Print edition for December 28, 2007

Regents schedule special meeting to discuss budget: AP; Backup materials provided for the meeting show that the university system still is looking at across the board cuts of 4.5 percent.

Housing causes worry as state's growth slips: In census data released Thursday, Nevada regained its throne as the state with the highest growth rate. But beneath those numbers is something a little troubling for employers here who already are scratching their heads as they look to add more than 100,000 jobs in the next few years: People are moving around less.

South Africa's Zuma to Stand Trial: AP; Jacob Zuma will be tried in the High Court in August on charges of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud, his lawyer Michael Hulley said Friday.

Thursday's College Basketball: AP; Drexel 73, Rider 66

Hollywood Brings the Crazy in 2007: AP; Wait ... you didn't have those urges this year? Then you obviously didn't reside in Hollywood, where such shenanigans aren't considered antics, but a regular way of life. That's why we're glad we could only witness this year's hot Hollywood mess unfold from the safety of our own celeb-free homes.

Letter: Las Vegas area needs diverse economy: The economy of the Las Vegas area needs industries besides tourism to keep our area growing and have something to fall back on.

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY: CARSON CITY - While all the other constitutional offices were open in the State Capitol on Monday afternoon, Gov. Jim Gibbons' office was dark.

Law, crime challenge students: Amir Hill-Shafeeq; As I attended the Sun Youth Forum for the second straight year, many things were racing through my mind. I couldn't help but be curious about all the interesting topics that were going to be discussed in the group covering law and crime issues.

LOOKING IN ON: COURTS: By Brian Eckhouse; It's the sort of crime way beneath most courts reporters' radar - three stolen sandwiches amounting to $7 or $8 - but it's atop a pile of cases for Public Defender Phil Kohn.

Letter: FairTax would be anything but fair to most: Mr. Phillipine goes on to extol the "prebate" included in the plan, which will somehow make this tax more palatable to lower-income families. Mr. Phillipine makes much of the fact that the FairTax proposal includes no tax on big-ticket used items.

Editorial: Growth carries a lesson: So while it is momentarily exciting to know our state is again the No. 1 destination for people on the move, the excitement quickly gives way to concern about how that growth will affect the quality of life here.

Radiohead Album Among Year's Best: AP; 1. "In Rainbows," Radiohead: The much-ballyhooed online release of "In Rainbows" in some ways obscured what an excellent album it is. The opener, "15 Step," begins with a cold electronic beat that sounds like recently typical Radiohead or Thom Yorke's 2006 solo album. But 41 seconds in, Johnny Greenwood enters with a beautiful, languorous guitar line. From then on, the band gradually lets the melody take over, particularly on songs like the midnight ballad "Nude" and the soulful show-stopper "Reckoner." With Radiohead, you're always on guard for the crash, the shattering of brightness - but on "In Rainbows," they let ...

Editorial: Build a better sidewalk: But as noted in a story in USA Today on Wednesday, urban planners now are being asked to design buildings and city streets that are safe for women - especially for women who live alone or have small children.

Toyota to Unveil Concept Truck at Show: AP; The A-BAT concept vehicle is equipped with Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota's third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology, according to the company. Its trapezoidal profile was borrowed from the Prius, another hybrid Toyota vehicle.

Another Night, Another Wings Win: AP; First they learned that captain Joe Sakic would be lost for maybe three more months, then they got a feel for just how good the Detroit Red Wings are.

US Military Deaths in Iraq at 3,900: AP; The AP count is two higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EST.

Adwatch: Obama Unveils 2 Ads in Iowa: AP; LENGTH: 30 seconds.

Clinton Ad Emphasizes Housing Crisis: AP; LENGTH: 30 seconds

Editorial: Tragedy at assassin's hand: Bhutto's courageous October return to Pakistan, which she twice led as prime minister, to campaign for her party's candidates in the Jan. 8 parliamentary elections was rightly supported by the Bush administration. Her political rallies were a demonstration to Pakistanis of what freer elections could mean for them.

