Conor Shine

Story Archive

How Southern Nevada could turn water deficiency into economic boon
Sunday, July 27, 2014
On a ribbon of road 2 miles beyond Henderson, at the base of the mountains leading to Lake Mead, scientists peer through microscopes searching samples of water for microbes and chemicals. They’re looking for new ways to clean and conserve water. In the process, they’re also helping to spawn an industry to power Las Vegas’ economy. The research lab is part of the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s mission to create technologies that protect the valley’s drinking water. Seven years after the lab launched, the agency’s efforts...
Once teetering toward insolvency, North Las Vegas has a new executive who’s prepared for tough decisions
Thursday, July 24, 2014
New North Las Vegas interim City Manager Qiong Liu isn’t afraid of a challenge. Liu left behind a lucrative engineering career in the private sector to work in government because she wanted to solve problems that affect people’s daily lives. She’ll have plenty of problems to address in her new role as North Las Vegas’ top executive. Only a few months ago...
Why Uber has cracked the taxi market in 70 cities — but not Las Vegas
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Uber is a four-letter word in Las Vegas. Just a mention of the company’s name draws gasps from Las Vegas leaders and, especially, taxicab companies ...
Patient dumping, foster homes among possible topics for referral to Legislature
Commissioners cut pay for constables in Henderson and North Las Vegas
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Commissioners got a first look at 10 proposed bills during their meeting Tuesday. They’ll have to shrink that list to four bills by Sept. 1, the deadline for submitting bill draft requests for the legislative session that starts in February ...
Ikea announces plans to open Las Vegas-area store
Monday, July 14, 2014
Ikea will open its first store in the Las Vegas market in the summer of 2016 at Sunset Road and Durango Drive near the 215 Beltway, company officials announced today. ...
Clark County considers giving firefighters raises early
Monday, July 14, 2014
A loophole in state law is allowing a handful of elected officials to double dip by drawing on their public employee pensions while still receiving additional pay and retirement benefits.
For local government workers, it’s TGIT
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Many local government employees work four-day weeks, so if you have business to conduct with the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas, you better get it done by Thursday or else wait out the long weekend. What's the trade-off for the general public? In a word: money.
How businesses break into Southern Nevada’s budding pot industry
Sunday, July 13, 2014
For users of medicinal marijuana, it’s going to be simple. If you suffer from one of eight conditions, you will be eligible for a medical marijuana card and can purchase your drugs same as you would at a pharmacy. For those trying to set up dispensaries or grow houses, the web of regulations is more complex.
John Entsminger prepares Southern Nevada Water Authority for a post-growth era
Saturday, June 28, 2014
John Entsminger hasn’t wasted anytime getting his feet wet since taking the top job at the Southern Nevada Water Authority in January. Three months into his tenure ...
Death of festivalgoer ‘brings down the mood,’ but the show must go on
Saturday, June 21, 2014
The party raged on at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this evening as the second night of the Electric Daisy Carnival got underway. About 134,000 people packed the speedway to dance ...
Commissioners OK over 100 permits for medical pot operations
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Clark County commissioners doled out 101 permits to businesses wanting to grow and process medical marijuana today during a marathon public hearing that ...
Who can grow pot in Clark County? Commission considers the answer today
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
After handing out 18 permits to sell medical marijuana earlier this month, Clark County commissioners are tackling one of the biggest remaining questions about the budding industry: Who can grow pot ...
How you can help Metro Police in their time of mourning
Monday, June 9, 2014
With Metro Police reeling after the shooting deaths of two officers Sunday, many Las Vegas residents are wondering what they can do to support the department. Sheriff Doug Gillespie said today that...
County grants 18 permits for marijuana dispensaries
Friday, June 6, 2014
The Clark County Commission chose 18 businesses today to receive coveted permits to operate medical marijuana dispensaries in the unincorporated county. The commission spent three days this week reviewing...
Commissioners finish Day 1 considering marijuana dispensary applications
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Reefer madness was in full effect at the Clark County Government Center, as county commissioners at noon kicked off three days of hearings to select licensees for...
