January 1, 2008

_____

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).

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

December 30, 2007-January 2, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Future

FORECAST: SILVER STATE '08: We've got an uncertain year ahead, but the nation's eyes will certainly fall on us (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada's Legislature

New year brings Nevadans more laws: Changes affect children in Clark, Washoe group homes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Last year, the Nevada Legislature approved 558 new laws."

There oughta be a law (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada Taxes

Hearing set on teachers' tax petition (Nevada Appeal article)

Hearing set on casinos' challenge to tax petition (Associated Press article)

State Judiciary

Report: Nevada court cases rise in '07 (Associated Press article)

Nevada Supreme Court Enacts Rules to Ensure Public Access to Court Records (Nevada Supreme Court press release)

Nevada Rules for Sealing and Redacting Court Records (SRCR) (Nevada Supreme Court website)

Nevada's Highways

8.5-MILE STRETCH: Freeway will link capital, interstate -- Drive will feature spectacular valley views (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Decision on route made decades ago: State says criticism of cost, alignment too late (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Freeway work continues amid issues (Associated Press article)

Highway spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

When right is wrong: Lane restrictions for truckers aren't the best solution to freeway congestion (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Local Government

Clark County

Homeless programs get $6.5 million grant (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL: Employees' personal calls getting pricier (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

TRPA releases mitigation funds for many projects (Nevada Appeal article)

Lyon County

Commission to consider drug discount cards for Lyon residents (Nevada Appeal article)

Lyon to consider amending animal law to include cruelty (Nevada Appeal article)

Fernley council to consider mandatory garbage service (Lahontan Valley News article)

Dayton looks again at becoming a city (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nye County

Unconcerned with cutbacks, County OKs $2.3 million (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Recycling facility will complement landfill (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Highway 160 widening, Amber Alert among federal presents (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Abbott to conduct inspections (Pahrump Valley Times article)

CAHI closes due to lack of funds (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Caucuses

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Look to Nevada for colorful caucus sites -- Politicking to happen at cowboy bar, airport, opera house (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Caucus: Voters urged to show up and be included (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Grueling nomination process tough way to pick candidates (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The Candidates

MEET THE CANDIDATES: EIGHTH IN A SERIES: JOHN EDWARDS DEMOCRAT (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: NINTH IN THE SERIES: RON PAUL REPUBLICAN (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: 10TH IN A SERIES: DENNIS KUCINICH DEMOCRAT (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: 11TH IN A SERIES: MITT ROMNEY REPUBLICAN (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Campaigns

Some hopefuls have been scarce in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Defiantly, they campaign onward: Trailing candidates knock doors and shake hands, no matter what polls and media say (Las Vegas Sun article)

Wherever black votes are, campaigns will follow (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jan. 15 debate causing some unrest (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clinton, Obama supporters hustle for votes in Nevada (Associated Press article)

The Minx Endorses A John Edwards for President (Reno and Its Discontents)

Campaign: Mistaken claims about Nevada unintentional (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Labor unions flexing their muscles in Iowa, Obama campaign crying foul (Inside Nevada Politics)

No longer inevitable? Hillary finds herself in a horse race (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Glover stumps for Edwards at local soul food restaurant: Actor tells patrons candidate cares about struggling communities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Question of fairness: When it comes to awarding scholarships, students' grades still should matter (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

UNR capable of measured approach (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Public Schools

Vocational schools help kids thrive but need money to keep flowing (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clark County School District

No ride home: For many students, the school day's final bell is the beginning of a long wait (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nye County School District

2007 a good year for school district (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Another power play (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

What's happened to respect? 'Rogue' riders trash public lands, and our neighborhoods are not immune either (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

New owners safeguarding Moapa dace: Fish at home at Warm Springs Ranch (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Water has become a national issue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nye oil production is down (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

Huge number of inmates to get parole hearings in February (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County Corruption Cases

Sheriff defends arrest (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Bribe charge rejuvenates recall (Pahrump Valley Times article)

$kindustry Regulation

Idea of protecting 'morals' is off track (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Gaming stocks end 2007 on downswing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

THE STRIP: Officials open Palazzo casino -- Hotel rooms for newest Strip resort to debut later (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tears, fears, pangs, fangs: Meeting between Wynn, dealers had a bit of everything (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Jeff Simpson makes predictions about how the gaming industry will shake out in 2008 (Las Vegas Sun column)

GAMING OUTSIDE OF NEVADA: LV casino executive on a roll -- Adelson hopes to extend run to New England area (Associated Press article)

Gamblers and the IRS - by the book: Paying - and keeping - your fair share is all in the record-keeping, author says (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Sub loss still haunts man: War mystery lasted for 65 years (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Nuclear power on the comeback trail: Which will put the focus on Yucca Mountain (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Enough of Kids Glowing in the Dark (Muth's Truths)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Votes of Nevada’s Representatives (Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

THE MAJORITY LEADER: Reflecting on a rough year (Las Vegas Sun article)

A wild ride for Ensign, getting wilder :Elevation in GOP followed by Craig scandal, funding woes, retirements (Las Vegas Sun article)

Congressman Heller swears in Commander Heller: In Carson City ceremony, brother swears in brother (Nevada Appeal article)

National Health Matters

[click on image to enlarge]

The Cost of a Long Life (The UC Atlas of Global Inequality, via Las Vegas Gleaner)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Inefficiency

Government Auditing Standards: Implementation Tool: Professional Requirements Tool for Use in Implementing Requirements Identified by "Must" and "Should" in the July 2007 Revision of Government Auditing Standards GAO-08-210G, December 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Treat our soldiers fairly: GI Bill should be changed to help those deployed overseas or called up to serve in the war (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Team Works to Defend Digital Battlefield in Europe (American Forces Press Service article)

Military Working Dogs: Soldiers’ Best Friend on the Battlefield (Multi-National Force – Iraq website)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Looking at America (New York Times editorial)

New York Times blasts the Bush-Cheney criminal enterprise (Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

“Following a preliminary inquiry into the destruction by CIA personnel of videotapes of detainee interrogations, the Department’s National Security Division has recommended, and I have concluded, that there is a basis for initiating a criminal investigation of this matter . . . ."

Statement by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey Regarding the Opening of an Investigation Into the Destruction of Videotapes by CIA Personnel (US Justice Department press release)

"The founders promised Americans a central government of sharply limited powers. But "that was then," as the politicians say."

'They're here to check our bulbs': Congress bans Edison's invention (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Forced conversion to newfangled TV challenges old-style sensibilities (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

WHERE I STAND: Agreement uncommon on issues of civil liberty (Brittany Willis column, Las Vegas Sun)

Advance Individualism in the New Year! (Richard Disney)

Our Republic's Latest Spy Bureaucracy

Spying Incorporated (Pacific Free Press article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan Forces Free Village From Insurgent Control (American Forces Press Service article)

Team Helps Troops in Afghanistan Fight Stress (American Forces Press Service article)

China

2008: The year a new superpower is born (Independent [UK] article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Iraq Bombing Underscores Need to Pressure Al Qaeda (American Forces Press Service article)

Three Suspects Killed, 33 Detained in Iraq Operations (American Forces Press Service article)

Street Lights Restore Iraqis’ Sense of Safety (American Forces Press Service article)

Petraeus Notes Progress in Iraq (US Defense Department website)

Pakistan

Scotland Yard to help in Bhutto probe (Associated Press article)

Missing Evidence from Bhutto's Murder (Time Magazine article)

The Benazir Bhutto dossier: ‘secret service was diverting US aid for fighting militants to rig the elections’ (London Times Online article)

After Bhutto: The White House's Pakistan plan is wrecked, but it now has a chance to get on the right side of history (Los Angeles Times editorial)

Afghan Province Provides Safety for Pakistani Refugees (American Forces Press Service article)

The Destabilization of Pakistan (Prof. Michel Chossudovsky column, Global Research)

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

January 3, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Budget

With state cuts looming, analysts look to determine final shortfall (Nevada Appeal article)

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Jobs safe at Health and Human Services, but cuts will still hurt (Las Vegas Sun article)

Examine latest reports to see if cuts needed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The State Judiciary

New rules set for sealing court records (Nevada Appeal article)

Stopping secret justice (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

High court looks at case involving LV baseball team (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

DISTRICT COURT: Judge decides to leave bench -- No reason given for choosing not to run again (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Office Of The Governor

Nevada governor names top aide (Associated Press article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

City might hold Autumn Village owners to property taxes (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Child Haven shelter acquires state license (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

County, Minden discuss water (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

Planners to consider Golden Hills subdivision (Elko Free Press article)

City changes worker's comp insurance carrier (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Millions to fix ‘mousehole’: Cost to build new bridge at Truckee underpass on the rise, expected to reach $46 to $52 million (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

SS wood preserving plant permit up for Planning Commission review Jan. 8 (Fernley Leader article)

City to consider partnership with Northern NVision (Fernley Leader article)

Nye County

Town boards named (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Building is down 32% for 2007 (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Working group wants to finish science and technology park (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Landfill operator gains contract hike (Pahrump Valley Times article)

White Pine County

Non-stop Ely to Las Vegas flights to start by summer (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Understanding the caucuses (Associated Press article)

As We See It: Now is your time to speak (Ely Times article)

No caucus for Harry (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Campaign Financing of the Candidates and other Weird Stuff (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

The Common Touch: Politicians' Homes (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

JANE ANN MORRISON: No mystery which Democrat will get the nod, but GOP field is wide open (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Foreshadows of the great Republican schism of '08 (Kirk Caraway column, Lahontan Valley News)

ERIN NEFF: Iowa results will affect Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

With many undecided, Democrats sum it up: Candidates condense messages of a year's campaigning in hope of swaying Iowa voters (Las Vegas Sun article)

Edwards builds momentum in Iowa, New Hampshire, but can he carry it to Nevada? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Presidential campaigns fight to finish line in Iowa (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Political coverage: Vintage Books sends out a mailing that looks a lot like a political leaflet (Reno News & Review article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: 12TH IN A SERIES: BARACK OBAMA DEMOCRAT (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama has Iowa ‘watch party' in Elko Thursday (Elko Free Press article)

Ron Paul calls for a return to nation's roots (Bill Stiegerwald column, Ely Times)

Local Elections

Many county, city officials face reelection this year (Fernley Leader article)

Filing period for judges starts January 7 under new law (Fernley Leader article)

Court administrator plans to retire in June: Short says he may consider running for public office (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hollis will seek re-election (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Eastley to seek 3rd term (Pahrump Valley Times article)

General Political Opinion

Viva la difference: The world has asked, “What exactly is the difference between a conservative and a liberal?” (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Exercising an American right to disagree with the president - and still be patriotic (Ellen Nelson column, Nevada Appeal)

Some musings in the aftermath of Bhutto's assassination (Sid Bekowich column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

"Words have power. Words can kill. Words can encourage weak and susceptible minds to kill."

Political violence gets a lot of encouragement (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Time to launch: To hell with year-end wrapups. Let's look at what we can do to impact the future (BarbWire)

The War in Iraq Isn’t Over Yet (Richard Disney)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Budget cuts prompt meeting (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

You get what you pay for: Compensation for graduate assistants at UNLV needs to be increased (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Public Schools

Adding teachers: Taiwan says Nevada is recruiting math teachers there (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: UMC allowed to challenge deal -- Commission gives hospital avenue to intercede in insurers' deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Energy out your ears in 2008 (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

New Years resolution: One earth only (Anne Macquarie column, Nevada Appeal)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Enviros say EEC threatens Gulf coral (Ely Times article)

Alternative Energy

Ausra opens solar assembly plant in Las Vegas (Ely Times article)

Ausra also eyes open sun-drenched valleys in Northern Nevada (Ely Times article)

Wild Beasts

Cougar captured in valley: Mountain lion was spotted wandering residential areas (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Coyote sightings up throughout northwestern Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ready for a long winter's hibernation (Tanya Canino column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"The magnitude of the problem might seem daunting, but this is one on which we can't give up."

Anti-meth action plan deserves support of state, communities (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

State Prisons And Prisoners

State still mum about need to make cuts at Ely State Prison (Ely Times article)

Department of Prisons dodges responsibility for not ordering autopsies on two ESP inmates (Ely Times article)

Scams

"Equity skimmers frequently target homeowners who are struggling to avoid foreclosure. The skimmer promises to take over payments on the mortgage. Once the deed to the home is signed over, the skimmer usually rents out the house and never makes any payments, according to the National Association of Bunco Investigators."

Housing scheme alleged: Man charged in equity skimming (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Search And Rescue

Search for Fossett to resume (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Museum plans arresting experience: 'Mob Museum' to take visitors' mug shots, read them Miranda warnings before doors clang shut behind them (Las Vegas Sun article)

Egypt eyes cash from Tut stuff: Proposed law with long reach back in time could bring changes to Luxor exhibit and bills to resort for royalties (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

California tribes clash over new slots: Nevada game makers wait on February vote (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

NLRB judge finds Wynn guilty of breaking labor law (BarbWire)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Snuffing the news: Local news didn’t tell Nevadans about their stake in media consolidation (Reno News & Review article)

Taking a MapQuest peek at our neighbors (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Ensign and energy: John Ensign fans tout him, but are short on details (Reno News & Review article)

Our Nation's Economy

Crude oil prices reach milestone (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Oil pricing itself out: As cost reaches milestone, reducing demand through alternative fuels is viable answer (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Oil prices enhance gold's glimmer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bear 101: ISM numbers issued today (Desert Beacon)

National Health Matters

An uncaring president: Health insurance program for poor children will continue but not be expanded (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Just compensation: If Border Patrol needs private land, the Fifth Amendment applies (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Lethal injection decision will be tough (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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

January 4, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Future

The future is now (maybe): What's going to happen in 2008? We hazard some educated -- and some uneducated – guesses (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Growth: Top spot on a bad list? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

"But for most regular folks, more people means more headaches, more overcrowding, more traffic, more pollution, more crime. It wouldn't be so bad if growth paid for itself, but it clearly does not. And given the fact that there is no political will to raise enough taxes to pay for vital services such as roads and schools and prisons and public health programs, more new arrivals means that current residents will get less and less each year."

