November 28, 2024
Governor Joe Lombardo is vowing to make some serious changes within several state agencies this week. The Clark County School District soon will have a monitor checking its actions, Gov. Joe Lombardo and Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert announced on Monday. After receiving its largest amount of funding of $4 billion in the last legislative session, CCSD announced in September that it was facing a potential budget deficit. And after the Nevada Supreme Court certified the state’s 2024 election results, Gov. Joe Lombardo expressed frustration at the slow ballot counting and vowed to make it a priority during next year’s Legislature. Nevada may not have a lot of water, but the importance of its elusive groundwater aquifers is best understood at the surface. According to the Nevada Division of Tourism, the nation’s driest state is also the one with the most natural hot springs, with more than 300 around the state. These state news stories and lots more below!
State and Local Government Updates
Nevada approves rule protecting workers from extreme heat after years of setbacks
The state’s Division of Industrial Relations, the agency responsible for workplace safety and worker protections in Nevada, has adopted a regulation to protect workers from heat-related illness. (The Nevada Independent)
Compliance monitor appointed to school district
The Clark County School District soon will have a monitor checking its actions, Gov. Joe Lombardo and Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert announced on Monday. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
NLV officially designates city attorney
North Las Vegas’ acting city attorney was officially appointed to the role Wednesday. Andy Moore had taken on the duties in April, when former City Attorney Micaela Moore was elevated to city manager. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Cherchio apologizes for ‘inappropriate’ remarks
North Las Vegas Councilman Richard Cherchio apologized after making what he admitted were “inappropriate” remarks last week prior to the appointment of City Attorney Andy Moore. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Hard Rock executive approved for license–Unanimous approval by Gaming Commission
A key executive for Hard Rock Las Vegas was unanimously approved for licensing Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission, the first of several approvals anticipated as the shuttered Mirage transitions to a new Strip resort. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
‘The city is going to miss him’: Las Vegas councilman’s tenure comes to an end
Cedric Crear said he is stepping away from his Las Vegas City Council seat satisfied with advancements in the Historic Westside and the city as a whole. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Federal Updates
D.C. Download: Nevada Dems rush to get bills through Congress before GOP takeover
The lame duck period also provides the senators with their last opportunities to make requests of the outgoing president — important, given that many constituents are calling on Biden to Trump-proof the federal government with new regulations or policies, and that the next president will be far less inclined to listen to feedback from Democratic senators. (The Nevada Independent)
Lee again votes with House Republicans on ‘nonprofit killer’ bill
U.S. Rep. Susie Lee provoked the ire of local and state organizers for supporting legislation deemed a “nonprofit killer.” bill. But Lee isn’t the only Nevada congressional Democrat to support previous versions of the bill. (The Nevada Independent)
Articles of Interest
Amazon invests additional $4B in OpenAI rival Anthropic.
The new funding brings Amazon’s total investment in the artificial intelligence startup to $8B; Amazon remains a minority owner of Anthropic. Anthropic is known for its AI-powered text-generating chatbot Claude 2, which rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Last month, Anthropic revealed a new model of Claude that can perform a range of computer tasks on behalf of a person. ( cnbc.com)
DirecTV ends deal to buy Dish TV over failed debt swap.
DirecTV was initially expected to buy Dish TV and Sling TV from EchoStar for a nominal fee of $1 plus the assumption of $9.75B of debt. The deal would have created the largest US pay-TV provider with roughly 18 million subscribers total. DirecTV called off the deal because Dish bondholders rejected the proposal. (arstechnica.com)
An estimated 300,000 people are expected to flock to Las Vegas this weekend as Formula 1 racing returns for a second year. The flag for the Las Vegas Grand Prix drops at 10 pm PT tonight, with the 50-lap race concluding early Sunday morning—a timing optimized for European viewers. (ESPN.com)
F1 fans find ways to enjoy the Las Vegas Grand Prix away from the race
As crowds packed Strip casinos hours before the race cars flew down the track, locals and fans found alternative sites to enjoy the event and football games. (The Nevada Independent)
As Nevada grapples with high suicide rates, Elko mom finds tragedy ‘does not discriminate’
Since 2010, young people aged 15-24 have the highest rate of suicide attempts of any other age group in the Silver State. (The Nevada Independent)
Many hot springs dot the Silver State and its surrounding desert, offering a window into the water below that helps fuel humans and wildlife. Some are popular tourist destinations, while others are farther off the beaten path and only enjoyed in secret by locals. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
How Google spent 15 years creating a culture of concealment
In late 2008, as Google faced antitrust scrutiny over an advertising deal with its rival Yahoo and confronted lawsuits involving patent, trademark and copyright claims, its executives sent out a confidential memo. (Las Vegas Sun)
The best middle schools in Nevada, according to U.S. News and World Report
U.S. News and World Report ranked the top middle schools in Nevada. Reno and Sparks earned high rankings in the best Nevada middle schools. One Fallon middle school earned No. 5 on the list. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Reno affordable housing apartments earmarked for millions in development funding
The three low-income apartments are among nine Nevada affordable housing properties to benefit from $283 million in tax-exempt bonding from the state. (Reno Gazette Journal)
Distance, workforce shortages complicate mental health access in rural Nevada communities
As of 2023, nearly 86.9 percent of the state’s population lives in a federally designated mental health professional shortage area. (The Nevada Independent)
U.S. inflation gauge ticks higher with price pressures still stubborn
According to the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, consumer prices rose 2.3% in October from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That is up from just 2.1% in September, though it is still only modestly above the Fed’s 2% target. (Las Vegas Sun)
F1 to pay lower fees to Clark County to advertise during Las Vegas Grand Prix
Last year F1 paid the county $1 million for advertisement privileges on public roads. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Legislative Updates
Important Dates
First Day of Legislative Session February 3rd Days Until: 66
- Check out the 600 bill draft requests that have been submitted up until now–BDR List.