While seeking the votes, medical marijuana investors give campaign cash
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
On March 5, Clark County Commissioners signaled for the first time that they would allow medical marijuana businesses. Over the next eight days ...
County nixes asking voters to OK more taxes for hospital
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
County commissioners shot down a proposal today to put a question on the November ballot asking voters if they would be willing to pay more to support operations at University Medical Center. The county’s current subsidy to UMC will...
Clark County commissioners to spend 3 days talking medical marijuana
Monday, June 2, 2014
Clark County commissioners will spend three days this week talking about pot. Commissioners plan to weed through ...
Surge in Medicaid patients swamps state, puts UMC in a bind
Sunday, May 25, 2014

Nevada’s largest public hospital has borrowed $45 million in emergency loans in recent months just to make payroll ...
Henderson now ‘a lot smarter’ after era of toxic production
Sunday, May 25, 2014
With its carefully manicured neighborhoods and sprawling office parks, Henderson has outgrown its roots as a magnesium producer for the country’s military ...
Response to Henderson land sale: Not interested
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
A land sale that could have netted Henderson upwards of $33 million fizzled tonight when no bidders emerged during an auction at the city council meeting. Three of the choicest pieces of city real estate were ...
Henderson OKs $483 million annual budget
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Henderson City Council tonight approved a $483 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that includes a $4.6 million transfer to cover an operating fund deficit. The city hopes to close ...
County maneuvers for final say on marijuana dispensary licenses
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Clark County Commission signaled today it would ignore a recommendation by the state and continue with its medical marijuana application process unchanged. Commissioners said during a meeting today that...
‘Eyesore’ news racks along Strip to be replaced by county-owned, uniform racks
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The decision affects 288 news rack locations on the Strip. Commissioners have called the racks eyesores that clog sidewalks. Many of the current racks display adult-themed publications that feature …
Clark County to vote on 2015 budget, news rack takeover on Strip
Monday, May 19, 2014
Clark County Commissioners will decide whether to take over hundreds of news racks that line the sidewalks of the Las Vegas Strip during its meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The commission ...
There’s little the county can do to clean up eyesores left by recession
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Why are the development scars of the Great Recession allowed to stand, haunting the valley like ghosts of a bygone era of decadence ...
Crunch time for Henderson budget
Sunday, May 18, 2014
City will make cuts to reduce expenses, but there won’t be enough money to cover maintenance of streets and more.
Henderson plant fined record $13.75 million over chemical disposal
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Environmental Protection Agency announced today a record $13.75 million fine against a Henderson titanium processing plant accused of improperly disposing a dangerous chemical.
The fine against Philadelphia-based Titanium Metals Corp. is...
Q+A: Michael Gallis on the future of cars, traffic and rail on the Las Vegas Strip
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Las Vegas Boulevard, the artery that sustains the region’s economy, is clogged and needs help. That’s the message ...
Safer bus shelter planned at site of deadly crash
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
The Regional Transportation Commission announced today it plans to install a new bus shelter along Spring Mountain Road where a vehicle crashed into a bus stop, killing four people nearly two years ago. The new shelter will be...
North Las Vegas is ready to proceed on its own medical marijuana regs
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
North Las Vegas is joining the medical marijuana game after its city council signaled Wednesday it would welcome dispensaries and grow facilities. The council directed staff to ...
North Las Vegas OKs union concessions; Police Supervisors holding out
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The North Las Vegas City Council approved concessions deals today with three of its four employee unions meant to stave off a financial crisis. But the mood at the council meeting was soured by ...
North Las Vegas to approve $625,000 grant for Nicholas & Co. food distribution center
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The North Las Vegas City Council will sign off on an agreement tonight approving a $625,000 grant that helped lure a Utah food distributor to expand to the city. Nicholas & Co. plans to ...
Budget-strapped Henderson to cut hours of operation at recreation centers
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
The Henderson City Council late Tuesday approved fee increases and fewer hours of operation at its recreation centers to help shrink a multimillion-dollar budget deficit it faces in the fiscal year starting July 1. The moves, along with other changes to its parks and recreation offerings, are expected to net the city about $2 million in savings and increased revenues. That won’t be enough to close the $5 million operating shortfall the city faces in the upcoming budget year. The city is also grappling with how to pay for $17 million in...
