April 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).

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Northern Nevada should target defense industry (Lahontan Valley News article)

The State Budget

Governor Outlines New Revenue Projections (Gov. Gibbons press release)

REVENUE FORECAST: Budget shortfall $898 million -- Gibbons works with lawmakers on ways to reduce spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Shortfall hits $898M, forcing more cuts: Lawmakers to help with decisions, but tax hike off the table (Nevada Appeal article)

State shortfall: $898 million -- Gibbons meets lawmakers to discuss more budget cuts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

$900 million and growing: Gibbons looks at options to cope with projected budget shortfall (Associated Press article)

Gibbons says he's trying to find budget solution (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Don't put it on the credit card: Using bonds to balance budget a very bad idea (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

ERIN NEFF: April fools (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

JOHN L. SMITH: Governor shows signs of leadership in state's deepening budget crisis (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Agencies

"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves," the author of the Declaration of Independence advised us. "And if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion."

Withholding information (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Deal with reality: Budget for bureau that inspects clinics must be sufficient for the complex task (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Disaster Management

New rules proposed for toxins in rail tank cars (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Minor earthquake shakes Wells (Elko Free Press article)

Nevada 'Vigilant Guard' Exercise to Simulate Disaster (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Quake readiness: There will be a next time (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Local Government

Clark County

City to review its operations: LV officials say revenue unlikely to grow as it has in recent years (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Some to be laid off by city get new jobs — with city: Union contract gives them that right, if they qualify for new post (Las Vegas Sun article)

Planner: Vegas not so great now, but has potential -- Green space, parks and transit can lift city’s standing, he says (Las Vegas Sun article)

Attitude change a sign of NLV’s growth: Apartment complex that once caused excitement is now protested by neighbors (Las Vegas Sun article)

Construction Worker Deaths on the Strip: ‘Not in this city’ -- Safety engineer says fundamental change impossible in build-crazy Vegas (Las Vegas Sun article)

OSHA goes easy: After meeting with employer only, it often reverses findings, cuts fines (Las Vegas Sun article)

CABBY RALLY: Cabbies say tips dwindling -- 200 gather on Strip to protest growing number of cabdrivers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Real estate slump hits contractors (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Shorezone ordinances closer (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Caltrans director tours Tahoe: Funds lacking to complete project along Highway 50 (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Capturing Carbon: Truckee Tahoe Airport considers selling carbon offsets from Waddle Ranch forest (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Sen. Feinstein blasts deep cuts proposed for U.S. Forest Service (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

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Nevada Politics

2008 Presidential Races

I am not your typical white person (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

Why McCain didn’t stick around Vegas very long (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

Despite polls, race not decided yet (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Local Politics

How parties select delegates a study in contrasts (Nevada Appeal article)

Derby joins effort to end Iraq War (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

Churchill County School District

Bloggers invite Ash to national conference (Lahontan Valley News article)

Washoe County School District

Panel has May deadline to find funds for Washoe schools (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Union woos nurses amid rift: California group’s bid comes as national SEIU leaders fight (Las Vegas Sun article)

Old hospital to become long-term care center (Nevada Appeal article)

Desai may be told: ‘Not so fast, Doc’ -- If he tries to leave the country, he’ll likely face some questions first (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

House OKs water use bill for Colorado River (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'The bottom line is the quality of life is declining in our region. We don't see it getting better with 600,000 more people than we have water for,' Fulkerson said."

Panel hears testimony about water vs. growth (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Amodei: Water meeting merely 'informational' (Nevada Appeal article)

Businessman seeks approval to pump water to project (Associated Press article)

Alternative Energy

Prison biomass plant deserves ongoing efforts to make it work (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Conservation

Nevada takes a big green step: Bright idea allows recycling of compact fluorescent bulbs (Nevada Appeal article)

Looking for ways to live green in Nevada (Anne Macquarie column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Something Stinks

Workers who can’t stand the smell in justice center get union’s attention: They say stench makes them sick, and supervisors aren’t taking them seriously enough (Las Vegas Sun article)

Wild Beasts

No truth to rumor that horse slaughterhouse to be built (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

