Reporters’ Notebook

"DEMOCRATS ONE VOTE SHORT: JOBLESS BENEFITS BILL REJECTED"

The headline from a Review-Journal story about the failure of the U.S. Senate to extend unemployment benefits.

"Republicans Continue Filibustering Assistance to Out-of-Work Nevadans, Leaving Them Without Economic Certainty"

The headline on a news release from U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the same issue.

"Democrats vote against unemployment extension again."

The headline on a news release from U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., on the same issue.

RICHARD LAKE

Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak has a reputation for asking lots of questions. Often, he asks to pull items from consent agendas, which are so routine they're typically voted on without discussion, to get details before voting.

That's why he had to point out Monday that he didn't pull any consent items for discussion during a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Department's Committee on Fiscal Affairs.

"Make special note of that please," he joked to a chorus of chuckles. "Don't tell anyone at the county. They won't believe you."

Too late now, Steve.

BRIAN HAYNES

State legislators are going to draft a bill to require auto repair shops, smog stations and oil change businesses to check the air pressure in their customers' tires for safety reasons.

In that spirit, the Week in Review staff would like to offer a few other safety measures that lawmakers might consider requiring:

■ Heimlich maneuver certification for all fast-food workers;

■ "Paper cut avoidance" training for all newspaper carriers;

■ Helmets for clumsy toddlers;

■ Left arm sunscreen for long-haul truckers;

■ Staple removers that actually work; those darned things hurt like heck when they get under your fingernails.