- Bills from the 83rd Legislative Session – to date: 160 bill
Nevada Senate Republicans, with new wiggle room, hope to work with Dems on goals
Republicans in the Nevada Senate still hold the voting minority after the Nov. 5 election, but said they are hopeful their legislative goals, like reducing living costs and improving health care, will be accomplished through working with Democrats in 2025. (Las Vegas Sun)
Election News
What’s behind Nevada Latinos’ shift toward Trump in the 2024 election?
Inflation, concern about border security and unfocused Democratic messaging all contributed to Trump’s increasing success with Nevada Latinos. (The Nevada Independent)
Former campaign manager for Nevada governor to join Trump administration
Matt Brasseaux, a former campaign manager for Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve in a key White House office. (Las Vegas Sun)
Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks
A number of President-elect Donald Trump ‘s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks,” Trump’s transition team said Wednesday. (Associated Press)
Money doesn’t always win’—Badly outraised, doctor ousts Henderson incumbent
When newcomer Dr. Monica Larson defeated Shaw by over 5,400 votes in the Nov. 5 election, it was the first time in nearly 30 years that a sitting Henderson City Council member lost a re-election race, according to former Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
LV Realtor members ask AG to investigate organization’s alleged election interference
At least two members of the Las Vegas Realtors Association have filed complaints with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, asking him to investigate allegations of interference in the association’s election of officers and board members. (Nevada Current)
Lombardo, calling Nevada’s slow ballot count ‘unacceptable,’ vows election reform
After the Nevada Supreme Court certified the state’s 2024 election results, Gov. Joe Lombardo expressed frustration at the slow ballot counting and vowed to make it a priority during next year’s Legislature.(Reno Gazette Journal)
Presidential Transition News
DOJ moves to drop prosecutions of Trump in DC, Florida
The U.S. Justice Department has moved to end its pursuit of criminal charges against Donald Trump, signaling a conclusion to the extraordinary federal prosecution of a former president whose reelection ensured he’d be shielded from charges while serving in the White House. (Las Vegas Sun)
Trump’s sentencing in hush money case paused indefinitely.
A New York judge removed a Nov. 26 sentencing in President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money case while allowing the defense to file a motion to dismiss the case by Dec. 2. Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 election. (usatoday.com)
Trump deportation plan: How Nevada could be affected
Almost 1 in 5 Nevada residents was born outside the United States: 601,000 out of an overall population of 2.6 million. UNLV law professor Michael Kagan says family and social networks could be torn apart and that 1 in 7 Nevada schoolchildren has a parent not authorized to be in the country. The Trump transition team says he has a mandate “to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals … in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families.” (Reno Gazette Journal)
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) says he won’t return to Congress.
Gaetz’s announcement comes a day after he withdrew himself from the attorney general nomination following renewed scrutiny over allegations of sex trafficking, drug use, and inappropriate conduct with a minor. Gaetz resigned Nov. 13 from Congress on the same day Trump nominated him to serve as attorney general. See our previous write-up here. See a timeline of events here. (thehill.com)
Treasury pick named–Billionaire, deficit-reduction hawk Bessent is Trump’s call
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he’ll nominate billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary, one of several personnel decisions that he unveiled as he closed out the workweek. Trump also said he would nominate Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget, the same position he held during Trump’s first presidency. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Border Patrol shrunk in Trump’s first term. Now he wants 10,000 more agents.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to hire 10,000 more Border Patrol agents as part of a crackdown on immigration. That may be a tall order. (Nevada Current)
President-elect Trump appoints three key positions in White House offices
Brasseaux worked as a deputy political director for the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee in 2024. He also served as a regional political director for the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for now-Gov. Joe Lombardo in Nevada. (Foxnews.com)
Trump taps Project 2025 co-author to lead White House budget office
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday invited Russell Vought to once again run the White House budget office, though it wasn’t entirely clear how the role will mesh with the government staffing and funding cuts envisioned by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. (Nevada Current)
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