New law on sex offenders poses challenges: Number of those who must be monitored to rise (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Crime declines in Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

LCSO still investigating teen party (Lahontan Valley News article)

Rustler receives 2 years probation (Elko Free Press article)

Critics not wedded to rules: Council considering ordinance to require privileged licenses for chapels (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Culture

Counting Cowboys: Folklife Center reviews ticket sales, plans for 25th Gathering (Elko Free Press article)

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From The Neon Empire

March meekness: Gaming stocks sustain losses -- Decreases for index's 10 companies tied to uncertainty, outside factors (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sands chief questions MGM Mirage's motives (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Reid

Senate to Begin Debate on Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Sen. Reid press release)

In Letter To McConnell, Reid Seeks Cooperation From GOP In Dealing With Housing Crisis (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid: Bush Leaving US Without Plan for Success in Iraq (Sen. Reid press release)

Reid Statement On 4,000th Military Death In Iraq (Sen. Reid press release)

Rep. Berkley

BERKLEY NOTIFIED FINAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS TO BE SIGNED FOR VALLEY’S FIRST FULL-SERVICE VA MEDICAL COMPLEX: Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, Long Term Care Facility Will Serve 200,000 Plus So. Nevada Veterans (Rep. Berkley press release)

The National Economy

BUSINESS REGULATION: Proposal worries lenders -- Treasury secretary's plan would end community banking, official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gold prices take a tumble (Elko Free Press article)

RL34412 Averting Financial Crisis March 21, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34423 Government Interventions in Financial Markets: Economic and Historic Analysis of Subprime Mortgage Options March 25, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34420 Bear Stearns: Crisis and "Rescue" for a Major Provider of Mortgage-Related Products March 26, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Our Bloated National Budget

RL34419 The Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34418 Estate and Gift Tax Revenues: Past and Projected in 2008 March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

National Health Matters

RS22849 Medicaid Financing March 26, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22848 Medicaid Regulation of Governmental Providers March 25, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22843 Medicaid Provider Taxes March 21, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22842 Medicaid and Graduate Medical Education March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Federal Compensation Programs: Perspectives on Four Programs for Individuals Injured by Exposure to Harmful Substances GAO-08-628T, April 01, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Leadership change needed: Federal housing chief resigns, but probe of his dealings should continue (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal Contracting: Congressional Action Needed to Address Long-standing Problems with Reporting of Advisory and Assistance Services GAO-08-319, March 31, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Internal Control: Improvements Needed in SEC's Accounting and Financial Reporting Process GAO-08-461R, April 01, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Combating Terrorism: State Department's Antiterrorism Program Needs Improved Guidance and More Systematic Assessments of Outcomes GAO-08-336, February 29, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

A kinder, gentler TSA: Agency’s new airport checkpoint model does little to calm passengers’ real concerns (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RL34421 Satellite Surveillance: Domestic Issues March 21, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Federal Law Enforcement

RS22844 Capital Punishment: Constitutionality for Non-Homicide Crimes Such as Child Rape March 21, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL33747 Emergency Communications Legislation: Implications for the 110th Congress March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Disconnected Youth: Federal Action Could Address Some of the Challenges Faced by Local Programs That Reconnect Youth to Education and Employment GAO-08-313, February 28, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Homeland Security

RS22840 Organizing for Homeland Security: The Homeland Security Council Reconsidered March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Homeland Security: Strategic Solution for US-VISIT Program Needs to Be Better Defined, Justified, and Coordinated GAO-08-361, February 29, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Brothers in arms: One of three soldiers from LeMasters family on leave from Iraq (Elko Free Press article)

Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs GAO-08-467SP, March 31, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

VA Health Care: Additional Efforts to Better Assess Joint Ventures Needed GAO-08-399, March 28, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Foreign Affairs

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

RS22847 The NATO Summit at Bucharest, 2008 March 24, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

North Korea

RS22845 North Korea's Abduction of Japanese Citizens and the Six-Party Talks March 19, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

A Federal Reader

RL34422 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Reforms: Regulatory Impacts Upon Innovation and Competition March 21, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Comments on the Office of Personnel Management's February 20, 2008 Report to Congress Regarding the Retirement Systems Modernization GAO-08-576R, March 28, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

Financial Audit: Special Counsel Expenditures for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2007 GAO-08-541, March 31, 2008 (Government Accountability Office report)

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April 2, 2008

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Nevada Government

State Government

Vox Populi - The Ballot Initiative System

"Last week, Secretary of State Ross Miller ascended his throne as Nevada's top election officer and, by decree, changed the way the state has handled initiatives and recall elections for more than a decade, severely restricting the ability of voters to petition for redress of grievances."

