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Nevada gaming revenues jumped 11.5 percent in August, reversing a five-month slide and giving Las Vegas' largest casino operators a boost on Wall Street.

The statewide increase was fueled by a 21.1 percent jump on the Strip.

Nevada casinos collected $944.5 million from customers in August, compared with almost $847 million in August 2009.

On the Strip, casinos collected $544.3 million from customers in August, compared with almost $450 million a year ago.

The figures, reported Friday by the Gaming Control Board, were surprising in a sense because August is typically one of the slower months of the year on the gaming revenue calendar.

Baccarat drove Strip gaming totals. The game posted its second-highest revenue month in state history and an all-time monthly record for the amount wagered: $1.92 billion.

Monday

Curtis laid to rest

A crowd of more than 400 family, friends and perfect strangers squeezed into a Palm Mortuary chapel to pay their last respects to screen legend Tony Curtis.

Curtis died at his Henderson home on Sept. 29 at age 85.

The service included a host of funny, poignant, affectionate and even bawdy tributes -- including one delivered by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who received support and encouragement in his own acting career from Curtis.

Tuesday

Flood trashes marina

The National Park Service temporarily closed Lake Mead's Callville Bay after a flash flood on Monday knocked out power to the marina, RV park and boat ramp and caused more $1 million in damage.

The flood sent a 10-foot wall of water and mud down Callville Wash, into the marina's boat rental dock and buildings.

Operators of the marina vowed to reopen as quickly as possible.

Wednesday

Tentative deal struck

A tentative deal between Las Vegas and its largest employee union would introduce a shorter work week, close many city services on Fridays and suspend raises for the next two years.

The agreement between the city and the Las Vegas City Employees Association needs to be ratified by the union's members and the City Council before it can go into effect. Union members are scheduled to vote Oct. 19. If they approve the deal, the council could take it up at its meeting the next day.

Thursday

Raggio endorses Reid

State Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, the dean of Nevada's moderate Republicans, offered a tepid endorsement of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid for re-election.

Nevada's longest-serving state senator said he's not happy with the Democratic incumbent and told him so. In the end, Raggio, 83, said he didn't think Sharron Angle would serve Nevada well in Washington, D.C.

Raggio and Angle have clashed since 2003. In 2008, he nearly lost in the primary to Angle, who later joined an effort to recall him.

Friday

Case closed

The Clark County coroner's office cannot determine a cause of death for Billie Jean James, the 67-year-old woman who was reported missing April 22 and then discovered dead on Aug. 25 in a cluttered back room of her own home.

No evidence of foul play was discovered, but the body's condition deteriorated for four months, making it impossible to determine exactly why the woman died.

Police have closed the case.