Nevada briefly

Regent: Only miracle

will save UNR fire academy

ELKO, Nev. (AP) - Long-time backers of the University of Nevada's Fire Science Academy say they've all but given up on keeping the training and research facility open in Elko County.

UNR President Marc Johnson is pressing the state Board of Regents to close the fire academy that sits along U.S. Interstate 80 just east of Carlin because of its lingering debt.

Regent Kevin Melcher of Elko said he expects the board to vote to shut its doors during Friday's meeting in Las Vegas. "I don't see any other option at this point," he told the Elko Daily Free Press. "Unless a miracle comes along, I don't see any way of saving it."

State Assemblyman John Ellison of Elko said he's not happy about it, but they've canceled a planned presentation to the regents.

He estimates closing the academy will cost $4 million to $5 million in addition to the 28 jobs it provides.

NV Energy will take

entries for wind rebates

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada's main electric utility is recruiting customers for rebates in a residential, small business and agriculture wind turbine incentive program.

NV Energy says it will accept applications for its WindGenerations program between Friday and Dec. 14.

Submittals must be made through the company's NVEnergy.com website.

For residential, small business and agricultural customers, the incentive rate for 2011-12 is $2.25 per watt.

Schools and public buildings can obtain a $3.25 per watt rebate.

Cain files for Nevada

caucus, plans bus tour

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Herman Cain's campaign says his presidential bid is alive and well in Nevada after filing to be in the state's Feb. 4 caucus.

Campaign staff paid a $10,000 filing fee for the caucus on Tuesday. Cain's Nevada campaign director Elicia Huffaker told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the candidate is planning a bus tour of Nevada in late January or early February.

The payment comes after Cain was reportedly reassessing his presidential run amid allegations of sexual misconduct and a 13-year extramarital affair.

Cain has denied all of the accusations, but they have hurt the former frontrunner in the polls.

New commission at UNR

will focus on future

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Faculty Senate at the University of Nevada, Reno has created a new panel to examine some of the difficult financial choices facing the institution in the coming years.

The Commission on the Future of the University includes both administrators and academic faculty. The 13-member commission hopes to start a conversation campus-wide about opportunities to establish excellence in selected areas and bring new resources to campus.