February 1, 2008

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The new issue of The Nevada Observer is now up and ready for your reading pleasure (check the middle column for our current articles, features and columns).

Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

"According to the organization Americans for Tax Reform, Nevadans pay the second highest taxes in the nation."

Unemployment Soars As Economic Woes Continue: Foreclosures Rampant, Some Help Available (Nevada Observer article)

Not all economy news bad (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"The politicians finally have discovered the economy. Congratulations! Now everyone knows."

 Opportunity knocks in tougher times, too (Don Rogers column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

The Ostrich Approach

Chamber: See no downturn, hear no downturn (Las Vegas Sun article)

Business community must share market realities with consumers (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Slumping Revenue

NEVADA ECONOMY: Sales still slumping statewide -- November slide is seventh in past eight months (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's taxable sales down (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

(Un)Affordable Housing

Housing described as valley's top issue: Employment growth slowing, speaker says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

CAHI client got her house despite 'nerve-wracking' experience (Nevada Appeal article)

CAHI closes offices (Nevada Appeal article)

The State Budget

Lawmaker backs off suing Gibbons, goes for ‘end run’ (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gambling Cartel Tax Initiative

Teachers' Tax Question Still Alive: Court -- Two Tax Proposals Still To Be Questioned (Nevada Observer article)

The State Judiciary

Armed Juveniles

NEVADA SUPREME COURT: ACLU says law unfair to juveniles -- Youths accused of crimes with guns considered eligible for adult charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Strippers' Class Action

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Stripper lawsuit gets OK -- Court says lawyer can pursue effort to force paying of wages (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Judge Halverson

Request by judge rejected: Halverson sought halt to proceedings (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Halverson Fighting Back, Justices Demand Action: Judge Has Filed For Reelection Amid Problems (Nevada Observer article)

The State Legislature

While Lawmakers Slept: Our State System Of Foster Care

Foster family stories shared: Lawmakers find teens' experiences moving (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Open Government

New Tax Commission law nixes private tax hearings (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Nevada Highways

Highway fatalities up in 2007 (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Public Employees Retirement System

School, government retiree benefits protected if employer opts out of state plan (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Special Favors For Special Favorites

"The capital city's two redevelopment zones envelop large swaths of commercial zones. Some businesses within those zones have been given $100,000 in tax dollars to renovate or build additional facilities and, in one case, a car dealership was gifted a $3.6 million piece of city land."

Is Carson City playing by the rules? (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Ritter could leave job as city manager (Nevada Appeal article)

The Regional Economy

Carson sales tax numbers up 10 percent in November (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Monte Carlo Fire

MONTE CARLO FIRE: Officials: Workers at fault -- Hot metal triggered blaze at resort, investigators say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Monte Carlo Closed Following Fire: No Deaths, Only Memories Of Past (Nevada Observer article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Workers can take a bow for their efforts during Monte Carlo's crisis (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Waiting For Ivanpah

A Road Proposal Before The Development: A Most Unusual Circumstance In The Silver State (Nevada Observer article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Lake Tahoe Airport's heyday is long past: Facility may soar again (Nevada Appeal article)

TRPA board votes to allow teleconferencing (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Can you hold an effective meeting over the phone? (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

IVGID Board of Trustees rejects water fee appeal: Bidding dates for projects set (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Advisory board to discuss fractional housing, Tahoe Biltmore site (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Washoe County

It's The The Nevada Way

UPAY4ME Developers . . .

"RTC Executive Director Greg Krause said removing the 43 projects from the list substantially would restrict the ability to handle future traffic congestion."

RTC agrees to prioritize road project schedule (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno OKs more casino land near Virginia Street (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

And IPAY4U Citizens

Record number of tax appeals begins (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Second Curse Of Washoe County

Church group claims God hates Reno: Kansas-based members protest at soldier's funeral (Associated Press article)

For Washoe County's first curse (in 1862, from an LDS Bishop,) see Orson Hyde's Curse in TNO's Reading Room.  How many can you boast, Las Vegas?

