Gold Point (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Federal Immigration Crackdown

Leaders decry illegal worker crackdown: Various officials in Southern Nevada voice concerns about new U.S. effort (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Business frets over new rules on illegals: Crackdown may cut into area's growth, leaders say (Las Vegas Sun article)

DMV lacks authority to help identify illegals (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Hispanic leaders criticize new regulations (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Man without a country: Federal government thinks it was right to deport a U.S. citizen to Mexico (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

A premature crackdown: Officials vow to target illegal workers, despite Social Security database errors (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Immigration reform draws mixed reactions from local growers, field workers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Documents about Yucca in tug of war: Licensing Support Network at issue (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada wants secret Yucca documents released (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid schedules Pahrump visit (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Public Lands

Carson chief ranger moving to Washington, D.C. (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Our Nation's Economy

Homebuyers see low mortgage rates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Economy is safe -- at least through '08: Bush dismisses Democrats' tax-and-spend fantasies (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Setting poor priorities: Bush stumps for corporate tax cuts while vetoing funding for poor people and bridge repair (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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

August 12-13, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Tax Iniquities And  Inequities

An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform

"The commission does not keep a public registry of its decisions. Anyone wanting to see a decision must ask to review the minutes of the commission's meetings, available only at the Department of Taxation's office in Carson City. The minutes are not available online or at the department's Las Vegas office. And if you want a copy of the minutes, the panel's staff will provide one for you - for $2 a page."

Tax panel slammed for secrecy: Critic of state board says it protects 'elite money's interest,' not public's (Las Vegas Sun article)

Property Taxes

HOMEOWNERS: Tax caps' benefits not equal -- Savings from existing legislation, Proposition 13-style plan vary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

15,000-plus haven't paid property taxes: Officials say they'll get all $19million that's owed (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sales Taxes

As Carson City struggles to pay its bills, it is subsidizing neighboring counties (Nevada Appeal article)

Sales tax fairness is in the eye of the beholder (Nevada Appeal editorial)

State sales tax history and operation (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's Legislature

Initiative petition process complicated by new law (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ACLU to challenge new ballot-measure rules (Associated Press article)

The State Judiciary

"Public officials need to be free to speak about perceived corruption in the operations of tax-funded agencies without constant fear of being dragged into court. And their efforts to dismiss employees who they believe are acting improperly should not be chilled by encouraging those dismissed staffers to haul their former employers into court for 'casting me in a bad light.'"

Blowing the whistle on 'corrupt, cozy system': Former employee allowed to sue judge who hurt her feelings (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

MySpace judgment: Guilty -- Blog remarks cost substitute judge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Problem Of Term Limits

JANE ANN MORRISON: Thankfully, term limits haven't taken away Bruce Woodbury yet (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons visits Nevadans patrolling Mexican border (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Revive state prison board: With prisons in financial crisis, the board needs to start meeting on regular basis (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State Welfare Investigation

JOHN L. SMITH: Secrecy of investigation into state welfare officials raises even more flags (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Nevada Highways

At work in the sky: For builders of the Hoover Dam bypass, the view is a spectacular fringe benefit (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada's Working Men And Women

Working day to day: Casual Labor Office helps match employers with temporary workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

Clark County

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL (Las Vegas Sun article)

Another Casino

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Project clashes with northwest ethos (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Real Estate Market

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Foreigners hungry for high-priced Strip condos (Las Vegas Sun article)

Home prices still far from affordable: Current 'correction' could have long way to run, some experts say (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jeff Simpson notes that earlier predictions didn't factor in tougher lending standards (Las Vegas Sun column)

Plight Of The Homeless

SUMMER KILLER: When it rains, it pours -- Hundreds who live in tunnels risk being swept away by flash floods (Matt O'Brien column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Douglas County

More Casinos

Three Casinos eye Carson-Douglas corridor (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Pier Pressure

Pier deal hits snag at Tahoe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wants An Easement

IVGID faces litigation from Machata over driveway construction (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Citizens For Affordable Homes

Lyon County demands CAHI move office (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

ERIN NEFF: At the presidential prom, South Carolina cuts in on Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Jon Ralston on how presidential hopefuls are trying to curry favor with the Culinary Union (Las Vegas Sun column)

Romney outlines platform to 300 in Elko (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"I have never advocated socialized medicine," the former first lady replied. "That has been a right-wing attack on me for 15 years."

