Print edition for December 22, 2005

Airport eases up on some security: David Kihara; Since the 9/11 attacks, air travelers have grown accustomed to surrendering scissors, screwdrivers and other small tools at airport security checkpoints. But starting today, passengers will be spared some of the annoyance -- at least for the moment.

Weapons query upheld: CARSON CITY -- A federal appeals court ruled Monday that police officers who make traffic stops have a right to question drivers about weapons to protect themselves.

Editorial: Release of terrorist an outrage: Hamadi brutally beat and killed U.S. Navy diver Robert Dean Stethem, 23, who specialized in underwater construction. Hamadi and three Hezbollah accomplices had hijacked a plane on which Stethem was a passenger. They forced the plane to Beirut, Lebanon, where they tied up and beat Stethem because of his military service.

Letter: Naturalism another form of oppression: I see no difference between having a religion or the philosophy of naturalism forced on the people by the government. The end result has proven to be the same ... oppression ... exactly what the framers of our Constitution hoped to prevent.

Letter: The answer to these questions is easy: Who pulled out the fear card just before Election Day to play mind games with the voters by having them believe he would keep the country safe?

Columnist Jeff German: Will clubs remain united?: It's crunch time for the clubs.

Editorial: Pennsylvania evolution lawsuit ends: U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III on Tuesday said Dover Area School Board members violated the Constitution when they mandated that the biology curriculum include a brief discussion of the theory that some natural processes are so complex, a higher intelligence must have created them. This mention was to be preceded by a disclaimer in which teachers were to tell students that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is "not a fact."

Corrections: Because of an error by the Sun, a caption on a photo taken in 2004 that ran in Wednesday's edition failed to note that the Emerald Island in Henderson had closed its nonsmoking room. The Sun regrets the error.

Former assistant challenges Harter on diversity: University system Chancellor Jim Rogers' roundtable meeting Tuesday to discuss diversity included a heated spat between UNLV President Carol Harter and a former employee.

Porter to play for troops: Benjamin Grove; Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., is heading to Iraq for a congressional delegation tour, and he has penciled in four to six shows for his congressional rock band, the Second Amendments, to play for the troops.

Conservation program's attorney indicted: J. Craig Anderson; A key figure in the Clark County Desert Conservation Program is under federal indictment on money laundering charges in connection with a series of class action lawsuits unrelated to the wildlife protection effort.

Editorial: Stretching the bounds of power: Cheney implied Wednesday that those questioning the administration's policies in these areas weren't truly committed to fighting terrorism.

Death row inmate is ruled able to decide on execution: CARSON CITY -- Death row inmate Daryl L. Mack is not mentally ill and he understands his decision to go forward with his execution, a prosecutor said.

Letter: IRS should look into driver kickbacks: There is no statute of limitations on falsified returns, so this could make a substantial dent in the deficit.

Holiday tips for passengers at McCarran: During the 11 days between Friday and Jan. 2, McCarran International Airport expects 1.3 million passengers. The holiday period will be one of the airport's busiest, although not as busy as the Thanksgiving season.

Holidays in Las Vegas have a whole new meaning for some: Judy Kesterson, a 25-year-old native Southern Nevadan, learned long ago that there are few places like Las Vegas when it comes to Christmastime.

Scrooge has gotten a bum rap: Don't believe all of that bah-humbug that Ebenezer Scrooge was an unfair and uncaring employer.

Hammargren may get back in race: CARSON CITY -- Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren says his "intellectual success made him an egocentric."

Columnist Jeff Haney: On learning that a poker experts's advice at a weekend seminar on aggressive heads-up play is worth its weight in gold: Poker expert Mike Sexton was trying to make the point that winners of big tournaments are afforded fame, fortune and glory while second-place finishers are relegated to the discard tray of history.

Columnist Ron Kantowski: On the ABCs of Las Vegas Bowl Games: With Brigham Young and Cal set to make history tonight at sold-out (say what?) Sam Boyd Stadium, it's a red-letter day in the Las Vegas Bowl's semilong and semisuccessful existence.