IN BRIEF

Without extension, jobless benefits to expire, agency says

Unemployment benefits for out-of-work Nevadans could expire Sunday without an extension from Congress, the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said Thursday.

Congress has already extended the benefits four times, for a total of up to 53 weeks of additional payments for unemployed workers who've exhausted their initial claims.

If aid programs don't receive a federal renewal, then Nevada's unemployment-insurance program won't be able to accept any new applications for any of the previous four extensions after Sunday, and workers would continue to receive benefits only for emergency-extension filings established on or before Sunday.

Also, a federal program that added $25 to payouts on unemployment claims would be available only on claims filed on or before Feb. 21.

And the state extended-benefits program would drop from a maximum of 20 weeks to a ceiling of 13 weeks effective Sunday. Any extended-benefit claim that has been paid for 13 weeks or more will stop, regardless of the claim balance.

For updates, visit the unemployment-insurance Web site at www.expressclaim.org, or the employment department's Web site at www.nvdetr.org. The agency will also offer updates via its telephone-claims system at 486-0350 or 888-890-8211, option 6.

Southwest Gas profits helped by cooler weather, rate boost

A 2009 rate increase and cooler temperatures helped local natural-gas utility Southwest Gas boost its earnings in the fourth quarter.

The company's net income in the quarter ended Dec. 31 jumped to $46.4 million, or $1.03 per share, from $31.2 million, or 71 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue fell 2.1 percent to $498.8 million from $509.4 million.

Southwest Gas Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Shaw said in a statement that higher heating demand added $11 million to the utility's operating margin, which consists of operating revenue minus the cost of gas sold. An Oct. 1 increase in the rates that cover operational costs added $2 million to the company's operating margin, though the rates the company charges consumers directly for fuel dropped. That decline resulted in a 2.5 percent overall decrease in the average winter gas bill, which now typically runs $72.56.

The utility also released its 2009 results, which showed net income of $87.5 million, or $1.95 a share, up from $61 million, or $1.40 a share, in 2008. Revenue came in at $1.9 billion, down from $2.1 billion in 2008.

Southwest Gas shares rose 3 cents, or 0.1 percent, Thursday to close at $28.69 on the New York Stock Exchange.

HONOLULU

Hawaii lawmakers kill bill
to allow casino in Waikiki

Lawmakers in Hawaii have decided not to allow gambling on the state's sunny isles.

Legislators killed a bill that would have allowed a casino in tourist-filled Waikiki. A second measure allowing gambling on Hawaiian home lands won't get a vote.

Public testimony on the gambling measures was overwhelmingly negative, leading the House Finance Committee to scuttle the idea Wednesday night.

Hawaii and Utah are the only states that don't permit any form of gambling.

Gambling interests pitched casinos as a way to help rejuvenate the state's tourism industry and to bring $86 million a year in tax revenue to a state facing a projected $1.2 billion deficit.

But opponents argued a casino would eat up tourist money, tarnish the state's family-friendly image and increase crime.