Left-wing lies (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES: UNLV gets national attention -- Engineering, science fields rising to top on many levels (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Health sciences the hot topic on Rogers' yearly fishing trip (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sierra College breaks ground: New campus set to open in two years in Truckee (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

LIVING LAS VEGAS: Only here would my son's first grade class go the year without a classroom of its own (Las Vegas Sun article)

Crowding squeezes classes out of a room (Las Vegas Sun article)

Guest columnist Walt Rulffes on the challenges of preparing today's children to compete in a global economy (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Cancer

Genetic testing uncovers risks: Cancer patients hope detection helps families (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Activists form alliance to fight cancer clusters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Cancer stories promote awareness (Jen Schmidt column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Health Insurance Companies

Doctor shows why insurers exasperate him (Las Vegas Sun article)

Preparedness

Barton sets emergency preparedness as top priority (Gardnerville Record-Courier)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

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

NEVADA VIEWS: Our own Hurricane Katrina -- Are we courting disaster with Lake Mead? (Assemblyman Joseph M. Hogan column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Another Reason For An Elected Public Service Commission

OF LIMITED UTILITY: It's doubtful you'll understand gas company's explanation of its rates (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Invasive Species

Has tamarisk met its match? Caution must rule as scientists test a leaf-eating beetle from northwestern China (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Wild Beasts

Incline works on root of bear issue -- trash (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Strict enforcement of bear ordinance (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Bear shooting unnecessary, advocate says: Sheriff says deputy was justified (Associated Press article)

Opportunistic omnivore annoying: Raccoons rival bears in bothering Reno-area residents (Associated Press article)

Sniffing Bango

County continues efforts to resolve odor issue on Bango Road (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Shakespeare In The Pines

Shakespeare Festival to begin encore week at Sand Harbor (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Nevada's Fire Festival

Burning Man and Yucca Mountain not what they seem (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

Music Hath Charms

'Strings' in the mall (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Citizen Volunteers

LV Guardian Angels' new recruits mark renewal of crime-fighting crew (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Dog Eat Dog

INSIDE GAMING: Tribes aim to thwart rivals' expansion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CASINO SECURITY: With arrest, a career dangles -- Anti-cheating consultant suffers damaging blow to credibility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Ghosts Of Nye

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Belmont, Manhattan offer ghost town experience off the beaten track (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

V&TRR

Lookin' for a train ride back in time (Nevada Appeal article)

Historic Preservation

LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- Money sought to save historic Kiel Ranch (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

THOMAS MITCHELL: Introducing lawyers to the First Amendment (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

When you work in D.C., the story seems bigger (Las Vegas Sun article)

Democratic majority brings only modest success for Reid's agenda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

PAC POWER: Lobbyists noticing Nevadans -- Ways and Means Committee gives Berkley, Porter clout (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Ads tie Porter to Bush's Iraq policies -- Dems' short radio spots target several GOP incumbents (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Climate Change

Leading on global warming: A plan for the U.S. and agreement with China are goals of Joseph Lieberman (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our National Infrastructure

We're falling apart (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

Immigration Reform

But do they really mean it? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Another step toward tyranny: Attorneys advocate closing public access to court records (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Bilateral support makes Bravo 19 a busy range (Lahontan Valley News article)

Not your father's Army: Recruiting is now a struggle, but lowering fitness standards is not a good answer (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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

August 14, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform

"It is simply ridiculous that the commission gets away with making decisions affecting millions of dollars of public money in private and refusing to divulge details. That is not acceptable for city councils and it is not acceptable for the Legislature. There is no reason the Tax Commission should be any different."

