Print edition for August 5, 2006

Democrats' 'grand old lady': For so long, Marie Ripps was the go-to person for local Democratic events.

Editorial: Following up on wildfires: The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have programs - with meager budgets - to rehabilitate and restore federal wild lands after a fire. But a Government Accountability Office report released this week revealed that neither agency monitors its work closely. That should change.

Suits litter Airola's past: Although Clark County sheriff candidate Jerry Airola touts his business acumen as the wealthy owner of a helicopter company, he has been dogged by numerous lawsuits accusing him of shady dealings, including reneging on contracts.

Dental firm braced: Pay up, then get out!: University regents took steps Friday to end UNLV's relationship with a private donor, but only after trying to collect the money the university is owed.

Letter: Porter tries to play both sides of fence: In the wee hours of Saturday morning, July 29, though, he decided to support a minimum-wage increase after all, but only if tied to a multibillion-dollar tax giveaway to the wealthiest 7,500 families in the U.S.

Letter: Voting early not necessarily ignorant: I don't appreciate Las Vegas Sun columnist Jon Ralston calling me, and a few thousand other voters, "idiots" just because we intelligently choose to vote early. Neither are we "lazy" nor "careless."

Friday at the main event of the World Series of Poker: AP; BIG NEWS: Costa Rican pro Humberto Brenes took advantage of tight play as the cash bubble approached Friday, amassing 440,000 in chips after starting the day with just 148,300. He said he enjoyed swooping down on short-stacked foes, stealing their blind bets and forcing them into big pots. "I try to intimidate other people. I like it," Brenes said. "I like to drive the table." Daniel Negreanu, who started the day at 331,000, was down to 158,000.

FLASHPOINT for Aug 05, 2006: I hope Nevada Democrats have long memories. I know Harry Reid does and I hope he doesn't forget. When New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who wants to be president, comes here trolling for votes, remember he went to New Hampshire in August 2006 and obliquely criticized Nevada. According to news reports, Richardson told the New Hampshire folks he had "been by New Hampshire's side all along" and against Nevada's attempt to move before New Hampshire. Richardson talked about his "tremendous respect for New Hampshire and backed efforts at the Democratic National Committee to block what Nevada eventually did. And the ...

Editorial: Energy bill wasn't enough: The politicians congratulated themselves on a job well done. "This economy is strong, and it's growing stronger," Bush said then. "And what this energy bill is going to do, it's just going to help keep momentum in the right direction so people can realize their dreams." But one year later, Americans face a nightmare: The cost of gasoline is still soaring and it will never be cheap again.

Letter: Consumers shoulder blame for energy crisis: You seem to consistently miss the real culprit - the consumer - for our dependence on foreign oil and the need to drill stateside.

Universal finger-pointing: A special regents meeting Friday on the failings of UNLV's Institute for Security Studies raised more questions than answers and ended up deteriorating into finger-pointing among warring factions of the university.

Editorial: Wars taking toll on Guard: More than two-thirds of Guard brigades are not ready for combat due to equipment shortfalls and lack of training, the Associated Press reported.