Right to petition (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

State Taxes

Resorts argue against petition -- Sands lawyer: 'Sugar' shouldn't sweeten gaming tax hike (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Round two of union's plan to tax casinos for schools argued in court (Nevada Appeal article)

Analyst argues against plans to raise gaming tax (Howard Stutz column, Las Vegas Business Press)

The State Budget

COURT RULING: Tax chief sees blow to budget -- Casinos could get refunds for taxes paid on free meals (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada budget in free fall (Ely Times article)

States taxable sales plummet 5% in January '08 (Ely Times article)

Don't Like Gov. Gibbons

Leadership, Gibbons-style: Governor finally meets with legislators as tidal wave of red ink hits budget (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The ‘new’ Gibbons, and why it is all just a fantasy (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

State Agencies

Official wants state on top: Secretary of state says Delaware no longer as business-friendly as Nevada (Las Vegas Business Press article)

State: Highway 395 improvements won't happen by I-580 completion (Nevada Appeal article)

Disaster Management

Little Reminders

Small quake rattles Carlin this morning (Elko Free Press article)

Magnitude 2.9 quake measured west of Reno (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

The economy is slow, but not stagnant (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Supervisor explains votes on advisory questions (Shelly Aldean column, Nevada Appeal)

Clark County

Officials agree to delay charges: Harrah's to review remodeling projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Officials want faster disclosure of building flaws: Staff to provide more options in two weeks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Case seen as 'groundbreaking': Ruling said to determine statute of limitations for fair housing violations (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Construction Worker Deaths on the Strip: OSHA up for rare inquiry -- Lawmakers call for hearings, suggest more inspectors for safety agency (Las Vegas Sun article)

Homeowners get insurance break: 500 houses removed from flood zone list (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

A ridiculous excuse to waste tax dollars: New City Hall, blocks from old one, would 'stimulate' downtown? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Henderson bans clubs for 18 and under set (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

Elko City Planning Commission: Orchard Cove subdivision plan approved (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Bill would ban alcohol on stretch of Truckee River (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Official: Mid-April is goal for Incline Lake sale (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Agency Ok's marina upgrade (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

CAB searching for new member (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Homeowners, officials to talk BMPs today: Second discussion in series organized by journalism student (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Community stadium makes good sense (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Nye County

Anaheim show PAVED the road to Pahrump (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Board chops 15% from budget (Pahrump Valley Times article)

White Pine County

Contractors complain about building plan delays (Ely Times article)

County department heads could see fatter paychecks (Ely Times article)

City and county still at odds over ambulance calls (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Politics

As We See It: Hoist by their own petard (Ely Times editorial)

Why all this criticism of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and doubts about her truthfulness? Pressure plays tricks on memory (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

Fear is pushing America over the edge (Robert Cutts column, Nevada Appeal)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

UNR backs off ban on beer (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Schools

Per-pupil spending up slightly in Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Parents say bullying increasing due to lack of supervision: They are concerned budget cuts mean less staff to help prevent playground problems (Nevada Appeal article)

Tracking students’ progress: National standard for measuring graduates and dropouts is long overdue (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Churchill County School District

Committee looks at budget cut options for school district (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Committee to figure out students' math problems (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

School’s cuts may never heal: Clark County history shows that reductions in school spending, often sold as temporary to make them more palatable, have a way of becoming permanent (Las Vegas Sun article)

Washoe County School District

Time changed for meeting on construction revenue (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Home Schooling

Consultant puts off tuition aid petition: Aim is vouchers for attending private schools (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Registration of children for homeschooling is an outrage (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)

