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RANGE SHOWDOWN
Feds release all cows gathered during NV roundup
UNDATED (AP) __ Federal land managers confirmed they released all 400 or so head of cattle rounded up on public land in southern Nevada from a rancher who has refused to recognize their authority.
The Bureau of Land Management took the action Saturday afternoon after hundreds of states' rights protesters, including militia members, showed up at corrals outside Mesquite to demand the animals' return to rancher Cliven Bundy.
The bureau issued a brief statement saying the cattle were released "due to escalating tensions." Some protesters were armed with handguns and rifles at the corrals and at an earlier nearby rally.
Las Vegas Police Lt. Dan Zehnder says the showdown was resolved with no injuries and no violence. He says Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie was able to negotiate a resolution after talking with Bundy.
The fight between Bundy and the Bureau of Land Management widened into a debate about states' rights and federal land-use policy. The bureau revoked Bundy's grazing rights after he stopped paying grazing fees and disregarded federal court orders to remove his animals. The dispute that ultimately triggered the roundup dates to 1993, when the bureau cited concern for the federally protected tortoise in the region.
NEVADA GOP
Nevada GOP moves forward with primary endorsements
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Republicans pushed ahead Saturday with identifying GOP candidates they believe deserve the party's backing in the upcoming primary election — even if their opponent is a fellow Republican. The delegates cast secret ballots on the endorsements the same day the newly approved effort drew bitter divisions at the state party's convention in Las Vegas.
Separate debate on the GOP platform, including a proposal to delete long-standing references to party opposition to gay marriage and abortion, extended into Saturday evening at the state Republican convention in Las Vegas.
Secret balloting for pre-primary endorsements came after lengthy, bitter debate in which conservative grassroots loyalists batted back attempts by more moderate members to scrap the endorsement process.
The party's central committee initiated the unusual move of endorsing Republicans before the June 10 Nevada primary in response to grassroots anger over early candidate endorsements from elected officials, such as Gov. Brian Sandoval in the contentious lieutenant governor's race.
At least three dozen GOP candidates are seeking primary backing from the state party. Others, including the governor, have shunned the process.
CASINO UNION PICKETING-VEGAS
Union members picket downtown Vegas casinos
LAS VEGAS (AP) — About 2,000 union members picketed in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday to draw attention to ongoing contract talks.
Culinary Workers' Union Local 226 spokeswoman Bethany Khan says multiple lines of picketers walked back and forth at entrances to 10 downtown properties.
She says the union is committed to keeping "good, middle-class" jobs in Nevada.
The union represents housekeepers, bartenders, and cocktail and food servers.
Contracts expired last June, and union members voted in February to end a contract extension.
Members voted March 27 to authorize a strike if no agreement is reached.
Culinary and bartender unions have new five-year deals with most large Las Vegas casino operators.
CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT-CLINTON
Clinton to headline Clean Energy Summit in Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is due to return to the Las Vegas Strip later this year to deliver a keynote speech at a renewable-energy conference.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Friday that the former first lady and senator from New York will headline the yearly National Clean Energy Summit on Sept. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
Clinton's appearance on a "partnership and progress" theme will come two years after a similar engagement at the event by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
The annual conference is co-sponsored the Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
DEADLY CARSON CITY FIGHT
Man dies after being injured in Carson City fight
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A man has died after being injured in a fight with two acquaintances at a Carson City apartment.
Sheriff Ken Furlong says the man died late Friday afternoon at a Reno hospital, where he was taken after the Thursday night fight at the Stanton Arms apartments.
The victim's name and age were not immediately released.
Two suspects, 29-year-old Alfredo Santiago and 27-year-old Ruri Santiago, were earlier arrested on suspicion of battery causing substantial bodily harm in connection with the fight.
RENO CASINO OPENS
New casino opens in downtown Reno
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Downtown Reno has a new casino for the first time since 1995 when the Silver Legacy opened.
Siri's Casino opened its doors Friday at the site of the old Primadonna Club across from Harrah's Reno.
Owner Jeff Siri, who also is president of downtown Reno's Club Cal Neva, says the new casino's theme is based after Miami's South Beach neighborhood.
It features about 140 slot machines, a mermaid fountain, a full bar and a wide range of daiquiri drinks.
Siri says he hopes the casino will help draw more visitors to the downtown and prompt other casinos to open.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon drew hundreds of people to the casino.
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