State Briefly Aug. 4

Northern Nevada fire contained along Geiger Grade

RENO (AP) - A fire that burned 577 acres in rugged terrain southeast of Reno is now contained.

Fire officials say crews were able to complete fire lines around the Bain fire early Tuesday. Firefighters will remain on the scene for mop-up.

The fire broke out Saturday in thick brush and steep terrain, and sent up dark plumes of smoke.

No structures were lost and there were no injuries.

Officials say the fire was human caused, but the exact cause is unknown.

Casinos take different spins on wise gambling week

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Casinos around Nevada are taking part in a weeklong education campaign to push responsible gambling.

The campaign runs through Friday and is sponsored by the American Gaming Association. This year's theme is "Know the Odds," and features brochures teaching patrons that the house has an advantage in casino games.

Individual casinos are taking their own spin on the responsible gambling blitz.

Harrah's and Harvey's casinos in Lake Tahoe are quizzing employees in break rooms about responsible gambling. People who answer correctly get a chance to spin a wheel for prizes.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. is using brochures and electronic media to remind employees about playing responsibly.

Slot machine manufacturer International Game Technology is also quizzing workers about wise gambling and offering them a chance to win an iPad.

Obama nominates Reno lawyer for federal bench

(AP) - A Reno lawyer who arrived in the United States as a 9-year-old refugee from South Vietnam has been nominated for a federal judgeship in Nevada.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid says Miranda Du was nominated Tuesday by President Barack Obama to serve on the federal bench in Las Vegas. Reid recommended Du for the lifelong post. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the first Asian Pacific American federal judge in Nevada history.

Du is a partner in the McDonald Carano Wilson law firm and specializes in civil litigation and employment law.

Her family fled her native country after the Vietnam War, eventually coming to the United States.

She earned her law degree at University of California-Berkeley in 1994 and joined the Reno law firm that same year.