Editor’s note: Seven days. Never enough hours.

Stacks of paperwork at the office and piles of laundry at home. It’s a never-ending cycle, which makes it difficult to stay on top of the endless news nuggets flowing from the White House, state capital, local government, and business community. We get it — and we’re in the news business.

Enter “About Last Week.” This is our way of bringing news-hungry but time-strapped readers up to speed on happenings that may have flown under the radar. Our promise: We’ll keep it brief. Our hope: You’ll read (or skim) and keep checking back every Monday.

So, without further ado, here are some noteworthy things that happened in Nevada last week.

State approves new memorial for Nevada’s fallen servicemembers, reveals design

State officials have approved funding for a new memorial in Carson City honoring veterans who have died in action.

The memorial, which is estimated to cost $450,000, will be funded by $150,000 from the Nevada Department of Veterans Services and $300,000 that Attorney General Adam Laxalt earmarked from settlement money the state received in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over over-the-counter drugs. Lawmakers approved the memorial concept in the 2013 legislative session.

The design involves a metal tunnel of sorts with slats that are punched out with the names of fallen veterans. Sunlight, or artificial light when it’s dark, will shine through the slats and create shadows with names on the ground and on people who are walking through the tunnel.

It will also include a slab of black granite that’s meant to mimic water.

Punch LLC is expected to craft the display in Las Vegas before transporting it north. The memorial will be located near the state capitol building and the state archives building, and is set to be finished by Veterans Day of 2018.

Gov. Brian Sandoval, who chairs the Board of Examiners that approved the spending last Monday, said the memorial will be “an emotional tribute” and will complement a new memorial located in Las Vegas at the state’s Grant Sawyer office building.

— Michelle Rindels

End Citizens United revokes endorsement of Kihuen

End Citizens United, a PAC that supports campaign finance reform, has revoked its endorsement of Rep. Ruben Kihuen in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The PAC sent letters this week to Kihuen and another Democratic House candidate recently accused of sexual misconduct removing their endorsement and asking for their money back, Politico’s Morning Score reported Wednesday. Kihuen had denied the allegations against him and said he welcomes the House Ethics Committee investigation into his behavior, though he said that he won’t run again in 2018.

“The behavior is not acceptable in any setting and ECU does not tolerate it for endorsed candidates or candidates under consideration for endorsement,” ECU President Tiffany Muller wrote to Kihuen.

The PAC has asked Kihuen to return the $6,000 contribution it made by the end of January.

— Megan Messerly

Staffing change on Sisolak’s campaign team

The woman hired to serve as gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak’s campaign finance director is no longer part of the team, a source within the campaign confirmed.

It’s unclear what led to Liz Robertson’s departure or who will replace her. In mid-November, Sisolak announced that Robertson would serve as his campaign’s finance director.

Robertson most recently worked as deputy national finance director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Sisolak, a Democrat and the current chairman of the Clark County Commission, announced this summer that he is running for governor. Soon after, he hired three political operatives who had helped Barack Obama win the presidency to join his campaign team.

— Jackie Valley

Democrats announce candidates in swingy Assembly districts

Nevada’s Democratic Assembly leaders have chosen two candidates who they will support in what should be competitive races.

The caucus announced Thursday that they’d endorsed former Assemblyman James Healey for Assembly District 35 in southwest Las Vegas, which is held by Democratic Assemblyman Justin Watkins, who said he won’t be seeking re-election because of the toll the job takes on his young family. The caucus is also endorsing Connie Munk for Assembly District 4 in northwest Las Vegas, which is currently held by Republican Richard McArthur.

Healey served one term in the Assembly in 2013 before he was ousted by Republican Assemblyman Brent Jones. He has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, where he currently serves as director of operations for the New York-New York casino, and was a founding member of the LGBT rights group, Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas.

Munk is a retired mental health professional and small business owner who has been an activist on several Democratic campaigns and causes. She is a mother, a grandmother and a volunteer at Three Square food bank.

— Michelle Rindels

 

Disclosure: Steve Sisolak ($1,000) has donated to The Nevada Independent. You can view a full list of donors here.