Print edition for January 20, 2006

Avoid the mistakes made in California: As a prior teacher in that state's school system, it would have been a big mistake to hire someone from that state again to run the Clark County system. The school system from that state is in serious disarray. The pay scale might be higher, but the results are disastrous.

Pappas engaged in land battle: A local landowner who was embroiled in a highly publicized eminent domain case against Las Vegas involving downtown property now is engaged in another land battle with North Las Vegas.

Columnist Tom Gorman: Spending some time in Judge Mosley's courtroom and sees another story: We all know where to send out-of-town friends who wonder what amazing things they can see for free in Las Vegas.

Grieving L.A. sisters turn to Vegas: David Kihara; In many ways, the failed criminal justice system in Los Angeles brought Tiffany Edwards and her sister Johnna to Las Vegas.

Excuse the interjection: Jeff Haney's take: Keep instant replay in the NFL, but continue to fine-tune the process. Consider establishing an independent crew of replay officials in a skybox with all the available video feeds -- and a copy of the rule book, which might have come in handy on the Polamalu call.

Flashpoint for Jan. 20, 2006: Start spreading the news, they're leaving today (or some day this week or next) and, alas, they are coming back. Yes, some of those fine folks from the Clark County School Board of Trustees are going to New York City to investigate a candidate for superintendent. This trip, which I'm sure will not include side sojourns to The Great White Way, suddenly became necessary not because they wanted more information but because they couldn't agree. They were ready to vote this week until the trustees realized it was probably 3-3 with Susan Brager the swing vote. If it's a 4-3 ...

Bechtel opposes Yucca lawsuits: The workers' lawyer plans to continue pressing for class action status.

Mayor's bank account is millions away from being campaign ready: Dan Kulin; If Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is planning to run for higher office this year, his campaign bank account isn't showing it.

Columnist Jeff Haney: Favoring Morales against Pacquiao in a competetive super featherweight fight: If you were paying attention, and if you acted quickly enough, you could have locked in a profit betting on Saturday's super featherweight fight between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao.

Arts Note: Puccini's 'Tosca' at UNLV Sunday: In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Nevada Opera Theatre will present Puccini's "Tosca" at 2 p.m. Sunday at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

Columnist John Katsilometes: On the more exclusive cable audience that will tune into Miss America on CMT: Over the past several years millions of TV viewers have missed Miss America.

Letter: Smoke-free zones in casinos can be done: Freedom goes both ways. Yes, people have a to right to smoke, but they don't have the right to force their smoke into someone else's lungs. (I believe secondhand smoke can give one cancer).

Letter: Wishing that art actually did mirror real life: With Jack Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland, we have a relentless national security agent who uncovers the most complex plots. This Sunday and Monday nights he was forced to tackle a presidential assassination and terrorist attack at the airport in Ontario, Calif. Jack Bauer always gets the job done even if it means not following protocol.

Higher utility costs hurt residents: Kevin Rademacher; The rising cost of natural gas, electricity and gasoline continues to chew up the paychecks of Las Vegas Valley families.

Editorial: Protecting the climate of discovery: They include a flourescent orange spider and a bug with an outer shell so translucent that its internal organs are visible. Some species have adapted to living conditions in a single cave among the 238 known caverns beneath California's Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

Editorial: Bridging the health insurance gap: The law, which passed despite an April veto by Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr., was called the "Wal-Mart bill" because of the four Maryland employers that have more than 10,000 workers, only Wal-Mart falls below the 8 percent threshold. Wal-Mart officials have said they may challenge the law, which goes into effect in January 2007.

Columnist Jeff German: Looking at a good but incestuous appointment: In the topsy-turvy world of those who regulate taxicabs, this should come as no surprise.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Analyzing the results of the latest poll for top Nevada races, but takes their findings with a grain of salt: Polls can mean a lot during campaigns. Or they can mean nothing at all.

Housing project for seniors gets no help from county: J. Craig Anderson; Gerald Ernst doesn't understand why Clark County is trying to protect mobile home parks but won't help his nonprofit organization build a new one.

Editorial: Believe it when you see it: The Washington Post, however, pointed out that while their proposals change congressional rules and disclosure laws, they do not include changes to campaign finance laws. The paper reported that members of Congress would still be able to legally receive gifts and free travel and free meals, as long as a campaign contribution was involved.