State to get seventh federal judge

Ninth Circuit Court Justice Proctor Hug Jr. of Reno says Thursday's announcement by Sen. Harry Reid is welcome.

He said the District of Nevada - especially Las Vegas - is among the busiest in the federal system.

Hug said the new position means Nevada has two spots on the federal bench to fill this coming year.

Howard McKibben and David Hagen currently sit as district judges in Reno with Philip Pro, Kent Dawson and Roger Hunt in Las Vegas.

There is a vacancy in Las Vegas as a result of Johnnie Rawlinson being appointed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Reid said he will work with Sen.-elect John Ensign to see the two openings are filled as quickly as possible once the next Congress opens for business.

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