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Nevada Health Matters

More unsanitary procedures documented: Clinic did 2-minute surgeries amid complaints by nurses, report finds (Las Vegas Sun article)

When bureaucrats become pawns (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

Nevada water supply debated: Growth rates differ in western parts of state (Associated Press article)

Dry March drains Sierra snowpack (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Snow news is good news: Key report may signal good water year (Elko Free Press article)

12 ideas in new plan to cut Colorado River use (Ely Times article)

Coal-Burning Power Plant Projects

Utility may be takeover target: Proposed plant seen as adding value to entity (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sims says BLM causing EEC delay (Ely Times article)

Ely Energy Center benefits questioned (Associated Press article)

Nevada Mining

Record profits for Yukon-Nevada (Elko Free Press article)

Eden Energy ‘spuds' 1st oil well in WPC Noah Project (Ely Times article)

Proposed Wilderness Area

Compromise not option on proposed wilderness (Phil Tucker column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Wild Beasts

No foolin': Emu loose in Minden (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Nye cuts tortoise plan to one year (Pahrump Valley Times article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Rally starts abuse prevention effort (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Former Douglas commissioner takes state job (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

ACLU talks with Ely State Prison inmates (Ely Times article)

JOHN L. SMITH: Activist and prison chief confront parole paradox in Nevada prisons (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

To catch a 'cook': SCORPION task force stings drug producers (Pahrump Valley Times article)

All That Cash

IRS casino nightclub probe likely to go ‘as high up as possible’ (Las Vegas Sun article)

Wiretapping

HOLLYWOOD WIRETAPPING CASE: Witness: Private eye talked of murder -- Investor testifies about legal fight against ex-Nevada gubernatorial candidate (Associated Press article)

Identity Theft

Identity theft termed pervasive problem: Being aware, taking steps to reduce risk called best way to keep safe (Las Vegas Business Press article)

DUI Training

Officers are tanked during DUI exercise (Pahrump Valley Times article)

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From The Neon Empire

CASINO COMPANIES: Herbst Gaming faces hurdles -- Filings suggest company must restructure debt payments or face ban (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Trop's old owner is out, but negative messages will be harder to chase (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)

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Nevada's Past

Pahrump's Beginnings (Bob McCracken column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Historical Perspective: Model captures railroad town's zenith (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Federal Nevada

State estimates record challenges to Yucca (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Republicans defy dogma, soften on mortgage help: Nevada’s Ensign, a Reagan admirer, comes around to aiding homeowners (Las Vegas Sun article)

A backward approach: Lame-duck Bush administration attempts to dismantle oversight of Wall Street (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal budget: where are our values? (Andrew Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

There are spies among us (Bill Steigerwald column, Ely Times)

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April 3, 2008

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

ECONOMY: Bad news mounts in housing: Clark County preforeclosures hit record in March (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

FREE MEALS: Tax case stirs worry -- State officials researching financial effect of ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Not all news bad in state budget mess: Workers to get raises, break on July health insurance premiums (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gibbons’ techniques: Gov. Jim Gibbons promises to make the state’s finances “transparent” but obscures the date for when it will happen—if ever (Reno News & Review article)

The Nevada Legislature

Legislators OK grants -- with a string: $1 million for homeless on cut list (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Agencies

Our Unresponsive Government

Can The Law Reach Him?, Thomas Nast cartoon [click on image to enlarge, click here to see more.]

Gibbons changes board temporarily: Three LV physicians to help with outbreak (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regulators agree to reduce OneCap Mortgage fine: Lender's problems not over, official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Cynics have long complained such regulatory boards do precious little regulating -- that they're actually little more than cartels of the existing "good old boys" in any given industry, anointed by the state to sit around a table wearing fancy hats and seeing to it that upstart competitors have to jump through plenty of expensive, time-consuming, often arbitrary hoops before being allowed a piece of the action."

It's all under control: Don't you taxpayers concern yourselves about anything (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"Once population growth and inflation are considered, Nevadans face the prospect of a government that does less."

Less spending, more bites: Sun analysis finds Nevada’s per capita spending backsliding (Las Vegas Sun article)

"The panel appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the state's tougher prison sentencing policies has failed to do its job and has been a disappointment."

