National and International News-Monday, Dec. 4th

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The governor elect of Nevada says he worries about medical care at two Las Vegas hospitals where nurses are involved in a contract dispute. Their union says the nurses will be locked out today after Universal Health Services rejected calls for more talks.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - One of the key issues in the Philadelphia newspapers contract dispute has been tentatively resolved. The union says seniority will be protected in the event of layoffs at The Inquirer and the Daily News. Management's proposal to freeze pensions must still be settled.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A week devoted to Iraq begins with President Bush meeting with the head of Iraq's biggest Shiite party. It's hoped that Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim can help the Iraqi prime minister get a handle on the sectarian violence that is tearing his country apart.

SUPREME COURT (AP) - The Supreme Court today takes up the issue of using race to assign students to public schools. Cases from Louisville, Kentucky and Seattle challenge plans that factor in a student's race to prevent schools from segregating along the same lines as neighborhoods.

MOORPARK, Calif. (AP) - In Southern California, five homes have been destroyed by a brush fire driven by powerful Santa Ana winds. Hundreds more homes are threatened in Moorpark, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.