I know how to pay for all this growth ... (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Push to bar smoking in public places is gaining momentum (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada Highways

Why our engineering marvel won't impress Las Vegas commuters (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Carson City supervisors ax shopping center's sign appeal: Decision cheered by Northridge residents (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson City tells Autumn Village owners to pay up (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

Churchill County business licenses (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Mandate on pets passed by NLV: Dogs, cats need to be sterilized (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Seeing no profits, condo owners sue -- At issue: What hotel unit buyers were promised (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

Lyon mulls development rights transfers (Nevada Appeal article)

NORTHERN NEVADA: Opinions mixed on cityhood -- Some in Dayton support fourth try at incorporation (Associated Press article)

Mineral County

Hawthorne company, Army Depot set to merge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Iowa Caucus Results

Iowans show us how it's done: Process isn't pretty, but Obama backers in Des Moines caucus like the result (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama victory resounds across U.S.: Supporters in Vegas, New Hampshire see hurdle cleared (Las Vegas Sun article)

First test for candidates: New Hampshire, Nevada up next for presidential aspirants following Iowa's caucuses (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Obama, Huckabee win Iowa caucuses (Associated Press article)

Obama and Huckabee win first 2008 vote (Reuters article)

Clinton unbowed by third-place finish (Associated Press article)

Defeated Clinton says Dems made case for change (Reuters article)

Obama and Huckabee Big Iowa Caucus Winners (Dullard Mush)

Chris Dodd First Iowa Casualty (Dullard Mush)

Joe Biden Second Iowa Caucus Casualty (Dullard Mush)

Pundits analyze Iowa’s Democratic Caucus Impact (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

The Campaigns

Nevada front-runners stumble (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Republicans and Democrats watch Iowa caucuses with interest (Lahontan Valley News article)

Obama gathering energized by Iowa results: Huckabee backers absent from Republican event (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: 13TH IN A SERIES: FRED THOMPSON REPUBLICAN (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Williams, Russert to moderate Democratic debate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

General Political Opinion

Local Republicans for dummies: A reference for the rest of us (2008 version) (Hugh Jackson column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

HIGHER EDUCATION: Budget cut plan outlined -- Regents to consider proposal in which burden falls on people, not programs (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Cuts may bring higher tuitions, delayed raises (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

University System Budget Cuts (Inside Nevada Politics)

Public Schools

School chiefs, governor's staff to meet on budget cuts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Education reform (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Elko County School District

Reading program feels pinch: Board proclaims Elko County Reads Day, then denies funding (Elko Free Press article)

Mineral County School District

Hawthorne students constructing a solar car (David C. Henley column, Lahontan Valley News)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Climate Change

2007 noted as second hottest year in Reno; record broke in Vegas (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

UTILITIES: Coal plant plans fade across U.S.: Push for three facilities moves ahead in Nevada despite trend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Alternative Energy

Reid seeks wind help: Air Force pressed to remove obstacles (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Wild Beasts

Decision to kill cougar brings slew of complaints (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Wildlife officials spread healthy bighorn herds around Nevada (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

Drug sentences, juvenile offenders targeted for review by state commission (Nevada Appeal article)

Parole hearings may overload system (Associated Press article)

UMC Corruption Case

DA will go after former UMC boss: Prosecutor to begin long process of presenting corruption case Jan. 15 (Las Vegas Sun article)

Squatter Infestation

"The Greater Las Vegas Board of Realtors calculates that about 45 percent of the 22,005 single-family houses on the market are vacant as the area struggles to recover from a residential realty bust."

Neighbors discover squatters at vacant homes: Poor market leaves many houses empty (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Laughlin Affray

Mongol sentenced in Laughlin riot (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Jon Ralston lists his top 10 stories that should have been (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Porter says Iraq provision doomed defense measure: Nevadan expects bill to be revised (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

JOHN L. SMITH: Family man, doctor and legislator ready for his tour of duty in Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ex-Air Guard commander dies of carbon monoxide poisoning (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Federal Law Enforcement

The hunt for D.B. Cooper: FBI agents are still on the case - 36 years later - and still 'want to find our man' (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Tax information and privacy: IRS updates rules, but what about the elephant in the corner? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"After spending $11.5 million to interview 30,000 pilots and record their experiences with flight hazards, NASA abruptly ended the project in 2005 and mothballed the information."

Flight data now public: NASA fought release and obscured conclusions, but openness will ultimately serve public (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

NASA secrecy remains pointless (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Same old drug story (Randall G. Shelden column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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

January 5, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Nevada small businesses pay: Employees get higher salary in tight market (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Small businesses retain hope in the face of failure (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Bankruptcies, costs to file on the rise: Even as lawyers leave the field, 'monster year' expected in '08 (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Real Estate and Development: Market might improve after a rough first quarter (In Business Las Vegas article)

Retail and Real Estate: Weak dollar actually bodes well for LV retail (In Business Las Vegas article)

Nevada Employment Stats Updated (Beers for Nevada)

Severe Budget Crunch Causes Worker Firing (Beers for Nevada)

Nevada Taxes

"They (gaming companies) have a stranglehold on this state that they don't want to give up. They are spoiled."

Fight vowed in bid to up gaming taxes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gamers file to block initiative: Petition would triple their tax rate if it were to pass (Nevada Appeal article)

Lawyer contests plans that would raise casino taxes (Associated Press article)

Gamers challenge Waters tax petitions (Vegas Pundit)

The State Judiciary

Indigent Defense

Indigent defendants get better protections (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State supreme court orders indigent defense reforms (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Supreme Court Mandates Sweeping Changes in Indigent Defense Practices (Nevada Supreme Court press release)

Order Concerning Representation of Indigent Defendants (Nevada Supreme Court website)

State Of The Judiciary

The Nevada Judiciary’s FY07 Annual Report Shows Court Caseloads Continue to Climb: District Court Criminal Caseloads Remain Steady (Nevada Supreme Court press release)

2007 Annual Report of the Nevada Judiciary (Nevada Supreme Court website)

Suspended Judge

SUSPENDED JUDGE: Justices asked to lift order -- Halverson's lawyers argue panel still has not issued formal disciplinary charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Foul Ball

Take me out to the ball game: Full Nevada Supreme Court will consider foul ball case (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

New Chief Justice

Mark Gibbons to serve as Nevada's chief justice (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Resident

Gibbons lives in the capital, doesn't mean he votes there (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Government

Clark County

Hey, Vegas: Don't gouge us -- Consumer Electronics Show says it might move to a cheaper city (Las Vegas Sun article)

FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: Death prompts lawsuit -- Man says county to blame for loss of grandson in 2006 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yes, we have no housing vouchers for you (Las Vegas Sun article)

Bank of America Plaza sells for $36.3 million: Toronto-based owner sells to Behringer Harvard, part of $1.4 billion portfolio purchase (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Douglas County

Deadline Jan. 31 for grand jury complaints (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Minden, county agree to collaborate on pipeline (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Minden homeowners must have attorney to proceed with lawsuit (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Park Cattle proposal will stampede master plan (Terry Burnes column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Lake Tahoe Basin

IVGID retreat vital for long-term planning, goals (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Another View: Bay Area to Reno train service supported (Sierra Sun editorial)

Lyon County

Public officials see many challenges ahead in 2008 (Mason Valley News article)

County Affairs

County retains current auditing firm, but new standards result in cost increase (Mason Valley News article)

35 Lyon County employees, four City of Yerington workers apply for retirement (Mason Valley News article)

Rodeo operator opposes Lyon animal control amendment (Nevada Appeal article)

City Of Yerington

City looking forward to start of many projects in coming year (Mason Valley News article)

City is recipient of grant for storm water management plan (Mason Valley News article)

Town Of Mason

Mason Town Board members resign (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County

Eastley named commission chairwoman (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Donated rights can go directly to Nye County (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Taxes, detention center on town agenda (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

Reno lauded for efforts to improve air quality (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Presidential candidates boost pace in Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko primed for caucuses (Elko Free Press article)

Ron Paul supporters sought for meetups (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

MEET THE CANDIDATES: LAST IN A SERIES: BILL RICHARDSON DEMOCRAT (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Elections

Considering running for IVGID? (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Liakopoulos recall petition filed (Pahrump Valley Times article)

General Political Opinion

Business leaders need more political education, involvement (Alice Martz column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

REGENTS TO HEAR PROPOSAL: Merit pay cut plan faulted -- Professor says it will penalize highest-performing faculty (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

GBC may need to cut $1.5M (Elko Free Press article)

Public Schools

School District still waiting for outline of state funding cuts (Mason Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Health Care and Banking: Health care system eyes difficult 2008 (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

2008 turns promises 'green': More people resolve to do more to help (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Utilities

Nevada agency slates hearing on coal plant (Associated Press article)

Law and Utilities: Renewable energy efforts gather momentum (In Business Las Vegas article)

In Business Q and A: Michael Yackira, Sierra Pacific Resources president and chief executive (In Business Las Vegas interview)

Nevada Water Matters

Ensign says he'll work to keep federal legislation from harming Walker Basin (Mason Valley News article)

Local cleanup efforts of soil and groundwater continue (Lahontan Valley News article)

Meeting on interruptible service rate regulations scheduled for Monday (Mason Valley News article)

Wild Beasts

Into the wild: Orphaned bear cub released (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

Fewer options yielding more time in prison: Justice says judges' hands are tied (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Scorpion Task Force

13 of 33 drug suspects arrested (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Copper Thieves

"The existing laws for recyclers aren't strong enough to stop the lucrative business of buying questionable materials, he said."

Standing up against metal thieves: One local business to implement new ID system for scrap sellers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Busted

Year ends with 273 DUI arrests in Incline (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Astrochannels broadcasting live from Tecopa star party (Pahrump Valley Times article)

'Positively Pahrump' contest kicks off for writers, et al. (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Sports betting made easier, at bars and beyond (Las Vegas Sun article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: The Palazzo reeks of luxury, sophistication and contemporary chic (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

LV Sands secures loan to build Singapore resort (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New debt not expected to deter Harrah's projects (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Harrah's: Slump hasn't hit us (Las Vegas Sun article)

Fall of the House of Sussex (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Tourism and Gaming: Wealthy Aussie set to burst onto Vegas scene (In Business Las Vegas article)

Tip sharing faces another union battle: Gaming employee group takes steps to push issue to Legislature (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Now all they need is the money to qualify it (Vegas Pundit)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Looking back on 2007 and ahead to 2008 (Sen. Harry Reid column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Porter to tour foreign energy facilities: Congressman will join four GOP lawmakers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Porter sides with President against former POWs (Desert Beacon)

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

January 6, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Storm

Fernley's Fate

Fernley flood displaces 1,500 (Lahontan Valley News article)

Residents awake to a wet, frigid horror (Lahontan Valley News article)

City of Fernley's warnings and recommendations for Residents (Lahontan Valley News article)

Several storylines develop in early hours of Fernley flooding (Lahontan Valley News article)

NORTHERN NEVADA: LEVEE BREAK FLOODS FERNLEY -- Official says heavy rains from arctic storm might have led to breach (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Levee breaks as storms pummel West Coast (Associated Press article)

Nevada flood victim: "There was water everywhere" (Associated Press article)

Fernley levee break forces thousands from homes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Governor praises FEMA for quick response (Nevada Appeal article)

Gibbons declares emergency for Fernley (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Snowbound Tahoe

Storm update: Up to 44 inches on the ground (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Tahoe, mountains buried under snow (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Snowstorm causes difficulties in Tahoe (Associated Press article)

Nevada's Economy

Early into 2008, Reno-Tahoe area officials predict a rebuilding year (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Snow reports makes holidays greener than last year (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Jeff Simpson looks ahead on the housing slump, resort openings and the gaming tax (Las Vegas Sun column)

The State Judiciary

Inequitable Taxation

State court to hear two tax cases Monday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Open Government

"It was 81-year-old Ben Franklin who is famously said to have remarked at the end of the Constitutional Convention, when asked what kind of government the convention had wrought: 'A republic, if you can keep it.'"

THOMAS MITCHELL: The heavy lifting begins (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Government

Douglas County

County rejects Beverly Hillbillies casino derrick (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

Key union to endorse; races still up in the air (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Powerful Nev. union plans endorsement after New Hampshire primary (Associated Press article)

Results Of The Iowa Caucuses

Out of the first turn (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Iowa caucuses set the stage; changes remain to be seen (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Elkoans respond to Iowa caucus results (Elko Free Press article)

A look at the Democratic candidate spin (Inside Nevada Politics)

Reflecting on the Iowa Carnage (Muth's Truths)

The Nevada Caucuses

Focus turns to Silver State (Elko Free Press article)

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: Window of opportunity -- Nevada fits well into campaign schedule (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Zero-for-2 on Iowa picks, but national disrespect for Nevada appears to be a lock (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

There Is A Caucus AFTER New Hampshire and BEFORE South Carolina (Reno and Its Discontents)

The Campaigns

THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS: Nevada contributions to the campaign trail (Las Vegas Sun article)

Biden drops out of presidential race (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

"Clinton's year-long advantage and status as front-runner have evaporated."

Obama's momentum tough new test for Clinton: Even New Hampshire win wouldn't nail down Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clinton Machine Shaken by Setback (Time Magazine article)

Clinton accuses Obama of changing positions on several issues (USA Today article)

Clinton camp says caucus critique doesn't apply to Nevada (Associated Press article)

As the Borg bombs (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Mrs. Clinton and “The Mother-in-Law Factor” (Richard Disney)

Obama the winner for majority who want change (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Obama Camp First To Offer Fernley Help (Dullard Mush)

Obama no longer a mere earth-bound mortal (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Romney wins Wyoming Caucus (Inside Nevada Politics)

Want To Help Fred? (Beers for Nevada)

New Hampshire Republican Debate (Reno and Its Discontents)

Local Elections

Election season begins Monday for judges (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

General Political Opinion

Jon Ralston peers into his crystal ball and makes political predictions for Las Vegas, Nevada and the country in 2008 (Las Vegas Sun column)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Resolve to be better informed in '08 (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Front-runners are soft on immigration enforcement (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

Blasts from the past (BarbWire)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

UNR, WNC propose surcharge to help offset budget cuts: Would mean $75 increase per semester for full time students at UNR (Nevada Appeal article)

The latest from higher education: No campus closings, few canceled classes (University Regent Ron Knecht column, Nevada Appeal)

University system addresses budget: And it's really not so bad, after all (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Higher education cuts call for cooperation (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Public Schools

No child left behind in an academy (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Good intentions, abominable results (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

Safety net needed before mass exodus from prison (Nevada Appeal editorial)

JOHN L. SMITH: Despite attack, youth camp staffer remains dedicated to facility's promise (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Scams

MORTGAGE FALLOUT: SKIM SCAM -- Fraudulent foreclosures in Las Vegas leave people homeless, cashless (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sex Criminals

Young, but 'predators' for life: New sex-offender laws, meant to protect, may instead ruin lives and increase risks (Las Vegas Sun article)

Another Taser Death

Police: Passerby aided trooper -- Taser also was used to subdue motorist who later died (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

More Seatbelt Rousts

Enforcement of Nevada's seatbelt law increased (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Hoover Dam has changed in the past few years (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Happy 125th Birthday, Elko Free Press !

