Business briefs for September 17, 2004

Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 | 10:59 a.m.

Soderberg gets another term

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn on Thursday reappointed Reno resident Don Soderberg to another four-year term as chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission that regulates such industries as electric, natural gas, water and communications.

Soderberg, 45, will earn $101,528 annually in the position. Guinn said he has "done a great job for Nevada addressing difficult energy issues." Guinn said he had "the utmost faith in him to act in the best interests of Nevada ratepayers."

Soderberg started serving on the commission in 1998 and Guinn elevated him to chairman in July 1999.

Spanish bill to be offered

Atlanta-based Cox Communications Inc. has announced that it will offer a Spanish language bill option in several markets, including Las Vegas.

The main cable provider in Las Vegas, Cox said the new bills are now available in Phoenix and Tucson. The same service is expected to be available in Las Vegas by the end of October, a local Cox spokesman said.

Other markets that will have the Spanish-language service available by the end of the year include, San Diego, Omaha, Neb., Rhode Island, Oklahoma City and Northern Virginia.

LOUISVILLE, KY.:

Kindred Healthcare Inc. announced Wednesday that it plans to move its common stock listing from the NASDAQ exchange to the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 28. The new ticker symbol will be KND. In Las Vegas, Kindred owns two skilled nursing centers, two long-term acute care hospitals and an institutional pharmacy. It is developing a long-term acute care hospital inside Desert Springs Hospital, which is owned by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services Inc.