In News, 2007 Was a Year of Frustration: AP; The wrenching sorrow of tragedies on a Virginia campus, a Minnesota highway bridge and deep inside a Utah coal mine is compounded by a question that echoes: Could this have been prevented?

Polls: Obama, Clinton Close in Iowa, NH: AP; ---

Growth carries a lesson: saxo-archive; Nevada’s tax system so broken we are going backward even as growth rate leads nation

STRANDED STUDENTS: By Emily Richmond; STRANDED STUDENTS

Law, crime challenge students: saxo-archive; Law, crime challenge students

THE ELEVATOR: Who's going to the penthouse in local sports and beyond - and who's getting the shaft in such a slow week

TAKE FIVE: 3 doors down By Jerry Fink: saxo-archive; TAKE FIVE: 3 doors down By Jerry Fink

SIGHT UNSEEN: OUR FAVORITE PHOTOS THAT DIDN'T RUN THIS YEAR: Newspaper photographers make photographs with the goal of telling a story so readers will have more insight into the issue.

Letter: Raising taxes reduces total taxes collected: FDR did it after he was first elected in 1932 during the Great Depression. Income taxes were increased, and, with that tax bite, it was impossible for anyone to accumulate venture capital. As result, unemployment was even higher by 1936.

County mulls merger fight: By Marshall Allen; The Clark County Commission already opposes a monumental merger of health insurance companies, but now it will discuss litigation to block it.

A Look at the Bhutto Family Dynasty: AP; Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto: late grandfather of Benazir Bhutto. Senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League, the party that helped split Pakistan from India and lead it to independence in 1947.

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY Despite law, governor’s office closed early on Christmas Eve: saxo-archive; LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY Despite law, governor’s office closed early on Christmas Eve

LOOKING IN ON: COURTS Cost of free lunch a felony charge: saxo-archive; LOOKING IN ON: COURTS Cost of free lunch a felony charge

Decent service from an airline costs extra: saxo-archive; Decent service from an airline costs extra

The Elevator that we should have taken the stairs: By Ron Kantowski; Who’s going to the penthouse in local sports and beyond — and who’s getting the shaft in such a slow week for The Elevator that we should have taken the stairs.

TAKE FIVE: Ultimate fighting Championship 79, 'Nemesis': Principals: Matt Hughes (43-5 mixed martial arts) vs. Georges St. Pierre (14-2)

Build a better sidewalk: saxo-archive; Planners and health experts say safety is key in designing urban areas

Countries Condemn Bhutto Killing: AP; The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to condemn the killing.

Jeff Haney on Kansas' advantage over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and why Ohio State's a good bet in the top game: First, the intangibles: Kansas lost to rival Missouri in its final regular-season game, but ended up beating out the Tigers for a Bowl Championship Series berth. The Jayhawks figure to be motivated to prove they deserve their billing ahead of Missouri, which lost twice to Oklahoma this season and settled for a Cotton Bowl appearance.

An opening for Clinton: saxo-archive; An opening for Clinton

ODDS ‘N’ ENDS Jeff Haney on Kansas’ advantage over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and why Ohio State’s a good bet in the top game: saxo-archive; ODDS ‘N’ ENDS Jeff Haney on Kansas’ advantage over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and why Ohio State’s a good bet in the top game

Tragedy at assassin’s hand Rage at Bhutto’s death has led to rioting by many of her supporters.: saxo-archive; Chaos is first reaction following assassination of Pakistan’s former leader, Benazir Bhutto

Shepherding 'leftovers,' tracking parents: By Emily Richmond; Attendance Officer Derrick Turner is in his first year on the job, but has already heard myriad explanations for forgotten children. The parents were stuck in traffic. There was miscommunication over whose day it was for custody. An older brother forgot to pick up his little sister. A grandmother's car wouldn't start.