State Briefly Oct. 1

Reid's wife diagnosed with breast cancer

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is receiving chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer in Washington, D.C.

The senator's office confirmed Friday that 71-year-old Landra Reid was recently diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and is expected to survive because the cancer was detected early.

Reid's office says the Nevada Democrat is standing by his wife's side as she receives treatment, but that the diagnosis won't affect his work.

The diagnosis comes more than a year after she was in a violent car crash in Virginia that left her with a broken back, neck and nose. Doctors initially feared she would be paralyzed, but she eventually recovered.

Landra and Harry Reid met in high school and have been married since 1959. They have a daughter and four sons.

Nevada Democrats consider January caucus

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada Democrats say they will likely move up their caucuses to preserve the state's third-in-the-nation contest.

Democratic Chairwoman Roberta Lange said in a statement Friday that the party will likely host its caucuses in January instead of on Feb. 18. President Barack Obama is expected to win the nomination.

Lange's announcement comes after Florida Republicans said they will hold their primary on Jan. 31.

Only Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina are allowed to hold primaries or caucuses before March 6 under Republican and Democratic party rules.

Lange says Florida is risking the integrity of the presidential nominating calendar by breaking the rules.

She has sole authority to set the caucus date for Nevada Democrats.

Nevada Republicans also want to move up their caucuses.

Reno hospital releases air show crash victim

RENO (AP) - One Reno medical center released its last patient from the Sept. 16 crash of a modified airplane at an air race, while six patients remain at another hospital.

St. Mary's Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Jamii Uboldi says the last of 33 patients there was discharged Thursday.

A spokesman at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno said one of six people still being treated there Friday remains in critical condition. Another is in serious condition and four are listed in fair condition.

The pilot of the World War II-era P-51 airplane was among 11 people killed when it crashed into spectators at the National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport. Officials have reported more than 80 injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

Jan. hearing set for Ensign aide in lobbying case

WASHINGTON (AP) - A one-time aide to Nevada's former Republican U.S. Sen. John Ensign could head to trial next year in a Washington criminal case alleging he illegally lobbied Ensign.

Doug Hampton's lawyer told a Washington D.C. judge Friday that he hopes to see the trial begin in May or June.

Public defender A. J. Kramer asked U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell for another 90 days to review evidence against Hampton. The next status conference was scheduled for Jan. 13.

Hampton didn't attend the hearing, but spoke briefly to the judge by phone.

Hampton faces charges stemming from lobbying he did on behalf of a Las Vegas airline company and an energy company.

Hampton became a lobbyist after Ensign had an affair with Hampton's wife.

Ensign resigned in May over the scandal.

Vegas police warn parents about human trafficking

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas police say parents need to know how to protect their children from human trafficking.

Police are hosting a human trafficking forum at the International Church of Las Vegas Saturday to teach parents about behavior associated with victims of sexual exploitation.

Police say the average age range for entry into prostitution is between 12 and 14 years old.

Police say parents need to be able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships to protect their children.