Pay cuts may be avoided

CARSON CITY — Rather than cut teacher salaries, the state’s largest school districts will make cuts elsewhere, possibly resulting in larger classes and elimination of school programs.

Ex-Bank of China managers, wives sentenced to prison

Two former managers of the Bank of China and their wives were sentenced to prison Wednesday for their roles in a fraudulent scheme to obtain at least $485 million from the financial institution.

Trial starts in slaying of dealer in 2000

At an age when many teens are preparing to graduate, Justin Porter stood accused of a crime spree in Las Vegas that included the slaying of a former Tibetan monk.

School figures fail to impress

Clark County School Board member Larry Mason lamented the lack of improvement in local graduation and dropout rates Wednesday.

Wary look ahead to wildfire season

Federal experts said Wednesday they expect a normal to above-normal season for wildfires in Southern Nevada, with hot, dry conditions making forested terrain of Mount Charleston and the Spring Mountains the most vulnerable.

More budget changes made

CARSON CITY — Gov. Jim Gibbons released a budget plan Wednesday to cover a new $900 million revenue shortfall without raising taxes.

Subcommittee signs off on prison system spending plan

CARSON CITY — A key legislative budget panel voted Wednesday on final details of a $515.1 million, two-year spending plan for Nevada’s prison system that’s about $30 million higher than Gov. Jim Gibbons’ proposal.

Missing Links

In this economy, excessive luxuries are pretty rare. But just in case you have some cash to blow, you might want to check out maybeyoushouldntbuythat.com for examples of excess run amok. Among the featured items are a restroom worth $32 million and covered in 24-karat gold and more than 6,200 pearls and jewels, or, for cheaper tastes, a $2,800 pizza topped with 24-karat slices of edible gold.

QUICK TAKES

Job offered

Beyonce at Encore: Small show, big money

For anyone “Crazy in Love” with pop star Beyonce, you’d better be prepared to cough up some crazy dough to see her when she hits the Encore Theater for a spate of shows beginning in late July.

Vegas rockers getting Higher

Like Alphaville, Tom Waits and seaweed-flavored potato chips, they’re big in Japan.

Doing Her Part

Henderson local Tiffany Parks has made a habit of taking her friends’ garbage home with her. Not for after-dinner snacks or social security numbers, either. Parks can’t bear to see a bottle go unrecycled. Nor can she stand the thought of wearing sweatshop-produced clothing or buying fast fashion when she knows it will expire within a few wears.

Style Scoop

• Shop-a-thon: Today is the last day to receive a Neiman Marcus tote bag in your choice of blue, white or pink with a $75 or more purchase in fragrances. Bags come with fragrance samples. Neimans also holds an Oscar de la Renta fall trunk show in the couture salon today and Friday. An MCL by Matthew Campbell Laurenza trunk show is Friday.

Something For Every Mom You Know

She carried you for nine months and pushed you into this world. The least you can do is get her a gift on the one day of the year devoted solely to her role in your life. Before you go the florist route or dare pick up a gift certificate, take into account these suggestions. No matter what kind of mom she is, we’ve got something selected for her.

Here & Now

TAN YOUR HIDE

Union label

It is now all but certain that state employee pay cuts will be part of the Legislature’s 2009-11 budget solution. Majority Democrats roundly dismissed the idea when Gov. Jim Gibbons proposed salary reductions in January to make up for declining tax collections without layoffs, saying such a step symbolized the Republican’s lack of leadership. Worsening revenue projections have brought them on board.

Fraudulent forms

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto on Monday announced voter registration charges against activist group ACORN — the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Ms. Cortez Masto said the group broke state law by instituting registration quotas, which in turn encouraged fraud.

IN BRIEF

MINEOLA, N.Y.

Regional markets boost Boyd

Boyd Gaming Corp. officials found themselves in the unique position Wednesday to comment on any economic recovery the company is experiencing in multiple gaming markets.

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