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Nevada Politics

Nevada Voting And Voters

Justify do-no-call lists on same grounds (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

2008 Presidential Races

Fact check: Context of key claims in debate (USA Today article)

Elko rallying for Obama (Inside Nevada Politics)

A Religion Cannot Supersede Our Constitution: "State" and "Church" Must Remain Separated (Nevada Observer editorial)

The President's Visit

Bush's LV visit lures protesters, support: Props, masks, cheers and jeers hit Summerlin (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

‘We Will Prevail in This Ideological Struggle,’ Bush Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Transcript of President Bush’s remarks in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Sun feature)

President Bush leaves Las Vegas, bound for Colorado (Associated Press article)

Bush Joins Las Vegas Secrets Tour (Desert Beacon)

Simply awed by the ascendant power of Adelson (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

The Caucus System

To Caucus, Or Not To Caucus: That Seems To Be The Question (Nevada Observer article)

The meaning of the caucus: State Sen. Dina Titus dishes on how the presidential race has changed Nevada politics (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Caucus (Bob Bennett column, Nevada Observer)

Local Elections

Porter and Daskas report fundraising tallies: Opposing camps in congressional race pleased with results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Porter, Daskas step up fundraising for 3rd district seat (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

"The state's charter school law is among the weakest in the nation and vouchers remain a foreign concept."

School choice (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

It's time to give school choice a chance (Chuck Muth column, Nevada Appeal)

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Nevada Health Matters

Patient, nurse ratios a focus in negotiations (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada's Environment

Water

"If global warming results in even moderately higher temperature changes, the Sierra could lose half of its spring snowpack by the end of the century, a Reno scientist warned Thursday."

Scientist: Climate change may affect spring snowpack (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Study: Up to 60 % of climate-related water trends human-caused (Associated Press article)

"The taxpayers have had almost no opportunity to directly express their opinions about the proposed water grab, yet water officials are already holding meetings for potential bidders on the pipeline itself?

Does this seem a bit presumptuous to anyone?" Crazy plans make pipeline seem sane, eh? (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Water Wars Create More Government: No Growth Without Water Means Expanding Government (Nevada Observer article)

Targeting a troubled Tahoe tributary (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Coal-Fired Power Plant Projects

Climate Change At Heart Of Coal Gasification: Except No One Knows What To Do With The Pollutant (Nevada Observer article)

Nuclear Energy

The Nuclear Energy Debate Is Worldwide: The Danger Factor Often Overlooked (Nevada Observer article)

Alternative Energy

Transmission Line Study Released: Will Real Action Follow? Renewables Depend On It (Nevada Observer article)

Storing carbon in the Sierra: New concept takes environmental action into business (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Catch This Creep

Second sexual attack linked to Denison case (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

University Medical Center Investigation

Trail from UMC leads to suspect goods: New clues emerge as police investigate how the public hospital is bleeding money (Las Vegas Sun article)

A Successful Year

More than $1 million in drugs off Douglas streets in 2007 (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Scams

Couple charged in $1.5 million Internet scheme (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Fingerprinting

Program offers nationwide fingerprinting (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

A Harvest Of Citizens

DUI enforcement beefed up just in time for the Super Bowl (Nevada Appeal article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Parole Board back to full strength, faces more than 1,600 February hearings (Nevada Appeal article)

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February 2-4, 2008

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Earned-income tax credits may lift state economy: Nevada residents collect $296 million from benefit in 2007 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

JANE ANN MORRISON: Judges get around pay inequity by serving on library commissions (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

'Help' for the working gals (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Appointments And Disappointments

3 new Nevada Economic Forum members named (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Ritter resigning as city manager (Nevada Appeal article)

Company proposing casino, 'needed' conference center (Nevada Appeal article)

Let's hope casino developers have a good handle on Carson City's future (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Bad Government

Tax money buys tickets to special events, too -- Official: Spending serves residents (Las Vegas Sun article)

Incumbent protection -- Local officeholders use tax dollars for political gain (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Monorail

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: The Little Engine That Can't Break Even (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