Not in the public's interest: State Tax Commission continues to protect the interests of big business (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State Welfare Investigation

"If 94 state computers can be stolen or otherwise misappropriated without the police being notified, then how will we lowly taxpayers have any confidence that Welfare Division supervisors are doing their jobs and not, as they stand accused, spending their days bullying the hired help?"

JOHN L. SMITH: No one in charge at agency appears to care about 94 missing computers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons, Mexican officials confer: Health care, border security top agenda (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jim Gibbons discusses issues from immigration to tourism (Nevada Appeal article)

Gibbons proposes cooperative ventures with Mexico officials (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gibbons: Mexico will pay health care costs (Associated Press article)

Homeland Security

Terror task force's loss called a risk (Las Vegas Sun article)

Our State Economy

Development agencies draw fewer businesses: Higher prices for land, homes deter some companies in '06, officials say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Working Men And Women

ERIN NEFF: Union politics (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

An Aging Population

The graying of Carson - and what's being done to stop it (Nevada Appeal article)

Public Subsidies For Private Enterprise

Up to $2 million sought for owner of old Wal-Mart: Goal is to improve structure in time for Burlington Coat Factory (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

City Of Las Vegas

What a photo op: Goodman, FBI playing nice (Las Vegas Sun article)

Regional Economy

June visitation up 4 percent; hotel occupancy also jumps (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

Lattin to ask council for grand jury probe (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Pier Pressure

California, Nevada at odds over piers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Riverine Customs

DRY RIVER? Placer County mulls Fourth of July booze ban on Truckee River (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

Zoning item removed from board's agenda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

City Of Sparks

Sparks won't designate I-80 as a levee (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Sen. Clinton

Clinton visits rural Nevada: Presidential candidate's appearance in Pahrump draws 2,500 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Guess who's coming to dinner and to work: For Clinton, health care is both a strength to be leveraged, and a weakness to be wary of ... (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton cites her experience as a compelling reason voters should make her president, but nearly 2 million pages of documents covering her White House years are locked up in a building here, obscuring a large swath of her record as first lady."

Clinton's first lady records locked up (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Hillary Clinton Comes Over the Hump to Pahrump (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Sen. Edwards

Edwards' growing goodie bag: Presidential candidate's economic ignorance is showing (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Gov. Romney

Romney’s campaign takes off: Candidate visits Elko straight from Iowa straw poll victory (Elko Free Press article)

Warm welcome for early visit (Elko Free Press article)

Romney says Iraq surge is working (Elko Free Press article)

Romney: Nation pays attention to Nevada -- Elko visit first since his straw poll victory in Iowa (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Romney makes his first public stop in Nevada: GOP presidential hopeful stresses conservative credentials (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The Regents And The Chancellor

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Regents will revisit reining in Rogers (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Good school, good kids ... not near me! Neighbors often fight proposals for magnets (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Invasive Species

Experts disagree on Lake Mead's quagga-mire (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Wild Beasts

Bear complaints up since Angora Fire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Quilty found herself staring into the eyes of a very large bear standing at the refrigerator door, holding a carton of orange juice."

Bear drops in at Kingsbury home for a (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Performing Arts

Shakespeare fades out; Sand Harbor festival goes on (Nevada Appeal article)

Water The Garden

Commentary: Can Las Vegans learn the art of appreciation? The bigger collections, better venues many want depend on one thing (Kristen Peterson column, Las Vegas Sun)

Hot August Nights

Saturday night cruise to be reviewed (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

A Ring And The Bogus: Where Is It Coming From?

