.jpg)
Nevada's Online State News Journal
|
|||||||||||||||||
December 2004-June 2005; July-September 2005; October-December 2005; January-March 2006; April-May 2006; July 2006; August 2006; September 2006; October 2006; November 2006; December 2006; January 2007; February 2007; March 2007; April 2007; May 2007; June 2007; July 2007; August 2007; October 2007; November 2007; December 2007
==============================
September 1, 2007
_____
The new issue of The Nevada Observer is up and ready for reading (check the middle column for our current articles, features and columns). TNO's new computer has been repaired, appears to be working fine, and we should be able to resume our normal service today. All of us at TNO thank our readers for standing by us during these technical difficulties.
===================================
September 1-3, 2007 (With updates for the more important stories when TNO was offline)
_____
Labor Day
Labor Day, 2007: Honoring prosperity and the creation of wealth (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
A meaningful Labor Day: The average worker would be more honored with a living wage than with a long weekend (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Carson City is only as good as its labor force (Nevada Appeal editorial)
It's Labor Day, go to work: Labor Day isn’t just a good day to burn effigies. (Reno News & Review editorial)
__________
Nevada Government
State Government
An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform
Tax Commission secrets: Regulations for closed-door meetings must be narrowly crafted (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Lawmakers split over 'green construction' tax breaks: Buckley says Tax Commission advice doesn't follow law's intent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Open meeting proposal called too discretionary: Press aide says tax panel could still circumvent rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
Judge criticizes parties in USA Capital case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
District judge delays ruling: Southwest Exchange case plaintiffs get time to amend filings (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws
Jon Ralston on two cases that illustrate the need for stronger disclosure laws (Las Vegas Sun column)
The State Judiciary
SEALED COURT RECORDS: Panel works on access policy -- Members try to spell out when to keep documents open (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“More than 10,000 civil cases have been sealed locally in the past two decades or so, locked up, chained down and then tossed into a dark pit, never to be seen again. No one can tell us why."
Open courts? Whooda thunk it? (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Commission discussing open civil case records (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Appellate overload (Tami D. Cowden column, Las Vegas Business Press)
JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Lawyers: No judge safe -- Filing critical of suspension (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Inequitable Taxation
“Maryanne Ingemanson has led the collective voice of Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents in their fight with Washoe County and the state of Nevada to achieve fair tax rights.”
Revolt leader meets with Governor (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nevada's Economy
New law's wording may worsen state's mortgage woes: Rules to block bogus deals may slow approval of legitimate mortgage applications, observers say (Associated Press article)
Mortgage defaults high in Nevada: State leads U.S. in investor-owned loan failures, study says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Local Government
When Local Governments Don't Assess Adequate Impact Fees On Developers
Developer expects added traffic as projects progress: Most of The Arroyo, a mixed-use center, to open by December (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Builder criticized in report: Union-funded paper says General Growth tactics sap civic cash (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Ramped up: City dawdling on MLK will keep new highway exit closed (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Growing traffic, shrinking chances of help from feds: The country's system for paying for highways is broken and going broke (Las Vegas Sun article)
Congestion at the Galaxy Theater - is it here to stay? (Nevada Appeal article)
NDOT: Planning in place to handle increased traffic (Nevada Appeal article)
Development sparks concern about traffic (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County
County Affairs
Valley problems require vision (In Business Las Vegas article)
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: We need to boost recycling, but not at expense of trash pickup (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Boulder City
Don't mess with success: Sidewalk displays in Boulder City have prospered for decades without permits (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
City Of Henderson
1988-2007: 400% Increase In Population; 1000+% Increase In City Budget
Under his watch, Henderson transformed itself (Las Vegas Sun article)
City Of Las Vegas
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- Some entrepreneurs thinking smaller in Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)
Smoke and mirrors: Pretty streetscaping and bright lights can't hide the fact that Fremont East has a long way to go (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Regional Real Estate Market
HOUSING MARKET: Crunch time for credit -- Consumers' borrowing options dwindle as market tightens, officials say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Housing slowdown hits Mesquite: Average home price slips 14.3 percent in second quarter (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Real Estate and Development: Luxury home market not so rosy after all (In Business Las Vegas article)
Douglas County
Where are the checks and balances in government? (Jack Van Dien column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)
“Many of the issues concerning the casino, which could turn into serious problems for Douglas County residents in the future, were not forwarded to Douglas County's Board of Commissioners before they narrowly approved the project by a 3-2 vote in early August.”
Fix the minutes and move on (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)
U.S. 395 tree project recalls simpler time (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
IVGID board turns down beach proposal, 3-2 (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Group members disappointed at Brockman vote (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Do the wheels on the bus go around the lake? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Public transit must be a priority (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Mousehole cost estimates draw flak from council: Truckee Council rejects 3 tunnels (Sierra Sun article)
Tahoe's waning local workforce (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nye County
Crystal man girds for development battle (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
City Of Reno
“A Washoe District Court judge has revoked zoning for 6,800 acres in Cold Springs that was annexed to Reno in 2005, saying the city ignored state law by not changing the master plan to account for the use changes.”
Judge revokes Cold Springs zoning (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
“The stadium deal must be completed by Oct. 1 for SK Baseball to qualify for $27 million in car rental taxes over the next 20 years.”
Council backs baseball accord (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
“Since 1990, the county health department has prohibited residential building over landfills.”
Reno OKs apartments on landfill site (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Neighbors oppose apartments on site of former trash dump (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
City Of Sparks
'The city's argument ... must fail': Artist wins First Amendment case against Sparks (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Lazy 8 developer sues councilman, Nugget (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
White Pine County
Mesa Air criticized in EAS letters (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Politics
Visit Of The President
President's stay in Reno gives hotel-casino presidential suite (Associated Press article)
2008 Presidential Races
Poll suggests Nevada could break new political ground (Associated Press article)
ERIN NEFF: Unions have power to swing caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
In decline: Nevada’s presidential caucuses are suffering from the perception that they are insignificant. (Reno News & Review article)
Candidates asked to sign caucus pledges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Dodd rallies supporters in LV: Candidate's visit follows endorsement from firefighters union (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JOHN L. SMITH: With a resume that ought to impress, Biden tries to work his way up (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Romney one GOP candidate in Nevada (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
State Democratic Party
Democratic Club leader makes difference: Minnesota transplant breathes new life into Summerlin group (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Building Democratic Organizations (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)
Citizens And Their Governments
Muted public response: Though often silent, public comment periods at municipal meetings are important (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
General Political Opinion
Labor Day Quick Hits! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
I remember Aaron Russo (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Say the secret word: bureaucracy -- Using bureaucracy to cure bureaucracy is like using lung cancer to cure skin cancer. (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
The Chancellor And The Regents
Review of chancellor was tough but fair (Ron Knecht column, Nevada Appeal)
What's up with Rogers? Chancellor pulling proposed pledges can't be good (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Rogers v. Regents: Members of Nevada’s board of regents learn to live with the erratic chancellor they appointed. (Reno News & Review article)
SHERMAN FREDERICK: It's time for Rogers to go -- Manipulative, oversensitive (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Public Schools
Candid camera for teachers: YouTube generation has a new way of drawing attention away from classroom studies (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Clark County School District
Charter schools give students alternatives: Five new programs open doors this fall (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Twisting in the wind (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
ERIN NEFF: These numbers don't warrant a party (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- New school holds out, snags veteran administrator (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lyon County School District
Lyon County School superintendent to retire (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County School District
Leaving the gifted behind: But Reno-area school runs counter to the trend (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
White Pine County School District
White Pine schools meet NCLB for third year (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Harry Reid says Utah trying to steal ‘our' water (Ely Times article)
County may back deep water well (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
The Uninsured
“The era of the benevolent company caring for its retirees in their golden years is more myth than fact these days. Social Security is on wobbly legs. Your retirement benefits can be changed whenever the company wants, and there's nothing you can do about it.”
JANE ANN MORRISON: Unlike death and taxes, promises of retirement benefits certainly change (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Uninsured America: More people are living without health insurance, which is why Congress needs to act (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
A tsunami of the aging is coming to Nevada, and we aren't prepared (Janice R. Ayres column, Nevada Appeal)
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Official OKs Sierra Health buyout -- Deal passes muster from state but with key concessions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
UNITED HEALTH-SIERRA HEALTH MERGER: Deal faces more scrutiny -- State, federal regulators to act on proposed Sierra Health Services buyout (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ERIN NEFF: Sick over a merger (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Insurance deal sails by with 'big holes': State insurance chief's conditions called weak, leaving patients at risk (Las Vegas Sun article)
Jon Ralston on Politics: Takeover two-step (In Business Las Vegas column)
The Nursing Shortage
Nursing schools lack faculty: Shortage turns some students away (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
University Medical Center
LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY -- Slots of suggestions aimed at keeping UMC afloat (Las Vegas Sun article)
UMC fixes not expected to include service cuts (Las Vegas Sun article)
West Nile Virus
So far, no West Nile in Valley (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Alternative Energy
Solar Energy
Gerlach and Lovelock to receive solar panels from Black Rock organization (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Geothermal Energy
Nye County to realize $561,000 on leases (Pahrump Valley Times article)
The Science Of Conservation
Sierra Nevada Conservancy to host web conferences (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Energy conservation classes Sept. 19-20 (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
State Energy Policy
View from the fence: Most of the West signed a pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nevada didn’t. (Reno News & Review article)
It takes a village to teach a lesson (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)
Mining Reform
All present as mining's future is recast: Air, water, livelihoods, way of life at stake, with closer watchdogging in the works (Las Vegas Sun article)
Federal Mercury Storage Depot
Mercury headed this way: Federal stores of toxic mercury from New Jersey are probably in Nevada now. (Reno News & Review article)
Ursine Marauders
Group considers backcountry food drops to help bears at Tahoe (Associated Press article)
Lost and found: orphaned bear cub (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Dead Horses
71 AT TONOPAH TEST RANGE: Reid seeks probe into horse deaths (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Invasive Species
Spotted knapweed is the disease; beetles are the cure (Ely Times article)
Northern Pike eradication to begin (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Mandatory defensible space soon to become a reality (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
TRIP OF THE WEEK: Parowan, Utah, offers recreation, historical attractions (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
TRIP OF THE WEEK: San Juan Bautista will appeal to Nevadans who love history (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
NLV woman has a vision for the wash (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada Mining
New gold reserves give Bald Mtn. Mine new life (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Nevada's Fire Festival
Irony blooms in the desert: Environment is this year's theme, but message is mixed (Las Vegas Sun article)
BURNING MAN SEES GREEN: Art festival out to transform society and itself (Las Vegas Sun article)
Burning Man ignited – again (Nevada Appeal article)
Complete coverage of Burning Man 2007 (Reno Gazette-Journal feature with multiple stories)
New cloud over Burning Man calls for review of event, future (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Another peaceful Burning Man festival ends in Nevada (Associated Press article)
More than 47,000 gather for Burning Man festival in desert: Attendees seek shelter from dust storms at counterculture event (Associated Press article)
Hot Air Balloons
Local balloonist loves to share the experience (Nevada Appeal article)
Rib Cookoff
Festival visitors discover art of great ribs (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Camels !!!
Comstock camel jockey finds Aussies take races seriously: Virginia City resident heads to sister city Alice Springs to race against the best (Nevada Appeal article)
Bewegung
Dance movement for fun and for health (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Las Vegas City And County Investigations
GRAND JURY PROBE: Friend in time of need -- Priest sees nothing wrong with $30,000 loan to ex-city councilman (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Grand jury indicts Boggs: Ex-commissioner may face prison (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JANE ANN MORRISON: Boggs' eloquence fails to prevent indictment on ethics charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Who'll be the next in line? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
RISKY TESTIMONY: Boggs talks to grand jury -- Ex-county commissioner could face felony perjury charge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
Attorney General challenges brothel advertising ruling (Associated Press article)
Say it isn't so, Madam AG! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Brothel billboard cruises Paradise Road: Higher profile worries business representatives (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Ruling for bordellos pleases workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Uncle Sam now owns strip club: Government can try to sell or lease Crazy Horse Too (Las Vegas Sun article)
California man sentenced to 30 years for bringing girl to LV for prostitution (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The Problem Of Methamphetamine
Enough already: Crystal meth is a dangerous, disfiguring drug full of chemical evil. (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)
Copper Thieves
Utilities: To quell copper thieves, Embarq offers reward (In Business Las Vegas article)
Victims Of Crime
Victims expecting restitution have long wait: Dayton couple still wondering when they'll be compensated for contracting scam (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Layoffs here help Tropicana elsewhere (Las Vegas Sun article)
Jeff Simpson explains that changes in MGM Mirage's top ranks also means a big change in the company's structure (Las Vegas Sun column)
Sands, Wynn get boost from Macau (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
MACAU MEGARESORT: Las Vegas Sands Corp. expects Venetian to alter gaming in Chinese enclave (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Campaign to build Chinese workers museum under way (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
'The Curse of the Hanging Tree' comes to downtown Genoa (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
CERCA: Cooling it on the Comstock -- Nevada legends and lore live on in Virginia City (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
At the Throttle: Everything does come in threes (Mark Bassett column, Ely Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Craig battled for a Nevada nuclear waste storage site: Departure seen as boon to opponents of project (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nuclear waste impact study set (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Area 51
COMPENSATION CLAIM: Area 51 burning revealed -- Ex-officer says he oversaw destruction of stealth coatings (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Reid evolves into anti-war advocate: View has changed since vote for Iraq invasion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
WEEK IN REVIEW: WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Reid shifts war strategy (Las Vegas Sun article)
Reid signals willingness to compromise on Iraq: Remarks seen as strategy shift (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Muslim American taking on daunting odds in bid to unseat Sen. Harry Reid (John L. Smith column, Lahontan Valley News)
John Ensign is full of shit (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Porter ties U.S. withdrawal from Iraq to $9 gasoline: Lawmaker reports on his trip to country (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Outlook on Iraq puts Porter on offense and defense: Bombarded by those for and against Iraq war, he sees hope on the ground (Las Vegas Sun article)
Freshman Heller proves conservative credentials (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public Lands
Justice Department sues two well-known sagebrush rebels (Pahrump Valley Times article)
United States Sues to Stop Illegal Grazing on Federal Lands: Ranchers accused of “leasing” publicly owned land and trespass grazing (US Justice Department Press Release)
Let 'er strip: The Bush administration wants to protect and expand mountaintop removal involved in coal-mining. (Reno News & Review article)
In The US Congress
Senators set to unload Craig's donations: Disgraced GOP lawmaker spread campaign funds around (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Craig, Vitter offenses are different, Ensign says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Welfare for farmers (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Immigration Reform
Jeff Simpson on reducing the number of illegal workers (Las Vegas Sun column)
===================================
September 4-5, 2007
Army Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo
Soldier from Las Vegas dead in Iraq (Associated Press article)
Soldier from LV dies in Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Words of comfort, call for pullout: Reid mourns soldier who killed himself, says many service people are suffering (Las Vegas Sun article)
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Property Tax Cap Initiative
PROPERTY TAXES: Petition drive gathers momentum -- Group's collections include $200,000 from private donor (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Call for property tax limit comes with promises (Las Vegas Sun article)
The State Judiciary
"How can government be for the people when citizens can't find out what happened?"
Justices hear open meetings arguments (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
“A top lobbyist for bankrupt New Century Financial Corp., once the nation's second-largest subprime lender and now the target of a federal criminal investigation, is taking over today as commissioner of the Nevada Mortgage Lending Division.”
