Print edition for August 29, 2007

Tech center to close, but that's a sign of progress: By Emily Richmond; One of the Clark County School District's popular vocational programs will soon cease to exist, arguably a victim of its own success.

Editorial: Out of the bats of babes: The series ended with one of those dramatic moments that served as a reminder of how good sports can be.

CORRECTION: CORRECTION

Editorial: Where's the leadership?: Our first response back then was to write of our confidence that strong leadership, pride and spirit would prevail over this tragedy. We spoke too soon.

Bush fights uphill battle for war plan: Michael J. Mishak; The Iraq war came to Nevada on Tuesday.

Jon Ralston on a senator from Nevada's rant on Gonzales: By Jon Ralston; Did he agree, I had asked, with the president's description Monday of Alberto Gonzales as a "talented and honorable person � impeded from doing important work because his good name was dragged through the mud." Obviously, he did not.

Letter: Current system of recycling works: The current three-crate system for recycling works very well if they are used. We recycle paper, plastic , cans and glass, all picked up every two weeks. People just need to use the system.

U.S. Open Results: AP; Juan Ignacio Chela (20), Argentina, def. Michael McClune, United States, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (0).

Letter: Bush supporters not acting rationally: Ms. Olds has made a grave error in assuming that such people are aware of current events and actually use rational thought.

`The Closer' Tops Cable TV Rankings: AP; 1. "The Closer" (Monday, 9 p.m.), TNT, 5.85 million homes, 7.72 million viewers.

Celebrity Birthdays: AP; Sept. 2: Actor Meinhardt Raabe (Munchkin coroner in "The Wizard of Oz") is 92. Dancer-actress Marge Champion is 88. Jazz pianist Horace Silver is 79. Singer Sam Gooden of the Impressions is 68. Singer Jimmy Clanton is 67. Singer-turned-minister Joe Simon is 64. Singer Rosalind Ashford of Martha and the Vandellas is 64. Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw is 59. Actor Mark Harmon is 56. Actress Linda Purl is 52. Drummer Jerry Augustyniak of 10,000 Maniacs is 49. Country drummer Paul Deakin of the Mavericks is 48. Actor Keanu Reeves is 43. Actress Salma Hayek is 41. Actress Cynthia Watros ("Lost," "Titus") ...

Other Washington Sex Scandals: AP; - In July, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., acknowledged "a very serious sin in my past" after his Washington telephone number was linked to an escort service that prosecutors say was a prostitution ring. He went into seclusion for a week, apologized and has returned to the Senate.

Testing, testing ... Anyone out there?: By Mike Trask; In some Clark County cities, participatory democracy is seeing relatively little public participation.

FLASHPOINT for Aug 29, 2007: I am assuming not many Nevada elected officials took up Gondolier Numero Uno Sheldon Adelson on his invitation to Tuesday's opening of the Venetian Macau. The second invitation, that is. The one with no comps. But everyone else seemed to be there, including national and international media. And this is a case, apparently, where size does matter, says USA Today: "Las Vegas Sands claims the 10.5 million square feet Venetian - twice the size of the Las Vegas original - is the largest building in Asia and the second-largest in the world. The Boeing Co. claims it has the world's ...

Van pulls up, bargain offered - buyer beware!: CHRIS MORRIS / LAS VEGAS SUN

Summarry Box: Forced Abortion: AP; ENFORCEMENT: It has become less rigorous in recent years, but critics still cite many instances of forcible terminations ordered by bureaucrats, sometimes in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Editorial: Soda with that?: A story by The New York Times last week says 700 such clinics, typically staffed by nurse practitioners and physician's assistants, have popped up across the nation in pharmacy chains such as Wal-Mart, CVS and Walgreens.

Letter: Free luggage carts at airport needed: This welcoming gesture would be a wonderful surprise for tourists who come to enjoy all that our city has to offer. Another benefit would be the good investment in health and prevention. I shudder when I see people of all ages struggling with their luggage because I know that it can be easier and safer.