Phony money alleged -- Indictment: Couple cheated Caesars (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

North Korean Counterfeit Dollars Stashed In Macau Banks

RL33324 North Korean Counterfeiting of U.S. Currency January 17, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33885 North Korean Crime-for-Profit Activities February 16, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Treasury Designates Banco Delta Asia as Primary Money Laundering Concern under USA PATRIOT Act (US Treasury Department Press Release)

Treasury Finalizes Rule Against Banco Delta Asia: BDA Cut Off From U.S. Financial System (US Treasury Department Press Release)

04/10/2007 Statement on North Korean-Related Funds Frozen at Banco Delta Asia (US Treasury Department Press Release)

How to spot DPRK-made counterfeit dollars (DPKR Studies article)

Nearly `Perfect' Fake Dollars Complicate Korea Talks (Update1) (Bloomberg article)

Violent Wedding Chapels

Where's the love? Wedding chapels are literally fighting over clients, which is bad for business (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Secret Witnesses

For those with tips, crime can pay: But Crime Stoppers callers scare easily (Las Vegas Sun article)

An Unusual Arrest

Off-duty cop arrested by her husband (Associated Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Station buyout backed -- Two-thirds approve transaction; regulatory approval still necessary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ruling boosts Riviera suitor; other hurdles loom (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jeff Haney on an unfortunate trend in sports betting on the Strip (Las Vegas Sun column)

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Nevada Journalism

Quick Hits: Another Norm!?! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Federal lawyers defend water use: Filing contradicts Nevada in Yucca Mountain case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Immigration Reform

Progress is being made on illegal immigration (Nevada Appeal article)

The Resignation Of Karl Rove

The Rove legacy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Goodbye and good riddance: Karl Rove leaves the White House with a legacy of deceit and suspicion (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Prospectus: My Life in Washington, by Karl Rove (Desert Beacon)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Military expands roles of local range (Lahontan Valley News article)

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August 15, 2007

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The new issue of The Nevada Observer is posted and ready for reading.  Please check the middle column for this issue's features, stories, articles and columns.  TNO would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers again for giving us our most successful month ever -- over 70,000 sessions in July.

Nevada Government

State Government

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons meets with Utah, Idaho governors about fires (Ely Times article)

Gibbons: Mexico trip may yield opportunities (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Money from Mexico? Governor right to inquire, but don't hold your breath (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

NEVADA CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT: Agency to pursue smokers -- Inspectors soon to cite individuals violating ban in restaurants, bars (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bilbo's Bar, health district smoking fight heats up: Officials want tavern owners held in contempt for violating judge's order (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Serve food or allow smoking: Trendy spots may face choice -- Closing kitchen early isn't enough to allow smoking later, officials decide (Las Vegas Sun article)

Fewer gamblers play after smoke clears: Supper clubs lose out as law leaves them without wiggle room (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Employees Retirement System

Public-sector pension reform (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada Highways

State traffic plan: Make 395 bigger (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"If things go as expected, the interchange proposed to be built at highways 50 and 395 by 2010 will be overwhelmed by traffic in 2030."

Where is the money? (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Inadequate State Regulation Of Lending Brokers

Judge won't force OneCap investors to take case to arbitration (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Seeking young work force not a threat to seniors (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Marriott pays $186 million for LV land: Company buys plot near convention center (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Company sees future in space: Journey passes through North Las Vegas facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

The fight for independence goes on (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Lyon County

Michigan man chosen to lead Lyon County (Nevada Appeal article)

White Pine County

It may cost county $10,000 to collect back $735 (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Presidential forums scheduled at UNR (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Edwards moving staff out of Nevada into Iowa, other states (Associated Press article)

Obama airing Spanish ads: Illinois senator using radio to get his message to Nevada's Hispanics (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Mitt Romney Elko's latest political tourist (Ely Times article)

GOP presidential candidate upbeat despite Iowa showing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Reward Hard Work At School . . .

Regents to weigh raising standards for admissions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Or Something Else

ACLU: Nevada college standards hurt minorities (Associated Press article)

Overpaid Administrators . . .

Ault's contract up for extension (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

And Not Enough Teachers

Orthodontics program threatened: UNLV will make changes after being warned of losing accreditation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

Report card shows lower dropout rate: State's graduation rate 67.5 percent (Associated Press article)

Teachers packing heat? Guns should not be on the back-to-school lists of Nevada's classroom teachers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Churchill County School District

School district shares goals for new year (Lahontan Valley News article)

Elko County School District

Down to the wire: Adobe Middle School almost complete; will open to students for first day of school Monday (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Nurse Shortage

New training aimed at keeping nurses from fleeing (Las Vegas Sun article)

Future Problems

Nevada health care ill prepared for aging population (Ely Times article)

Where Did The Money Go?