Sentencing evaluation expected soon (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

The cruelest cuts: Slashing state agency budgets will have long-lasting ramifications (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

 Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Tourists or not, aquatic trail is worth developing (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Clark County

Who Cares What You Think?

"In many cases, owners of homes whose values have dropped will see tax increases as large as last year’s."

As home values drop, don’t expect tax bills to follow (Las Vegas Sun article)

Apartment project OK'd despite neighborhood angst (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

“You got a problem with where I park?” he said. “I can park anywhere I (expletive) want to ..."

He’s a county commissioner and he’ll park where he wants (Las Vegas Sun article)

Suddenly, A Rubble Heap Appeared

Residents get help with heap: County commissioners order removal of tons of New Frontier rubble (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Big Debt, No Vote

$150 MILLION BUILDING: City Hall plans win support -- Council unanimously backs downtown building projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

More Construction Irregularities

CONSTRUCTION WORKER DEATHS ON THE STRIP: Ironworkers want stronger union action -- Some members, relatives of victims resent local leader’s comments (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Commissioners to hear proposal on consultant services for jail project (Fernley Leader article)

County continues item regarding letter on title regarding drainage issue in Dayton (Fernley Leader article)

Commission says historical district development standards should be different (Fernley Leader article)

County Manager receives positive comments during six-month review by Commission (Fernley Leader article)

City Of Fernley

City Council moves to increase in-lieu of fees for will serves (Fernley Leader article)

City approves map for proposed shopping center (Fernley Leader article)

Washoe County

Big Debt, No Vote

Sparks approves public financing for Legends marina development (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Politics

McCain will not be attending Burning Man (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

ERIN NEFF: State superdelegates still straddling fence (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The people’s voice: It’s the people who make real change in this country (Reno News & Review editorial)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Colleges removing 'welfare' stigma from grants, loans: School, state officials hope to spread word about student aid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Although 51 percent of survey respondents said alcohol sales have a negative effect on families' enjoyment of the game, 71 percent said they want the sale of beer to continue."

Continuing beer sales calls for enforcing ban on bad behavior (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Public Schools

45th In Spending, 49th In Results

Nevada still near bottom in per pupil spending (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Campaign might aid dropout prevention (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Churchill County School District

“We owe it to the public to at least listen to them.”

District receives input from survey respondents (Lahontan Valley News article)

Lyon County School District

School District looks at 'status quo' budget (Fernley Leader article)

Washoe County School District

School money panel pushes back funding decision (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Crisis news gets worse: Report about hepatitis outbreak cites more evidence against Endoscopy Center (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Hepatitis crisis not on Congress' radar: Little interest shown despite CDC warnings of broad implications (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fire District insurance doesn't cover FVFD ambulance service (Fernley Leader article)

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Nevada's Environment

Board to hear presentation on proposal to bring water from north Washoe (Fernley Leader article)

Wilderness: Four Nevada lawmakers inform Reid, others of opposition (Fernley Leader article)

Geothermal comes to Fallon: Fallon is steaming (Reno News & Review article)

Senators must stand together on clean energy future in state (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Return of the non-natives: Where fires have ravaged during the past decade, invasive cheatgrass is flourishing (Reno News & Review article)

Tribal mining protest: Western Shoshone met with executives of Newmont Mining about the company’s use of a toxic substance (Reno News & Review article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Utah suspect faces charges in ricin case -- Authorities: Cousin of man found in LV hotel lied about deadly substance (Associated Press article)

Justice Department ends oversight of Elko boys reformatory (Associated Press article)

Simpson case witness alleges threats: Memorabilia dealer jailed after complaint (Associated Press article)

Graffiti leads to gang worries: School officials say gangs are not on campus (Sierra Sun article)

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From The Neon Empire

Herbst battles big debt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Sealed settlement ends civil trial between Horizon owners, Park Cattle (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

The Bookie's Dream Is A Thousand Families' Nightmare

Bet ban stymies federal officials: Lack of 'ironclad' enforcement seen (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

'Bizarre' legislation (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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Nevada's Past

Bones show giant beasts in South Lyon's prehistory (Fernley Leader article)

