Top News

No funeral arrangements have been made just yet, but the Yucca Mountain Project received its last rites from the Obama administration Monday.

The potential death knell came with the release of a new White House budget that essentially zeroes out federal support for the proposed nuclear waste repository in Nevada.

The announcement prompted the Department of Energy to file paperwork seeking to suspend licensing for the site and serve notice that, within 30 days, it will withdraw its bid to build the controversial project.

After more than 20 years of fighting, opponents reacted to the news with optimism tinged by a heavy dose of caution.

MONDAY

CHINESE MONEY TRAIN

Backers of a proposed magnetic levitation train that would ferry passengers between the Los Angeles area and Las Vegas announced that China is willing to loan $7 billion to build the project.

All that is needed for the loan to go through is a promise of support from the U.S. government.

Maglev officials said the Export-Import Bank of China is willing to lend the money with the knowledge that if the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission is unable to pay it back, federal officials will.

TUESDAY

A 'BLOW' TO VEGAS

President Barack Obama angered Las Vegas boosters (and a few boat sellers) when he mentioned the city (and boats) as examples of reckless spending in tough economic times.

Though his words were surely accurate, Obama drew the wrath of Nevada officials for singling out the city in such a way for the second time in less than a year.

Obama later tempered his remarks somewhat, but one valley boat seller could not be talked down. The scrolling sign in front of Pro Shop Motor Sports and Marine in Henderson read, "Shut up Obama. Just shut up."

WEDNESDAY

CAR PLOWS INTO CASINO

Two women were killed and seven other people were injured when a car crashed through the front entrance of the Edgewater Hotel & Casino in Laughlin.

Las Vegas police are investigating whether a medical episode may have caused 70-year-old Walter McGie, of Kelso, Wash., to plow his 2007 Pontiac Vibe into the building. He escaped injury but faces felony reckless driving charges.

Police said no skid marks were found at the scene, indicating that McGie never applied the brakes before impact.

THURSDAY

SCHOOL JOBS, PAY AT RISK

While state teachers union president Lynn Warne refused to support salary cuts without collective bargaining negotiations, Clark County School District Superintendent Walt Rulffes warned that budget cuts could force thousands of teachers to be laid off.

The comments came during a meeting of the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee to discuss Nevada's $881 million tax revenue shortfall.

FRIDAY

DAT'S SUPER!

Las Vegas is braced for a bigger "Big Game" than usual this year. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority expects about 278,000 people to come to the city for the Super Bowl, a 13.5 percent increase over last year.

The nongaming impact from all those visitors could approach $90 million, despite strict NFL rules that bar casinos from using the words "Super Bowl" to promote their "Big Game" parties and specials.