Former lobbyist granted state job: Buckley questions appointment to post (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Carson City manager asks supervisors for opinions, work evaluation (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
Party Houses
Short-term residential rental ban protested (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Right to party (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
NUISANCE PROPERTIES: Parties are no fun for neighbors -- Las Vegas leaders look to ban 'short-term vacation rentals' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Bright Lights; Big City
Too bright for Vegas? Clark County thinks on it: Drivers complain about blinding signs, so law is getting a look (Las Vegas Sun article)
County Affairs
County moves ahead with plans to lease jail (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fortune teller prompts debate over licensing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Woodbury's service honored: Clark County official is longest-serving commissioner in state history (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Regional Economy
Midyear real-estate report says gains in home values abound (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Long time coming: Downtown plan, 26 years in the making, finally approved (Elko Free Press article)
City to consider annexing property (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Respect and a sense of community (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Washoe County
Pin The Tail On The Donkey
Agencies have responsibility for structures built on dump (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
A Roundabout Way
RTC hopes to help drivers adapt to roundabouts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Regional Economy
Building slump's effects grow (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: Edwards' plans give union member hope -- Candidate accepts endorsement, talks about health care (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Three big unions back Edwards, but state's top prize is up for grabs: The 60,000-member Culinary local may not follow its parent's lead (Las Vegas Sun article)
Acting like adults: Top Democratic candidates pledge to honor primary rules ; states should do the same (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Obama visiting Las Vegas for town hall meeting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
The Chancellor And The Regents
For faculty, regents' latest blowup is just one in a long line: Professor likens board to 'a parade of clowns' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Chancellor says he's putting differences with regents aside (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Money, ego at issue in clash between chancellor, regents (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
College Of Southern Nevada
Some 'upgrade': CSN files go missing -- School defends outsourcing of its tech services (Las Vegas Sun article)
SunGard boosts drive to add online classes (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Grants leave rural schools out in the cold: Competition is tough, small staffs struggle with deadlines and standards (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
University Medical Center
UMC's financial picture improves: Hospital board backs off nine program cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plants
Somebody should watchdog, but who? Plans for three coal plants push ahead, but no one's sure we need them (Las Vegas Sun article)
Alternative Energy
Local solar power potential has not been fully realized (Lahontan Valley News editorial)
“Brush cleared from the Lake Tahoe Basin and lumber scraps from construction, once bound for landfills, will instead fuel a new power plant at a state prison south of Carson City.”
N. Nevada prison's power lies in wood piles: Millions of dollars in savings expected from innovative way to produce electricity (Las Vegas Sun article)
Wild Beasts
Bins help bear-proof Genoa (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Invading pike face new round of poisonings (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Danger Of Fire
No date set for defensible space law (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Do slash piles pose a fire danger? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
South Lake Tahoe firefighters picket to build support (Nevada Appeal article)
Fire fund extends deadlines for Angora victims (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
$kindustry Regulation
Las Vegas' shame: Authorities should quickly move to end human trafficking and illegal prostitution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Jon Ralston thinks New York Times columnist Bob Herbert has a pretty good take on Goodman (Las Vegas Sun column)
Lyon County brothel owner opposes new rules: Proposed ordinance would increase fees, add restrictions to work cards (Nevada Appeal article)
Labor Day Roadblocks
Authorities say crackdown on drunken driving worked (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
NHP checks 854 cars for DUI (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Search And Rescue
Rescuers search for famed aviator (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Flying ace Fossett missing in desert (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Record-setting adventurer goes missing in Nevada (Associated Press article)
Steve Fossett famous for setting world records (Associated Press article)
Allegation Of Improper Influence
Anonymous e-mail spurs investigation of police captain: Claim: Anthony used badge to get flight upgrade (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
LABOR NEGOTIATIONS: Union stashes $80 million -- Officials see stockpile as leverage against casinos with strike vote looming (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Union: $80 million available for strikers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Balloon Races
Balloons ready for liftoff (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada's Fire Festival
The weirdness that is Burning Man (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)
The Predatory Arts
Nevada hunters, anglers decline (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Physical Fitness
Cycling races slated for Lake Tahoe Marathon Week: The Lake Tahoe Marathon isn't just about running (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
ERIN NEFF: Taxing gamers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Investors group sues Archon over stock redemption price: Nine investment funds say Pioneer Club owner undervaluing preferred shares by $7 million (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
JOHN L. SMITH: Frontier oral history preserves precious memories of devoted workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Nevada wins battle in war over Yucca: Federal judge denies DOE motion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Federal judge says drilling must stop at nuke dump site in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)
No Nevada water for nuclear dump: A federal judge rules against Energy officials, who say they need 8 million gallons to continue work on the Yucca Mountain site. (Los Angeles Times article)
Judge gives Nevada a boost in its efforts to avoid nuke dump (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Statement from Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto Regarding U.S. District Court's Decision in Yucca Mountain Water Rights Case (Attorney General Press Release)
Decision in United States v. State of Nevada
Our Bloated National Budget
Budget battles: Democrats, White House argue over a few billion (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Warring protests in Carson City: Members of both protests claim to support troops (Nevada Appeal article)
Truth eludes president: Bush brags about Iraq's few bright spots and ignores its drawbacks and realities (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
===================================
September 6, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform
Closed-door denizens: Tax Commission wrongly defends bad policy of making million-dollar decisions in private (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Our Shortsighted Legislature
EDAWN reduces staff by 40% (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
Clark County
County Affairs
A bright idea: County officials should decide at what point lighted signs become light pollution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
City Of Henderson
City waiting for 160 acres: Henderson seeks public land for park, complex (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
City Of Las Vegas
“This ‘ward heeling’ mentality continues unabated at City Hall because each of the six council members (the mayor runs citywide and is less guilty of this) is elected by fewer than 3,100 voters.”
ERIN NEFF: Appeasing voters, one ordinance at a time (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Fed up with Neonopolis: Goodman wants a break with the struggling center's principals - whoever they really are (Las Vegas Sun article)
“The mayor's people claim he lost his footing, or was exhausted, depending on whose article you're reading.”
The fall — and the rise? — of Fremont East (Mike Prevatt column, Las Vegas CityLife)
The tipping point (Meredith McGhan column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Regional Transportation
Our rocky road to endless growth (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
RTC says goal of shelters at all bus stops to take time: First phase to include locations on Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Douglas County
County to discuss future of Minden garage bonds (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Genoans move forward on finding town manager (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Elko County
Patio homes pass hurdle (Elko Free Press article)
Nye County
'Crystal Heights' plans kick up dust (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Wheeler Wash project not all that far-fetched (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
The Legends at Sparks Marina: 13 new tenants announced (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Mandatory care? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Gaming industry workers make presidential endorsement (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Floyd and Patricia Banks Hosts Obama08 Gathering (Jack Wood column, Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Obama says somebody's a stinky poophead (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
The luxury of not being in the U.S. Senate (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Belaboring obvious, Richardson calls Reid a wimp (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Mitt Romney planning another Reno visit (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Thompson is in (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
State Democratic Party
Message To: Democratic Leadership of Congress (Jack Wood column, Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
State Republican Party
The little caucus that could (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
General Political Opinion
Sen. Craig's waffling erodes public trust (Lahontan Valley News editorial)
Not worth a drop: Another Republican hypocrisy scandal is only a distraction. (Reno News & Review editorial)
Your land is my land, too: For people to want to decide how other people’s land is developed is too much to swallow (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Student Loans
It's Back to School Time: Do you know where your money is? (Desert Beacon)
Industrial Training
$25 million to spark hotel school innovation: Harrah's gift to UNLV will help build high-tech hospitality village (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Nevada’s Connection to Education’s Future (Muth’s Truths)
No Child Left Behind Act: Education Should Clarify Guidance and Address Potential Compliance Issues for Schools in Corrective Action and Restructuring Status GAO-07-1035, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34153 Seat Belts on School Buses: Overview of the Issue August 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
The Problem Of Cheating
For cheaters, iPods are playing their song: Students use devices to save answers, data for exam day, state report says (Las Vegas Sun article)
Help with test may lead to suspensions: Teachers would get five days for reading questions to students (Las Vegas Sun article)
Churchill County School District
Local CPA hired as new school district accountant (Lahontan Valley News article)
White Pine County School District
Finding new teachers priority for Ely schools (Ely Times article)
Gender matters in test taking (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Health on the cheap: Buyout target Sierra Health is a model of efficiency. Good for Wall Street, but good for patients? (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Nevada's First Lady Takes On Cancer
Childhood cancer event focuses on local families (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Have You Seen Your Doctor Lately?
"If they did everything right, why go back and change the records?"
JANE ANN MORRISON: Death outside rehab center shows need for changes in health care (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs
SNWA seeks more water (Ely Times article)
“If White Pine County is more than willing to give away its clean air, it should be equally willing to give its water to Clark County.”
Reid links coal plants with SNWA pipeline (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
White Pine County Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Commissioners drop EEC location protest (Ely Times article)
Alternative Energy
Windmill enthusiast opposes new ordinance (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
The man with the $8 power bill: How Steve Rypka traded nightmare energy bills for the 'green dream' (Las Vegas CityLife article)
The energy you save may be your own (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Biomass plant opens amid questions over long term fuel supply (Nevada Appeal article)
Reduce carbon emissions the painless way: Imagine closing 70 power plants because we just didn’t need their energy (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
Climate Change
You're getting warmer: Just in case you still weren’t sure, findings from 2,500-plus scientists in the IPCC’s “Climate Change 2007” report say that it sure is getting hot in here (Reno News & Review article)
Way to play the new demand for offsets (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)
Wild Beasts
Dogs tree bear in south county (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Guzzlers installed for desert big horns (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Ranchers eligible for wildfire relief funds (Elko Free Press article)
Fire sale: A Nevada contractor is caught up in a California tragedy and the law (Reno News & Review article)
Nevada gets into the act: A Nevada contractor feels victimized by a state agency’s press operation (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
"We need a municipal power company, not an investor-owned utility."
Nevada Power closes its Express Line (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Clark County Commission Cases
ARRAIGNMENT: Court rejects Boggs bid -- Ex-lawmaker told she's not indigent enough to get public defender (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
Outlaw industry, ex-prostitutes say: Researcher spotlights human trafficking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Man gets probation in Doll House case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Brothel opens new era of Vegas advertising (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Hike in fees for brothel work cards postponed (Nevada Appeal article)
Search And Rescue
Fossett still missing, officials still hopeful (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Fossett aircraft had emergency landing transmitter (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
NEVADA SEARCH: Winds treacherous where pilot vanished -- Still no sign of adventurer since takeoff in small plane (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
No signs of slowing search for Fossett (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fossett search focuses spotlight on Hilton ranch (Associated Press article)
Civic Action
Lyon County sheriff tries new tack in fighting substance abuse among youth: Partnerships designed to educate parents, communities (Nevada Appeal article)
Copper Thieves
Copper thefts prompt warnings (Pahrump Valley Times article)
“Data Collection”
North Las Vegas plans to put cameras at some intersections (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
His Turn
De Meo responds to "Protect and Serve" (Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
Terror in the cubicles: In an at-will employment state, the 'bully boss' thrives on fear and intimidation (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Sink or swim: If you're facing foreclosure, some experts say it's not too late to save your home (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Study: Minorities in LV more likely to face bad mortgages (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
A suggestion for late summer camping and trout fishing (Nevada Appeal article)
Sex glands in the sand: A trip to the Nevada outback in the heights of summer is a chance to celebrate the beauty of things--like flat tires (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada Culture
Nevada's Fire Festival
Burners donate lumber to Habitat for Humanity (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Greening of the Man: If Burning Man has a carbon footprint, it resembles the one belonging to the elusive Sasquatch. In other words, it’s giant (Reno News & Review article)
10 Things I Hate About Burning Man: Every year I read all the rah-rah coverage of Burning Man, but in the back of my mind, I know it’s not all freedom and hot naked chicks (Reno News & Review article)
Burning Man ’07 (Las Vegas Sun feature, with multiple articles)
Balloon Races
Balloon races about to take flight (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Badger Fights
Stop blood sports, but save our traditions (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)
Film Festival
High Desert Fest will include dinner theatre (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada's Past
NNRy
At the Throttle: I finally got to blow the whistle! (Rae Nell O'Donnell column, Ely Times)
Fernley Festival
7th Annual Rail Days this weekend at the Depot (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Over At The Governor's
Tin Cup Tea a sip of history (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
“I wonder if people realize how rare it is anymore to find serious reporting?”
Reporting the old fashioned way (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
State notifies DOE: Officials follow up on Yucca water ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A rare victory over Energy Department: But celebrating demise of Yucca Mountain would be premature (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Yucca Mountain low: Energy Department's bad behavior continues in its push to make Nevada a nuclear dump (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Lands
Cattle force closure of Overton WMA (Nevada Appeal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Reid's commissioner comment causes excitement (Ely Times article)
As We See It: A senator of a different stripe (Ely Times editorial)
When is John Ensign lying? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Our Bloated National Budget
The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update, August 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Federal Taxes And Tax Policy
RL34155 Income Inequality and the U.S. Tax System September 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Advance Earned Income Tax Credit: Low Use and Small Dollars Paid Impede IRS's Efforts to Reduce High Noncompliance GAO-07-1110, August 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Testimony on the Taxation of Carried Interest September 6, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Energy Policy
GAO Faults Agencies Over Global Warming (Associated Press article)
Climate Change: Agencies Should Develop Guidance for Addressing the Effects on Federal Land and Water Resources GAO-07-863, August 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34147 Managing Electronic Waste: An Analysis of State E-Waste Legislation August 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Congress And The Internet
RL34148 Congress and the Internet: Highlights August 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
National Health Matters
RL34152 Food Safety: Selected Issues and Bills in the 110th Congress September 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
RS22713 Health and Safety Concerns Over U.S. Imports of Chinese Products: An Overview August 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Estimate of Section 904 (Comparative Effectiveness Research) of H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 September 5, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
RL34144 Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDRTB): Emerging Public Health Threats and Quarantine and Isolation August 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Your Life Savings
Employer-Sponsored Benefits: Many Factors Affect the Treatment of Pension and Health Benefits in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy GAO-07-1101, September 06, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Voting Matters
Controversy Arises Over Election Reform (Associated Press article)
The War On Terror
Judge Scolds U.S. on Wiretapping Records (Associated Press article)
Terrorists Foil FBI Watchlist (Associated Press article)
Follow-Up Audit of the Terrorist Screening Center September 2007 (US Justice Department Inspector General)
Homeland Security Department Woes Cited (Associated Press article)
Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions GAO-07-1081T, September 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions GAO-07-454, August 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Homeland Security: U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Program's Long-standing Lack of Strategic Direction and Management Controls Needs to Be Addressed GAO-07-1065, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Emergency Preparedness
National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA's Management and Oversight of Payments for Insurance Company Services Should Be Improved GAO-07-1078, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34146 FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer August 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
World Trade Center: EPA's Most Recent Test and Clean Program Raises Concerns That Need to Be Addressed to Better Prepare for Indoor Contamination Following Disasters GAO-07-1091, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Special Operations Forces: Management Actions Are Needed to Effectively Integrate Marine Corps Forces into the U.S. Special Operations Command GAO-07-1030, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Research and Development Budget Requests to Congress Do Not Provide Consistent, Complete, and Clear Information GAO-07-1058, September 05, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Military Base Realignments and Closures: Observations Related to the 2005 Round GAO-07-1203R, September 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Business Transformation: Achieving Success Requires a Chief Management Officer to Provide Focus and Sustained Leadership GAO-07-1072, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Infrastructure: Management Actions Needed to Ensure Effectiveness of DOD's Risk Management Approach for the Defense Industrial Base GAO-07-1077, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Military Personnel: DOD's Predatory Lending Report Addressed Mandated Issues, but Support Is Limited for Some Findings and Recommendations GAO-07-1148R, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
The Death Of Army Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo
Local man dies in Iraq (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Rushed back to the front -- Experts: A depressed soldier on a potentially dangerous drug needed more time (Las Vegas Sun article)
Suicide prevention will get a vote, Reid promises (Las Vegas Sun article)
Psychological Well Being: Another Casualty of the Iraq Occupation (Desert Beacon)
Foreign Affairs
The Caribbean
RL34157 Caribbean-U.S. Relations: Issues in the 110th Congress August 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
US Troop Strength in Iraq at Record High (Associated Press article)
Study: US Should Lower Profile in Iraq (Associated Press article)
Report by Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq, September 6, 2007 (153 pages, 4.32 MB PDF)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1222T, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1221T, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1220T, September 4, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1195, September 4, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
===================================
September 6, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
An Agency In Need Of Thorough Reform
Closed-door denizens: Tax Commission wrongly defends bad policy of making million-dollar decisions in private (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Our Shortsighted Legislature
EDAWN reduces staff by 40% (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
Clark County
County Affairs
A bright idea: County officials should decide at what point lighted signs become light pollution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
City Of Henderson
City waiting for 160 acres: Henderson seeks public land for park, complex (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
City Of Las Vegas
“This ‘ward heeling’ mentality continues unabated at City Hall because each of the six council members (the mayor runs citywide and is less guilty of this) is elected by fewer than 3,100 voters.”