Honored gentile: A Nevada author contributes to revival of the lost history of Jews in the West (Reno News & Review article)

Moulin Rouge developers get council boost (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Federal Nevada

Reid recall effort runs afoul of Nevada election law (Fernley Leader article)

Heller says his priorities are what's best for counties (Fernley Leader article)

Heller disputes charge: Dean Heller says he isn’t skipping airport security because of special congressional privileges (Reno News & Review article)

Big economic hangover looms (Kirk Caraway column, Lahontan Valley News)

Those tax and spend Democrats (Amanda Williams column, Reno News & Review)

A sickening report: Federal health officials who hid trailer health risks imperiled hurricane victims (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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April 4-7, 2008

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Housing crisis brings repo men into more upscale territory (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

TAX REVENUES: State budget woes to continue -- Experts: Flat economy won't improve anytime soon (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Budget talks to resume (Associated Press article)

How can two top Republicans even think of hatching this budget plan? (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Bawking and balking (In Business Las Vegas column)

Nevada Taxes

Governor holds firm on no-taxes pledge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Vox Populi: State Ballot Initiatives

Gaming tax hike petitions in works: Teachers union lauds rejection of challenge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Decision puts gaming tax on ballot: Nevada Resort Association expected to appeal ruling favoring teachers union (Nevada Appeal article)

Tax initiative case appeal unsettled, resort official says: Industry reviewing decision, mulling options (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Casinos challenge teachers' tax plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"In interpreting initiatives, this court is required to make every effort to preserve the initiative power of the people. In other words, this court must interpret an initiative so as to preserve the power of the people to vote on it."

Power of the people (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

HOTEL ROOM TAX INITIATIVES: Ballot backers say lawsuit illegal -- Challenge by municipalities headed to court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sands-LVCVA feud rekindled with two initiatives (In Business Las Vegas article)

Using tax dollars to keep us from voting -- Former state treasurer has a point (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Hmmmm…. (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The State Judiciary

"Instead of a mere mortal judge, we have a diviner of truth, an arbiter of social mores and righter of imaged wrongs. Good qualities in a Norse god, perhaps."

THOMAS MITCHELL: She don't need no stinking witnesses (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

State Agencies

Gas and diesel prices hurting the state as well (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada's gasoline coffers near E: Higher fuel prices push agencies to cut costs or get emergency aid (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Gibbons plans government overhaul: Governor to target waste, inefficiency (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gibbons calls for Nevada Grace Commission (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Friendly crowd goes frigid for Gibbons: In speech, he extols free market virtue, lays out agenda for the future (Las Vegas Sun article)

Governor, it's time to go (Las Vegas CityLife article)

'People will recognize that he kept his promise': In defense of Jim Gibbons (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Board games: A look at some of the governor's choice appointees (Las Vegas CityLife article)

A meditation on leadership (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Night meeting draws downtown supporters (Nevada Appeal article)

City building contracts raise questions (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County

Sense of entitlement: Commissioner Tom Collins wrongly parks in space reserved for public (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

ERIN NEFF: Redevelopment a lame excuse for new City Hall project (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

We’re not full of hate! (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Race on for where, when sports arena will be in LV (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Officials address valley's issues: Thriving in crisis theme of forum (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Investor club bullish on LV opportunities (In Business Las Vegas article)

Tourism juggernaut shows signs of slowing down: Hotel rates lowered, ad pitch reworked for ‘recession-proof’ city (Las Vegas Sun article)

Housing market's woes hurt Desert Capital REIT: Company relying on mortgage loans reports loss for '07 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

VEGAS EXODUS: How a slump in housing construction has cost immigrant workers their jobs and sent them home (Las Vegas Sun article)

Case affects multifamily housing developers (In Business Las Vegas article)

Ex-tenants sue Boca Park developer (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

For the poor, tough times could get tougher: With more and more seeking help, officials consider new limits on benefits (Las Vegas Sun article)

Delays increase with new flight plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

Commission turns down cluster exemption (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

County building activity nosedives (Elko Free Press article)

Lyon County

Milz won't try for fourth term as Lyon commissioner (Nevada Appeal article)

