IndyMatters

Relationships between the Republican governor and Democratic legislative leaders will be key to getting things done in the final weeks of session. So how's it going? Plus, a partisan dust-up on charter schools just might be resolved. Nevada Independent reporters Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced … Continue reading "Focus on Carson: Are we all getting along?"

Nevada lawmakers have several hundred million dollars less to spend than they expected just a few months ago. What happens now?

Abortion and government transparency bills failed to clear the Legislature's biggest deadline yet. And chatter about immigration enforcement activity in Nevada has ramped up, but understanding the full picture remains tough. Nevada Independent reporters Isabella Aldrete and Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson … Continue reading "Focus on Carson: Bills that died at the Legislature's deadline"

Gun control measures that were vetoed in 2023 came back again for an emotional hearing this week, even though their odds look slim. And the Trump administration canceled pandemic-era grants supporting vaccine and mental health programs, leading to layoffs. Nevada Independent reporters Isabella Aldrete and Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City.

The fight over whether to ax the federal education department trickles down to Nevada, and a set of suggested immigration policies for Nevada organizations touches off debate among 2026 candidates for governor. Nevada Independent reporters Isabella Aldrete and Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in … Continue reading "Focus on Carson: The end of the education department? "

A bill that would extend a family leave mandate to private employers is headed for fierce business opposition, and what's next after a group studied the possibility of legalizing magic mushrooms. Nevada Independent reporters Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City. 

From a look at how Nevada's Medicaid program could fare under federal government cost-cutting, to getting local police more involved in immigration enforcement, Nevada Independent reporter Eric Neugeboren recap the week for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City.

From comparing and contrasting two parallel proposals to lure the film industry to Nevada, to lawmakers' second crack at cracking down on “fake electors,” Nevada Independent reporter Eric Neugeboren recaps the third week of the legislative session for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City. 

In this episode, Nevada Independent reporters Isabella Aldrete and Tabitha Mueller recap the second week of the legislative session for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City. From lawmakers bracing for federal cuts to Medicaid, to the rapid approval of a bill to reduce high egg prices, to Gov. Joe Lombardo clarifying his stances on immigration, our team covers all the highlights.

In this episode, Nevada Independent reporters Isabella Aldrete and Eric Neugeboren recap the first week of the legislative session for Focus on Carson, a program produced by KNVC community radio in Carson City. From fixing a budget hole to a bill to tackle egg prices to adopting the gender-neutral title “assemblymember,” it's been a busy kickoff to the 2025 session.

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Vegas hosts the Super Bowl, a new program offers pre-K on wheels and reporter Sean Golonka gives a fond farewell.   Host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Howard Stutz about what it was like to cover the Super Bowl and how gaming and tourism numbers look after the big game. After that, reporter Rocío Hernández explains … Continue reading "A preschool on wheels"

Highlights from a community listening event put on by The Nevada Independent and Vegas PBS.   On this episode of IndyMatters, host Joey Lovato brings your highlights from a community listening event that is co-moderated by The Indy's Naoka Foreman and Vegas PBS's Amber Renee Dixon. The event, which is the latest installment of The Nevada … Continue reading "The Indy's latest community listening session"

What early voting numbers tell us about the primary and caucus, and pushback as the Clark County superintendent seeks a contract buyout.   This week, host Joey Lovato chats with CEO and Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Sean Golonka about what early voting turnout data can tell us about Nevadans' presidential preferences. After that, education reporter … Continue reading "Early voting and early departures"

A crashed spy plane in Nevada's desert offers insight into the state's history of military aviation testing and the UFO conspiracy theories it touched off. On Oct. 25, 1967, an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane called Aspen 28 crashed outside of Lovelock. This week, host Joey Lovato heads out into rural Nevada with nuclear physicist and … Continue reading "Spy Plane Wreckage in Nevada's Desert"

The Super Bowl will be in Las Vegas in February. What does that mean for the city, tourism, traffic and more? This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis discuss the implications of football's biggest event coming to Las Vegas both to the tourism industry as a whole and for the average resident priced out … Continue reading "Super Bowl comes to Sin City"