Free Press legacy began 125 years ago (Elko Free Press article)

No family secrets here: Steningers parlay hard work, community involvement into lasting media legacy (Elko Free Press article)

Responsible Journalism

Brian Greenspun on the 'why' of responsible journalism (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

HARRY REID: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: One year at the helm (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Porter urged to get full picture on nuclear waste in France (Las Vegas Sun article)

In The US Congress

RL34294 Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007: A Summary of Major Provisions December 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34293 Resolving House Committee Jurisdictional Disputes: A Survey of Options December 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Our Nation's Economy

Almost half the states facing budget shortfalls (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Reports Show Signs of Continued Weakness in the Economy (Bloomberg News article)

RL34297 Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Employment: National and State Trends and Issues December 27, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Economic Policy for Tough Times (New York Times editorial)

Our Bloated National Budget

RL34298 Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2008: Brief Overview December 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34300 Pay-As-You-Go Procedures for Budget Enforcement December 31, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

National Health Matters

Delayed response times: Hospitals need to find ways to respond more quickly to patients in cardiac arrest (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RL32545 Health Care Spending: Context and Policy October 02, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL33702 Health Insurance Basics: Roles for the Market and Government in Providing, Financing, and Regulating Private Insurance Coverage September 18, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34295 Spending by Consumers on Health Care and Health Insurance: A Data Brief December 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Social Policy

RS21897 The Effect of State-Legalized Same-Sex Marriage on Social Security Benefits and Pensions January 03, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

Homeland Security

Border Security: Despite Progress, Weaknesses in Traveler Inspections Exist at Our Nation's Ports of Entry GAO-08-329T, January 03, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

RL34302 National Aviation Security Policy, Strategy, and Mode-Specific Plans: Background and Considerations for Congress January 02, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

Emergency Preparation And Planning

Army Corps of Engineers: Known Performance Issues with New Orleans Drainage Canal Pumps Have Been Addressed, but Guidance on Future Contracts Is Needed GAO-08-288, December 31, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Nevada National Guard property and fiscal officer appointed (Nevada Appeal article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

They've got your number? To stop identity thieves, government needs to keep Social Security numbers private (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

CIA under investigation: Criminal probe into destruction of tapes suggests a disturbing level of deceit (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

RL34296 Democracy Promotion: Cornerstone of U.S. Foreign Policy? December 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Arms Trafficking

Defense Trade: State Department Needs to Conduct Assessments to Identify and Address Inefficiencies and Challenges in the Arms Export Process GAO-08-89, November 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Latin America And The Caribbean

RL34299 U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2006-FY2008 December 28, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

WAR IN IRAQ: Community Discussion (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Mexico

Mexico stocks, peso smacked by US recession fears (Reuters article)

Echoes of Blame Against Mexico in U.S. Elections (Marcela Sanchez column, Washington Post)

Tourists shun crime-hit Mexico beaches (Associated Press article)

Aztec Pyramid, Elite Graves Unearthed in Mexico City (National Geographic News article)

Peru

Peru reporter says Fujimori's guards abducted him (Reuters article)

2 describe massacre at Fujimori trial (Associated Press article)

Clues from the mists of time (Los Angeles Times article)

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

January 7, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Storm

Storm, among the largest in 50 years, winding down (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fernley's Fate

Displaced flood victims search for housing (Nevada Appeal article)

Town awaits word on federal disaster aid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

NORTHERN NEVADA LEVEE BREAK: Water slow to recede -- Ice slows drainage as nearly 300 homes damaged by breach (Associated Press article)

Parts of flooded Nevada town still under 8 feet of water (Associated Press article)

That Leaking, Inefficient 100-Year Old Trans-Desert Dirt Canal

TCID seeks permanent fix for Truckee Canal (Lahontan Valley News article)

Nevada's Economy

Gaming Nov. report expected this week (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

State spares shelter from ax (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno shelter spared funding cuts (Associated Press article)

Nevada Highways

BLACK CANYON SPAN: Crane system on way -- Hoover Dam bypass completion not expected until '10 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

"When six Nevada Supreme Court justices overturned a decision made by Justice Nancy Saitta when she was a District Court judge, it had to create tension in the hallowed hallways of justice. Especially because the message sent was that Saitta didn't know the law and abused her power. It's not the kind of hand slapping from her peers any judge wants to receive."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Judge's attempt to shield former colleague was ruled just plain wrong (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

From The Nevada Commission On Judicial Discipline

Formal Statement Of Charges Against Judge Elizabeth Halverson

Local Government

Clark County

Expensive

Cost a factor for CES: Organizers getting edgy about the future of Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Too Many Laws

North Las Vegas pet tricks: Good intentions, but do we really need a law? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Hold On Tight To Your Dreams

Mayor loses pounds but hangs on tight to booze (Las Vegas Sun article)

In The Shadow Of Our Banana Republic

Vegas wants a tech industry, but it's slow going: What's missing: Critical mass in education, venture capital (Las Vegas Sun article)

Storey County

New Storey County planner's rise a fast one (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

Powerful Las Vegas union cedes endorsement decision to icebound Yankees on other side of continent (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Culinary won't endorse until … oh, let's just say Nov. 5 (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The New Hampshire Caucuses

Election 2008: New Hampshire Democratic Primary -- New Hampshire: Obama 38% Clinton 28% (Rasmussen Poll report)

Latest New Hampshire Presidential Polls (Dullard Mush)

Obama’s lead in New Hampshire increases (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Obama leads in New Hampshire Poll (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

The Campaigns

Biden, Dodd backers won't endorse others: Senators folded presidential bids (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama's refrain: Change the world with me: In New Hampshire, he sways those who support his rivals (Las Vegas Sun article)

Republican Party Identity Crisis

Duncan Hunter wins endorsement of Nevada Republican Assembly (Inside Nevada Politics)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Nevada’s Education Budget Cuts (Reno and Its Discontents)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

School Board's No. 2 wants to be No. 1 (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Aid cuts would hurt home's mission: Medicaid planning to trim funds for services (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Facility, agency tussle over man's care (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Alternative Energy

Defense Department's help needed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The Danger Of Avalanche

Ski resort brings in big gun: Cannon fire cuts avalanche danger (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$kindustry Regulation

'John School' teaches men the uglier facts of life: Vegas police hope horrors of prostitution will scare them off (Las Vegas Sun article)

"In an amazing twist of fate, what began as a clever scheme to let imprisoned topless bar owner Rick Rizzolo (above left) remain in control of his highly profitable racketeering enterprise, collapsed into an embarrassing entanglement of litigation fueled with almost a half million dollars worth of stolen booze."

Inadvertent monkey wrench spoils straw man scheme and starts Mob courthouse war (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)

Judge Mahan Again

Owners of racy news racks get a breather while they sue (Las Vegas Sun article)

D.B. Cooper

Cooper case reignited by authorities, memories (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Students bring history to life on stage (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca Mountain is important but not only issue in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Economy

Deal with holiday 'debt hangover' by paying off credit card bills (Associated Press article)

Economic stimulus (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Privatizing Pain: Employment Numbers and Republican Solutions (Desert Beacon)

National Health Matters

Penalized at 65: New rule that allows employers to dump retirees' health coverage is unfair (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Children denied coverage: Not satisfied with stopping expansion of federal program, Bush limits Medicaid (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

ANALYSIS-CIA tapes probe could spotlight torture issue (Reuters article)

CIA in 2003 Planned Destruction of Tapes: Congresswoman Argued Against the Move (Washington Post article)

Waterboarding Used to Be a Crime (Evan Wallach column, Washington Post)

Criminalizing the CIA (Wall Street Journal editorial)

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

January 8, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Storm

SIERRA STORM: Wet weather puts snowpack on track -- Up to 11 feet of snow falls at some higher elevations (Associated Press article)

Fernley's Fate

Floodwaters ebb in Fernley: Officials take extra time to justify request for federal disaster relief (Associated Press article)

Military works together in Fernley flood relief efforts (Lahontan Valley News article)

Hundreds attend informational meeting on flooding in Fernley (Lahontan Valley News article)

Town takes stock as waters recede (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reid: 'We need to get these people back in their homes' (Nevada Appeal article)

Questions arise over federal aid for flooded Nevada town (Associated Press article)

Reid, Ensign, Heller Send Bush Letter Requesting Swift Declaration Of Disaster Area in Fernley (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Takes Aerial Tour of Fernley (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid, Ensign, Heller's Statements On Broken Levee (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid, Ensign Statement On Call With FEMA (Sen. Reid press release)

Lets hope Fernley benefits from lessons of New Orleans (Nevada Appeal editorial)

That Leaking, Inefficient 100-Year Old Trans-Desert Dirt Canal

Not clear who's responsible in Fernley flood (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Failure of levee in Fernley raises questions for Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Rainy Day Fund

Leaky rainy day fund: Broken tax system requires its use for more than emergencies such as Fernley flood (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada's Economy

Local businesses report happy holiday returns (Nevada Appeal article)

The State Judiciary

High court reviews half dozen Incline Village property tax cases (Nevada Appeal article)

Public defenders (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Judge faces misconduct charges -- Complaint alleges Halverson fell asleep on bench, harassed employees (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Mack: Judge sought money in plea deal (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Two administrators leaving North Las Vegas: City manager plans 'restructuring' before replacing them (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

"The powerful Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, by far the most coveted get in Nevada, is almost certain to endorse Barack Obama tomorrow, said several people familiar with the union’s plans."

Vegas Union Leans to Obama (Jennifer Steinhauer column, New York Times)

Could the Nevada Caucus Contest Be Settled Tonight? (The Nation editorial)

The Campaigns

Getting the news and missing the point: Coverage of Primaries and Caucuses (Desert Beacon)

ERIN NEFF: Will Nevada matter? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

A Clinton Loss in New Hampshire Would Escalate Importance of Nevada Caucus (Reno and Its Discontents)

Clinton Braces for Second Loss; Union, Senators May Back Obama (Wall Street Journal article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Presidential hopefuls try to spin defeat into victory after Iowa caucuses (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Post-New Hampshire rest (Inside Nevada Politics)

The brutal truth about political campaigns (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Giving reality the hard sell: Going down the list in New Hampshire, Clinton ticks off her accomplishments (Las Vegas Sun article)

Rory Reid's gamble on Clinton turns riskier: For campaign honcho, Jan. 19 can pay off or burn (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clinton set to speak to builders conference in Reno next week (Inside Nevada Politics)

False and scurrilous email attacks on Obama (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Ron Paul wins Republican straw poll (Inside Nevada Politics)

Local Elections

Candidates file Monday for state judicial seats (Lahontan Valley News article)

Gibbons seeks re-election to Supreme Court: Guinn v. Legislature stance could be issue (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CLARK COUNTY JUDGES: 54 file for judicial positions -- Bell's daughter intends to fill his seat; Halverson's post draws one (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Puccinelli files for second term (Elko Free Press article)

9 incumbent Washoe County judges file for re-election (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ex-Reno councilwoman seeks county office (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Per-credit fees boosted at some Nevada colleges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Short on time and input, regents cut (Las Vegas Sun article)

Board of Regents to expand surcharge to all campuses (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada regents adopt cuts to meet governor's budget goal (Associated Press article)

Public Schools

Districts eye kindergarten, empowerment for budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Schools chiefs to pick programs to cut (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Why, Gibbons, why? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Churchill County School District

District looks at ways to curb projected $2 million shortfall (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

School officials try to plan for cuts amid uncertainty (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

At Green Valley High, play sports, you may face drug test (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elko County School District

School board may formalize cell phone policy (Elko Free Press article)

No Child Left Behind

Reid: No Child Left Behind Must Be Overhauled To Help Every Student Succeed (Sen. Reid press release)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Alternative Energy

Reid Sends Follow-up Letter To Secretary Wynne Regarding Nevada Wind Projects (Sen. Reid press release)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

ACLU urges reforms in prison health care (Associated Press article)

One size does not fit all: New laws veer from rehabilitation and treat juvenile sex offenders the same as adults (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada's New US Attorney

New U.S. attorney for Nevada sworn in (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Neighbors tell nonprofit: Make music elsewhere (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Flamingo dealers say union efforts draw fire: Workers say managers using meetings to belittle attempts to organize (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Ex-gaming regulator tapped for WMS Industries board (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Las Vegas Sands' Adelson appointed to U.S. trade committee (Associated Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

YUCCA MOUNTAIN: DOE lays off 63 workers -- Almost all site activity stopped (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid: As Unemployment Reaches Two-year High, American Jobs Are The Latest Casualty Of Bush's Failed Economic Policies (Sen. Reid press release)

The National Economy

Monthly Budget Review January 2008 (Congressional Budget Office)

Society of Government Economists Distinguished Lecture on Economics January 2008 (Congressional Budget Office)

Social Security

Social Security Disability: Better Planning, Management, and Evaluation Could Help Address Backlogs GAO-08-40, December 07, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Death By Injection

Death penalty procrastination: High court weighs Kentucky, Louisiana cases (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Oral Arguments in Baze v. Rees (US Supreme Court website)

The Question Of Copyrights

Going after illegal downloads: Industry is justified in pursuing students and others who copy songs without paying (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

01/07/2008: DoD News Briefing with Col. Flynn from the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

New Helmet Sensors to Measure Blast Impact (American Forces Press Service)

The Health Care System for Veterans: An Interim Report December 2007 (Congressional Budget Office)

Freedom And The Federal Government

If Your Hard Drive Could Testify ... (Adam Liptak column, New York Times, via Harmless Error)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan National Police Shut Down Bomb-Making Cell (American Forces Press Service)

Afghan Commandos Graduate from Armorer Training Program (American Forces Press Service)

Medical Supplies Delivery Helps Hundreds of Afghan Villagers (American Forces Press Service)

Iran

Iranian Boats Provoke ‘Serious Incident’ in Strait of Hormuz (American Forces Press Service)

Admiral Details Iranian Challenge to U.S. Ships (American Forces Press Service)

01/07/2008: DoD News Briefing with Vice Adm. Cosgriff at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Coalition Troops in Iraq Detain 6 Suspects During Raids (American Forces Press Service)

Violence Eases in Southern Iraq, Brigade Commander Says (American Forces Press Service)

Sheik Meeting Leads to Information on al Qaeda in Iraq (American Forces Press Service)

Police Assume Security Mission in Anbar Province City (American Forces Press Service)

Iraqi Soldiers Train With U.S. Marines (American Forces Press Service)

Mexico

Mexican president defends NAFTA despite protests (Reuters article)

Mexico Leftists Prepare To Battle Energy-Sector Reforms (CNN report)

US Justice Department: Mexico the main methamphetamine supplier to US drug markets (Associated Press article)

Three dead in Mexico army clash with drug gang (Reuters article)

Mexico Police Arrest 10 After Fatal Shootouts in Border City (Bloomberg News article)

Top cartel figure's sentence: 30 years (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

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

January 9, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Storm

Fernley's Fate

Bush declares disaster area after flooding: Federal relief available in Fernley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

President's declaration welcome (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

City recuperating following flood (Fernley Leader article)

Agencies work together in times of crisis (Fernley Leader article)

Families recall frightful moments during flood (Fernley Leader article)

School district helps out during flood (Fernley Leader article)

Officials vow to get residents back into homes quickly (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fernley flood information: Removal of hazardous waste to begin in Fernley (Nevada Appeal article)

For all that went wrong in Fernley, a lot went right (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

That Leaking, Inefficient 100-Year Old Trans-Desert Dirt Canal

Agencies outline fix to canal (Nevada Appeal article)

Storms Over Tahoe

Storms dump several feet of snow on Sierra: Latest storm to end by Thursday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Risk high for slides (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Incline digs out better than most (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Berm season for Placer (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Nevada's Economy

Gold hits all-time high of $879 an ounce (Associated Press article)

Homes for sale in Las Vegas still sliding: Median price down 15 percent from year ago (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

Prison board Democrats criticize budget process: Pair object to lack of involvement in suggesting proposed cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Miller seeks debate of prison budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada Taxes

Crowd attends court hearing (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Every action will cause a reaction (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Goodman renews call for Nevada taxation overhaul: Annual address delivered at Springs Preserve (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Weller denies Mack's plea-deal accusation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Halverson must go: District judge has demonstrated she is unfit to remain on the bench (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Indigent Defense

