December 1, 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).

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Treasurer: Tax law could hit those trying to avoid foreclosure (Nevada Appeal article)

Auction houses prosper as foreclosures mount (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

Governor Calls For Larger Budget Cuts: No New Taxes, No Tax Hikes, He Says (Nevada Observer article)

Nevada state budget cut plans due Tuesday (Associated Press article)

Nevada Taxes

NEVADA ECONOMY: Official cuts state tax rate -- Unemployment levy will drop beginning in January (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gamblers Coming Under Intense Tax Challenges: General Public In General Agreement With Concept (Nevada Observer article)

The confused gaming-tax debate: We can find new revenues without creating any new taxes (Bill Weidner article, Nevada Policy Research Institute)

The subtext behind the tax talk: They want you at their mercy (Steven Miller article, Nevada Policy Research Institute)

Nevada's leaders have long history of taking wrong tack on taxes (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

The State Judiciary

State high court rejects suit of would-be Wal-Mart building owner (Nevada Appeal article)

Councilman files a defamation counterclaim: Woman sued him alleging he assaulted her (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Request to dismiss Allen defamation lawsuit is filed (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Redevelopment looks to transfer $1M for new projects (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Las Vegas' next hot property: How some investors are finding gems amid run-down, older sections of city (Las Vegas Business Press article)

'World land port' proposed for southwest valley (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Elko County

ECEDA: Cooperation key to economic growth (Elko Free Press article)

A helping hand for Elko's homeless: Friends in Service Helping combats the local scourge, one can of food at a time (Elko Free Press article)

Mineral County

Hawthorne project postponed (Lahontan Valley News article)

Nye County

Decision criticized: County slaps moratorium on parceling (Pahrump Valley Times article)

One contract amended five times: Commissioner balks at county consulting fees (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Show conceptual site plans, says ordinance (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Caucuses

Local Republicans, Democrats seek to educate public about caucuses (Lahontan Valley News article)

Caucus Fever? Not An Epidemic: Party Bosses Are Ready, Maybe, But Those Registered Are Not (Nevada Observer article)

Early Caucus Not Much Help: Party Leaders Letting Rank And File Down (Nevada Observer editorial)

The Campaigns

Guest Post: Biden the candidate for Education (Jessica Szabo column, Desert Beacon)

NV leaders separate from Clinton group (Associated Press article)

Local Races

JANE ANN MORRISON: Voters will get more than politics as usual from the Daskas campaign (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Nevada Political Opinion

Bureaucratic Boundaries (Bob Bennett column, Nevada Observer)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

"University system regents pleaded Friday for students to take up their side in the fight against budget cuts that soon could be ordered by Gov. Jim Gibbons."

Students mum on colleges' budgets: Help sought to ward off proposed aid cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Beers doesn't buy Rogers' view of cuts (Las Vegas Sun article)

Great Basin receives financial aid (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Public Schools

Panel votes to halt growth of charter school program (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

State's governors help in fundraiser for autism: Dayton artist Steven Saylor to create work featuring state's six living governors (Nevada Appeal article)

Nurses contract in doubt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Chiropractor faces decision on discipline: Board hears testimony on complaint by sister of man killed in altercation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

EMT 'rode out' his suspension (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Renewable Energy

Study favors renewable energy (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Clean Air

Western Governors Minus NV's Meet: California, Utah, Montana, But No Nevada For Clean Air (Nevada Observer article)

Conservation

Freecycle turns trash to treasure (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Mining

Franco-Nevada acquiring Newmont assets for $1.3 billion (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Commission approves rate increases: Utilities Inc. customers will pay more (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Courthouse Shooting Case

"'Whenever anybody signs up for a sentence of this magnitude, it's not uncommon to have buyer's remorse,' Lalli said."

Mack hires new lawyer for new trial (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Mack fires defense team: Reno man aims to reverse pleas in murder case (Associated Press article)

Documents, Probe Disappear From View

Where Is Las Vegas City Hall Corruption Probe? Public Documents No Longer Deemed Public? (Nevada Observer article)

Immigration Sweep

Letting cops enforce immigration laws: Metro heeds citizen outrage, applies to partner with ICE (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

21 Suspects Sought

Large-scale burglary ring uncovered; suspects sought (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Drunken Gunplay

Deputies avoid injury in BLM land shooting (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Sex Abuse Jury

SEX ABUSE CASE: Juror misconduct cited -- Web research ruled inappropriate, but did not affect verdict (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

‘Nutcracker' comes alive this weekend (Elko Free Press article)

Artists at work: Sabori, students paint history of Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Art in the airport: McCarran's D gate exhibits are a testament to public art in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

It's Holly Jolly Time Around Silver State: Parties From Elko To Pahrump, Bring Out Child In All Of Us (Nevada Observer article)

Weekend full of wintry events, warm indoor activities (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Culinary unstirred by Trop proposal: Union official sees no interest in offer (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Culinary finds own path to growth: Forced to use elections, other unions fall short of organizing success (Las Vegas Sun article)

Moulin Rouge makeover moves forward: Owner expecting $300 million first phase to begin in mid-2009 (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Index of gambling stocks declines during November (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casino developer Adelson launches ferry service to Macau (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

What Mark Twain Didn't Say (Guy Rocha column, Nevada Observer)

Christmas 1934 (Hal Swift column, Nevada Observer)

Walt Williams: Son of Pahrump pioneer recalls old cotton fields (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Reno author signs book on boxer Dempsey (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

YUCCA'S CROSSROADS: What's decided in this room could change the proposed dump's fate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Yucca Rail Corridors Debated Statewide: Many Surprised To Learn Northern Routes Still Open (Nevada Observer article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Army asking for problems: Desperate to achieve stepped-up recruitment goals, it is lowering its standards (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

International Relations, Where Have You Gone? Anyone Here Speak Farsi? Not In Our State Department (Nevada Observer editorial)

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

December 2, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

With butts out, bars lowered: Smoking ban in food-serving sites hurts revenue, slows spread for taverns (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Budget

Tension builds as Gibbons cloaks budget cuts in secrecy: Activists and lawmakers on edge, waiting for ax (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jon Ralston on why only a select few have enough pull with our imperial governor to persuade him to bring Nevada in out of the rain (Las Vegas Sun column)

The State Judiciary

THOMAS MITCHELL: 'The definition of despotic government' (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Uphill battle on judicial appointments: Is it bad for Nevada to elect its judges? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Ambience

Nevada: Best and worst place to live (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Trailhead signs, cleanup effort continued by volunteers (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

City of Fallon seeks to buy garbage transfer station (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Step by step, weaned off public housing: Families flourish in program that lacks money, has big waiting list (Las Vegas Sun article)

Cesar's story (Las Vegas Sun article)

Robbye's story (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

TRPA delays chief's raise (Nevada Appeal article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Economic development meetings planned in Yerington, Smith (Mason Valley News article)

Special meeting set to hear presentation on new lands bill (Mason Valley News article)

City Of Yerington

New RV park ordinance passed by City (Mason Valley News article)

City, new business bump heads over fees, requirements (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

On the Campaign - election 2008: Poll: Only one-third of Nevadans plan to take part in caucuses (Associated Press article)

New Poll Numbers from Iowa (Desert Beacon)

Election '08 a battle of the haves vs. have-nots (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Host Indicted--Clinton Fund-Raiser Canceled (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Giuliani's Issues: How many degrees of separation from Nevada Republicans? (Desert Beacon)

Giuliani's Judith Nathan chauffeured around by NYC Cops (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

JOHN L. SMITH: Romney answer ends up in one of those he said, they said, he said arguments (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Elections

Dems focus on historically strong Vegas precinct (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Political Opinion

There's no such thing as nursery rhymes (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Indoctrination? What indoctrination? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Jeff Simpson responds to readers who oppose his stance on illegal immigration, and to the Republican presidential candidates who are taking a hard line (Las Vegas Sun column)

Close, but no citizenship: FBI delays cause Las Vegas woman and thousands of others major personal difficulties (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Secrecy backed by regents is 'self-serving': Dissenters speak out against hiding faculty members' outside work from taxpayers (Las Vegas Sun article)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Save Frazier's name, not Frazier Hall (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Public Schools

Lessons learned from the state's top teacher (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Save our schools with more funds (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Clark County School District

Schools down to last $175 million: Stiff competition for what's left from bonds (Las Vegas Sun article)

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Teacher ends effort to get election soon after Teamsters end fight (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County School District

School board delays acceptance of recommended sex ed curriculum (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Applying public pressure: Underperforming nursing homes, including one in Nevada, are rightly cited on public list (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Forests after fire: This year's destructive fire season may have come to a close, but it's just the beginning of a slow recovery for more than 4,000 acres of burnt land in the Truckee-Tahoe area (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Comments for Walker Project EIS scoping to be accepted until December 10 (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Borax and Death Valley have long-standing ties (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Nasty Netherworld Of Police Politics

Report details cop's firing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Privileges Of A Badge

"The list of Southern Nevada politicians who have used public positions for personal gain is long and familiar to local voters."

Personal gain (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

On Justice

Barry Bonds and O.J Simpson: Justice is served (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada Culture

CELLO, A CHOICE FOR LIFE: Finding the perfect instrument takes time, expert advice (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Flashier slots revel in their day at G2E, but patrons will have to wait for games (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca Mountain rail line hearing set for Monday (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In The US Congress

WEEK IN REVIEW: WASHINGTON, D.C. -- What didn't make the headlines is newsworthy (Las Vegas Sun article)

Rigged Studies

Scientific data tainted: When political influence is allowed to trump science, we all end up losing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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

December 3, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Governor

Triwest Healthcare Alliance to Present Governor with Check for Nevada Patriot Fund (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Governor to Attend Grand Opening of Local Business Specializing in Nevada-Made Products (Gov. Gibbons press release)

State Agencies

Offensive Inoffensiveness

Taking Christmas Out of Christmas (Muth's Truths)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Audit: City $92,500 short on retirement accounts (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Another Lucky Las Vegas Land Deal

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- County handles land deals differently - with bidding (Las Vegas Sun article)

What's In A Name?

Downtown's Plaza fights for its name with upscale Strip resort (Las Vegas Sun article)

Washoe County

West Reno neighborhood torn over scarred hillsides (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Flood project affects link road (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fernando Leal Comes Through on ReTrac (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Caucuses

It's like voting, only a lot more complicated: Party, campaigns try to teach Democrats how to caucus (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Campaigns

Former DNC chief to help open Clinton's Elko office (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Republican Huckabee Leads in Iowa (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Local Elections

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Daughters help competing fathers -- Children of Porter, Daskas help campaigns, more or less (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Get Porter (Muth's Truths)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Enrollment decline not all bad news (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

UNR groups try to head off voter apathy on campus (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Book is anti-bully pulpit: Author Hughes delivers message of hope to kids (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Charter Schools: RIP (Muth's Truths)

Shall to May Makes All the Difference (Muth's Truths)

Clark County School District

"It is the nation's only district among the 10 most populous that met all federal benchmarks for the federal No Child Left Behind Act in the 2006-07 school year."

School district leaves nine others behind (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT: Medicaid cutting foster care funds -- Changes leave mental health program without support (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

EMTs fighting for jobs: Pahrump pair accused of allowing man to die (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

What's bugging Lake Tahoe? Relationship among ants, wildfire control and lake's clarity is worth studying (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Bear poachers seem to have a lot of gall (Tahoe Tribune article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Sticking The Public For Management Blunders

Failed Nevada energy plant costs millions (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

Judge issues RESTRAINING ORDER against Bart Rizzolo (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)

Child And Family Services: A Bizarre Tale

About That Highly Trained Professional Intern (Muth's Truths)

Investigations

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY -- Following up on a couple of investigations (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Labor Unions

What Dissent?

"They say she has rigged internal elections, botched the union's legislative efforts in Carson City, spent union dues inappropriately and quashed dissent."

UNION SPLIT OVER LEADER : SEIU NEVADA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JANE MCALEVEY IS AT THE CENTER OF A STORM OF CRITICISM (Las Vegas Sun article)

Long Hours

Unions claim violations of cab drivers' 12-hour day (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

JANE ANN MORRISON: Las Vegas Springs Preserve is great fun, even if you don't buy a ticket (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid Statement on Coal Plant Delay (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Statement on Meeting with Mexican President Calderon (Sen. Reid press release)

Immigration Reform

English isn't a threatened language in this country (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Did Nothing Wrong, But Need Retroactive Immunity

Battling over immunity: Congress, in seeking to rein in surveillance program, shouldn't give telecoms a free pass (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Hallmark Of Bad Government

Don't ask or tell: Airport security workers say they are punished for revealing failures in system (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Paving The Way For The Emperor

What Bush has done--and we let him (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Modernizing the Army's Rotary-Wing Aviation Fleet November 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

A Federal Reader

NASA: Agency Has Taken Steps Toward Making Sound Investment Decisions for Ares I but Still Faces Challenging Knowledge Gaps, GAO-08-51, October 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Anabolic Steroid Abuse: Federal Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Anabolic Steroid Abuse among Teenagers, GAO-08-15, October 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Digital Television Transition: Questions on the DTV Converter Box Subsidy Program and a DTV Inter-Agency Task Force, GAO-08-297R, November 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

Update for December 3, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Governor

Governor Gibbons Encourages Safe Winter Driving By Proclaiming December “Winter Driving Safety Month” (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Nevada's Judiciary

Nevada high court reviews rules for sealing civil court cases (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

This Clinton attack on Obama could boomerang (Frank James column, Chicago Tribune, via Las Vegas Gleaner)

New Polls: Clinton now leads Obama in Iowa (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Elizabeth Kucinich Will Be in Pahrump December 5 (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Trailing with unions, Obama camp makes labor pitch to NV press (PolitickerNV article)

Easy Way to Deal with the Ron Paul “Problem” (Muth's Truths)

Romney to address his religion in faith speech this week (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Romney's Radical Right Connections: Cofer Black, Blackwater, and the Council on National Policy (Desert Beacon)

The State Democratic Party

Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinners by Democrats (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Rogers to tell Gibbons what to do (Vegas Pundit)

Reid Announces $500,000 in Grants to Help Nevada Students Prepare for College (Sen. Reid press release)

Public Schools

Scholars say saggy pants ban may not be constitutional (Associated Press article)

School Board Member Comes Unglued (Muth's Truths)

Churchill County School District

School board member Dave Ash to shut down Web site (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Child And Family Services

CFS Update - December 3, 2007 (Muth's Truths)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Senate Democrats Announce 2008 Legislative Calendar (Sen. Reid press release)

The Public Lands

Nevada Learns to Cash In on Sales of Federal Land (New York Times article, via Las Vegas Gleaner)

RL33792 - Federal Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS): Issues for the 110th Congress 26-Oct-2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22721 - Wave, Tidal, and In-Stream Energy Projects: Which Federal Agency Has the Lead? 5-Oct-2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL33504 - Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): Corps of Engineers Project Authorization Issues 4-Oct-2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Energy Policy

RL34162 - Renewable Energy: Background and Issues for the 110th Congress 5-Oct-2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Homeland Security

Transportation Security Administration's Processes for Designating and Releasing Sensitive Security Information GAO-08-232R, November 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Five Guard Brigades Alerted for 2009 Deployments (American Forces Press Service article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Gates Arrives in Afghanistan to Assess Conditions (American Forces Press Service article)

Precision Coalition Strike Kills Several Militants in Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan Security Forces Prove Themselves in Operation Shaheen Sahara (American Forces Press Service article)

Officials Cut Ribbon for New Afghan School (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

Intel Community Reports on Iran’s Nuclear Program (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Operations, Detain Seven (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi SWAT Unit Targets Bomb-Making Cells Near Nasiriyah (American Forces Press Service article)

Brigade Has Lifted ‘Blanket of Fear’ in Southern Baghdad (American Forces Press Service article)

12/04/2007: DoD News Briefing with Col. Ferrell at the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

12/03/2007: DoD News Briefing with Col. Ferrell from Iraq (US Defense Department website)

Soldiers’ Trust Contributes to Iraq Success, Colonel Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Operation Iraqi Freedom: DOD Assessment of Iraqi Security Forces' Units as Independent Not Clear Because ISF Support Capabilities Are Not Fully Developed GAO-08-143R, November 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Leaflets Urge Iraqis to Help Capture Insurgent Militia Members (American Forces Press Service article)

Top Enlisted Member Says He’s Alive Because Someone ‘Checked It’ (American Forces Press Service article)

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

December 4, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Plan to help 'upside-down' homeowners rejected: Floating bonds to finance debt too risky for state, official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Analysts breakdown foreclosures for lawmakers (Nevada Appeal article)

Reid, Buckley make TV pitch to help fight mortgage foreclosures (Associated Press article)

Experts: Home loan rescue not a solution for all (Associated Press article)

Mortgage rebound predicted (Associated Press article)

Ban a 'crushing blow' to taverns (Associated Press article)

"Nevada's tax burden cannot be overstated. The state ranks fourth (as in highest) for tax burden, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation."

