Top News

The eye of the hurricane? The calm before the storm?

Not likely in Nevada.

Early voting ended Friday, but campaign activity is only expected to intensify between now and Election Day. And it might not stop then either, judging from recent stories about recount procedures.

The final days of Nevada's most hotly contested midterm election maybe ever saw the GOP float concerns about irregularities at polling stations, election officials call a news conference to shoot down those allegations and U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle take the high road in a nasty and nationally televised flap with "The View" chat show host Joy Behar of all people.

When you hear knocking at your door later tonight, chances are it will be trick-or-treaters. But it also could be campaign workers.

It might be a good idea to put the candy bowl outside and shut off your lights, just to be safe.

Monday

School chief inks deal

The Colorado education commissioner, Dwight Jones, signed a four-year contract worth $358,000 in total, annual compensation to become the next superintendent of the Clark County School District.

He plans to begin work on Dec. 15. Retiring Superintendent Walt Rulffes said he will work his last day on Dec. 17 and help with the transition.

To help Jones settle into the community, the Public Education Foundation, the district's fundraising arm, will set up a donation fund for his temporary housing costs, a move that has raised concerns among critics who fear Jones will be beholden to the people paying his rent.

Tuesday

Not so fast, Mr. Vegas

The Paradise Town Advisory Board sided with Wayne Newton's neighbors in opposing the entertainer's plan to turn his ranch into a tourist attraction.

The board will recommend that county commissioners deny Newton's application for a special use permit to offer commercial tours of his Casa de Shenandoah ranch, which he built in the mid-1960s.

The decision came after a host of complaints from residents who worry the tours would increase traffic and spoil what's left of the area's rural setting.

Wednesday

1,500 miles from home

Skeletal remains found this month in Louisiana have been identified as those of a 12-year-old Las Vegas girl reported missing in September, authorities announced.

According to the Catahoula Parish sheriff's office, authorities used dental records to identify the remains as those of Lexis Kaye Roberts, who had last been seen in Arizona with her mother, Suellen Roberts, and her mother's boyfriend, Thomas Steven Sanders, also known as "Spider."

Thursday

Her day in court

Chief U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt cleared former cocktail waitress Chrissy Mazzeo to go to trial on her battery claim against Gov. Jim Gibbons.

In a 20-page decision, Hunt also paved the way for Mazzeo to go to trial on her claim that Gibbons, former Sheriff Bill Young and campaign strategist Sig Rogich conspired to unlawfully discredit her after she filed a criminal complaint against the governor.

The complaint stemmed from an encounter outside a Las Vegas restaurant following a night of drinking on Oct. 13, 2006, less than a month before the election. At the time, Gibbons was a congressman campaigning for governor.

Friday

Lining up to stump

As the polls closed for early voting, a political heavyweight and an actual prizefighter stumped in Las Vegas for Sharron Angle and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., respectively.

In Angle's corner was U.S. Sen. John McCain; in Reid's was Manny Pacquiao.

The parade of political celebrities is slated to continue Monday when first lady Michelle Obama stops in Las Vegas to campaign for Reid.