Print edition for December 9, 2000

Federal government denies amendment to Mohawks' casino plan: "No evidence has been presented that the tribe currently has a positive net revenue," Gover wrote.

Editorial: Florida's high court gets it right: The case that drew the most attention, however, was the one before the Florida Supreme Court. Along with ordering a hand recount of the undervotes in all counties, the Supreme Court also said a trial court judge erred when he failed to include 215 votes for Gore from Palm Beach County and 168 votes for Gore in a partial recount of Miami-Dade County, a ruling that means a scant 154 votes separate Bush and Gore out of nearly 6 million cast in Florida. "Although in all elections the Legislature and the courts have recognized that the voter's intent is paramount, ...

A lack of laws opens door for debate on halfway houses: Kris Hill; Ken Stacey doesn't mind having a halfway house in his neighborhood. He doesn't mind maybe even two of the homes for recovering addicts.

Numerous day camps planned for kids on winter vacation: Students can attend one of a variety of education-oriented camps and other programs during the vacation, including camps offered by the city of Las Vegas, YMCA, Jewish Community Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Wolf Pack downs Rebels: Steve Addy; RENO -- When the Rebels beefed up their basketball schedule this season, they assumed there might be some tough losses to the likes of Illinois, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati.

UNLV, UNR students take too long to graduate: Those 35 percent complete their degree requirements within six years, according to university statistics. That compares with 44 percent at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Reid, Ensign vow to play nice: Two years ago Harry Reid could not talk about John Ensign without scorn dripping from every word.

Lizard smuggler gets fine, probation: Ken Ritter; Don D. Astorga, an auto detailer and reptile collector, offered no explanation before or after sentencing on Friday about being found with nine dead and three live lizards in his crotch at McCarran International Airport. Two of the lizards were monitors - a federally protected species.

Labonte figured Gibbs would help him win Winston Cup: Dick Brinster; His got his first help from his parents, whom he thanked Friday night for spending "the time you didn't have and the money you didn't have."

Not by the book: Terry Webster; The glossy new health textbooks in teacher Pat Condron's ninth grade Centennial High School classroom will probably never see the inside of a locker or an overloaded backpack.

Editorial: DeLay won't win any congeniality contests: The timing of DeLay's threat was odd, considering that House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott were trying to forge a budget compromise with Clinton. The taunting of the president by DeLay, who represents the sentiments of many die-hard conservatives in the House, suggests comity may be a rare commodity next year in the evenly divided Congress.

Letter: Guinn's Yucca efforts are weak: Also, you should have included Sen.-elect John Ensign. We'll be watching him closely!

Letter: Election is opportunity to educate: We learned today that the U.S. Supreme Court deals with federal matters only. We learned that state supreme courts have to have a valid law or precedent to rely on for any rulings that have been made. Most of all I think that we have learned that our courts are supposed to be nonbiased. Whether that is true or not is yet to be seen.

Where I Stand -- Amy Greenspun: Congratulations, cousin!: I am always honored when I have the rare opportunity to not only share my thoughts with Sun readers, but to do it in the very space that was once my grandfather's and is my father's today.

Q&A: The Skinny on St. Nick: Kimberley McGee; While trees are strung with tinsel and lights and presents are wrapped during long winter nights, a red-suited man with a sack full of toys is preparing to whisk down chimneys to give toys to good little girls and boys.

LV crime rates on steady decline: Keith Paul; For a city that loves to play the odds, the advantage is now firmly in the favor of Las Vegans -- as far as avoiding crime.

Columnist Sandy Thompson: Family Court streamlines system: Sandy Thompson; To improve efficiency and consistency, Family Court is doing away with its "smokestack" approach to cases.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Sunday's races at Hollywood Park: Ralph Siraco; 1st Race -- Please Please Me - Draws good middle post in full field for sprint opener, hustling Pedroza aboard Delia trainee, Please Please graduate. Face The Jackals - Training at Anita, draws just inside top pick, Puglisi on Machowsky trainee, faces diploma run here. Value Play -- Call To Honor

Columnist Susan Snyder: His spirit remains illuminated: Mike Dibenedetto is among 1,000 Fiesta workers who are facing layoffs in the wake of a buyout by Station Casinos Inc.

Letter: Haven't my votes been counting?: Let's remember -- if we all agreed -- we would not have need of elections.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Reconciliation is Taylor-made: Kate Maddox; The upcoming TV movie, "These Old Broads," is all about rekindling careers. But according to one of the stars, Debbie Reynolds, the appearance of her former pal Elizabeth Taylor wasn't about making an acting comeback. It was about making amends.

Reid praises court ruling; Gibbons says waste of time: "Unfortunately, this ruling will only place George Bush further back in making sure that he can have an orderly and timely transition," he said.

Columnist Jeff German: Guinn's honeymoon with Dems may be over: These are potentially treacherous political times for first-term Gov. Kenny Guinn.

A little snow, a lot of cold in pre-winter forecast: Tom Gardner; "We're hoping so. We really would like to see the snowpack built up to normal levels," National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Goldstein said Friday.

Tribal Council approves amendments, extends compact with state: The council's formal approval of the compact amendments came Friday, the day after a group of Cherokee residents led by activist Missy Crowe asked the Tribal Council to halt the process for federal Interior Department approval of the agreement.

Classes for kids mix karate with nonviolence: Kris Hill; The Police Athletic League program run by Dominick Rodriguez has grown so popular since it began in June that he plans to offer it at a third site.