Supreme Court order confirms importance of public defenders (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

State Agencies

The Thing With Three Brains

Funding OK'd for 'fusion center' with focus on terrorism: Three separate centers will share information (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Paying For The Surveillance State

New driver's licenses will be more secure, cost 75 cents more (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Driver's license Real ID contract costs state $29 million (Nevada Appeal article)

New Administrator

New administrator chosen to lead Nevada State Health Division (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Wastewater fees might take swing at golf courses (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

City subdivision receives new life (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Lake Las Vegas properties change hands: Ritz-Carlton interest part of Atalon Group's haul after loan default (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Trash pitch made in Boulder City (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$2.5 MILLION PROJECT: Shelter to expand -- LV Rescue Mission getting bigger to serve homeless (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

New energy standards on agenda (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

County okays agreement for discount prescription drug cards (Fernley Leader article)

Budget cut meant no reverse 911 available for use in contacting residents (Fernley Leader article)

Washoe County

Larkin re-elected Washoe chairman (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

New Hampshire Primaries

National Coverage

N.Y. Senator Defies Polls, Edges Obama (Washington Post article)

Clinton Defeats Obama in Primary; McCain Takes Republican Contest (Wall Street Journal article)

Clinton scores big win in New Hampshire (Reuters article)

Defying Predictions and Some Dire Polls, Clinton Escapes to Fight Another Day (New York Times article)

Clinton and McCain pull off upsets in NH (Associated Press article)

The Comeback Kids: McCain, Clinton (Time Magazine article)

Nevada Commentary

The first votes are counted: McCain wins New Hampshire -- Clinton, Obama in squeaker (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

New Hampshire winners use comeback approach (Associated Press article)

The Comeback Kid II: Hillary Clinton confounds pollsters, pundits with her victory in New Hampshire (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

A quick New Hampshire post-mortem (Inside Nevada Politics)

New Hampshire Results and Thoughts (Dullard Mush)

Reid: Presidential nomination system is broken (Inside Nevada Politics)

The Nevada Caucuses

Nevada's caucuses to leave many out: On-time, in-person events prompt criticism (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton's surprise win sets up Nevada scorcher: Jan. 19 caucus is suddenly wide open after upset in New Hampshire (Las Vegas Sun article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Nevada's political importance intact, at least until Jan. 20 (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Ho Hum vs. Hi Ho in the Nevada Caucuses (Desert Beacon)

Okay, A Close Race Between Clinton and Obama Is Also Good for The Nevada Caucus (Reno and Its Discontents)

Jon Ralston gives White House hopefuls five helpful rules for campaigning here (Las Vegas Sun column)

The Campaigns

In Nevada, Clinton's team shoots from stoic to jubilant: Even as New Hampshire looked bleak, they campaigned away (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama's Nevada supporters still expect to party after reality check (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Endorsements

SEIU rises above chaos for Obama: Union squabbles up to last-minute endorsement (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada health care union to back Obama (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Tick, tick, tick, Culinary will finally pick: Today's the day the union throws its coveted endorsement behind one Democrat, after stringing them all along (Las Vegas Sun article)

Culinary update: Decision tomorrow (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Edwards camp downplaying Culinary importance (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clintons pick up more support from most reliable demographic (Las Vegas Gleaner)

This just in: Clinton gets major endorsement (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Local Elections

Former councilwoman announces candidacy for county commission (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Judicial Races

Maupin rules out another campaign: Justice won't seek third high court term (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Maupin won't seek third term on high court (Nevada Appeal article)

Last justice standing (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Both district judges in on first day of filing (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Gamble files for fifth term as judge (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Goodman's son seeks court post: Defense lawyer files for justice of the peace seat (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Regents plan $1.5M cut from GBC: University regents identify $57 million in statewide cuts (Elko Free Press article)

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Grievance over board member's Web site settled (Lahontan Valley News article)

Washoe County School District

School trustees OK raises (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Nature Conservancy key to river restoration (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Recycle the obsolete: EPA asks consumers to not trash their old cell phones when they upgrade (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Why you should care where your food comes from (Hazel Bowen column, Nevada Appeal)

Our global warming 'Animal Farm' (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

$600,000 in drugs off the streets after Carson City bust (Nevada Appeal article)

Lyon official arrested for embezzlement (Lahontan Valley News article)

Lyon County estate official accused of embezzlement (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

67-year-old woman faces sentencing today for scam (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

MGM Mirage, Dubai World to buy back shares at $75 to $80 each (Associated Press article)

No wins, but 'casino' a success (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

JOURNALISM 2.0: Schools play catch-up as they train journalists to better plug into technology (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Lecture series continues at museum Thursday (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Funds arrive in time for Thunderbird Lodge (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Las Vegas quits group that backs a nuclear Yucca: Dump foe cheers split from 'rogues' gallery' (Las Vegas Sun article)

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

Update for January 9, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Storm

Fernley's Fate

Secretary Chertoff Promises Fernley Aid to Reid (Sen. Reid press release)

Governor Gibbons Announces Approval of Federal Assistance (Gov. Gibbons press release)

ENSIGN, REID, HELLER STATEMENTS ON OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF FEDERAL DISASTER (Sen. Ensign press release)

Governor Gibbons Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for State of Nevada (Gov. Gibbons press release)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Endorsements

UNITE HERE Endorses Senator Barack Obama (UNITE HERE/Culinary Workers Union website)

Culinary endorses Obama (Inside Nevada Politics)

SEIU Nevada Endorses Barack Obama! (SEIU Nevada website)

Rory Reid: “We’re ready to let Nevadans break the tie” (PolitickerNV interview)

Berkley endorses Hillary Clinton (Inside Nevada Politics)

__________

Federal Nevada

Our Nation's Armed Forces

01/08/2008: DoD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Votel at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Voter ID Law: Indiana Law Requires Voters to Show Identification at Polls (Washington Post article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation of Afghanistan

Combined Forces Disrupt Insurgents, Bolster Institutions in Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service article)

Marines Climb Mountains to Help Afghan Army (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Troops Mentor Afghan Artillery Platoon (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

Gates Calls on Iran to Disavow Aggressors at Sea (American Forces Press Service article)

Iranians Call Hormuz Incident ‘Normal,’ U.S. Begs to Differ (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

New U.S. Offensive Targets al Qaeda in Northern Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Forces Detain 6 in Northern Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Bush Praises Reconstruction Teams for Building on Iraqi Progress (American Forces Press Service article)

Surge, Strategy Working in Iraq, But Challenges Remain, Petraeus Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Odierno Cites Positive Trends in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Coalition Medics Conduct Operation With Iraqi Police (American Forces Press Service article)

Force Protection Exercise Keeps Soldiers on Their Toes (American Forces Press Service article)

Mexico

Mexico's Core Inflation Rises to Highest Since 2002 (Bloomberg News article)

Mexico's peso takes a licking, stocks also fall (Reuters article)

Mexico adds police as drug killings mount (Reuters article)

Bodies of Mexico drug victims found (Press TV article)

Mexico Shootout Suspects Tied to Cartel (Associated Press article)

A Federal Reader

Information Security: IRS Needs to Address Pervasive Weaknesses GAO-08-211, January 08, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Maritime Security: Federal Efforts Needed to Address Challenges in Preventing and Responding to Terrorist Attacks on Energy Commodity Tankers GAO-08-141, December 10, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Federal-Aid Highways: Increased Reliance on Contractors Can Pose Oversight Challenges for Federal and State Officials GAO-08-198, January 08, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Freight Transportation: National Policy and Strategies Can Help Improve Freight Mobility GAO-08-287, January 07, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

January 10, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Nevada gas prices 56 cents per gallon higher than last year (Associated Press article)

Economist: Housing adjustment will take some time (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Taxes

Tax And Spending Control (TASC)

AFL-CIO wants to keep Prop. 13 initiative off ballot (Nevada Appeal article)

Tax System Overhaul

Best State of the City speech ever! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Oscar Goodman's tax study panel: Another commission to address our 'unstable' tax base? Oh my! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Budget

Pure arrogance: Governor wants to cut the prison budget without consulting the state prison board (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State Agencies

Paying For The Surveillance State

Federal mandate comes at inopportune time (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Fernley's Fate

Multiple resources available for flood victims (Lahontan Valley News article)

Residents take first steps toward recovery (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fernley flooded with attention: Presidential candidates take an interest in Fernley (Reno News & Review article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Overtime, like the snow, piled up for local agencies during the storm: Extra costs expected, planned for in budgets (Nevada Appeal article)

City owes it to residents to charge for wastewater (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Vegas is owed millions: City should turn up the heat on motorists who fail to pay parking fines (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Monorail has to tap reserves (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fewer going to the chapel: Number of marriage licenses issued drops for third straight year (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nye County

Pahrump numbers slipping (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

U.S. 50/I-80 link continues to grow (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

Commissioners to mull city police costs (Ely Times article)

White Pine County's Television Tax

Local costs still unknown for TV switch from analog to digital (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Campaigns

Reports put Richardson campaign's future in doubt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

West's crucial political importance underscored yet again (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Nearly free lunch: We look at the casino industry’s favorite tax deduction and the presidential candidates’ positions on it (Reno News & Review article)

It's the Issues Stupid! Top three Democratic Candidates' Policy Statements (Desert Beacon)

Nevada Caucuses

Nevada Caucus 2008: Now we're the epicenter (Las Vegas Sun article)

Aflutter over Nevada: Nation is all over the map on how important - or not - our caucus is (Las Vegas Sun article)

Whichever side you're on, just go caucus, Reid says (Las Vegas Sun article)

How to caucus: Here is information on what caucuses are and how to attend (Reno News & Review article)

Notable past results: Here are highlights of how presidential preference went in the past (Reno News & Review article)

Political leaders promote their caucuses (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada By the Numbers: Registered Active Democratic Voters (Desert Beacon)

The Endorsements

Sen. John Kerry backing Obama (Associated Press article)

CAUCUS CHALLENGE: Now it's Nevada's turn -- Culinary union, Berkley make Democratic choices (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Culinary picks Obama (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

In emergency, break glass (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Interview with Culinary's D. Taylor on Obama endorsement (Inside Nevada Politics)

General Political Commentary

JANE ANN MORRISON: As the nomination fight continues, political assumptions wither away (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"When did it become an indictable offense for a politician to change his or her mind?"

The crime of switching positions (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Nevada and South Carolina are victors in New Hampshire (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Party animals: Party on, you crazy caucusers. We independents have to stay home (Reno News & Review editorial)

Viva la difference II: The Hook outlines the differences between himself and liberals and Democrats, part 2 (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

Get the media 10cc's of conventional wisdom, stat! (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Dan Abrams, Thanks for Doing Your Job And Calling Out The Hillary Hate (Reno and Its Discontents)

Local Elections

Two file to succeed Maupin on Nevada Supreme Court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Two file for Justice Maupin's seat (Nevada Appeal article)

Two candidates file for Nevada Supreme Court seat (Associated Press article)

District judge to run for state high court (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Former city DA running for judge (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson City Attorney Caren Jenkins to run for district judge (Nevada Appeal article)

Waggoner first to file for J.P. (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Court not hiring new justice of the peace (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Quick, UNLV needs to fill five fundraiser jobs (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Below Average: Nevada's Education System 46th Best In The Nation

Report card gives state education system D+ (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada gets D-plus grade on national education report card (Associated Press article)

The Report

Quality Counts 2008 (Education Week report)

Nevada Report (Education Week website)

Clark County School District

School to start drug testing: Participation of Green Valley High athletes required (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nye County School District

School board helps out with budget cuts (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Insurer to cough up a record $1 million (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Climate Change

Expect it to rain less - but when it does, watch out: Global warming will bring longer periods of dryness, more downpours, report says (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Report

When it Rains, It Pours: Global Warming and the Rising Frequency of Extreme Precipitation in the United States (Environment America report)

Heavy Storms

Winter storms help increase snowpack (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

SNWA's Suction Scheme

11 BILLION GALLONS PER YEAR: Objections to water pumping dropped -- Federal officials approve plans (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Self-Dealing Investment?

"Charles Benjamin, a spokesman for Nevada Clean Energy, said Horizon Asset is pushing the utility to develop the coal-fired plant because the investment company has a 13.5 percent interest in a Chinese utility company that develops and builds coal-fired power plants."

Attorneys to evaluate investment in utility: New York investment company took 27 percent stake (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Light That Failed

Regulators schedule hearing into failed Nevada utility project (Associated Press article)

White Pine County Projects

Busloads of protesters expected tonight (Ely Times article)

NDEP-BAPC chief says tonight's hearing no discussion about CO2 (Ely Times article)

As We See It: Enviro-tourists are welcome (Ely Times editorial)

Alternative Energy

Steamy affair: Geothermal is more than just talk in Nevada (Reno News & Review article)

Wild Beasts

Homeless on the range: The wildland-urban interface creeps ever closer (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

ACLU seeks national health care standards for Ely prison (Ely Times article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"With the number of abused and neglected children in White Pine County having spiked in 2007 due to parental methamphetamine addiction, an advocacy program for children is one of several resources the courts are turning to."

New CASA program gives abused kids an advocate (Ely Times article)

Nye County Commission Corruption Cases

Ben Butler...U.S. Grant...Pete? (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Video Child Molester Case

Man pleads not guilty in videotaped sex assault (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Stiles pleads not guilty, trial set in little girl video sex case (Associated Press article)

$kindustry Regulation

Selling Sex: City can't outlaw brothel advertising (Elko Free Press article)

NFL team dropped from paraplegic's lawsuit: Judge says Titans can't be held liable in Minxx shooting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Judge drops NFL's Titans from 'Pacman' Jones lawsuit in Vegas (Associated Press article)

Scams

Unlicensed-securities seller sentenced to prison (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Vote Fraud

Bid to rig race nets no prison: Probation, fine set for Horrocks, wife (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Courtesy Call

New U.S. attorney steps in: Brower meets Ensign, Reid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Offer made for MGM Mirage shares (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Hard Rock Hotel owners go forward: Partners win board's recommendation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Stratosphere step closer to changing ownership (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

"Preserving a pair of Ely's historic buildings to the end of time is the mission of the East Ely Depot Museum."

100 Years New (Ely Times article)

At the Throttle: Challenges and Changes at the NNRy (Mark S. Bassett column, Ely Times)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca tie rightly cut: Las Vegas cancels its membership in a business group that supports nuclear dump (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

DOE wants to hear Nye schools' comment (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Yucca workers laid off: DOE says nuclear repository site 'closed for all intents and purposes' (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada Test Site

COMPENSATING DOWNWINDERS: Reid pans U.S. agency -- Criteria for qualifying ex-test site workers flawed, Senate majority leader says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Vote

Justices Indicate They May Uphold Voter ID Rules (New York Times article)

Oral Arguments in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (US Supreme Court website)

The Issue Of Government Torture

Ex-C.I.A Aide Won’t Testify on Tapes Without Immunity (New York Times article)

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

January 11, 2008

_____

A note to TNO readers:  The Las Vegas Sun has launched an attractive new website, but it's as hard to back out of it as an internet casino or porno site.  We had to shut down our internet browser to be able go somewhere else.  Hopefully this is a temporary glitch in their website.