City Of North Las Vegas

Casinos and more casinos coming: North Las Vegas hopes to get theaters, restaurants, bowling alleys, spas, too (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

New events rule could start 'fair' fight (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Workshop to identify Incline's nuisances (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Time to speak up about nuisances (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Lyon County

Court battles continue over Fernley water treatment plant (Lahontan Valley News article)

Washoe County

Ordinance to resolve conflict involving ATVs long overdue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

New Plans For Reno’s Downtown Train Trench (Reno and Its Discontents)

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Nevada Politics

ERIN NEFF: Prospect of relief from calls another empty campaign promise (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Jon Ralston lists 10 compelling questions that should make Nevada’s 2008 political season worth watching (Las Vegas Sun column)

2008 Presidential Races

SHERM FREDERICK: How low can Clintons go? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Forget about the issues, it's time to pick a winner (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

West's voters weigh in (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Townsend endorses McCain (Inside Nevada Politics)

The Left’s GOP Dream Team (Muth's Truths)

State Republican Party

GOP's war chest tops in Nevada (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Republicans outraised Democrats in Nevada (Associated Press article)

No. Nev. GOP state lawmakers raising more than Democrats (Inside Nevada Politics)

State Republicans rethink allegiances: Giuliani supporters undecided after his exit from GOP race (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Conservative Blogs Bite The Dust (Dullard Mush)

The Caucuses

The Nevada Caucus Post Mortems and National Media Narratives (Desert Beacon)

Precinct 2311, Las Vegas (Ben Smith blog, Politico.com)

Should Nevada Caucus next time? (My Silver State)

FACILITY USE GUIDELINES: Schools report on caucus aftermath -- Some principals had no problems; others had to call police (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Races

Democrat Jill Derby mulling another run for Congress (Nevada Appeal article)

Heller rakes in the cash (Inside Nevada Politics)

Two judge candidates leave race (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Polls

THOMAS MITCHELL: Should the press poll? Information is our job (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

BOARD OF REGENTS: Increases in tuition proposed: Higher education fees already going up, will rise even more (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada university regents to consider raising tuition (Associated Press article)

Vegas couple leaves $20 million to Desert Research Institute (Associated Press article)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

A floor for failing grades: Parents, educators debate whether kids should get 50 points for doing nothing (Las Vegas Sun article)

Experimentation, but with collaboration (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Gov. Gibbons challenges health care merger (Nevada Appeal article)

Federal government stands in the way of a state-run medical marijuana distribution (Nevada Appeal article)

Drugs Without Delay (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Makers of cholesterol drugs sued (Associated Press article)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA's Suction Scheme

EASTERN NEVADA PIPELINE: Water rights hearing set -- Agency seeks right to tap three watersheds (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

PLAN Alert on latest Las Vegas Water Grab (Desert Beacon)

Carson River

Stormy January builds up snowpack (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Officials cautiously optimistic about year so far (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Truckee River

After years of talks, work to start flowing (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Proposals

NEVADA VIEWS: Renewables can't do it all -- A balanced energy portfolio is best for state (Michael Yackira column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Alternative Energy

Italian company to construct geothermal plants near Fallon (Nevada Appeal article)

Alternative Energy Kills (Muth's Truths)

Wild Beasts

IVGID, county find bear solutions: Incline looks at ways to change trash ordinance (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Abductor Rapist Case

Nevada first lady joins volunteers in search for missing woman (Associated Press article)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Attorney-client privilege backfires for Mack: Slaying suspect fired lawyers who then had to testify (Associated Press article)

$kindustry Regulation

Clark County looks to tighten regulations on massage parlors (Associated Press article)

The Investigation Of Kathy Augustine

Sister dead and tarnished, brother pushes for truth -- Quest: To prove politics motivated the investigation of Augustine (Las Vegas Sun article)

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From The Neon Empire

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

Regulators intensify scrutiny of Columbia Sussex properties (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Trop dragging down gaming, Culinary says -- Owner fires back: The union is trying to ‘roast the property’ by making calls to the police and running up negative statistics (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jeff Simpson answers slams in a full-page ad taken out by the owner of the Tropicana (Las Vegas Sun column)