Building to be renamed to honor Hillyard (Nevada Appeal article)

Storey County

Storey budget includes small property tax cut (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Politics

Major role for Nevada in November (Jon Ralston column, Las Vegas Sun)

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: McCain bad for Nevada -- but he'll still win here (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Regents overcome misgivings, raise tuition: Board acts on recommendation of staff members (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Department of Silly Euphemisms: A tie tack? No, this is a 'Congressional Medal of Honor'! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Virtual world, real college class: UNLV is the latest university to get with the Second Life program (Las Vegas Sun article)

‘Interim’ could be removed from CSN president’s title (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Promote quality education -- slash funding (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Churchill County School District

Drop out rate: half of state average (Lahontan Valley News article)

Severe and drastic cuts needed in CCSD budget (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

Rise of the robots: Today's high school whiz kids are tomorrow's robot masters (Las Vegas CityLife article)

Snippets of sobriety (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

It's elementary (Lee Plotkin column, Las Vegas CityLife)

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Nevada Health Matters

MONEYMAKING MENTALITY: Clinic assembly line described -- Patients, others say Endoscopy Center rushed colonoscopies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

HEPATITIS OUTBREAK: Endoscopy clinic license hearing set -- Owners and employees ordered to attend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Desai expected to skip hearing: Despite city subpoena, clinic owner has little to gain by attending (Las Vegas Sun article)

Congress cool to calls for hearings on health care: Amid hepatitis scares in 4 states, D.C. worries about doctor, clinic liability (Las Vegas Sun article)

Familiar face answers call for help resolving endoscopy center crisis (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Renown nurses prepare to picket (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

STILL LOOKING AHEAD: Homeless services coordinator doesn't let cancer get her down (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada's Environment

Nevada Water Matters

Gibbons now sees water pipeline as 'part of the solution' for valley (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Where does Gibbons really stand on the pipeline? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Water authority to repeat rate hearing: Complaints prompt 'do-over' despite notice (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Town, county ready to pipe water to north Valley (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Regions to link water systems (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Survey finds deep aquifers: First-phase findings doesn't guarantee more water (Elko Free Press article)

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: Fernley flooding triggers canal review -- Rodents, trees, time take toll across West (Associated Press article)

Alternative Energy

What was waste will make power: At new plant, air heated to nearly 1,000 degrees by existing facility will be used to run turbine (Las Vegas Sun article)

Biomass plant grant formally announced (Nevada Appeal article)

Jumping into the belly of the nuclear beast (Sam Bauman column, Nevada Appeal)

Conservation

Crews work to restore Waterfall fire area (Nevada Appeal article)

Cut the trees: It may save the planet from global warming! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Wilderness Proposal

Lawmakers ease off on wilderness idea (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wild Beasts

Department of Wildlife says to 'Be Bear Aware' (Nevada Appeal article)

Urban fishery project discussed: Three small reservoirs north of Elko eyed for stocking (Elko Free Press article)

Mormon cricket numbers could be down (Elko Free Press article)

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Our Beautiful Region

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Wildflowers to put on quite the show on side roads (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Juvenile Sex Offenders

Juvenile sex offender laws struck down — for now (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada’s sex offender law being reviewed (Associated Press article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

JOHN L. SMITH: No one questions closing one prison and expanding another (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Corruption Cases

Fraud case echoes in court: Gage trial testimony recalled in civil suit (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Softball press lets Gage dodge tough questions (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Former Lyon administrator to plead guilty (Nevada Appeal article)

Scams And Rumors Of Scams

Nevada among top states for Net scams: State second in perpetrators, fifth in victims (Associated Press article)

Attendees get conference bills: Dental group's organizer failed to pay Westin Casuarina $57,000 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Police Shootings

CORONER'S INQUEST: Jury: Shooting justified -- Three officers returned shots from suspect (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Family of Henderson ice cream truck driver killed by police files lawsuit (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Man was shot in leg by police veteran: Officer responded to domestic disturbance (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Man shot by police officer at apartment complex identified (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

$kindustry Regulation

James "Buffalo Jim" Barrier dies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

“Nothing is adding up here,” he says. “It makes no sense.”