Nevada Government

State Government

Fernley's Fate

Hopes climb on promise of federal aid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Guard Providing Relief in Nevada Flooding (US Army website)

Homeowner sues over canal breach, alleges negligence: Failure to turn off valve among accusations (Associated Press article)

Not Theirs to Give (Muth's Truths)

Nevada's Economy

Office space standing vacant amid housing woes: Real estate companies becoming more scarce (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Experts: Nevada housing will take time to rebound (Associated Press article)

Things could be a lot worse (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Nevada isn't the only state suffering severe budget woes (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

State Agencies

Paying For Domestic Partners

Panel OKs domestic partner benefits: State board also asks Legislature to expand insurance subsidy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Paying For The Surveillance State

Every Move You Make, Every Step You Take

Nevada approves $29 Million contract extension with Digimarc for driver license system (Secure ID News article)

DHS Releases REAL ID Regulation (US Homeland Security Department press release)

REAL ID Final Rule (US Homeland Security Department website)

New security rules for driver's licenses (Associated Press article)

U.S. readies "reasonable" ID card rules after debate (Reuters article)

States Will Get More Time for Secure ID Plan (Washington Post article)

Inequitable Taxation

An Incline priority (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

The State Judiciary

Maupin retires (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Local cable access program episode pulled after complaint (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Churchill County

Permit approved for geothermal company's proposed cement plant (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

STATE OF THE CITY: NLV youthful, mayor says -- Official touts several projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

County tries to curb budget woes (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Brady replaced as commission vice-chairman (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

County manager defends record (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

Digging Out: Street department spends much of budget on recent plowing (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

2007 not a very good year for Tahoe planning agency (John Singlaub column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

IVGID names Recreation Pass committee (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Project could revitalize Donner Pass Road: Proposal calls for mixed-use, trails (Sierra Sun article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

I say Ne-va-da, you say Ne-vah-da: Despite complaints from residents, nation continues to mispronounce state's name (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada representatives cautious about endorsements for president (Nevada Appeal article)

Pollsters have a plan for Nevada: Skip it -- Most say we’re too green at caucusing, too transient (Las Vegas Sun article)

Reid working the (situation) room (Las Vegas Sun article)

GOP South Carolina Debate

Recession, Foreign Policy Dominate GOP Debate in South Carolina (Fox News report)

Romney attacks McCain at Republican debate (Reuters article)

FACTBOX: Quotes from Republican candidates debate (Reuters feature)

Fred Thompson Wins SC Debate (Beers for Nevada)

The Campaigns

Richardson dropping presidential bid (Associated Press article)

Richardson camp ready for new hero: Campaign workers sad but dedicated to the party (Las Vegas Sun article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Richardson's experience might be enough to earn vice presidential bid (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Biden bows out; we all lose (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Another Biden fan goes for Hillary (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

LAS VEGAS STOP: Clinton pitch hits home -- Democratic hopeful goes door to door (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Campaigning here, Clinton goes over Culinary’s head: The union backed Obama, but she’s pitching members, one by one (Las Vegas Sun article)

Power of Culinary Union hangs in balance as its protege Kihuen tries to break Obama hold (John Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

Clinton pledges new economic plan in NV (Associated Press article)

Stimulus response (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Menendez to campaign in Nevada for Clinton (Associated Press article)

Obama gains Kerry's endorsement: Candidate ramps up his Nevada campaign (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Romney leads in Nevada donations (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Nevada Caucuses

Incline High School students gear up for caucuses (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Carson City GOP caucus locations (Nevada Appeal article)

The Nevada GOP Caucus (State Republican Party website)

Local Elections

Three lawyers to challenge incumbent Washoe judges (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

General Political News And Commentary

A Competence Campaign? The Bush Administration as a campaign issue (Desert Beacon)

Pollsters flummoxed by New Hampshire primary (Reuters article)

Vegas: Lots to do besides campaign (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Educators criticize school budget cuts sought by Nevada governor (Associated Press article)

Clark County School District

Rulffes says governor sticking schools with bigger share of cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Stick To Education

Ron Kantowski knows Green Valley High’s heart is true, but realizes drug testing is not a magic bullet for schools: Parents cheer, students shrug (Las Vegas Sun column)

Douglas County School District

District raises delayed due to proposed budget cuts (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Washoe County School District

Washoe seeking methods to launch empowerment schools without state aid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Middle school, fire district team up for safety (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Spelling bee puts middle schoolers on the spot (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

SNWA's Suction Scheme

"In his political blog (beers4nevada.org), Beers has been suggesting that the Southern Nevada Water Authority buy up water rights further downriver and then take an equivalent water allotment out of the Colorado. He thinks this could eliminate the need for building a 400-mile pipeline that many experts believe will devastate rural Nevada and wipe out hundreds of endangered plant and animal species."

Good times ahead? Knappster shows his optimistic side (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Energy Corridor

Energy corridor hearing set (Elko Free Press article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Proposals

Utah activists pack into Ely power-plant hearing (Associated Press article)

Alternative Energy

Nevada Geothermal Power Announces Approval of Environmental Assessment for Blue Mountain (CNN Money article)

The Jewel Of The Sierra

Fire chiefs to discuss air quality (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Wild Beasts

Forest Service in Nev. to review grazing plan's impact on birds (Associated Press article)

Officials seek to protect desert reptile -- Mojave fringe-toed lizard at risk from people in off-road vehicles (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Courthouse Shooting Case

Judge delays Mack sentencing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Scams

"If the government is right, this small cabal of lawyers and doctors fleeced their legal clients and injured patients out of tens of millions of dollars, maybe hundreds of millions. The insurance industry believes that the estimated two dozen targets of the probe are directly responsible for Nevada having some of the highest insurance costs in the nation and some of the highest medical costs as well."

The fixers: Upcoming trial will reveal how the Medical Mafia case affects us all (Las Vegas CityLife article)

$kindustry Regulation

NV brothel owner ordered to show info (Associated Press article)

It’s porn, it’s business, it’s legit: Adult Entertainment Expo flashes skin, but technology is the real deal (Las Vegas Sun article)

Direct Officer Access Phone

POLICE HOT LINE: Fremont getting the DOAP -- Program vows faster response to calls of suspicious activity (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Courtesy Call

ENSIGN, REID MEET WITH NEVADA'S NEW U.S. ATTORNEY (Sen. Ensign press release)

AMEN.

"Whatever marching orders Mr. Brower has received from up high, and whatever independence he retains in mobilizing his troops, combatting public corruption should be one of his most urgent missions."

Nevada's new U.S. attorney: Public corruption must remain a top priority (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Culture

Fireside Chat at Sierra Nevada College to Showcase "We the People" (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Overstimulation nation: Or, what one techno-skeptic learned at the International Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Bloodsucking freaks: Tales from the crypt ... er, Strip emerge in NLRB ruling (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Symbolically, a door closes for nuclear dump at Yucca: Fenced-off tunnel seen as progress by those for and against (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Test Site

Reid Testifies at Hearing for Nevada Test Site Workers (Sen. Reid press release)

Our Nation's Economy

"Presenting a bleak picture of a deteriorating national economy, Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, strongly suggested on Thursday that the Fed would cut interest rates soon, perhaps by a large amount."

Fed Chief Signals Further Rate Cut (New York Times article)

Gold hits record high near $900 on rate cut hopes (Reuters article)

Federal Taxes

Alternative minimum tax relief a mirage (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Poverty

Census Bureau Releases Poverty Estimates for States, Counties and School Districts (US Census Bureau)

Federal Law Enforcement

FBI wiretaps dropped due to unpaid bills (Associated Press article)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Management of Confidential Case Funds and Telecommunication Costs, Audit Report 08-03, January 2008 (DOJ Inspector General's report)

Response to Inspector General Audit of FBI Management of Confidential Case Funds and Telecommunications Costs (FBI website)

Taxpayers’ information at risk: Federal audit shows the IRS has been slow to correct computer security failings (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Alternative Energy

Grass Makes Better Ethanol than Corn Does: Midwestern farms prove switchgrass could be the right crop for producing ethanol to replace gasoline (Scientific American article)

National Health Matters

Money for nothing? U.S. spending on medical care is high, but access to that care is still lacking (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

HIV's Dependence on Human Genes May Be Weakness, Scientists Say (Bloomberg News article)

National Emergencies

Preparing for the worst: General has a message for Americans: Get ready for the next disaster before it happens (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Nevada's Veterans

Casualties of war: If homelessness doesn't strike Nevada vets, lack of health care does (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Rising costs, delayed care: A timeline of the Las Vegas VA Medical Complex (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Inside the ranks of Nevada veterans (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Posthearing Questions Related to Federal Agencies' Activities regarding the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act GAO-08-397R, January 09, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Recruitment

Selective Service ad is unjustified (Kyle Magin column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

All Active Services Meet December Recruiting Goals (American Forces Press Service article)

US Air Force: F-15

Air Force leaders discuss F-15 accident, future (US Air Force website)

"Technical study of the F-15’s recovered wreckage determined that the component in question did not meet the manufacturer’s structural specifications and had developed cracks that caused it to fail, according to the report."

Most Air Force F-15s Get Green Light to Fly (American Forces Press Service article)

US Army

Army Destroys Half of Chemical Stockpile (US Army website)

Foreign Policy

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghanistan welcomes U.S. troop "mini-surge" (Reuters article)

Gates Mulls Deployment Decision (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan, Coalition Forces Bring Checkups, Aid to Remote Village (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

Gates: Iranian Boats’ Actions ‘Raise Concerns’ (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Reid: One Year After President's Announcement Of Surge Strategy, Iraqis Remain No Closer To Political Solution (Sen. Reid press release)

One Year Later, New Iraq Strategy Showing Successes (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqi Military Plays Indispensible Role in Security, Gates Says (American Forces Press Service article)

01/10/2008: DoD Press Briefing with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Iraqi Minister of Defense Abd al-Qadir al-Mufriji at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (US Defense Department website)

Air strikes hit more than 40 targets in Iraq (US Air Force website)

Coalition Offensives in Iraq Kill, Capture Suspected Terrorists (American Forces Press Service article)

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Show Battlefield to Soldiers (American Forces Press Service article)

Micro-Grants Help Rebuild Iraq’s Economy (American Forces Press Service article)

Micro-Grant Makes Business Boom for Iraqi Butcher (American Forces Press Service article)

Mexico

Calderon calls on Mexico to 'close ranks' against border gangs (Houston Chronicle article)

Mexico takes fight to Zeta drug gang: Two recent clashes show a new strategy emerging in drug war (Dallas News article)

Mexico to reroute small planes in drug check-paper (San Diego Union-Tribune article)

Pakistan

Suicide attack on Pakistani police kills 22 (Reuters article)

Fears Deepen after Pakistan Bombing (Time Magazine article)

A Federal Reader

Audits of Public Companies: Continued Concentration in Audit Market for Large Public Companies Does Not Call for Immediate Action GAO-08-163, January 09, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

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

January 12, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

"Nevada casinos in November suffered their single largest monthly gaming revenue drop in almost five years, according to figures released Friday by the Gaming Control Board."

Casinos suffer double-digit drop (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State gaming win tanks in November (Nevada Appeal article)

November gaming win below '06 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Vegas home prices continue free fall (In Business Las Vegas article)

Real Estate and Development: Commercial sector might face own credit crunch (In Business Las Vegas article)

Nevada's Budget

Governor Gibbons Announces Adjustments to State Budget (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Budget outline avoids layoffs: Gibbons to request rainy day money (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Governor rolls out budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Belt-tightening hits health services (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Budget reaction (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Appropriations

"The court, in an order signed by all seven justices, says it “is vested with administrative control over its own affairs” under the Nevada Constitution. Beyond increasing some current employees’ salaries, the court plans to create positions not approved by the Legislature."

High court defies lawmakers on salaries: Justices say their employees’ pay is their business, not the Legislature’s (Las Vegas Sun article)

Open Records

Commission says plan reverses its initiatives: Panel, proposal aim at open access to court records (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sealing the Case: Links to Previous LVR-J articles (Las Vegas Review-Journal feature)

Judge Halverson

JANE ANN MORRISON: How many laws does a judge have to violate before removal? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Agencies

State benefits expanded to cover unmarried couples (Nevada Appeal article)

Fernley's Fate

Local population boom made flood from Truckee Canal worse (Associated Press article)

Officials: No short-term change noted following Jan. 5 flooding in Fernley (Lahontan Valley News article)

Parks ranger tells of Fernley flood rescues (Rob Holley column, Lahontan Valley News)

WNC employees, students, families to help Fernley flood victims (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Franchising Las Vegas: New franchises open to mixed results in the valley as the economy cools down the country's hottest restaurant market (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Housing downturn boosts multifamily rentals (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Luxury condos still hot sellers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Elko County

Council OKs code for energy conservation (Elko Free Press article)

Elko-area crew tests modified snowplow design (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

Highlands project proposal encompasses 20,000 acres (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County

Licensing OHV's under discussion (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Board slashes town manager's pay hike (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town to explore local tax for fire department (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Washoe County

FEMA won't include Sparks Marina in flood plain (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Las Vegas MSNBC Debate

Only top three invited to be at Tuesday's debate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Caucuses

What's at stake with the at-large caucus precincts (Las Vegas Sun article)

Teachers sue to stop at-large precincts for downtown Vegas shift workers (Inside Nevada Politics)

Lawsuit against state Democratic Party (Vegas Pundit)

Our big, honkin’ caucus mega-package (Las Vegas Weekly feature)

Caucuses suck? Now they tell us (Las Vegas Gleaner)

The Campaigns

Next stop, Nevada: Land of long drives, cell blackouts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Fix the economy, but how? The downturn gives politicians and economists plenty to fight about, but what they decide might not help Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada void of Republican candidates (Nevada Appeal article)

Be careful what you believe about presidential candidates (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

Sen. Clinton

Critics pounce on Clinton after immigration comments (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton TV ad tells voters she's listening: Democrat to kick off canvassing effort targeting Hispanics in Southern Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton disses the caucus (Inside Nevada Politics)

Gaming boosters on Clinton team blast Obama (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Prominent personalities from deep in the bowels of the powerful corporate gambling infrastructure, renowned locally for its deep concern for an open and fair political process that gives everyone a voice no matter what their income, point of view or socioeconomic status, would like all the people who are voting in a Democratic caucus to know that the world's biggest gambling corporations prefer Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama."

Well, alrighty then (Las Vegas Gleaner)

"We pay lots of money to your state, and therefore we own you and all your elected officials, who must shut up and never say anything bad about us!"

Campaign shocker: Gambling executives criticize union (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Crying Game, and the Political Herd (New York Times article)

Sen. Edwards

Corporate elite fear candidate Edwards (Reuters article)

Edwards Will Face a Moment of Truth After South Carolina Primary (Washington Post article)

Sen. Obama

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN: Obama rocks Vegas faithful -- Candidate charms voters at union hall, school gym (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama’s ‘Yes, we can’ echoes Culinary’s: He accepts union’s endorsement but still has to fight for caucusgoers (Las Vegas Sun article)

Culinary Union and Obama: YES WE CAN! (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

SEIU Campaigns for Barack Obama (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Rep. Paul

Ron Paul's backers keep his campaign humming in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ron Paul bash-a-looza (Las Vegas Sun article)

Ron Paul Dissed By Fox Focus Group (Beers for Nevada)

Gov. Richardson

Political residue finds a home (Las Vegas Sun article)

Local Elections

"The Nevada Secretary of State's office directed the Nye County clerk Monday to begin verifying signatures on a petition to recall County Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos."