Union creates Las Vegas division to represent dealers: 'We're not going away,' director says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Publicly held, Boyd out to stay that way (Las Vegas Sun article)

Macao: Ex-Minister Gets 27 Years for Bribery (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Culture

Grand Finale: Music, poetry and humor cap Gathering (Elko Free Press article)

Social Powwow well attended (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada's Past

Carson City Sesqui

It will be a good year to brush up on local history (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

President seeks $495 million for Yucca Mountain in 2009 budget (Associated Press article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Ensign leads on immigration (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

On tax rebates, Ensign a hero or a heel: His plan passes, to keep them from illegal immigrants (Las Vegas Sun article)

In The US Congress

FEDERAL SPENDING: Excessive earmarks criticized -- Lawmakers say they have a duty to send money home (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Immigration Reform

Mexico could teach the U.S. a few things about border enforcement (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Bush signs eavesdropping extension -- President urges Congress to make law permanent (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Answer the question: The nation’s top law enforcement officer refuses to say whether waterboarding is torture (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

General Political Commentary

Candidates, Signing Statements, Whistleblowers, and Permanent Bases (Desert Beacon)

Revive the WPA (Nye –Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Exploring peace between Israel and Palestine (Abraham Sadegh column, Lahontan Valley News)

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February 5, 2008

Breaking News

Super Tuesday Summary

[10:30 PM]

Sources - CNN; Yahoo

For TNO readers -- The partisan delegate counts are all over the deck right now, with different articles from the same organization (Associated Press) disagreeing with each other, so we'll wait before we provide any final tally.

Democratic Party Victories

Clinton

 American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California,  Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee

Obama

Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Utah 

Republican Party Victories

Huckabee

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia

McCain

Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma

Romney

Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Utah

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Nevada Government

State Government

Gambling Cartel Tax Initiative

Revised Nevada casino tax petition filed (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's Budget

Mayors out to check Gibbons’ math, priorities (Las Vegas Sun article)

Making the best of a bad situation (Nevada Appeal editorial)

The State Judiciary

Retired teachers’ insurance in state high court’s hands (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

State high court rules against residents in land annexation (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Sorry, TNO readers.  The Cold Springs decision hasn't been posted on the Nevada Supreme Court website yet. 

Lawyers get surveys to evaluate county, high court jurists: Review-Journal began survey to aid voters (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Welcome to the bench, here are a bunch of problems: Whoever’s appointed to Muni Court will have to help tackle a legal snarl, money trouble (Las Vegas Sun article)

Is this a 'juvenile' crime? Nevada's 'presumptive certification' law challenged (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada Highways

Road needs coming home to roost: Nevada will need at least $1 billion next year for new projects (Las Vegas Sun article)

Tax Dollars Bringing Traffic Relief to I-15 (Rep. Gibbons press release)

Fernley's Fate

One month later, Fernley flood victims still waiting for 'normal life' (Nevada Appeal article)

Appointments And Disappointments

Governor Appoints Three to Nevada Economic Forum (Rep. Gibbons press release)

Governor Announces Appointments to Parole Board (Rep. Gibbons press release)

Local Government

Clark County

Councilman stands to make friends by swaying vote: Residents want high-traffic business quashed (Las Vegas Sun article)

NEW HIGHS, BUT WITH A DECLINE: More people pass through McCarran than ever, but growth rate a five-year low (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Douglas County Manager Holler takes job in Grass Valley (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Washoe County

"When the City Council approved a new ordinance in December banning truck stops in all but industrial zones, city lawyers urged Boomtown to file a lawsuit to resolve their disputes over its rights to rebuild."

Reno, Boomtown settle suit to rebuild truck stop (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reno residents quiz City Council members (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Transformation of downtown will take time, determination (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

"The Clinton machine appears to be humming along very nicely even though most data show Democrats cannot retake the White House with the former first lady (and her not-so-much-better-anymore half) on the ticket."

