Bill Passed by House Would Provide No Money for GPO's Federal Digital System, Sharply Cuts Other Information Resources

See the Library Journal article here.

Change in open record law in NV affecting concealed-carry weapon permits.

Check out the Reno Gazette-Journal editor's take on the change that took effect July 1st, and a previously published article on the change here.

Nevada State Agencies links

Check out a handy list of Nevada-specific state agency links here.

US Government Shutting Down Half Its Websites

"The White House is requiring the federal government to cut their 24,000 websites down by half in the next year. This will reduce taxpayer expense, as well as give them easier access to official portals.

The order was made because many of the websites the government currently operates were deemed redundant, out-dated, or hard to use. The Office of Management and Budget has issued a 90-day freeze on new .gov registrations to get the ball rolling. And the Energy Department has already begun to consolidate its sites, saving taxpayers $10 million a year.

In the next 120 days, each governmental agency will have the chance to check out Data.gov to see which sites need saving and which will get the ax. They could call it spring cleaning."

Apps and sources of information on Congress.

Check out this article that covers some smartphone apps and other sources of information about Congress and its members and happenings.

USDA updates dietary guidelines, gets rid of the food pyramid

Via CNN: "The food pyramid has been dismantled in favor of a simple plate icon that urges Americans to eat a more plant-based diet.

One half of your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables, with whole grains and lean protein on the other half, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Low-fat dairy on the side, such as a cup of skim milk or yogurt, is also suggested.

The new icon, MyPlate is designed to remind Americans to adopt healthier eating habits, in a time when more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese."

You can look at the USDA's revamped MyPlate page here.

What is FDsys?

For a short and entertaining video, check out the Youtube video put together by The University of Colorado. Here's the link.

Consumer Services Publications from the state of Nevada

The Nevada Division of Insurance has some great guides for helping consumers navigate the ins and outs of obtaining and evaluating different types of insurance. There's a guide to auto insurance rates, earthquake insurance, flood insurance, home insurance, title insurance, and more. Check out their main page here.

Senators allowed to alter Congressional Record.

Check out this CNN article about a senator's alteration to his statements made on the floor. Certainly some food for thought!

The U.S. Government Manual is updated!

It's available online here. There's also a great informative post discussing what the Manual IS that was put together by the Federal Register--take a look at that here.

"The United States Government Manual is the official handbook of the Federal Government. (It is)updated to provide comprehensive and authoritative descriptions of the programs and activities of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The Government Manual also includes information about quasi-official agencies, international organizations with U.S. membership, and Federal boards, commissions, and committees."

A report from the Nevada Controller's Office

This is an interesting and short report that gives a brief overview of the state's revenues and expenses over the last fiscal year. It also discusses the plans and goals for the state's fiscal future.

Check it out here.

President Obama's speech on Libya

If you'd like to read the transcript of the President's speech it is available here. Or you can view the video here.

A fun government document that lets kids explore history--

Check out the History Mystery Examiner, an interactive government website that lets kids (or adults) explore mysterious happenings that took place on public lands. Check out the History Mystery Examiner here.

Reno Gazette-Journal highlights local census results.

Take a look at the article and some interactive charts here.

Want information on the Nevada Department of Transportation?

Check out their annual factbooks here.

"NDOT produces a helpful and informative Fact Book to provide the Legislature and the public historical and current statistical information describing the department's operations and factors that drive Nevada's multimodal transportation programs."

USGS National Map Viewer

Want detailed and customizable maps of the United States? Look no further than the National Map Viewer put together by the U.S. Geological Survey.

This map is a complex and powerful tool and FAQs and a quick-start guide are available here.

Tax help at Washoe County Libraries!

It’s that time of year again – tax season! AARP and IRS Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Preparers will offer free tax help at the following Washoe County libraries:


* Downtown Reno Library: Mondays and Tuesdays, 12:30-4 p.m., February 1-April 18, no appointments taken.

* North Valleys Library: Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., February 3-April 14, appointments required; call 972-0281.

* Northwest Reno Library: Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., February 2-April 13; no appointments taken, preference given to seniors and low-income individuals.

* Senior Center (Reno Game Room): Mondays and Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m., February 7-April 14, no appointment necessary.

* Sierra View Library: Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-4 p.m., February 2-April 13, appointments recommended but not required.

* South Valleys Library: Wednesdays, 4-6:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., February 2-April 13. Appointments recommended but not required; call 851-5195 to schedule. Preference given to seniors.

* Spanish Springs Library: Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., February 10-April 14, appointments accepted and can be made by calling 424-1800.

• Sparks Library: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., January 29-April 16. Appointments are required and can be made in person or by calling 352-3205.

For more information and tax help, the public should contact the IRS office at 200 South Virginia St., Reno, NV 89501, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (775) 824-2218 or www.irs.gov.

Top government iPhone apps.

Check out this great article on the best government apps to put on your iPhone. They include a TSA app, an app for USA.gov as well as an app for searching for federal jobs.

Looking for a free and powerful tool for banking and financial information?

Look no further than the FDIC Bank Data Guide.

The FDIC provides a wealth of information from everything to numbers of banks to the banks' holdings themselves and offers many tutorials on how best to navigate its databases.

Check it out!

Business Opportunity Fraud

Check out a short informative video put together by the FTC about scammers selling bogus business opportunities. See the video here.