LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Federal Election Commission says former U.S. Sen. John Ensign has agreed to pay a $32,000 civil penalty over a payment made by his parents to his 1-time mistress. While he did not admit to any culpability, the Nevada Republican agreed to pay the fine to settle allegations that he took an illegal campaign contribution from his parents. His parents in 2008 gave $96,000 to Cynthia Hampton, a campaign staffer who at the time was his mistress and the wife of his aide, Douglas Hampton. Ensign resigned in 2011.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Two rural Nevada colleges will feel less budget pain than initially proposed under actions taken by legislative money committees. Lawmakers on the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees agreed yesterday to add $1 million a year to reduce losses Great Basin and Western Nevada colleges would realize under a new higher education funding formula.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Legislative money committees have added $6 million for mental health programs, including a home visit pilot program, community interaction services and more beds for mentally ill inmates at a northern Nevada psychiatric hospital. The budget amendments proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval will be paid for by a 1-time infusion of $21 million in tobacco settlement money. They were approved yesterday by the committees.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (AP) - Nevada wildlife officials say they were forced to euthanize a bear that entered an Incline Village condominium because the bruin posed a danger to the public. A woman phoned authorities after encountering the 3-year-old, 325-pound male bear inside her unit late Thursday night on Lake Tahoe's north shore. The Gazette-Journal reports the bear apparently entered the condo through an open garage door and unlocked door.
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