ERIN NEFF: Clinton calculus (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

JOHN L. SMITH: So much is at stake, so jazz up those Super Tuesday spot ads (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

'Super Tuesday' tests vote systems (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

State Democratic Party

Caucus prompted 9,000 to join Democratic party (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Franken keynoting convention Feb. 23 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Has-been insider at least 4,700 times more important than everyone else (Las Vegas Gleaner)

State Republican Party

What Democrats & Republicans Believe (Beers for Nevada)

Super-Duper Tuesday Is Here! (Muth's Truths)

Let the Shaming Begin (Muth's Truths)

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Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

School board to consider revising wellness policy, early retirements (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Zero the new 50? Schools that give weak students a ‘minimum F’ do children a disservice (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Nevada Health Matters

Governor Urges U.S. Department of Justice to Carefully Evaluate Previous United Health Group Mergers (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Cancer expert goes to source: Dr. Yupo Ma gets grant for $2 million to study possible leukemia link (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Catch This Creep

County: Help us in hunt for DNA (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Attacks near UNR were all crimes of opportunity (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Governor Gibbons Commends Community Support in Search for Brianna Denison (Gov. Gibbons press release)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Discharge of guard is upheld (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Towing Scams

Tow predators: Ka-ching! Tow truck drivers gone bad make off with cars (Las Vegas Sun article)

Las Vegas land sharks: Authorities should crack down on rogue tow companies that illegally hold cars hostage (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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Nevada Religion

Governor Gibbons Pays Tribute to President Gordon B. Hinckley (Gov. Gibbons press release)

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From The Neon Empire

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

Tenser and tenser as Trop and workers negotiate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Judge deals setback to Shuffle Master in patent case: Elixir Gaming says ruling ends attempt to block its sales (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Culture

From Vegas, a literary hero emerges: Our small tragedies writ large resonate across the country (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Past

Old No. 7 Saves Fourth Ward School

Sprinkler system paid for by Jack Daniels saved historic school (Nevada Appeal article)

V&TRR

Funding for V&T running out of steam (Nevada Appeal article)

Carson City Sesqui

Governor Gibbons at Nevada Appeal for book signing (Nevada Appeal article)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

DOE proposes $494.7 million for Yucca Mountain (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

ENSIGN COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT'S BUDGET FOR YUCCA (Sen. Ensign press release)

BERKLEY SEEKS TO SLASH RADIOACTIVE PORK AS BUSH BUDGET CALLS FOR $495 MILLION TO FUND YUCCA MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP (Rep. Berkley press release)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Reid Statement On President Bush's FY 2009 Budget (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Senate Democrats' Stimulus Plan Will Strengthen Economy, Improve On House Package (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Jobs Report Underscores Urgency Of Strengthening Economy, Creating Jobs (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Big Oil Rakes In Record Profits As Americans Pay Record Prices At The Pump (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Statement To Commemorate Black History Month (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Sends Bipartisan Letter To DOE Urging Funding For Geothermal Research (Sen. Reid press release)

In economic fix, Ensign likely to get his tax shutout: Illegal immigrants who paid taxes would be denied a rebate (Las Vegas Sun article)

A man on a mission, pressed for time: In charge of electing Republicans to the Senate, his spirits are up but he could use more help (Las Vegas Sun article)

BERKLEY VOTES FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT WILL PROVIDE REBATE CHECKS TO MORE THAN ONE MILLION NEVADA FAMILIES (Rep. Berkley press release)

BERKLEY AGAIN VOTES TO GIVE 10 MILLION CHILDREN HEALTHCARE: Latest Effort To Overcome Bush SCHIP Veto Fails In House (Rep. Berkley press release)

PORTER PRAISES PASSAGE OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE (Rep. Porter press release)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Gentlemen, please: This is the Senate (Las Vegas Sun article)

Specter of foolishness (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

National Political Commentary

As Seen On TV: Republicans filibuster Senate version of the Economic Stimulus Package (Desert Beacon)

Bush's Fantasy Land Budget: Standing on Yucca Mountain without COPS (Desert Beacon)

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February 6-7, 2008

Gung Hay Fat Choy!  Welcome to the Year of the Rat!