Entertainment Highlights in History: AP; 1936: Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas.

Iraqi Cleric and Militia: AP; ---

Defense Dept.: 364 Afghan-Area Deaths: AP; Of those, the military reports 239 were killed by hostile action.

Artful Web Designs Push Artistic Limits: AP; - The World's Highest Web Site: http://tinyurl.com/27ulyj

Bush wrong when he says Iraq security better: Bush wrong when he says Iraq security better

Silent John speaks Ensign’s belated comments on Gonzales make us wonder what else he has left unsaid: Silent John speaks Ensign’s belated comments on Gonzales make us wonder what else he has left unsaid

Product Recalls: AP; About 66,000 Oregon Scientific weather radios, manufactured by Oregon Scientific Inc. and made in China, because the radios could fail to receive National Weather Service alert signals in certain areas of the country. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recall involves several models. The radios were sold nationwide through online retailers, catalogs and retail stores. Consumers should contact the company to receive a free replacement. Details: by phone at 800-203-4921; by Web at http://www2.oregonscientific.com/recall-front.asp or http://www.cpsc.gov.

Bullet smashes her love for Las Vegas: By Abigail Goldman; California bride-to-be injured in shooting on the Strip says she won’t be back

Vegas Sports Book to Take Fantasy Bets: AP; Station Casinos Inc., the fifth-largest sports book in the country, was to become the first to release a betting line - at 7 p.m. EDT - and start taking wagers based on players' projected fantasy statistics.

Be prepared for floods: Homeowners should consider the whole Las Vegas Valley a flood zone

Taking off at Creech, a better war plane: Taking off at Creech, a better war plane

It’s time for France to roll up its sleeves: It’s time for France to roll up its sleeves

More concrete, more heat in Phoenix: Widespread growth sends typically high temps higher and higher

Q+A: SARAH SILVERMAN Nothing’s off limits chris morris / las vegas sun: Q+A: SARAH SILVERMAN Nothing’s off limits chris morris / las vegas sun

Uncle Sam now owns strip club: By Steve Kanigher; Government can try to sell or lease Crazy Horse Too

Her raps were bad, not bum: Her raps were bad, not bum

SWEEPING THE SIDEWALKS Looking in on: suburbs: By Mike Trask; Boulder City thinks about requiring merchants to get permits for displays

Banning beard and yarmulke brings lawsuit for Metro: By Brendan Buhler; Banning beard and yarmulke brings lawsuit for Metro

FIBA drama comes from the stands: Usie Richards combines his two passions as president of both the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature and that territory's basketball federation.

Q&A: TRINI LOPEZ Early push from Sinatra launched a career of surprises: By Jerry Fink; Q&A: TRINI LOPEZ Early push from Sinatra launched a career of surprises

Jacob Snow talks about the steps the RTC is taking to keep Las Vegas traffic moving where i stand: Jacob Snow talks about the steps the RTC is taking to keep Las Vegas traffic moving where i stand

Sunnis helping, for now: Sunnis helping, for now

Insurance worries: State approval of health care merger overrides public concerns, allows virtual monopoly

Yanks, Angels Move Up in Division Races: AP; That was before the Los Angeles Angels scored four runs in the eighth inning on the way to a 10-6 win Tuesday night that extended their lead over Seattle to four games.

Phillies, Padres Beat 1st-Place Teams: AP; The Phillies picked up a game on the first-place Mets in the East with a 4-2 win in 10 innings Tuesday night, and the Padres closed within a game of the first-place Diamondbacks in the West with a 6-4 win.

THE ELEVATOR: A special FIBA Americas edition of who's going to the penthouse in local sports - and who's getting the shaft:

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq at 3,732: AP; The AP count is one higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT.

GOP Senators Say Craig Should Resign: AP; THE LIST: Sens. John McCain and Norm Coleman joined Rep. Pete Hoekstra in urging Craig to step down, as did Rep. Jeff Miller.