ERIN NEFF: More Times idiocy (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Nevada's Budget

Slowdown doesn't affect government: Yet who shrieks that their budgets, staffs can't be cut? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Budget cuts take early nip at Reno (Las Vegas Sun article)

Secrecy And Democracy In Nevada Government

Father knows best? Gibbons' closed-door approach to cutting the state budget is patronizing and bad policy (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Inviting public distrust: Board of Regents bars the public from learning about private income received by professors (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Court hears appeal from man pardoned: Guilty plea to sex offense in '88 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Justices review rules for sealing civil court cases: Proposed policy recommended by commission (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New rule adopted for closing tax refund hearings (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

We'll Take That

"The city stole my property to give to the Stratosphere and then the county stole my interest."

Justice in land seizure debated: Battle over interest from Stratosphere case hits high court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

An "Honorary Judge"?

Another celebrity graces the courthouse with his presence: This time the star isn't in trouble with the law, and he tells a good story (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Government

Clark County

MONTEREY VILLAS SAGA: Deal would drop city from suit -- Man wants to rehab complex to house elderly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Slum gets a second chance: Developer who had eyes for fixer-upper beats city in battle for ownership (Las Vegas Sun article)

CONSTRUCTION: Harrah's executive resigns -- Step-down called unrelated to investigations (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lyon County

Lyon commissioners to meet with delegation reps over lands bill (Nevada Appeal article)

Dayton residents to meet on incorporation (Nevada Appeal article)

2nd public hearing on Dayton water, sewer connection fee hikes slated (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

To know candidates, know their advisers: Three are helping shape foreign policies of leading Democrats (Las Vegas Sun article)

Huckabee On The Rise In National Polls (Dullard Mush)

Romney says he will speak about his Mormon religion, Iowans are interested (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

"Rogers said he wants the governor to look at either raising taxes, using the state's rainy day fund, or cutting the budgets of other agencies, such as the prison system and highway construction projects."

Budget cuts focus of meeting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JOHN L. SMITH: After scare, Joe Williams Scholarship concert should end on good note (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Public Schools

Give charter school panelists the chance to do the job right (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

County works on hospital's image: Cancer at UMC removed, Reid says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Disparities in care spur call to action: Minority health concerns topic of meeting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Medicaid might give state more time: Care for some foster children at risk over disagreement (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Paying too much: Scare tactics prevent government from adequately controlling some Medicare costs (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Tahoe's lake level down 2 feet compared with last year: December weather could bring anything (Nevada Appeal article)

Report ranks Tahoe resorts on environment (Associated Press article)

Does lead make gaming chips hazardous to your health? A news report has some casino dealers worried, but the science at this point is far from certain (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Yet Another Rate Hike Proposal

Northern Nevada utility files $111 million rate increase plan (Associated Press article)

Utility wants to raise its rates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Labor Unions

Union targets local job site: Contractor latest to draw picket from AFL-CIO (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

"Sixteen times as many blacks as whites were sent to prison from Washoe County for drug offenses in 2002, 60 percent more than the national average, according to a new report released by a nonprofit agency seeking alternatives to incarceration."

Report: Washoe 41st nationally in black drug inmates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

States reviewing juvenile justice on right track (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada's Past

V&T construction steams ahead (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Reid chases more cuts to Yucca Mountain (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE PROJECT: Yucca plans draw public's ire -- Criticisms voiced in packed hearing room at Cashman Center (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In The US Congress

Soft-spoken Reid criticizes Bush, and it comes through loud and clear (Las Vegas Sun article)

They want an extra $50 billion (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

National Debt Growing $1 Million per Minute (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

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

Update for December 4, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Voting

Dispute delays rule on ex-felon voting in Nevada (Associated Press article)

Nevada Taxes

Nevada AFL-CIO boss opposes teachers' proposed casino tax (Associated Press article)

Nevada rules on 'green' construction tax breaks approved (Associated Press article)

Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons

People don't want to lynch him now? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Iowa Poll Confusion (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Telling truth "really goes way too far," former first lady complains (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Breaking glass ceilings (Anjeanette Damon column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Can Huckabee control his campaign? (Desert Beacon)

Barack Obama's struggle for the Democratic nomination (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Captain Ron (Muth's Truths)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Dumping on Charters (Muth's Truths)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid: Bush Must Throughly Review Iran Policy In Light Of Newly Released Intelligence (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Statement On The U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (Sen. Reid press release)

Ensign refuses to drop poison pill amendment to Disclosure Bill (Desert Beacon)

In The US Congress

RL34267 Federal Land Ownership: Constitutional Authority and the History of Acquisition, Disposal, and Retention December 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22760 Electronic Personal Health Records November 15, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34259 A Predatory Lending Primer: The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act November 23, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34266 Climate Change: Science Update 2007 November 29, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34263 U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik December 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Army Civilians Could Receive Furlough Notices by Christmas (American Forces Press Service article)

Bush Asks Congress to Pass Funds for Troops (American Forces Press Service article)

Foreign Policy

United States, Iraq, oil, American military bases and dominance of the Middle East (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

RL34260 Climate Change: Issues Underlying Negotiations at the Bali Conference of Parties November 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Gates Lauds Progress in Afghanistan’s Khowst Province (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Praises Progress of Afghan Security Forces (American Forces Press Service article)

Troops Detain Suspected Taliban Extremists, Find Weapons (American Forces Press Service article)

Soldiers Overcome Afghanistan Terrain Challenges (American Forces Press Service article)

NATO Helps to Create New Opportunities for Afghans (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

Bush Says Iran Still Poses Threat (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates: Intelligence Estimate Shows Need to Keep Up Pressure on Iran (American Forces Press Service article)

Quite a dilemma (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Coalition, Iraqi Forces Make Gains Against al Qaeda (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Elements in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Moderate Detainees Help to Identify Extremists in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

North Korea

RL34256 North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Latest Developments November 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Russia

RL34261 Russian Energy Policy toward Neighboring Countries November 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

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

December 5, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Home auction draws bids, criticism (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Voting

Regulations for restoring voting rights delayed (Nevada Appeal article)

Government Secrecy

Tax Commission secrecy (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Activist seeks access to board applications (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Open government given support (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada Taxes

'Green' perks progress, with questions (Las Vegas Sun article)

The State Judiciary

Justice finally for landowner? Eminent domain victim gets hearing in Supreme Court (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada Highways

Magazine: Nevada home to top bridges (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Get The Lead Out

Lead may be hidden problem in Carson City: About 43 percent of homes could be afflicted (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Hefty Growth, But No Impact Fees

CLARK COUNTY POPULATION: 2 MILLION -- Error results in discovery of about 27,000 uncounted residents (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Latest Lucky Las Vegas Land Deal

JOHN L. SMITH: Something about Tapestry project didn't sit well with 'Show-Me' State county (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Welfare Services

EXCESSIVE CLAIMS: Foster-care insurer drops county -- Coverage for licensed parents to expire (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New child welfare contract OK'd: County free to hire more staff members (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Airport seeks safe landing for master plan, weight ordinance (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Douglas County ponders options in helping to fund JAC: Commissioners will consider request at meeting Thursday (Nevada Appeal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

TRPA reviews nine projects, discusses public concerns (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

At the Lake: Quite a fight over blight (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Fire district warns Cal-Neva about fire system (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Finding emergency locations in Incline Village (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Commissioners to discuss county road GID proposal (Fernley Leader article)

County hires consultant for cost opinion from dispute over 2004 burned building case (Fernley Leader article)

City Of Fernley

City Council to select new Ward 1 board member (Fernley Leader article)

Grant meeting Thursday at City Hall (Fernley Leader article)

Two lawsuits filed against city of Fernley (Lahontan Valley News article)

Town Of Dayton

Dayton residents get step-by-step tips on incorporation (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Creating a culture of ice (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Jon Ralston on Nevada's rise to Division I in caucuses (Las Vegas Sun article)

Former general stumps for Clinton in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Q+A: Maurizio Trevisan -- Health sciences chief sees state system holistically (Las Vegas Sun interview)

Public Schools

Charter school vote exposes rift (Las Vegas Sun article)

Group wants more resources for hearing-impaired students (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Churchill County School District

School board member shutting down Web site (Lahontan Valley News article)

Lyon County School District

Lyon School Trustees approve school, district improvement plans (Fernley Leader article)

Washoe County School District

Washoe principals visit counterparts on empowerment plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Privatization

NEVADA INPATIENT SERVICES: Privatization of psychiatric care debated -- Most at forum oppose changing system (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rural Problems

Alcohol and drug problems with special populations (Fernley Leader article)

Emergency Services

Paramedics use skills, speed in race for life (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

A matter of minutes (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Alternative Energy

Wind-power developers press Air Force secretary: Official asked to say where plants would be OK in Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Recycling

Program to test garbage pickups: Schedules to feature one bin for recycling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Water Matters

Early Walker Basin snowfall outlook not good (Fernley Leader article)

Wild Beasts

Bear poachers seek gall bladders for profit (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Douglas mandates bear-proofing: New trash code aims to keep bears at bay (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Hispanic Nevada

185 illegal immigrants arrested in LV last year (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Virulent legacy of discrimination harms even Americans who've fought for their country (Elizabeth Reville column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

Extension urged for anti-drug panel (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Questionable Statistics

Reno drug report questioned: Stats showing large number of blacks arrested debated (Associated Press article)

Campaign Violations Case

Lynette's defense..... (Vegas Pundit)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Harrah's deal goes before board -- THE DEAL: $27.8 BILLION THE TOTAL COST, INCLUDING ASSUMPTION OF DEBT (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Would art's gain be history's loss? Old building would lose courtyard - and essential character, some say (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca forum gets loud, rude, does little: Both sides of issue stick to their guns, use silly rhetoric (Las Vegas Sun article)

Another Yucca failure: Energy officials continue to push a failed project that should have been shelved long ago (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

House passes Heller's land bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

In The US Congress

A better energy bill: There is hope now for better gas mileage and more power from renewable sources (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Congress must face reality, compromise on needed bills (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Foreign Affairs

A mess, courtesy of Bush: National Intelligence Estimate undercuts White House's tough talk on Iran (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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

Update for December 5, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Read the documents first before buying your home (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor to Tour the Department of Family Services and Meet with State and County Child Welfare Officials (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Nevada Receives Secretarial Disaster Designation From U.S. Department of Agriculture Gov. Gibbons press release)

Governor to Hold Lighting Ceremonies at the State Capitol (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Nevada Highways

NDOT launches ‘Ice & Snow - Take it Slow' campaign (Ely Times article)

Local Government

Elko County

Riverside Condos: Plan for 96 units endorsed (Elko Free Press article)

Lincoln County

Housing developer buys 159 acres in Alamo (Ely Times article)

Nye County

Beatty still searches for doc (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Nevada Endorsements

Culinary Union parent to delay endorsing Democrat until January (Associated Press article)

Culinary largely mum about its decision to wait until January to endorse (Inside Nevada Politics)

Culinary to sit out endorsement process until after Iowa (Inside Nevada Politics)

The Nevada way (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Obama to Get Culinary Endorsement? (My Silver State)

The Campaigns

Nevada Questions That Weren't Asked at the Debate - Hillary Clinton's Answers (My Silver State)

Applause to the Clinton Campaign for Denouncing E-mail Smears on Obama (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Rep. Ron Paul's coordinator in Elko Saturday (Elko Free Press article)

Romney's religion goes up for scrutiny (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Local Elections

Bigelow will run again (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Nye County School District

School district audit 'very clean' (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Coal-Burning Power Plant Proposals

Ely Energy Center delayed (Ely Times article)

Reid welcomes news of Ely Energy Center delay (Ely Times article)

SPR chief says EEC will be built (Ely Times article)

Climate Change

Christmas causes global warming (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

Find the error (Real Climate From Climate Scientists)

Wild Beasts

Deadline Friday for National Wild Horse & Burro Advisory Board (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Reno police get new body armor (Associated Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Nev. regulators endorse Harrah’s buyout (Associated Press article)

Court denies dismissal of $2.8 billion claim against Harrah's (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Panel hears challenge to Yucca database (Associated Press article)

Nevada Congressional Delegation Urges Inspector General to Investigate Conflicts of Interest Regarding Yucca

Sen. Reid press release

Sen. Ensign press release

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Harry Reid is friggin' hilarious (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

ENSIGN'S BILL WOULD PUT MEDICARE ON STRONGER FINANCIAL GROUND (Sen. Ensign press release)

ENSIGN: E-PRESCRIBING IS A SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO SAVE LIVES, LOWER COSTS (Sen. Ensign press release)

Heller Bill Passes House (Rep. Heller press release)

Heller's first "triumph" with a little help from his friends (Desert Beacon)

Porter/ Schwartz Introduce E-Prescribing Legislation (Rep. Porter press release)

Our Nation's Economy

Testimony on the Current Economic Situation December 5, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Public Lands

BLM proposed resource management plan ready (Ely Times article)

Increasing use: USFS addresses off-road trails (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Deeply Worried - Newt Gingrich (Richard Disney)

Federal Law Enforcement

DEA, IRS, NJSP & Newark Police Department, Execute Operation: “Follow The Money” (US Drug Enforcement Agency press release)