"A public agency created nearly two years ago by Nevada legislators to improve health care for minorities has spent almost $400,000 - with little to show for itself as it holds its first local public meeting today."

$400,000 later, little to show for health work: Tax dollars were aimed at helping minorities (Las Vegas Sun article)

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough vaccination offered (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Water Matters

Interbasin Water Transfers

"Commissioner Jim Galloway cited the regional water plan that said Washoe doesn't have enough water to provide for zoning granted as of 2002 and zoning for tens of thousands of more residential units has been approved."

County to protest water exports (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Last pipe laid for groundbreaking water importation project near Reno (Associated Press article)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada's Burning Hills

New fires reported in Elko County (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Trio of fires quickly snuffed (Elko Free Press article)

Utah wildfire threatened Ely's power supply (Ely Times article)

Fire closes U.S. 395 near Gardnerville (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Rush hour traffic backed up for miles (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Origin of Power Dam fire traced to fire pit (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Power Dam fire 'human caused,' officials say (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

County ponders fire-bill options (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Coal Burning Power Plant Projects

EPA letter questions BLM draft WPEC EIS (Ely Times article)

Gov. Gibbons repeats support for WPEC and EEC (Ely Times article)

Alternative Energy

Big prices for rights to tap heat: Auction of geothermal leases in Nevada and California raises $20 million (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

UNLV's place in the sun: Research thrives, pursues advances in solar, hydrogen, wind energy (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lake Tahoe Conference

Summit to mark 10 years of work (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Forum set for Friday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

10 years spent saving the lake needs another decade of commitment (Tahoe City Tribune article)

Value The Scene

Agencies place a value on the Sierra (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Utilities

Plain speaking: Muddled and confusing utility bills do nothing to help consumers' understanding (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Lower gas rate on utility commission agenda (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

New FBI Headquarters

FBI dedicates headquarters: Mayor fulfills dream, speaks at open house (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Ironies abound as mayor speaks at dedication of FBI's new field office (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Copper Thieves

Thieves steal statues from nonprofit: Opportunity Village employees saddened, shocked by theft (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Graffiti Problem

Johnny Appleseed hit by vandals (Elko Free Press article)

Cleaning up graffiti: Vandals given time to perform meaningful community service (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Culture

Nevada's Fire Festival

Burning Man art lands exhibit at museum (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Chamber Music

Chamber Music Festival starts Thursday (Elko Free Press article)

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From The Neon Empire

With deal signed, Ruffin era on Strip officially ended: Newspaper says final documents endorsed for sale of New Frontier to joint venture (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Progressive says investor buying 7 million shares (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gaming Partners shares slip after downgrade (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Past

Things That Go Bump In The Night

Investigators uncover ghosts in Old Town Dayton (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Journalism

Who is the we in ‘As We See It'? (Ely Times editorial)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Rep. Heller

On the House: Changing SCHIP (Rep. Dean Heller column, Ely Times)

Rep. Porter

Jon Ralston on the disingenuous tactics Rep. Porter is facing (Las Vegas Sun article)

In Congress

All alone at age 18: Give foster kids a greater chance at success by providing care until they're 21 (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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August 14, 2007

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Nevada Government

State Government

An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform

"It is simply ridiculous that the commission gets away with making decisions affecting millions of dollars of public money in private and refusing to divulge details. That is not acceptable for city councils and it is not acceptable for the Legislature. There is no reason the Tax Commission should be any different."

Not in the public's interest: State Tax Commission continues to protect the interests of big business (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State Welfare Investigation

"If 94 state computers can be stolen or otherwise misappropriated without the police being notified, then how will we lowly taxpayers have any confidence that Welfare Division supervisors are doing their jobs and not, as they stand accused, spending their days bullying the hired help?"