A profile on the analyst who has influenced Nevada's biggest tax policies of the past two decades and a story on sealing abandoned mines. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Sean Golonka about Jeremy Aguero, who has had a singular role in controversial tax and stadium deals that shaped the state. After that, … Continue reading "The economics whiz behind Nevada's biggest tax policies"

A breakdown of caucuses vs. primaries in Nevada and all the information you need to know to participate. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporters Jacob Solis and Gabby Birenbaum about the difference between the Republican caucus and both parties' primaries in Nevada, giving you important information you need to know on how to … Continue reading "How to participate in Nevada's primaries and caucus"

What new laws are on the books and what big news should Nevadans look out for in 2024? This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporters Sean Golonka and Eric Neugeboren about new laws that took effect for Nevadans at the start of the year. After that, CEO/Editor Jon Ralston and Managing Editor Michelle Rindels … Continue reading "What's to expect in Nevada in 2024"

Reporters at The Indy reminisce about their favorite stories that they reported on this year, and we say a farewell to co-host Alex Couraud as her podcasting internship comes to a close. Hosts Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_ Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud Read the stories Lyon County student-run turkey farm serving up lessons on business, agriculture … Continue reading "The Indy's Best of 2023"

Follow along as IndyMatters takes a deep dive into physician-assisted death. It's an issue that has a long history in the Nevada Legislature and is the topic of much religious debate across the country.    In today's episode, host Alex Couraud gives an intimate picture of one of life's hardest topics – death. She talks with … Continue reading "Faith, politics and choice in death"

A geyser is reemerging in south Reno, and a look at what we might expect from this winter. This week, host Joey Lovato and reporter Alex Couraud talk to scientist Taylor Wilson about a geyser that is reemerging in south Reno and what it could teach us about energy, space and the origin of life. … Continue reading "Geysers and winter water predictions"

A public art project about water, a discussion about the Nevada Democracy Project and a chat about GivingTuesday. This week, host Joey Lovato chats with reporter Daniel Rothberg about a public art piece in Reno that stretches through much of downtown. Later, Joey and reporter Naoka Foreman discuss the Nevada Democracy Project and how community … Continue reading "Poems on the sidewalk"

Happy Thanksgiving from the IndyMatters team. In today's episode, learn about how hunger is affecting our state this holiday, and what a special flower means to Nevada.  This week, host Alex Couraud focuses on food insecurity in the Silver State by highlighting work being done by The Community Food Pantry of Northern Nevada — a … Continue reading "Hunger this holiday season"

The pros and cons of bringing one of Europe's most popular motorsports to Sin City. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis talk about Formula One (F1) on the eve of the first F1 race in Las Vegas in over 40 years. They go over the possible economic benefits and the struggles Southern Nevadans … Continue reading "All gas no breaks: F1 in Vegas"

A celebration of IndyMatters after 300 episodes, some big news from Editor Elizabeth Thompson and a discussion about the state of the news industry and the history of The Indy with CEO Jon Ralston, Co-Managing Editor Michelle Rindels, Spanish Editor Luz Gray and former Assistant Editor Jackie Valley. Host Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_ Guests Jon … Continue reading "Episode 300!"

A journey through Carson City's past and a visit to some haunted places, followed by a history of Nevada's (almost) state drink. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Alex Couraud bring you two stories to mark Nevada Day and Halloween. Alex and reporter Carly Sauvageau take a haunted tour through the state's capital and learn … Continue reading "Ghost tours and Picon punches"

Catching up on House speaker chaos in D.C., learning about a furry friend in Nevada's waterways, and a cyberattack on the Clark County School District (CCSD). This week, host Joey Lovato catches up with D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum as the two talk about the tumult of the House not having a leader for three weeks. … Continue reading "Honestly, what the heck is going on in D.C.?!"

