Print edition for May 11, 2007

Saint's got drug dealers' backs: Abigail Goldman, Las Vegas Sun; From a shoebox under a counter in a small religious supplies shop on Charleston Boulevard, a saleswoman produces a miniature icon of a m ustachioed man, strung on a braided leather bracelet, selling for $6.95.

Letter: U.S. should welcome people like Iraqi family: Logic would suggest that if Saddam Hussein were the sadistic demon that caused the United States to remove him from power, then those who tried and succeeded to escape his tyranny would be justified in seeking asylum in the United States. It is nothing less than unconscionable to turn our backs on this family, which has successfully adapted - despite what would be insurmountable odds for others - to their new home.

CCSN goes public with chief's strengths, weaknesses: By Emily Richmond; A two-day public evaluation of CCSN President Richard Carpenter took on the airs of a love fest this week, with a parade of speakers showering him with kudos.

CONVENTION CRASHING: KITCHEN/BATH INDUSTRY: Let's get this out of the way: Yes, there were countertops at the Kitchen/Bath Industry show. They came in different colors and materials. Sinks, cupboards and tiles? Ditto.

Editorial: Resignation is not enough: This news came shortly before Education Secretary Margaret Spellings testified Thursday before a House panel about reports that lenders have paid incentives to universities and school financial aid officials to drum up more loans to students.

FLASHPOINT for May 11, 2007: Kenny Guinn, looking as relaxed as at any time since he started running for governor about 25 years ago, appeared Thursday on "Face to Face." He was the same man, only less intense, less frustrated and less stressed. He said he had no regrets about that gaming appointment that Jim Gibbons tried to undo with that midnight swearing-in stunt. He insisted that all-day kindergarten needed to pass. He warned lawmakers of a $700 million budget problem if they don't fix the state's health care system. The only big surprise: I asked him whether he was part of the 30 percent ...

Editorial: GOP must show courage: After months of demanding a "clean" war-funding bill, one that just hands him tens of billions of dollars without any accountability either from him or Iraqi government officials, Bush finally agreed that setting some benchmarks for progress is a good idea.

Gonzales shrugs off giving away Bogden's job: WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday he saw nothing wrong with firing Nevada U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden so that a Republican newcomer could use the job as a launching pad for other positions in law or politics.

Longing, sadness felt in apolitical Israeli art: The chance to see work by artists Adi Nes, Nir Hod and Gideon Rubin doesn't come often in Las Vegas. Or ever.

Letter: Senator should prove prenatal care claim: A May 9 story in the Las Vegas Sun, regarding a joint Assembly-Senate committee hearing about a program to give prenatal care to 1,000 women who don't have health insurance, included her remarks. She said that she had talked to obstetricians who told her "the women don't want prenatal care even if it was available," and that the doctors "are not seeing the type of person taking care of themselves, let alone the baby."

Commentary: Going green is the only way to go in Nevada: So, how do we put a price on our scarce resources, such as water? More importantly, how do we value ecological stewardship measures that will help prevent a future with more and more unpredictable and destructive shifts in climate?

State Democrats say fusion center in capital a waste of money: Democratic legislative leaders Thursday joined a growing list of state officials opposing a plan by Gov. Jim Gibbons to establish an anti-terrorism intelligence gathering hub in Carson City.

Editorial: Gridlock governor rides again: Of all the needs, road construction is the greatest in terms of money - without new revenue, the state will be short $3.8 billion between next year and 2015.

Letter: Evolution shouldn't be above questioning: I strongly disagree, however, with his assertion that disbelief of evolution means one has "fallen into a sink of anti-intellectualism. Indeed into fantasy."

Bugsy's is the new gold standard: Looking for a place to hang out? Great food? Good entertainment? Dancing? Old Las Vegas feel?

LOOKING IN ON: MOTORSPORTS: Tuesday marked the first full practice for the 91st Indianapolis 500 and, as has been the case every year since 2001, Sam Schmidt showed up with a car and a dream.

Highlights of March 2007 revenue report on Nevada casinos: AP; -STATEWIDE: $1.05 billion win, down 0.8 percent.

Jon Ralston wonders why the governor waited so late in legislative session to offer a plan to pay for road work: The casinos are fairly united in opposition to the governor's plan, except for one gaming executive they love to hate (Gondolier Numero Uno Sheldon Adelson) , who has the governor's ear (and perhaps other parts of his anatomy, too).

Boxer's lucky night: Test run finds brain bleed: Lorenzo Bethea lost a bout that preceded the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Oscar De La Hoya showdown Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but won a much bigger fight when a portable medical scanning device detected a potentially life-threatening brain injury.

Gifts from contractor go astray, give UMC officials reason to say 'no thanks': Tony Cook, Las Vegas Sun; Top Clark County officials say two University Medical Center administrators should have returned expensive gifts they received from an advertising agency that holds a hospital contract worth millions of dollars.