Print edition for July 7, 2006

John Katsilometes gives his theory on why Trump International was such a hot spot for executive-looking types this week on the Strip: Inside the sales center, Donald Trump's partner in the project, Phil Ruffin, and associate Jack Wishna were videotaped while hobnobbing with several well-attired folks who were dressed like potential executives - or would-be Trump apprentices.

Newer residents protest water law: Dozens of Nevada and Utah residents are challenging a state law that bars them from participating in hearings on the Southern Nevada Water Authority's plan to pump rural Nevada ground water to Las Vegas.

Congress may fold casinos' bid: WASHINGTON - Any hopes Las Vegas casinos had of the federal government gently starting to loosen prohibitions on Internet gambling are likely stalled now that U.S. House Republicans have decided to target online betting as a cornerstone of their election-year American Values Agenda.

Letter: Constitution being ignored by too many: A country like America should be able to sustain itself for a few years during times when the people have made mistakes.

WORLD CUP Q+A, HERCULEZ GOMEZ: The hisses and whistles aimed at Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo didn't surprise at least one fan.

Warnings made over rural water: By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY - Plans to pump millions of gallons of water to the Las Vegas area from rural Nevada will leave the land scarred, cut the wildlife population and drop the water table by more than 20 feet, an environmental organization claims.

Editorial: Lobbyists' money talks: According to Bloomberg News, that $2.4 billion represents a 14 percent increase over the amount of money spent on lobbying in 2004 and is a whopping 50 percent more than lobbyists spent in 2000. Federal discretionary spending last year rose to $967.9 billion - a 57 percent increase over the amount spent in 2000. And, as one lobbyist told Bloomberg News, "as long as there's more money, there's going to be a need for people in Washington to be hired to get it."

ARTS NOTES: Kristen Peterson; Nam June Paik was a pioneer in making video as art. The multimedia installation artist, who was born in Seoul, Korea, died earlier this year at age 73. He combined technology and music and worked with avant-garde artists, including cellist Charlotte Moorman, composer John Cage, rock star David Bowie and choreographer Merce Cunningham. He also manipulated television sets to distort the imagery and is recognized as the creator of the first video synthesizer.

Jeff Haney on why the action on soccer matches this summer has compared favorably with big NBA and NFL games; also the new yardstick for sports books to measure their profits: Don't expect them to stop now.

Letter: Eventually, lawsuit will end smoking: The "freedom" to smoke in casinos will be ended soon by the casinos themselves. Some day soon, a casino will have to pay a huge judgment to some unfortunate employee who developed lung cancer from exposure to secondhand smoke while on the job.

Manilow's 'Music and Passion' scores Emmy nomination: The show, a fundraiser for PBS, was taped in November during his 100th performance at the Las Vegas Hilton, where he has been a headliner since February 2005.

Letter: Many advantages to recycling's pilot program: This pilot program will provide us key insight into what works and what needs improvement, and I think that we should highlight what this program really offers. The proposed pilot program has several advantages over the current system. Some of these advantages are an increase to once-a-week recycling pickups and the use of single-stream recycling. Single-stream provides residents an easy way to recycle because it allows them to place their recyclable materials into one container.

Editorial: Jobs as bargaining chips: New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine should not have drawn thousands of privately employed people into a budget problem that should have been wholly contained within state government.

Editorial: Abuzz about spelling: Simplified spelling, proposed 100 years ago by Andrew Carnegie, is still supported by such groups as the American Literacy Council. Alan Mole, the group's president, told the AP that the English language has 42 sounds spelled 400 different ways. His group favors an end to what they call "illogical spelling."

Increase in wildfires blamed on warming: Matt Weiser; SACRAMENTO - American forests in the West have burned bigger and more frequently since 1987, and climate change is a big reason why.