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CARSON CITY – Las Vegas businessman Monte Miller said today he is seeking a hike in the gaming tax for the state’s largest casinos to offer the Legislature and voters one more revenue option in the face of a possible Texas-style margin tax that could appear on the ballot.

RENO – Gov. Brian Sandoval said today his plan to repeal 654 unnecessary regulations will assist in the state’s efforts at economic diversification and job creation by making Nevada more business friendly.

In addition to the repeal of more than 600 rules, another 1,100 will be updated as a result of an executive order he issued in January 2011 imposing a one-year freeze and calling for his cabinet to thoroughly review the entire regulatory framework of the state. The review was finalized last week.

The Academy Award nominated film "The Descendants," now playing at the Fandango Galaxy movie house in Carson City, is a hard-eyed romantic comedy with an ensemble cast headed by George Clooney, the only name star aboard.
Doesn't matter, this is a fine cast from Clooney as Matt King to Judy Greer as Julie Speer, wife of a real estate salesman who … but let's let that wait.
The film opens with a scene of an attractive woman riding a boat. She's laughing in the wind. This is before an of the opening credits. No explanation given or needed.

CARSON CITY – A panel of lawmakers today began a review of the state’s 45-year-old formula for funding public education with an eye towards addressing the needs of the state’s urban districts as they work to educate special education students, English-language learners and children in poverty.

The panel is still searching for funding for a study to help in the review, however. The failure to find private funding for a study could jeopardize any meaningful review in this interim, lawmakers were told.

Warning: Strong language:

Back when I used to write staff editorials for "the newspaper" some years ago, there was a requirement that you had to actually know something about the subject matter before you started writing.

After reading this editorial about the DREAM Act, I can see this standard no longer applies.

People can have different opinions, but not different facts. This editorial fails to accurately describe what the DREAM Act is, and instead suggests it would give amnesty to every illegal alien in the country.

Reading the newspaper this morning is like deja vu. First, there is the story about Carson City being recognized as a top ranked digital city, which we published last month. Then there is the report about the Gardnerville man who was shot by a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy next to his own grave site, an apparent act of "suicide by cop." There's also the story about the fundraiser at J's Bistro to benefit the Dayton Food Pantry that we had yesterday. It reminds me of that line from the movie "All The President's Men" where they talked about a new feature for the paper, yesterday's weather forecast, "for those who got drunk and slept all day."

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In politics, Judge Todd Russell finalized the state's redistricting case, refusing to add language allowing current office holders from using the words “incumbent” or “re-elect” in their campaigns if their districts had changed. None of the parties in the case objected to the new political boundaries, which closes this chapter of political wrangling.

Secretary of State Ross Miller filed a suit to force conservative advocacy group Citizen Outreach to register with the state and file contribution and expense reports. Miller cited that the group ran ads targeting Assembly Speaker John Oceguera during the 2010 election, which means the group must comply with laws governing political activities.

Although Citizen Outreach has not responded to the suit, its president Chuck Muth has a column today attacking Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea for not being conservative enough. Goicoechea, a Republican from Eureka, announced that he will run for state senate.

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In other news from behind the wall, Lisa Hoeppner will represent Carson City in the upcoming Mrs. Nevada-America Pageant in Las Vegas, Local's BBQ has closed its doors, and there is a club for table tennis fans in town.

Have a great Friday!

William Ravenelle was supposed to be celebrating his 50th birthday last Saturday here in Carson City. But he never came home after he was last seen at the Comfort Inn in Elko, and his family is desperately searching for him. Ravenell's brother Mike went to the motel and found the doors of William's car wide open, and his cell phone was still in his room. A motel employee reported that his wallet was found, and it still had money in it. William Ravenelle is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information about his disappearance should call the Elko Police Department at (775) 777-7310.

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$5 million of voter-approved funding will be going to help build a bike path around the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, but many obstacles stand in the way of its completion. The narrow roadway going through the Carson City portion of the lake's shoreline is one of the problem area. The others include getting around Cave Rock.

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Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller is filing a protest over language that was included in the newly approved redistricting order. The language was added that allows candidates to use terms like "re-elect" an "incumbent" even if the redistricting has moved them to new districts, or their district numbers have changed.

Secretary of State Ross Miller has filed a protest to the changes the Legislative Counsel requested in Judge Todd Russell's redistricting order.Russell agreed to add language clarifying that curren...

Video of the fire as seen from Skyline Canyon in Reno. Warning: Language

A judge has agreed to clarify who can use the term "re-elect" in campaign materials under rules setting new voting boundaries in Nevada.

The issue centers on which legislators get to claim they are the district's incumbent when boundaries get redrawn and force two sitting candidates to run against each other in the same district. The language was sought by Legislative Counsel Brenda Erdoes.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Consumers who have suffered an “extraordinary life event” may now ask their insurance company to provide an exception to the use of their credit information for underwriting and rating purposes, which may otherwise result in an increase in their premium rate.

