Mike Smith has been the Sun’s editorial cartoonist since 1983, and after Tuesday he will have weathered eight presidential elections during his tenure. He took some time before the election to reflect on his career, the challenges of drawing President Barack Obama’s ears versus Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s hair, and what the results of Nov. 6 will mean for him.
Actress Eva Longoria and percussionist Sheila E. will join President Barack Obama at a rally Thursday in North Las Vegas, the Obama campaign has announced.
Crucial voting bloc shows big gains in registration
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
Izack Tenorio spends his days splitting time between phone banks and door-to-door canvassing. The 21-year-old works for Mi Familia Vota, and on Tuesday he knocked on doors near Alta Drive and Decatur Boulevard.
First lady Michelle Obama, closing out a week in which both presidential candidates also visited Southern Nevada, told a Las Vegas audience Friday afternoon that their votes could help sway the election.
Driver’s licenses, Social Security cards at the top of to-do list
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
UNLV student Rafael Lopez, like thousands of young immigrants around the country, is old enough to drink alcohol but is eagerly anticipating a moment that most people experience halfway through high school: the chance to get a driver’s license.
Candidates for 1st, 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts discuss small business, health care and immigration
Friday, Oct. 19, 2012
A Republican was responsible for a conspicuously empty chair on Friday, and this time it had nothing to do with a Clint Eastwood performance. Danny Tarkanian failed to show at a panel discussion at the Suncoast.
Joe Biden completed a two-day campaign swing through Nevada on Thursday morning with a rally in Las Vegas, where he urged supporters to vote early and lashed out at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for his positions on women’s issues and the economy. More than 600 people attended the event at the Culinary Arts Academy, with most filling a small room where Biden spoke.
District says closures imminent; policy institute claims system is healthy
Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012
The Henderson Library District is asking residents for a bump in property taxes to stave off branch closures and additional cutbacks, but the Nevada Policy Research Institute says the district is realtively healthy financially.
Candidates clash over energy policy, immigration, Medicare reform
Monday, Oct. 15, 2012
In their third and final debate of the U.S. Senate campaign, incumbent Republican Dean Heller and his Democratic opponent, Rep. Shelley Berkley, dug in to their previously established positions on contentious issues.
Candidates for 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts meet head on
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
Clear contrasts and cantankerous candidates were on display Thursday as the candidates for the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts squared off in half-hour debates.
Heck vs. Oceguera, Horsford vs. Tarkanian dubbed ‘races to watch’
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012
Democrats and Republicans have spent a significant portion of this campaign season blaming the other side for the gridlock in Washington, D.C., over comprehensive immigration reform. Regardless of who is to blame for past failures, the makeup of the next Congress and lawmakers’ willingness to compromise will be crucial if any progress is to be made on the issue.
Bill Clinton, who received plaudits for his speech at the Democratic National Convention in September, showed off his oratory skills Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas at a rally for President Barack Obama. Under a blazing afternoon sun and cloudless sky, approximately 2,000 Obama supporters packed Springs Preserve to hear the former president make his case for a second term for his fellow Democrat.
Rep. Joe Heck says Medicare reimbursements, health exchanges top his list of concerns
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012
Rep. Joe Heck, speaking Tuesday morning at the annual Nevada Health Forum, offered his perspective on the future of health care and cited his top three issues facing the nation’s medical industry.
A bad translation can be horrible for a business. It can endanger customers, lead to lawsuits and create a public relations nightmare. A good translation, on other hand, can open up avenues to new markets and clientele and help a company establish strong relationships with non-English speakers.
President Barack Obama, ensconsed in a Lake Las Vegas resort, today continues preparations for his first face-to-face debate Wednesday with Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
Would-be first lady Ann Romney made her second speech in less than a week in Nevada, urging voters to change the course for America by electing her husband, Mitt, as the country’s next president. In a 12-minute speech Monday afternoon before a pompom-waving audience estimated at 1,000 people at the Henderson Convention Center, Mrs. Romney cited continuing drags on the economy in asking voters to turn their thumbs down on President Barack Obama after nearly four years in office.
Adriana Ortiz has always been highly motivated, especially when it comes to education, and a life of self-reliance has taught her that the only way to insure something gets done is to do it yourself. So, when Ortiz, who once resided in the United States illegally but now is a citizen, saw how her half-sister was stymied from work and education because she was not a legal resident, Ortiz could not help but speak out.
