December 1, 2007

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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).

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Mining

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

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Nevada Utilities

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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December 2, 2007

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Health Matters

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

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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)

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Our Beautiful Region

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

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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)

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Nevada Culture

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

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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)

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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)

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December 3, 2007

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Utilities

Sticking The Public For Management Blunders

Failed Nevada energy plant costs millions (Associated Press article)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Update for December 3, 2007

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Child And Family Services

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

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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)

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December 4, 2007

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Labor Unions

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

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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)

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Nevada's Past

V&T construction steams ahead (Nevada Appeal article)

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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)

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Update for December 4, 2007

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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)

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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)

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Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Dumping on Charters (Muth's Truths)

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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)

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December 5, 2007

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)