U.S. Arrests Colombian Police Officers And Airline Employees For Facilitating Shipments Of Heroin On Commercial Flights Into New York City (US Drug Enforcement Agency press release)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Several Militants Killed in Afghanistan Operation (American Forces Press Service article)

Marines Won’t Move to Afghanistan for Now, Conway Says (American Forces Press Service article)

China

U.S., China Agree to Strengthen Military Relations (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

Bomb Bomb...Iran?: The Beat Goes On (Desert Beacon)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Gates Seeks to Build on Positive Momentum in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Commanders Tell Gates Iraq Policy Working, Urge Vigilance (American Forces Press Service article)

Police Team Commander Outlines Challenges for Iraq's Interior Ministry (American Forces Press Service article)

Kosovo

Kosovo Task Force Prepared for Conflict, Commander Says (American Forces Press Service article)

A Federal Reader

Aviation Runway and Ramp Safety: Sustained Efforts to Address Leadership, Technology, and Other Challenges Needed to Reduce Accidents and Incidents GAO-08-29, November 20, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Rental Housing: Information on Low-Income Veterans' Housing Conditions and Participation in HUD's Programs GAO-08-324T, December 05, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

December 6, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Budget

State agencies turn in recommendations on budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Writing Checks Nevadans Can’t Cover (Muth's Truths)

State Agencies

Budget cuts could stall Kinkead demolition: Public Works manager says it doesn't cost state anything to let the building sit there (Nevada Appeal article)

The State Judiciary

LYING IN WASTE: Recently replaced, the old Clark County Courthouse remains empty, even as officials say their new building has reached its full capacity (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada's Governor

The Imperial Governorship (David Damore column, PolitickerNV)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

City has many positives to go with its problems (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Obstacles gone for LV tower: County panel approves 1,064-foot Strip hotel (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The city's bad deal: Taxpayers lose out in Las Vegas City Council's approval of a no-bid housing project (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

City inks affordable housing deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- State bond finances affordable apartments in Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

County voters must decide airport's future (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Scare tactics being used to stop planning (Bill Schroeder column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Lake Tahoe Basin

At the Lake: 56-Acre project meeting set for this afternoon (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

For many, no snow means no work (Sierra Sun article)

Housing slump affects local industries: Contractors focus on remodeling (Sierra Sun article)

Washoe County

Reno council considers pool covers (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Council OKs repairs at YMCA site (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Nevada Endorsements

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: Culinary union coy about choice: 'Early January' endorsement of presidential candidate planned (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Respectfully, maybe Anjeanette Damon's analysis of Culinary endorsement is just plain wrong (PolitickerNV editorial)

Some in union see tilt to Edwards: State SEIU endorsement process for caucus raises concerns about fairness (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Campaigns

Huckabee on Everything (Muth's Truths)

Dear Wayne: Huckabee digs the hole deeper (Kirk Caraway)

Huckabee's Willie Horton problem (Kirk Caraway)

Huckabee and the paroling of convicted rapist-murderer Wayne Dumond (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Pahrump Obama Headquarters Featured (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Romney: "I do not define my candidacy by my religion" (Inside Nevada Politics)

One Bad Mormon Apple (Muth's Truths)

The Caucuses

ERIN NEFF: Knock, knock! Who's there? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

No budget cut-plan from Nev. universities (Associated Press article)

Nevada State College students rally against cuts: Petition seeks to sway Gibbons on budget (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

Over protest, feds to stick with cuts for Nevada schools' English learners (Las Vegas Sun article)

Churchill County School District

District hoping program helps improve scores (Lahontan Valley News article)

New cafe to employ high school students seeking culinary skills (Lahontan Valley News article)

Douglas County School District

Parents want decision closing Kingsbury to be reconsidered (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Storey County School District

Storey County board upholds teacher's dismissal (Nevada Appeal article)

School board upholds firing of Storey County teacher (Associated Press article)

Washoe County School District

Washoe schools begin Listen to Learn program (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

At Reno High, the Red & Blue goes on: Students considered Reno High English teacher Dan Halcomb the “lifeblood” of the student newspaper Red & Blue (Deidre Pike column, Reno News & Review)

Private Schools

Episcopal day school to stay open (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Nurses begin talks on contracts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Fire And Drought

Nevada gets disaster relief for drought and wildfire damage (Nevada Appeal article)

Deal outlines how states will share drought burden (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Drought can bring fountain of pretty yet practical solutions (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Conservation

Ski resorts blast environmental scorecard as anti-growth (Nevada Appeal article)

Efficient gluttons: Americans are getting more energy-efficient—yet we’re using more energy than ever (Reno News & Review article)

What’s the score? Find out Nevada’s leaders’ stances on the environment with the Nevada Conservation League Scoreboard (Reno News & Review article)

Powerful education: Mountain View Montessori becomes Nevada’s 15th GreenPower school (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

Former operator accused of hindering strip club's sale (Las Vegas Sun article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Lawyer: Mack was confused over pleas (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Binion's Silver

1998 BINION DEATH: Murphy looking for another lawyer -- New trial sought in $7 million silver theft (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Grand Theft Auto

Attention all car thieves: Police will be watching you -- Bait-car program to expand in county (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hit And Run

Higher volume of hit-and-runs worry police (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

CONCERTO FOR THE PRESIDENT: 11-year-old Las Vegas violinist to perform at White House holiday celebrations (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Swollen Corporations

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Board backs buyout of Harrah's -- Panelists' sparse questions focus on financing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

MGM Mirage plans to buy back 20 million shares: Analysts expect move to help drive up price of stock (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nouveau Skim

THIEVES INSIDE THE MACHINE: HOW HIGH-TECH CROOKS TURNED SLOTS INTO THEIR PERSONAL ATMs (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca licensing documents missing: Opponents of nuclear waste repository tell licensing board computer access faulty (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada fights law firm's deal at Yucca site: Lawmakers allege conflicts of interest (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca Mountain IG request unites Nevada delegation (Desert Beacon)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Legislative Proposals

Lawmakers unveil Medicare e-prescription system bills: Doctors would be rewarded for using system; error reduction sought (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Reno land bill deserves support (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

From The Dance Of One Hundred Puppets

Specter scolds Reid on Senate floor again (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

With zinger, Reid hits a sensitive spot: GOP senators resent label of administration 'puppets' (Las Vegas Sun article)

Specter Puppet cries foul when Reid remarks on strings (Desert Beacon)

Donald A. Ritchie, Political Cartoons and Caricatures (US Library of Congress, 26 MB pdf file)

In The US Congress

Foreclosure intervention (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Bush Mortgage Plan: From Babbitt to Bail-Out (Desert Beacon)

GOP predicted to sustain filibuster of Farm Bill (Desert Beacon)

The Problem with the FAIR Tax (Muth's Truths)

Warning: Congress May Be Hazardous to Your Health (Muth's Truths)

Inefficient, Secretive And Corrupt

Whose agenda matters most? Industry interests press Bush for regulations that give short shrift to health and safety (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Climate Change

Let’s just get to work: Global warming? Just one reason to fix the world (Reno News & Review editorial)

You’re getting warmer: The Kyoto Accord began the race to halt global warming. Noted author and environmentalist Bill McKibben examines what’s happened in the decade since this historic meeting (Reno News & Review article)

The California experiment: Schwarzenegger plays in California’s climate-change toolbox (Reno News & Review article)

Chill out: Bjørn Lomborg thinks the Kyoto Protocol is bad public policy (Reno News & Review article)

The view from Kyoto: Without U.S. participation, the Kyoto Accord was doomed, at best, to only partial success (Reno News & Review article)

Kyoto accordingly: Environmentalists weigh in on the Kyoto Protocol (Reno News & Review article)

A greenhouse in the desert: How will global warming affect the world’s deserts? (Reno News & Review article)

Dear John (Stossel): When it comes to global warming, think to yourself, “What would Stossel do?” (Reno News & Review article)

Watts, me worry? Chico’s Anthony Watts thinks human beings probably aren’t responsible for climate change (Reno News & Review article)

The Ice Man: When Al Gore and other global-warming experts want to come in out of the cold, they turn to Boulder’s Konrad Steffen (Reno News & Review article)

Step it up: It’s time to step up the fight against global warming (Reno News & Review article)

Bob Loves You: The tyrants of Big Oil just want to be friends (Reno News & Review article)

Chevron’s suspect device: Chevron would like you to play their stupid PR game (Reno News & Review article)

Kyoto 10 year timeline/charts/graphs: A 10-year timeline since the 1997 Kyoto conference and review of some of the pertinent numbers and trends related to global warming (Reno News & Review article)

Foreign Affairs

One Hundred Years Of Solitude -- And Then Some

Our Expansive Uncle, But It's Only Temporary, Life Magazine, December 28, 1899 [click on image to enlarge]

Do our intelligence agencies know what's going on in Iran? (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Bush didn't know about Iran NIE? Right... (Kirk Caraway)

Lying our way to war, again (Kirk Caraway)

The real warmongers: Democrats have historically been warmongers (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

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

December 7, 2007

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

The battleship USS Nevada (far left bottom) at the beginning of the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Immediately to the right of the USS Nevada are the battleship USS Arizona and USS Vestal, followed by the battleships USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee, the USS Oklahoma and USS Maryland, and the tanker USS Neosho and the battleship USS California (captured Imperial Japanese Navy photograph, courtesy of the US Navy [click on image to enlarge])

In this captured Imperial Japanese Navy photograph of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, taken shortly after the photograph above, the USS Nevada appears at left. To the right, the battleship USS Arizona has just been destroyed by a terrific explosion, which broke the vessel in half. The flames and huge column of smoke from the burning USS Arizona dominate the picture. (photograph courtesy of US Navy) [click on image to enlarge]

USS Nevada, on fire from repeated Japanese air attacks, steams past the shattered US Fleet at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 (US Navy photograph) [click on image to enlarge]

Fallon man recalls attack on Pearl Harbor (Lahontan Valley News article)

A view of World War II from the home front: Students hear a story that started 66 years ago today (Las Vegas Sun article)

Pearl Harbor survivors to meet on anniversary (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The 'Day of Infamy' lives on at USS Arizona Memorial (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Pilots with Nevada ties honored today (David C. Henley column, Lahontan Valley News)

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Wretched Ethics And Campaign Finance Laws

Preserving Our Banana Republic System Of Government

"Oh, it's been [state] Sens. Barbara Cegavske and Bill Raggio who've killed [campaign finance reform], definitely," says one capitol insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "A lot of [state senators] aren't for full disclosure; the more loopholes, the better."

Denied! Want to find out who's paying your lawmaker? Someone in Carson City would rather you not know (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Requiem for reform: The campaign bills that died (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Bribes are sooooo not worth it (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Nevada Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections (2007 [74th] Session)

Cegavske, Barbara K (R - Clark No. 8) [Chairwoman]

Raggio, William J. (R - Washoe No. 3)

Beers, Bob (R-Clark No. 6)

Hardy, Warren B. II (R-Clark No. 12)

Horseford, Steven A. (D-Clark No. 4)

Mathews, Bernice (D-Washoe No. 1)

Wiener, Valerie (D-Clark No. 3)

Nevada's Economy

LV economy gauge rises in November (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Taxes

Broader tax advised to fill coffers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Agencies

New state retirement regulations established: Some groups in limbo (Nevada Appeal article)

Investment can (still) be murder (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Board yanks license of no-show developer's company: Missing Molasky dismays some members (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Court sides with public beach access (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Judges rethink upgrade, taxpayers clean up (Las Vegas Sun article)

Incline Justice Court getting a makeover (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Governor marks Hanukkah: Capitol office event a first, rabbi says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Capital begins festivities despite snags (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Doesn't Like Gov. Gibbons, In An Obsessive Kind Of Way

Jon Ralston is befuddled by Gibbons' 'decisionary process' (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Beer-hall buffoon (In Business Las Vegas Column)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Carson City officials say budget cuts expected: Some services likely to be affected (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

City of Fallon buys historic Douglass Mansion (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

FOSTER PARENTS: Insurance loss raises concerns -- County officials criticized for not stepping in with liability coverage (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Quick question on Republic Services… (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

City budgets more money for tennis fight: Price tag rises for battle over cracked courts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City of Las Vegas ventures win recognition at conference (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City orders owner out: North Las Vegas taking four properties via eminent domain (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Genoa offers manager's job to Californian (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

New development to break ground in Carlin (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Doing a job for 15 bosses (Sierra Sun editorial)

Wood stove changeout heats up: Placer County eyes stove replacement (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Dayton connection fee hikes approved (Nevada Appeal article)

Mound House mill operation could lose its permit (Nevada Appeal article)

Who let the cows (and horses) out? (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

The 2008 President Races

The Caucuses

Caucus more than a meeting (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

The Campaigns

Presidential candidates plan visits to Nevada on Saturday, Monday (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Flowers says Hillary Clinton might get her vote: She likes what she sees in wife of man she had affair with (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

McAuliffe in Elko Friday for opening of Clinton's office (Elko Free Press article)

Edwards campaign claims union's backing: Democrat garners endorsement from Communications Workers of America (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

L'Affaire Dumond and Mike Huckabee (Desert Beacon)

Kucinich moves venue of campaign appearance (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ron Paul Calling Nevadans About Yucca Mountain (Dullard Mush)

Romney's speech on his faith draws praise in Nevada: Views on not mixing politics and religion seen as positive (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Romney's speech, wife lauded: Hopeful's spouse focuses on family, faith in LV visit (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Willard declares jihad on secularists (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Romney's one line (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

State Democratic Party

Democrats on the rise (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- Political donation stuns NLV Democrats (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Elections

Making the case ... against Jon Porter (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The chancellor is falling right into the governor's trap (Chuck Muth column, Nevada Appeal)

Stained ivory tower? Disgraced lobbyist's position, role and salary at CSN disturbs some of his colleagues (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Higher Ed VP Demonstrates Budget Fat: A community college executive wasted taxpayer time and resources sending this out to all staff today (Beers for Nevada)

Raising College Tuition Is A Tax Increase (Reno and Its Discontents)

HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM BUDGET: UNLV rally opposes cuts -- Activism gains momentum on state campuses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Student Protest Draws Dozens (Beers for Nevada)

Public Schools

Just Drop It On The Floor

Charter school moratorium: State board decides not to handle its obligations (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Douglas County School District

Most Douglas High School seniors registered to vote (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Washoe County School District

Stadium project talks resume (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Hospitals lobbying against IRS rule: Nonprofits would be affected (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ex-UnitedHealth CEO McGuire to forfeit over $400 million (Reuters article, via Desert Beacon)

Renown nurse negotiations continue (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

PROGRESS (AT A PRICE): New steps are being taken to address carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired plants. But the cost, almost certainly, will be passed on to Nevada consumers (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Water Matters

'Gunslinger' sought in water fight (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Water authority big winner in building pact: Agency's purchase of first five floors of Molasky high-rise considered a bargain (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Water authority ready to pay for bigger grass conversions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Conservation

Cutting a few toes off my carbon footprint (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