JOHN L. SMITH: No one in charge at agency appears to care about 94 missing computers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons, Mexican officials confer: Health care, border security top agenda (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jim Gibbons discusses issues from immigration to tourism (Nevada Appeal article)

Gibbons proposes cooperative ventures with Mexico officials (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gibbons: Mexico will pay health care costs (Associated Press article)

Homeland Security

Terror task force's loss called a risk (Las Vegas Sun article)

Our State Economy

Development agencies draw fewer businesses: Higher prices for land, homes deter some companies in '06, officials say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Working Men And Women

ERIN NEFF: Union politics (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

An Aging Population

The graying of Carson - and what's being done to stop it (Nevada Appeal article)

Public Subsidies For Private Enterprise

Up to $2 million sought for owner of old Wal-Mart: Goal is to improve structure in time for Burlington Coat Factory (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

City Of Las Vegas

What a photo op: Goodman, FBI playing nice (Las Vegas Sun article)

Regional Economy

June visitation up 4 percent; hotel occupancy also jumps (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

Lattin to ask council for grand jury probe (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Pier Pressure

California, Nevada at odds over piers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Riverine Customs

DRY RIVER? Placer County mulls Fourth of July booze ban on Truckee River (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

Zoning item removed from board's agenda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

City Of Sparks

Sparks won't designate I-80 as a levee (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Sen. Clinton

Clinton visits rural Nevada: Presidential candidate's appearance in Pahrump draws 2,500 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Guess who's coming to dinner and to work: For Clinton, health care is both a strength to be leveraged, and a weakness to be wary of ... (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton cites her experience as a compelling reason voters should make her president, but nearly 2 million pages of documents covering her White House years are locked up in a building here, obscuring a large swath of her record as first lady."

Clinton's first lady records locked up (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Hillary Clinton Comes Over the Hump to Pahrump (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Sen. Edwards

Edwards' growing goodie bag: Presidential candidate's economic ignorance is showing (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Gov. Romney

Romney’s campaign takes off: Candidate visits Elko straight from Iowa straw poll victory (Elko Free Press article)

Warm welcome for early visit (Elko Free Press article)

Romney says Iraq surge is working (Elko Free Press article)

Romney: Nation pays attention to Nevada -- Elko visit first since his straw poll victory in Iowa (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Romney makes his first public stop in Nevada: GOP presidential hopeful stresses conservative credentials (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The Regents And The Chancellor

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Regents will revisit reining in Rogers (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Good school, good kids ... not near me! Neighbors often fight proposals for magnets (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Invasive Species

Experts disagree on Lake Mead's quagga-mire (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Wild Beasts

Bear complaints up since Angora Fire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Quilty found herself staring into the eyes of a very large bear standing at the refrigerator door, holding a carton of orange juice."

Bear drops in at Kingsbury home for a (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Performing Arts

Shakespeare fades out; Sand Harbor festival goes on (Nevada Appeal article)

Water The Garden

Commentary: Can Las Vegans learn the art of appreciation? The bigger collections, better venues many want depend on one thing (Kristen Peterson column, Las Vegas Sun)

Hot August Nights

Saturday night cruise to be reviewed (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

A Ring And The Bogus: Where Is It Coming From?

Phony money alleged -- Indictment: Couple cheated Caesars (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

North Korean Counterfeit Dollars Stashed In Macau Banks

RL33324 North Korean Counterfeiting of U.S. Currency January 17, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33885 North Korean Crime-for-Profit Activities February 16, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Treasury Designates Banco Delta Asia as Primary Money Laundering Concern under USA PATRIOT Act (US Treasury Department Press Release)

Treasury Finalizes Rule Against Banco Delta Asia: BDA Cut Off From U.S. Financial System (US Treasury Department Press Release)

04/10/2007 Statement on North Korean-Related Funds Frozen at Banco Delta Asia (US Treasury Department Press Release)

How to spot DPRK-made counterfeit dollars (DPKR Studies article)