Superstar Mexican pop-rock band Maná will perform at a campaign rally for President Barack Obama in Las Vegas on Sunday, a campaign spokesman confirmed late Wednesday.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney fired up a crowd of boisterous supporters Friday at a rally at UNLV’s COX Pavilion. The former Massachusetts governor spoke to the crowd of approximately 3,000 for 20 minutes, mostly discussing the ailing economy and what he would do to help homeowners and the unemployed.
A 75 year-old Clark County woman has been diagnosed with West Nile virus, the first case reported this year in the county, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.
Several campuses close to benchmarks needed to apply for federal grants
Friday, Sept. 14, 2012
Over the past four decades, the Hispanic portion of U.S. college enrollment has steadily increased, and for the first time ever, Hispanics are the largest minority group on college campuses, a new report indicates. Here in Southern Nevada, institutions are executing plans to boost Hispanic enrollment and increase support services for minority students. Not only are the initiatives important to address the shifting demographics of Nevada’s schools, but they could also lead to one or more of the local colleges receiving federal Hispanic Serving Institution status, which can open doors to more funding.
Campaigns cover costs of venues and transportation, but not security
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012
Each time a candidate comes to the valley, campaign staffers work out event logistics while various agencies coordinate security for the visits. Some costs of a campaign visit are reimbursed; others are not.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is nearly here (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), and with a schedule of events frontloaded around the first weekend, fiesta-minded Las Vegans should plan accordingly.
Son shares personal stores as others tackle policy questions
Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012
Craig Romney is on the campaign trail for his father, Mitt, and the youngest of the GOP presidential nominee’s five sons has a focused mission. While members of former Republican administrations and GOP politicians are serving as surrogates for Mitt Romney in terms of sharing policy objectives, Craig Romney is, to use a pollster’s term, his father’s “likability” surrogate.
Epicurean Foundation scholarship winner set her sights on college when her parents returned to Mexico
Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012
In the spring Valley High School senior Karen Nava began to see the rewards of several years of hard work, dedication and uncommon maturity and courage. Nava, a soft-spoken 18 year-old, was set to graduate and attend UNLV. She would be the first in her family to attend college. These were exactly the kinds of opportunities Nava’s parents had hoped she would find when they entered the United States illegally before she was born.
With work scarce, union networks are critical but sometimes frustrating
Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012
Pedro Lizaola has been a member of Local 872 since 1988 and is trained in construction and demolition. Before the recession, there was enough work for everyone in the construction trades. Locals could work as much as they wanted and people from out of state were flocking to Southern Nevada to pick up the excess. Then work came to a crushing halt. Two unfinished resorts on the Strip stand as witnesses.
Struggle to accurately measure population spans four decades
Friday, Aug. 31, 2012
Four decades and counting, and the U.S. Census Bureau still is struggling with how to count Hispanics. Since 1980 the standard U.S. census form has included some sort of question meant to measure the number of Hispanics in the country. Experiments with the process started in 1970.
Shopping carts rattled to a halt Monday afternoon as wide-eyed grocery shoppers at Cardenas spotted Sen. Harry Reid walking the aisles and sampling a variety of foods. The U.S. Senate majority leader took a 30-minute supermarket tour that doubled as an excuse to tout President Barack Obama’s policies and bring up Mitt Romney’s taxes again while the Republican Party is focused on its national convention in Tampa, Fla.
Before President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of more than 2,500 supporters at Canyon Springs High School on Wednesday morning, he sat down to talk shop with teachers Lori Henrickson, Claritssa Sanchez and Isaac Barron about class sizes, school funding, No Child Left Behind and other education matters.
President Barack Obama was back campaigning in the Las Vegas Valley this morning, making a dual pitch for an emphasis on education and support for the nation’s teachers.
Hispanic males not backing Democrat in Senate race as readily as Hispanic females
Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012
Message to Nevada’s Hispanic voters: Your inbox, mailbox and television set will be inundated with a deluge of political advertisements between now and Nov. 6, much of it with “Berkley” or “Heller” on the return address. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee commissioned a poll last week that showed Rep. Shelley Berkley and her Republican opponent, Sen. Dean Heller, in a virtual dead heat in their Senate race.
An alleged sword-wielding robber who was shot and killed Sunday was not operating alone according to Metro Police. Police on Sunday arrested a 47-year-old woman who is suspected of serving as the driver for the botched robbery of a Dairy Queen.
Move to save some money but will ease staffing crunch, director says
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012
Cuts keep coming in the Henderson Library District — and the end result likely won’t please anyone. Thursday morning the Henderson Library District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close all six branches on Mondays, meaning Henderson libraries will be closed Sundays and Mondays beginning this fall. This is at least the third time in four years the district has reduced library operating hours.
