Nevada Current
@nevadacurrent.com
A nonprofit online source of political and policy news and commentary. We cover how policies, institutions and systems make life harder for Nevadans than it needs to be, and we explore what it takes to fix them. https://nevadacurrent.com
A ghost kitchen crackdown stems from one of the dozens of bills going into effect Thursday.
New year brings new laws for food delivery apps, AI disclosure and more • Nevada Current
Food delivery apps will no longer be able to list restaurants on their platforms without first verifying those restaurants have business licenses and health permits, thanks to a new law that goes into...
nevadacurrent.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A ghost kitchen crackdown stems from one of the dozens of bills going into effect Thursday.
Nevada has made significant progress in raising its in-state answer rate and reducing the amount it takes callers to reach a person. In 2023, Nevada’s hotline had among the lowest answer rates in the country. That’s no longer the case.
State touts progress in 988 hotline performance • Nevada Current
Nevada’s 988 call centers are helping tens of thousands of people each year, and state administrators are already eyeing ways to improve the system in the upcoming years. Shannon Bennett, a bureau chi...
nevadacurrent.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Nevada has made significant progress in raising its in-state answer rate and reducing the amount it takes callers to reach a person. In 2023, Nevada’s hotline had among the lowest answer rates in the country. That’s no longer the case.
In the last five campaign cycles from 2016 through 2024, there have been 16 competitive federal races in Nevada, four for the U.S. Senate (in 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024) and a dozen for U.S. House seats. Republicans lost all of them.
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No Republican has won a competitive federal race in NV since Trump seized control of the party • Nevada Current
Since Donald Trump came down his escalator in 2015 and successfully launched a hostile takeover of the Republican Party in the U.S., there have been 16 competitive races for federal office in Nevada. ...
nevadacurrent.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
In the last five campaign cycles from 2016 through 2024, there have been 16 competitive federal races in Nevada, four for the U.S. Senate (in 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024) and a dozen for U.S. House seats. Republicans lost all of them.
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The administration had not shown why the situation in Chicago, in which residents have protested aggressive immigration enforcement, should present an exception to the law, the court majority said.
US Supreme Court in defeat for Trump blocks deployment of National Guard in Chicago • Nevada Current
President Donald Trump for now has not met the requirements to send National Guard troops to Chicago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday afternoon in a major setback for the president. The court’s m...
nevadacurrent.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The administration had not shown why the situation in Chicago, in which residents have protested aggressive immigration enforcement, should present an exception to the law, the court majority said.
More than 20% of the positions in the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health are unfilled. At Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, the vacancy rate is 31%.
Provider shortage continues to beleaguer behavioral health system, state officials say • Nevada Current
Northern Nevada’s state-run behavioral health system is heavily reliant on contracted workers as it continues to struggle to fill its vacant positions, lawmakers were told last week. Managers from the...
nevadacurrent.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
More than 20% of the positions in the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health are unfilled. At Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, the vacancy rate is 31%.
The plan includes looser habitat protections in Nevada to streamline construction of the Greenlink North transmission line, which, according to the environmentalists, “would destroy nesting and mating grounds.” Via @utahnewsdispatch.com
BLM makes more lands inhabited by greater sage-grouse available for energy development • Nevada Current
The Trump administration updated its plan to protect greater sage-grouse in eight Western states, worrying environmentalists.
nevadacurrent.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The plan includes looser habitat protections in Nevada to streamline construction of the Greenlink North transmission line, which, according to the environmentalists, “would destroy nesting and mating grounds.” Via @utahnewsdispatch.com
The Pentagon’s planned cobalt and graphite stockpiles could electrify 102,896 buses — dwarfing the 6,000 or so currently operating in the U.S. Or they could be used to produce 80.2 gigawatt-hours of battery capacity, which is more than twice the energy storage the country has now. Via @grist.org
The Pentagon is hoarding critical minerals that could power the clean energy transition • Nevada Current
This story was originally published by Grist. Pete Hegseth, who has taken to calling himself the Secretary of War, says the Defense Department “does not do climate change crap.” Just last week, he ass...
nevadacurrent.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The Pentagon’s planned cobalt and graphite stockpiles could electrify 102,896 buses — dwarfing the 6,000 or so currently operating in the U.S. Or they could be used to produce 80.2 gigawatt-hours of battery capacity, which is more than twice the energy storage the country has now. Via @grist.org
“If you distill down what my six partners just said, I believe there’s three common things: Here’s all the great things my state has done. Here’s how hard/impossible it is to do any more. And here are all the reasons why other people should have to do more,” SNWA's Entsminger said.
Feds demand compromise on Colorado River while states flounder despite water shortage • Nevada Current
Western states that rely on the Colorado River have less than two months to agree on how to manage the troubled river – and pressure is mounting as the federal government pushes for a compromise and a...
nevadacurrent.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
“If you distill down what my six partners just said, I believe there’s three common things: Here’s all the great things my state has done. Here’s how hard/impossible it is to do any more. And here are all the reasons why other people should have to do more,” SNWA's Entsminger said.
