WEEK IN REVIEW: Top news

A family services employee was fired following the death of a 7-year-old boy two days after the department received a call to its hotline alleging the boy had been abused.

The Department of Family Services released a statement Thursday acknowledging some of its staff failed to follow policies before Roderick "RJ" Arrington's Nov. 30 death.

RJ went to school Nov. 28, a day after Las Vegas police say he was beaten by his stepfather, Markiece Palmer.

Officials at the school suspected abuse and called the family services hotline.

When no one showed up, RJ went home, where police said he was beaten by his stepfather and mother, Dina Palmer. The two have been charged with murder and child abuse.

Monday

'Breathtaking fraud'

Texas developer Chris Milam never planned to build a pro sports complex in Henderson as he promised to city officials and schemed with associates to get a sweetheart deal on federal land while intending only to flip the property for residential development, according to a lawsuit filed against Milam by the city of Henderson.

In what the city called an act of "breathtaking fraud," it alleges Milam and four accomplices misled Henderson officials about his "Las Vegas National Sports Center" and plans to attract a pro team.

Tuesday

'A call for action'

In his first visit to Nevada since his re-election, President Barack Obama unveiled his plan for an overhaul of immigration policy that would provide a path to citizenship for 11 million people now living in the United States illegally.

The president also endorsed the principles of a bipartisan Senate plan, saying he shares the lawmakers' goals. He called on Congress to act and said if it doesn't he will offer his own immigration plan.

"A call for action can now be heard coming from all across America," Obama said to an estimated 2,000 people in the Del Sol High School gym. "Now is the time. Now is the time. Now is the time."

Wednesday

Death in neighborhood

Friends and neighbors reacted with shock after police said a man gunned down his wife, two adult stepchildren and the family dog before turning the gun on himself.

Bobby Scherrer, 41, his sister, Bonnie Scherrer, 38, and their mother, Linda McCarty, 62, were killed Tuesday at a northwest valley home.

Neighbors and police identified the shooter as Jim McCarty, 54, who survived but was hospitalized with what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Thursday

Ruling sets up tax fight

The Nevada Supreme Court set up a fiscal fight in the Legislature with a ruling that will force lawmakers in the first 40 days of the 2013 session to consider adoption of a tax that would bring in $800 million a year for education.

In their 7-0 decision, the justices found that a business tax petition floated by the Nevada State Education Association was valid.

As a result, legislators have until March 15 to decide whether to approve or punt the tax petition to voters.

Friday

Health Trust in trouble

The union-created health trust covering one of the largest employee groups in the state - Clark County's 17,000 public school teachers - is hemorrhaging money and will be "belly up in 60 to 90 days."

Teachers union head John Vellardita made the announcement in a closed union meeting. There, members received a spreadsheet detailing the dire straits facing their families' insurance provider, the Teachers Health Trust, which has lost more than $3.6 million since July 1.