An estimated 1.7 million are eligible nationwide; immigrants hopeful but cautious
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012
The U.S. government started accepting applications for the deferred action immigration program Wednesday, and eligible Nevadans are approaching the process with a mixture of optimism and caution.
GOP vice presidential candidate rallies voters in northwest Las Vegas
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012
Like fireworks waiting for their fuse to be lit, an estimated 2,000 people braved sweltering heat and long security lines Tuesday afternoon with giddy enthusiasm to get their first glimpse of Rep. Paul Ryan in his new role as running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
McCain, Graham, Ayotte visit Nellis Air Force Base, address sequestration
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012
Three Republican senators are attempting to accomplish what a “supercommittee” of 12 legislators could not: bring both parties together for a budget compromise that would dodge mandatory cuts set to take effect in January.
Veterans, students can attend career fair for free
Monday, Aug. 13, 2012
One of the oldest and largest Latino professional organizations in the country will have its 40th annual national convention over four days at Caesars Palace, and in addition to networking events and workshops, the final day of the event will feature a free career fair for veterans.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s tactics in calling for Mitt Romney to release years of tax returns might be in question, but Reid’s message is resonating with many.
Conservative group attempts to close Romney's gap in support from Latino voters
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012
A new ad set to air on Spanish-language television in Nevada attacks President Barack Obama for his deportation record. The 30-second advertisement, paid for by American Principles in Action and its local Latino outreach wing Nevada Hispanics, is titled “No More Lies” and criticizes Obama for not accomplishing comprehensive immigration reform in his first term.
District set to close two branches if voters reject property tax increase
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012
Geraldine Brurs left the Paseo Valley Library into the midday heat Tuesday with two audio books in hand. The frequent visitor to Henderson libraries had no idea that two of the system’s six branches will close at the end of the year if a tax initiative on the November ballot does not pass. Those who already use and appreciate the libraries, and are supporters of the property tax increase, like Brurs, are the easy targets.
Several groups working to increase Hispanic participation
Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012
Candidates for office have a big red circle targeting Nov. 6 on their calendars, but Southern Nevada organizations working to increase voter participation have a different date in their sights: Oct. 6, the last day of voter registration.
Sen. Dean Heller’s campaign released its first Spanish-language ad this week, an attack on opponent Shelley Berkley called “Credit” that comes with just less than 100 days left in the close U.S. Senate campaign.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, thousands of athletes are representing more than 200 countries in the 30th Summer Olympics this month. This week in the west valley, there is a smaller, but just as passionate, international event taking place. On Wednesday, Las Vegas had its own parade of nations at Red Rock Resort, where representatives of 43 countries carried their flags onto the convention center stage in the opening ceremony of the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship.
The Prodigy seeks to improve on last year’s trip to world semifinals
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012
Hip-hop dance crew The Prodigy have advanced to the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship after taking silver earlier this week in the USA Hip-Hop Dance Championship. The Prodigy became the first Las Vegas dance crew to win any category at the dance competition last year, when the seven-member team of youths ages 7 to 12 took the top prize in the 10-team juniors division at the 2011 national competition.
Latin Chamber of Commerce had complained of college's 'unacceptable record' of hiring, promoting Hispanics
Friday, July 27, 2012
The College of Southern Nevada’s hiring practices, despite coming under fire by the Latin Chamber of Commerce, are in line with state policies, the Nevada System of Higher Education’s chairman said in a letter this week to the Latin chamber.
Filipino community hopes updated translation will spur participation
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The first time Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax was confronted with publishing election materials and ballots in another language, he was prepared for it. Lomax was caught off guard, however, when his office was notified that elections materials must now accommodate the growing Filipino population in Clark County.
Private and public organizations collaborate on converted Econo Lodge
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The sand-colored Econo Lodge on Las Vegas Boulevard just south of Charleston has offered budget-priced rooms for tourists and visitors looking for longer stays since the 1960s, but now it will serve a higher purpose.
Polling firm Latin Decisions released a new poll of Latino registered voters Wednesday indicating President Barack Obama has widened his lead over presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. After the president ramped up outreach to Latino voters, the poll found Obama has the support of 70 percent of Latino voters, compared to 22 percent for Romney. In June, polls showed Obama taking 66 percent of Latino voters, and as recently as November a poll found just 59 percent of Latinos supported Obama over any GOP nominee.