“This is an important chance for some Nevadans who have suffered an unfortunate event to find relief during these trying economic times,” said Commissioner Scott J. Kipper of the Nevada Division of Insurance.

I missed the first two iterations of "Paranormal Activity," so I was a little lost looking at No. 3, now playing at the Fandango Galaxy in Carson City. I also missed the first five minutes so I was a little baffled by the repetitious scenes of nothing happening as a video camera scanned two rooms.

This is a prequel to the first two go-arounds and while it has its share of things that go bang in the night, it is more confusing than amusing or scary.

By Jeff Cowen

CARSON CITY – The three special masters appointed by Carson City District Judge James Todd Russell to redraw Nevada’s political boundaries wasted no time on the charge, filing their report and proposed maps with the court today.

The film "Real Steel" now playing at the Fandango Galaxy cineplex in Carson City is an action film starring Hugh Jackman as a down-and-out boxer past his prime as robots took over the boxing world.

In this case it's an attempt by films to muscle into the video game profits. Not that the movie is bad, that is, if the sight of giant robots flaying away at each other doesn't turn you off. It's actually technology not gone amok but just crass.

Although she has lived in the United States for 15 years, Loyda Herrera hasn't needed to learn English. "Before, I didn't worry about it," she said in Spanish. "But things have gotten harder now...

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval and the state Board of Education have appointed their respective liaisons to the search effort for the next superintendent of public instruction.
Sandoval appointed Terri Janison, his director of community relations and a former president of the Clark County School Board.
The State Board of Education appointed board president Chris Wallace as its liaison. Board member Annie Wilson will serve as alternate.

Attached below are unedited recordings of 911 calls made during the shooting incident at IHOP on South Carson Street yesterday. Warning: strong language

Thanks to a letter written by a concerned citizen, Nevada owners of a concealed weapons (CCW) permit may soon be able to purchase more firearms without further background checks and the associated $25 fee.

The Legislative Commission today approved new fees for public record requests and a new expense report form for elections as well as appointed members to two dozen committees that meet during the interim.

"The Change-Up," an R-rated film now playing at the Fandango Galaxy cineplex in Carson City and elsewhere, plays concurrently with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" at the Galaxy.

"Apes" is probably the best summer fare this year. No way "Change-Up" is going to be on anyone's "best" list, unless it's that of the sophomore class at Carson High. But even young teens, at whom this movie is aimed, surely will know better. It's a lousy take on contemporary American men and society. Director Dave Dobkin makes the trains run on time but with such a lousy load of freight.

OK, so I missed the first seven Harry Potter films and the J.K Rowling books that served as the basis for the series. Bad planning or no planning. So when the last of the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," opened at the Fandango Galaxy multiplex with three theaters showing the film simultaneous, in 2-D and 3-D, I figured time to catch up.

"Larry Crowne," a romantic comedy now playing at the Fandango Galaxy in Carson City, is the second romantic comedy to hit the scene after the delightful "Bad Teacher," was a hit because of Cameron Diaz' loopy, wide grin.

Sadly, "Crowne"with Tom Hanks directing, writing and co-staring with Julia Roberts, can't come up with the wit and charm of "Teacher." Where "Teacher" is profane and clever, "Crowne" plots along predicable lines from the opening when Hanks as Crowne is laid off from a big box store (read Wal-Mart) because he does't have a college degree. Sure.

CARSON CITY – Attorneys for the state Democrat and Republican parties argued their cases Tuesday before the Nevada Supreme Court over whether they should pick their candidates for the special election to fill the vacant 2nd Congressional District seat, or whether it should be a “ballot royale.”

"Green Lantern," the current DC Comic ripoff now playing at the Fandango Galaxy cineflex in Carson City, is all about a corps of Green Lantern good guys who protected the universe from evildoers such as Parallax, the baddest bad guy around.

Movie starts with Temuera Morrison as Abin Sur getting hit by Parallax while sledding through space and crashing on a rocky beach. With his dying breath he send his powerful Green Lantern out to find someone to replace him in guarding Earth from Parallax.

CARSON CITY – A bill allowing the state Treasurer to invest up to $50 million in education trust funds to support economic diversification efforts and generate more money for public schools was signed into law today by Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Concerns had been expressed about the legality of Senate Bill 75 after it had been amended in the Senate, but Treasurer Kate Marshall said today the final version of the measure restored the original language.

CARSON CITY – A bill allowing the state Treasurer to invest up to $50 million in education trust funds to support economic diversification efforts and generate more money for public schools was signed into law today by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

By the Bureau of Land Management
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), a meeting of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management-Nevada (BLM) Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will be held as indicated below.
Members of the public and media are cordially invited to attend.

If you saw "Hangover," the flag-waver for the series, you know what "Hangover Part 2 (or II, it wavers) is all about. You probably know it so well that there's not a lot of attraction to seeing "Part 2.) Same cast, same story (but switched to Bangkok) same gags, same car chases (although a car chase in a Bangkok market with the good guys being chased by two motorcycle killers is a bit different, but not really).