JOHN L. SMITH: Team Gibbons hopes to help youths see the darkness of meth abuse (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Poor medical care at Nevada prison cited: Inmates at the Ely facility have been denied help for heart problems, diabetes and other serious medical conditions, records show (Los Angeles Times article)

Care at women's prison poor too, ACLU charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Treating inmates humanely? State faces accusation of denying medicine and quality medical care to prisoners (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

ACLU charges state prison inmates being denied medical care (Nevada Appeal article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

January hearing set for motion to withdraw Mack's plea (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Plea recanted in wife's death, judge's shooting: Mack's new attorney asks for trial (Associated Press article)

$kindustry Regulation

No jail for Jones in club melee: 'Pacman' must testify against gunman (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

Judge again delays sentencing date in Davidson case: Jan. 24 hearing set in fraud, bribe attempt (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's US Attorney-Designate

Brower's nomination as prosecutor advances (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Life Saver

Icy water rising, then a warm hand (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

On Crime And Criminal Justice

The 'pleasure' of crime (Randall G. Shelden column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Culture

No Winterfest (Elko Free Press article)

Hawthorne concert to benefit Mineral Council on the Arts (Lahontan Valley News article)

New library coming after long wait: New community got its facility before NLV working-class area (Las Vegas Sun article)

Festival of lights (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

New Web site promotes Lake Tahoe-area arts (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Artists on display at library (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Stretching out the fun time: 'Guaranteed Play' machines provide a set number of hands for a set price (Las Vegas Sun article)

Harrah's draws activists' criticism: Minority groups call for more data on diversity efforts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Pro poker world draws two bad hands (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid getting tougher on coal: Senator pushing for cleaner air standards (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Harry Reid gets Coal in his Stocking for Christmas (Richard Disney)

Oil Habit Hard to Break for Heller (My Silver State)

In The US Congress

The Alternative Minimum Tax

AMT fix (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Congress fiddles while tax payers get burned (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Health Care

The 'socialized medicine' myth: Are conservatives deliberately lying, or just stupid? (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Environment

Environmentalists' 'Silent Spring' mythology killing us softly (Steven Brockerman column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Our Present Administration

Nuclear mistakes: Only Homer Simpson could be proud of the poor safety record at federal weapons labs (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Irresponsible proposal: FDA plan would allow pharmaceutical companies to pitch unapproved uses of drugs (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

Latest Bush faith-based initiative: Iran (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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

Update for December 7, 2007

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

'Dec. 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy' (Nevada Appeal article)

December 7, 1941: Survivors remember Pearl Harbor (Associated Press article)

Pearl Harbor Survivor Emphasizes Need for Vigilance (American Forces Press Service article)

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Retro-Government Toll Road Plan

Study panel supports toll road highway projects (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada Taxes

The Founders & Direct Democracy (Muth's Truths)

From The Office Of The Attorney General

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEA OF JAMES YIM TO SECURITIES FRAUD (Nevada Attorney General press release)

Local Government

Clark County

Advocacy group seeks federal intervention in Vegas foster care (Associated Press article)

Douglas County

Douglas turns down Carson's $16K JAC request: Carson City's transportation commission could cancel service to Douglas County (Nevada Appeal article)

Lyon County

Congressional delegation explains Lyon Lands Bill status during county workshop (Mason Valley News article)

Economic development meeting planned Monday in Smith (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County

County Affairs

Amargosa lots are parceled in a rush (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Amargosa Valley RPC budget would cost $64,272 annually (Pahrump Valley Times article)

County rejects PAVED trade show promo (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Pahrump

Generators, artillery on Pahrump agenda (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Retired general takes on Bush plan for Iraq (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Gravel Blasts Bush over Iran (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Poll shows new GOP frontrunner in Nevada (Inside Nevada Politics)

Poll: Huckabee surges in Nevada (PolitickerNV article)

Kucinich campaigns for husband (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Obama first Democrat to launch TV campaign in Nevada (Associated Press article)

National Voting Trends

Poll: Huge gains for Dems among Hispanics (PolitickerNV article)

Hispanics and the 2008 Election: A Swing Vote? (Pew Hispanic Institute)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Nevada chancellor warns against budget cuts, suggests local help (Associated Press article)

Public Schools

School board approves improvements (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Nurses at St. Mary's vote to join union (Associated Press article)

EMTs to appeal firing (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Thanks to all who kept me alive (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Reid gambit could block new coal plants (Associated Press article)

WRID Board to hear presentation on underground storage proposal (Mason Valley News article)

Commissioners to consider letter on Walker EIS scoping (Mason Valley News article)

Preliminary data shows no radiological plume from mine (Mason Valley News article)

Idaho, Nevada reservoir trout found with elevated mercury levels (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Native Ways: College club does everything from tan hides to record DVDs (Elko Free Press article)

Snowflake Festival and Parade of Lights (Elko Free Press article)

Hostel in Tecopa is pro Spanish Trail (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Four stars in the desert -- Tecopa bistro offers fine cuisine (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Kit Carson Trail - Part 2 (Backyard Traveler)

Kit Carson Trail - Part 1 (Backyard Traveler)

Churchill County Museum Has the Goods (Backyard Traveler)

Lahontan Dam Transformed Nevada (Backyard Traveler)

Forgotten Fletcher (Backyard Traveler)

Fairview's Faults (Backyard Traveler)

Historic Kingston Canyon (Backyard Traveler)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

New Yucca complaint filed (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Reid

Reid Statement on AMT (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Republicans Standing In Way Of Tax Relief By Blocking AMT Patch (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Republicans Blocking Help For Homeowners In Mortgage Crisis (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Bush Should Show Leadership, Convince Senate Republicans To Stop Blocking FHA Bill (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Commends Bush on Action Related to Subprime Lending, North Korea (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Meets With Nevada Education Leaders to Discuss No Child Left Behind (Sen. Reid press release)

Sen. Ensign

Ensign disputes Iran NIE, wants investigation of report compiled by 16 intelligence agencies (Desert Beacon)

Rep. Berkley

BERKLEY VOTES TO EXPAND CLEAN ENERGY: Package Will Increase Renewable Power, Up Gas Mileage Standards (Rep. Berkley press release)

BERKLEY URGES SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD – VOTE EXPECTED AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY (Rep. Berkley press release)

In The US Congress

Chopping down the Money Tree: Reform needed for CDO's (Desert Beacon)

Bad Nursing Homes (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Senate Blocks Energy Bill (New York Times article)

RL34272 State Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Comparison and Analysis December 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34270 Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Issues for Congress December 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Our Bloated National Budget

Monthly Budget Review, December 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Cost Estimate for H.R. 6, Energy Independence and Security Act, December 5, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

RL34046 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD): FY2008 Appropriations December 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34076 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: FY2008 Appropriations December 04, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Immigration Reform

The Impact of Unauthorized Immigrants on the Budgets of State and Local Governments, December 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Federal Law Enforcement

Former Alaska State Speaker of the House Peter Kott Sentenced on Public Corruption Charges (US Justice Department press release)

Former Congressional Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty to Honest Services Fraud Conspiracy (US Justice Department press release)

Florida Homeland Security Vendor Employees Arrested on Charges of Conspiring to Defraud their Employees (US Justice Department press release)

Three-Year Undercover Investigation Leads to Nationwide Drug Bust, More Than 100 Charged: Prosecutors Say San Diego Was Operation’s “Ground Zero” (US Drug Enforcement Agency press release)

Violent Colombian Drug Kingpin Convicted For Importing Thousands Of Kilograms Of Cocaine Into The United States From Colombia (US Drug Enforcement Agency press release)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Democrats demand probe into destruction of tapes: Congress members want the Justice Department to investigate whether the CIA acted illegally in destroying the video of terrorism suspects' interrogations (Los Angeles Times article)

Democrats Call for Inquiry in Destruction of Tapes by C.I.A. (New York Times article)

C.I.A. Was Urged to Keep Interrogation Videotapes (New York Times article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Gates to Address Gulf Regional Security at Manama Dialogue (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Appraises Maritime Contribution to Gulf Region Security (American Forces Press Service article)

Army Prepares to Launch New Pay, Personnel System (American Forces Press Service article)

12/07/2007: DoD Evaluates Military Service Academies' Sexual Harassment and Violence Programs (US Defense Department website)

12/07/2007: DoD Press Briefing with Lt. Gen. Ham and Lt. Gen. Sattler from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

12/05/2007: DoD News Briefing with Gen. Conway from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

Foreign Affairs

Building The Empire

"The United States has determined that weak and failing states pose significant threats to its national security and is committed to helping countries prevent or emerge from conflict. According to the Defense Science Board, since the end of the Cold War the United States has begun stabilization and reconstruction operations every 18 to 24 months, with each operation typically lasting 5 to 8 years."

Stabilization and Reconstruction: Actions Are Needed to Develop a Planning and Coordination Framework and Establish the Civilian Reserve Corps GAO-08-39, November 06, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

International Trade: An Analysis of Free Trade Agreements and Congressional and Private Sector Consultations under Trade Promotion Authority GAO-08-59, November 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Coalition, Afghan Forces Defeat Taliban in Two Operations (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan Soldiers, Police Begin EOD Course (American Forces Press Service article)

China

RS22767 China's 17th Communist Party Congress, 2007: Leadership and Policy Implications December 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Iran

Behind the Iran-Intelligence Reversal (Wall Street Journal article)

U.S. Generals: ‘Jury Still Out’ on Flow of Weapons From Iran (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Woman suicide attacker and car bomb kill 26 (Reuters article)

Coalition Forces Detain Dozens of Terrorists in Iraq Operations (American Forces Press Service article)

Commanders in Iraq Assess Situation Before Changing Force Levels (American Forces Press Service article)

Army Air Power Boosts Surge Effectiveness in Central Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Army Unit, Civil Affairs Team Hand Out $10,000 in Micro-grants (American Forces Press Service article)

Kosovo

No deal at Kosovo talks hands world the problem (Reuters article)

Pakistan

Pakistani opposition disagree on election demands (Reuters article)

Peru

Peru's Fujimori faces trial for civil war abuses (Reuters article)

A Federal Reader

RS22765 Lump-Sum Distributions Under the Pension Protection Act December 03, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

DOD Schools: Additional Reporting Could Improve Accountability for Academic Achievement of Students with Dyslexia GAO-08-70, December 06, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

December 8, 2007

_____

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Day will always live in infamy for area Pearl Harbor survivors (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Budget

Cut Bloated Administrative Salaries And Get Some Results

STATE SPENDING: Funding option floated -- Rogers suggests counties aid community colleges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Snip, snip and still short: If projections pan out, reductions the governor has asked for won't be enough (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Taxes

CALL FOR HIGHER GAMING TAX: Exec labels proposal 'extortion' -- Sands Corp. boss says room tax squandered on tourism group (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Smokers: Think Of The Gambling Cartels' Monopoly Every Time You Light Up 

"I would just like to see people have a choice," Lazzarone said. "If the tavern owners want to say, 'You know what, it is better for me to have smoking,' then I believe that it should be the business owner's choice. If people don't want to go a place that is smoke filled, then they will not go. It polices itself."

A year later: Opinions vary on Nevada's Clean Indoor Air Act (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

 Everybody Out !!!

Nevada Statewide Evacuation, Mass Care and Sheltering In Place Initiative

"The guides offer instructions on what to do in the case of a terrorist attack, wildland fire, flood, winter storms, earthquakes, flu pandemic, extreme heat and other situations."

Rural counties introduce emergency plans (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

ANOTHER HARRAH'S WOE: Flamingo safety scrutinized -- Worker tells county that equipment cannibalized (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

A justifiable taking: Road expansion a legitimate use of eminent domain (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Douglas County

Sunridge casino seeks 100-foot variance (Nevada Appeal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Decision: Jurors want South Lake Tahoe to pay $3.2 million for redevelopment dispute (Tahoe Tribune article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Obama TV ads to air: Candidate's record on ethics to be touted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Politics

Beers Heading North (Beers for Nevada)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Rogers won't let up (Vegas Pundit)

Bad to the University Course Bone (Muth's Truths)

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- Officials seek to soften blow of fee, tuition hikes (Las Vegas Sun article)

Students make college campus no place to be on a Friday: Long weekends for many leave precious building space empty (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

School money not really safe from cuts: Teacher incentives, 'empowerment schools' among programs at risk (Las Vegas Sun article)

Timing was right for board member to pull site's plug (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION -- Desert Rose visitor's story surprises (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

St. Mary's to unionize with CNA (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Nevada Sold Down The River (Beers for Nevada)

Conservation

Realtors point buyers to ecofriendly homes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Stretch your gasoline dollars (Nye -  Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Las Vegas police lay cards on the table to recruit troops serving in Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Assault-video finder wants new judge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tuck pleads not guilty; attorney seeks quick trial (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Couple ties knot despite snags with Garden of Love: Rival chapel steps in to save day for Ohioans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Hustle Before The Rustle: Workers scramble to finish projects in time for National Finals Rodeo (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

More war in the tranches: Bush plan doesn't address crucial issues in the financial markets (Desert Beacon)

FDA's dangerous failings: Report cites archaic computer system and shortage of scientists among shortcomings (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Military injustice: Army once again proves it doesn't care about soldiers' mental health in combat zones (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

CIA Cover-up: Destruction of Evidence (Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

“The inference is they destroyed it because it was bad for them.”

Inquiry Begins Into Tapes’ Destruction (New York Times article)

"The methods inflicted on Khan [redacted] were deliberately and systematically applied [redacted] for maximum effect. Khan admitted anything his interrogators demanded of him, regardless of the truth, [redacted] in order to end his suffering."

Justice, CIA Begin Videotape Inquiry Spy Agency Asked to Preserve Evidence Related to Destroyed Interrogation Tapes (Washington Post article)

High court hears Gitmo detainee rights case (Los Angeles Times article)

"In the balance hangs America's traditional reputation for justice for all."

Guantanamo: Legal no-man's land? (Associated Press article)

Transcript of Oral Arguments in Boumediene v. Bush (US Supreme Court website)

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

December 9, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Businesses bite fuel bullet: Higher gasoline costs fuel prospects of price increases (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Democrats address a Nevada issue: Foreclosures (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Taxes

NEVADA'S ECONOMIC FUTURE AT RISK: The confused gaming tax debate -- New revenues can be found without creating any new taxes (Bill Weidner column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

"As Winston Churchill famously noted, 'An appeaser is a guy who throws his friends to the alligator in hopes that the alligator will eat him last.'"

Gaming has only itself to blame in clamor for tax boost (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)

State Agencies

Budget cuts hamper ethics panel: It can't pay $2,000 for review of rules (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Nevada is violating a federal law requiring infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities to begin treatment 30 days after being evaluated for their conditions."