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

REAL ESTATE: Home prices to recover late in LV -- Report says drop in values will extend through 2009 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rate cut a 'psychological boost': Experts say Fed's record interest-rate cut may lift LV housing (In Business Las Vegas article)

Housing slump afflicts medical office sector (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Boulevard Formula: Strip resort-building a tried-and-true fix to Southern Nevada's periodic economic doldrums (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Worker shortage hits area's growing tech job market (Las Vegas Business Press article)

State unemployment rate hits 5.8 percent in December (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Lieutenant governor's office watches over state's economy (Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki column, Ely Times)

Nevada's Budget

A Welcome Discovery

Treasurer finds $40 million to help with Nevada's budget crunch (Nevada Appeal article)

Treasurer uncovers $40 million: Unexpected revenue to help state (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Office Of The Governor

It's All His Fault: Partisan Press Cabal Still Kicking

Budget priorities: Mayors of Las Vegas and Reno try to address a problem Gibbons has failed to handle (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Pig in a poke (In Business Las Vegas column)

The teachers might topple gaming’s gods (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

Nevada Taxes

Fix Nevada’s tax system: Nevada’s tax system lets wealthy companies off the hook (Bob Fulkerson column, Reno News & Review)

Gambling Cartel Tax Initiatives

Teachers offer new gaming tax petition (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Teachers union modifies ballot initiative to fund schools (Nevada Appeal article)

The State Judiciary

You can’t be sure who you may find in judges’ elevator at the courthouse (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Agencies

State OKs lower rates on insurance costs (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

NDEP to hold hearing on Nevada Cement expansion (Fernley Leader article)

Goodbye PLAs, hello free-market competition (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Fernley's Fate

City continues repairs on streets impacted by flood (Fernley Leader article)

Long-term flood recovery team launched in Fernley (Lahontan Valley News article)

Truckee Canal permanent repair to be completed this week (Fernley Leader article)

The Truckee Canal and Fernley (David Stix Jr. column, Lahontan Valley News)

FEMA changing its Fernley disaster office (Lahontan Valley News article)

Pair of class action suits moved to federal court (Fernley Leader article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

City staff have finance plan they say won't hurt services (Nevada Appeal article)

Planners say casino will drive commercial 'hub' in east Carson (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

County Affairs

FAMILY SERVICES: Agency's practices criticized -- Background checks lacking for caregivers of 22 children (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Commissioners disregard neighbors, approve garage (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Former county workers eligible: About 150 can apply for pay raises missed during negotiations (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

At county, two bosses looking out for workers -- Critic: Commissioners ‘Pavlovian’ for labor (Las Vegas Sun article)

Give it away -- it's only tax money: County Commission hands $130,000 to workers who quit (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Work at resorts leads to charges: Supervisors at Rio, Harrah's named (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Henderson

Land transfer bill pending in Senate: Henderson would get 502 acres near airport (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

Las Vegas leaders meet with officials in Washington: Nevadans focus on tourism, other key issues (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Convenience store project gets shelved: Residents, developer failed to reach compromise (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Developing Stories

Resort unveils expansion plan for Lee Canyon area (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Condo developers seek bankruptcy protection (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Making concrete ties to China (In Business Las Vegas article)

Douglas County

Douglas County Manager Dan Holler takes job in Grass Valley: City council members may formalize Holler's verbal agreement this week (Nevada Appeal article)

Colleagues say county manager will be missed (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Are real estate signs a nuisance? Some say so (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

The community is counting on you (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Lyon County

County board to consider proposal of ordinance for 'infrastructure tax' (Fernley Leader article)

County Commission to consider declaring public administrator post vacant (Fernley Leader article)

Manufactured home regulations up for possible revamp Thursday (Fernley Leader article)

Only one appeal requested of Lyon County Board of Equalization (Fernley Leader article)

Public hearing on Lyon County animal cruelty ordinance set (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County

Richards heads north (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Storey County

