Print edition for July 2, 2000

Sophia Loren a hit at resort anniversary: Robert Macy; The Italian icon christened the Venice-themed resort in May 1999, then returned over the weekend for a first anniversary celebration.

Proponents say casinos would create some 15,000 jobs in Arkansas: But company president Bobby May and vice president Bob Means said they already have processed up to 2,000 job applications from their visits to Fort Smith, Harrison, Hot Springs, Texarkana, and West Memphis. They said they don't need to immediately fill the jobs.

Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: A nation blackmailed: Israel is an ancient land that has been ruled by different governments and foreign countries for centuries. Modern Israel, little more than 50 years of age, is the only democratic nation in the Middle East. A democracy it is, but it continues to show the immaturity of its youth.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Good child welfare system isn't free: Sandra Thompson; You can't build an effective child welfare system without adequate staffing and funding.

Pepsi 400 results: 2. (1) Dale Jarrett, Ford, running, $126,350.

Millen sets Unlimited Division record in Pikes Peak practice run: "We're encouraged by the time at the top today," said Millen, a five-time Unlimited champion at Pikes Peak. He holds the overall course record on the 12.42-mile climb, 10:04.06 in 1994.

Frank's Chevrolet 125 results: 2. (2) Garrett Evans, Chevrolet, 125, $3,500.

Green takes pole for DieHard 250: "It was a great run for us," said Green, a three-time winner this year. "We've been very successful sitting on poles and winning races. I know everybody's getting tired of it - but we're not."

Cleveland Grand Prix results: 2. (15) Kenny Brack, Ford Reynard, 100.

More stops mean fewer breaks: Michael Vega; But the NASCAR Winston Cup Series is a marathon of a different sort that covers tracks coast to coast. By season's end, drivers log enough race miles (13,365.8) to cross the country in their 3,500-pound stock cars at least five times.

Sears DieHard 200 Results: 2. (2) Randy Tolsma, Dodge, 200, $30,500.

Fewer warnings for polluters on Lake Tahoe: "It's way, way down," said Steve Antoine, a watercraft enforcement supervisor for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Kentucky 150 lineup: 2. (16) Tim Steele, Ford, 172.370.

Pettys try to move on: Michael Vegas; Mike Helton, NASCAR's chief operating officer and senior vice president, was on the line from New Hampshire International Speedway with the devastating news that 19-year-old Adam Petty, Kyle's son, had been killed driving his Busch Series car during practice May 12.

Melbourne GP to kick off 2001 F1 season a week early: Walker said FIA, the world governing body for auto racing, released a provisional calendar for the 2001 season with the opening race listed during the first weekend in March.

Trans-Am results: 2. (3) Johnny Miller, Chevrolet Corvette, 47.

Wreck knocks three out of Pepsi 400: David Jones; None of the trio had threatened the leaders all night, however.

Q&A: Big Top Big Shot -- Kenneth Feld: Kirk Baird; Kenneth Feld's official title is chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment Inc. But it might as well be Mr. Entertainment.

Wreck ends Elliott's shot at upset: "This is aggravating for us, this ain't racing," Elliott said later as he went into his trailer. "This is just going out there and riding around."

Crew's car adjustments helped Burton win: David Jones; Burton started ninth and stayed near the front most of the night. He made his move to front on the 121st lap of the 160-lap event. He said the car got better as the race went on.

Burton holds off big names for Pepsi 400 win: Eddie Pells; But big names don't win races, good driving does. And since the beginning of 1999, Burton has won more than any of those guys.

French Grand Prix results: 2, Mika Hakkinen, Finland, McLaren-Mercedes, 72, 1:38.20.286.

Sky Fire Bumper to Bumper 100 results: 2. (6) Johnny Chapman, Pontiac, 100, $1,800.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Flamingo to bare 'Bottoms Up': Kate Maddox; Looks like it's a go for "Best of Bottoms Up" at the Flamingo Las Vegas. After weeks of rumors about bringing back more topless entertainment to the Strip, producer/director Breck Wall and his partner, Patrick Maes, have secured the Flamingo for the return of their notorious comedy revue.