ERIN NEFF: Appeasing voters, one ordinance at a time (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Fed up with Neonopolis: Goodman wants a break with the struggling center's principals - whoever they really are (Las Vegas Sun article)
“The mayor's people claim he lost his footing, or was exhausted, depending on whose article you're reading.”
The fall — and the rise? — of Fremont East (Mike Prevatt column, Las Vegas CityLife)
The tipping point (Meredith McGhan column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Regional Transportation
Our rocky road to endless growth (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
RTC says goal of shelters at all bus stops to take time: First phase to include locations on Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Douglas County
County to discuss future of Minden garage bonds (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Genoans move forward on finding town manager (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Elko County
Patio homes pass hurdle (Elko Free Press article)
Nye County
'Crystal Heights' plans kick up dust (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Wheeler Wash project not all that far-fetched (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
The Legends at Sparks Marina: 13 new tenants announced (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Mandatory care? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Gaming industry workers make presidential endorsement (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Floyd and Patricia Banks Hosts Obama08 Gathering (Jack Wood column, Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Obama says somebody's a stinky poophead (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
The luxury of not being in the U.S. Senate (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Belaboring obvious, Richardson calls Reid a wimp (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas Gleaner)
Mitt Romney planning another Reno visit (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Thompson is in (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
State Democratic Party
Message To: Democratic Leadership of Congress (Jack Wood column, Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
State Republican Party
The little caucus that could (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
General Political Opinion
Sen. Craig's waffling erodes public trust (Lahontan Valley News editorial)
Not worth a drop: Another Republican hypocrisy scandal is only a distraction. (Reno News & Review editorial)
Your land is my land, too: For people to want to decide how other people’s land is developed is too much to swallow (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Student Loans
It's Back to School Time: Do you know where your money is? (Desert Beacon)
Industrial Training
$25 million to spark hotel school innovation: Harrah's gift to UNLV will help build high-tech hospitality village (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Nevada’s Connection to Education’s Future (Muth’s Truths)
No Child Left Behind Act: Education Should Clarify Guidance and Address Potential Compliance Issues for Schools in Corrective Action and Restructuring Status GAO-07-1035, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34153 Seat Belts on School Buses: Overview of the Issue August 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
The Problem Of Cheating
For cheaters, iPods are playing their song: Students use devices to save answers, data for exam day, state report says (Las Vegas Sun article)
Help with test may lead to suspensions: Teachers would get five days for reading questions to students (Las Vegas Sun article)
Churchill County School District
Local CPA hired as new school district accountant (Lahontan Valley News article)
White Pine County School District
Finding new teachers priority for Ely schools (Ely Times article)
Gender matters in test taking (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Health on the cheap: Buyout target Sierra Health is a model of efficiency. Good for Wall Street, but good for patients? (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Nevada's First Lady Takes On Cancer
Childhood cancer event focuses on local families (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Have You Seen Your Doctor Lately?
"If they did everything right, why go back and change the records?"
JANE ANN MORRISON: Death outside rehab center shows need for changes in health care (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs
SNWA seeks more water (Ely Times article)
“If White Pine County is more than willing to give away its clean air, it should be equally willing to give its water to Clark County.”
Reid links coal plants with SNWA pipeline (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
White Pine County Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Commissioners drop EEC location protest (Ely Times article)
Alternative Energy
Windmill enthusiast opposes new ordinance (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
The man with the $8 power bill: How Steve Rypka traded nightmare energy bills for the 'green dream' (Las Vegas CityLife article)
The energy you save may be your own (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Biomass plant opens amid questions over long term fuel supply (Nevada Appeal article)
Reduce carbon emissions the painless way: Imagine closing 70 power plants because we just didn’t need their energy (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
Climate Change
You're getting warmer: Just in case you still weren’t sure, findings from 2,500-plus scientists in the IPCC’s “Climate Change 2007” report say that it sure is getting hot in here (Reno News & Review article)
Way to play the new demand for offsets (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)
Wild Beasts
Dogs tree bear in south county (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Guzzlers installed for desert big horns (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Ranchers eligible for wildfire relief funds (Elko Free Press article)
Fire sale: A Nevada contractor is caught up in a California tragedy and the law (Reno News & Review article)
Nevada gets into the act: A Nevada contractor feels victimized by a state agency’s press operation (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
"We need a municipal power company, not an investor-owned utility."
Nevada Power closes its Express Line (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Clark County Commission Cases
ARRAIGNMENT: Court rejects Boggs bid -- Ex-lawmaker told she's not indigent enough to get public defender (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
Outlaw industry, ex-prostitutes say: Researcher spotlights human trafficking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Man gets probation in Doll House case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Brothel opens new era of Vegas advertising (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Hike in fees for brothel work cards postponed (Nevada Appeal article)
Search And Rescue
Fossett still missing, officials still hopeful (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Fossett aircraft had emergency landing transmitter (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
NEVADA SEARCH: Winds treacherous where pilot vanished -- Still no sign of adventurer since takeoff in small plane (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
No signs of slowing search for Fossett (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fossett search focuses spotlight on Hilton ranch (Associated Press article)
Civic Action
Lyon County sheriff tries new tack in fighting substance abuse among youth: Partnerships designed to educate parents, communities (Nevada Appeal article)
Copper Thieves
Copper thefts prompt warnings (Pahrump Valley Times article)
“Data Collection”
North Las Vegas plans to put cameras at some intersections (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
His Turn
De Meo responds to "Protect and Serve" (Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
Terror in the cubicles: In an at-will employment state, the 'bully boss' thrives on fear and intimidation (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Sink or swim: If you're facing foreclosure, some experts say it's not too late to save your home (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Study: Minorities in LV more likely to face bad mortgages (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
A suggestion for late summer camping and trout fishing (Nevada Appeal article)
Sex glands in the sand: A trip to the Nevada outback in the heights of summer is a chance to celebrate the beauty of things--like flat tires (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada Culture
Nevada's Fire Festival
Burners donate lumber to Habitat for Humanity (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Greening of the Man: If Burning Man has a carbon footprint, it resembles the one belonging to the elusive Sasquatch. In other words, it’s giant (Reno News & Review article)
10 Things I Hate About Burning Man: Every year I read all the rah-rah coverage of Burning Man, but in the back of my mind, I know it’s not all freedom and hot naked chicks (Reno News & Review article)
Burning Man ’07 (Las Vegas Sun feature, with multiple articles)
Balloon Races
Balloon races about to take flight (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Badger Fights
Stop blood sports, but save our traditions (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)
Film Festival
High Desert Fest will include dinner theatre (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada's Past
NNRy
At the Throttle: I finally got to blow the whistle! (Rae Nell O'Donnell column, Ely Times)
Fernley Festival
7th Annual Rail Days this weekend at the Depot (Fernley Leader-Courier article)
Over At The Governor's
Tin Cup Tea a sip of history (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
“I wonder if people realize how rare it is anymore to find serious reporting?”
Reporting the old fashioned way (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
State notifies DOE: Officials follow up on Yucca water ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A rare victory over Energy Department: But celebrating demise of Yucca Mountain would be premature (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Yucca Mountain low: Energy Department's bad behavior continues in its push to make Nevada a nuclear dump (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Lands
Cattle force closure of Overton WMA (Nevada Appeal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Reid's commissioner comment causes excitement (Ely Times article)
As We See It: A senator of a different stripe (Ely Times editorial)
When is John Ensign lying? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Our Bloated National Budget
The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update, August 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Federal Taxes And Tax Policy
RL34155 Income Inequality and the U.S. Tax System September 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Advance Earned Income Tax Credit: Low Use and Small Dollars Paid Impede IRS's Efforts to Reduce High Noncompliance GAO-07-1110, August 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Testimony on the Taxation of Carried Interest September 6, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
Energy Policy
GAO Faults Agencies Over Global Warming (Associated Press article)
Climate Change: Agencies Should Develop Guidance for Addressing the Effects on Federal Land and Water Resources GAO-07-863, August 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34147 Managing Electronic Waste: An Analysis of State E-Waste Legislation August 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Congress And The Internet
RL34148 Congress and the Internet: Highlights August 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
National Health Matters
RL34152 Food Safety: Selected Issues and Bills in the 110th Congress September 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
RS22713 Health and Safety Concerns Over U.S. Imports of Chinese Products: An Overview August 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Estimate of Section 904 (Comparative Effectiveness Research) of H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 September 5, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)
RL34144 Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDRTB): Emerging Public Health Threats and Quarantine and Isolation August 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Your Life Savings
Employer-Sponsored Benefits: Many Factors Affect the Treatment of Pension and Health Benefits in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy GAO-07-1101, September 06, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Voting Matters
Controversy Arises Over Election Reform (Associated Press article)
The War On Terror
Judge Scolds U.S. on Wiretapping Records (Associated Press article)
Terrorists Foil FBI Watchlist (Associated Press article)
Follow-Up Audit of the Terrorist Screening Center September 2007 (US Justice Department Inspector General)
Homeland Security Department Woes Cited (Associated Press article)
Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions GAO-07-1081T, September 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Department of Homeland Security: Progress Report on Implementation of Mission and Management Functions GAO-07-454, August 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Homeland Security: U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Program's Long-standing Lack of Strategic Direction and Management Controls Needs to Be Addressed GAO-07-1065, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Emergency Preparedness
National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA's Management and Oversight of Payments for Insurance Company Services Should Be Improved GAO-07-1078, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34146 FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer August 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
World Trade Center: EPA's Most Recent Test and Clean Program Raises Concerns That Need to Be Addressed to Better Prepare for Indoor Contamination Following Disasters GAO-07-1091, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Special Operations Forces: Management Actions Are Needed to Effectively Integrate Marine Corps Forces into the U.S. Special Operations Command GAO-07-1030, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Acquisitions: DOD's Research and Development Budget Requests to Congress Do Not Provide Consistent, Complete, and Clear Information GAO-07-1058, September 05, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Military Base Realignments and Closures: Observations Related to the 2005 Round GAO-07-1203R, September 6, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Business Transformation: Achieving Success Requires a Chief Management Officer to Provide Focus and Sustained Leadership GAO-07-1072, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Infrastructure: Management Actions Needed to Ensure Effectiveness of DOD's Risk Management Approach for the Defense Industrial Base GAO-07-1077, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Military Personnel: DOD's Predatory Lending Report Addressed Mandated Issues, but Support Is Limited for Some Findings and Recommendations GAO-07-1148R, August 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
The Death Of Army Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo
Local man dies in Iraq (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Rushed back to the front -- Experts: A depressed soldier on a potentially dangerous drug needed more time (Las Vegas Sun article)
Suicide prevention will get a vote, Reid promises (Las Vegas Sun article)
Psychological Well Being: Another Casualty of the Iraq Occupation (Desert Beacon)
Foreign Affairs
The Caribbean
RL34157 Caribbean-U.S. Relations: Issues in the 110th Congress August 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
US Troop Strength in Iraq at Record High (Associated Press article)
Study: US Should Lower Profile in Iraq (Associated Press article)
Report by Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq, September 6, 2007 (153 pages, 4.32 MB PDF)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1222T, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1221T, September 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1220T, September 4, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Securing, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding Iraq: Iraqi Government Has Not Met Most Legislative, Security, and Economic Benchmarks GAO-07-1195, September 4, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
===================================
September 7, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The Secret Squirrel Theory Of Government
Tax Commission plan to shut hearings exceeds law's intent (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
MORTGAGE MAYHEM: Study shows foreclosures rising -- Nevada one of states pushing up national totals (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fox in the henhouse: Subprime lending executive is the wrong choice to regulate Nevada's mortgage industry (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Nevada Highways
Impose Adequate Impact Fees On Developers
A future of gridlock? Highways are clogged because of the antiquated method used to pay for new roads (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The Governor Of Nevada
Panel OKs out-of-state security tab for Gibbons (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
City manager gets opinions she sought (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
County Affairs
Dedicated servant (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Boulder City
When a long lease becomes a sale: Leasing property instead of selling it lets Boulder City grow, do business without voter approval (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
Main Street power poles may come down soon (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Ranchos approves horse trail for Mitch Drive Park, requires dogs to be leashed (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Demographics study, sidewalk plan discussed (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Keep it civil (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Washoe County
We're counting on officials to save Ballardini (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Candidates can't afford to ignore Indian vote (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Educators' group supports Clinton: No Child law needs changing, members say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
LAS VEGAS VISIT: Obama: D.C. system fails U.S. -- Presidential candidate rebukes rival Democrat (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Obama seeks to appeal to working-class Democrats (Las Vegas Sun article)
General Political Opinion
Jon Ralston on Goodman lacking courage and Gibbons' woeful vetting machine (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
The Chancellor And The Regents
Quick Hits: Knecht is still around? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Nevada State College
College president's dreams coming true: Nevada State leader plans school, clinic (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Schools
Carson City School District
AG's Office investigates open meeting violation (Nevada Appeal article)
Churchill County School District
Grants leave rural schools out in the cold (Lahontan Valley News article)
Douglas County School District
Schools meet state standards for 2006-2007 academic year (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe County School District
Incline High School achieves exemplary status again (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs
Professor doubts 'surplus': Tapping rural groundwater will cause harm, article's author says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
The Suicide State
Nevada's youth suicide rate among highest in nation: State's first Suicide Prevention Plan released this year (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Lack of oversight: The need for new coal plants should be researched and decided independently (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Sniffing Bango
Residents criticize NDEP, county over foul odors (Lahontan Valley News article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
City approves funds to limit Angora runoff (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
_______
Nevada Law Enforcement
Featherbedding And Kickback Allegations
POSSIBLE PROSECUTION: Police finish UMC probe -- Hospital's former CEO accused of giving friends contracts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“She never formed any corporation, sources said, but the account allegedly became the drop point for at least 11 kickbacks for county contracts that Lacy Thomas awarded to his Chicago friends.”
Cops: Thomas' wife key in scheme (Las Vegas Sun article)
Pump And Dump Allegations
JOHN L. SMITH: Indictment puts mining business promoter into an abyss of legal trouble (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
$kindustry Regulation
“Most of the lines in Vegas have long since been erased. It is without a doubt, as the psychologist and researcher Melissa Farley, says, ‘the epicenter of North American prostitution and sex trafficking.’”
City as Predator (Bob Herbert column, New York Times via Las Vegas Gleaner)
Let's talk about prostitution (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Lyon commissioners postpone brothel fee hike proposal: A second public hearing will be held later (Nevada Appeal article)
Search And Rescue
Without a trace (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Search pilot: ELT usually works (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Searchers to use sonar to probe Walker Lake for Fossett aircraft (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Flying in the footsteps of Steve Fossett (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Reports Fossett found unfounded (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Search grows for missing adventurer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Stumbling across our once-great inland sea of Lahontan (Nevada Appeal article)
Stateline to Crystal Bay bike path in works (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Balloon Races
For pilots, it's more about the ground than the sky (Nevada Appeal article)
Coming in for a landing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Bull Riders
Preparation for professional bull riders is all about details (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Velocipedes
'Tour de Tahoe' this weekend (Nevada Appeal article)
Street Party
Street fair (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
The Joys Of Reading
Don't forget the lost art of reading (Tanya Canino column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Aviation History
Flights represent the past (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Station land buy faces scrutiny: One of partners had been denied gaming license by board in '95 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Dealers want tipping rule to go to state's voters (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Past
C&CRR
Take the train back in time at Dayton Valley Days: Old-time transportation theme of annual street fair and heritage celebration (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Water use, drilling go on: Yucca Mountain site manager rebuffs order (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Reid prospecting for Republican votes to change course in Iraq: 10 needed; some have signaled an interest in changing direction (Las Vegas Sun article)
Ensign says raising taxes would hurt U.S. in trade (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
'You want my money, my money!' Another example of Washington's earmark follies (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Federal Taxes
Delinquent taxes aren't just a citizen problem (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Veterans Affairs
Approved spending bill keeps veterans health center on track: NLV project one of several Nevada items to make cut in Senate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
===================================
September 8-10, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The Governor Of Nevada
Gibbons' 2007 travel expenses to increase (Associated Press article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
Regulator defends subprime lending: Picking lawyer from failed lender for a key state post shocks across party lines (Las Vegas Sun article)
Public Employees Retirement System
Stopping medical coverage? Government workers want choice between a Mercedes and Cadillac (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Unclaimed Property
The check's not in the mail: Unclaimed property in Nevada has owners who won't miss a few hundred, or a few thousand, bucks (Las Vegas Sun article)
The State Judiciary
Justices hold off on mother's appeals case ruling (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Nevada State Bar
ADVERTISING ARGUMENT: Bar may face fight over lawyer ads -- State Supreme Court rules require review of TV, print claims (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Law and Small Business: With rules change, expect zanier lawyer ads (In Business Las Vegas article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
Carson's downtown remodel can succeed if emphasis is on people (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Carson City finances have prospered during the market storms (Al Kramer column, Nevada Appeal)
Clark County
Irregular Finances
“Unusual arrangements with the contractors - Severn Trent Laboratories and FoundationBuilders Inc. - have become the target of a county audit and FBI inquiries after longtime employees at the district alleged double dipping, unauthorized payments and other improprieties.”
