Nevada AP News Digest

Thursday, May 30, 2002 | 11:02 a.m.

Here are the top Nevada stories in sight at this hour for AMs of Friday, May 31. If you have questions about stories, call News Editor Tom Tait in Las Vegas at (702) 382-7440. For reruns, contact the AP Service Desk at (212) 621-1595.

HEADLINES:

Tribe suing state to block auction of cattle BLM seized

Newly expanded Liberace Museum celebrates 23rd anniversary

Fed reports: No health hazards from Fallon pipeline, wells

Accuser in singer's husband rape case freed from Las Vegas jail

Judge moves ahead with Nevada utility's appeal

Vegas casinos, culinary union postpone strike deadline

Nevada moves against St. Paul Cos. in docs' insurance crisis

Records reveal Grand Canyon helicopter in fatal crash was once salvage

LAND MANAGEMENT:

Tribe suing state to block auction of cattle BLM seized

PALOMINO VALLEY, Nev. - Ranchers and state's rights activists joined Nevada tribal leaders Thursday in protesting government confiscation of more than 100 cattle grazing on federal land the tribe says belongs to the Western Shoshone people. The protesters said they are filing suit against the Nevada state brand inspector to try to block the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's planned auction of the livestock on Friday.

BC-NV--Cattle Seized. Developing.

By Scott Sonner.

AP Photos.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Newly expanded Liberace Museum celebrates 23rd anniversary

LAS VEGAS - In keeping with the late singer's flair for flamboyancy, a new oversized pink neon piano now graces the entrance to the newly expanded Liberace Museum. A bevy of Las Vegas-based celebrities were expected to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the entertainer's nonprofit museum at ceremonies on Thursday.

BC-NV--Liberace Museum. Developing from 2 p.m. event.

By Lisa Snedeker.

AP Photo.

LEUKEMIA CLUSTER:

Fed reports: No health hazards from Fallon pipeline, wells

RENO, Nev. - Two new reports conclude a jet fuel pipeline in Fallon and domestic drinking water wells do not pose health hazards in the rural northern Nevada community. The reports by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the U.S. Geological Survey were conducted as part of an on-going investigation into a childhood leukemia cluster. Fifteen children have been diagnosed with cancer since 1997. Two have died. But some critics are unconvinced, saying the findings were based on information provided by the pipeline company, the Navy and visual surveys by the state.

BC-NV--Leukemia Cluster. 680 words.

CRIME AND COURTS:

Accuser in singer's husband rape case freed from Las Vegas jail

LAS VEGAS - A woman who claims she was raped by singer Celine Dion's husband has been freed from jail after agreeing to repay $550,110 in Las Vegas casino markers from 2001, authorities said. Yun Kyeong Kwon Sung, 46, was returning Thursday to Pasadena, Calif., after being released overnight from the Clark County Detention Center, her lawyer said.

BC-NV--Angelil-Accuser. 400 words.

By Ken Ritter.

Judge moves ahead with Nevada utility's appeal

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A judge rejected a preliminary motion to toss out a Nevada Power Co. appeal of a big cut in its $922 million rate hike request, saying Thursday he wants a full hearing in the case.

BC-NV--Nevada Power. 410 words.

By Brendan Riley.

BUSINESS AND LABOR:

Vegas casinos, culinary union postpone strike deadline

LAS VEGAS - Culinary and bartenders union negotiators and downtown Las Vegas hotels have pushed back for 30 days the deadline to work out a new contract. The move averts a possible Saturday strike and comes after the two sides reached agreement on a five-year contract with the major Las Vegas Strip hotel-casinos.

BC-NV--Strip Strike. Developing.

Nevada moves against St. Paul Cos. in docs' insurance crisis

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The state attorney general has submitted a complaint against St. Paul Insurance Cos., alleging unlawful business practices in yanking medical malpractice insurance policies held by Nevada doctors.

BC-NV--Medical Malpractice. 380 words.

By Brendan Riley.

AROUND THE STATE:

Records reveal Grand Canyon helicopter in fatal crash was once salvage

LAS VEGAS - A Grand Canyon sightseeing helicopter that crashed last year near Meadview, Ariz., killing six and seriously injuring another, was once sold as salvage material in Japan because it had been damaged in a hard landing in 2000, court documents show.

BC-NV--Helicopter Crash. Developing.

The AP