Which agency lifted a moratorium this week? Know what the Coburn Omnibus is? What was the first casino on the Strip? Reid On!

Nevada First: Filed Under "That'll Show 'Em." Last week, we brought you the news of the opening of the Ausra plant in Las Vegas (Remember? It builds components for solar thermal power plants). Hot on the heels of the opening of the plant - more good news for Nevadans and renewable energy fans across the country. The Bureau of Land Management lifted a moratorium on the development of solar plants on public lands (3/4 of Nevada's land is managed by the BLM). Why the sudden change of heart? Two words: Harry Reid. Nevada's senior senator was a vocal opponent of the moratorium. And someone at BLM must have seen his ire coming, because they never gave Sen. Reid the customary heads up. He read it in the paper.

But there's more at work here than just a simple clerical error. The Bush administration refuses to fully pursue viable options for renewable energy. Two weeks ago, Bush-McCain Republicans blocked a bill that gave tax cuts to American innovators and entrepreneurs who developed clean and renewable alternatives to foreign oil. The Republican Party of Bush and McCain refuse to stand up to Big Oil and would rather line the pockets of oil executives than lower gas prices for American Families. They'd rather fill their campaign coffers with contributions from oil executives than invest in renewable energy. Now that the BLM has realized the error of their ways, will Senate Republicans follow suit?

Filed Under "Odds and Ends." Harry Reid had a busy recess (as the LV Sun notes). In Reno on Wednesday, Sen. Reid met with representatives from the various agencies working to ensure Nevada is prepared for this year's wildfire season. Meetings like this are one of the most important things Sen. Reid can do for the state - bringing stakeholders together to share ideas and coordinate activities.

Did you see this interactive map of the Las Vegas strip? Scroll through the years and watch as the Strip blossoms from a "desert stop over town for GIs" to the glitz and glamor capitol of the West (Sorry LA).

The newest voter registration numbers were released this week. And it's official - the momentum and enthusiasm the caucuses stirred up continue. We now have a 55,560 voter registration advantage. Help our congressional challengers talk to each one of these new voters - Dina Titus and Jill Derby.

Must Reid: Filed Under "Forecast for DC." Sen. Reid took the the Senate floor yesterday to lay out a road map for this four-week work period. In a nutshell: "Everything you guys blocked two weeks ago? We're going to revisit that. Plus: lowering gas prices, PEPFAR, Consumer Product Safety, DOD Authorization, DOD Appropriations, and The Coburn Omnibus" (more on that below). The forecast for the month of July in DC is hazy, hot and humid. Bush-McCain Republicans won't find relief from the heat in hallowed halls of the United States Senate. We're holding their feet to the fire.

Filed Under "Gotta Know When to Fold 'Em." Sen. Tom Coburn has placed a hold on hundreds of bills this year - bills that deal with minor legislative issues and typically have broad support. The Weekly Reid isn't going to bore you with an analysis of the legislative philosophy of Sen. Coburn; basically, it appears he simply doesn't like government or governing. Sen. Reid has found a workaround. Ryan Grim of the Politico writes, "In a stroke of legislative creativity that may have no precedent, Reid could lump all of the bills into one package and bring up the Coburn Omnibus for a single vote. Coburn can still object, but the broad popularity of the bills means that there would likely be more than enough support for veto-proof passage." How's that for thinking outside the box? Harry Reid: Giving 'Em Hell.

Filed Under "FISA Fight." Miss the fireworks on July 4th? Want to see more? Just mention FISA or retroactive immunity in a political circle. Then sit back and enjoy the show. The bill is likely to come up for a vote this week, and Harry Reid will vote against it. Although the bill is likely to pass, Sen. Reid cannot support the retroactive immunity for the telecoms.

Reid's Watching: Filed Under "Big Time Attention." The Udall cousins, Mark and Tom, are hoping to bring their Democratic "New West" philosophy to the Senate in 2008, and they got a major press boost on Monday from the New York Times. Know what's great about winning these two races? They'll bring with them the Udall commitment to protecting the natural resources of the West - a longtime priority of Sen. Reid.

Filed Under "On The Air." Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is up statewide with two new ads, "Path" and "Energy Leader." Mayor Mark's making a whole lot of noise up there. Alaskans say "North to the Future" but the Weekly Reid says "North to Victory." Help the mayor keep these ads up on the air.