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HEALTH OVERHAUL-BUMBLING STATES
Bungling mars health care deadline in some states
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — As supporters of the federal health care reforms push for final signups, a handful of states are pressing the reset button.
They have botched the process so badly they are already looking beyond Monday's enrollment deadline to the next enrollment period this fall.
Many states and the federal government experienced problems with the enrollment websites. But implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act has been a relative disaster in Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Vermont.
Early projections for those five states were to sign up a combined 800,000 Americans for private health insurance by March 31, 11 percent of the Obama administration's original target for national enrollment.
With just days to go before the six-month enrollment period ends, achieving just 25 percent of that target would be considered a success.
INTERNET GAMBLING
Firm cuts US online gambling estimate 30 percent
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Morgan Stanley has lowered its estimate of the U.S. Internet gambling market to $3.5 billion by 2017, down from a previous forecast of $5 billion.
The Wall Street firm cited worse-than-expected technical issues, but says it's optimistic about the new industry's long-term prospects, with an $8 billion market by 2020.
It also lowered its first full year estimate of New Jersey's Internet gambling revenue from $541 million to $203 million. Fitch Ratings is sticking with its $200 million forecast for New Jersey this year.
The estimates came a day after New Jersey advanced a new Internet gambling bill to allow the state to enter into pacts with other states or countries to offer online betting.
The current law restricts Internet gambling to players who are physically in New Jersey.
TRIPLE FATAL-MANSLAUGHTER PLEA
Truck driver pleads guilty in triple Nevada fatal
(Information in the following story is from: Elko Daily Free Press, http://www.elkodaily.com)
ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A 54-year-old Virginia truck driver has pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter in a triple fatal on U.S. Highway 93 in northeast Nevada in 2011.
Samuel Rosenbaum of Abingdon, Va., was driving a semi-trailer truck about 30 miles south of Wells when he collided with a disabled car on the side of the road, killing a couple from Spokane, Wash., and a tow-truck driver from Wells.
Rosenbaum pleaded guilty in district court on Monday to one count each in the deaths of 64-year-old Michael Bogue, 54-year-old Marilyn Bogue and 20-year-old Jesse John Pengelly.
His sentencing is set for June 2.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports the prosecution and defense both intend to recommend he serve four years in prison with parole possible after 19 months.
PEOPLE-FLAVOR FLAV
Flavor Flav's New York speeding case is postponed
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — Entertainer Flavor Flav must return to his native New York at least one more time to answer charges stemming from his arrest as he raced to his mother's funeral.
Police say the rapper and reality TV star was speeding and driving without a license, a felony, on Jan. 9 on the Meadowbrook Parkway on Long Island.
Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, told reporters as he entered a Nassau County courtroom on Tuesday that he hoped to resolve the case. Drayton, who lives in Las Vegas, grumbled that flights from there to New York were becoming expensive.
His attorney, Indji Bessim (IHN'-jee BEHS'-ihm), says the case was postponed to May 16.
Drayton also faces felony assault and other charges in Las Vegas after allegedly threatening his longtime girlfriend's teenage son.
SUSPICIOUS DEATH
Reno police investigate suspicious death
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Reno police are investigating a suspicious death at a downtown motel
Officers went to the motel on North Center Street on Sunday morning to conduct a welfare check.
They found 47-year-old Lorell Parnell dead inside his room.
Police are calling the death suspicious and are asking anyone with information to contact the police department or secret witness.
WILDLIFE FUNDS-NEVADA
Nevada gets $18M from feds for wildlife projects
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada will receive more than $18 million from the federal government for fish and wildlife conservation projects.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced Tuesday that Nevada would be getting part of the $1.1 billion in excise taxes collected on purchases of sporting and boating equipment.
The tax applies to sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and electric boat motors.
Jewell says the money helps fund conservation projects, creates access for recreational boaters and supports outdoor education programs for children.
CASINO STRIKE-VOTE
Vegas unions gearing up for casino strike vote
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Members of the Culinary and Bartenders unions are set to vote later this week on whether to authorize a strike.
The vote is set for all day Thursday at the East Las Vegas Community Center.
Members eligible to vote are ones whose companies haven't signed a new contract with the unions. If the majority votes "yes" on Thursday, the union will have the authority to call a strike against any of the casinos at any time.
The casinos include Binion's, El Cortez, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Club, Las Vegas Plaza, Main Street Station, The D, Brady Laundries and Margaritaville.
ATTORNEY GENERAL-MEXICO VISIT
Nevada AG in Mexico for crime-fighting meetings
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada's attorney general is visiting Mexico City with some counterparts this week to discuss fighting cross-border organized crime.
Catherine Cortez Masto is joining attorneys general from California, Colorado, Florida, and New Mexico to meet with Mexican state and federal officials.
Officials say the trip will focus on how law enforcement partnerships can combat international money laundering and intellectual property crimes. The meetings will also address drug and human trafficking issues.
The prosecutors will meet with officials including the attorney general of Mexico, the president of the national banking commission and the secretary of the economy.
UNR DEBATE TEAM
UNR debate team wins national title
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The University of Nevada, Reno debate team is coming home victorious from the National Parliamentary Debate Association's National Championship Tournament.
UNR's team was crowned the season sweepstakes national champion following the tournament held in Flagstaff, Ariz., that concluded over the weekend.
Coach Phil Sharp says points were earned over the entire debate season. UNR's ranking beat out 189 other teams.
He says the top three teams were separated by less than five points. Cedarville University in Ohio placed second. Concordia University Irvine in California was third.
WILDLIFE ANTLERS
Nevada wildlife board restricts antler gathering
(Information in the following story is from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com)
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada wildlife commissioners have approved a measure making it illegal to collect the felled antlers of deer and elk from early winter to spring.
The rule adopted Saturday is designed to reduce the stress on big game animals during the coldest months when they are most vulnerable to harsh conditions.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports "shed hunting" will be prohibited from Jan. 1 to April 15.
The seasonal ban on antler collection mirrors similar actions taken by other Western states.
Collecting antlers is a growing pastime that can be lucrative. State wildlife officials say gathering shed antlers has grown in popularity in recent years, both for hobbyists and by commercial interests.
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