Students across the Las Vegas valley united to stand up against more tax cuts that are threatening higher education. Their medium: tombstones, just in time for the holiday season. Their timing could not be better as many students across the valley are heading to the early voting polls.

"It definitely makes me think," says Rahim, a student at the College of Southern Nevada. "I realized that higher education was in jeopardy in Nevada, but I never really looked at what Obama or McCain had to say about college costs." Rahim said he hopes the tombstones will remain on display at the CSN campus, and hopes they are rotated around to other universities to spread awareness. The tombstones range from "R.I.P Nevada Higher Education" to "R.I.P Nevada Nurses". The College of Southern Nevada is one of the largest community colleges in the nation which has been undergoing serious budget cuts at around 20% from the yearly budget.

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                On Tuesday, Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin made a campaign stop in Henderson, Nevada, a short 20 minute drive from Vegas.  This was the Governor's first time in Southern Nevada since she was chosen by John McCain to be his running mate.  She was welcomed by about 7,000 supporters proudly showcasing their McCain-Palin gear.  As I walked the line to get into the event, held at the Henderson Pavilion, I overheard chanting, shouting, and a few minor obscenities near the curb of the main street. 

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It is no secret that the number one issue for most Americans is the economy.  We are in troubling times as energy, food, foreclosures, and unemployment rise, and stocks fall even more drastically.  Some call for a “bailout” plan to improve the current economic state, a move that would cost tax payers $700 billion.  Others claim Wall Street greed is the root of all economic evil.  Whichever path led America to this crumbling stage, Representatives are calling for swift, decisive action to reach a passed bill as early as Friday. 

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I can't believe what my eyes are telling me.  There are only 49 days until the election on November 4th, and both campaigns are going full throttle until the end.  Although the primary season was long, the conventions seemed to fly by, and now both candidates are at each other's throat.  LET THE MUD SLINGIN' BEGIN!

                Since the Republican convention last week in St. Paul, John McCain has seen a jump in the polls, as did Obama last month after his nomination speech.  However, it is Sarah Palin that seems to have taken the spotlight off McCain.  Recent polls show John M...

The past few days at the Democratic National Convention can be described as nothing short of absolutely INCREDIBLE! A lack of sleep, food, and sanity are the sacrifices that created an unforgettable trip to Denver that will hopefully make a difference this November. I met so many people ranging from celebrities, representatives, and delegates who were all as excited as I was to be a part of American history.

The trip started with a 4 AM alarm clock buzzing in Las Vegas, marking the start of journey that would that take me into the wee hours the next morning. After a short hour a...

     As the convention is literally hours away, I am experiencing what could be called "convention jitters".  It is a feeling of excitement, astonishment, and a little anxiety.  I will be bringing you LIVE coverage from the Democratic Convention floor, so you too can understand exactly what the convention experience is like from a unique participant view.  Along with other Street Teamers, I will be looking for unique aspects of the convention to share with all of you.

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              As our presumptive nominees head from coast to coast and country to country, a particular talking point is being discussed regularly in Nevada: energy plans and energy independence.  As Obama stumps across urban Nevada and McCain campaigns rural Nevada, voters are asking, "Who has the better energy plan?"
               

              On Tuesday, McCain stopped at Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada, a 15 minute drive from Reno, and discussed his energy plan as well as his criticisms of Obama's energy plan.  McCain has made headlines in recent news due to his support of opening America's coastlines to oil drilling.  He also supports build...

In the country's current state of economic affairs, it seems that everyone is doing at least a little complaining.   Who wouldn't complain about the high gas prices, the home mortgage crisis, and the weak dollar?  It seems that everyone is complaining, complaining, complaining, but no one is doing anything about it, except this group of fed-up Nevada residents. Local protesters took it right to a local Chevron gas station to express themselves on high gas prices and speak out against prospective presidential ties to the oil industry.

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The budget crisis has recently become more of a personal issue for many college students across the Vegas valley. Nevada is currently experiencing a shortfall of $1 billion dollars in the state budget, and after a special session held by the Nevada legislature, state officials are asking the College of Southern Nevada, the 4th largest community college in America, and UNLV, to cut back at least by 25% of their budget. This is a huge cutback that will have severe consequences beginning the fall of 2008 semester.

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As our troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan witness the horrific realities of war, depression and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) set in. What is the military doing to help our brave soldiers cope?  This is a conversation with a soldier's family who is currently coping with their son's death and what needs to be done to improve the military's mental health services.