Smelly questions bubble over tax dollars, sewage deals (Las Vegas Sun article)
“Everyone involved says that despite what one accountant called a "systemic" lack of record-keeping during three years, not a dollar of $30 million in federal funds was lost and no one broke the law.”
Agency can't show its math but says tax money wasn't misspent (Las Vegas Sun article)
County Affairs
“Recent changes in state law have prompted Clark County to scrap a proposal to charge developers more for the extra streets, parks and public safety demands generated by their projects, a county official said.”
County drops plan to boost impact fees (In Business Las Vegas article)
WEEK IN REVIEW: CLARK COUNTY -- Night court gets more than laughs, grimaces (Las Vegas Sun article)
Service on the rise: Checking in bags at hotel, instead of McCarran (Las Vegas Sun article)
City Of Las Vegas
Shed light on Neonopolis: Failed retail center was once thought to be savior of downtown Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The (Tasmanian) devil is in the details in arena debate (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)
The Real Estate Market
Real Estate and Development: Realtor: Market likely worse than numbers show (In Business Las Vegas article)
Real Estate and Development: Is Las Vegas development sustainable? (In Business Las Vegas article)
Indications are housing slip dragging on local economy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Luxury condos also face slump (In Business Las Vegas article)
Real estate ride: From big bucks to bankruptcy -- Even top-selling broker can't make his bills, is forced to shut offices (Las Vegas Sun article)
Douglas County
Sheridan Acres park in the works (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Elko County
Retail center update on city council agenda (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Tahoe's summer business: A mixed bag -- Numbers up compared to 2006 despite gas prices and wildfires (Nevada Appeal article)
Lyon County
Assessor's estimates show Lyon population at almost 56,000 (Mason Valley News article)
City rejects street project bid, will consider joint bid with County instead (Mason Valley News article)
Mason officials to dedicate new playground equipment, skate park next week (Nevada Appeal article)
Nye County
Bi-state group to view regional issues (Pahrump Valley Times article)
County rejects $919,538 hospital bill (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
Legends to make history in Sparks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Richardson lists top goals: Democrat addresses traffic, energy, Iraq war (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Candidate Richardson plans Saturday visit (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Clinton, Edwards and Obama Disagree (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Democratic Candidates in Pahrump to Win Nevada? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Nevada's Democratic Party Voters Now Outnumber Republicans
NEVADA'S NEW HUE: State tips from red to blue for the first time since 1992 (Las Vegas Sun article)
Redness of Nevada's Rural Counties (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Town And Country
Lobbyist: Rurals have ‘grim’ future — Legislative reapportionment likely to decrease representation in 2011 (Elko Free Press article)
State Republican Party
Gansert replaces ousted minority leader Mabey (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Mabey absent for vote that ousted him (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Dog Garn It! (Muth’s Truths)
General Political Opinion
Brian Greenspun: Toxic toys are a long-term problem, especially for those who ignore the news (Las Vegas Sun column)
Lies, statistics and how to spin disaster into victory (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)
U.S. shouldn't take its friends for granted (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)
Brooks: Kill The Messengers (Desert Beacon)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Word spreads nationwide after Rogers cancels gift: Keeping money, taking heat (Las Vegas Sun article)
NEVADA VIEWS: Follies on Maryland Parkway -- New student recreation center highlights a problem at UNLV (William A. Epstein column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Public Schools
NOT LEAVING NEVADA BEHIND: Making education a priority -- When presidential candidates pass through Las Vegas, they should be asked to explain what they'll do to help kids prepare to compete in the world economy (Richard Whitmire column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Clark County School District
Federal miscalculation costs schools: English language learners miscounted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Given school choice, most parents shrug: Some happy as is, but others don't know any better because district doesn't tell them, critics say (Las Vegas Sun article)
LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Agassi shines as advocate for education (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County School District
Elko County School Board: Cell phone policy on agenda (Elko Free Press article)
Storey County School District
Grandparents Day attracts crowd at VC elementary school (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County School District
“The NAACP is supporting one of seven discrimination lawsuits against Washoe County School District.”
NAACP backs discrimination suit (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Lake Lahontan
Lahontan boaters urged to watch for sand bars, rock piles (Mason Valley News article)
The Walker River
WRID Board to evaluate manager, hear report on Wabuska land (Mason Valley News article)
DAWG president, instrumental in fights to keep feds out of Walker River issues, dies (Mason Valley News article)
Groundwater
Super-majority sought for water issue votes (Pahrump Valley Times article)
“Nye County plans to appeal the recent denial of five applications for county water rights in the Amargosa Desert.”
State rejects Nye County water rights applications (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Water rights in Amargosa will have to be donated (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Whither Amargosa? Valley residents share concerns over future (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Insurance merger faces tougher obstacle: Justice scrutiny (Las Vegas Sun article)
Regulators OK Sierra Health Services deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Health Care Plans
Health Care and Workplace: Benefit costs are key (In Business Las Vegas article)
The Fight Against Cancer
3 Nevadans take on drugmaker (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Cryptosporidiosis
Tests show drinking water is not spreading parasitic illness (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Parasite is source of diarrhetic illness in seven Nevadans: Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks hit four other states (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
GREENHOUSE EFFECT CONCERNS: Panel lets power plants proceed -- Commission sides with companies on coal-fired facilities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada panel won't block coal plants (Associated Press article)
Transportation Of Hazardous Waste
THOMAS MITCHELL: Ignoring warnings a high-stakes gamble (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Abandoned Mines
ABANDONED MINES: Deadly pitfalls waiting off-road -- Bikers, ATV riders risk falling into thousands of Nevada shafts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Alternative Energy
FUNDING PROPOSAL: Would you foot bill to go green? Tariff would allow voluntary funding of renewable energy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Wind energy grant awarded: South Fork reservation to receive $50,000 (Elko Free Press article)
Wild Beasts
Increased nuisance bear calls eating up wildlife budget: State wildlife agency asking Washoe, Douglas and possibly Carson City for additional funding (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
$kindustry Regulation
LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- Some hot under the collar, others chill (Las Vegas Sun article)
Jon Ralston wonders whether rampant gambling, prostitution should be part of the image that Las Vegans want to create (Las Vegas Sun column)
GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Goodman's brothel views aren't irresponsible (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Jeff Simpson on the recent attention to the local sex trade (Las Vegas Sun column)
"A Las Vegas phone book, flipped to page 862, features an advertisement for a 'SMALL PETITE & VERY PRETTY' 18-year-old Korean girl who promises 'NO HAPPY, NO PAY.'"
Is Las Vegas really so bad? Column saying it's the city most degrading to women sparks varied reactions (Las Vegas Sun article)
Panel: Brothels aid sex trafficking – Trummell desires a basic change in the law (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Varying poles for status of strippers: Two lawyers debate workers' classification (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Organized Crime
Prison letters resulted in 14 indictments: Prosecutors say gang used code (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Police Shootings
Coroner's rules vary on suicide inquests (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
CORONER'S INQUEST: Shooting ruled excusable -- SWAT officer defends actions in July 2 death (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The Problem Of Methamphetamine
Drugs at core of gruesome slaying: Officials say victim was dismembered (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Copper Thefts
LCSO building case on local copper thefts (Mason Valley News article)
Clark County Commission Cases
“It's bad enough that Clark County residents had to endure a governing body that for much of the early part of this decade proved a cesspool of corruption. It's piling insult upon injury to ask they also be forced to cover the legal fees of the elected officials who betrayed them.”
An attorney 'will be provided': No free lawyer for ex-County Commissioner Lynette Boggs (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Inter-County Youth Prison Project
Lyon asked about sharing new juvenile detention facility with Douglas (Mason Valley News article)
Search And Rescue
Search for Fossett narrows based on probability (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Searchers lack signs of Fossett (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Fossett search shows rugged, lonely Nevada: One of the nation's fastest growing states is still largely unpopulated (Associated Press article)
Fossett night flights stop; no clues emerge (Associated Press article)
No sign of Fossett as urgency to find him alive grows (Associated Press article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
TRIP OF THE WEEK: Fall foliage in Nevada not to be missed (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Sand Mountain trail system nears reality (Lahontan Valley News article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Balloon Races
Balloons bring in record crowds, officials say as race drifts to close (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Spectators recount colorful experiences (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
After flying, balloon crews ready to toss back some 'pork chops' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Camels !!!
48th running of camel races brings out the fun side of Nevada (Nevada Appeal article)
Camel races continue (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Looking back on a camel racing legend and all-around nice guy (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
"’The gaming companies will fight,’ Waters said. ‘But their industry is licensed -- it's a privileged license given to them by the state of Nevada, and they go off and build everywhere ... and they're paying 30, 40 percent there, while little ol' Nevada gets less than 6.8 percent.’"
ERIN NEFF: We knew it was coming: initiative to make casinos pay your taxes (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
GAMING ROOTS, NONGAMING AMBITIONS: MGM Mirage reinvents to attract partners that shy from wagering (Las Vegas Sun article)
A Healthy Harrah's: The gaming giant hopes to reduce health-care costs by employing a proactive solution to a growing problem (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Tropicana wants to change benefits union sees as sacred (Las Vegas Sun article)
Stratosphere reaches agreement with unions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Culinary readies $80 million strike fund (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Dubai takes a lesson from Vegas on how to become a resort destination (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Past
The Pony Express
Exploring Sand Springs' Pony Express Station (Lahontan Valley News article)
Historic Neighborhoods
Walking tours of local sites can help us understand past (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Neon's Eerie Glow
Northern lights will glow: Vintage neon to shine on Las Vegas Boulevard beyond the Strip (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Gangster Years
Five found guilty in Chicago mob trial (Reuters article)
Some Testimony From Chicago Mob Trial (Guardian [UK] article)
JANE ANN MORRISON: Small bodyguard faces big challenge protecting mob trial witness (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Reid knows to cover his rural bases: Senator learned from an ousted colleague's missteps (Las Vegas Sun article)
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Charities benefit as Democrats run from felon's funds -- Reid, others distance themselves from fugitive (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Reid: Bush's tactics gave al-Qaida time to regroup (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Ensign's straight talk (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Ensign rising to national stage as Republican Party messenger (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Jon Ralston on Politics: Ensign evolution (In Business Las Vegas column)
Heller says verified paper ballots bill too costly (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Student Loan Bill Passes: Heller and Porter offer 50% support (Desert Beacon)
In The Congress
Foreign aid bill with family planning amendment risks veto: Groups promoting abortions would get funds (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Our Nation's Economy
“Inflation steals away the value of savings. If we still read history, we'd know the role played by collapsing currencies in the fall of Rome and the rise of Adolf Hitler.”
VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Don't you worry about inflation (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Unwarranted Surveillance
“In New York last Thursday, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero struck down that section of the USA Patriot Act which allows the FBI to secretly demand customer information from Internet service providers and other businesses without benefit of a court order or grand jury subpoena -- again.”
The same as 'breaking and entering': Judge again reins in the FBI (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Judge Voids F.B.I. Tool Granted by Patriot Act (Associated Press article)
9/11 Observances
Community to remember 9/11 (Nevada Appeal article)
Six years after 9/11 attacks, Nevadans live with changes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Retired Army chief says troop surge has had some success: Iraq problems complex, Abizaid explains (Associated Press article)
One family's support for the troops (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
'We hold him close to us in heart and mind' (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
===================================
Update for September 10, 2007
_____
Federal Nevada
9/11 Related Reports
Bin Laden Branded `Virtually Impotent' (Associated Press article)
Senator Wants to Expand Spying Authority (Associated Press article)
Law Said Necessary to Track Terrorists (Associated Press article)
Hearings of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Confronting the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland: Six Years After 9/11
Statement of the Honorable J. Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence
Statement of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Statement of Senator Susan M. Collins
September 11: Improvements Needed in Availability of Health Screening and Monitoring Services for Responders GAO-07-1229T, September 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Emergency Preparedness Matters
Shortfalls Hinder Flu Pandemic Readiness (Associated Press article)
Influenza Pandemic: Further Efforts Are Needed to Ensure Clearer Federal Leadership Roles and an Effective National Strategy GAO-07-781, August 14, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Hearings of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: A DHS Status Report: Assessing Challenges and Measuring Progress
Statement of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
Statement of Senator Susan M. Collins
TB Report Finds a Breakdown at the Intersection of Homeland Security and Public Health (House Committee on Homeland Security website)
Information Technology: DHS's Human Capital Plan Is Largely Consistent with Relevant Guidance, but Improvements and Implementation Steps Are Still Needed GAO-07-425, September 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
The Continuing Occupation of Iraq
Petraeus Keeps Cool Amid Iraq Tempest (Associated Press article)
General Petraeus: Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq (House Committee on Foreign Affairs website – 8.25 MB pdf file)
Statement of Ambassador Ryan Crocker (House Committee on Foreign Affairs website – 1.25 MB pdf file)
Porter: Petraeus and Crocker Delivered Accurate Assessment (Rep. Porter press release)
Heller Statement on the Petraeus-Crocker Report (Rep. Heller press release)
Sept. 10, 2007 Press Briefing by Tony Snow (White House website)
Candidates' Quotes on Iraq Reports (Associated Press article)
Poll: Iraqis Say US Troops Not Helping (Associated Press article)
Skelton: Political Progress in Iraq is the Missing Element (House Armed Services Committee website)
===================================
September 11, 2007
Patriot Day
9/11 Matters
Gov. Gibbons orders flags to half-staff today (Nevada Appeal article)
Six years after 9/11: Bin Laden resurfaces in videotape (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Remembering 9/11: The Iraq report further shows the Bush administration's failure to fight terrorism (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Errors linger on watch list: Officials must not tolerate terrorist information rife with mistakes and omissions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
9-11 a day of remembrance and unity despite the war debate (Nevada Appeal editorial)
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
The State Economy
Gold tops $700 an ounce (Elko Free Press article)
The Nevada State Bar
Lawyer ads (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Local Government
Clark County
Dead Kids
Lawsuit targets child welfare agency (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Tension rise over Kings Beach day laborers: Gathering in front of 7-Eleven has grown (Sierra Sun article)
Washoe County
Planned Spanish Springs freeway extended (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Public golf courses bundled to reduce operating losses (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Hiring starts downhill slide (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Spirit of pledge violated, some say: Clinton, others talk in states that have changed contest dates (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Whatever Petraeus says today, Biden sees a failed war: Presidential hopeful has made 8 trips to Iraq (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Industrial Training
UNLV hits Harrah's jackpot: Donation of $30 million will let hotel college call itself the world's best (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Panel disappoints veterans -- Committee sticks to district's policy in naming yet-to-open high school (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“Of the first 13 buses dispatched to Las Vegas, nine broke down along the 2,249-mile journey from the factory and were sent back . That's a 69 percent breakdown rate.”