Nearly `Perfect' Fake Dollars Complicate Korea Talks (Update1) (Bloomberg article)

Violent Wedding Chapels

Where's the love? Wedding chapels are literally fighting over clients, which is bad for business (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Secret Witnesses

For those with tips, crime can pay: But Crime Stoppers callers scare easily (Las Vegas Sun article)

An Unusual Arrest

Off-duty cop arrested by her husband (Associated Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Station buyout backed -- Two-thirds approve transaction; regulatory approval still necessary (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ruling boosts Riviera suitor; other hurdles loom (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jeff Haney on an unfortunate trend in sports betting on the Strip (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Quick Hits: Another Norm!?! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Federal lawyers defend water use: Filing contradicts Nevada in Yucca Mountain case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Immigration Reform

Progress is being made on illegal immigration (Nevada Appeal article)

The Resignation Of Karl Rove

The Rove legacy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Goodbye and good riddance: Karl Rove leaves the White House with a legacy of deceit and suspicion (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Prospectus: My Life in Washington, by Karl Rove (Desert Beacon)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Military expands roles of local range (Lahontan Valley News article)

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

August 16, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Governor Of Nevada

BORDER SECURITY (Message of Gov. Gibbons)

The State Judiciary

Nevada Appeals Court Proposal

50,000th Case Filed At Nevada Supreme Court (Nevada Supreme Court Press Release)

Report to the 74th Regular Session of the Nevada State Legislature, 2007, Regarding the Creation of the Nevada Court of Appeals (Nevada Supreme Court website)

About Judge Halverson

DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Staff: Judge slept on job -- Hearing transcripts reveal allegations against Halverson (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bizarre allegations come to light: Transcripts released from closed-door hearing on Halverson (Las Vegas Sun article)

In the Matter of The Hon. Elizabeth Halverson, District Judge, County of Clark, State of Nevada. (Case No. 49876 - Nevada Supreme Court website)

Appellant's Opening Brief (Nevada Supreme Court website - 2.24MB pdf file)

Appendix to Appellant's Opening Brief (Nevada Supreme Court website - 4.48MB pdf file)

Transcript of Judicial Commission Hearings volume 1 (Nevada Supreme Court website - 4.84MB pdf file)

Transcript of Judicial Commission Hearings volume 2, part 1 (Nevada Supreme Court website - 4.14MB pdf file)

Transcript of Judicial Commission Hearings volume 2, part 2 (Nevada Supreme Court website - 4.14MB pdf file)

Tobacco Prohibition and Prohibitionists

Herbst revenue jump goes up in smoke: Gaming company blames second-quarter loss on smoking ban (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Citing individual smokers is a terrible idea that will further clog overburdened courts, cost government more than it can recover in fines and provoke citizen backlash. The Southern Nevada Health District should put a match to this policy -- somewhere smoke is allowed, of course."

Ticketing smokers: Health district takes the wrong enforcement approach (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Buildings should be 'clean,' 'green' for tax break (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Our State Economy

Diversification must continue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Those who don't like Nevada are full of No. 2: Don’t let the statistics fool you; Nevada is good for business (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Billboard proposal comes to the supervisors (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

ROOM TAX MONEY: Park funding shifted -- City of Las Vegas agrees to new formula favoring Clark County (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

NORTH LAS VEGAS: Council opts to combine City Hall sites -- Project adds police center, events space to old facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

NLV Chamber slates economic outlook (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

Airport Turbulence

Lattin pursues El Aero lease: Contractor asks board to void lease agreements (Elko Free Press article)

Residential route to new school restricted: Plans for bomb threat building at regional airport move forward (Elko Free Press article)

Nye County

A Disagreement Over Etiquette

Town manager Richards takes a shiner (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

Torn Up

Businesses blast city roadwork (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

New Stadium

Two sites OK'd for baseball stadium (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Helping Out Harvey

Judge: Nugget, citizens must pay Lazy 8 legal fees (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

It started with Nevada (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Battle over primary, caucus dates is starting to escalate (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Our View: Presidential candidates could learn a lot in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

