Top News

Gov. Jim Gibbons had compared living with Dawn Gibbons to "being locked in a phone booth with an enraged ferret," but it all came to a close on Monday when the couple's divorce was finalized.

Under the settlement, Dawn will receive half the value of their Reno home, half the value of their 40 acres in Elko County and monthly alimony totaling 25 percent of his gross income for the next five years.

As part of the settlement, the governor will receive his guns and a 1914 Ford Model T.

Dawn Gibbons said after the hearing that she would keep her married name but relinquish her responsibilities as first lady in the coming weeks.

Jim Gibbons already faces at least two challengers in a GOP primary set for June 8 -- former U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval and former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon. Rory Reid, the son of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is running for the office as a Democrat.

MONDAY

HARD STANCE

Las Vegas' firefighters union took a hard stance against the city's budget cuts, alleging that reductions would hurt emergency responses along with the fire insurance rating for homes and businesses.

City officials, meanwhile, said the union is engaging in irresponsible "scare tactics" while the city is facing economic difficulties.

The back-and-forth came as the city readied for town hall meetings scheduled from January to March to hear feedback on what services are most important.

It also came as the city is considering back-to-back 8 percent salary rollbacks and freezes for all employees, including firefighters. A union official wouldn't comment on the wage proposals.

The Fire Department already has ordered $3 million in cuts, and officials say those reductions won't affect first-responder readiness.

TUESDAY

COSTLY CONFECTION

Not content with the level of shameless excess on the Strip, Johann Springinsfeld, head baker at the Palazzo, decided to kick it up a notch.

Enter the Decadence D'Or, a $750 cupcake that includes some of the world's finest chocolate, vanilla caviar, cognac and gold flakes. The pastry is for sale at Sweet Surrenders at the Palazzo.

WEDNESDAY

SHRUNKEN STATE

For the first time in decades, Nevada's population dropped. A state demographer's report shows the state lost 27,677 people between July 2008 and July 2009 .

Experts believe the economy either chased people away or persuaded some not to move here after decades of growth.

THURSDAY

NEW YEAR'S EVE

The largest party west of the Mississippi attracted an estimated 315,000 visitors, a small bump from last year, as revelers packed the Strip and downtown Las Vegas to ring in the New Year.

"America's Party: A Vegas Celebration," the city's half-million-dollar fireworks display, returned to hotel and casino rooftops this year after being shot off from parking lots and garages last year.

FRIDAY

THE HANGOVER

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers arrested 141 people, including 82 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as the department deployed all of its officers to freeways.

Fifty-seven of those arrested face various misdemeanor charges. Two were booked on felony counts.