Clark County still examining tighter gaming rules for Dotty’s
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Clark County commissioners announced they’ll take another month to work out changes to rules covering slot machines at bars while they ...
NLV, Henderson take a hit as county commission reallocates medical marijuana dispensary licenses
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
The Clark County Commission voted today to increase the number of medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the unincorporated county from 10 to 18. The decision drew protests from …
Clark County considers removing Strip news racks to make way for its own
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
County commissioners are considering a new ordinance this month that would force private owners of the news racks to rip out their boxes. In their place, the county would install and maintain news racks of its own. The county-owned boxes would then be rented to private companies who would stock them with advertisements and magazines. The move would allow the county to ...
Judge, casino moguls among those seeking marijuana business licenses
Monday, May 5, 2014
Clark County revealed today the names of hundreds of people looking to get into the region’s budding medical marijuana industry. The list of applicants includes doctors, lawyers, real estate brokers, political power players and gaming moguls. Included are...
Clark County Commission takes on new slot machine rules, medical marijuana licenses
Monday, May 5, 2014
The Clark County Commission will decide whether to change the rules governing slot machines at bars during its meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Commissioners also will discuss whether to increase the number of medical marijuana dispensary licenses ...
Medical marijuana takes root; now what?
Sunday, May 4, 2014
It’s been a long and winding road for marijuana in this country over the past century. It’s legal in Nevada for medicinal purposes, and the rush is on to start businesses. Even our boss, Brian Greenspun, is applying for a license. We examine the process and the history of legalization ...
Dotty vs. Goliath: Can the little slot tavern win a fight with Big Gaming?
Sunday, May 4, 2014
The little slot tavern has been the source of some big complaints from major casinos who claim the company earns too much of its revenue from gaming and not enough from food and beverage. Clark County Commissioners, who have received big campaign contributions from the big casinos, will try to sort it out.
Cliven Bundy’s family calls for gathering Friday at Metro Police
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Cliven Bundy’s family is urging his supporters to gather at Metro Police’s downtown headquarters at 10 a.m. Friday to file criminal complaints against ...
North Las Vegas fire union approves deal to help fix city budget
Thursday, May 1, 2014
North Las Vegas firefighters “overwhelmingly” approved a deal to give up millions of dollars in back pay owed to them by the city in exchange for helping fix the city’s troubled finances.
Southern Nevada Health District nears deal to buy building for new headquarters
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
The Southern Nevada Health District is close to a deal to buy a building for its permanent headquarters that could save the financially challenged public agency $2.5 million annually. Chief Health Officer Joseph Iser presented ...
Q+A: North Las Vegas fire union president on the city’s financial crisis and his role in solving it
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
North Las Vegas firefighters vote this week on a city settlement that would pay them pennies on the dollar for lost wages. If workers approve the settlement ...
Clark County receives more than 200 applications for medical pot businesses
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Southern Nevada’s green rush is on as more than 100 businesses hurried to file medical marijuana license applications with Clark County before today’s deadline to stake out a claim in what’s expected to be ...
Developers moving forward on huge North Las Vegas master plan community
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Developers planning to build 15,000 homes in North Las Vegas told the city council today they hope to have shovels in the ground before the end of the year on one of the...
Board member discusses University Medical Center’s cash crunch, new CEO and future plans
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The new University Medical Center board of directors is in triage mode. The board took on the public hospital’s oversight from ...
Director: Brookings Institution happy to welcome Mulroy, a ‘national leader’ on water issues
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
The managing director of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., said today that his organization is “delighted” to add former Southern Nevada water chief Pat Mulroy to its roster of experts tackling climate change. “We now have someone whose principal focus is ...
Apologetic Collins denies calling Utahns ‘inbred,’ tells fellow commissioners he’ll treat them better
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins today denied making widely reported inflammatory remarks regarding Utahns supporting Bunkerville rancher Cliven Bundy. "I in no way ever insulted …"