State's failure leaves families awaiting help (Reno Gazette-Journal)

Forward Into The 19th Century: Retro-Government Toll Road Proposal

Private toll roads interesting idea, but not the total solution (Nevada Appeal editorial)

The State Judiciary

Big trademark lawsuits become common in Las Vegas courts: Blue Man Group, World Market Center, Embarq all involved in brand disputes (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Health officials working to clear up smoking ban: Most businesses report little to no impact since ban went into effect (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Population Growth

Residents count blessings, curses of county's growth (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Another million neighbors? Clark County life to change dramatically in 12 years (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Should we celebrate 2 million? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Developing Opportunities

Today's overlooked sites may be tomorrow's boom areas: Out-of-town investors showing flair for finding 'hot property' in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Inefficient Government Services

CONSTRUCTION: Blowing whistle on a giant -- Ex-worker accuses Harrah's Entertainment of breaking law, imperiling lives (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CRITICAL NEED: Clark County needs to insure foster parents -- Liability issues will hurt the children (Bill Grimm column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Audit, and its report, give Urban League a bumpy start (Las Vegas Sun article)

A Beam Of Light

Giving a real hand up: Federal program that helps ease people off housing assistance should be supported (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Elko County

Valuations drop, apps increase (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Cal-Neva has until Friday to begin repairs or face shutdown (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Polls

"The inevitability factor for Hillary is gone, and Nevada, which looked like a built-in firewall for her, isn't there anymore."

VOTERS POLLS APART (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Four pols a-promising, three pollsters polling, two unions endorsing ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Caucuses

Caucus 101 - They aren't as complicated as they seem (Elko Free Press article)

Caucus 101 - Comments from the campaign trail (Elko Free Press article)

The Campaigns

Clinton chief: Nevada caucus ‘critical' (Elko Free Press article)

Kucinich lobbies for husband in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Kucinich addresses many issues at Reno rally (Reno Gazette-Journal)

Nominate the candidate that can win the November election (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Richardson speaks during NLV mock caucus: N.M. governor, Democrats focus on Hispanics (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Richardson doesn't have to share the spotlight in Nevada (Associated Press article)

Romney's campaign may have easier time in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal)

Where we really need "don't ask, don't tell" (Blue Lyon)

Local Elections

Jon Ralston finds Robert Daskas not yet ready to give Porter a run for his money - and there's little time to spare (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

GBC wary of cuts - President: ‘We can't afford to take this kind of hit' (Elko Free Press article)

Mr. Rogers' neighborhood (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Former newspaper executive named Nevada journalism dean (Associated Press article)

Public Schools

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: What a return on our 'investment'! (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Supporting English instruction: Federal miscalculations should not be allowed to hurt our children's education (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

It's time for Joe Enge to resign from the school board (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Poverty and the cost of dental care keeps incomes low (Lahontan Valley News article)

UMC builds basic billing program, increases revenue: Program to be fully integrated in five years (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Watch for signs of holiday blues, experts advise (Reno Gazette-Journal)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

Latest On Water Right Transfers

 Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe v. Nevada State Engineer (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)

Alternative Energy

Nevada can be a leader in push for clean fuel (Tom Werner and Matt Cheney column, Las Vegas Sun)

County passes geothermal tax abatement policy (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clean Air

Pristine air comes with a price tag (Reno Gazette-editorial)

The Danger Of Fire

Forest Service: Rule saved homes in wildfires (Associated Press article)

Environmental idiocy comes out of Court of Appeals (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Sierra Club v. Bosworth (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)

Kids get hands-on ecology lesson while helping repair fire-ravaged region (Nevada Appeal article)

Our Beautiful Region

Green Gatherings: Springs Preserve finds success hosting 'green' meetings, conferences (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Is this meth treatment too good to be true? Vegas trying costly, unproven drug combo on 20 patients (Las Vegas Sun article)

TO GRIEF, LAWMAKERS ADD FRUSTRATION (Las Vegas Sun article)

U.S. attorney firings open doors for the 9: A year ago, a Justice Department scandal forced them into new careers. Despite some bitterness, they've landed on their feet (Los Angeles Times article)

__________

Nevada Culture

JOHN L. SMITH: Story's ending yet to be written, but it's a worthy tale so far (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Brian Greenspun spots local points of light: To needy kids, Desert H.O.P.E. lives up to its name (Las Vegas Sun column)

The road to Silverland (Reno Gazette-Journal)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Control Board approves Harrah's buyout, ignores room violations (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Vintage train pulls into town on a flatbed (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Back to the future: La Concha rises from the dead (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

McAdoo-Welcome to our world (Lahontan Valley News column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

SHERMAN FREDERICK: Can we trust feds on Yucca? Arizona mess tells us 'no' (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

In The US Congress

House energy bill hits a snag: Senate passage not veto-proof (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

President should stand his ground: Don't let Democrats lard up 'omnibus' spending bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Inefficiency

More accountability essential: USDA program to help rural businesses spends big but has little to show for it (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The destruction of the torture videos (Kirk Caraway)

Foreign Affairs

At last, a chance for peace: Former ambassador and Bush critic is optimistic about renewed negotiations in Middle East (Las Vegas Sun article)

The new way forward in Iraq: Stay forever (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

MG John R.S. Batiste Supports General David Petraeus (Richard Disney)

Your Enemies Hate You. It is OK to Hate Them Back. (Richard Disney)

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

December 10, 2007

_______

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Loan crisis hurts individuals, is national economic problem (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Taxes

Support dips for teachers' tax plan: Majority still favors gaming tax increase (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Forward Into The 19th Century: Retro-Government Toll Road Proposal

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Toll roads advance toward Gibbons (Las Vegas Sun article)

The State Judiciary

JANE ANN MORRISON: Critic of Supreme Court justice sees good reason for appointing judges (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Expanding night court: Judges could ease the space crunch and help the public by adding more nighttime sessions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Local Government

Clark County

County Affairs

UPAY4ME

"Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, who took office in March, spent more than $22,000 on things such as a senior luau, a Mother's Day celebration, pool passes and Pop Warner football uniforms."

 Suddenly, rules on tax money look good: Commissioners see a need to rein in discretionary spending (Las Vegas Sun article)

"After learning several weeks ago that Republic Services had treated Clark County's landfill attorney to several pricey meals, we wanted to see whether the garbage company was including such expenses in the amount it says it has spent to clean up and close the old Sunrise Landfill."

LOOKING IN ON: CLARK COUNTY -- Oops, taxpayers shouldn't have been billed, Republic Services says (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of Las Vegas

End The Lucky Las Vegas Land Deals; Impose Impact Fees

"'I don't know where it could be tightened,' he said."

BUDGET CRUNCH: Council to discuss shortfall -- Sales tax slump has Las Vegas coming up $20 million short (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe County

More UPAY4ME

"He proposed the new policy when builders such as Centex, West Haven and SilverStar Communities asked if they could stop making payments on construction surety bonds, which cover the cost of multimillion-dollar public improvements."

City gives developers way out (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Campaigns rush, rush, rush: As clock runs down, Dems scramble to get caucusgoers to commit (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama Gaining in LVRJ Poll (My Silver State)

ANTI-LABOR RETAILER: Wal-Mart past dogs Clinton -- Candidate's one-time role on board might affect ability to appeal to Nevada's unions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Newest Clinton Conspiracy (Reno and Its Discontents)

Local Races

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Daskas gets help for run against Porter -- U.S. House hopeful visits Democratic leaders in Washington (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Poll encourages bond supporters: Survey finds 46 percent favor 10-year, $9.5 billion school construction plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe County School District

Follow trustees' lead: Listen harder (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada's Environment

BLM plans to thin wild horse herds in northeast Nevada (Associated Press article)

Tax break OK'd to lure geothermal firms: Churchill County seeks development (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

The quest for redemption: With two master's degrees and a doctorate in the works, Cornell Horn has had a hard time shaking his past. Now he's out to save other ex-cons (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Federal Nevada

In The US Congress

Comes around, goes around (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Federal Bureaucracies

Air travelers at risk: FAA needs to do better in making certain that the nation's runways are safe (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Government deceit revealed: CIA's destruction of interrogation tapes requires a thorough investigation (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jailed for the crime of sarcasm: First Amendment doesn't apply in Wisconsin? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Foreign Affairs

China Link Suspected in Lab Hacking (New York Times article)

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

Update for December 10, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Taxes

Steve Hill hates nurses, cops, firefighters… (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The State Judiciary

Appoint judges, but for the right reasons (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Demand Adequate Funding From The  Legislature To End Corruption

Judicial Discipline: How it Doesn't Work (Harmful Error)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Poll: Clinton lead shrinks in Nevada as Obama gains (Associated Press article)

Clinton, Obama start TV ads in Nevada (Associated Press article)

Pay no attention to the polls behind the curtain (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Bill Clinton Angry with Hillary's Campaign Ineptitude: Is Hillary Clinton's campaign unraveling? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Elko to host GOP hopeful: Dr. Ron Paul to share his presidential vision Friday at Red Lion (Elko Free Press article)

Richardson wins endorsement of Hispanic assemblyman Mo Denis (Associated Press article)

Romney supporters are devoted (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Republican Party Identity Crisis

"The GOP majority was spending money faster than Democrats had ever dreamed, they were expanding government further than even Lyndon Johnson would have dared, and their most visibly aggressive campaign against terrorism consisted of confiscating tubes of toothpaste at American airports."

Have Republicans Learned Their Lesson Yet? (Muth's Truths)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Elko County School Board: Trustees to discuss cell phone policy (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Mack Jan. 17 sentencing moved back to Reno (Associated Press article)

Shop with a Cop a rousing, emotional success (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Snowflake Festival draws crowd despite cold temps (Elko Free Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Wisconsin tribe sues over federal casino application process (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

In The US Congress

Military Officials Urge Accession to Law of Sea Treaty (American Forces Press Service article)

Our Nation's Economy

Housing slump damages state revenue: report (Reuters article)

Gibbons and the Dreamers: Housing finance crisis takes the short road (Desert Beacon)

Our Nation's Environment

Democrats' report: White House misleads on climate (Reuters article)

Report Describes Systematic White House Effort to Manipulate Climate Change Science (House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight press release)

Report: Political Interference with Climate Change Science Under the Bush Administration (House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight report)

The US Supreme Court

Congressional Sentencing Guidelines Are Discretionary

Supreme court allows lighter crack cocaine terms (Reuters article)

Kimbrough v. United States (US Supreme Court website)

Gall v. United States (US Supreme Court website)

Trading A Gun Is Not The Same As Using A Gun

Watson v. United States (US Supreme Court website)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Conrad Black gets 6-1/2 years in jail (Reuters article)

T. Boone Pickens' son gets probation in fraud case (Reuters article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

Diego Rivera, The Conquest of Mexico (detail) [click on image to enlarge]

CIA director to testify about destroyed tapes (Reuters article)

"What are we destroying them for?" Huckabee said on Fox. "Are we doing it for security purposes or to cover somebody's rear end?"

Destruction of CIA tapes raises bipartisan concerns: Democrats and Republicans talk about possible obstruction of justice charges. Biden calls for a special prosecutor (Los Angeles Times article)

Dec. 10, 2007 Press Briefing by Dana Perino (White House website)

Statement from Brian Roehrkasse, Director of Public Affairs, Regarding Preliminary Inquiry into Interrogation Video Destruction (US Justice Department website)

Pardon Me, Boys

"Scooter" Libby drops appeal in CIA leak case (Reuters article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Connect the Dots: Divine Strake to Freedoms' Watch (Desert Beacon)

Understanding Helps Families, Soldiers Deal With Brain Injuries (American Forces Press Service article)

12/07/2007: DoD Press Briefing with Lt. Gen. Ham and Lt. Gen. Sattler from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Impact of Terminating, Relocating, or Outsourcing the Services of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology GAO-08-20, November 09, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Foreign Affairs

Multilateral Cooperation Critical to Gulf Region Security, Gates Says (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan troops close in on Taliban town (Reuters article)

Troops Kill Militants, Detain 10 in Afghanistan Operation (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Forces Break Ground on Future Afghan Development (American Forces Press Service article)

Argentina

Argentina's Fernandez succeeds husband as president (Reuters article)

Chile

Pinochet victims say justice died with dictator (Reuters article)

Background

On 25th Anniversary of Chilean Coup, Documents Detail Abuses by Chilean Military, U.S. Role in Chile (National Security Archive)

Chile and the United States: Declassified Documents Related to the Military Coup of September 11, 1973 (National Security Archive)

CIA, STATE, NSC Documents Declassified on Chile: Administration Release Applauded; Concern Expressed on Withheld U.S. Records (National Security Archive)

CIA Intelligence Report tied Pinochet to Letelier assassination (National Security Archive)

History Held Hostage: The CIA's refusal to declassify the covert record on Chile (National Security Archive)

CIA Acknowledges Ties to Pinochet’s Repression: Chilean Secret Police Chief was a CIA Asset (National Security Archive)

China

China tells U.S. not to politicize trade rows (Reuters article)

U.S. conciliatory on safety ahead of China summit (Reuters article)

China market may be breeding ground for deadly viruses (Reuters article)

Iran

U.S. intel report on Iran was political: Bolton (Reuters article)

Gates Calls for Continued International Pressure on Iran (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Democrats to allow more Iraq funding: newspaper (Reuters article)

Arab World Must Support Iraqi Progress, Gates Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Forces Capture Numerous Terrorist Suspects in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Positive Trends in Anbar Permanent, Coalition Commander Says (American Forces Press Service article)

British PM Says Basra to Soon Come Under Iraqi Control (American Forces Press Service article)

Concerned Citizens Help to Stem Violence in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Reduced Violence in Iraq Enables More Emphasis on Long-Term Stability (American Forces Press Service article)

Soldiers Show Iraqi Children How to Stay Healthy (American Forces Press Service article)

12/10/2007: DoD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Gaskin from Iraq (US Defense Department website)

Kosovo

Kosovo gears up for independence move (Reuters article)

Mexico

Mexico needs U.S. help to crush drug gangs (Reuters article)

Pakistan

Pro-Musharraf party puts brave face on poll fight (Reuters article)

Peru

Peru's Fujimori says innocent of murder charges (Reuters article)

FUJIMORI ON TRIAL: SECRET DIA INTELLIGENCE CABLE TIES FORMER PRESIDENT TO SUMMARY EXECUTIONS (National Security Archive)

Background

Peru in "The Eye of the Storm": Declassified U.S. documentation on human rights abuses and political violence (National Security Archive)

Montesinos: Blind Ambition -- The Peruvian Townsend Commission Report and Declassified U.S. Documentation (National Security Archive)

"Fujimori's Rasputin": The declassified files on Peru's former Intelligence Chief, Vladimiro Montesinos (National Security Archive)

Russia

Russia's Putin anoints ally Medvedev for presidency (Reuters article)

A Federal Reader

The Cost of Maintaining SCHIP in 2008, December 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

RL34271 The FCC's 10 Commissioned Economic Research Studies on Media Ownership: Policy Implications December 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Bankruptcy: Implementation of Reform Act's Debt Reaffirmation Agreement Provisions GAO-08-94, December 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

U.S. Postal Service Facilities: Improvements in Data Would Strengthen Maintenance and Alignment of Access to Retail Services GAO-08-41, December 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Responses to Posthearing Questions Related to Improving Single Audit Quality GAO-08-318R, December 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Improper Payments: Weaknesses in USAID's and NASA's Implementation of the Improper Payments Information Act and Recovery Auditing GAO-08-77, November 09, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

December 11, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Budget

Ill-Considered Largesse

JOHN L. SMITH: Favored charities could return unused largesse to ease state budget deficit (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Demand Adequate Funding From The  Legislature To End Corruption

Talk about a bad cut: Budget cuts under consideration could hinder ethics panel from doing its job properly (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

It's The Thought That Counts

Governor should cut budget with a scalpel, not with an ax (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada Taxes

 Standing Difficulty: Since The NRA Won't Be Taxed, How Can It Sue?

