New York voters get chance to OK Las Vegas-style casinos

Voters are holding the cards as to whether New York will authorize seven Las Vegas-style casinos following months of debate over the benefits of expanded gambling and the rewording of Tuesday’s ballot question.

Canines and more to get taste of the divine at annual pet blessing

Las Vegas Valley residents will be able to show appreciation for their beloved pets at the eighth annual Pet Blessing & Animal Fair on Nov. 9. St. Rose Dominican Hospitals San Martin campus is scheduled to host the event from 1 to 3 p.m. in its Healing Garden, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road. The event is set to offer pet-related information booths from rescue groups, clubs and hospitals. Agility clubs and the Metropolitan Police Department’s K-9 unit are also scheduled to perform demonstrations.

Employees at Guitar Center at Town Square vote to join union

The Guitar Center location at Town Square voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union with almost 75 percent of the workers voting in support of the movement.

Psychics say laws unfair to believers

They’re in a mystical business with few guarantees, so perhaps anyone could foresee tension between psychics and the law.

Drunken French teens abduct circus llama for train ride

A circus llama has been returned safely after a group of drunken French teenagers abducted the animal and took it for a ride on Bordeaux’s tram system.

Society needs to rewire thinking on thin

If you’re a woman working in corporate America, you’ve probably heard of the wage gap. If you’re a parent living with expressions such as “adorbs” and “bestie” on a daily basis, you’re familiar with the generation gap.

Feds: Navy secrets bought with prostitutes

Nicknamed “Fat Leonard,” the gregarious Malaysian businessman is well known by U.S. Navy commanders in the Pacific, where his company has serviced warships for 25 years.

 
Beagle using sniffer to detect polar bear pregnancies

Zoos around the country will soon find out whether a beagle named Elvis can let them know when their polar bears are pregnant.

 
Small planes collide midair; skydivers bail, land safety

Skydiving instructor Mike Robinson was at 12,000 feet, just seconds away from his fourth and final jump of the day, when a second plane carrying other skydivers struck the aircraft he was in, sending them all tumbling toward the ground.

More Las Vegas companies are paying their workers with plastic

More companies in Las Vegas — including Starbucks, Wendy’s, Chipotle, Darden restaurants and MGM Resorts International — are offering their employees the option of being paid with payroll debit cards that are automatically loaded with money each pay period.

Resident works to keep neighborhood looking its best

For Tony Keep, a local talent representative, real estate broker and publicist, projects are part of his job. When he moved into his Sunrise Manor neighborhood two years ago with his fiancee Angela Porras, he undertook a bigger project: rebuilding the area.

 
Red Sox players shave beards at charity fund raiser

World Series MVP David Ortiz and Boston Red Sox teammate Shane Victorino had their beards shaved for charity Monday to benefit victims of the Boston Marathon bombings in April.

Severino receives Civitas Laurel Award

Michael Severino received the Civitas Laurel Award for community service during the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow gala recently at Paris Las Vegas.

Nevada online poker websites still in their infancy

It’s unfair to compare Nevada’s adolescent Internet poker market to the pre-Black Friday online poker world that existed in the U.S. a few years ago.

Holiday helpers: Sun City couple organize free meals at Crestwood Elementary

This time of year, some philanthropic efforts hand out toys, while others give away children’s coats. Steve and Diana Commander of Summerlin started a project six years ago that gives families in need at Crestwood Elementary School, 1300 Pauline Way, a free holiday meal.

Palazzo serves up (mmmm) cronuts

After taking New York City by storm, the pastry sensation known as a cronut is getting raves on the Strip.

Maxpawn owner enjoying successful second business life

Start with nation-leading joblessness and mortgage delinquencies, which put people on the prowl for extra cash to make ends meet. Throw in a passel of reality-TV shows, including Vegas-based “Pawn Stars.” You end up with a sort of Golden Era for the pawn industry.

Pros, cons of Las Vegas hosting 2016 GOP National Convention

Bringing the GOP National Convention to Las Vegas in 2016 might generate some valuable but intangible benefits by giving Nevadans a national stage to show the rest of the country that they go to church, shop for groceries and play with their kids just like everyone else.

Cell tower plan draws petition in northwest valley neighborhood

An 80-foot tall cell tower proposed for a northwest valley neighborhood is attracting plenty of attention from nearby property owners — and not because they want a stronger phone signal.

Ring in new year in Las Vegas with big-name DJs

Vegas’ top nightclubs will use name-brand DJs to compete against one another on New Year’s Eve. I got a hold of their lineups, and they look like this.

Help nurture kids’ love of nature with easy, basic, backyard bird-feeding tips

Parents and children enjoy spending quality time together, but it’s not always easy to find shared interests. The backyard, however, can provide the perfect place for generations to meet when parents help kids learn the delights of bird-watching and bird-feeding.

Unique and nutty twists on traditional holiday recipes

With the holidays fast approaching it’s time to enjoy some of the season’s tastiest foods. Small twists can turn a traditional dish into a holiday classic.

Prepare your car for winter with these simple tips

Getting ready for winter is no small feat. It takes time and planning to make sure your family and your home are ready to brave the elements. But is your car as ready as you are? If you haven’t thought about preparations for your vehicle, these simple tips will help you prepare for the colder months ahead.