An interview with outgoing Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and a recap of the annular solar eclipse that passed over northeastern Nevada. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Carly Sauvageau about her interview with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman – looking back on her career as mayor as she is termed out and … Continue reading "Mayor Goodman retrospective"

A recap of IndyFest 2023, The Nevada Independent's annual conference focusing on politics and policy issues in and around Nevada. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis take listeners through the highlights of several of the panels from IndyFest 2023, which covered everything from the repercussions of wildfires to the Read by Grade Three … Continue reading "Highlights from our annual IndyFest"

The Indy celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by profiling two Latino-owned businesses in Nevada and their impact on their communities.   This week, host Alex Couraud and reporter Jannelle Calderon explore the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the diversity that exists within the Latino community in Nevada. Alex chats with Gerzon Chaves, owner of Tiempo … Continue reading "Discovering ‘Latinidad' in Nevada"

The Indy goes to Fallon for the annual Cantaloupe Festival, hosts a live event on the plight of local news and discusses Latino voter trends. This week, host Alex Couraud and reporter Carly Sauvageau head out to the annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and County Fair. After that, we have a short segment from our event … Continue reading "Cantaloupes!"

MGM faces fallout after a major cyberattack, Republicans change messaging around vote-by-mail, and CCSD faces off with teachers union. This week, host Joey Lovato sits down with reporter Howard Stutz to talk about a cyberattack that MGM Resorts International faced, slowing hotel services and interfering with company operations. After that, D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum discusses … Continue reading "MGM faces cyberattack"

What happens after Burning Man, Republicans face confusion before the primary/caucus and a quick news round-up. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with AP reporter Gabe Stern, who helped cover the aftermath of a very wet and muddy Burning Man this year. After that, D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum explains the complicated situation happening in Nevada … Continue reading "Confusion over Republican primary plans"

An update on the A's coming to Las Vegas, the effects of nuclear testing on “downwinders,” and a new elections newsletter. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis chat with reporter Howard Stutz about the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas. Then, host Alex Couraud chats with reporter Carly Sauvageau about her story on … Continue reading "What's going on with the A's?"

Hurricane Hilary's effect on Nevada, Las Vegas' manufacturing industry problem and The Indy's new education newsletter. This week, hosts Joey Lovato talks with reporter Amy Alonzo about Hurricane Hilary's effect on Nevada. After that, host Alex Couraud talks with reporter Eric Neugeboren about how the manufacturing industry in Southern Nevada is struggling to find land … Continue reading "Hurricane fallout in Nevada"

How a 1990 campaign keeps abortion legal today in Nevada, challenges to expanding record sealing for low-level convictions after a veto, and the latest on Opportunity Scholarships. This week, host Alex Couraud talks with reporter Noel Sims about her historical research into a referendum passed in the ‘90s that helped secure abortion rights in Nevada today. … Continue reading "Inside the 1990 campaign that keeps abortion legal today"