Clerk verifying recall signatures (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Murray, McDonald retain slots (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Judicial Elections

Loreman files for seat on district court bench: Elko attorney to face incumbent Memeo in Dist. 1 (Elko Free Press article)

Iroz withdraws from judicial race (Nevada Appeal article)

DA Beckett says he'll try for 5th District judgeship (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Former Family Court judge wants to lose the ‘former’ (Las Vegas Sun article)

Council members honor judge; lobby for position (Las Vegas Sun article)

DeCanio on ballot for JP (Pahrump Valley Times article)

General Political News And Commentary

Jon Ralston on Politics: Rocky road ahead (In Business Las Vegas column)

A tale of two politicians (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Fallon schools cut budgets 10 percent, more to follow (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

More Strange Math from Clark Schools (Beers for Nevada)

Esmeralda County School District

Roberts responds strongly to Esmeralda super's letter (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Hints from a darker, dumber era (Mark Smith column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Lyon County School District

School District may have to trim $930,000 over two years to meet budget cut requests (Mason Valley News article)

Nye County School District

Keating re-elected schools' chairman (Pahrump Valley Times article)

School district discusses truancy problem (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Health Care and Banking: Planned Henderson hospice still lacks funds (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Subsidizing Corporate Inefficiency

Failed gasified coal project brings request from utility: Sierra Pacific Power seeks regulators' OK to collect $42 million from ratepayers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Cost, not coal may be plant's main issue (Las Vegas Sun article)

Conservation

Law and Utilities: Green homebuilding concepts becoming concrete (In Business Las Vegas article)

Nevada Water Matters

Walker snowpack at 110 percent of average (Mason Valley News article)

WRID agrees to be cooperating agency in Walker Basin EIS (Mason Valley News article)

"The county is under a mandate to construct improvements to the town water supply after existing wells failed to meet tougher new standards for arsenic."

Nye to pay $500,000 for 97 in Manhattan (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Courthouse Shooting Case

Prosecutor balks at subpoena by Mack's lawyer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

CORRUPTION PROBE: Woman calls raid improper -- Atkinson Gates in-law: Police threatened to take away child (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The OJ Case

Simpson faces bail scrutiny: Message left on bail bondsman's voice mail prompts revocation hearing (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

O.J. Simpson jailed on bail violation (Associated Press article)

Scams

Medical fraud case expands: Defendant objects to indictment changes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A Washington man was found guilty Friday of bilking several businesses out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by tapping into their bank accounts to continuously reload pre-paid gift cards."

Defendant guilty of scamming businesses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

Whatever (sex) turns (sex) you (sex) on: Adult Entertainment Expo features the racy and raunchy (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Law Dog

Jericho, unleashed: Elko police acquire bomb-detecting dog (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Artistic director leaves Nevada Ballet: Company to begin search for Steivel's successor (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Internet site breaks ice for newcomers, oldtimers alike (Pahrump Valley Times article)

PAC needs feasibility study to move forward (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

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

Dubai World increases holdings in MGM Mirage (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Online betting whiffs in Nevada: Study says 96 percent of residents don't play (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevadans don't show extraordinary interest in online betting (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Self driving 'Tahoe' SUV due soon (McAvoy Layne column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Federal Nevada

The National Economy

Bush and Congress Seen Pushing for Stimulus Plan (New York Times article)

Reid And Pelosi To Bush: We Want To Work With You To Immediately Develop A Fiscal Stimulus Package (Sen. Reid press release)

CES: Protectionism a 'dangerous trend' (In Business Las Vegas article)

Business Regulation

Carbon neutral or not? Federal regulators take a look at the truth behind ‘green’ marketing claims (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

National Health Matters

Lack of planning: The number of backlogged claims now stands at 755,000. Congressional audit shows that federal disability claims process needs overhaul (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

A critical crossroad ahead: Much at stake as Army Reserve unit deploys (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE's Program to Assist Weapons Scientists in Russia and Other Countries Needs to Be Reassessed GAO-08-189, December 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Defense Acquisitions: Departmentwide Direction Is Needed for Implementation of the Anti-tamper Policy GAO-08-91, January 11, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Vote

Absentee ballots and voter fraud: But do Democrats really want to tackle the issue? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"What has had eyebrows raised is a significant discrepancy between the vote counts done by voting machine, and the ones done by hand."

More Questions About Diebold Voting Machines: Did Hillary Really Win New Hampshire? (Dave Lindorff article, CounterPunch)

The Surveillance State

ID Plan Is Broadly Criticized: Bipartisan Objections Cite Security, Costs and Privacy (Washington Post article)

New Driver's License Rules Are Issued (Wall Street Journal article)

"A government Web site designed to help travelers remove their names from aviation watch lists was so riddled with security holes that hackers could easily have stolen personal information from scores of passengers, a congressional report concluded yesterday."

Fliers' Data Left Exposed, Report Says: Official Overseeing TSA Site Had Worked for Contractor (Washington Post article)

Chairman Waxman Releases Report on Information Security Breach at TSA's Traveler Redress Website (House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform press release)

Report: Information Security Breach at TSA: The Traveler Redress Website (House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform website)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

80 arrested in Guantanamo protest at Supreme Court (USA Today article)

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

January 14, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

State to release Dec. unemployment report (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Taxes

The Fortunate Mr. Walters Not The Only Beneficiary

"Thanks to a provision slipped into a catchall assessors' bill during the state's 2005 legislative session, golf courses across Nevada are paying a fraction of the property tax they shelled out before the law's passage."

Budget crunch, even less green: While shortfall hits state agencies, golf courses enjoy huge tax break (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SB 394 (2005 Legislative Session)

The 19 State Senators Who Voted For It (Nevada Legislature website)

The 40 State Assemblymen Who Voted For It (Nevada Legislature website)

Nevada's Budget

Open the Books & Let the Sun Shine In (Muth's Truths)

Nevada Highways

No matter how you look at it, I-580 is an ugly project (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

Local Government

Clark County

Taxpayers save, thanks to overtime crackdown: Clark County courts tighten belts by hundreds of thousands of dollars (Las Vegas Sun article)

Doing right by former workers would cost taxpayers $130,000 (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

Lyon Planning Commission OKs Mark Twain substation upgrade (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

2008 could be turnaround year in downtown’s transformation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

West Street project would convert area into an urban market (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno’s Downtown Is Looking Up in 2008 (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Nevada Election Issues

Election year features more than caucuses (Associated Press article)

2008 Presidential Races

The Polls

New Poll: Democratic race in Nevada a dead heat (Inside Nevada Politics)

The Caucuses

Caucus locations (Nevada Appeal article)

That Mysteriously-Timed Lawsuit

Nevada Democratic Caucus and Its Union Lawsuit (Dullard Mush)

Strength of Organized Labor in Nevada Backfires on Caucus? (Reno and Its Discontents)

The Campaigns

Asian immigrants feel left out of debate: Democratic event to focus on issues of concern to minorities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bitterness grows between Clinton and Obama (Los Angeles Times article)

Sen. Clinton

Bill Clinton says his wife can lead the nation: Hillary Clinton's history of service touted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bill stumps for Hillary in Fallon, Fernley (Nevada Appeal article)

'Barnstorming' Clinton makes stop in Fernley (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bill Clinton on his potential role as America's First Man (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clinton Defends Her Vote for the War on Iraq (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Gov. Huckabee

Huckabee remains unproven outside evangelical circles (Associated Press article)

Huckabee group starts its mud fight in Nevada (Desert Beacon)

Sen. Obama

Obama unveils $120 billion economic stimulus plan (Associated Press article)

STUMPING IN SOUTHERN NEVADA: Obama rallies union members -- Caucus lawsuit the work of 'insiders,' hopeful says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama goes gloves off, head-on: He discusses how race has flared up in the campaign, a suit over voting on the Strip (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama evokes passion, belief from supporters (Associated Press article)

MLK, cartoon by Woodrow Barlettani [click on image to enlarge].

Clinton's King Comment 'Ill-Advised,' Obama Says (Washington Post article)

Rep. Paul

Most Republicans: There’s a Nevada caucus? Libertarian Ron Paul may be the highlight as other states overshadow us (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Voters

ON THE ROAD: 'FORECLOSURE MESS' WORRIES RUST BELT REFUGEE, MORTGAGE-STRAPPED FAMILY (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: RICHARDSON SUPPORTER IN TEARS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Colleges squeeze budgets (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Public Schools

Our schools get a D-plus: Report that evaluates education in the states says Nevada weak in many areas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Parties to pay schools for staffing at caucuses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County School District

Choose your school — if you can get there: Some students will get choice next year, but no help with transportation (Las Vegas Sun article)

On School Board, experience wins out: New president has 12 years under her belt (Las Vegas Sun article)

Rulffes: I'll start the cuts at the top (Las Vegas Sun article)

Mr. Rulffes' math lesson (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Doctor, patients in touch by video: More care in less time via e-mail connection (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Wild Beasts

REBOUNDING RAPTORS: Lake Mead eagles soaring -- Record high of 116 spotted in Jan. 7 count (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Eagle count is a midwinter tradition (Tahoe Tribune article)

A place to roam: Advocates trying to find solutions, a home for Virginia Range horses (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

North Tahoe bike path project forges ahead: Public meeting on trail project set for Tuesday (Nevada Appeal article)

Northern California's underworld exposed at Lava Beds National Monument (Richard Moreno column, Lahontan Valley News)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Scams

JANE ANN MORRISON: Initial here if you know who takes heat in doctor-lawyer malpractice case (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

$kindustry Regulation

Taxpayers paying to keep lights and telephones on at defunct topless bar: The Feds are Beating a dead horse, Mayor promotes porn film studios, and Bart Rizzolo's "reputation" (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)

__________

Federal Nevada

Our Bloated National Budget

A deficit of sense: Red ink continues to flow in the federal budget due to Bush and the Republicans (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Threatening travelers won't speed up Real ID compliance (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Court declines experimental drugs case (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

"'The authors refuse to provide anyone with the underlying data,' says David Kane, a statistician and a fellow at the Institute for Quantitative Social Statistics at Harvard University."

Cooking the books on Iraqi deaths: Study that influenced election now largely discredited (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

January 13, 2008

_____

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

The Caucuses

Nevada readies for caucus (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Former official recounts Nevada's presidential caucus history (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Want to participate in a caucus? Here's how (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Don't miss the opportunity the caucuses offer (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Get caucusing (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Political parties are important and so are Nevada's caucuses (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Brian Greenspun urges voters to choose realistically (Las Vegas Sun column)

Nevada and the caucus: Be careful what you wish for (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Fearless predictions about the Nevada caucus (Guy Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

That Mysterious Last-Minute Lawsuit

Behind Nevada casino walls is a political fight (Reuters article)

Teachers union sues Nevada Democrats over caucus rules (Associated Press article)

Culinary leader: Closing sites on Strip would strike at caucus’ heart (Las Vegas Sun article)

Voting on the Strip a no-no, suit says: Not allowing nine polling sites would hurt Obama, help Clinton (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sen. Reid a no comment on caucus lawsuit (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lawsuit Over Precincts in Nevada (New York Times article)

Unions bitterly divided in Democratic race (Los Angeles Times article)

Tough-Guy Politics on the Vegas Strip (ABC News blog)

Union Files Suit Over Casino Caucuses (Washington Post blog)

Will the Nevada caucuses “disenfranchise” some voters? (PolitickerNV article)

Hillary Clinton and Rory Reid on the caucus lawsuit (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clinton on NV's caucus gone haywire: Who, me? (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Clinton not crying over caucus suit (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Links to everything you never wanted to know about the Nevada Caucus lawsuit (Desert Beacon)

The Campaigns

Candidates hoping Silver State delivers presidential gold: Caucus Week offers debate, candidate rallies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

With a week to go, intensity of campaigns ratchets up (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Candidates grapple with Nevada strategy (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Race takes center stage in race: Blacks, Hispanics energized in 2008 (Associated Press article)

Caucuses turn attention to Hispanic voters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Republicans envy others' campaign attention (Reuters article)

Tough talk keeps anger focused on nothing but illegal immigration (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: Biden, Dodd, Richardson supporters feel the love from front-runners (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Obama, Clinton show how far we've come (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

No. Nev. campaign event details (Inside Nevada Politics)

Sen. Clinton

Clinton blames Obama camp over remark (Associated Press article)

Subtly, Clinton gets digs in at Obama: Touting her experience, she says she’s a ‘doer’; he’s a ‘talker’ (Las Vegas Sun article)

CAMPAIGN 2008: Clinton, Hispanic voters, unions proclaim bond -- Lawsuit challenging Strip caucus sites could hurt rival (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton camp’s attack on Obama’s gaming record lacks substance, style (PolitickerNV article)

Online bookies: Clinton going to the White House: But gamblers lost big-time on Kerry in ’04 (Las Vegas Sun article)

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS: Courting voters step by step -- Clinton volunteers clear up confusion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

President Bill Clinton in Reno, Fallon and Minden today! (Blue Lyon)

Technology Voters' Guide: Hillary Clinton (C/Net News feature)

Sen. Edwards

John Edwards is running for president, sources say (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Johnathan Abbinett Endorses John Edwards (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Technology Voters' Guide: John Edwards (C/Net News feature)

Sen. McCain

Technology Voters' Guide: John McCain (C/Net News feature)

Sen. Obama

Obama worker sees lots of friendly faces (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Senator Barack Obama to visit Fallon Monday: Obama to attend a roundtable in Reno and Stand for Change events in Reno, Fallon and Carson City (Lahontan Valley News article)

Obama to visit Reno, Carson City Monday (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Jon Ralston finds Obama retargeting ‘change’ mantra from GOP foes to Clinton (Las Vegas Sun column)

Obama makes Nevadans want to think they might watch CSPAN someday (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Technology Voters' Guide: Barack Obama (C/Net News feature)

Rep. Paul

Wow! Ron Paul wins GOP Debate (USA Today article)

Technology Voters' Guide: Ron Paul (C/Net News feature)

The Voters

Issues? Policies? In the end, voting is based on 'gut feeling' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: DAY 1: NORTH FROM THE BORDER -- NEVADA'S POLITICAL PULSE: WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ON U.S. 95 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

REID'S INFLUENCE IN SEARCHLIGHT NO GIVEN (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: CLINTON WRONG CHOICE FOR DEMOCRATS, PALM GARDENS RESIDENT SAYS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: IMMIGRANT FROM GERMANY FEARS AMERICA ON WRONG PATH (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Budget

Lead us out of this mess -- Former governors: Gibbons needs all Nevadans to help fix the budget (Las Vegas Sun article)

Ex-governors for openness: As the state heads deeper into a budget crisis, those with experience share views (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Following the 4.5% reduction in spending, the state budget will maintain an overall increase of 12.4% over the previous biennium."