Casino group challenges tax hike (Associated Press article)

NRA challenges teachers petition (Vegas Pundit)

State Agencies

No money, but minority panel gets another push: State effort is supposed to study issues, recommend laws, spread info, network (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons participates in Wreaths Across America (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Commission could stop JAC bus to Douglas (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson should sever bus service, for now (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Feds say possible new library building not for sale (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

"Lean budget years are ahead for the city of Las Vegas, and the city will have to trim this year's budget by at least $16 million and must also leave positions vacant until the local economy revives."

City has to tighten belt for a while: Growth expected to boost collections in 2009 or 2010 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Spending taxpayer money: Commissioners should make discretionary spending public and vote on it (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Downtown arena hangs fire: Developer REI, struggling to land loans, is expected to ask Vegas for a 3rd delay (Las Vegas Sun article)

Small show with big influence: LV hosts convention and trade expo for convention and trade industry (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lyon County

Affordability a bright spot in Dayton housing market (Nevada Appeal article)

Road GID proposed for Lyon County (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Cautious hiring expected in '08 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

The Latest Polls

Reid's ratings mixed in poll: Majority leader role costs senator at home (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Caucuses

Is There A Caucus Somewhere Around Here? (Reno and Its Discontents)

2008 Presidential Races

Clinton campaign to air 'New Beginning' TV ad: Obama says he will broadcast 'Take it Back' commercials (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: Obama face time -- LV roundtable focuses on retirement, taxes, health care (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Camera-ready, Obama talks savings: Six Nevadans join him for roundtable on how he'd boost retirement planning (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama pledges tax breaks to help people save at Vegas roundtable (Associated Press article)

Presidential candidate Ron Paul to visit Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)

Paul plans Nevada campaign visits (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lawmaker backs Richardson: Denis supports New Mexico governor's presidential bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Democratic Party Identity Crisis

"Letting the Bush Administration get away with torture as a governmental policy without raising an eyebrow? Wilting, yet again, on Iraq and ending that carnage when they have the power of the purse but are afraid of exercising it? Might as well turn control of the Congress back over to the Republicans."

Are Congressional Democrats Addicted to Backing Down? (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Maximizing The Negative Effect

Non-Searchable Report Doesn't Set Spending Priorities; Takes Meat-Axe Approach

Cuts would shut down rural campuses at WNC (Nevada Appeal article)

Officials: Budget cuts would force Douglas campus closure (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Nevada System of Higher Education Budget Impact Statement (Nevada System of Higher Education website)

"Who didn’t see this coming a mile away?"

Athletics vs. Academics in Budget Cut War (Muth's Truths)

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

School board to consider interim high school principal (Lahontan Valley News article)

Douglas County School District

Parents can't change district's position on Kingsbury closure (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Exploited Patients

In the works: How to avoid 'surprise' medical bills (Las Vegas Sun article)

Exploited Doctors

Exploited doctors urged to speak up: Lawmakers all ears, but immigrants fear bosses (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Appeals court upholds state ruling on Truckee water transfers (Nevada Appeal article)

Resident's hopes dim for trail: Without more security, planners' vision could be nuisance, he says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation: Traffickers In Human Flesh

OPERATION DOLL HOUSE: Four indicted after brothel raids -- Two-year probe yields racketeering, prostitution charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Mack returns to court (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Search And Rescue

Questions remain as pilot remembered (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

CAESARS AIMING HIGHER: Famed Strip resort says new $50,000-per-hand threshold for craps, blackjack bets is highest in LV (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Flamingo fire safety (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Chinese Gambling Ventures: Handle With Tongs

Ho, Ho, Ho !

Casino operator Sands' new ferry service suspended in Macau (Associated Press article)

"The Chinese operation is known as "side-betting," which occurs when a gambler and a junket agent negotiate an "off-table" agreement before entering a casino. Under the agreement, each amount bet on the table will be matched or multiplied by a separate "off-table bet" between the two sides, without the casinos' knowledge."

GAMBLING REVENUE: Skimming allegations hit Macau -- Newspaper report puts casinos' losses at least $13 billion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

The Public Lands

Sign of the Times: Washington sells off land in Nevada? The nerve! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The US Supreme Court

Letting judges judge: U.S. Supreme Court decisions wisely give federal courts more discretion on sentencing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Federal Judiciary

Institutional Self-Investigations Never Inspire Confidence

Nevada Judge Was Impartial In Directing Other People's Money To Pay His Former Associates

Appeals court dismisses complaint against judge: Panel says that despite The Times' allegations of favoritism in judgments and fees, the jurist's ties didn't affect his impartiality (Los Angeles Times article)

Sorry, TNO readers -- We'd give you a link to the 9th Circuit Judicial Council decision, but they've apparently closed out their website and the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has none listed. 

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

Destroying tapes adds fuel to fire (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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

Update for December 11, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Taxes

The Empire Strikes Back (the Empire being Big Gaming) (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Kermitt Waters to file gaming tax initiatives (Vegas Pundit)

Nevada's Economy

Nevada hails US-China trade agreement; tourism to get boost (Associated Press article)

Local Government

Elko County

Carlin development breaks ground (Elko Free Press article)

Expanding military airspace topic of meetings (Elko Free Press article)

Commissioners plan to discuss White Elk MOA (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

GOP candidates dispute waterboarding (McClatchy Newspapers)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Six school children shot, wounded in Las Vegas (Reuters article)

MASTO ANNOUNCES ACTION AGAINST PAYMENT PROCESSOR (State Attorney General press release)

__________

Nevada Culture

DRI scientists honored by Discover Magazine (Associated Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Gambling regulators in Iowa, Louisiana OK Harrah's buyout (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Plan to open Las Vegas 'mob museum' gains FBI support (Associated Press article)

Some names to be featured at Las Vegas mob museum (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid: Destroyed CIA Tapes Threaten America's Integrity, Moral Authority (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Sends Bush a Letter Urging Bipartisan Work to Address Subprime Mortgage, Foreclosure Crisis (Sen. Reid press release)

ENSIGN, REID INTRODUCE BILL TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RENO: Bill Settles Years Old Land Title Flaw (Sen. Ensign press release)

Federal Taxes

Historical Effective Federal Tax Rates 1979-2005 (Congressional Budget Office report)

The Public Lands

RL34273 Federal Land Ownership: Current Acquisition and Disposal Authorities December 06, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

CIA destroyed tapes despite court orders (Associated Press article)

Waterboarding Recounted: Ex-CIA Officer Says It 'Probably Saved Lives' but Is Torture (Washington Post article)

Destruction of C.I.A. Tapes Cleared by Lawyers (New York Times article)

The Fate Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

"The Legal Rights of Guantanamo Detainees: What Are They, Should They Be Changed, and Is an End in Sight?" (US Senate Judiciary Committee hearings)

• General Thomas W. Hartmann

• Deputy Assistant Attorney General Steven A. Engel

• Professor Mark P. Denbeaux

• Dean John D. Hutson

• Debra Burlingame

• Statement of Sen. Patrick Leahy

• Statement of Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

FISA Legislation

RL34279 The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: A Brief Overview of Selected Issues December 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34277 The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: Comparison of House-Passed H.R. 3773, S. 2248 as Reported By the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and S. 2248 as Reported Out of the Senate Judiciary Committee December 06, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Your Right To Watch Television

Digital Television Transition: Increased Federal Planning and Risk Management Could Further Facilitate the DTV Transition GAO-08-43, November 19, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

RL34275 How Long Can the Defense Department Finance FY2008 Operations in Advance of Supplemental Appropriations? December 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34278 FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations for Global War on Terror Military Operations, International Affairs, and Other Purposes December 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Cost Estimates Have Increased and Are Likely to Continue to Evolve GAO-08-159, December 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Foreign Affairs

Israel

RS22768 Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process: The Annapolis Conference December 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

Lebanon

Lebanon explosion kills military general (Associated Press article)

Peru

Fujimori sentenced for abuse of power (Associated Press article)

Russia

Medvedev: Putin should be prime minister (Associated Press article)

RS22770 Russia's December 2007 Legislative Election: Outcome and Implications December 10, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

A Federal Reader

Private Pensions: Low Defined Contribution Plan Savings May Pose Challenges to Retirement Security, Especially for Many Low-Income Workers GAO-08-8, November 29, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Information Technology: Census Bureau Needs to Improve Its Risk Management of Decennial Systems GAO-08-259T, December 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Agreed-Upon Procedures: Senate Office of Public Records Revolving Fund, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 GAO-08-201R, December 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

December 12, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

$1.16 Billion Dollar Monthly Haul

Nevada casino industry has record month: Gaming tax revenues still below projections (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

October gaming win sets all-time record: Carson, Douglas and Tahoe winnings dip, however (Nevada Appeal article)

North, South gaming win differs (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gas Prices

Survey shows gas prices have dropped 14 cents per gallon (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The State Budget

Child welfare, Yucca funding approved (Nevada Appeal article)

"It is time for the state to start looking at other areas of the budget to cut that don't sacrifice Nevada's future. Education may have to do more with less, but it is a higher priority than many other departments, and the budget cutters better take that into consideration."

Short-term education cuts affect Nevada long term (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Gov. Gibbons lacks vision on budget (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Nevada Taxes

Taxes to top 3-day talks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Tax petitions facing single-subject obstacle (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jon Ralston finds teachers union pitch tame by default (Las Vegas Sun column)

Open Government

Three lawmakers weigh in on RGJ's lawsuit for budget cut documents (Inside Nevada Politics)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Ask for the fare up front (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Clark County

"Between 2006 and 2007, city personnel costs jumped 13 percent while tax receipts went up just 3 percent."

'Thoughtful action' on city budget: How about getting a handle on personnel costs? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Downtown on a roll: Revival in activity seen (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In race, downtown arena plan falls back: One developer struggles with money, while another stays on track to open in 2010 (Las Vegas Sun article)

A glimmer of hope for LV housing: Sales stats seen as indication bottom of slump is near (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

County agrees to buy Minden DMV building (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Park Cattle hosts planning meeting (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

IVGID buys water storage at Incline Lake (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Packed agenda for IVGID (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Cal-Neva begins work on fire alarm system (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Safety First (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Lyon County

Fifty residents gather to discuss Dayton incorporation (Dayton Courier article)

County begins revocation process of local mill permit (Dayton Courier article)

Washoe County

Supporters, opponents clash at meeting (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Commission OKs master-plan change for Positano condos (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

$15 million tab for the homeless (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Cold causes shelters for homeless to fill up (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Organizers: Like a monk, for Edwards -- Campaign evangelist works tirelessly, intensely, serving as his candidate's face (Las Vegas Sun article)

Resident ready to hop on the Obama train (Abby Johnson column, Nevada Appeal)

Democratic Party Identity Crisis

Democrats and torture (Kirk Caraway)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

That Bogus University Report

Cuts would affect several rural campuses (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Cuts may close Minden campus (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

A Chancellor Challenge (Beers for Nevada)

Public Schools

The future of neighborhood schools (Sierra Sun article)

Churchill County School District

Board to hear presentation about retirement program (Lahontan Valley News article)

Douglas County School District

Convention mother of invention at Meneley (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

VIRAL ILLNESS: Six mumps cases in county -- Low vaccination rate increases fear (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Holidays can lead to depression, stress (Lahontan Valley News article)

Report of doctor disciplines show state trying to do its job (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada's Environment

All-terrain vehicles tearing up public land, survey finds (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Hay bales as a rancher's weather forecaster (Marie Johnson column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

SHARING SHEEP: Wildlife officials spread healthy herds around (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Medical Collusion Case

ALLEGED MEDICAL SCHEME: Conspiracy cases now separated -- Lawyer's speedy trial request granted; judge rips prosecutors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Investigation Of The Lieutenant Governor

Months of investigating, no end in sight: Case focuses on whether papers were illegally shredded during Krolicki's time as treasurer (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada's Wretched Campaign Practices Laws

"In documents filed with the court before a hearing scheduled for Thursday at the Regional Justice Center, attorney Gabriel Grasso contends the district attorney's office failed to define "residence" when seeking an indictment from a grand jury."

Boggs' lawyer: What does 'residence' mean? Accused of falsifying documents, ousted county leader wants case dismissed (Las Vegas Sun article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Mack lawyer to keep asking to postpone January sentencing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Boozy Teens

Clerks at 41 stores sell booze to minors (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Forget Freedom Of Choice In A Nanny-State - Besides, They Want Your Money

Improving traffic safety: Nevada Legislature is overdue in making failure to use a seat belt a primary offense (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

Nevada Culture

Fossett team to try to break speed record: Eureka County could be site of new attempt (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Burning Man fans to help in Peru (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: Cannery Casino Resorts sold -- Australian casino company in $1.8 billion deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tropicana awaits its fate from New Jersey casino regulators (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

V&T Railroad project enters second phase: Next step will bring railway to U.S. 50 in Mound House (Dayton Courier article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

JOHN L. SMITH: Blasts on AM radio better than poll on what Harry Reid is about (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

In The US Congress

Get on board, pass a federal spending bill (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Energy Bill loses key component: Renewable Source requirement stripped in Senate (Desert Beacon)

The Public Lands

Protect a great park: Reid's proposal to protect Great Basin National Park should be supported (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The US Supreme Court

Sentencing disparity (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

Update for December 12, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Taxes

Nevada ballot plans would raise casino taxes (Associated Press article)

Open Government

State budget crisis: Assembly members want open process (Associated Press article)

NV Legislative leaders file amicus brief: Gibbons wants agency recommendations secret (Desert Beacon)

Local Government

Elko County

Rite Aid building not right for police station (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Lyon Building Director wants 15-year rule on manufactured homes changed (Fernley Leader article)

City Of Fernley

Logue takes over Ward 1 Council seat (Fernley Leader article)

City to pursue variance on Mesa Drive (Fernley Leader article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

GOP Contenders Say Cut Federal Spending (Associated Press article)

Clinton ad buy seems on par with Obama's (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clinton Aide Sees Problem for Obama (New York Times article)

Clinton now faces tough path in New Hampshire (Reuters article)

If Clinton loses Iowa: Her 'Plan B' (Associated Press article)

Elizabeth Kucinich, wife of candidate, visits Ely (Ely Times article)

Obama on Immigration and the Border (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Romney, Huckabee squabble: GOP frontrunners spar over religious differences (Associated Press article)

SPEAKS AT PAHRUMP STOPOVER: Mitt Romney's wife promotes family values in '08 campaign (Pahrump Valley Times article)

The Democratic Party

The Democrats protect the corporations (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Fights flare at 2 Vegas-area schools after shooting (Associated Press article)