Good news, bad news: New school buses breaking down: Problems are expected during cross-country delivery, maker says (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Gibbons stokes coal-fired plants: He presses for permits before state can develop limits on emissions (Las Vegas Sun article)
Rejection of petition to stop coal-fired plants predictable (Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial)
Invasive Species
Tiny insects infest local cottonwoods (Lahontan Valle News article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
Search And Rescue
Discovery of past plane wrecks an ominous sign in aviator search (Associated Press article)
Wife of missing aviator thanks volunteers (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Fossett search, Reno air races may lead to crowded skies (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Lost aviator on pilots' minds as race week gets under way (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Another Scam
This is a stickup: Give me your Web site or else ...: Las Vegan takes an old-fashioned idea and adds a modern technology twist (Las Vegas Sun article)
Henderson Police
Ground broken on police facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
eTreppid Litigation
Judge lets eTreppid examine source code in software case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
The Predatory Arts
Finding chukars will pose work-out for hunters (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Funding added for problem gambling program: National Center for Responsible Gaming demonstrates research initiative (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
V&TRR
Bidding opens for second phase of V&T project (Nevada Appeal article)
The Gangster Years
Five in mob case convicted: Jury heard testimony about Spilotro killing (Associated Press article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Sweeping guilty verdicts in Chicago mob case affirm Spilotro's adage (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
YUCCA MOUNTAIN: State presses DOE on use of water -- Motions seek immediate end of drilling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada considered for new type of nuke waste: DOE seeks site for decommissioned reactor parts, other materials (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada Test Site
BUDGET REDUCTIONS: Workers facing layoffs at test site -- Prime contractor expects at least 200 will be let go (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Violations prompt order to halt some radioactive waste activities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fear Of Election Fraud
States depend on Heller to fix vote-count bill (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Nevada delegation reacts to Petraeus along party lines (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ERIN NEFF: Porter still sticks to party line on Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Heller noncommittal on support for 'surge': Ensign, Porter still in support of troop surge and war in Iraq (Nevada Appeal article)
Another perspective: It is crucial to hear from those warriors who have shed blood in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
===================================
September 12, 2007
_____
State Government
Ethics And The State Judiciary
Supreme Court sides with Mayor Goodman: Son's party did not violate rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Oscar is ethical! (Nevada Supreme Court Order of Affirmance, via Vegas Pundit)
Goodman not guilty (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
The town pickled herring (Las Vegas Gleaner)
State Litigation
Urine test litigation nets doctor $100,000: State Board of Examiners votes to settle because of 'confusion' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Former prison inmate sues state for shooting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Inadequate State Supervision Of The Mortgage Industry
Adding insult to injury: Subprime executive turned regulator defends loan practices that fueled housing slump (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
When did the American dream become a subprime flip? (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Home Ownership: Trouble with the Bubble (Desert Beacon)
Nevada Highways
Truck damage to highways should be a weighty issue (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Local Government
Churchill County
City appeals state's finding of alleged violation in sewage spill (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County
MOST WANTED: 43 MILLION -- Las Vegas boosting efforts to lure visitors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The City Of Henderson
"The dirt actually sparkles when you burn it."
Homes coming, so homeless must go, then tainted soil follows: Cleanup will be largest in state history (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Real Estate Market
Valley inventory of homes for sale rises 1.1 percent: Median price down 3.9 percent from 2006 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Bus tour touts assistance for state’s small business owners (Elko Free Press article)
Vets’ health care focus of meeting: Local VFW encourages attendance (Elko Free Press article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Tahoe's 20-year plan gives incentives for right projects (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Big task set before blue ribbon panel (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
IVGID to consider Chevron site request (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Sore winners heard loud and clear (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Radon hazard is being mapped: Study finds half of South Shore homes may have radon levels that exceed standards (Tahoe Tribune article)
Lyon County
Lyon board receives proposed parks priority list (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Lyon County officials don't look far enough down the road (Charles Lawson column, Dayton Courier)
Storey County
Storey County sued over Cordevista (Nevada Appeal article)
Storey's new senior center director has a world of experience (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County
Airport to get $37 million in renovations (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Airport to undergo renovation: Improvements should streamline departure process for passengers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
New commissioner has worked with city officials (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Washoe given great deal on Silver Lake playa acres (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Hillary Clinton dodges the pledge (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Bobzien endorses Edwards (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
2008 Congressional Elections
Porter to face prosecutor in 2008 election: Trial delays Democrat's campaign (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
As if the Darren Mack case could get more politically charged (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
State Democratic Party
Just What is This New Nevada Democratic Caucus? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
State Republican Party
Harry Reid’s Secret Weapon: Nevada Republicans (Muth’s Truths)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
UNLV
Professor strolls through UNLV history - 50 years, 300+ pages (Las Vegas Sun article)
Sierra Nevada College
Don't waste opportunities college provides (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Eastern Nevada Groundwater
“Nevada's U.S. senators may stand at opposite ends of the debate regarding coal-fired power, but the two men are united in their opposition to a second study of Eastern Nevada's groundwater resources.”
Ensign joins Reid in opposing BARCASS II (Ely Times article)
UNLV prof says no such thing as ‘surplus water' (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
The Fight Against Cancer
Lawyers begin Prempro arguments (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Panel rejects bid to block coal-fired plants (Ely Times article)
“Surveys conducted by environmental groups and government agencies alike have repeatedly found that a majority of consumers say they are willing to pay more for electricity generated by wind turbines, solar panels and geothermal developments, among other sources. But less than one percent of the 40 million U.S. households who have access to green power have actually chosen to buy it, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.”
Few coop members go green (Ely Times article)
“Tens of thousands of people continue to move here every year, but the amount of electricity being generated to maintain the valley's climate-controlled quality of life isn't keeping up with demand. Nevada Power bills have doubled over the past 14 years, with double-digit rates of growth on the way.”
More power plays: Will anybody volunteer to pay extra for green energy? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Clouding the issue: Gibbons' foolish push for coal plants places carbon limits on back burner (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Public Utilities
16 CAB COMPANIES: Taxi fares keep pace with nation's highest -- Rates go up Oct. 1, but less than owners, unions wanted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Gas Up
Gas prices jump up in Northern Nevada: Statewide average drops by 5 cents (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Alternative Energy
Life off the grid on Johnson Lane (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Climate Change
Another wrinkle to climate change (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)
Wild Beasts
Bear task force to be revived (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Wildlife calls 'beardens' Nevada (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
IVGID has deadline for mandatory bear box ordinance (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Department of Wildlife to issue at-risk species grants (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
University Medical Center Investigations
“Former University Medical Center chief Lacy L. Thomas is accused of receiving a trip to Aruba and $14,000 for steering a lucrative contract to "very close friends in Chicago," said a source close to the investigation of the ousted hospital chief.”
Las Vegas police suspect trip, contract linked: Case against ex-UMC chief under review (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Unluckiest guy in Vegas will win lottery if he's not charged in UMC case (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
$kindustry Regulation
Point of law that's in the works: Get a massage, no funny business (Las Vegas Sun article)
Reaction to Bob Herbert's columns (Vegas Pundit)
Parole Board Proceedings
“Although a new law says state Parole Board meetings are quasi-judicial, the board still may meet in private and keep certain information confidential, the state attorney general's office says.”
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY: Nice try, but no break for inmates (Las Vegas Sun article)
Search And Rescue
Search for aviator enters second week (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
ADVENTURER'S DISAPPEARANCE: Experts doubtful of Fossett's survival -- Lack of a signal suggests injury, death (Associated Press article)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
Restaurant, unions reach deal on contract (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
An Autumnal Aspect
Yellow of fall calls for us to pay attention (Marie Johnson column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)
__________
Nevada Culture
National Championship Air Races
Biplane crash kills pilot just after takeoff in Stead (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Over the years, races have evolved from pure sport into entertainment (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Security reasons ground B-17 bomber tours (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Carson City Basque Festival
Basque-ing in good barbecue and good times (Charlie Abowd column, Nevada Appeal)
Dayton Valley Days
Don't miss Dayton Valley Days celebration this weekend (Dayton Courier article)
Ely Challenge
Silver State Classic Challenge celebrates 20th year this weekend (Silver State Classic Challenge press release)
Genoa Candy Dance
Wanted: Candy makers (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
“Various groups have proposed significant gaming tax increases over the years, arguing that the gaming tax rate in other states is much higher and that the industry is rich and therefore can afford incremental increases.”
We already pay a lot, casinos say in wave of ads (Las Vegas Sun article)
Dubai World invests again: Persian Gulf state arm in second deal with MGM Mirage (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Dubai World invests $300 million more in MGM projects in Vegas (Associated Press article)
Adelson wants 'mini-Las Vegas' strips worldwide; Asia has room (Associated Press article)
Gambling Cartels And Labor Unions
Sahara, unions reach deal for 700 workers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Internet Gambling
Frank assessment: Bet bill stalled -- Congressman says support growing, measure may live (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada's Past
That Old Schoolhouse
Community and county rally to repair historic community center (Laura Tennant column, Dayton Courier)
NNRy
At the Throttle: We did it! It's done! (Mark S. Bassett column, Ely Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Company preparing layoffs -- DOE officials expect budget cuts in Congress (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
It's the waste, stupid: Requests being readied for new nuclear power plants, yet problem is unsolved (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Local 9/11 Observances
Community reflects upon Sept. 11, 2001 (Lahontan Valley News article)
Fernley remembers victims of Sept. 11 attack (Lahontan Valley News article)
Las Vegas ceremonies pay tribute to victims of attacks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Church holds 9/11 ceremony (Nevada Appeal article)
Students rekindle 9/11 memories (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
9/11 remembered by many in different ways (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Patriot Day? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
In The US Congress
Nevadan's foreign aid job on hold in Senate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Senate Rejects Proposed Amtrak Cuts (Associated Press article)
National Health Matters
"He noted that congressional budget controls expired in 2002, so there is now "nothing to improve fiscal discipline" because the rules that are in place do not apply to both the Senate and the House."
Official sees fiscal crisis on horizon: He says retirement of baby boomers will hurt (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
U.S. Reports of Drug Reactions Triple (Associated Press article)
Church And State
Jack Cafferty: Constitution Establish a Christian Nation? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Nevada’s Reaction to Petraeus Report (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Ensign, Porter and Heller on War on Iraq (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Testimony on Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
“In the political lexicon, words such as "bipartisan" and "consensus-building" once were seen as admirable labels. Now they are hurled as venomous epithets as a sad new world of litmus-test politics dominates the colloquy, where inflaming passions supersedes accomplishing goals and where demagoguery trumps problem-solving.”
Jon Ralston on how both sides in the Iraq debate have locked out the moderates (Las Vegas Sun column)
Iraq mission is vital but still far from over (R. Grant Seals column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Petraeus to set consciousness of war for foreseeable future (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Harry Reid, The Nudgers, and The Shovers (Desert Beacon)
What Petraeus and Crocker Did Not Say (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Reaction to Petraeus Report (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Democrats in Box on Iraq War Legislation (Associated Press article)
US Policy And The Islamic World
Islam: Is it a threat to the West? (Sid Bekowich column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
We are witnessing clash of civilizations (Ty Cobb column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Afghanistan a problem? Iraq a quagmire? Bomb, Bomb Iran (Desert Beacon)
Pakistanis Oppose US Terror Hunts (Associated Press article)
Terror Free Tomorrow Polls (Terror Free Tomorrow website)
Guantanamo Detainees Tell of Abuses (Associated Press article)
===================================
September 13, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
State Prisons And Prisoners
Special session may be needed to address problem with new law: Doubling of good-time credits means double the parole case load in October (Nevada Appeal article)
Nevada's Wretched Financial Disclosure Laws
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION: Official escapes punishment -- Violations not willful, panel rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists
_small8.jpg)
Bilbo's dodges a contempt citation: Health district told to 'calm' its zeal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The State Judiciary
Feasel named Carlin’s new judge (Elko Free Press article)
Civic Spirit
First lady volunteering for a great cause (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Local Government
Seminar to show rural communities how to compete (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Clark County
LICENSE TO COUNT: You've probably heard that 7,000 people move here each month; here's how we know (Las Vegas Sun article)
NLV pioneer might not like plans for land once his: City hall, casino project (Las Vegas Sun article)
Elko County
Elko Colony seeks to triple land holdings: Proposed expansion needs congressional approval (Elko Free Press article)
Elko City Council: RV park finds loophole in tax (Elko Free Press article)
Nye County
Incorporation board to begin gathering information (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
Developing Problems
Spanish Springs plan is only way out (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
The City Of Reno
Reno City Council redraws all ward boundaries (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Council postpones vote on stadium (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reno looks for money to expand water park (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Cashell wants to change Sierra Spirit bus routes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Council considers helping Holland Project (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Regional Economy
RSCVA picks new executive director (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Richardson learns how to pronounce 'Pahrump' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
State Democratic Party
Derby: Dems on track for successful caucus (Elko Free Press article)
Democrats in Nevada stick with Jan. 19: State party chairwoman pleased with progress toward early caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada set on early caucus (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
ERIN NEFF: Dems winning the registration race (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
More on Rogers: There are two new calls for Jim Rogers to resign (Reno News & Review article)
Ashley's openness at UNLV hailed: Faculty Senate leader says ombudsman, budget meetings are positive changes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Public Schools
Clark County School District
School funding 'flaw' targeted: Reid seeks change after formula shorts Nevada program (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Name game (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Washoe County School District
School panel hasn't the option to follow in lawmakers' steps (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Gibbons says health buyout needs closer look: Governor seeks more federal scrutiny (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Thirty-six states join to fine UnitedHealth: Officials cite failures in handling claims, complaints in levying $20 million penalty (Las Vegas Sun article)
Mental Health
LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- State plans effort to recruit more psychiatrists (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Fight Against Cancer
Trial starts in Nevada women's breast cancer lawsuit: Three say Wyeth ignored health risks (Associated Press article)
Patients need patience: Nevada congressmember support a measure to help patients get medical marijuana but it still fails to pass (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Alternative Energy
Desert power: A big solar thermal power plant may be in the works in the Mojave Desert near the Nevada border (Reno News & Review article)
Wild Beasts
NDOW seeks money from counties for growing bear problem (Nevada Appeal article)
Bears sighted from UNR to Tahoe (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Northern Nevada deals with pesky bears (Associated Press article)
Honey, I shrunk the hive: A virus may be the culprit in the mysterious deaths of honeybees (Reno News & Review article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Look, up in the sky ... Planes drop green goo on burn areas to stabilize slopes, encourage growth of vegetation (Nevada Appeal article)
Planes help to restore Angora Fire area (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
The Thin Blue Line
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY: LV officers honored -- Sheriff rewards acts from 2006 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Search And Rescue
FOSSETT SEARCH: Possibility of trickery rejected -- Authorities doubt disappearance was staged (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Searchers focus on witness reports in hunt for Fossett (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
The National Championship Air Races
Some race fans prefer sweet sound of pistons (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
B-17 plane ride awakens connection to past generations: Rides offered for Air Races gives Reno man a connection to his father-in-law (Nevada Appeal article)
Nevada's Fire Festival
Black Rock revisited: Neither wind nor dust nor felony arson can take away from the spirit of Burning Man (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
99 percent vote to authorize strike: 8,000 union members back negotiators (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Pick a card: The marketplace of ideas can only work if we actually think about the ideas offered (D. Brian Burghart column, Reno News & Review)
Making alibis makes poor policies (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Such a thing as truth: Truth is the goal for all journalists, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal tells UNR's media makers (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
NEVADA ECONOMY: Gaming win rises in July -- July take of $1.146 billion is highest monthly total ever; accounting quirk affects tally (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Harrah's invests in Macau, of course: Gaming giant uses golf for first venture in Chinese enclave (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Nongaming parts of Harrah's to benefit from UNLV village (Las Vegas Sun article)
Harmless Gambling
JANE ANN MORRISON: Gambling addictions raise some tough questions with very personal answers (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Internet gambling ban under pressure: Attorney anticipates huge WTO award (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Second Yucca Mountain contractor announces plans for worker layoffs (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Water issue just the latest in DOE affronts (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
9/11 Anniversary
Remembrance of things past: Did we really learn anything after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001? (Reno News & Review editorial)
Veterans Affairs
VA's continued failures: Inspector general's report finds officials made false claims about veterans' care (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Our Nation's Prisons
Overly zealous approach: Removing faith-based books could hinder inmates in adopting better values (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
No end to patience? Much anticipated Petraeus report simply a call for status quo in Iraq (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
===================================
September 15, 2007
_____
The new issue of The Nevada Observer is now up and ready for your reading pleasure (check the middle column for our current articles, features and columns).
September 14-15, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada Highways
"Shortfall," Erik Holland cartoon [click on image to enlarge; click here for more].