CONVERSATIONS WITH NEVADANS: Hillary Clinton stumps Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Edwards pulling out some Nevada staffers -- Campaign faces Reid warning, GOP ridicule (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Edwards backs off in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Hispanic Voters

ERIN NEFF: Laying low (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Fewer minorities enrolled at two Nevada universities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Apprentice program is back - and better: CSN promises more support for students to help them earn degrees (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Average ACT score remains stable for Nevada students: Slight increase was posted nationally (Associated Press article)

School work: Students should work after school if they want to. It’s too bad some have to (Reno News & Review editorial)

Churchill County School District

Most teacher openings filled (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Welcome to Vegas, welcome to teaching: With more support, Clark County hopes more recruits will stay (Las Vegas Sun article)

Learning to get along: 'Not in my back yard' philosophy doesn't wash when new schools are needed (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

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

Commentary: Pat Mulroy explains how efforts to ensure water supplies for our area are paying off (Las Vegas Sun column)

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Nevada's Environment

The Jewel Of The Sierra

Tahoe's Cloudy Future: Lake clarity drops close to 5 feet in 2006 (Sierra Sun article)

Tahoe clarity down, worry up (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Affecting Lake Tahoe's clarity, ecology (Tahoe City Tribune article)

University of California Davis study shows warming trends at Lake Tahoe: 2006 measurement shows drop in clarity (Associated Press article)

Lake Tahoe Conference

Incline prepares for Friday forum (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Burning Hills

Lightning sparks two blazes in county (Elko Free Press article)

Dying Trees

Sierra trees stressed: Sierra conifers are dying twice as fast as two decades ago (Reno News & Review article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Proposals

ENERGY: Reid renews coal battle: Nevada senator won't reveal tactics, says state should focus on renewable energy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Alternative Energy

Let the sunshine in: North Las Vegas community could be first to take the solar power plunge (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Thinking Green

Leave it hanging: Hang it up to reduce greenhouse gases (Reno News & Review article)

Biking good in the neighborhood: Critical Mass commemorates the hot nights of August by celebrating bicycles (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Mining

Digging in: Mining reform hearing, rally Tuesday in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Mining reform: How to get involved (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Sierra Pacific applies for decrease in rates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Copper Thieves

Not what thieves thought: Sculptures stolen from a nonprofit group likely aren't made of bronze (Las Vegas Sun article)

"A five-time felon must serve at least two years in prison for selling copper wire stolen from two power lines in an incident that caused a small brush fire and power outage in Verdi, a judge ruled Wednesday."

Man gets two years for selling copper wire from power lines (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

eTreppid Litigation

"Montgomery's allegations are "so fully fabricated" that he and his attorneys should be sanctioned, Flynn said in court papers."

Ex-eTreppid employee files suit: Gibbons' accuser suing former lawyer (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Flynn said the new lawsuit is an attempt by Montgomery to get out of the $600,000 he owes Flynn in fees."

eTreppid lawyers say other is lying (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Profits rise, but customers might not be betting more (Las Vegas Sun article)

TIM DAHLBERG: NBA ref's plea felt on court, in books (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Judge questions sudden rush on Yucca drilling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Ensign sees need to change U.S. immigration law: Help foreign students stay in U.S., he says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Lands

IN THE OUTDOORS: Vast off-highway vehicle closure stirs ire (Doug Nielsen column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Energy Policy

Veto threatens energy bill: The energy bill that could (Reno News & Review article)

Immigration Reform

Administration bowing to public (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The Resignation of Karl Rove

You've got to be kidding (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Insulting hurricane victims: Federal aid for Katrina reconstruction helps investors buy luxury condos (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Travel Restrictions

The State Department now declares it's denying the passport application of anyone who owes more than $2,500 in delinquent child support. The full-court press (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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August 30, 2007

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A note for our readers -- TNO's computer crashed on August 17th; and worse, so did our new replacement computer.  We're working hard to restore our normal service, and we hope you'll bear with us.

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