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Southern Nevada homebuilders last year closed the most sales in more than a decade. But the market is expected to cool off in 2019. Builders closed 10,669 sales last year, up 14% from 2017, according to Home Builders Research. The Las Vegas firm is forecasting a roughly 5% drop in closings and permits this year. Home Builders Research President Andrew Smith

In 2018, 10 companies began efforts to leave NV Energy — more companies than the past five years combined. At least six of the companies have expressed interest in buying energy off the open market through power marketing company Tenaska Power Services Co. Leaving NV Energy comes with a hefty price tag. MGM Resorts International paid $86.9 million in exit fees, and Caesars Entertainment Corp. paid $47.5 million. John Restrepo, the principal of Las Vegas-based RCG Economics. said the financial savings must be significant to warrant paying such high fees. John Restrepo

Clark sophomore guard Frankie Collins is emerging as one of the top point guard prospects on the West Coast. He has offers from six Division I programs, including Oklahoma, Texas Christian and UNLV. Collins grew up in Sacramento and moved to Las Vegas in sixth grade. His uncle was an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Collins spent a few weeks as an eighth grader in Milwaukee observing how the professionals prepared. He works out multiple times a day, and is averaging 11.6 points and 4.3 assists for the Chargers.

UNLV returns to the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday The Rebels will play San Jose State But Mbacke Diong is not expected to play for second straight week UNLV looks to bounce back from a loss at Air Force Coach Marvin Menzies will try to lead the way for the Rebels

LVCVA has been involved in a scandal over airline gift cards. LVCVA bought $90,000 in Southwest Airline gift cards between 2012 and 2017. Auditors can’t account for more than $50,000 of the cards. Ex-CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and his family used nearly $17,000 in gift cards on 56 trips. Ralenkotter has retired. Brig Lawson, senior director of business partnerships, was responsible for buying and distributing the cards. Lawson has resigned.

UNLV heads to Air Force having won three games in a row The Falcons come off a 14-point victory over San Diego State UNLV looks to build on its victory at New Mexico last week Kris Clyburn has lifted his game and elevated the Rebels But UNLV could be without Mbacke Diong because of an ankle injury

Charter schools have grown substantially in the last two decades. State-sponsored charters had just 506 students in 2005-06. Today, they have more than 43,000. The schools also have thousands of students on their waiting lists, providing competition for the Clark County School District.

February is fast approaching, and bars around Las Vegas are gearing up for the sporting event of the year: Super Bowl Sunday! The Review-Journal will once again compile a list of “Big Game” parties around the valley. For casinos, restaurants and bars that are hosting parties, send the information via a news release to sportsdesk@reviewjournal.com. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, Jan. 27.

Centennial junior Jade Thomas is the third of four children in her family to commit play basketball at a Division I university. Thomas, in October, announced her commitment to UNLV, where she’ll join her sister, Bailey. Her other sister, Sam, plays for Arizona. The trio learned basketball from their father, Derek, who coached at the college level for 25 years and now coaches locally. Jade made the game-tying 3-pointer as time expired in the Class 4A state championship last year. She’s a versatile, 5-foot-10 inch guard who excels in various roles for the Bulldogs.

Las Vegas’ housing market ended 2018 with a big drop in sales from a year earlier and a sharp rise in availability 2,142 single-family houses traded hands in December, down 18% from the same month last year, the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors reported 6,615 houses were listed without offers at year’s end, up 73% from the end of 2017 The buyer pullback comes amid fast-rising prices and higher mortgage rates GLVAR President Janet Carpenter

UNLV off and running to a 2-0 start in Mountain West play Joel Ntambwe comes off a 31-point performance against Wyoming The Rebels next head to Albuquerque on Tuesday New Mexico’s Anthony Mathis was the MW player of the week UNLV will have to contend with New Mexico coach Paul Weir’s zone