Print edition for December 13, 2007

FLASHPOINT: "Sorry" seems to be the hardest word for most politicians. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid used it this week when he told a print and online publication, Politico, how he regretted his infamous comment about the war in Iraq. "I wish I hadn't used the word 'lost,' " Reid told Politico. I bet he does, considering the fallout from that incendiary comment. But Reid added: "I'm going to my grave saying I have at least expressed my feelings. I am going to be who I am." Even if he at times regrets it? Reid has never had a very ...

Letter: Let Oprah and me pick our candidates: In a blistering attack on Citizen Oprah, Thomasson said she is infinitely unqualified to address voters and tell them who she thinks would make a good president. In so doing, he inadvertently told Iowa voters, indeed all voters, that they are unqualified to select a president.

Marble made 'light and airy': By Kristen Peterson; What: "On It: New Sculptures by Venske and Spanle"

Letter: Will Bush follow the lead of Carter, et al.?: Some help to build homes for the underprivileged (Jimmy Carter).

Rural campuses at risk: By Charlotte Hsu; Click here for a printable graphic.

Family shakes dark history, comedian lightens up: Who: Deb Filler starring in "Don't Get Me Started"

Letter: More nuclear plants mean bigger problems: The original plan for the repository at Yucca Mountain was 77,000 tons of poison, but the U.S. Energy Department has wanted to increase that to 135,000 tons. I'm sure we can believe them that it's safe. All we have to do is look at the train wrecks for the past two years and we can tell there is nothing to fear from a nuclear waste spill in, say, Chicago.

Step into Liquidity: Michael Meyer; Finding your way through the Luxor used to be an experience similar to navigating the ancient labyrinths leading to the tombs of the Pharaohs, except without all of the sexy excitement that comes along with a lifetime career in archeology. Fortunately, all that is changing as the ancient-Egypt theme inside the Strip’s glass pyramid is morphing to reflect the modern desert exterior of the Las Vegas Strip.

In Nevada, Paul sees his chance to strike: By Michael Mishak; Although the crowd of top Republican presidential aspirants has been courting voters in other states, Ron Paul sees an opportunity to strike and win in Nevada - and throw some confusion into the GOP mix.

Editorial: Real enforcement needed: The bill, which the House has passed and the Senate is considering, would require auto manufacturers to meet an average fleet standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2030. The measure, however, does not say which federal agency would be in charge of enforcing the new standard.

Ron Kantowski watches the Mad Dash for seats at the rodeo that are like bucking broncos - you can be thrown right off: In the Mad Dash program at the National Finals Rodeo, tickets for unoccupied balcony seats can be purchased for $39.50. The problem? Should the rightful owner arrive, you have to move.

Merger foes may get extra muscle: Marshall Allen and Tony Cook; As a monumental merger that could create a health insurance monopoly in Las Vegas comes to a head, a powerful ally may be joining the coalition opposing the deal, adding intrigue and muscle to a fight that affects 630,000 Nevadans.

Editorial: A Christmas grinch: "I just wanted to say, 'Thank you, sorry you're hurt, and happy holidays,' " she said.

Opposition scrambles as Yucca dump clears a hurdle: By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON - With the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project moving forward after clearing a major hurdle Wednesday, attention turns to whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can deliver the project a devastating blow.

Letter: Obama's diva train is on wrong track: Surges are not an uncommon phenomenon either in war or in politics. But for Barack Obama, why now? A nascent politician with a very limited background is all of a sudden the talk of the town.

FLIRTING FOR IMPLANTS: By Brendan Buhler; It was a night when competitors met on the nightclub floor of battle, an event solemnized by the celebrity presence of Mario Lopez (that other guy from that '90s show about clean-cut high schoolers). The prize for which they contested? Money for breast implants. Really. It was called "Boobs or Bust 2: Go Big or Go Home," and was like the Olympics but without the athleticism, human dignity and short videos of heartwarming personal triumph.

Editorial: Auctioning history: The copy, owned by a foundation controlled by billionaire H. Ross Perot, was abruptly taken off display this year. The foundation plans to sell the document to fund medical research.