Tuesday PMs

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002 | 6 a.m.

Here are the top Nevada stories in sight at this hour for PMs of Tuesday, Oct. 1. 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:

Nevada consumer advocate warns of electricity rate increase

Hearing set on Washoe County ballot questions

Ten years' probation, $2 million payback ordered in fatal blast

Tax panel to discuss Nevada lottery

Nevada ethics panel clears Assembly candidate

Hearing to focus on Washoe County water woes

Successes lead lender to Nevada politics

CAMPAIGN 2002:

Hearing set on Washoe County ballot questions

RENO, Nev. - Nearly a month after the Nevada Supreme Court refused to block a Las Vegas-area vote on secondhand smoke ballot questions, opponents are making a last-ditch effort to strike similar advisory questions from the ballot in Washoe County.

BC-NV--Secondhand Smoke. 388 words.

By Sandra Chereb.

Nevada ethics panel clears Assembly candidate

LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Ethics Commission has ruled against a state Assembly candidate who alleged her campaign opponent libeled her. But commissioners are seeking clarification of the state law that mandates their hearing of such cases. The Nevada ACLU and others claim the commission's ability to punish candidates for campaign materials tramples free speech rights.

BC-NV--Election Complaint. 328 words.

Successes lead lender to Nevada politics

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Las Vegas-based commercial real estate lender Mike Shustek says he's a self-made man whose contributions to Nevada politicians stem from financial success and more time for community involvement.

BC-NV--Shustek-AG's Race. 680 words.

STATE GOVERNMENT:

Tax panel to discuss Nevada lottery

CARSON CITY, Nev. - At least one member of a task force studying Nevada's tax policies says a lottery should be considered as a way to beef up state coffers. But some members of the casino industry - especially those from smaller casinos - argue a lottery would siphon their revenues.

BC-NV--Nevada Lottery. 430 words.

CRIME AND COURTS:

Ten years' probation, $2 million payback ordered in fatal blast

MINDEN, Nev. - The owner of an aerosol recycling plant got 10 years' probation and was told Monday to repay about $2 million in state costs in an explosion that killed one worker and injured four others.

BC-NV--Aerosol Blast. 530 words.

By Brendan Riley.

ENERGY:

Nevada consumer advocate warns of electricity rate increase

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada's consumer advocate warns that Nevada Power Co.'s escalating cost deficits will mean higher electricity rates for Las Vegas consumers.

BC-NV--Rate Hikes. 385 words.

ENVIRONMENT:

Hearing to focus on Washoe County water woes

RENO, Nev. - State officials are set to join discussions over water supplies serving the fast-growing South Truckee Meadows, where growth and drought are combining to suck some private wells dry.

BC-NV--Reno Water. 450 words.

The AP