New Storey comptroller wants to give something back to hometown (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Reno wants to merge parks department with county (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Union in court over Reno fire inspection plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

Gaming chief: Front-runners no worry to Nevada industry (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Democratic Race

ERIN NEFF: Clinton running against a movement (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Clinton gets big boost from Hispanic voters (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Republican Race

McCain all but clinches; Romney departs (Associated Press article)

The weight of his faith: Many evangelicals couldn’t get past Romney’s religion (Las Vegas Sun article)

All For Our Country

Nevada energized campaigns: Caucus results generally reflect demographics, issues around nation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada a good barometer for national results (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Voting And Voters

Want to stop those political campaign calls? (Ely Times article)

True American patriots prevented from voting (Michael Ivie column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

General Political News And Commentary

Term limits (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

It’s anything but over: Results from ‘Super Tuesday’ don’t produce a clear winner, leaving nominations up for grabs (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Turnover at helm, demographics lead some to ask: Are local NAACP’s best days gone? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Ball is still rolling after Super Tuesday (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Good and bad things are tied to increase in state electorate (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

“The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes.”

The Founding Fathers were radical conservatives: The Founding Fathers had a new idea: It’s the people who give power to government (Michael Lafferty column, Reno News & Review)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Regents' error costs system $7M in budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Tuition, fee increases on Board of Regents' agenda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Tuition hikes will benefit system: Proposed increases are reasonable (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Analysis: UNR endowment in '07 among top third in U.S. (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Where is the Village Now? (Karla Joost Harrison column, Nevada Appeal)

Clark County School District

So far, all drug tests negative: Green Valley to continue program into fall; Silverado may follow (Las Vegas Sun article)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FLAP: Teachers taught standing required -- District lawyer: It's wrong to make students stand for pledge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Storey County School District

VCHS principal calls jersey incident a 'nonissue' (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County School District

Parents displeased with school switch (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County School District

School administrators to return to classrooms (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Whatever Happened To The Anti-Trust Laws?

As clock ticks away, merger foes find hope: State approval of would-be union of health insurance giants expires this month (Las Vegas Sun article)

University Medical Center

UMC deficit reduced slightly: Additional paying customers needed (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Government Franchises

Fire district looks to solve dispute without litigation (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Wyeth Lawsuit

Judge denies request for new trial in breast cancer suits (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wyeth doesn't get new trial, but judge to review damages: Hearing on award to three Nevada women set (Associated Press article)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

The Colorado River

Snow news good news for Colorado River area: Forecast calls for 120 percent of normal inflow (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SNWA's Suction Scheme

Hearing for SNWA water rights in Lincoln County under way (Ely Times article)

The Truckee River

Sierra snowpack deepens (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Another Layer Of Unelected Government

Regional water panel charter long overdue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

We all need power, but in Mesquite, priority is clean air (Las Vegas Sun article)

Energy Corridor

Critics oppose project: Western landowners voice concerns over right-of-way (Elko Free Press articles)

Transmission Lines: Issues Associated with High-Voltage Direct-Current Transmission Lines along Transportation Rights of Way GAO-08-347R, February 01, 2008 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Nevada Utilities

Sierra Pacific looks to add voltage, 35-foot tower to Six Mile substation (Nevada Appeal article)

Pahrump, we have a problem: Transmission woes worsen (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Alternative Energy

Reid: Renewables shorted by Bush budget (Las Vegas Sun article)

Forging an energy path: Congress should dramatically revise President Bush’s backward-looking budget (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Q&D fleet to use biodiesel fuel (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Climate Change

Global warming offers little by way of hope (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)

Nuclear Energy

Helium-3 could be energy answer (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Public Safety

On the front line against terrorism in Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)

Catch This Creep

A shadow over campus: A crime near the campus casts a pall over UNR (Reno News & Review article)

State DNA Lab

DNA backlog donations at $70,000 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Cash pours in to clear DNA backlog (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Failure to fund crime lab work creates enforcement absurdity (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Immigration Sweeps