Governor Gibbons Announces Adjustments to State Budget (Gov. Gibbons press release)

State Agencies

Benefits expanded for state workers -- But where's the effort to address long-term liabilities? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Fernley's Fate

Another class-action lawsuit filed over Fernley flood (Associated Press article)

Future of Fernley housing market in doubt following city flood (Lahontan Valley News article)

Hire engineers, not hunters: Much more than killing beavers and gophers needs to be done to stop flooding in Fernley (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The State Judiciary

Maupin helped change the court (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Local Government

Douglas County

Lone Minden homeowner takes county to court over Gateway development (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Old Truckee landfill to be new home for agencies: Forest Service, town, fire to share site (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Fire Board could elect new board of directors (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

Deadline looms for appealing assessed property values (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Nevada education makes the grade (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Attorney: Small crimes turn big for aliens (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Prison medical reform (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Fortification Hill, Devil's Paint Pots good cool-season destinations (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Legacy Trail to receive funding (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

THOMAS MITCHELL: For caucus coverage, we'll be everywhere (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"Badly disciplined enemy fighters dressed in dirty rags, abandoning the women and children they had vowed to protect, scampered like scared rabbits ahead of advancing American soldiers and their allies in Diyala Province this week."

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: The evolution of 'objective' war coverage (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Bring in The Light: Senator Ensign and Support Senate Bill 223 (Reno and Its Discontents)

The National Economy

U.S. FY 2008 deficit grows despite December surplus (Reuters article)

States probe banks' role in risky loans (Associated Press article)

Lives of the Haves and of the Have-Nots (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Bush Thanks U.S. Troops in Kuwait, Predicts Victory Against Terrorism (American Forces Press Service article)

01/11/2008: DoD News Briefing with Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon (US Defense Department website)

Freedom And The Federal Government

National Identity Card

U.S. issues new plan to replace drivers' licenses (Reuters article)

New ID rules may complicate air travel (Associated Press article)

DHS Releases REAL ID Regulation (US Department of Homeland Security press release)

REAL ID Final Rule: Questions & Answers (US Department of Homeland Security press release)

REAL ID Final Rule (US Department of Homeland Security website)

WILL REAL ID ACTUALLY MAKE US SAFER? AN EXAMINATION OF PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES CONCERNS (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

A Little Radio Transmitter In Every One

Fact Sheet: Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) (US Department of Homeland Security press release)

The Right Of Peaceable Assembly

Court overturns Iraq war protester's conviction (Reuters article)

United States v. Sheehan (District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals)

Unwarranted Surveillance

Dial ‘i’ for incompetent: FBI’s failure to pay its bills shows why its covert surveillance program should be curtailed (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RL34279 The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: A Brief Overview of Selected Issues December 07, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

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

MISUSE OF PATRIOT ACT POWERS: THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S FINDINGS OF IMPROPER USE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS BY THE FBI (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

RL30677 Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act June 08, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

Just Checking

RL31798 Data Mining and Homeland Security: An Overview December 05, 2007 (Congressional Research Service report)

PRIVATE HEALTH RECORDS: PRIVACY IMPLICATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

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

PROTECTING WORKERS FROM GENETIC DISCRIMINATION (US House of Representatives hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

Report: The National Task Force on the Criminal Backgrounding of America (Nevada Department of Public Safety website)

The Attorney General’s Report on Criminal History Background Checks (Nevada Department of Public Safety website)

The Right To Vote

PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO VOTE: ELECTION DECEPTION AND IRREGULARITIES IN RECENT FEDERAL ELECTIONS (US House of Representatives hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

The Right To Know What You're Paying For

ALLEGATIONS OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENTISTS (US House of Representatives hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

National Institute of Military Justice v. Department of Defense (District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals)

The Right To Privacy

Rally commemorates Roe v. Wade (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State's Rights

'THE INSURRECTION ACT RIDER'' AND STATE CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL GUARD (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

Accountability Of Public Officials

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

ENSURING EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACCOUNTABILITY (US House of Representatives hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OVERSIGHT (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO THE U.S. ATTORNEYS CONTROVERSY (US House of Representatives hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Joint Chiefs chairman: Close Guantanamo (Associated Press article)

Administration Is Rebuffed in a Ruling on Deportation (New York Times article)

Khouzam v. Hogan, et al (US District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania website)

Six Years of Guantánamo (Andy Worthington column, CounterPunch)

Yemen urges U.S. to shut Guantanamo to win good-will (Reuters article)

RESTORING HABEAS CORPUS: PROTECTING AMERICAN VALUES AND THE GREAT WRIT (US Senate hearings, 110th Congress; Government Printing Office website)

RL33180 Enemy Combatant Detainees: Habeas Corpus Challenges in Federal Court June 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Service Report)

The Issue Of Government Torture

"The nation's intelligence chief says waterboarding "would be torture" if used against him or if someone under interrogation actually was taking water into his lungs."

McConnell weighs in on waterboarding (Associated Press article)

U.S. appeals court dismisses Guantanamo torture suit (Reuters article)

Rasul v. Myers (District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals)

Torture not acceptable, retired generals say: Group visits Anderson to share their message (Anderson [SC] Independent Mail article)

CIA Official Wants Torture Tapes Deal (Associated Press article)

Padilla sues ex-Justice official over torture (Chicago Tribune article)

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

"Last year, a $7 million report by special prosecutors concluded that Burge and his underlings tortured criminal suspects for two decades while police brass looked the other way."

4 alleged cop torture victims to split $19.8 mil. (Chicago Sun-Times article)

Foreign Affairs

International Organized Crime

Web, crackdowns weakening Mafia's grip (Associated Press article)

Addiopizzo website (English page)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Chairman Says Possible Buildup in Afghanistan Could Have Major Impact (American Forces Press Service article)

Troops in Afghanistan Find Munitions Hidden in School (American Forces Press Service article)

Taliban kill 10 policemen in Afghan attack (Reuters article)

Afghan Villagers Get Medical, Dental Care (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan journalists seek release of colleague (Reuters article)

Afghan province bans male tailors from measuring women Reuters article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Iraq ‘Now a Different Place’ From Year Ago, Bush Says (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S., Iraq to Discuss Future Relations as Efforts Continue (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Must Stay With Fight in Iraq, Ambassador Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Countrywide Offensive in Iraq Aims at Stamping Out al Qaeda (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S. Forces Eliminate al Qaeda Sanctuary in Baghdad (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraq lets Baathists go back to work (Reuters article)

Iraqi Interior Ministry Celebrates Police Day (American Forces Press Service article)

Pakistan

Many Pakistanis see government hand in Bhutto death (Reuters article)

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

January 14, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

State to release Dec. unemployment report (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Taxes

The Fortunate Mr. Walters Not The Only Beneficiary

"Thanks to a provision slipped into a catchall assessors' bill during the state's 2005 legislative session, golf courses across Nevada are paying a fraction of the property tax they shelled out before the law's passage."

Budget crunch, even less green: While shortfall hits state agencies, golf courses enjoy huge tax break (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SB 394 (2005 Legislative Session)

The 19 State Senators Who Voted For It (Nevada Legislature website)

The 40 State Assemblymen Who Voted For It (Nevada Legislature website)

Nevada's Budget

Open the Books & Let the Sun Shine In (Muth's Truths)

Nevada Highways

No matter how you look at it, I-580 is an ugly project (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

Local Government

Clark County

Taxpayers save, thanks to overtime crackdown: Clark County courts tighten belts by hundreds of thousands of dollars (Las Vegas Sun article)

Doing right by former workers would cost taxpayers $130,000 (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

Lyon Planning Commission OKs Mark Twain substation upgrade (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

2008 could be turnaround year in downtown’s transformation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

West Street project would convert area into an urban market (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno’s Downtown Is Looking Up in 2008 (Reno and Its Discontents)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Nevada Election Issues

Election year features more than caucuses (Associated Press article)

2008 Presidential Races

The Polls

New Poll: Democratic race in Nevada a dead heat (Inside Nevada Politics)

The Caucuses

Caucus locations (Nevada Appeal article)

That Mysteriously-Timed Lawsuit

Nevada Democratic Caucus and Its Union Lawsuit (Dullard Mush)

Strength of Organized Labor in Nevada Backfires on Caucus? (Reno and Its Discontents)

The Campaigns

Asian immigrants feel left out of debate: Democratic event to focus on issues of concern to minorities (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bitterness grows between Clinton and Obama (Los Angeles Times article)

Sen. Clinton

Bill Clinton says his wife can lead the nation: Hillary Clinton's history of service touted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bill stumps for Hillary in Fallon, Fernley (Nevada Appeal article)

'Barnstorming' Clinton makes stop in Fernley (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bill Clinton on his potential role as America's First Man (Inside Nevada Politics)

Clinton Defends Her Vote for the War on Iraq (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Gov. Huckabee

Huckabee remains unproven outside evangelical circles (Associated Press article)

Huckabee group starts its mud fight in Nevada (Desert Beacon)

Sen. Obama

Obama unveils $120 billion economic stimulus plan (Associated Press article)

STUMPING IN SOUTHERN NEVADA: Obama rallies union members -- Caucus lawsuit the work of 'insiders,' hopeful says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama goes gloves off, head-on: He discusses how race has flared up in the campaign, a suit over voting on the Strip (Las Vegas Sun article)

Obama evokes passion, belief from supporters (Associated Press article)

MLK, cartoon by Woodrow Barlettani [click on image to enlarge].

Clinton's King Comment 'Ill-Advised,' Obama Says (Washington Post article)

Rep. Paul

Most Republicans: There’s a Nevada caucus? Libertarian Ron Paul may be the highlight as other states overshadow us (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Voters

ON THE ROAD: 'FORECLOSURE MESS' WORRIES RUST BELT REFUGEE, MORTGAGE-STRAPPED FAMILY (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: RICHARDSON SUPPORTER IN TEARS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Colleges squeeze budgets (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Public Schools

Our schools get a D-plus: Report that evaluates education in the states says Nevada weak in many areas (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Parties to pay schools for staffing at caucuses (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County School District

Choose your school — if you can get there: Some students will get choice next year, but no help with transportation (Las Vegas Sun article)

On School Board, experience wins out: New president has 12 years under her belt (Las Vegas Sun article)

Rulffes: I'll start the cuts at the top (Las Vegas Sun article)

Mr. Rulffes' math lesson (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Doctor, patients in touch by video: More care in less time via e-mail connection (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Wild Beasts

REBOUNDING RAPTORS: Lake Mead eagles soaring -- Record high of 116 spotted in Jan. 7 count (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Eagle count is a midwinter tradition (Tahoe Tribune article)

A place to roam: Advocates trying to find solutions, a home for Virginia Range horses (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

North Tahoe bike path project forges ahead: Public meeting on trail project set for Tuesday (Nevada Appeal article)

Northern California's underworld exposed at Lava Beds National Monument (Richard Moreno column, Lahontan Valley News)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Scams

JANE ANN MORRISON: Initial here if you know who takes heat in doctor-lawyer malpractice case (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

$kindustry Regulation

Taxpayers paying to keep lights and telephones on at defunct topless bar: The Feds are Beating a dead horse, Mayor promotes porn film studios, and Bart Rizzolo's "reputation" (Steve Miller column, AmericanMafia.com)

__________

Federal Nevada

Our Bloated National Budget

A deficit of sense: Red ink continues to flow in the federal budget due to Bush and the Republicans (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Threatening travelers won't speed up Real ID compliance (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Court declines experimental drugs case (Associated Press article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

"'The authors refuse to provide anyone with the underlying data,' says David Kane, a statistician and a fellow at the Institute for Quantitative Social Statistics at Harvard University."

Cooking the books on Iraqi deaths: Study that influenced election now largely discredited (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

January 15, 2008

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

Gold soars past $900 (Elko Free Press article)

Visitor tally flat for LV: High-profile events lacking in November (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

Budget Cuts Detailed As Gaming Win Falls (Nevada Observer article)

Nevada Taxes

Tax On Gambling Cartels

Initiative Drives In The Hands Of Lawyers (Nevada Observer article)

Gaming tax rate petition argued: Shearing hopes to rule quickly on effort by teachers union (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Judge considers teachers' gaming tax petition (Nevada Appeal article)

Gross Receipts Tax

Attraction to this tax is totally gross (Steven Miller column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

State Agencies

"Real ID" Is Right Here In Nevada (Nevada Observer article)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Reform

Lots Of Activity At Nevada's Supreme Court (Nevada Observer article)

Open Government

Policy on access to court documents discussed: Commission to seek additional input (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Campaign Finance Laws

Supreme Court orders candidate to pay up (Nevada Appeal article)

Indigent Defense

"The process is completely shrouded in secrecy," Peck said. "What's happening here dishonors the work of the Supreme Court and of its indigent defense commission."

In protest, public defender withdraws panel member: Qualms over selection of contract attorneys (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fernley's Fate

Flood Cleanup Includes Litigation And Shovels (Nevada Observer article)

FEMA opens Fernley office to help victims with flood aid (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

FEMA field office to help Fernley flood victims (Associated Press article)

Heller Announces the Opening of FEMA Field Office in Fernley (Rep. Heller press release)

IRS gives Fernley victims leeway (Associated Press article)

Local Government

Clark County

Rules for air quality might get tougher (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

County to discuss drug abuse grant (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Utility may buy water supplier: Lake Forest Water could go public (Sierra Sun article)

Ex-TRPA chair's gun permit revoked (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

'Show me' Renoites may see something downtown in '08 (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

What I Want From My Next President (Nevada Observer editorial)

The Las Vegas MSNBC Debate

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: DEBATE RIGHT ON TARGET -- Forum to focus on minority issues as race enters the race (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Judge says Kucinich can debate tonight; NBC expected to fight (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Kucinich hard to silence, NBC learns: But network, ordered to let him in debate, will try again anyway (Las Vegas Sun article)

Judge Grants Kucinich Entry to NV Debate (Associated Press article)

Breaking News: Kucinich sues NBC over Nevada debate (Don Frederick column, Los Angeles Times)

Dems: Can we all get along? Top dogs make nice, but their surrogates still play rough (Las Vegas Sun article)

Campaigns out to make their mark in and outside of debate (Las Vegas Sun article)

The outrage, Part 1 (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The Caucuses

Caucus Activity At A Mediocre Level (Nevada Observer article)

Asians, Pacific Islanders rally for caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

That Mysteriously-Timed Last Minute Lawsuit

Hearing seeks to stop at-large caucus sites (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Uproar continues over Nevada's Democratic caucus rules with suit (Associated Press article)

It’s Culinary vs. everyone else in labor spat (Las Vegas Sun article)

Former President Clinton defends Nevada caucus site lawsuit (Associated Press article)

Reid caught in middle of Strip-voting suit (Las Vegas Sun article)

The state law vs. the Democratic delegate plan (Vegas Pundit)

Taylor vs. Hunt on “Face to Face” (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

What’s fair? What’s legal? Lawsuit poses legitimate questions as Nevada’s caucuses are coming down to the wire (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

"A campaign and its candidate who once took pride in the ability to “stay on message” has delivered a message to Nevadans that is loud and clear: winning is more important to them than our shared democratic values."