"The trucking industry is not going to be singled out for new taxes. When everybody is at the table, we will be there with them."
Jon Ralston on Politics: Keep on freeloadin' (In Business Las Vegas column)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
Wide of the mark: Investors who lost their shirts in a land-exchange scheme target the banks -- without much hope (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Nevada's Wretched Financial Disclosure Laws
Jon Ralston on the shameful state of our disclosure laws (Las Vegas Sun article)
State Prisons And Prisoners
Call for special session finds little backing from legislators: Officials from two agencies fret about changes to parole rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The State Judiciary
DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Justices question removal -- Lawyers for Halverson argue for lifting judge's suspension (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“District Court Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle raised eyebrows late last month at a meeting of the state Supreme Court's Commission on Preservation, Access, and Sealing of Court Records when she stated that she has opened sealed lawsuits for police and the state's Judicial Discipline Commission without a warrant and without notifying the litigants involved.”
Unsealing of lawsuits requires tighter rules, experts believe (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The Nevada State Bar
Lawyers sweat, TV stations don't fret over new rules: Advertising requirements mean forced reviews for attorney spots (Las Vegas Business Press article)
The Governor Of Nevada
Gibbons to visit Nye, Esmeralda counties (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Local Government
The City And County Of Carson
Civic Virtue
Success of fundraiser speaks volumes about Carson City (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)
Churchill County
Tribal water main breaks (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County
Las Vegas Monorail
Depends on what you mean by "assistance" (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Chambers Of Commerce
Collaborative effort pays off for area chambers (Alice Martz column, Las Vegas Business Press)
The Real Estate Market
Harsch Investment, Gubler Family Trust plan $70 million industrial complex: Joint venture will add to valley's hottest emerging industrial area near Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Convention parking deal may displace short-term renters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Mortgage jobs disappearing: Housing slump drops agent numbers by 23 percent (In Business Las Vegas article)
Real Estate and Development: LV market is kind to both renters and landlords (In Business Las Vegas article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Trustees approve request to drill wells at old Chevron site (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Kings Beach center digs itself out of debt (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Lyon County
County Affairs
Commissioner says he didn't write letter requesting new lands bill (Mason Valley News article)
State tax funding continues below projections (Mason Valley News article)
Interim County Manager recommends changes to increase tax funding (Mason Valley News article)
County Engineer working on facilities master plan (Mason Valley News article)
Planning Commission to have joint meeting with Board of Commissioners Tuesday (Mason Valley News article)
City Of Yerington
City's consolidated tax agreement with County tabled for final touches (Mason Valley News article)
City proposes ordinance to update local building codes (Mason Valley News article)
An Oasis In Wabuska
Water ski development takes first step to master plan amendment approval (Mason Valley News article)
Nye County
Town Of Beatty
In Beatty: Town board faces dissension (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Town Of Pahrump
Flood threat off Thousandaire concerns RPC (Pahrump Valley Times article)
“Petell was removed from his post as chairman of the advisory board by the Pahrump Town Board several months ago.”
Petell fined for harassment (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Animal ordinance would require annual inspections (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
City Of Reno
Reno council seeks advice on newsletters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
City must get baseball deal right (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
City Of Sparks
Sparks council didn't violate open meeting law, state officials rule (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
There's more to the caucuses than states' clout and money (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Sen. Edwards
Edwards bashes Bush plan: Troops would rotate out anyway, he says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Nevadans note Edwards -- Candidate gains new supporters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Sen. Obama
Obama team plans Beatty meeting (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Presidential candidate vs U.S. Senator (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Gov. Richardson
Richardson elusive as a presidential candidate: Catch you next time? (Las Vegas Sun article)
Governor engages brain, needs to reach the heart (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)
Bill Richardson: On War on Iraq (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
Chairman Loyal Watkins Lauds Bill Richardson Visit Bill Richardson: On War on Iraq (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Public Schools
Clark County School District
Student tally puts funding at risk: Upcoming official count will determine state funding dollars (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Douglas County School District
School bond may appear on '08 ballot (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Elko County School District
On a collision course: Drivers, students adjust to heavy traffic at Adobe Middle School (Elko Free Press article)
Area officials discuss traffic strategies (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
The Walker River
Ensign says working together on legislation better than going to court (Mason Valley News article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
The Suicide State
Shedding light on 'our last taboo' (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Influenza Warning
Health District socks it to public in new flu awareness campaign (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Friday advanced a new argument in his campaign to block development of conventional coal-burning power plants in Nevada, citing reports that coal-fired plants are being canceled and curtailed in seven other states.”
Reid sees an example worth following (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Reid criticizes labor union support for coal-fired power plants (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Wild Beasts
Bear sightings reported in local valleys (Mason Valley News article)
IVGID to take part in county review of bears (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Washoe County: You have a bear problem (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
Tahoe bear can't 'mug' a New Yorker (Pamela McDonough column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Light Pollution
Turn down the lights ... or turn them up? (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Brightening The Corner
New start for recreation area (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Mason Town Park Dedication Ceremony set for Saturday (Mason Valley News article)
Perazzo Meadows purchase draws closer (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Volunteers scour Lake Tahoe shores (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Conservancy raises awareness through outing series (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
A US Attorney For Nevada
GOP lawyer checked for U.S. attorney: Greg Brower would replace Daniel Bogden, who was fired in December (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JANE ANN MORRISON: Former Reno assemblyman is on track to be U.S. attorney for Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
$kindustry Regulation
“Forty-five dollars can't buy a pair of designer jeans or a Nintendo Wii, but it almost bought one man a 12-year-old child on Fremont Street just over a year ago.”
CHILD SAFETY: Officials target sex trade -- Tactics discussed to protect minors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“Those mobile billboards are the worst. They display a huge photo of a total skank spreading her legs and offering to come to your hotel room. Subtle, it isn't.”
You're telling me there's SEX sold here?! (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Hands tied on prostitution: Federal grants create a chilling effect for research that may be used to argue for legalization (Las Vegas Sun article)
County continues brothel ordinance discussion (Mason Valley News article)
OJ Again
SPORTS MEMORABILIA: Simpson at center of robbery probe -- Collectors say group of men robbed them at gunpoint (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Media snap up new Vegas show: Cirque de O.J.: As memories of Britney fade, there's gratitude for a new bad celebrity (Las Vegas Sun article)
University Medical Center Investigation
Figure in UMC investigation found dead in Michigan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
As law closes in, lobbyist in UMC case takes his life (Las Vegas Sun article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Possible suicide may be casualty of UMC kickback investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Clark County Commission Cases
Boggs' story stands alone: Testimony runs counter to that of three others (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
It's her story vs. her story in the case against Boggs: In detail, former assistant describes ex-commissioner faking where she lived (Las Vegas Sun article)
Transcript of Grand jury proceedings in State v. Boggs (Las Vegas Review-Journal feature – pdf format)
Alleged Physicians Scam
IN WAKE OF RECUSAL: Visiting judge gets medical fraud case -- Motions, concerns about trial date to be heard Sept. 26 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Business Scams And Embezzlements
A third of business expenses fraud-related, exec says: Half of all business fraud considered inside jobs (Las Vegas Business Press article)
The Problem Of Methamphetamine
Anti-drug groups seek unity (Elko Free Press article)
Victims Funding
County gets $500,000 grant for victims of violence (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Search And Rescue
Experts remain optimistic Fossett will be found (Nevada Appeal article)
High winds ground searchers (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Searchers aren't the ones obsessed with celebrity (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)
__________
Nevada's Working Men And Women
Wal-Mart breaks the law, gets punished, wins anyway: Retailer fends off unions, thanks to weak federal watchdogs with few teeth (Las Vegas Sun article)
Ruling may force 3,500 retirees out of state benefit program: Employees covered by retirement trusts at risk if they wait to retire (Nevada Appeal article)
Union negotiator has hope for settlement (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
The National Championship Air Races
Pilot killed in collision had been big winner in his class (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Third fatal crash Friday at Reno Air Races (Associated Press article)
Second fatality stuns spectators (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Past fatal crashes at air races (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Salsa y Salsas Festival
Looking for something to do this weekend? (Nevada Appeal article)
The Rhymer's Rodeer
Fire hydrants made in Minden and sold in Barbados (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Reviving An Old Favorite
Ash Meadows: Church group to reopen old 'cow camp' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Death Of An Explorer
Gene Savoy, explorer who finds lost cities in Peru, dies at 80 (Associated Press article)
The Frontier Tradition
The Endless Frontier (Bob McCracken column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Passive or aggressive? When it comes to aggressively fighting gambling addiction, casinos take a pass (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Valley tourism sizzles in July: Hotel occupancy zooms to 92 percent, a record for midsummer month (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Reno needs a jump start, federal gaming chief says (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
And now a word from our sponsor ...: Sheldon Adelson helps sell the continuation of the War in Iraq (Las Vegas CityLife article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Chinese Workers
Museum will honor Nevada's Chinese (David C. Henley column, Lahontan Valley News)
Our State Capitol
Training to be a volunteer tour guide at the Capitol, state museum starts soon (Nevada Appeal article)
A Lonely Grave
Tombstone finds a home in Dayton (Nevada Appeal article)
Historic Preservation
Improvements touted at Fernley Rail Days (Lahontan Valley News article)
A Loss To Nevada
Douglas County history loses one of its biggest advocates (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Happy Birthday, Las Vegas CityLife !!!
CityLife turns 15! Soon, we'll be able to drive! (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Happy (15th) birthday to us! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
"Nuclear Nevada," Woodrow Bartellani cartoon [click on image to enlarge; click here for more].
DOE vows battle over water use: State's resources for Yucca tests disputed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
'Bait and switch' intentions denied for Yucca site (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Judges refuse to rule on document access (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Layoffs likely at Yucca, say Bechtel officials (Associated Press article)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Porter, Heller praise withdrawal strategy: Ensign sees plan as 'best way forward'; Reid says it's unacceptable (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Reid offers insights to Dems plans (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reid pulls no punches when talking war, power plants (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
In The US Congress
The Budget and Economic Outlook, August 2007 (Congressional Budget Office) [click on image to enlarge].
This little piggy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
"'Forty years ago, 1 percent of the federal budget was spent on Medicare and Medicaid. Last year, it was 19 percent,' Walker said."
Official: Fiscal outlook dim thanks to baby boomers: U.S. comptroller general warns of social programs' impending insolvency in Las Vegas speech (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Road to ruin: Entitlements will bankrupt the country -- do the candidates care? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Health Care and Banking: Legislation divides credit unions, banks (In Business Las Vegas article)
The Public Lands
Law and Utilities: BLM to raise fees to recoup administrative costs (In Business Las Vegas article)
Freedom And The Federal Government
Rough Handling
“Union officials say, however, that 12,000 workers were detained over the course of the raids - most of whom were never charged with anything - and some were handcuffed and denied access to telephones, lawyers, their families and even the bathroom.”
A case of mistreatment? Federal agents must take care to protect innocent workers during raids (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Unauthorized Underwear
U.S. Probes Banned Briefs Found at Gitmo (Associated Press article)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Military aims to minimize fatal mistakes: Nations share ways to avoid mistaken identity in air, on battlefield (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fernley woman assumes command of National Guard Regional Training Center (Lahontan Valley News article)
Do ask, do tell: Eric Alva lost a leg in Iraq ... and found a mission (Las Vegas CityLife article)
===================================
September 16, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada Highways
Bridge safety a bit shaky: Nevada ranks third in the nation in seismic activity, and many bridges are nearing replacement age (Las Vegas Sun article)
Eye on overweight trucks: Given the condition of roads and bridges, granting permits should not be routine (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
State Prisons And Prisoners
Opening 'public' meetings: State law gives access to parole board meeting but shuts public out of decisions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The State Judiciary
Jon Ralston notes the striking similarities in the cases of Elizabeth Halverson and former Controller Kathy Augustine (Las Vegas Sun column)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
New plan for joint recreation center deserves enthusiastic support (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)
Douglas County
Lawsuit could muddy waters for Hillbillies casino (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Civic Virtue – Without Taxes
Full of beans in Fish Springs (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Lake Tahoe Basin
Incline market bucks trend: As nation frets over housing woes, Incline sales stay strong (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
South Tahoe's economy takes a hit after fire (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Internet connects Tahoe community after fire (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County
Bundle of civic, access issues tied to candidate newsletters (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Visioning workshops should be SRO (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
ERIN NEFF: Coveting Culinary's endorsement (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Richardson courts Hispanics in Nevada, early-vote states (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Strange And Stranger
HIGHER EDUCATION CHIEF: JIM ROGERS AND HIS MONEY TALK -- University chancellor spreads wealth around until he's peeved (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
“Police say evidence indicates he was killed in Henderson, of blunt trauma to the head and chest, and was dumped in the desert, undiscovered for at least a week.”
CSN program still in need of jumpstart: Autotechnology has yet to emerge from pall of audit, death of former chairman (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Public Schools
Douglas County School District
New lunch system scans students' fingers (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Alternative Energy
Steam seen as power's future: Scramble is on to tap Nevada's geothermal energy resources (Las Vegas Sun article)
Wild Beasts
Workers say nitrate contamination that killed 71 horses came from Nellis complex (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada's Burning Hills
Planes deposit erosion-control hydromulch in Angora burn area (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
University Medical Center Investigation
JOHN L. SMITH: Suicide and note add complications, intriguing twists to UMC probe (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
$kindustry Regulation
What Corruption?
VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: New York Times parachutes into Vegas again to make stuff up (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
NEVADA VIEWS: Vegas and the sex industry: Don't make assumptions about the choices women make (Kate Hausbeck, Barbara Brents and Crystal Jackson column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
OJ Robbery Case
O.J. Simpson Arrested in Robbery (New York Times article)
SIMPSON MEMORABILIA CASE: Robbery suspect arrested -- Accusers alleging armed robbery at odds over pressing of charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
O.J. Simpson and his cast of accusers have storied past (Associated Press article)
Justice And Social Degradation
Drunken drivers aren't dressing for law's success: Activist wants 'distinctive garb' rule enforced (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Search And Rescue
Searchers to assess mission: Next steps to be discussed as Fossett hunt stretches two weeks (Associated Press article)
Rogue pilot prompts restrictions over Fossett search area (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Nevada is no 'Devil's Triangle' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
National Championship Air Races
Race pilots honor their fallen friends (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Dangerous sports OK when they don't endanger others (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Camel Races !!!
Camel race results and Carson's National Merit semifinalist (Nevada Appeal article)
Salsa y Salsas Festival
Salsa y Salsas: Gathering and reaching out (Nevada Appeal article)
The Piscatorial Arts
New rules make Pyramid Lake less desirable for fishing (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
TRIP OF THE WEEK: Spring Mountain Ranch State Park offers recreation, special programs (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Harrah's after fiscal benefits of physical fitness (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Jeff Simpson wonders whether the Trop's owner is encouraging the union to strike (Las Vegas Sun column)
__________
Nevada Journalism
Wanted: A Surveillance State That Won't Increase Taxes On Gambling Cartels
SHERMAN FREDERICK: Smile, here come traffic cameras -- Crusade is catching on (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Bring on the parade of mediocrities: Sen. Reid now rejecting candidates before they're nominated (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
In The US Congress
“The Senate voted last week to kill an amendment that called for a freeze on earmarked road spending until all the nation's deficient bridges are fixed.”
Bridges won't get earmark money: Senate also defeats proposals to divert bike path spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
RL34166 Lobbying Law and Ethics Rules Changes in the 110th Congress September 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
RL34163 The Death Penalty: Capital Punishment Legislation in the 110th Congress September 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Our Environment
Curbing air pollution: Federal judge gives much-needed gas to states' tougher emissions standards (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The Potential for Carbon Sequestration in the United States, September 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)
The President And The Public
“Public support for impeachment has grown from 26 percent in a Newsweek poll taken in March 2006 to 36 percent this July in a USA Today/Gallup Poll.”
