Print edition for April 16, 2000

Editorial: Truth takes a beating: While Hastert indeed may have found a convenient solution, the fact is if nuclear waste is stored at Yucca Mountain, it would be a disaster that would imperil public safety and the environment. Nevada is one of the worst geologic places in the nation to store 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste, considering that the waste would be buried in an ancient volcano, which also happens to be located in one of the nation's most active earthquake zones.

Where I Stand--Brian Greenspun: Will R-J ever grow up?: Hail to the chief and to hell with the Review-Journal.

Would a ban on roads in forests also put a freeze on fun?: John Hughes; "It gives you a feeling for the land you just can't get any other way," says Cook of Idaho Falls, Idaho. "When you can go through fresh powder, it's like flying."

About 40,000 people tour new $5 million Mormon temple in Reno: Martin Griffith; About 40,000 people toured the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 81st temple worldwide during a weeklong open house that ended Saturday, church officials said. Only Mormons now will be allowed inside.

Columnist Jon Ralston: GOP's nuke vote glee premature: The national Republican Party's nuclear waste preening this week in Washington was designed to impress two audiences and showed that the GOP leaders have mastered a couple of hoary political laws.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Give girl chance brother never had: Sandra Thompson; Last month a Family Court judge ruled that a Las Vegas woman was responsible for the 1997 death of her 18-month-old son.

Vargas impressive in victory: Michael Rosenthal; And Vargas, after only 18 fights, was much better - which he hopes will make people think.

Josh Brolin wins Pro Celebrity Event: Mike Harris; Brolin won the pole in qualifying Friday and Don Simons, who got into the event as the high bidder in a charity auction, took the other front starting spot. As the two leaders neared the first turn, a sharp right-hander, Simons slid sideways, losing momentum and Brolin pulled away.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Nursing assistants need help: Beth says people might be amazed by what she and her peers provide for less than $10 an hour.

School bookkeeper must return funds: In a plea bargain, she agreed to pay back the money prosecutors can prove she took.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Reynolds to hit 'Hollywood': Kate Maddox; Burt Reynolds is the leader of the pack in a new movie about some washed-up actors trying to revive their Hollywood careers. Reynolds stars with Tom Berenger and Rod Steiger in "The Hollywood Sign," and the trio will soon be on the Las Vegas Strip to shoot a few scenes.

Letter: Money wasted on attacking Clinton: Congress keeps talking about the waste of taxpayer money, yet they allow this charade to continue. When are you guys, who supposedly control the purse strings, going to stop this shameful waste of our money. There are a number of uses that this money could be spent that would "truly" benefit the American people. You could apply it to paying down the national debt.

Columnist Jeff German: Goodman proud of defenders: If you talk to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, you get the feeling he's proud of the way the hard-charging defense team has stirred things up in the Ted Binion murder case.

A matter of principle: Martin Kuz; In part one last Sunday, Dan Chandler disputed the coroner's ruling of suicide in the May 20, 1993, death of his son. Joseph Daniel Chandler Jr. died in his father's Las Vegas home while engaged in what resembled Russian roulette. Chan, as everyone knew him, had a 0.46 blood-alcohol level and crack cocaine coursing through his body at the time.

Q&A: Poetry in Motion: Lisa Ferguson; Is it possible that Robert Frost, while writing his classic poem "The Road Not Taken," was thinking about Norman Kaye?

Force tops O'Reilly Nationals qualifying: Kenny Bernstein, Jim Yates and Bob Panella also led their divisions in the $1.8 million competition, the fifth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Bobby Labonte wishes he had another qualifying run: Paul Newberry; Labonte, the NASCAR Winston Cup points leader, had a miserable qualifying run Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, blowing a cylinder after a mistake in the set-up for his Pontiac Grand Prix. His speed of 181.967 was more than 5 mph slower than pole-sitter Jeremy Mayfield.

Letter: Columnist right: Flag isn't just 'piece of cloth': Yet in October 1999 he voted against restoring some $3 billion to the Veterans Administration budget. So his change of stance on flag burning is just another showing of his hypocritical stance. As I stated in a previous letter to the editor: "It's not just a piece of cloth -- it's a grand old flag," and long may it wave, not to be burned or desecrated.

De Ferran looking for better Long Beach luck: Mike Harris; The Brazilian outdueled former CART FedEx Series champions Jimmy Vasser and Juan Montoya on Saturday to earn his third pole in six years of racing on the temporary street course.

Letter: Editorial hits nail on head: Do you suppose builders will now have a favorite credo that says: "Build it any old way: no one can hurt us."

Beltway project speeding along: Cars and trucks will soon be able to make the 25-mile drive between the Las Vegas Valley's two largest master-planned communities without taking surface streets.

Mississippi State Gaming Association narrows search for new executive director: The finalists include former state Gaming Commission executive director Paul Harvey; Mike Olivier, executive director of the Harrison County Development Commission; Beverly Martin, executive director of the Gulf Coast Gaming Association; Andy Bourland, public affairs director for Beau Rivage; and Brad Chism, a Jackson health care management executive.

Gordon breaks losing streak at DieHard 500: Paul Newberry; Gordon grabbed the lead with five laps to go and held off Mike Skinner in another thrilling finish at Talladega Superspeedway, winning the DieHard 500 by about two car lengths. He was the ninth different winner in as many races this year.

Pairings for O'Reily Nationals: 1. Kenny Bernstein, 4.566 seconds, 320.97 mph vs. Bye; 2. Gary Scelzi, 4.595, 319.14 vs. 15. Joe Hartley, 9.381, 82.55; 3. Cory McClenathan, 4.611, 315.71 vs. 14. Mike Smith, 9.072, 87.80; 4. Larry Dixon, 4.626, 316.82 vs. 13. Bruce Litton, 4.776, 291.19;

Gambling cruise fails to land in Mexico on first voyage: "Overall the experience was good," Paul Holdy said in Sunday's edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune. "But there are some things Commodore and Viejas need to work out."

Diehard 500 winner could be anyone: Terry Blount; Dale Earnhardt will try to become the first driver in 24 years to win three consecutive races at the Talladega Superspeedway when he starts the Diehard 500 today from the second row.

Federal heritage designation sought for Highway 50: The designation would bring the remote, sparsely populated region publicity, new road signs and $10 million in federal funds to promote tourism at a time when mining is slumping, they say.