The Nation weighs in on at-large precinct lawsuit (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

"The lawsuit is an attempt to disenfranchise Culinary workers, who if they follow their union's recommendation will be going for Obama. And disenfranchisement is wrong."

The outrage, Part 2 (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

"Hunt took pains to share his heartfelt commitment to the sanctity of the democratic process, and explained how his dedication to safeguarding justice became even more pronounced and even more urgent after the Culinary didn't endorse Hillary Clinton."

Brady, Moss supporting NV voter suppression suit (Las Vegas Gleaner)

The Campaigns

Democratic Candidates

3 front-runners are competing in a dead heat (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Edwards, Clinton in Reno Wed., Clinton to Elko Friday (Associated Press article)

Clinton, Obama in Elko Friday (Elko Free Press article)

Candidate visits provide residents a brush with fame (Lahontan Valley News article)

Local Democrats scramble for candidate visits (Lahontan Valley News article)

Faithful to history: Instead of trying to create false issues, candidates should focus on what matters (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Candidates mature, now at junior high level, source says (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Sen. Clinton

Ex-president stumps for wife: Campaign message carried to three stops (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clinton visit packs Minden’s CVIC Hall: With Video (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Bill Clinton campaigns in Fallon for Hillary (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clinton says campaign not about race, gender (Associated Press article)

Sen. Edwards

Edwards voices opposition to coal-fired power plant (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

John Edwards on losing the Culinary endorsement (Inside Nevada Politics)

Sen. Obama

Obama tour rocks Carson City (Nevada Appeal article)

An interview with presidential candidate Barack Obama (Nevada Appeal article)

Obama says voters aren't looking for a bureaucrat (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Obama pumps up a Fallon crowd (Lahontan Valley News article)

Obama Tries to Stop the ‘Silliness’ (Jeff Zeleny column, New York Times)

The Famous Defamatory E-Mail About Obama Continues (Nye – Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Obama's mortgage roundtable discussion set to begin (Inside Nevada Politics)

Sen. Durbin to stump for Obama in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Republican Candidates

Contest remains fluid among several hopefuls (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Mayor Giuliani

Giuliani calls for bickering to end among Democrats (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gov. Huckabee

Huckabee says lost jobs are result of tax system (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Sen. McCain

McCain’s Lazarus Routine (Muth's Truths)

Rep. Paul

Ron Paul draws a crowd during visit to Comma Coffee (Nevada Appeal article)

The Voters

"By an overwhelming 4-1 ratio, Americans in a USA Today/Gallup Poll said they want a president who will change direction from President Bush, including not only 97 percent of Democrats but also a 54 percent majority of Republicans."

Poll: Most want leader who will chart new course (USA Today article)

Voters embrace change, but to what? (Associated Press article)

ON THE ROAD: Distrust deep, pair says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: Dairy manager opposes Yucca Mountain but backs a Republican (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: Father, daughter agree Edwards the one (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Democratic Party

ERIN NEFF: Harry gets personal (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Democrats want to see your photo ID: At Saturday's presidential preference caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Local Elections

New Law Re: Judicial Registration In Effect (Nevada Observer article)

Judicial Election Watch 2008 (Harmful Error)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Nevada campuses to be colder, warmer, fuller (Associated Press article)

UNR may receive funds to finish Knowledge Center (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

Superintendent offers to forgo raise for time off (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Mental Health In Nevada (Nevada Observer article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Water Pipeline Makes Progress: SNWA (Nevada Observer article)

When Harry Met Vegas (Condé Nast Portfolio.com article, via Las Vegas Gleaner)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Why Coal In Nevada? Question Of The Month (Nevada Observer article)

As new coal plants boom, opponents launch legal assault (Associated Press article)

Alternative Energy

Geothermal Workshop In Las Vegas January 16 (Nevada Observer article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

State Prisons And Prisoners

OFFSETTING FALLING STATE REVENUES: Officials to shutter Jean prison -- Corrections chief unveils budget cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Family: Mack ready, eager to defend himself (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Internet Predators

MySpace Agrees to Lead Fight to Stop Sex Predators (New York Times article)

NEVADA ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE AGREEMENT WITH MYSPACE TO BOOST SOCIAL NETWORKING SAFETY (Attorney General press release)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Harrah's Entertainment says $17.1 billion buyout to close Jan. 28 (Associated Press article)

MTR closes deal on Las Vegas casino property (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Halfway Tales (Hal Swift column, Nevada Observer)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

More doubt cast on Yucca deadline: Sproat says June 30 date could slip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca Death Throes Begin To Appear (Nevada Observer article)

Official: More Yucca Mountain layoffs ahead, schedule in doubt (Associated Press article)

Our National Economy

"The dollar's value in international exchange has been falling since early 2002. Over this five year span, the currency, on a real trade weighted basis, is down about 29%."

RL34311 Dollar Crisis: Prospect and Implications January 08, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

"Given its relatively low savings rate, the U.S. economy depends heavily on foreign capital inflows from countries with high savings rates (such as China) to help promote growth and to fund the federal budget deficit."

RL34314 China's Holdings of U.S. Securities: Implications for the U.S. Economy January 09, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

Effects of Gasoline Prices on Driving Behavior and Vehicle Markets, January 2008 (Congressional Budget Office report)

National Health Matters

RL34313 The USDA's Authority to Recall Meat and Poultry Products January 07, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RS22785 SCHIP Coverage for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children January 08, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

End-of-Life Care: Key Components Provided by Programs in Four States GAO-08-66, December 14, 2007 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Environment

RS22788 Regulation of Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions: State and Federal Standards January 11, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34316 Pipelines for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Control: Network Needs and Cost Uncertainties January 10, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34258 North American Oil Sands: History of Development, Prospects for the Future December 11, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Federal Law Enforcement

RL34317 Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress January 10, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34309 How Crime in the United States Is Measured January 03, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Sensors May Lead to Faster Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injuries (American Forces Press Service article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right To Vote

Security Analysis of the Diebold AccuVote-TS Voting Machine (Princeton University Center for Information Technology Policy)

Medical Liberty

Medical liberty (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Closing time for Gitmo? Joint Chiefs chairman says Guantanamo Bay prison has hurt image of United States (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

RL34312 Emerging Trends in the Security Architecture in Asia: Bilateral and Multilateral Ties Among the United States, Japan, Australia, and India January 07, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Blast at Kabul Hotel Kills 6 (New York Times article)

Afghan Forces Provide Humanitarian Aid to Villagers (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan Troops Save Mother, Child in Emergency Baby Delivery (American Forces Press Service article)

Afghan Pilots Learn English at New School (American Forces Press Service article)

China

RL34310 China's "Soft Power" in Southeast Asia January 04, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RS22787 Prospects for Democracy in Hong Kong: China's December 2007 Decision January 10, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

India

RL33529 India-U.S. Relations December 19, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

Troops Kill Terrorist, Detain 31 Others In Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Phantom Phoenix Produces Promising Results in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraq’s Economy, Infrastructure Rebuilt as Security Improves (American Forces Press Service article)

Marine Combat Team Leaves Anbar After Year of Progress (American Forces Press Service article)

Mortar Platoon Soldiers Patrol Streets, Get to Know Iraqis (American Forces Press Service article)

Israel

RL33530 Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Conflicts, and U.S. Policy December 21, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Middle East

RL33453 Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests December 19, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

Singapore

RL34315 The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Effects After Three Years January 07, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

Vietnam

RL33316 U.S.-Vietnam Relations: Background and Issues for Congress January 03, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

A Federal Reader

94-971 Federal Employees: Pay and Pension Increases Since 1969 January 08, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RS22762 Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees Under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program November 26, 2007 (Congressional Research Office report)

RL34306 Vulnerable Youth: Federal Mentoring Programs and Issues January 04, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

RS22782 Railroad Retirement Board: Trust Fund Investment Practices January 02, 2008 (Congressional Research Office report)

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

January 16, 2008

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

Fernley's Fate

Fernley flood victims count losses, start over (Fernley Leader article)

Fernley moves into a recovery phase (Lahontan Valley News article)

Comstock musicians to sing for Fernley flood victims (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Churchill County

Fallon's good points could use some publicity (Samantha Marsan column, Lahontan Valley News)

Clark County

Some former workers missed back pay, county official says: About 100 applied for retroactive raises (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Court tackles overtime pay: Local governments can reform overtime policies, as proved by county court system (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Fewer children at Child Haven — and that’s good news (Las Vegas Sun article)

Neighbors fight plan to replace complex (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Johnson resigns as chairman (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Commissioners not Brady's constituency (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Developer seeks approval for Kingsbury condos (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

County building activity up, total valuation down in 2007 (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

The right decision (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Commission eyes defensible space (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Kingsbury Express connects Carson Valley and Stateline (Tahoe Tribune article)

Lyon County

"By all accounts, the Lyon County Planning Commission got a glimpse of the tip of a large iceberg on January 8 in a first look at the proposed Highlands Project north of Stagecoach."

Highlands project proposal encompasses 20,000 acres (Fernley Leader article)

Chemical odor concern heading to County Commission (Fernley Leader article)

Commission to hear about proposed solar farm in Wabuska (Fernley Leader article)

Washoe County

County joins effort to protect watersheds (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Michigan Primary

Romney wins Michigan GOP primary (Associated Press article)

Romney Wins Michigan Primary After Tough Contest With McCain (Wall Street Journal article)

Nevada's Democratic Debate

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE: Hopefuls play safe, nice -- Conciliatory tone dominates as Clinton, Edwards, Obama share stage (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Democrats engage in substantive, tranquil and focused debate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Political Kumbaya: Democrats take a deep breath and dial back on rhetoric that could hurt all of them (Las Vegas Sun article)

Democratic candidates all smiles in docile debate (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Live Blogging the Democrats in Nevada (Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times)

Flashing the debate (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

JOHN L. SMITH: Democrats make nice during debate, but gloves come off on Saturday (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Clinton is clear winner: Hillary Clinton, during Tuesday’s debate, shows again why she is ready for the presidency (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Complete debate transcript (Las Vegas Sun feature)

Undecideds find little help in debate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Before debate, supporters show their colors: Backers of four candidates set up shop outside (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Kucinich Row

SENT TO THE SIDELINES: Kucinich forced to sit out -- Exclusion from debate proper, Nevada Supreme Court rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Kucinich decries GE-media conspiracy (Las Vegas Sun article)

Court allows MSNBC to bar Kucinich (Associated Press article)

NBC Wins Battle Over Debate (Brian Stelter column, New York Times)

Order Granting Petition (Nevada Supreme Court website)

Nevada Caucuses

Nevada Presidential Caucus is this Saturday (Fernley Leader article)

Nevada holds Caucus on Saturday (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Jon Ralston tells Nevada to soak up the love while it can (Las Vegas Sun column)

Who is the perfect candidate for Nevada? (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Giuliani and Paul tie, Obama wins Incline High School mock primary (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

State Democratic Party

That Last Minute Lawsuit

Teachers union, Democrats fail to settle lawsuit over caucus sites (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A doctrine allows courts to throw out a challenge if the person bringing it has unduly delayed taking action, to the detriment of the opposing party."

Timing may sink lawsuit aimed at Strip voting (Las Vegas Sun article)

Judge to Hear Case on Legitimacy of Nev. Casino Caucus Sites (Washington Post article)

Obama supporters, including former party chair, weigh in on lawsuit (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

State Republican Party

Get out and caucus: Nevada GOP leader urges party faithful to participate (Elko Free Press article)

Republican caucuses at Incline High: GOP sends out wrong information to voters (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

'Computer glitch' causes confusion for GOP voters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Campaigns

KEEPING THE BALL ROLLING: Campaigns roar after debate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Out in droves: Candidates and styles differ, but supporters' passion resounds (Las Vegas Sun article)

Next stop: Nevada -- Candidates focus on Nevada as caucuses near (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

For Democrats, Nevada Is a Throw of the Dice: A Win Would Provide a Boost, but Candidates Must Gamble That Voters Know the Caucus Game (Wall Street Journal article)

Markets pick 'em better than polls (Las Vegas Sun article)

Of politics and prostitution: 'Daily Show' riffs on Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Clinton, Obama in Elko Friday (Elko Free Press article)

CANDIDATE APPEARANCES (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Democratic Party Candidates

Sen. Clinton

Obama 'establishment' candidate, Clinton says (Associated Press article)

Former president makes stops in Northern Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Bill Clinton, crowd agree Hillary Clinton is candidate for change (Nevada Appeal article)

Professor: Clinton stronger since New Hampshire win (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Former first lady hearing voices (Las Vegas Gleaner)

Sen. Obama

Obama circulates, mingles at union-sponsored party (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Obama best choice for Democrats: Or do they prefer a re-run of 'It came from Little Rock'? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Republican Party Candidates

Gov. Huckabee

Automated calls offering info about candidates decried: 'It was just slimy,' one message recipient says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

'Push polls' anger state Republicans (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Rep. Paul

Paul urges swift American exit from Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

11th hour, Ron Paul holds to his maverick strategy (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gov. Romney

Assemblywoman throws support behind Romney (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Voters

ON THE ROAD: DAY 4: AFTER THE GOLD RUSH; NEVADA'S POLITICAL PULSE -- WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ON U.S. 95 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ON THE ROAD: ESMERALDA COUNTY OFFICIAL FEELS FORSAKEN (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada has African Americans and Latinos, sources say (Las Vegas Gleaner)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Funding needed for education (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Public Schools

Douglas County School District

Budget cut may close charter school (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Health Care

Carson Medical Group may drop HMO: Hundreds would be affected if group can't negotiate contract with Saint Mary's HealthFirst (Nevada Appeal article)

A vote for healthcare as a critical issue facing Nevada (Elizabeth Reville column, Nevada Appeal)

Indentured Doctors

Protect foreign doctors who work in Nevada, colleagues urge: Win-win sought to protect doctors (Las Vegas Sun article)

State medical group pushes for J-1 reform (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Park Service airs complaint against proposed coal plant (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Green obstructionism (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Crime Rates

'I DON'T FEEL SAFE ANYMORE': Busy burglars home in -- Increase in break-ins forces LV police to shift manpower (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Police see fall in some crimes: In 2007, number of homicides, rapes, auto thefts declined (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Witnesses say lawyers misled Mack about likely trial results (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

MURDER CASE AFTERMATH: Mack says lawyers coerced plea bargain -- He asks for pleas to be withdrawn (Associated Press article)

State v. Mack, Motion to Change Plea (Las Vegas Courts blog, via Harmful Error)

OJ Case

Taxpayers to pick up costs of investigators (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

Nev. brothel owner moves to suppress evidence in child porn case (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Las Vegas has history worth preserving (Mary Gafford column, Las Vegas Sun)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Yucca Mountain layoffs imminent, official warns: Application date might be missed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Reid, head’s up on a new editor in town (Las Vegas Sun article)

Heller toes party line most of time in first congressional year (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

In The US Congress

Infrastructure must be a priority (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Make It Flake (Muth's Truths)

Business Regulation

Court opts to limit investor lawsuits (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Label food from clones: FDA ruling fails to protect consumers’ right to know what they are buying (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Foreign Affairs

JOHN L. SMITH: Nobody got elected by embracing concept of giving money to foreigners (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Seven Reasons to Keep Talking About Iraq (Desert Beacon)