Nuclear drill canceled

The Department of Homeland Security has canceled plans to stage a mock nuclear explosion in Clark County in May.

Last month, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid and the Southern Nevada business community complained that the premise of the emergency preparedness drill would generate anxiety and harm the struggling local economy.

In a statement issued today, the Homeland Security Department said it has decided to "explore other options" for the event.

A statement from Reid thanked DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano for responding to widespread concerns about the exercise.

Nearly 10,000 local, state, and federal officials had been expected to be in Clark County for the drill, which would have centered on the aftermath of a hypothetical nuclear detonation in Las Vegas.