Is ‘illegal’ a crime? The recent raid at McDonald’s split families and raises some fundamental questions about immigration (Reno News & Review article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

ACLU and NDOC still at odds (Ely Times article)

Doctors And Lawyers Case

JANE ANN MORRISON: Judge will make sure government has a case in doctor conspiracy trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Courthouse Shooting Case

Sentence hearing begins for Mack (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Supreme Court denies Mack's petition to block Thursday sentencing (Nevada Appeal article)

Petition rejected in Reno wife-slaying, judge-shooting case (Associated Press article)

Dead Pets

LV, Chinese firms indicted in deaths from tainted pet food (Associated Press article)

Not A Pretty Picture

EARLY MORNING STOP: Police: Woman no beauty in behavior -- Former pageant queen pulled over, then arrested (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Native Nevadans

Ely Shoshones hope to see cash settlement soon: Tribe looks to economic development of newly acquired lands (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Culture

Candy Dance too much for Genoa? (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada Religion

Death of Gordon Hinckley felt by local LDS faithful (Ely Times article)

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From The Neon Empire

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

California vote has slot giants grinning: Neighbor state could add 17,000 machines (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

COURTING CHINA: Baccarat play during Chinese New Year significant for the Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casino billionaires see their fortunes shrink (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Horizon casino eviction case back to district court (Nevada Appeal article)

No progress in Tropicana, union talks: Sides still far apart after session Monday (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Culinary, Tropicana are talking — but slowly, not about the big issues (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Past

Obstacles won't be able to derail the V&T (Nevada Appeal editorial)

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Nevada Journalism

Where news from nowhere comes from (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

More managers in pipeline for Yucca project: Most of the 25 positions would be in LV office (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

DOE braces for new Yucca budget wrangle (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Heller, Porter, Berkley support stimulus package; Reid balks (Ely Times article)

Sen. Reid

Confronting challenges in 2008 (Sen. Harry Reid column, Ely Times)

Reid Unveils New Public Service Announcement Regarding Nevada's Foreclosure Crisis (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid cites Republican's criticism of McCain (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sen. Ensign

Uphill battle: U.S. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada has a tough job if he hopes to win a GOP majority in the U.S. Senate (Reno News & Review article)

Rep. Porter

PORTER PROVIDES OPTIONS FOR SUB-PRIME BORROWERS (Rep. Porter press release)

Our National Economy

"In 1968, consumer credit debt was $8 billion. Now the total exceeds $880 billion, the Federal Reserve Bank reported."

Credit troubles, growing debt affecting consumers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

The National Budget

Reid: Bush budget increases taxes on Nevadans, cuts funding for renewable energy (Nevada Appeal article)

Reid says budget will hurt families (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Reid: Bush Budget Raises Taxes, Harms Nevada's Middle Class (Sen. Reid press release)

The Bush budget (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

FDA budget fails: Bush administration proposal falls far short of what is needed to protect food supply (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

"Federal auditors testified before a House subcommittee this week that the Food and Drug Administration’s failure to adequately inspect imported medical devices and food has resulted in an agency that is not able to protect Americans from tainted products."

Americans at risk: FDA can’t identify, let alone check, all foreign plants that sell us food and health products (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Monthly Budget Review February 2008 (Congressional Budget Office report)

Homeland Security

Threat level rising: Nation’s top intelligence official gives alarming description of al-Qaida’s potential (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Troubling police problems: Poor training and equipment place national monuments and visitors at risk (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Assessment of the United States Park Police (US Interior Department Inspector General website)

Federal Law Enforcement

Mass arrests in anti-Mafia sweep in U.S., Italy (Reuters article)

Citations without penalties: Federal regulators should be more aggressive in punishing errant mine operators (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Immigration Benefits: Internal Controls for Adjudicating Humanitarian Parole Cases Are Generally Effective, but Some Can Be Strengthened GAO-08-282, February 06, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Issue Of Government Torture

Mukasey Rejects Criminal Probe Into Waterboarding (Washington Post article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Best Practices: Increased Focus on Requirements