Health care advocates have warned that many people will not be able to absorb the cost of skyrocketing premiums, which are happening as a result of the expiration of federal subsidies. As a result, many may opt to go without medical insurance.
Amid expiring subsidies and rising premiums, Nevada Health Link refuses to release enrollment data • Nevada Current
Nevada Health Link, the state-based marketplace where Nevadans sign up for Affordable Care Act plans, won’t say how many people have enrolled in plans for coverage in the upcoming year. Sticker shock:...
nevadacurrent.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Health care advocates have warned that many people will not be able to absorb the cost of skyrocketing premiums, which are happening as a result of the expiration of federal subsidies. As a result, many may opt to go without medical insurance.
The proposals “would put Donald Trump and RFK Jr. in those doctor’s offices, ripping health care decisions from the hands of families and putting it in the grips of the anti-LGBTQ+ fringe,” said an advocacy group.
Trump health agency proposes rules to limit gender-affirming care for youth • Nevada Current
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Thursday in a campaign to block minors’ access to gender-affirming care nationwide. Under two proposed new rules from the Centers...
nevadacurrent.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The proposals “would put Donald Trump and RFK Jr. in those doctor’s offices, ripping health care decisions from the hands of families and putting it in the grips of the anti-LGBTQ+ fringe,” said an advocacy group.
Beef was 16% more expensive in November than it was a year ago. Frozen fish and seafood, 12%. Coffee, 19%. Electricity, 7%. Natural gas, 9%. Motor vehicle repair, 10%. Tenants’ and household insurance, 7%. Care of invalids and elderly at home, 11%.
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Trump orders ungrateful nation to quit whining • Nevada Current
The economy’s great, like nobody’s ever seen before, so quit your whining, Trump told the nation in a TV address Wednesday night. Besides, while the economy is great at levels that have never been see...
nevadacurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Beef was 16% more expensive in November than it was a year ago. Frozen fish and seafood, 12%. Coffee, 19%. Electricity, 7%. Natural gas, 9%. Motor vehicle repair, 10%. Tenants’ and household insurance, 7%. Care of invalids and elderly at home, 11%.
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Officials said the draft document will not identify which set of operating guidelines the federal government would prefer, which is often included in environmental reviews.
Feds close to releasing draft environmental review of Colorado River management options • Nevada Current
In the next few weeks, the public will get their first look at a critical document two and a half years in the making that will define how the Colorado River is managed for the next decade.
nevadacurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Officials said the draft document will not identify which set of operating guidelines the federal government would prefer, which is often included in environmental reviews.
“When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years, and some would say in the history of our country, which caused prices to be higher than ever before, making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans," Trump said.
Inflation was 3% when Trump took office.
Inflation was 3% when Trump took office.
Trump claims economic turnaround, after blasting Dems’ affordability focus • Nevada Current
WASHINGTON — As Americans continue to face rising prices ahead of year-end holidays, President Donald Trump blamed inflation and health care costs on his predecessor during a prime-time speech Wednesd...
nevadacurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
“When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years, and some would say in the history of our country, which caused prices to be higher than ever before, making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans," Trump said.
Inflation was 3% when Trump took office.
Inflation was 3% when Trump took office.
Because a handful of Republicans signed a discharge petition, the U.S. House will vote in early 2026 on Democrats’ plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years.
Moderate House Republicans join Dems to force vote on extension of health care subsidies • Nevada Current
WASHINGTON — Republican leaders in the U.S. House will face a floor vote in early 2026 on Democrats’ plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years, after passing their o...
nevadacurrent.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Because a handful of Republicans signed a discharge petition, the U.S. House will vote in early 2026 on Democrats’ plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years.
“We have the greatest agricultural production in the basin, with the greatest population in the basin, serving half of those who depend on Colorado River water. We have some of the most protective rights as well,” said the Colorado River Board of California's chair.
California, the biggest water user in the basin, pitches Colorado River framework • Nevada Current
Colorado River water users in California presented their own framework for how to share the river’s dwindling water supply, including the state’s proposal for conserving 440,000 acre-feet of river wat...
nevadacurrent.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“We have the greatest agricultural production in the basin, with the greatest population in the basin, serving half of those who depend on Colorado River water. We have some of the most protective rights as well,” said the Colorado River Board of California's chair.
Thirty-eight states enacted laws in 2025 regulating AI in one way or another. They range from prohibiting stalking via AI-powered robots to barring AI systems that can manipulate people’s behavior.
