KOH Special News Reports

The Reno doctor at the center of a major drug case, entered a plea of not guilty in federal court in Reno. Doctor Robert Rand is accused along with Richie West of operating an illegal prescription oxycodone ring in northern Nevada. Rands attorney John Arrascada asked that his client be let out of detention, but Magistrate Valerie Cooke says Rand is a flight risk, even if he turns over his medical license and passport, and wears a GPS as suggested by his attorney. Cooke says he is still a danger to the community. Arrascada says he will appeal the decision.

The doctor at the center of an investigation into prescription drug-trafficking in Reno is getting some support from former Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons and former Reno Police Chief Jim Weston. Both wrote letters on behalf of Dr. Robert Rand before he was scheduled to enter a plea Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court. He's accused of writing painkiller prescriptions for people who didn't need them, including one who died from an overdose last fall. He's currently being held without bail in the Washoe County jail. Rand entered a plea of not guilty in federal court Thursday.

The Reno doctor at the center of a major drug case, entered a plea of not guilty in federal court in Reno. Doctor Robert Rand is accused along with Richie West of operating an illegal prescription oxycodone ring in northern Nevada. Rands attorney John Arrascada asked that his client be let out of detention, but Magistrate Valerie Cooke says Rand is a flight risk, even if he turns over his medical license and passport, and wears a GPS as suggested by his attorney. Cooke says he is still a danger to the community. Arrascada says he will appeal the decision.

The Reno doctor at the center of a major drug case, entered a plea of not guilty in federal court in Reno. Doctor Robert Rand is accused along with Richie West of operating an illegal prescription oxycodone ring in northern Nevada. Rands attorney John Arrascada asked that his client be let out of detention, but Magistrate Valerie Cooke says Rand is a flight risk, even if he turns over his medical license and passport, and wears a GPS as suggested by his attorney. Cooke says he is still a danger to the community. Arrascada says he will appeal the decision.

Kolo 8's Terri Russell is reporting, a federal court judge in Reno has yet to rule whether Richie West will be released from Washoe County jail during the case against him.

No one was hurt and there is no threat to the community after a drive-by shooting in Fernley, according to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.

A Las Vegas judge has dismissed one of two lawsuits filed against Nevada's sweeping new school choice program, although the program is still on hold for other concerns. Judge Eric Johnson issued a ruling Wednesday that the Education Savings Account program doesn't violate the portion of the Nevada Constitution that bans using public funds for sectarian purposes. The voucher-style program approved last year by state lawmakers allows parents to claim their child's per-pupil state education funds and use it toward private schooling. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a suit against it in August.

A Las Vegas judge says Nevada's ESA program does NOT violate the Nevada Constitution's "Blaine Amendment," which bars state funds from being used for "Sectarian" that is, religious purposes. But the program faces other legal challenges. The education savings accounts allow parents to reclaim a portion of the amount the state spends on "Per Pupil" education, to use at private schools or for other educational pursuits. Governor Sandoval hailed the decision calling it a huge and important step in getting certainty for the thousands of families waiting to participate.

Nevada's jobless rate held steady to 5.8 percent last month

Congress is responding to the growing crisis of pain killer abuses and overdose deaths, moving 14 bills last week alone, to do everything from making anti overdose drugs more available, to shielding the "Good Samaritans" who respond to O-D's.