NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth, according to a news conference today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObkqIMPmaJw&feature=player_embedded
Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California's Eastern Sierra off of Highway 395 have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. The microorganism substitutes arsenic for phosphorus in its cell components. Click here and here for the story.

CARSON CITY – A national conservative think tank today launched a new website to give Spanish-speaking Americans access to its analyses and policy recommendations on the nation’s most pressing problems.
The Heritage Foundation launched Libertad.org, where the organization’s work on issues ranging from education reform to the new national health care law will be available in Spanish.

Catch the live video of the meeting here. You can see the full agenda here.

When you stop in to see the wide selection of used books Jeff and Ellie Barstad are offering at their new Dayton business, The Bookworm, check out the handmade quilt being raffled to benefit the Dayton Food Pantry.

Ellie Barstad completed the quilt just in time for the holidays, and is offering raffle tickets for a chance to win it. The proceeds of the raffle will go to the Dayton Food Pantry.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A panel of private sector fiscal experts today projected the Nevada state general fund will have about $5.3 billion in tax revenues to spend on government services for the next two years.
The Nevada Economic Forum spent the day making projections for gaming, sales, business and other major tax revenues for use by Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval and the Legislature in crafting a balanced budget for the two years beginning July 1, 2011.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
University of Nevada, Reno President Milt Glick has signed the “Campus Compact,” joining a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who have committed their campuses to encouraging service learning and civic engagement.

CARSON CITY — Wally Murray, president and CEO of Greater Nevada Credit Union was honored as the outgoing Nevada Credit Union League board chairman during the League’s recent annual meeting and convention.

During the convention, the Nevada Credit Union League received a national award for its outstanding advocacy efforts. Greater Nevada Credit Union was also recognized by the California and Nevada Credit Union League and awarded Nevada Credit Union Advocate of the Year.

A leading financial analysis firm told the Nevada Economic Forum that Nevada will have job growth in five major categories in 2011. Click here to read the Reno Gazette-Journal story. Click here for additional updates, including sales tax revenue projections.

La Comunidad Unida Latina ahora les ofrece sus servicios a el pueblo de Dayton los viernes de 1 a 4 en el banco de comida de Dayton.
Los servicios incluyen traduccion de documentos, llenando appliciones simples de custodia, divorcios, child support. El personal de comunidad latina esta disponible para dar mas informacion acerca del Labor comissioner. Ademas los maestros pueden solicitar ayuda en traducir documentos para ellos. 
Porfavor llamen a  885-1055 para citas El Banco de Comida de Dayton esta localizado en  4 Enterprise Way y  Hwy 50, al este de la tienda de Smiths.

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., today urged his colleagues to ensure that any Continuing Resolutions passed by the House include provisions to restore geothermal royalties to local counties.
The Office of Management and Budget has determined that under current funding legislation, local counties can no longer receive their share of geothermal royalties established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Unclaimed property in the hands of the state will go up for action on Saturday in Las Vegas, State Treasurer Kate Marshall announced today.

Be a part of it this year at the Carson City Library Foundation’s New Year’s Eve party, December 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Nevada State Library and Archives in Carson City. Tickets are $50 each, or a table of eight for $350, and include dinner buffet, entertainment, champagne toast, silent auction, and a ball drop at midnight, East Coast time.

The Wild Horse Children's Theater will be presenting "Alice in Wonderland" beginning this weekend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lloEIeajPzU

An unemployed Carson City man faces a felony burglary charge after breaking into Blockbuster Video on East Williams Street last week and taking games and two consoles.

Ryne Mitchell Snoddy, 18, also faces a gross misdemeanor property destruction charge. Bail was set at $25,000.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – Nevada Republican Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval announced today his selection of 29 Nevadans to serve on his transition advisory team, including Bill Bible, former president of the Nevada Resort Association, and state Sen. Dean Rhoads, who backed Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election bid.
The diverse group of community leaders from across Nevada will provide input and feedback to Sandoval on a wide range of issues.

The Carson City road report for the week includes some street closures for the annual Silver and Snowflake Festival on Thursday, the public works department reports.

The event and parade will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and will include the following street closures:
— Carson Street from Robinson Street to Fifth Street
— West Musser Street from North Carson Street to North Nevada Street

With the big distribution day for the holidays on Thursday, Dec. 16, the Dayton Food Pantry will operate that day only from the Dayton Community Center at 170 Pike Street from noon to 5 p.m.

With unemployment in Lyon County at nearly 20 percent, donations are especially welcome this holiday season, explained Freida Carbery, director for the Pantry.

On the other days of December, the Food Pantry will be open for emergency food needs as usual, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4 Enterprise Way and Highway 50 (east of Smith’s Grocery) Monday through Friday.

Motorists should take extra precaution tonight as rain and snow showers earlier today in Carson City have turned to ice with numerous accidents around town. As of 10 p.m. no major injuries were reported as a result of the accidents, according to dispatchers.

According to Carsonweather.com and the National Weather Service an advisory has been issued that warns of poor driving conditions and slick roads because of the freezing rain and snow.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A campaign report filed by the Senate Democratic Caucus shows the group’s political action committee received about $20,000 before ending a short-lived proposal to give lobbyists access to lawmakers in exchange for campaign contributions.

Tahoe is off to its best opening for snowsports in years with most resorts operating on a limited basis, but many offering top to bottom runs. Snow is good, not fluffy but not wet so it's like powder days at many mountain resorts.

By Sean Whaley /Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said this week he expects to see Harry Reid continue to help northern Nevada in a variety of ways now that he has won re-election in a bitterly contested Senate race.

A first class Carson City Thanksgiving feast with all the fixins' was put on the table Thursday by the Carson Nugget, a tradition and promise it has made to the community for 56 years.

Families by the scores began entering the Carson Nugget convention center at 11 a.m. sharp for the traditional free event, which began three days in advance with food preparation. More than 1,000 guests had been anticipated to show for the annual community gathering.

Juan Guzman talks about hiking and biking trail projects in Carson City:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vpwm1W_pzQ

The final performance of the 22nd annual Nutcracker Ballet, presented by Pinkerton Ballet Theater, will be on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. Tickets are available at the Brewery Arts Center Artisan Gift Shop, 449 W. King St. or by calling (775) 883-1976 extension 117.