Print edition for March 17, 2007

Editorial: Accountability first: Reading First, which is at the heart of Bush's No Child Left Behind Act that is up for renewal, dedicates $1 billion a year to seeking out scientifically proved, research-based programs for improving reading education. The money pays for teacher training and materials to be used in schools that serve low-income families.

Anti-war protesters march in Reno to mark Iraq anniversary: AP; Chanting "Impeach Bush" and "USA-Out of Iraq," about 150 activists gathered for peaceful rallies at both the start and end of the one-mile walk from Pickett Park to the federal building in Reno.

A good sign for downtown: By Joe Schoenmann; If you want to know whether downtown Las Vegas really is turning around, watch what happens with a new midrise condominium project known as Verge.

Letter: Idea to arm teachers sounds like a joke: Upon hearing of this, I was reminded of Archie Bunker when he expressed, in an episode of "All in the Family," how to put an end to airline hijackings - "arm all the passengers"!

Editorial: Don't fret over California: But now that California has finally settled on Feb. 5 as its primary date, and with other states expected to soon follow its lead, the conventional wisdom is starting to emerge that this early bunching of states actually will boost interest in Nevada's caucus.

Regents vote to keep elected board: CARSON CITY - Facing legislation to change the elected university system Board of Regents to an appointed board, the regents took a somewhat shaky stand on the issue Friday.

Ron Kantowski on how Rebels picked up the slack as Kruger went 0 for 8: Well, tomorrow finally arrived. Only it was yesterday.

DULY NOTED: The former Wyoming basketball coach, who was fired Monday, two days after the Cowboys ended their season with a loss to Brigham Young in the MWC Tournament semifinals at the Thomas & Mack Center, was in Colorado Springs on Wednesday night, sitting behind the Air Force bench as the Falcons defeated Austin Peay in the first round of the NIT.

FLASHPOINT for Mar 17, 2007: I had to read this section of Christina Littlefield's Friday piece twice to make sure I wasn't missing something about Gov. Jim Gibbons addressing the geniuses who oversee higher education: "His four-minute speech before the Board of Regents earned two standing ovations, led by Chairman - and fellow Republican - Bret Whipple, even if Gibbons' brevity bewildered many listeners." Two standing ovations? For a four-minute speech in which he said essentially nothing? Was Whipple panting as he led the huzzahs? Was he yelling, "Governor, notice me, notice me"? Or cheering because the speech was mercifully short? I would say Whipple ...

Editorial: Protecting whistleblowers: Under federal law, employees are supposed to be protected from on-the-job retaliation and job losses when they reveal wrongdoing on the part of their private or federal employers. But Labor Department records that were obtained by an advocacy group for whistleblowers and given to USA Today showed that the Labor Department has approved 73 settlements between whistleblowers and their employers since 2000. And in 45 of those agreements, whistleblowers were permanently barred from working for the employers.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO: CHICAGO - UNLV's basketball players were a loosey-goosey bunch Thursday night over a dinner of burgers, fries, spaghetti and apple juice in the Davos Suite of the Swissotel.

Balance of power unlikely to change at LV City Hall: A campaign for an open Las Vegas City Council seat and another contest that will determine whether the voice of the council's loyal opposition remains at City Hall highlights next month's primary.

Letter: Doubts aplenty about Schumer's sincerity: It sure shows where Schumer's heart is, doesn't it? And you can be assured he is not doing it for political reasons! His heart bleeds for those Republicans, you think? It sure gives me a cozy feeling that he is looking out for my interests!

Treasurer requests probe of missing records: By Jeff German, Steve Kanigher; Nevada law requires the state treasurer's office to preserve records for one year to 30 years, depending on the nature of the documents.

Letter: President is up to his ears in scandals: The Abu Ghraib scandal: Numerous accounts of torture and prison abuse were exposed.

Letter: America needs dose of war protesting: Where in God's name are the college students in this endless war in Iraq? I understand that binge drinking and pot smoking takes up much of their free time. I hope the day will come soon when protesting against the murder of young service people will once again be in style for our higher learning party animals.

Atlantic City still No. 1 for colorful corruption: AP; One third of last year's City Council is either in prison or on its way there. Four of the last eight mayors have been arrested on corruption charges, and three other councilmen were arrested in 1989 in a corruption probe dubbed "Operation Comserv," a reference to bribes paid to public officials that were euphemistically referred to as doing one's "community service."