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People nationwide paused to watch Barack Obama take the presidential oath of office Tuesday, and valley residents were no exception.

People gathered in classrooms, auditoriums and along the Strip to watch history unfold.

Many reacted with joy and optimism, others with doubt and cynicism. Some didn't react at all; not even Obama's inaugural address was enough to tear them away from their slot machines.

One gambler who managed to watch and play cried out when the speech was done: "He just got sworn in and the economy has already turned around. I've got four of a kind."

Sen. Harry Reid played a larger part in Tuesday's event than any other Nevadan, thanks to his role as majority leader and as a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

MONDAY

MR. BRIGHTSIDE SUED

In another sure sign that The Killers have achieved rock music super-stardom, the Las Vegas band was sued by its former manager.

Braden Merrick filed a $3 million federal lawsuit against the group's four members, claiming he discovered them and won them their first record deal only to be dumped once the band won fame.

The band's attorney offered a different take: Merrick was "an incompetent manager" who "now seeks to cash in on their success."

TUESDAY

A FINE END FOR BOGGS

Lynette Boggs' criminal case was quietly resolved, as the former Clark County commissioner pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of filing a false statement of residency and was fined $2,000.

Boggs didn't admit wrongdoing but acknowledged prosecutors could prove their case against her.

Boggs is living in Texas with her parents and is considering going to law school. She said she has no plans to run for office again.

WEDNESDAY

FIGHTING CITY HALL

Culinary union officials said they have more than enough signatures to put the fate of a new Las Vegas City Hall in the hands of voters later this year.

The news came on the same day the City Council approved a site plan for the building.

Mayor Oscar Goodman promised to challenge efforts to derail the project. He also suggested that even a public vote against it might not stop the facility from being built.

THURSDAY

CRIES FROM CAMPUS

Thousands gathered on campus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to protest what they see as devastating state budget cuts.

Their ire was aimed squarely at Nevada's chief executive. One protest sign read, "Impeach Gibbons." Another asked, "Is the governor crazy?"

Cuts of up to 15 percent had been expected for colleges and universities, but Gibbons last week outlined a budget that slashes higher education by 36 percent. At UNLV, the cuts could exceed 50 percent.

FRIDAY

NEVADA SOLDIER KILLED

The military said a 31-year-old soldier from Nevada was killed in Afghanistan.

According to the Defense Department, Army Spc. Ezra Dawson of Las Vegas died Jan. 17 when the Chinook helicopter he was in made a hard landing under combat conditions in Konar Province.

Dawson is Nevada's 62nd military casualty since Sept. 11, 2001.