Print edition for January 20, 2007

Labor gets chance to take center stage: By Michael Mishak; The Democratic National Committee gave Nevada the No. 2 slot on its 2008 presidential nomination calendar last year for three reasons: its ethnically diverse population, its strong union presence and its chance to raise issues of importance to the West.

Letter: Medically indigent deserve better care: The Legislature should levy a "privilege" tax on the large corporate hospitals. The money from this tax must be earmarked for Clark County and University Medical Center. This is the only way the fat cats will help pay for the medically indigent.

Thomas was no stranger to scandal: News that University Medical Center accrued massive debts in the hands of a chief executive accused of awarding his friends sham contracts may have surprised Las Vegas residents, but citizens of Chicago aren't shocked.

Letter: No Child Left Behind has produced results: Consider that, for the first time, all states now have an accountability plan in place governing their schools. Or that, under the law, all schools must disaggregate student performance data, letting parents, teachers and the public know how well schools are doing their job of educating students. Prior to the law's passage, only two states disaggregated data.

Second chance for failing students: By Emily Richmond; When two of her classmates at Bridger Middle School told Miriam that her mother was ugly, she answered with her fists.

Unsigned letter hinted at favoritism in UMC contracts: An anonymous letter sent to top county administrators alleging that University Medical Center CEO Lacy Thomas handed out consulting contracts to his Chicago friends was the catalyst that led to the criminal investigation of the publicly funded hospital.

THE READERS SOMETIMES E-MAIL: Readers have opinions and fill my e-mail box, letting me know when mine are right (sometimes) and wrong (often). From time to time, I'll share their comments.

Editorial: Checks and balances needed: No matter how many credentials UMC's top administrators bring to the job, or how sincere they seem when pledging to be truthful and forthcoming to the Clark County Commission, their major financial decisions and statements should be swiftly and carefully monitored.

Letter: Too many lawyers ruin our democracy: If we had the Iraqi type of justice system in this country, and I was married to a rich woman who I wanted dead so I could have all her wealth and live a great life with my girlfriend, would I think twice about killing her or having her killed? You're damn straight I'd think twice. The sight of my neck in a noose and no army of lawyers to save me would be enough to change my mind. I'd go on a second honeymoon and give the girlfriend a kick in the butt.

Sands amends lawsuit against Sun: Las Vegas Sands Corp. filed an amended lawsuit this week against the Las Vegas Sun and Sun columnist and Business Editor Jeff Simpson, alleging defamation by omission for a column published in April.

JIM POWERS (1928-2007): When Jim Powers took over the Las Vegas FBI office in 1977, he inherited a department in disarray and a town of well-entrenched mobsters. He vowed to address both problems.

Editorial: Learning to butt out: Of the 570 bills proposed by lawmakers in 32 states last year, 84 were signed into law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization that provides research and assistance to state lawmakers.