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Forest Service activates C-130s equipped with fire-fighting equipment

The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has activated four Department of Defense C-130 aircraft including one from Nevada that are equipped with special equipment to assist with increased wildfire activity across the West.

Nevada’s ‘Lithium Loop’ prepares for major expansion with billions in federal loans and education programs

Lithium, the “white gold” needed to power America’s clean-energy future, is becoming the most sought-after mineral in Nevada -- in a state that’s already the nation’s largest producer of gold -- said Amanda Hilton, the president of the Nevada Mining Association. “Lithium is certainly the talk of the state right now,” Hilton told host Sam Shad on Nevada Newsmakers recently.

Great Basin College and Renown launch respiratory therapy training program in northern Nevada

Great Basin College (GBC) and Renown Health have announced a collaborative effort to introduce a pioneering Respiratory Therapy training program aimed at bolstering the rural healthcare workforce in northern Nevada. This initiative, made possible by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Health Resources and Services Administration, represents a significant milestone in healthcare education for the region.

Groups team up to address employment needs in outdoor industry

CARSON CITY, Nev. – In partnership with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, the University of Nevada, Reno has developed two programs to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in outdoor recreation. The new programs include a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL). The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management specialization is part of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, developed in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology

NV Energy’s A/C rebates halted, restarted after month-long pause

When Reno resident Ky Plaskon’s air conditioning unit stopped working as a record-setting heat wave gripped both ends of Nevada this week, he inquired about a subsidized replacement through NV Energy’s PowerShift program. Funded by ratepayers, the program offers customers a rebate of $340 to $2,000 on energy-efficient units, depending on the type and size.

Weather conditions make preparing for wildfire more important than ever

RENO — The weather forecast for the West continues to be scorching temperatures, low humidity and high winds – the perfect recipe for wildfire ignition and spread. Already this year, more than 23,400 wildfires have burned over 2,800,000 acres in the United States. More than 10,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents across the country.

RFK Jr.’s campaign says it has enough signatures to get on NV ballot; validation pending

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign said recently it gathered enough signatures for its petition to place him on the November general election ballot in Nevada, and county election officials will now undertake a signature verification process.

What to know about the 17 new Nevada laws that went into effect July 1

A handful of new laws enacted during the 2023 legislative session went into effect on July 1, including measures related to Medicaid coverage of mental health care and the interrogation of children during custody hearings. After July 1, aspects of only six remaining laws enacted by the 2023 Legislature will not have gone into effect. Portions of more than 400 laws passed by lawmakers last year went into effect last July, October and January.

‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?

WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm bill. The omnibus law that began 90 years ago as various kinds of payments to support farmers now has an impact far beyond the farm, with programs to create wildlife habitat, address climate change and provide the nation’s largest federal nutrition program.

Nevada’s minimum wage went up to $12 an hour on July 1; two-tier system is out

Before Nevada voters passed Question 2 in 2022, Nevada operated under a two-tier minimum wage system that allowed an employee to be paid a lower minimum wage if an employer offered qualified health benefits. But because of the constitutional amendment — and a multiyear effort to raise the minimum wage that was approved in the 2019 legislative session — Nevadans now make no less than $12 an hour as of July 1. That’s up from the previous minimum wage of $11.25 an hour, or $10.25 an hour if an employer offered qualifying health benefits.

Federal funds flow to Northern Nevada for lithium workforce development

In late October, Reno was named one of 31 Tech Hubs by the Commerce Department — a designation given to less than 10 percent of applications as a site worthy of federal investment to diversify the growth of key industries geographically. Northern Nevada is at the epicenter of the Biden administration’s economic agenda — there’s been growth in manufacturing jobs, the lithium loop is expanding and its mining-based economy is being repurposed for the 21st century clean energy boom.

Harmful algae poses risks for Nevadans and their dogs amid summer heat

RENO, NV — With summer temperatures rising, Nevadans are heading to the state's lakes and reservoirs for recreation and relief from the heat. However, state officials are issuing warnings about the increasing presence of harmful algae in these water bodies.

Nevada State Parks Announces required day-use reservations at Sand Harbor State Park

INCLINE VILLAGE, NV. – The Nevada Division of State Parks is pleased to announce the implementation of a new day-use reservation system for vehicle entry at Sand Harbor State Park. This initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 28, assist with trip planning, and prevent overcrowding on the beach.

BLM seeks public input for the Dutch Flat Exploration Project in Nevada

WINNEMUCCA – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on the proposed Dutch Flat Exploration Project in Humboldt County. Osgood Mountains Gold, LLC, proposes to assess gold mining potential across more than 4,000 public and private acres by disturbing the surface of approximately 110 acres, with 76 of those acres on public lands.

BLM seeks public input on proposed expansion of the Colado Mine Project in Nevada

LOVELOCK – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposal to expand the Colado Mine Project in Pershing County. BLM has analyzed potential impacts from the proposed modification and expansion of the current 969-acre silica operation across an additional 1,811 public and private acres.