"Buffalo” Jim found dead in hotel room (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Strange Case Of Joe Francis

Girls Gone Wild, Joe Francis lawyers seek to move trial to Calif. (Associated Press article)

Youth Gangs

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Police guard trove of gangster monikers, often the only names by which suspects are known (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sheepslayer

Three sheep shot dead in S. Carson (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Labor Unions

In fatalities, union to meet with OSHA : Policy represents change for ironworkers local (Las Vegas Sun article)

Teamsters’ next hurdle: Election: Accusations already flying over contested contract (Las Vegas Sun article)

Laborers rejoin AFL-CIO building trades (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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From The Neon Empire

BED ALERT! Tropicana employees on the lookout for bedbugs (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Past

An Early Settler

Museum lecture (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Chinese Culture

Chinese celebration rivets museum (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Journalism

Still the right dream: America should again take up Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of the ‘Promised Land’ (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

SHERMAN FREDERICK: For the good of the Vegas hive -- The king issues a few more decrees (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Law firm's Yucca pact with DOE criticized: Inspectors say agency ignored conflicts, documentation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fox and the henhouse (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Group gives Reid failing earmark grade (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Majority Leader Clinton? Senate insiders say, ‘Nah’ (Las Vegas Sun article)

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Porter still ready to rock -- The Second Amendments band has some vacancies (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In The US Congress

Senate refuses to let judges revise mortgages: Vote follows talks with homeowners (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Senators: Deal reached to extend 'green' power tax breaks: Sponsors now call measure 'stimulus' bill (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Snake oil salesmen: Executives shamelessly cry foul over House plan to strip tax breaks from big gas companies (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Preserving national heritage: Congress should step in and purchase private lands within national parks (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal dollars need to be reserved for national needs (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Monthly Budget Review April 2008 (Congressional Budget Office report)

National Health Matters

A tragic picture: Federal report shows tens of thousands of U.S. infants suffer from neglect (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RS22602 Public Health and Medical Preparedness and Response: Issues in the 110th Congress February 13, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL34432 Medicaid Rehabilitation Services April 02, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL31698 Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) Under Medicaid January 08, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RL33901 Follow-On Biologics: Intellectual Property and Innovation Issues January 17, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Bush Administration Memo Says Fourth Amendment Does Not Apply To Military Operations Within U.S.: ACLU Calls For Immediate Release Of Withheld Legal Memo (ACLU press release, via Steve Sebelius)

Making the switch: The change coming to television could leave older viewers in the dark (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

It's now illegal to carry cash? Nye County cops hit the jackpot (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Weapons cost overruns: With domestic programs being cut, Pentagon spending and delays are slap in the face (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Iraq cost: $14.1 million an hour (Las Vegas Sun article)

Update the GI Bill: A bill in Congress would end financial hardship for recent veterans attending college (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

RL33449 Military Retirement, Concurrent Receipt, and Related Major Legislative Issues February 12, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

RS22832 A Fact Sheet on the Economic Stimulus Rebate for Social Security and Veterans' Benefit Recipients March 13, 2008 (Congressional Research Service report)

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April 8, 2008

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Nevada Government

State Government

Nevada's Economy

Nev. gas prices soar in April (Associated Press article)

ATTORNEY GENERAL ADVISES NEVADANS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER FORECLOSURE LAWS (Attorney General Mastos press release)

"More than half of Las Vegas home sales in March were foreclosures or short sales, the president of Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors said Monday."

HOUSING: 'Feeding frenzy' in Las Vegas -- Foreclosures, short sales rise, bringing big drop in prices (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Budget

$910 MILLION: Governor: Shortfall increased -- But treasurer discovers extra funds to avert further cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

No deal yet on state budget cuts: Gibbons says no more operating trims (Nevada Appeal article)

Gibbons, leaders struggle with cuts (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada governor, lawmakers close on budget shortfall talks (Associated Press article)

Governor and lawmakers continuing discussion on budget next meeting scheduled for Wednesday (Gov. Gibbons press release)

Nevada looks at legal options as revenue shortfall grows (Associated Press article)

Who needs welfare? Stat