Elko County School District

Canyon to sue school district (Elko Free Press article)

White Pine County School District

Schools increase budget $4.3 million (Ely Times article)

DEN students tested to help track their progress (Ely Times article)

Learning-English classes include parents (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Study: 1 in 12 Nevadans spend heavily on health care (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

RATE INCREASE NOW IN EFFECT: Utilities Inc. customers to get higher bills (Pahrump Valley Times article)

ANNUAL MEETING HELD: Valley Electric: No rebate (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Green energy, carbon emission levels unrealistic, attorney claims (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Video Child Molester Case

Las Vegas man waives hearing, bound for trial in video sex case (Associated Press article)

Tuck trial loses Lane (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Binion's Silver

Sandy Murphy on deadline to find new lawyer (Pahrump Valley Times article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

NDOC to meet with ACLU about ESP clinic (Ely Times article)

Identity Theft

MASTO WARNS NEVADANS OF GROWING IDENTIFY THEFT SCAM INVOLVING JURY DUTY (State Attorney General press release)

__________

Nevada Culture

Fossett team to attempt new land speed record on Diamond Valley Playa (Ely Times article)

International food festival offers many culinary delights (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada's Past

North Pole Bound (Ely Times article)

Ely UFO crash cover-up in chapter of ‘weird' book (Ely Times article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

NRC rejects Nevada's challenge to Yucca Mountain database (Associated Press article)

DOE inspector to probe conflict allegations in Yucca law contract (Associated Press article)

Energy Department Inspector General Agrees to Investigate Yucca Contract: Will examine conflicts by law firm hired to complete license application (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Statement on Ruling of DOE Document Certification for Yucca Mountain (Sen. Reid press release)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid: Republicans Continue Unprecedented Obstruction, Block Help For Americans Suffering From A.L.S. (Sen. Reid press release)

Heller Announces $18 Million for Reno Airport (Rep. Heller press release)

In The US Congress

Possible to pass farm bill Thursday: Senate chief (Reuters article)

Farm subsidy reform faces 60-vote Senate hurdle (Reuters article)

House approves bill on alternative minimum tax (Reuters article)

Democrats Buckling Again: $70 Billion to Bush to Fund Iraq War (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

The United Christian States of America (My Silver State)

Our Nation's Environment

Toxic Chemical Releases: EPA Actions Could Reduce Environmental Information Available to Many Communities GAO-08-128, November 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Federal Law Enforcement

US teen drug use down, but problems remain – survey (Reuters article)

Mexican-Based International Drug Trafficking Organization Takes Big Hit in US: Large Amounts of Cocaine, Crystal Methamphetamine and Millions in Cash Seized (DEA press release)

Department of the Army Official and Alabama-Based Private Contractor Convicted on Public Corruption Charges (US Justice Department press release)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

C.I.A. Chief Admits Failure to Inform Congress (New York Times article)

"Elsewhere in Washington, a three-judge panel of United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a interim order today directing the government not to destroy any evidence of torture that lawyers for a Guantánamo detainee say they believe exists."

C.I.A. Chief Says Others Decided Fate of Video (New York Times article)

Senate widens probe of destroyed tapes (Los Angeles Times article)

The Fate Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

U.N. expert says Guantanamo visit deepens concerns (Reuters article)

Unwarranted Surveillance

Lawmaker Presses Google For Answers on Privacy Issue (Wall Street Journal article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Congressional Report Confirms Furlough Predictions (American Forces Press Service article)

Army Looks at Long-term Need for Mine-resistant Vehicles (American Forces Press Service article)

12/12/2007: DoD Press Briefing with DoD Press Secretary Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington Va. (US Defense Department website)

Military Base Realignments and Closures: Estimated Costs Have Increased and Estimated Savings Have Decreased GAO-08-341T, December 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

United States Army Injustice to Their Own (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Pentagon Critical Of NATO Allies Gates Faults Efforts In Afghanistan (Washington Post article)

Gates: Lack of Supplemental Funds Would Hurt Afghan Mission (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Plans Scotland Trip to Discuss Afghanistan With Allies (American Forces Press Service article)

Gates Expresses Optimism on Afghanistan, But Counsels Caution (American Forces Press Service article)

Weakened Taliban Step Up Attacks, Mullen Says (American Forces Press Service article)

50 Taliban killed after Musa Qala fight (Associated Press article)

Afghan Forces Provide Medical Treatment to More Than 700 Villagers (American Forces Press Service article)

South Korean Engineers Say Farewell to Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service article)

Britain: Ex-Taliban have role in Afghan (Associated Press article)

Bulgaria

Crime gangs make billions from Bulgaria sex slaves (Reuters article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Even The New York Times Acknowledges Success of Surge in Iraq (Richard Disney)

Three car bombs kill 41 at Iraq market (Associated Press article)

Coalition, Iraqi Troops Kill 14, Detain 13 Insurgents (American Forces Press Service article)

4th Infantry Division Soldiers Moving Into Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Baghdad at night shows Shiite dominance (Associated Press article)

Board OKing Blackwater plan recalled (Associated Press article)

Peru

Peru attorneys try to link Fujimori to death squad (Reuters article)

Our Nation's Past

Smithsonian Institution: Status of Efforts to Address a Range of Funding and Governance Challenges GAO-08-250T, December 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

December 13, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada Taxes

Petition: Triple gaming taxes -- Other states collect higher casino levies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Surprise! Gamers try to block tax proposal: They file suit to keep teachers union plan off 2008 ballot (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Another legal assault against teachers tax (Vegas Pundit)

Nevada's Budget

State employees may be laid off in budget cuts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Open Government

Secrecy Breeds Mistrust

Gibbons administration responds to budget documents lawsuit (Inside Nevada Politics)

Ethics panel can't see budget-cut plan (Nevada Appeal article)

"Cafferata, who said the cuts had been submitted prior to her taking the executive director position, said she was directed by Gibbons' staff not to disclose the proposed budget cuts to panel members."

Budget stokes discord: Ethics panel director, commissioners at odds (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Why Gov. Gibbons would withhold this information is a mystery. No political damage would result from releasing the recommendations of the agencies themselves -- if anything, it could make his job balancing the budget easier."

'Of great interest' (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The State Judiciary

DISTRICT COURT: Halverson attracts opponent -- Family Court judge seeks move up (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Commission to ask public about canceling JAC to Douglas (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

REMODELING CONTROVERSY: Harrah's shutters subsidiary -- Supervisors of renovations included in mass layoff (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CES official defends role of authority: Chief of major Las Vegas trade show argues against privatization (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Valley visitation strong: No new inventory keeps numbers flat (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

SLT City Council asked to discuss investigation (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Reno council approves truck stop ban (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno council readies for heated debate about off-road vehicles (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Hispanic Chamber opens on Wells Ave. (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Competition drives down costs of Reno departures (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

Union defers on endorsement (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SEIU Nevada to hold off backing presidential candidate (Associated Press article)

The Caucuses

Beers predicts good GOP caucus turnout (Nevada Appeal article)

The Campaigns

Making last-minute moves count: Presidential campaigns boost the number of their offices, beef up their staffs as Nevada closes in on Jan. 19 (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Obama and Clinton's top contributors this cycle are Wall Streeters sick of the Bush era."

ERIN NEFF: And then there were two (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Clinton buys Nevada TV time while Obama numbers improve (Las Vegas Sun politics blog)

Giuliani, penny stocks and Nevada (Las Vegas Sun politics blog)

Obama set to open more Nevada offices (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Barack Obama Fact Checks (Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

"Republicans, in many ways, have lost their way," Paul said. "People are disgusted, and a lot of them have dropped out. ... We've gotten ourselves into a mess, and unless we return to our roots we're going to be in a lot of trouble."

In Nevada, Paul sees his chance to strike: State's voters seen as sympathetic; field leaves him room to run (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Elections

GOP takes its first shot at Porter's Democratic foe: Republican Congressional Committee says Daskas unprepared to serve (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Rural campuses at risk: Budget cuts to colleges could cost residents opportunities, boost a brain drain, fuel the need for more financial support from urban Nevadans (Las Vegas Sun article)

Paying Nevadan Students To Attend Stanford? (Dullard Mush)

Pick-A-Prof a new tool to help UNR students choose classes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Storey County School District

Commission finds no abuse of power in affair of bottled water (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ethics complaint filed over four bottles of water (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County School District

Reno High named one of top 505 U.S. high schools (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Merger foes may get extra muscle: County looks at hiring lawyer to help fend off health insurance monopoly (Las Vegas Sun article)

Skyrocketing Health Care Costs

Medical costs eat earnings: Struggling families double since 2000 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

657,000 Nevadans Are in Families that Will Spend More than 10 Percent of Their Income on Health Care Costs in 2008 (Families USA press release)

Too Great A Burden: Nevada's Families At Risk (Families USA report)

__________

Nevada Utilities

A Foregone Conclusion:  When You Think TMWA, Think Leech

TMWA board to decide on meter requirement (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Video Child Molester Case

VIDEOTAPED ASSAULT: Suspect waives hearing -- Move spares victim's family from testifying (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Assault On An Officer

Three to be tried in March in officer assault (Nevada Appeal article)

Boozy Teens

Tougher punishment needed for selling alcohol to minors (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

$kindustry Regulation

FLIRTING FOR IMPLANTS: Nightclub spices things up with contest that pits woman against woman - for surgery money (Las Vegas Sun article)

Drug Allegations

Area radio host to be sentenced for drug possession (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Cowboy Poets

Cowboy poets set to gather in Elko for annual national event (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Cannery gives Crown foothold: Australian company gets entry to U.S. gambling market with purchase (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LICENSE REVOKED: Tropicana denied by N.J. panel -- Columbia Sussex will be forced to sell property (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca database challenge rejected: Judges clear obstacle to nuclear waste dump's licensing effort (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Opposition scrambles as Yucca dump clears a hurdle (Las Vegas Sun article)

Yucca contract to get review by Energy Department (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Copter checks radiation levels: North Las Vegas mayor's office aware of flights (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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

December 14, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Budget

Gibbons reverses course on not cutting education; orders 4.5 percent cuts across the board (Inside Nevada Politics)

Nevada Taxes

New challenge to ballot plan raising casino taxes (Associated Press article)

Gaming tax petition draws second lawsuit: LV Sands claims it violates rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"We have to fight back, not pretend like we want to compromise."

TOURISM CONFERENCE: Bosses unite over gaming tax -- Casino execs say increase would hurt Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'It's going to be a challenging year,' Lanni said at the roundtable, 'and I think it's going to affect the state in sales tax revenues and the live entertainment tax. We're the largest taxpayer in the state, and we want some other people to join us' in paying taxes. "

Strip heavyweight sees tough '08, but he's alone (Las Vegas Sun article)

"As we have seen with initiatives over the years, the main issue for proponents of high-stakes proposals is whether they can keep their questions on the ballot in the face of a court system that often seems less than impervious to political influences. That view, cynical though it may be, has caused much grumbling over the years, most recently last cycle when Tax and Spending Control, opposed by most Establishment forces, was kept from voters."

Jon Ralston on Politics: Attacking the initiative (In Business Las Vegas column)

Gaming executives gear up for tax fight (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Don't Like Gov. Gibbons

The imperial governor: Gibbons is shamelessly acting like Bush and using Nixon as a defense for his secrecy (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston looks at creative lawyering by Gibbons, gaming (Las Vegas Sun column)

Andrew Clinger is Michael Scott (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry

Nevada Mortgage Market: "Lots of Fraud" (Blue Sage Views)

The State Judiciary

Dismissed

Appeal by ex-UNLV police rejected: Justice writes three former officers did not provide 'complete record' for review (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Cuzze v. Univ. & Cmty. Coll. Sys. of Nev. (Nevada Supreme Court website)

A Judge With A Past Questions Campaign Finance Charges

FELONY CHARGES: Questions raised in Boggs case -- Judge asks sides to file briefs on perjury charge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Background

DEPOSITION: Lawyer links judge to scheme -- He says Mosley suggested records could be falsified (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

After five years, lawyer wants media out of court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In the Matter of the Honorable Donald M. Mosley, Order dated August 18, 2000 (Judicial Discipline Commission website)

In the Matter of the Honorable Donald M. Mosley, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Imposition of Discipline dated March 11, 2002 (Judicial Discipline Commission website)

Mosley v. Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, 120 Nev. 908, 102 P.3d 555, 560 (2004)

Sadoski v. Mosley (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)

In Las Vegas, They're Playing With a Stacked Judicial Deck: Some judges routinely rule in cases involving friends, former clients and business associates -- and in favor of lawyers who fill their campaign coffers (Los Angeles Times article)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Accuser worked for another judge -- Mosley released suspect in jail on battery charge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Justice and Juice (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)

Adios

LOOKING IN ON: COURTS -- One more year, judge to hang it up (Las Vegas Sun article)'

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

New dog-friendly park rules established (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

County Affairs

REMODELING CONTROVERSY: County says charges coming -- Harrah's to be cited over work (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

GET OUT OF TOWN! Kicking people out of Las Vegas is crappy job, but somebody's got to do it. Here's our 11th annual shit list (Las Vegas CityLife article)

City Of Henderson

High hopes in downtown Henderson: Just one hitch: Ambitious project doesn't yet have power (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of North Las Vegas

CDW grows its NLV distribution business (In Business Las Vegas article)

Local Economy

Real Estate and Development: Data point to workplace housing shortage in 2009 (In Business Las Vegas article)

Broker explains bankruptcy (In Business Las Vegas article)

Douglas County

County seeking a few good people (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

New Sunridge station on track to open in February to open in February 2008 (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Bus traffic irks center neighbors (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Hillbilly casino backers to reveal derrick plans (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Genoa reopens manager search (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

County nears deal to purchase old clinic building (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

TRPA program abandons good planning (Jerry Wotel and Mike Hawkins column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Recreation -- pass ordinance changes could be ready by May (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Second chance for Truckee shuttle: First-year ridership below expectations (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Public access channel, Truckee disposable bag program briefs: Public access TV to add channel (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

Washoe approves first levee, flood wall (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

2,172 acres of Virginia Range added to Reno annexation area (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

RSCVA touts 'good news' at Las Vegas conference (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

Biden wins first union nod in state (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SEIU fumbling endorsement, could lose clout (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Debates

Dems to debate in Las Vegas again: Jan. 15 event, to be broadcast live, will focus on black, Hispanic issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Campaigns

Don’t phone home (Reno News & Review article)

Nevada Questions That Weren't Asked at the Debate - Joe Biden's Answers (My Silver State)

"The conclusion is inescapable: the more voters come to know Hillary Clinton the less they like her and the more they get to know Barack Obama the more they like him."

Why are the Wheels Coming Off the Clinton Bandwagon? (Fox News article)

Edwards volunteers to canvass Elko Saturday (Elko Free Press article)

Edwards camp plans targeted canvassing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Edwards campaign planning statewide canvas for Saturday (Inside Nevada Politics)

Obama leads Clinton among current college students (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

"Our troops around the world, combined with the war in Iraq, he said, are fueling a $9.1 trillion debt."