Winston Cup points race tightening: David Jones; But as the Cup season reaches the halfway point, the points race tightened even more in what could be one of the closest competitions ever.

Risk-taking retiree hopes to make Guinness record book: BASE is an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth.

Rhode Island pro-casino group won't let issue die: "I'm amazed at the phone calls I've been getting from around the state," Robert D'Uva, co-founder of the group, told The Providence Journal. "Even people opposed want this on the ballot right now."

Steels wins second stage, Millar retains yellow jacket: Ian Phillips; Tom Steels of Belgium won the close stage, finishing the mostly flat 120-mile course from Futuroscope to Loudun in 4 hours, 46 minutes, 8 seconds.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Too many people live hand-to-mouth: Francine Banks lives on the edge of downtown.

Letter: Public deserves more oversight of state HMOs: It is hoped that the Consumer Health Assistance office, under Laurie England, can focus on this and act as an appellate czar. Unfortunately she will run into HMO lobbyists and politicians who are directors of HMOs and who also have the governor's ear.

Letter: Police presence is nonexistent: Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, of District A, has not responded. The speed limit needs to be lowered. Garbage is all over the sides of the road, and the road is in terrible shape. Not one improvement in five years except that everybody does just what they want.

Letter: Illegal workers help economy: Despite what disgruntled xenophobes may think or say about our demographic changes, immigrants are business owners, investors, workers, taxpayers and consumers. Most national economists would agree on this point. Mr. O'Callaghan and the Las Vegas Interfaith Council should be applauded for addressing this matter.

Liaisons drive up council spending: Erin Neff; All things being equal, the offices of the seven Las Vegas City Council members are not.

Editorial: Our future knows no bounds: Since the Sun's earliest days, when Hank used his front-page column, "Where I Stand," to wage a crusade to expose Sen. Joseph McCarthy's smear tactics and witch hunting, the Sun has fought against injustice, whether committed by government, businesses or individuals. Today the Sun continues to fight, particularly against the federal government's hostile campaign to store 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste inside Nevada's Yucca Mountain. In contrast, the Las Vegas Review-Journal's editorial page has remained indifferent about the prospect of nuclear waste storage in Nevada, which without a doubt is this state's gravest threat. The fact that the two ...

Nevada's largest wildfire of season still out of control: Martin Griffith; The Kelly Creek fire was the latest in a series of lightning-caused wildfires that have blackened more than 45,000 acres across northern Nevada over the last week.

Electronic tags latest tool to catch cactus crooks: Jace Radke; Driving through remote National Park Service lands in Southern Nevada, resource management specialist Alice Newton often looks out over vistas dotted with hundreds of yucca plants and cactuses.

Editorial: Partisan attack on Berkley off target: Porter claims that since the bill also contains $413 million in funding to continue work on Yucca Mountain, Berkley should have voted against the bill as did Nevada's other House member, Republican Jim Gibbons. But the bill isn't a straight up-or-down vote on nuclear waste storage. For that matter, the bill contains critical funding for flood control projects in Southern Nevada.

Program offers offenders chance to work at upscale casino: Angie Wagner; He certainly never thought anyone would take a chance on a 10th-grade dropout and a deadbeat dad. But he got his break from an unlikely combination - a burger joint and one of the city's most upscale casinos.

Wynn tells all about Desert Inn deal, his future: Desert Inn owner Steve Wynn recently sat down for a nearly two-hour interview with me and Paula Francis of KLAS-TV Channel 8. It was the first interview he has granted since his company, Mirage Resorts, was acquired by MGM Grand and since he purchased the Desert Inn.

At 49, Earnhardt puts the throttle to critics about his aging: Dave Caldwell; "If someone tells you I'm riding my years out," Earnhardt said, pleasantly but firmly, "they're not paying attention."