How the federal government sells off public lands, North Las Vegas uses AI to help translate during meetings, and Gov. Lombardo fights an ethics commission fine. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Gabby Birenbaum about a big story she's been working on about how Congress privatizes federal land for Nevada's urban areas to … Continue reading "Public lands vs. sprawl" The post Public lands vs. sprawl appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Host Joey Lovato sits down with fellow reporters, the attorney general, public defenders and harm reduction advocates to recap how the Legislature tackled fentanyl. In the third installment of the Facing the Fentanyl Crisis series, host Joey Lovato talks with Indy reporter Sean Golonka and AP reporter Gabe Stern about what actions the Nevada Legislature … Continue reading "Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: After the dust has settled" The post Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: After the dust has settled appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Host Alex Couraud and co-host Joey Lovato report on the psychedelic drug psilocybin in Nevada, taking listeners on a journey through the research, history and legalization efforts of “magic mushrooms” both in the state and nationally.  In June, Gov. Joe Lombardo signed into law SB242, a measure authorizing a study into the therapeutic uses of … Continue reading "A trip through Nevada's mushroom law" The post A trip through Nevada's mushroom law appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Foster care faces a shortage of homes in rural Nevada, The Indy analyzes the success rate of legislators' bills for the 2023 session and street vendors in Nevada get legitimized. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Alex Couraud hear from KFF Health News reporter Jazmin Orozco Rodrigez about her story on the foster care system … Continue reading "What legislators were the most and least successful this session?" The post What legislators were the most and least successful this session? appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The CCEA and CCSD face an impasse in contract negotiations, data sheds light on voter turnout in Nevada and libraries in Washoe County face criticisms. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Alex Couraud hear from education reporter Rocío Hernández about the ongoing contract negotiations between the Clark County Education Association and the Clark County School … Continue reading "Union negotiations break down in Clark County School District" The post Union negotiations break down in Clark County School District appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The struggle to find a new higher ed chancellor, Sam Brown announces his run for Senate and Trump visits Las Vegas. This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis discuss the Nevada System of Higher Education's ongoing search efforts for a new chancellor after the Board of Regents decided not to move forward with any … Continue reading "Trump in Nevada and Sam Brown runs for Senate" The post Trump in Nevada and Sam Brown runs for Senate appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Indy staff participates in a lively debate between Northern and Southern Nevada, and one team member debates with the fine folks over at City Cast Las Vegas. This week, hosts Alex Couraud and Jacob Solis chat about their preferences in Northern and Southern Nevada, and then they jump over to a debate recorded a few … Continue reading "Fourth of July sparks friendly debate about Nevada" The post Fourth of July sparks friendly debate about Nevada appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The Indy explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ community members who live in rural Nevada, focusing on how smaller, rural places can be shaped by trans perspectives. This week, host Alex Couraud talks with Evie La Rue, Kimi Cole, Nathan Robertson and Fernando Gonzalez about their experiences as LGBTQ+ folks in Goldfield, Carson City, Ely and … Continue reading "LGBTQ+ Identities Color Rural Nevada" The post LGBTQ+ Identities Color Rural Nevada appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The Indy's legislative team goes over the entire 82nd session of the Legislature, from education to criminal justice, the budget and more.   This week, host Joey Lovato sits down with legislative reporters Tabitha Mueller, Jacob Solis and Sean Golonka to go over the entire session. They'll discuss the budget, K-12 education, higher education, criminal justice, … Continue reading "A giant legislative recap" The post A giant legislative recap appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The regular legislative session wrapped up, but now a second special session is underway. Learn about the action in Carson City, The Indy's two new team members, and the headway the Nevada delegation is making in Washington.   This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Alex Couraud chat with legislative team members Jacob Solis, Sean Golonka and … Continue reading "New staff, new session" The post New staff, new session appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

The 82nd session of the Nevada Legislature has wrapped up, but there are still a few things left to do, and Team Indy has all you need to know.   This week, host Joey Lovato chats with legislative team members Jacob Solis and Sean Golonka about the special legislative session Nevada is now in and how … Continue reading "We came, we sined, we died" The post We came, we sined, we died appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Legislative reporters discuss the final days of the session, reporter Daniel Rothberg talks about protecting workers in extreme heat and we get an update on the federal debt ceiling.   This week, hosts Joey Lovato and new Indy team member Alex Couraud chat with the legislative team as they prepare for the end of the 82nd … Continue reading "Budget showdown and extreme heat" The post Budget showdown and extreme heat appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

Part two of a deep dive into the fentanyl crisis in Nevada: looking at the harm, effects and proposed solutions to the crisis. This week, host Joey Lovato has a story months in the making looking into the deadly fentanyl crisis that Nevada is facing. Policymakers, policy experts, law enforcement, harm reduction advocates and those … Continue reading "Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: Nevada's search for solutions" The post Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: Nevada's search for solutions appeared first on The Nevada Independent.

A deep dive into the fentanyl crisis in Nevada: looking at the harm, effects and proposed solutions to the crisis. This week, host Joey Lovato has a story months in the making looking into the deadly fentanyl crisis that Nevada is facing. Policymakers, policy experts, law enforcement, harm reduction advocates and those struggling with addiction … Continue reading "Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: Politics and practicality in Nevada" The post Facing the Fentanyl Crisis: Politics and practicality in Nevada appeared first on The Nevada Independent.