IN BRIEF

SITE, SPECIES PROTECTION

Some Southern Nevada mineral mining banned

The Bureau of Land Management is banning mineral mining across almost 1,500 square miles of federal land in Southern Nevada to protect cultural, historic and wildlife sites.

BLM official Patrick Putnam in Las Vegas said Friday the 20-year ban on new mining claims covers nearly 945,000 acres in 24 separate sites dubbed "areas of critical environmental concern." He says valid existing mining claims aren't affected.

The sites were identified in 1998 for protection of the endangered desert tortoise, southwestern willow flycatcher, woundfin and Virgin River chub, and other species.

A mining ban was temporarily imposed in 2002. There were hearings on extending the withdrawal in January 2008.

UNR PROTEST

Workers rally to push for probe of university

About two dozen people rallied Friday to drum up support for a grand jury investigation of their claims of corruption by top officials at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The demonstrators held placards outside the Washoe County Courthouse, which was the site last month of a hearing on their request for the investigation. District Judge Connie Steinheimer has said she would rule on the request at a later date.

Friday's protesters included former women's soccer coach Terri Patraw, geology professor Richard Schweickert and UNR police officer Lane Grow.

The group has accused UNR and other higher education officials of being involved in criminal activity and conspiring to cover it up.

An attorney for UNR has said the allegations are "senseless rhetoric" that courts have already dismissed.