Money mess
Breaking news: Nevada continues to be confusing and frustrating as hell. This week we learned that we not only rank last in welfare spending—$855 per capita, almost half the national average of $1,560, costing us huge amounts in federal matching funds—but we are one of only 20 states that allows private lobbyists who represent associations of counties, cities and school boards to get state pensions. So, our tax dollars are going to private organizations, but not to the taxpayers themselves? —Ken Miller
Wheel of fortune
Mobile billboards driving down the street, wrap advertisements covering hotel towers, LEDs flashing in every direction—essentially, the Strip is a 4.2-mile-long commercial. And soon, product placement on the Boulevard may be getting even bigger: 550 feet tall to be exact. Caesars Entertainment is searching for a corporate sponsor for the centerpiece of its Linq project, the High Roller. When it opens, the attraction won’t be the globe’s only branded observation wheel; EDF Energy launched a sponsorship of the London Eye in 2011 for an estimated $12.5 million. —Mark Adams
Homer happy
Bryce Harper, look out! Nevadan Trace Evans, a 12-year-old with an obvious passion for baseball, accomplished a mind-boggling feat at a tournament at the Cooperstown Dreams Park, hitting home runs in 11 consecutive official at-bats. Evans’ feat is a new Cooperstown age-12-and-under record—shattering Kade Larson’s 2007 record of 9—and should remain in the books for the foreseeable future. Congrats, Trace! —KM