Why isn't impeachment gaining more traction? (Las Vegas Sun article)
Former Fed Chief Attacks Bush on Fiscal Role (New York Times article)
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Dozens of Reno protesters call for Bush's impeachment, end of war (Associated Press article)
THOMAS MITCHELL: Today's discourse lacks depth, facts, history (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Brian Greenspun explains how our frustration shapes debate (Las Vegas Sun column)
Good Old Fashioned Mix It Up Politics: The American Way (Blue Sage Views)
Will Rove be Right? Possible Bush Administration Options in Iraq (Desert Beacon)
A well lipsticked pig: White House releases Benchmark Assessment Report (Desert Beacon)
Both parties on shaky ground when it comes to Iraq (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)
America can get past the Lone Superpower Syndrome (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)
Which side is right, or wrong, on Iraq (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
RL31339 Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security September 06, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
A Related Issue
The oil problem: Who is really responsible? (Sid Bekowich column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Fallon grandfather back on active duty, going to Iraq (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Replacing and Repairing Equipment Used In Iraq and Afghanistan: The Army's Reset Program, September 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)
Quadrennial Defense Review: Future Reviews Could Benefit from Improved Department of Defense Analyses and Changes to Legislative Requirements GAO-07-709, September 14, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Infrastructure: Challenges Increase Risks for Providing Timely Infrastructure Support for Army Installations Expecting Substantial Personnel Growth, GAO-07-1007, September 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Defense Infrastructure: Overseas Master Plans Are Improving, but DOD Needs to Provide Congress Additional Information about the Military Buildup on Guam, GAO-07-1015, September 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Military Base Realignments and Closures: Plan Needed to Monitor Challenges for Completing More Than 100 Armed Forces Reserve Centers, GAO-07-1040, September 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Space Based Infrared System High Program and its Alternative, GAO-07-1088R, September 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34169 The FY2008 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Policy Issues September 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Veterans Affairs
Signature Wound: Nevada Agency hosts conference on Traumatic Brain Injury (Desert Beacon)
Disabled Veterans' Employment: Additional Planning, Monitoring, and Data Collection Efforts Would Improve Assistance, GAO-07-1020, September 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
A Federal Reader
RL34165 The Transition to Digital Television: Is America Ready? September 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
RL30629 Older Workers: Employment and Retirement Trends September 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Motor Carrier Safety: Federal Safety Agency Identifies Many High-Risk Carriers but Does Not Assess Maximum Fines as Often as Required by Law GAO-07-584, August 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
RL34171 Public Transit Program Issues in Surface Transportation Reauthorization September 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Federal Law Enforcement: Survey of Federal Civilian Law Enforcement Mandatory Basic Training, GAO-07-815, August 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
===================================
September 17-19, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
Constitution Day
College students fail civics questions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Failing Our Students, Failing America (Intercollegiate Studies Institute website)
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
County celebrates Constitution Day (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Monday Quick Hits: It's Constitution Day! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
State Government
State Prisons And Prisoners
Ample state funds found: Parole, probation lacking workers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
No special legislative session for parole problem (Nevada Appeal article)
The State Judiciary
ANSWERING ALLEGATIONS: Halverson vows '08 re-election bid -- Suspended judge says courthouse environment corrupt (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Fate of Halverson to be subject of new arguments (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
JOHN L. SMITH: Maladies offer evidence against Halverson's claim she's up to the task (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
The State Bar
State Bar sues, says its money is missing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Nevada State Bar suing St. Louis-based broker (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Our State's Economy
Unemployment up in June, July (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Nevada still leading the country in foreclosures (Associated Press article)
New state employment director focuses on rurals (Elko Free Press article)
Local Government
Clark County
LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- Arena may do better without a team (Las Vegas Sun article)
Boulder City
Idyllic town, $25 million water bill, unpleasant choice: Boulder City doesn't want to sell land and grow but has to keep water flowing (Las Vegas Sun article)
City Of Las Vegas
About East Fremont Street: 'It's definitely going to happen here.': It's not going to be easy (Las Vegas Sun article)
Thumbs down on high-rise proposal: Developer backs off as neighbors protest (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Builder tries California concept in local market: Orange County business park design in use at Hbizctr (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
City Of North Las Vegas
LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- NLV may want to ease off the redevelopment pompoms (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lyon County
Keeping property free of refuse important for health, financial reasons (Nevada Appeal article)
Washoe County
City Of Reno
Condo craze comes to a crawl (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Diagonal crossing stumps a number of walkers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Problem isn't Sierra Spirit; it's the other traffic on Virginia St. (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
City Of Sparks
Sparks officials hear ideas for possible arena project (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Clinton garners additional endorsements (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Introducing the 'new' HillaryCare: Another plan for mandatory, costly, subsidized insurance (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Jon Ralston on the Republican response to Clinton's proposal and her campaign for redemption (Las Vegas Sun column)
Clinton vs Obama (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
But hey, who's counting? (Las Vegas Gleaner)
Kucinich touts his plans for change in visit to LV: Democrat opens local presidential campaign headquarters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
No respect for Kucinich, even though many agree with him (Las Vegas Sun article)
Democratic candidates tread lightly in Nevada: Consultant: 'very much a victim of calendar confusion right now' (Associated Press article)
Campaign managers, a near-perfect reflection: Their values and loyalties are those of their bosses, who want to be president (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nevada Voting
Washoe officials to review integrity of election gear (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
State Democratic Party
Hey! Guess what? The Nevada State Democratic Party is Talking to Us! (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Who gets to choose new chief an issue at CSN (Las Vegas Sun article)
Private university plans orthodontics program (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Public Schools
AG task force begins developing school safety programs (Nevada Appeal article)
AG panel taking on school safety: Carson City schools already working on some recommendations (Nevada Appeal article)
Teach our children well: Opportunity is now to make needed reforms to inflexible education law (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Clark County School District
Schools juggle to figure out what's fair: Year-round, nine months or a variation? Group will help district decide schedules (Las Vegas Sun article)
Family juggling act: District officials making the right move in seeking input about year-round schools (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
School zoning splits up sister act: Trio hoped to play on same tennis team (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Accounts questioned after chief leaves: Schools' top cop gave work to an associate, then quits and takes a job with him (Las Vegas Sun article)
LAS VEGAS ACADEMY: Standoff over sign's design -- School wants to advertise productions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Sign of the times: Would electronic message board 'pollute' a historic campus? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Remembrance at Palo Verde keeps teacher's memory alive (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
What you don't know can kill you, in the individual not the aggregate (Desert Beacon)
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Buyout looks even worse: Fines against insurer reflect badly on its proposal to assume dominant position in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
The Problem Of Suicide
Youth suicides have increased, two studies find (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Quarantine
Tuberculosis strands man in LV, isolation (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
County may buy Tahoe water rights (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Official: Plants' risks not told -- Builder of coal-fired energy center in Ely issued subpoena (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Alternative Energy
Geothermal company seeks BLM lease for new plant (Lahontan Valley News article)
Bently Biofuels to open new alternative fuel station (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
The Danger Of Fire
U.S. Forest Service begins timber thinning test (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Wild Beasts
Bear saved from fatal fall (Nevada Appeal article)
Another bear spotted in Reno neighborhood (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Reno grins, 'bears' it with 6th capture (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Black bear sighting near 5th and Keystone (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Search for scarce food brings record number of bears close to people (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Lake Davis pike to be buried in Reno area (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
A chance to clean up Carson's public lands (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Carson River cleanup rife with risk and reward: Event organizers say area has improved with yearly efforts (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
The OJ Case
Arrest Report In State v. Simpson (Las Vegas Review-Journal feature)
O.J. released from jail (Las Vegas Review-Journal feature)
Justice of peace pulls media duty for O.J. case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
O.J. SIMPSON ARREST: Another suspect busted -- Authorities allege LV man helped steal memorabilia (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Media swarm buzzes around jail scene (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
THE ARREST OF O.J. SIMPSON: Arraignment set -- Prosecutors file charges, including kidnapping, in armed robbery (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
O.J. SIMPSON: IN HIS OWN WORDS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
ERIN NEFF: Las Vegas is Juiced (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
O.J. spotlight on us: Let's concentrate on showing the world justice, not an entertainment spectacle (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
O.J. SIMPSON ARRESTED: Ex-NFL star suspected of holdup role (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
WEEK IN REVIEW: CLARK COUNTY -- Ordinance threatens to put strain on massage parlors (Las Vegas Sun article)
Wedding Chapel Wars
Burglary is latest chapter in chapel wars: Garden of Love owner faces charges (Las Vegas Sun article)
The Problem Of Methamphetamine
Turning to Mexico for a solution to a Nevada problem (Nevada Appeal editorial)
Latest Opportunity From Lagos
From Nigeria to Carson: The anatomy of an Internet scam (Nevada Appeal article)
In Carson City
Selective law enforcement seems to be the norm in Carson City (Abby Johnson column, Nevada Appeal)
Unfortunate
Hard choices are test of institution (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
End Of A Strange Case
Charges dropped: Deputy won’t be prosecuted for DUI (Elko Free Press article)
Sheriff's deputy in Elko won't be prosecuted in DUI: City attorney cites husband's role in arrest (Associated Press article)
Clark County Commission Cases
Ex-commissioner Kenny given extra month to report to prison (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Defense attorneys ask for probation for Kenny aide: Geiger cooked campaign contribution reports (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Search And Rescue
Civil Air Patrol suspending aerial search (Nevada Appeal article)
Earhart parallels drawn: Disappearance adds to Fossett's notoriety (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival
VC businesses anticipating bikers' bucks (Nevada Appeal article)
All bikes are welcome, but Harleys are preferred (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Organizers reminisce as event nears (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival
Balloons coming to town (Elko Free Press article)
St. Teresa School Basque Festival
Getting a taste of Northern Nevada's Basque heritage (Nevada Appeal article)
National Championship Air Races
Safe day of racing closes dramatic week (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Dayton Valley Days
Dayton Valley Days a huge success (Dayton Courier article)
__________
Nevada's Past
A Forgotten Lynching
Curse of the Hanging Tree this weekend (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Moon Over Manzanar
Memories of internment resurface (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Bombing The Reich
“Life aboard a B-17 was dangerous during World War II. Out of 12,000 B-17s produced for the war effort, a third were shot down, including Quinley's aircraft.”
Former 'Flying Fortress' co-pilot recalls war experiences (Lahontan Valley News article)
Video of a B-17 flight (Lahontan Valley News link)
__________
Federal Nevada
The Nevada Test Site
Report cites mismanagement of security project at Nevada Test Site (Associated Press article)
National Nuclear Security Administration's Construction of a Radiological/Nuclear Complex for the Department of Homeland Security (DOE Inspector General website)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Nevada's senators cautious, but not critical of nominee (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Ensign votes against earmarks he inserted: Democrats use 'mockuses' to prepare for caucuses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
More Quick Hits: Ensign flip flops (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
OK, he was fourth on the list, but he's taking on Porter: After better-known Dems declined, prosecutor launches run for Congress (Las Vegas Sun article)
Lawsuit seeks access to records of Coyote Springs development (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
In The US Congress
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Michael L. Townes
Soldier from Las Vegas dies in Iraq of illness (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS: Professor working for Army -- Addictions specialist will train counselors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Vegas veteran takes his fight to D.C.: 'Our military really needs our help right now,' Marine tells the country as he stands with Reid against the war (Las Vegas Sun article)
Pace looks through his retroscope and finds a White House reflection (Desert Beacon)
$9 Billion U.S. Dollars Missing in Iraq--Your Tax Dollars at Work (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
More of Your Tax Dollars at Work (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
===================================
September 20, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
Nevada officials try to clarify new mortgage law: Lenders back off 'stated income' loans (Associated Press article)
Appointments And Disappointments
Vacancy seen helping terrorists: But Nevada isn't rushing to fill seat on federal task force (Las Vegas Sun article)
The State Judiciary
JANE ANN MORRISON: Halverson's recollection of meeting jaw-droppingly unbelievable (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Local Government
Clark County
Many needy people, but housing help goes unused: Backlog in NLV leaves $4.4 million in vouchers untouched for two years (Las Vegas Sun article)
Bailing out homeowners called a bad move, especially in Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)
Nye County
800+ condos win RPC nod (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Fairgrounds project moving ahead (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Another loan outfit to open in Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Pahrump is 'capital for a day' (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
“For the time being, the way the roads in town are used for the benefits of special interests and at the expense of taxpaying locals is a great metaphor for how members of the Reno City Council treat their constituents.”
Tales of the reconstruction: It’s the last major special event of the year. Here’s the road-closure news. (Reno News & Review editorial)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Clinton's health plan hailed: Nevadans back care initiative (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
More class warfare: Obama sticks with the party playbook on tax policy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Nevada Voting
Security, testing are the keys to keeping elections honest (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)
Republican Party Identity Crisis
ERIN NEFF: Root goes Libertarian (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Bedbugs
Bed bugs biting their way into the nightmares of shelter residents (Nevada Appeal article)
West Nile Virus
Five more cases of West Nile virus discovered (Nevada Appeal article)
Influenza
Flu shot supply ample (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Mental Health
New clinic for mentally ill to open in valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Aqua Trac water-pumping plan rejected (Associated Press article)
McGill/Ruth water-users protest proposed rate hike (Ely Times article)
Steve Bradhurst named Central Nevada Water chief (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
New group to support power plant projects (Ely Times article)
Reid cites other states that are turning away from coal (Ely Times article)
Turncoat official still laying low (Ely Times article)
New York AG Cuomo subpoenas LS partner in WPES (Ely Times article)
As We See It: Benefits from the power plants (Ely Times editorial)
Alternative Energy
Clarke students acquire windmill (Pahrump Valley Times article)
The Green Market
Skeptics in the market: Homeowners aren’t buying into green marketing (Reno News & Review article)
Climate Change
Authors hot and cool on global warming (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)
The Danger Of Fire
The cost of fire: Local fire districts near completion of a policy for collecting money to pay for negligence-caused fires (Reno News & Review article)
Fire chiefs call for TRPA changes (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Washoe County to outfit helicopter to fight fires (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Wild Beasts
Officials: Gunshot killed Tahoe City bear -- No charges filed against shooter (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Bear it: Bears are having a tough time looking for food these days. Make your place look less appetizing (Reno News & Review article)
BLM to remove 54 horses from Moriah HMA (Ely Times article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Bassett Lake sale canceled (Ely Times article)
__________
Nevada Mining
Barrick offers $10 million to unlock silver from ore (Elko Free Press article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
AT&T gets home phone competition (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
The OJ Case
O.J.'S COURT APPEARANCE: Simpson back in Florida -- Ex-NFL star hears charges, posts bail of $125,000 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Collector jailed on California parole violation: Marshals found suspect nude (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Young jurist in spotlight: Bonaventure presides over arraignment (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
LIKELY JUDGES IN O.J. SIMPSON CASE (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
It was a real circus out there: Queen, chicken and some nuts join frenzy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Airport users note Simpson in passing: Police usher suspect onto flight to Florida (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
All O.J., all the time (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Courtroom drama's Vegas sequel: Dignity-free and off-off-Strip (Las Vegas Sun article)
O.J. not likely to score much publicity here (Nevada Appeal editorial)
State Prisons And Prisoners
“Over the objection of the state attorney general, the Pardons Board voted Wednesday to commute sentences of eight of 22 inmates who are illegal immigrants.”
Board commutes sentences of illegal immigrants (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
$kindustry Regulation
MASSAGE REGULATIONS: Council shuts down spa -- Paradise Road firm loses license (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Neighbors complain about lurking Stardust patrons (Ely Times article)
Tax Trial
Four-month trial ends with no convictions: Federal income tax evasion case involved nine defendants (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Looking For Victims
VICTIM: Look for early signs of sexual, physical abuse (Elko Free Press article)
A Bad Egg
DA staffer cited for drugs, misconduct (Pahrump Valley Times article)
DUI Enforcement
Increase in DUI arrests may be linked to less accidents (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
In North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas, police OK contract: $22.1 million pact includes wages, leave and 'longevity' rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Search And Rescue
State, federal searchers decide to end hunt for missing pilot (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Police History
True crime: This historic story takes a look back at Reno’s first sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty (Reno News & Review article)
Saved by the badge: A freak circumstance preserved the life of a sheriff’s deputy (Reno News & Review article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival
The race is on to see who has fastest bikes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
The Play's The Thing
Players sprightly with British classic comedy 'Blithe Spirit' (Nevada Appeal article)
Melodrama enters ... stage west (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Strange love: TMCC shows the depth of its degree-seeking talent pool in its latest musical production, Weird Romance (Reno News & Review article)
Selected Shorts
Film Festival more than movies (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nevada's Fire Festival
Stoking the embers of Burning Man (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
Another Casino
Casino plan gains ground: Developer targets intersection of U.S. 95, Kyle Canyon Road (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Lose It All
Not ATM in slot machine, but getting close (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Past
NNRy
At the Throttle: Time-warp Photography (Mark S. Bassett column, Ely Times)
Happy Centennial!
