Print edition for March 12, 2000

Editorial: Simple solutions are foolish: Another plan, which is getting a lot of media attention, would repeal the 4.3 cent increase in the federal gasoline tax that was passed in 1993. This may be politically popular -- after all, who likes taxes? -- but a closer inspection reveals its folly. First, taking away the 1993 gas tax increase would mean a corresponding reduction of billions of dollars in a federal trust fund -- where these taxes go -- that pay for highway construction. This would be bad public policy that could delay, if not end, some important highway construction projects. In addition, Rep. Bill Archer, ...

Letter: Flag controversy shows GOP not party of Lincoln: Bush's mealy-mouth inaction on this issue is a disgrace not only to Lincoln, but to the many black and white people who fought to preserve the Union, and end slavery.

DMV assesses fines for horseless carriage: "I told them to take me to jail if they had to. I wasn't paying," he said.

Q&A: Ted ahead: Kimberley McGee; Ted Nugent hit it big in 1977 with his top-10 hit "Cat Scratch Fever" and continues to perform his wild brand of rock to audiences more than two decades later.

Columnist Susan Snyder: Don't sweat it: It's only money: The first clue that this ain't your average model home tour is that some of the rocks are actually stereo speakers.

Columnist Sandra Thompson: Complaint seeks probe of Family Court: Sandra Thompson; A group of litigants, citing inconsistent and unfair rulings, violations of due process and failure to follow community property laws, is seeking a formal investigation of Family Court.

Columnist Kate Maddox: Adam Sandler delivers at ShoWest: Kate Maddox; The closing of ShoWest brought a bevy of A-list stars to the National Association of Theater Owners awards dinner on Thursday night. Hundreds of convention-goers (still by invitation only, of course) packed the giant Paris Las Vegas ballroom for dinner and stargazing.

Letter: Press may pay price for stance: It has taken an incredible amount of arrogance and elitism on the part of the media to turn a majority of the people against a free press. As the man who conducted the Vanderbilt survey said: "Attitudes are usually followed by actions."

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Strip is a changin': What price shareholder value?

Change in gambling laws appears to be a plus for Illinois casino: A Quad-City Times analysis of financial reports between July, the first full month of dockside gambling in Illinois, and the end of February 2000 shows the Casino Rock Island's share of the area's gambling revenue grew from 8.2 percent to 12.1 percent.

Impasse over gaming ends land negotiations in New York: The state's stand exasperated the court-appointed mediator, the Indian nation, and people living on the 250,000 acres of disputed land. All now expect a lengthy and costly federal trial.

Bradley back on the witness stand in Edwards trial: Natalie Gott; Edwards, businessman Bobby Johnson, cattleman Cecil Brown and four other defendants have been on trial since Jan. 10, charged with carrying out a series of schemes to manipulate the state's riverboat casino licensing process kickbacks. Prosecutors say the schemes took place before and after Edwards served his fourth term as governor from 1992-1996.

63,000 more disease-ridden fish killed at Nevada hatchery: Martin Griffith; Randi Thompson, spokeswoman with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the latest action came after attempts to treat the cutthroat with antibiotics failed at the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery south of Gardnerville.

Bowling brings Reno economy to life: WIBC officials estimate the tournament will pump up to $70 million into the local economy.

Harrah's tax break would require big increase in riverboat winnings: Alan Sayre; Recently, state Rep. Warren Triche, D-Thibodaux, told a legislative delegation luncheon in Larose that he expected the land casino's owner, JCC Holding Co., to ask for a reduction in its minimum $100 million state tax to either $40 million or $60 million.

Columnist Jon Ralston: McDonald going down familiar path: When he was elected to the Las Vegas City Council in 1995, Michael McDonald's campaign was simple: I'm not Frank Hawkins.

Columnist Jeff German: Nation gets a taste of sizzling Binion trial: The nation is getting a chance to see how the Ted Binion murder case has captured the attention of Las Vegans.

Editorial: Residential casino plan not a panacea: This is an improvement, but the ordinance has severe limitations, since existing property owners in the gaming corridors will be grandfathered in. Don't be surprised, then, if residents remain jaded about government's failure to stem this tide. After all, ever since the 1989 Legislature voted to restrict neighborhood casinos, there has been a steady stream of these new casinos, not a stop to their development.

Cybersleuths track Internet crimes: Kim Smith; FBI Special Agent Homer Young wrote the book on investigating sex offenders. His son, Las Vegas FBI Special Agent Roger Young, is writing the sequel.