What’s at stake in Trump’s executive order aiming to curb state-level AI regulation • Nevada Current
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 11, 2025, that aims to supersede state-level artificial intelligence laws that the administration views as a hindrance to innovation in AI. Sta...
nevadacurrent.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Thirty-eight states enacted laws in 2025 regulating AI in one way or another. They range from prohibiting stalking via AI-powered robots to barring AI systems that can manipulate people’s behavior.
New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.
No US House vote to extend health care subsidies, Speaker Johnson says • Nevada Current
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he will not allow a floor vote this week on a bipartisan amendment supported by moderate Republicans that would extend the Affordable Care Act...
nevadacurrent.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said in a speech on the House floor that GOP leaders’ decision to let the enhanced ACA tax credits expire was “idiotic and shameful,” especially after changes were added to address fraud and reduce costs.
The Nevada State Public Charter School Authority now has more enrolled students than Washoe County Public School District.
Enrollment climbs in charter schools, drops in Clark and Washoe school districts • Nevada Current
All but three public school districts across the state saw student enrollment drop this year, according to the data compiled by the Nevada Department of Education. Statewide enrollment in K-12 public ...
nevadacurrent.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The Nevada State Public Charter School Authority now has more enrolled students than Washoe County Public School District.
The desperate search for “other reasons” homeless kids wind up in foster care says more about the system than the families.
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The real problem is housing • Nevada Current
More than 20 years ago, the journal of the Child Welfare League of America devoted an entire issue to the problem of children removed to foster care or trapped there because their families didn’t have...
nevadacurrent.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The desperate search for “other reasons” homeless kids wind up in foster care says more about the system than the families.
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Nevada lawmakers took significant steps to strengthen the state’s gun laws following the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, but further legislative progress has eluded the state ever since.
Nevada maintains B- ranking on national gun safety scorecard • Nevada Current
Nevada lawmakers took significant steps to strengthen the state’s gun laws following the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, but further legislative progress has eluded the state ever since...
nevadacurrent.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Nevada lawmakers took significant steps to strengthen the state’s gun laws following the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, but further legislative progress has eluded the state ever since.
The suit is the latest move in the Trump administration’s push to obtain unfettered access to private information about voters, including drivers’ license numbers, addresses, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.
Nevada latest state Trump sues in quest for private information about voters • Nevada Current
“Despite our simple requests for information on how they’re going to keep this data secure, they’ve given us no clear answers,” Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a statement Friday a...
nevadacurrent.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The suit is the latest move in the Trump administration’s push to obtain unfettered access to private information about voters, including drivers’ license numbers, addresses, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.
The departing state engineer played a pivotal role in a Nevada Supreme Court case last year that affirmed the state’s right to manage interconnected sources of water as a single source in order to protect senior water rights and wildlife.
Nevada’s top water regulator abruptly leaves office • Nevada Current
State officials are offering no explanation for Nevada State Engineer Adam Sullivan, who was appointed as the state's top water regulator in 2021, suddenly leaving his role at the Nevada Department of...
nevadacurrent.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The departing state engineer played a pivotal role in a Nevada Supreme Court case last year that affirmed the state’s right to manage interconnected sources of water as a single source in order to protect senior water rights and wildlife.
Big tech’s AI-fueled data center frenzy has been driving up utility costs nationwide. And it’s about to get even worse.
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Dirty data centers will drive up our utility bills • Nevada Current
If your family is anything like mine, you dread opening up your NV Energy bill every month. Over the summer and fall, I thought I was seeing double; my bill was so high. All across the country, rate p...
nevadacurrent.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Big tech’s AI-fueled data center frenzy has been driving up utility costs nationwide. And it’s about to get even worse.
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“They basically had trucks hauling it in, trucks hauling it out, and whatnot, which really is not a use that’s necessarily compatible with a wildlife refuge..."
Conservation group makes land deal to acquire industrial site in Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge • Nevada Current
A former mineral processing site in the middle of a treasured desert wetland habitat will soon be cleaned up and restored after a conservation group reached a deal to buy the 18-acre industrial site. ...
nevadacurrent.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:19 PM
“They basically had trucks hauling it in, trucks hauling it out, and whatnot, which really is not a use that’s necessarily compatible with a wildlife refuge..."
Asked whether he was concerned about possible loss of federal funding or other consequences, the state's Republican Senate leader appeared unmoved. “I’ve had lots of conversations with folks in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Indiana will continue to function.” Via @indianacapitalchronicle.com
Indiana state Senate Republicans reject Trump's plea for gerrymandered U.S. House maps • Nevada Current
The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate spurned months of demands from President Donald Trump as it voted 31-19 on Thursday to reject a redrawing of the state’s congressional maps. The final outcome r...
nevadacurrent.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Asked whether he was concerned about possible loss of federal funding or other consequences, the state's Republican Senate leader appeared unmoved. “I’ve had lots of conversations with folks in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Indiana will continue to function.” Via @indianacapitalchronicle.com