A two-year slide in gold and quieter casino tables have opened a $170 million hole in Nevada’s budget even as its economy booms, pushing Governor Brian Sandoval to rethink dependence on mining and gambling.

North Las Vegas’ pledge to make its largest asset, the sprawling Apex industrial park, work to its advantage is starting to show signs of moving beyond talk to action.

A Republican insider who has spoken to Romney fundraisers and advisers said he’s 99 percent sure the two-time White House hopeful will make a third run, a surprising development that sent tremors through the political world last week.