Smoker thrilled to be with 51s, anyone’s Triple-A team

It is the second day of March Madness, and the television in the New York Mets clubhouse in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is tuned to one of the regional sites. Though the clubhouse is full — or almost full — none among the Mets seems very interested in the college basketball games.

One brother trades racing for TV booth

Every now and then Cruz Pedregon finds himself glancing out of his trailer thinking he’ll see his younger brother, Tony, parked next door.

’Nova on ’nother level

Now watch. Villanova’s basketball team won’t make a shot Monday night.

Tissue donation turns into nightmare for three sisters

Within hours of Judith Bennett’s unexpected death on Sept. 23, 2013, one of her three adult daughters received a call from the Nevada Donor Network.

Tar Heels show class, oust Orange

There is a golf course in the mountains of North Carolina that has a concrete block, and on this concrete block it reads: “Spot died here.”

Diamondbacks’ Brocoff proficient on mound, dominant at plate

Desert Oasis junior Brett Brocoff struck out four and walked none over five innings to earn the win and was 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs as the Diamondbacks hung on for a 5-4 win at Shadow Ridge.

BOYS SWIMMING: Sierra Vista edges Clark

Mason Archer won two individual events Saturday to help Sierra Vista to a 143-142 win over Clark at Pavilion.

California Dreaming: Outrageous wages

Powerful urban centers’ decisions on minimum wage could hammer rural counterparts.

Pick the right religion!

Attorney Jesse Sbaih — who’s campaigning for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District — made some headlines last week when he accused Sen. Harry Reid of discouraging him from running.

Hispanics aren’t monolithic voters

I would like to personally thank Charlie Rose, the wonky, late-night talk show host, for saying these words on broadcast TV earlier thismonth: “13 million Hispanics are expected to vote in the 2016 presidential election, but as we saw in Tuesday’s primaries, they won’t allsay the same thing. Lumping Latinos into one monolithic voting bloc is one of the many myths perpetuated about them.”

EDITORIAL: Let the sun shine in

Sen. Harry Reid should support Sen. Chuck Grassley’s inspector general bill.

Handicapping presidential candidates’ foreign policy

After dozens of contests featuring cliffhangers, buzzer- beaters and a ton of flagrant fouls, we’re down to the Final Four: Sanders, Clinton, Cruz and Trump. (If Kasich pulls a miracle, he’ll get his own column.) The world wants to know: What are their foreign policies?

Missing Henderson girl located

A Henderson girl missing since Thursday has been located, police said.

Calm, warm weather to continue through weekend

The Las Vegas Valley will enjoy a sunny and warm weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Calmer weather has made its way back to the valley. Saturday’s high is expected to reach 80 and Sunday’s high may hit 83, meteorologist Justin Pullin said.

Inside-outside job lifts Tar Heels to 83-66 win over Orange

Marcus Paige made three 3-pointers in the second half to help North Carolina get untracked from long range and stifle a Syracuse rally for an 83-66 victory that moved the Tar Heels one win from the program’s sixth title.

Baseball website offers treasure trove

It wouldn’t be Opening Day without making a late-night sojourn to Baseball-Reference.com to find an interesting morsel or two or three about the grand ol’ game.

Motorcyclist killed in central valley crash

A crash in the central valley sends one to the hospital Saturday afternoon, according to Las Vegas police.

“Big Bonanza” opera captures storied era of Virginia City

A storied era of Nevada history is coming to life in theater and song with the world premiere of “The Big Bonanza,” an opera about the Comstock Lode and two of Virginia City’s most notable writers, Samuel Clemens and William Wright.

Philharmonic announces 2016-17 concert season

Music from such masters as Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Mahler will combine with new works by four American composers — and the movie music of Oscar-winner John Williams — during the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s 2016-17 concert season.

Villanova shoots its way to national championship game

Josh Hart scored 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting and Villanova advanced to the national championship game with a resounding 95-51 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday night.

New Mexico continues baseball mastery over Rebels

Chris DeVito had a home run, two doubles and four RBIs to lead New Mexico to a 10-5 win over UNLV in a Mountain West baseball game Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.