McGill 100th Celebration (Ely Times article)
Historic Preservation
Rising costs slow remodel of Fernley Depot (Lahontan Valley News article)
Personal Past
Finding Fathers: Genealogy club rooted in history (Elko Free Press article)
Finder didn't want to be memento's keeper: Bracelet lost 53 years ago returned to owner (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Journalism
What should be the picture of war? (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)
1.3 cents for your thoughts (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)
__________
Federal Nevada
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Bush pick Mukasey, Reid talk (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Ensign vote a flip-flop: Senator was for essential highway money for Nevada, before he was against it (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Ensign opposes Habeas Corpus, Representation, and Dwell Time (Desert Beacon)
Is Iraq war a small price? New ads demand that Porter take a stand (Las Vegas Sun article)
Federal Largesse
BLM to speed land auction money to counties (Ely Times article)
BLM designates $20 million in White Pine County projects (Ely Times article)
Airport and Storey community center win funding from Senate (Nevada Appeal article)
The National Economy
Economist: Housing woes raises a ‘significant risk’ of recession (Associated Press article)
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)
Tainted Food
A sickening situation: Contamination of salad greens continues under voluntary safety measures (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
A day to recognize prisoners of war, those missing in action (Nevada Appeal article)
===================================
September 21-22, 2007
_____
Nevada Government
State Government
Nevada's Economy
STATE ECONOMY: LV jobless down to 5 percent -- State rate highest since '03 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Unemployment rate hits 5 percent (Nevada Appeal article)
MORTGAGE MELTDOWN: Bleak numbers concern Gibbons -- Governor calls summit to address foreclosure woes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Number of companies coming to Nevada falls, development commission reports (Las Vegas Business Press article)
More Nevadans going bankrupt (In Business Las Vegas article)
Nevada Highways
Time and money: Annual report illustrates why new roads aren't the whole solution to traffic congestion (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Senate sweetens funding for 160 widening (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Roundabout landscaping topic of public meeting (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Motorist responsibility needed to increase safety along Highway 50A (Lahontan Valley News editorial)
The Governor Of Nevada
Abstention
Gibbons abstains from Transportation Board vote (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons
Jon Ralston on Gibbons' cuckoo's nest (Las Vegas Sun column)
The State Attorney General
Attorney General’s Rural Road Trip: “Five Challenge Facing Rural Nevadans” (Attorney General Press Release)
The State Judiciary
State high court alters child placement criteria: Best interest, not family preference, takes precedence, justices decree (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Clark County District Attorney v. District Court (Nevada Supreme Court website)
Ruling: Interpreters must be provided in Justice Court -- Jurists have discretion to appoint someone to assist inmates (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Caballero v. District Court (Nevada Supreme Court website)
State Prisons And Prisoners
OPEN MEETINGS: Board excluded from law -- Parole panel prohibits public from speaking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
A blow to openness: Court ruling says 'quasi-judicial' hearings can be closed (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Court rules parole board not under open meeting law (Nevada Appeal article)
Witherow v State Board of Parole Commissioners (Nevada Supreme Court website)
They just will come back': Does that mean we must tolerate illegals crowding our prisons? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
Public Employees Retirement System
Nevada appeals retiree subsidy ruling: Broad ruling could have left thousands without a benefits plan (Nevada Appeal article)
Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry
USA Capital's former owner offers few answers: At hearing, ex-lending company boss often takes Fifth Amendment when questioned (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Local Government
City And County Of Carson
DA's office to shift child support case management to state (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County
City Of Henderson
Bill would give 502 acres to Henderson (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Developing Stories
Real Estate and Development: Cancellations of new-home purchases climb (In Business Las Vegas article)
A rocky road ahead: Developers face tough building climate (Las Vegas Business Press article)
Neonopolis deal pinned on garage (Las Vegas Sun article)
Harrah's arena plans give land values boost (In Business Las Vegas article)
The Plight Of The Homeless
PANHANDLING: Homeless handouts add up -- Survey finds local residents give millions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Elko County
Elko City Council: Board mulls $1million excess (Elko Free Press article)
Nye County
Hafens seek development pact for 446 homes (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Washoe County
City council to decide on stadium (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Politics
2008 Presidential Races
Nevadans endorse Edwards' education plan: Candidate set to unveil proposal to improve public K-12 system (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Democrat Gravel pledges 'tough love' as president: Candidate envisions democracy makeover (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Is anybody listening? Long-shot presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, who has a knack for being right, opens his campaign headquarters and talks about local and regional issues (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Our Nation's Constitution
Time for a change? Law prof says 1787 Constitution might need some 21st century fine-tuning (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Constitutional rights are fabric of society (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)
__________
Nevada Education Matters
Higher Education
Small print: Harrah's gift needs match -- UNLV needs $25 million more for hotel college building, and state isn't likely to pony up (Las Vegas Sun article)
LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Carpetbaggers need not apply at CSN (Las Vegas Sun article)
Chancellor to deliver address in Elko (Elko Free Press article)
Public Schools
Scrubbing white conservatives from history (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)
Carson City School District
Carson schools down, but less than expected (Nevada Appeal article)
Clark County School District
Administrators to teach or observe (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The fight to represent Las Vegas valley teachers is about to get a lot dirtier (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Charity gravy train: A foundation run by the teachers' union helps instructors -- and enriches execs (Las Vegas CityLife article)
Labor groups spar for educators (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Union making play for teachers: Teamsters say CCEA representation lacking (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Teachers, whores and slaves (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Lyon County School District
Lyon County schools grow, but not by much (Nevada Appeal article)
Storey County School District
Virginia City students, parents protest teacher firing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
__________
Nevada Water Matters
Water proposal rejected (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Dayton church, hospital delayed by water protests: Churchill County, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe seek comprehensive plan addressing overappropriation of the basin (Nevada Appeal article)
__________
Nevada Health Matters
Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?
Health Care and Workplace: UnitedHealthcare to settle claims complaints (In Business Las Vegas article)
Cancer Clusters
Judge to decide forum for Fallon leukemia lawsuits (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
West Nile Virus
West Nile cases decline (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County Expansion
Fremont Medical plans valleywide expansion: Company to take advantage of UMC's funding woes (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Nevada's Environment
Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects
Reid presses fight against coal plants (Associated Press article)
Alternative Energy
Reid Introduces Bill To Spur Nevada's Renewable Energy Industry: Legislation invests in transmission of clean, renewable energy (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Conservation
Law and Small Business: A brilliant way to lighten the power bill (In Business Las Vegas article)
Making the effort by going 'green' (Kara Kelley column, Las Vegas Business Press)
The Danger Of Fire
Report: Urban sprawl in forests could exacerbate wildfire danger (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
USFS tests new stream clearing method (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)
Nevada-California Fire Commission Holds Second Meeting (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)
Wild Beasts
Left high and dry, salmon make powerful friends in Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Our Beautiful Region
Yosemite's camps can offer great late-summer getaways (Nevada Appeal article)
More Vine Ranch tours planned (Pahrump Valley Times article)
__________
Nevada Law Enforcement
$kindustry Regulation
“What happens in Las Vegas doesn't stay there. It contaminates us all.”
Grow up, Las Vegas (Arizona Republic editorial, via John L. Smith)
“Las Vegas, at its core, is still what Herbert and the O.J. story reveal it to be: A place where sex is sought and where women are objectified as no other place in the country and a place where miscreants of varying degrees of fame come to disappear, party or, perhaps, commit hotel room invasions.”
Jon Ralston on Politics: Spinning the sleaze (In Business Las Vegas column)
Ideological roadblock: Federal regulations on prostitution work against efforts to combat human trafficking (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Mass keeps going as stripper exposes herself in cathedral: Woman arrested on cocaine possession charge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
The OJ Case
'O.J.'s lawyer' stays busy in limelight: Galanter former Florida prosecutor (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Suspects in Simpson incident still jailed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Domestic Violence
Reid, Ensign Announce Grant Money to Assist Nevada Police in Crime Fighting and Prevention: Funding will be used to prevent violence against women (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Nevada attorney general to speak at candlelight vigil (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
Domestic Violence Intervention candlelight vigil set for Oct. 1 (Lahontan Valley News article)
Clark County Commission Corruption Cases
ERIN KENNY CORRUPTION SCANDAL: Accountant spared jail -- Geiger gets home confinement, $5,000 fine (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
More Than One?
Second 'mole' possible? (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Strange Treatment
Officer files civil rights lawsuit against NLV (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Seized Seats
Running over car seats makes point about safety (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)
__________
Nevada Utilities
Sierra Pacific seeks rate increase (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Las Vegas native, business whiz takes on the telephone bill: Ooma, developed with Hollywood connections, allows free phone calls for life of product (Las Vegas Business Press article)
__________
Nevada Culture
Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival
Bikers gear up for the weekend (Reno Gazette-Journal article)
Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival
Balloon Festival takes off this weekend (Elko Free Press article)
__________
From The Neon Empire
When Will The Gambling Cartels Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?
JOHN L. SMITH: Gaming Inc. would be wise to embrace a bigger stake for education (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)
Debit-slot plan gets no votes: Bank plastic won't be connected with slips for ticket in-ticket out (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
Good for alcoholics, maybe for gamblers, too (Las Vegas Sun article)
__________
Nevada's Past
Museum's fall lecture series begins Tuesday (Lahontan Valley News article)
How were things in 1907--100 years ago? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
__________
Federal Nevada
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project
Judge refuses to stop Yucca water use: Energy Department can finish Phase 1 drilling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)
County quartet: Scandinavia tour conforms Yucca viability (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Nevada Test Site
Nevada Test Site Radiation Detection Tests: GAO Releases Report (Desert Beacon)
Our Bloated National Budget
"The numbers don't add up. The current fiscal policy is unsustainable."
Stop snoozing and wake up! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)
Testimony on Performance Budgeting: Applications to Health Insurance Programs and Tax Policy, September 20, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)
RL34175 U.S. Health Care Spending: Comparison with Other OECD Countries September 17, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
21st Century Challenges: How Performance Budgeting Can Help GAO-07-1194T, September 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Our Nation's Economy
Testimony on Turbulence in Mortgage Markets: Implications for the Economy and Policy Options, September 19, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)
RS22722 Securitization and Federal Regulation of Mortgages for Safety and Soundness September 17, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
The President's Fundamentals Fundamentally Out of Touch (Desert Beacon)
Nevada's Congressional Delegation
Sen. Reid
Reid: Mental Health Parity Bill Strengthens Programs To Help Citizens With Mental Illnesses (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid Statement on Federal Housing Administration Reform Bill (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Harry Reid vs. Phil E. Buster (Desert Beacon)
A lovefest gone wrong? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)
Rep. Berkley
BERKLEY VOTES TO HELP NEVADA FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH HIGH MORTGAGE COSTS: Package OK’s More FHA Loans for Refinancing Homes at Affordable Rates (Rep. Berkley Press Release)
Rep. Heller
Heller supports Iraq policy, seeks to amend voting bill (Pahrump Valley Times article)
Dean Heller in Pahrump (Nye – Gateway to Nevada’s Rurals)
National Health Matters
Reid: Bush Must Drop Threat To Block Health Coverage For America's Children (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Another veto threat (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)
September 11: Problems Remain in Planning for and Providing Health Screening and Monitoring Services for Responders GAO-07-1253T, September 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Freedom And The Federal Government
“The U.S. government is collecting electronic records on the travel habits of millions of Americans who fly, drive or take cruises abroad, retaining data on the persons with whom they travel or plan to stay, the personal items they carry during their journeys, and even the books that travelers have carried, according to documents obtained by a group of civil liberties advocates and statements by government officials.”
Collecting of Details on Travelers Documented: U.S. Effort More Extensive Than Previously Known (Washington Post article)
Bush wants permanent warrantless wiretap law: In a testimony before Congress on Thursday, J. Michael McConnell, director of national intelligence, said public discussion of wiretapping policies costs American lives (Christian Science Monitor article)
U.S. spy chief calls wiretapping debate a threat (Los Angeles Times article)
DOJ’s “Community of Interest” Letters are Illegal (Electronic Freedom Foundation)
Case Dismissed? The secret lobbying campaign your phone company doesn't want you to know about (Newsweek article)
U.S. Reconnaissance Satellites: Domestic Targets (National Security Archive)
The Pentagon's Counterspies: The Counterintelligence Field Activity (CIFA) -- Documents Describe Organization and Operations of Controversial Agency and Database (National Security Archive)
Is Your Boss Spying on You? Inside New Workplace Surveillance (Popular Mechanics article)
Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement
“It's part of the urban legend of Los Angeles that big money controls the politicians. But do the facts match the legend? The following report, based on a two-months investigation, may strengthen your worst suspicions.”
KNBC Investigation: Laundered Elections (MSNBC News report)
ATMs Become Handy Tool For Laundering Dirty Cash: With Small Deposits, Couriers Outwit Banks; Bag of Money in Queens (Wall Street Journal article)
39 Charged in Money Laundering Case (Associated Press article)
Politics over truth: State Department watchdog apparently turned into the Bush administration's poodle (Las Vegas Sun editorial)
Administration Oversight (US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform)
RL34164 Improper Payments Information Act of 2002: Background, Implementation, and Assessment September 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
House Moves to Protect Air Passengers (Associated Press article)
Transportation Accessibility: Lack of Data and Limited Enforcement Options Limit Federal Oversight GAO-07-1126, September 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Unemployment Insurance: Low-Wage and Part-Time Workers Continue to Experience Low Rates of Receipt GAO-07-1147, September 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Economic Development: Formal Monitoring Approaches Needed to Help Ensure Compliance with Restrictions on Funding Employer Relocations, GAO-07-1005, September 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Legal Services Corporation: Governance and Accountability Practices Need to Be Modernized and Strengthened. GAO-07-993, August 15, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Our Nation's Armed Forces
Reid: Bipartisan Webb-Hagel Amendment Would Begin Critical Process Of Rebuilding Our Overburdened Military (Sen. Reid Press Release)
Reid: By Blocking Bill Requiring Adequate Time At Home Between Deployments, Republicans Again Fail To Support Our Troops (Sen. Reid Press Release)
$6 Billion in Contracts Reviewed, Pentagon Says (New York Times article)
Defense Logistics: Army and Marine Corps Cannot Be Assured That Equipment Reset Strategies Will Sustain Equipment Availability While Meeting Ongoing Operational Requirements GAO-07-814, September 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Marines told to ease off whistle-blower (USA Today article, via Desert Beacon)
Foreign Affairs
The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq
Senate Condemns "General Betray Us" Ad (Associated Press article)
Future Annual Iraq Tab $10 Billion Plus (Associated Press article)
Head of firm paid to track Iraq spending investigated (USA Today article, via Desert Beacon)
Iraq: Blackwater Fired Unprovoked (Guardian Unlimited [UK] article)
The Deadly Game of Private Security (New York Times article)
Security Firm Faces Criminal Charges in Iraq (New York Times article)
Feds Target Blackwater in Weapons Probe (Associated Press article)
Survivor Recalls Blackwater Shootings (Associated Press article)
The Possible Costs to the United States of Maintaining a Long-Term Military Presence in Iraq, September 20, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)
RL34172 Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror: Selected Legislation from the 110th Congress September 17, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)
Iraq Reconstruction (US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform)
Mexico
Mexico's Calderon scores new victory with reform (Reuters article)
Mexico: Calderon's Overhaul Moves Ahead (Stratfor article)
Western states, Mexico to fight meth (Associated Press article)
Drug Control: U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but Tons of Illicit Drugs Continue to Flow into the United States GAO-07-1018, August 17, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)
Mexican official wants army out of drug war (Houston Chronicle article)
Report: Mexican army used rape, torture in drug war (Associated Press article)
Leftist rebel attacks hit heart of Mexico economy (Reuters article)
Pictures of Fox Ranch Raise Questions (Associated Press article)
Peru