HE REALLY MAKES YOU THINK': GOP hopeful attacks his party's positions -- Paul speaks in Henderson (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Mitt, you're no Jack Kennedy! (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Republican Party Identity Crisis

Endorsements, Conversations, and Polls: Anecdotes from Nevada (Desert Beacon)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The Ultimate Jim Rogers Challenge (Muth's Truths)

The High Salaries at Higher Ed (Muth's Truths)

Higher education's Culture of Pizza (Chuck Muth column, Nevada Appeal)

The chancellor writes again (Vegas Pundit)

Rally touts CSN funding as investment in Nevada, students (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

Carson City School District

Mark Twain students get surprise from Afghanistan kids (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County School District

School district begins search for new high school principal (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Death of a union campaign (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Anti-violence rally held at high school (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The real heroes (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Douglas County School District

Proposed salary increases prompt debate: Potential raise for administrators heats up school meeting (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Piñon Hills students donate blankets (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Douglas students investigate mock crime scenes (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Washoe County School District

Parents, staff concerned about school rezoning (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

Union calls for halt to planned Sierra Health buyout: Service Employees International official says transaction would harm patient care (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Big union questions health care merger in Nevada (Associated Press article)

Surprise Medical Bills

No more surprises: Patients should have better information about medical costs before bills arrive (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Looking Bad

Even without cuts, Medicaid and welfare programs are in the red (Las Vegas Sun article)

Looking Good

Health Care and Banking: New medical technology improves patient care (In Business Las Vegas article)

Nurses Union

Nurses take union to heart: RNs at Saint Mary’s are hopeful a union will end the nurse exodus to California (Reno News & Review article)

Mental Health

You'll find no complaints here about, well ... anything (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Alternative Energy

Letting the sunshine (industry) in: LV assembly plant will employ 50, may lure other business (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Cheapening the sun: Nanotechnology may make solar power cheaper than coal (Reno News & Review article)

Douglas persecuting alternative energy users (David Schuman column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Conservation

Ski resort report card: Which ski resorts are the best and worst for the environment? (Reno News & Review article)

Trees die: The phone company is increasing its paper usage (Reno News & Review article)

The PUBLIC TRANSIT Challenge: Can you ride the bus, and only the bus, for a week? (Sierra Sun article)

Look homeward, angels: Global warming illustrates the need to look close to home (Reno News & Review editorial)

Nevada's Burning Hills

Governor to Meet With U.S. Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne (Gov. Gibbons press release)

The All-Around Approach

All’s fair: Fair Trade links the environment, human rights and a fair wage. A Reno store shows how (Reno News & Review article)

Polluters

Permit violation results in a fine for developer (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Law and Utilities: Embarq says new rules should lower prices (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

The Colorado River

Agreement lets states bank on Lake Mead (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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

Legislative panel hears upbeat water report (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Water queen's lies come gushing forth (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

A Pleasant Surprise -- For Now

TMWA flat rate to continue (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Walker River

Commission approves comment letter on Walker EIS scoping (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

Meth Watch: Program IDs ingredients to make drug (Elko Free Press article)

Immigration Sweeps

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap: Helping illegals by denying them work? A muddled state law highlights the difficulty of reform (Las Vegas CityLife article)

'Drop the wheelbarrow and put your hands up!' (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Nevada's New US Attorney

Brower named U.S. attorney for Nevada: 43-year-old served in Assembly until 2002 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

Pissing off the pimps: Former madam launches grass-roots group to help prostitutes who want to get off the streets (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Burglars

Away for the holidays? Thieves are among the first to know (Tahoe Tribune article)

Most Dangerous Places

UNR researchers take steps to prevent wrecks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Police Roadblocks

DUI checkpoint coming up, location kept secret (Nevada Appeal article)

Domestic Violence

Fate of battering deputy an important lesson (Christy Kieffer column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Ragged People

Toys for Tots, Angel Tree suffering from lack of donations (Nevada Appeal article)

Children in Carson need community donations (Nevada Appeal article)

Hungry times: West Racing gathers food for Evelyn Mount’s annual food drive, as hunger rises and food donations decline (Reno News & Review article)

Now A Tradition

Children's musical is an Incline tradition (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Art As Therapy

Art brings peace to troubled life (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

"Regardless of who is right, this most recent quarrel between the two casino moguls just proves it's only a slight exaggeration to say that when Steve Wynn can't find a parking spot, all of Southern Nevada gets a taste of his road rage. And a headache. "

Latest in Strip squabble, Wynn to Adelson: Take that (Las Vegas Sun article)

Harrah's buyers promise growth (In Business Las Vegas article)

Tourism and Gaming: Harrah's in diversity cross hairs (In Business Las Vegas article)

Tropicana boss likely to stay 'til sale (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Casino owner sells treasures: Local history among the coins, collectibles (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca pledge turns mushy: Official backs off application date (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca Mountain chief warns of delay if funding falls short (Associated Press article)

Reid: Nothing "Independent" About Yucca Quality Assurance and Engineering Assessments (Sen. Reid press release)

Background

Two Independent Assessments Find the Department of Energy’s Yucca Mountain Project is on Track (US Energy Department press release)

InfoZen Quality Assurance Program Review and Implementation Assessment (US Energy Department website)

InfoZen Quality Assurance Management and Assessment Report (US Energy Department website)

Statement from Ward Sproat on Yucca Mountain, Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (US Energy Department website)

More DOE Propaganda Paid For By Nevadans And Other Taxpayers

Longenecker & Assoc. Assessment of Engineering Processes and Procedures (US Energy Department website)

Draft Supplemental Yucca Mountain Repository EIS (US Energy Department website)

Supplemental Rail Corridor and Rail Alignment Environmental Impact Statements (US Energy Department website)

The Path Forward: A National Repository at Yucca Mountain (US Energy Department website)

Why Yucca Mountain? (US Energy Department website)

Why Yucca Mountain FAQ (US Energy Department website)

Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation (US Energy Department website)

Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste to Yucca Mountain FAQ (US Energy Department website)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid Applauds Signing of Water Agreement (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid's comments on the Energy Bill and a gloss or two (Desert Beacon)

In The US Congress

Real enforcement needed: President Bush threatens a veto to weaken controls on greenhouse gases (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

'We don't give up our principles': Oklahoma senator fights lonely battle for taxpayers (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Meet the new boss ... (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Conservatives take better care of poor children: High taxes don’t guarantee good health care for children (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Our Bloated National Budget

Long-Term Budget Outlook (Congressional Budget Office) [click on image to enlarge.]

Testimony on the Long-Term Budget Outlook, December 13, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Federal Bureaucracies

Organizational Transformation: Implementing Chief Operating Officer/Chief Management Officer Positions in Federal Agencies GAO-08-322T, December 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Organizational Transformation: Implementing Chief Operating Officer/Chief Management Officer Positions in Federal Agencies GAO-08-34, November 01, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Federal Taxes

Tax code may not be easily simplified (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Transportation

Airline competition has been a two-edged sword for nation (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Heritage

"Codified into English law in 1297, the Magna Carta set the framework for modern government, establishing basic principles about human rights and the role of government. In the 1700s American colonists complained that King George had violated the Magna Carta, then used it while drafting the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights."

Auctioning history: The next owner of the Magna Carta should make sure it's on public display (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

Justice Dept. Seeks Delay on C.I.A. Inquiry (New York Times article)

Mukasey rejects congressional request on CIA probe (Reuters article)

189 Republicans Affirm Their Support of Torture (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

FISA Legislation

Reid Screws Us All on FISA, Dodd Still Fighting (My Silver State)

No Right To Remain Silent

Additional Defendants Plead Guilty to Obstruction of Justice in U.S. Investigation of Luis Posada Carriles (US Justice Department press release)

Terror Trials

"The entire situation was concocted by the government. The warehouse was paid for by the FBI, and the defendants moved their operations there at the suggestion of an undercover informant who was also paid by the FBI. The swearing-in ceremony was led by the informant — who at another point also suggested a plan to bomb FBI offices in Miami."

Preemptive Terror Trials: Strike Two (Time Magazine article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

A Christmas grinch: Administration stops Christmas cards to wounded soldiers for fear of terrorism, criticism (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Long-Term Implications of Current Defense Plans: Summary Update for Fiscal Year 2008 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Charities for Veterans Shortchanging the troops (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

VA Health Care: Many Medical Facilities Have Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Nurse Anesthetists GAO-08-56, December 13, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Foreign Affairs

Getting our game back: America's got a global credibility problem. Dennis Ross knows how to fix it -- and get out of Iraq (Las Vegas CityLife article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Gates Arrives in Scotland for Afghan Meetings (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan Border Police Set Up Traffic Control Point (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Baghdad-Area Surge Operations Garner More Success (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Leaders in Iraq Condemn Amarah Attack (American Forces Press Service article)

"The Mahdi Army of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is using a new generation of youths, some as young as 15, to expand and tighten its grip across Baghdad, but the ruthlessness of some of these young fighters is alienating Sunnis and Shiites alike."

Iraq's Youthful Militiamen Build Power Through Fear: Schoolgirls Told to Wear Scarves, Under Threat of Death (Washington Post article)

Program Supplies Iraqi Veterinarians (American Forces Press Service article)

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

December 15, 2007

Bill Of Rights Day

_____

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).

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

As economy churns, state gaming win heads higher (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Baccarat brings state big bucks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Businesses should shield selves now from likely immigration crackdown (Howard Winters column, Las Vegas Business Press)

In Vegas, blazing a trail to market to Hispanics: New university program will show how to avoid costly misfires (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada's Budget

REVENUE SHORTFALL: Budget cut plan juggled -- Gibbons calls for 4.5 percent trim from public education, most other state agencies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Schools, prisons must join in budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Schools must cut budgets (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Growth, budget pains nothing new (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Nevada Taxes

Goodman addresses business leaders: Mayor says he backs broad-based business tax (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Open Government

Reno Gazette-Journal Sues Governor Gibbons (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Nevada's Wretched Ethics Laws

Nevada ethics panel clears Las Vegas mayor in strip club case (Associated Press article)

"Miller's complaint said Goodman did not take disciplinary action against the Crazy Horse Too from 2002 to 2006 because of his connections to the club through his old law practice. It also noted that Goodman received a $40,000 campaign contribution from the club's owner."

Panel clears mayor: Ethics allegation found without merit (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

"Reno public accountants Kafoury, Armstrong & Co. found in a city audit for the 2006-2007 fiscal year that certain parts of the payroll system were not restricted enough and allowed for some transactions that could not be authorized or detected."

Audit finds 'significant deficiency' in Carson's payroll system (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Criminal citations set in Harrah's remodeling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

17 criminal misdemeanor citations issued to Harrah's Entertainment (Associated Press article)

Spa Lofts luxury condominium project canceled, industry sources say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New houses, new look, bad blood in Henderson: Builder's contemporary style clashes, neighbors complain (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elko County

Commission to review Ridgecrest proposal (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

More inspectors sought to help reduce wildfire threat at Tahoe (Associated Press article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Residents at economic development meeting voice support for agriculture, status quo (Mason Valley News article)

County approves connection fee increase for Dayton, Mound House (Mason Valley News article)

Commissioners direct staff proceed with resolution for road GID (Mason Valley News article)

Building Director wants 15-year rule on manufactured homes changed (Mason Valley News article)

County Commission awards bid for Dayton Valley Events Center facility (Mason Valley News article)

County hears proposals for 2008 CDBG requests (Mason Valley News article)

Wabuska

PlanCom seeks more details on ski lake project (Mason Valley News article)

Dayton

Trunk out as affordable housing CEO in Dayton (Nevada Appeal article)

Silver Springs

Resident says community issues should come before SS Advisory Board (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County

County Affairs

Habitat plan could limit growth: Developers oppose proposals (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Beatty

Beatty Chamber is awarded two grants (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Pahrump

Sparks fly over generators (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Large child care facility lauded by RPC members (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Health care resolution wins passage (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Code officer stays busy (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Developers say Willow Creek will remain open (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Balloqui remains Pahrump's EDC (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Internet Communications

VEA discontinuing WildBlue service (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

Health officer declines pay raise (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The pressure in Iowa is mounting (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Wyoming's Democratic Chairman says Clinton will decimate state party if nominated (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Ron Paul in Elko tonight (Elko Free Press article)

"The groundwork needed to bring peace and prosperity back to the United States is already in place and has been for 231 years - it's called the Constitution, the document Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ron Paul wants the country to team up with again."

Ron Paul: Constitution can save U.S. (Elko Free Press article)

"Paul said the United States government was able to support itself before the personal income tax was enacted in 1913 and would be able to do so again through less government and reduced spending."

Paul: 'There's no constitutional authority to rule the world' (Lahontan Valley News article)

Video of Ron Paul interview in Fallon (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Sky-High Salary U (Muth's Truths)

Preparing for success: Foundation provides education, experience to help students thrive in hospitality industry (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Maxson's back as head of private college: Former UNLV president taking reins at North Lake Tahoe school (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Union president explains background of grievances (Margie Villanueva column, Lahontan Valley News)

Clark County School District

"Until students see a 'connection between telling and being safe, they aren't going to talk,' said Butterworth, a nationally recognized expert who frequently consults with law enforcement. 'We have to convince them that it's in their best interest.'"

Out to prevent next school shooting: Creating rapport is key, police say, because students don't want to 'snitch' (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County School District

Dayton school raises money for students in need (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County School District

Winter break puts crews into action (Pahrump Valley Times article)

RCMS proclaims 'Peace Matters' (Pahrump Valley Times article)

'Pre-K' program gaining ground (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Storey County School District

Storey DA's office taking another look at allegations against teacher: Deputy said previous complaints never prosecuted (Nevada Appeal article)

Storey County prosecutors review charges against teacher (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Doctors who abused doctors get off scot-free: State to overlook past, better protect immigrant physicians (Las Vegas Sun article)

Vaccine recall will cause shortage, but no ill health effects expected (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

All-Terrain Vehicles

Discussion of state off-highway vehicle registration renewed (Associated Press article)

Healing The Earth

BLM reseeds land as part of fire rehab (Elko Free Press article)

Nevada Mining

Environmentalists line up behind mining reform (Associated Press article)

Assessment for Elko barite mine completed (Elko Free Press article)

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Good news still flowing for valley's water agency (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

A Subterranean Lake

WRID looks at underground storage proposal (Mason Valley News article)

Sniffing Bango

Bango Oil nuisance complaint withdrawn (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Celebrity Defendants

From street to discreet: Seeking edge, humbled celebrities tone down their looks in court (Las Vegas Sun article)

Carrying Contraband

During traffic stop, NHP finds 11.5 pounds of meth (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Police Politics Backfire On Reno: Teen To Tell Tall Tale Again 

Civil suit filed against ex-police officer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Happy

Reid pleased about state's U.S. attorney (Associated Press article)

Unhappy

Doctor to retaliate for drug charges: Jury acquitted Reno physician in federal case (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Cash Conflict

Officials clash over legal aid resources (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Dawn Gibbons to kick off Elko County Reads (Elko Free Press article)