Author: Tom Darby

It is all quite the scene.
Miss Maryland is a he.
Miss ‘Bama, a size X-3.
Beauty standards do abound,
All woke schemes they do rock.
While one is a real she.
The other has a cock.

At 102, he was the last of his rifle squad. It was also his final chance to visit.

He walked the gray sand to where his “landing craft, vehicle, personnel” came ashore. Ahead, he watched as replica Higgins boats made their way from the English Channel.

The ramp dropped, soldiers pouring out, dashing past him at a dead run. He suddenly saw Smitty and Jones, followed by Anderson, then Begay. It was Begay who handed him a Garand as he raced by.

He turned and followed, catching up with the others. Spectators watched as they faded into the cliffs of Normandy.

A recent Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ) article about voting in Washoe County missed the mark. The RGJ headline read, “Early voting update: Washoe County Democrats turning out in higher numbers for primary,” but buried within the article were alarming statistics about undeliverable mail ballots.

According to the RGJ, approximately 14,000 Democrats and 11,000 Republicans voted in the primary election. Simultaneously, the Washoe County Registrar (ROV) has received around 24,000 mail-in ballots marked undeliverable.

Critics argue the number of undeliverable ballots is troubling, pointing to a potential waste of resources and risks of voter fraud. Each ballot costs about $10 to produce, representing a possible $240,000 in wasted funds, according to the Secretary of State’s Deputy of Elections, Mark Wvlashin.

Concerns about the integrity of the voter rolls are mounting, with allegations that inaccurate records and outdated registrations are still unaddressed. Nevada Revised Statute 293.530 § 1(a) mandates the ROV “may use any reliable and reasonable means available to correct the portions of the statewide voter registration list. . . and to determine whether a registered voter’s current residence is other than that indicated on the voter’s application to register to vote.” And, 1(b): “with the consent of the board of county commissioners, make investigations of registration in the county by census, by house-to-house canvass or by any other method.”

Many residents have shared their frustrations, reporting that despite living in their homes for decades, multiple voters are still registered at their addresses who have never resided there. Homeowners have provided affidavits and historical deeds as proof yet claim the ROV has dismissed their concerns, citing that these misplaced voters have signed affidavits under penalty of perjury.

The controversy extends to legal battles as well. A lawsuit in the Nevada Supreme Court aims to address these discrepancies, supported by affidavits and certified reports from the county. The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) has also recently sued to push for cleaner voter rolls.

Seventeen tribal communities across Nevada, including the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone and Walker River Paiute tribes, will receive nearly $27 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds are for the development and operation of affordable housing.

The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe will receive approximately $2.3 million, while the Walker River Paiute Tribe was approved for more than $4.3 million. The federal funding has already facilitated the construction of new tribal housing, including middle-class family homes in Owyhee and Washoe Valley over the past year.

In 2022, $4.8 million was secured from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to support affordable housing organizations in Nevada, including tribal entities. This effort also aimed to streamline processes to facilitate the construction of affordable housing statewide.

The allocated grants for various tribal communities in Nevada include Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, $3,723,167; Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, $715,977; Ely Shoshone Tribe, $1,124,207; Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, $2,531,700; Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes, $1,270,603; Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians, $110,290; Lovelock Paiute Tribe, $338,971; Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, $557,880; Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, $3,145,901; Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, $2,302,536; Summit Lake Paiute Tribe, $110,290; Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians, $1,723,941; Walker River Paiute Tribe, $4,317,185; Washoe Tribe, $2,668,543; Winnemucca Indian Colony, $110,290, Yerington Paiute Tribe, $1,484,003, and the Yomba Shoshone Tribe; $486,533.

These grants will address the housing crisis affecting Nevada’s tribal communities and improve the living conditions for many families.

Tragedy struck last Wednesday night, at 10:45 p.m., on May 15, on U.S. 6, approximately 35 miles west of Tonopah, as a fatal crash claimed the life of a 22-year-old driver.

According to NSP, the crash happened when a 2024 Chevy Tahoe, traveling westbound on U.S. 6 in the wrong direction, collided with a 2020 Kia Optima heading eastbound in the appropriate lane. The Tahoe driver attempted to steer left, coinciding with the Kia driver’s movement to the right, resulting in a collision between the vehicles’ left fronts.

The Kia driver, identified as Summer Reid of Iyanbito, New Mexico, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the Tahoe driver, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, remains undisclosed.

The crash investigation is ongoing, and NSP is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward by calling the Elko Office at (775) 753-1111 or via email at ncemirt@dps.state.nv.us.

Blue Crow lived in the Pinion pines and was known for his beautiful blue feathers and sharp wit.

One fateful day, Coyote, sly and wily as ever, approached Blue Crow with a tempting offer. He spun tales of a hidden treasure trove of delectable delights deep within the forest, promising to reveal its location if Blue Crow would barter something in return.

Eager and heedless of caution, Blue Crow agreed, his curiosity outweighing his sense. With a gleam in his eye, Coyote asked for the feathers adorning Blue Crow’s head.

In a moment of folly, Blue Crow consented, blinded by the allure of Coyote’s promises. Once Coyote had the feathers, he laughed at Blue Crow’s bald head.

“You are such a greedy fool,” Coyote yipped as he raced away.

Humiliated, Blue Crow hung his head low, but Brother Raven and Brother Crow came to his aid, giving him their ebony plumage to conceal his naked scalp.

“Let his be a lesson,” they said.

“It will be,” promised Blue Crow, “And every time I see Coyote I shall cry out in rememberance.”

Thus, Blue Jay, once known as Blue Crow, flits about the Pinion pines adorned with the regal crown of black feathers.

U.S. District Court Judge Larry Hicks died following a car versus pedestrian accident in midtown Reno on Wednesday, May 29.

The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. as Hicks was walking through the intersection at South Virginia Street and California Avenue, near the federal courthouse. The Reno Police Department reported Hicks was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“On behalf of the men and women of the Reno Police Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Judge Hicks,” Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance said. “Tragedies like this leave a lasting impact on our lives, particularly when they involve cherished members of our community.”

Hicks, a former Washoe County district attorney and president of the Nevada State Bar, was appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2001 and took senior status in 2013. He was a 1965 graduate of the University of Nevada and joined the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office in 1968, serving as district attorney from 1974 to 1978.

In 1979, he became a partner at McDonald, Carano, Wilson, McCune, Bergin, Frankovich & Hicks LLP. He also held prominent roles such as president of the State Bar of Nevada from 1993 to 1994, member of the State Bar Board of Governors from 1988 to 1994, president of the Bruce R. Thompson Chapter of the American Inns of Court in Reno from 1999 to 2000, and president of the Nevada District Attorneys Association from 1977 to 1978.

Judge Hicks, 80, is survived by his son, Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, and other family members.

The Nevada Supreme Court struck down a proposed ballot initiative on Monday, May 13, allowing voters to decide on repealing the public funding approved last year for a new Major League Baseball stadium in Las Vegas.

The ruling is a setback for opponents of the funding, who viewed the ballot initiative as the most effective means to overturn critical parts of the legislation that facilitated the Oakland Athletics’ relocation to Las Vegas. The court’s decision saw five judges affirm a lower court’s ruling invalidating the referendum, with one judge dissenting and another concurring in part and dissenting in part.

Following the ruling, Alexander Marks, spokesperson for the Schools over Stadiums political action committee, announced that their efforts would now focus on placing the question on the 2026 ballot. The PAC, supported by the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA,) has consistently opposed using public funds for the stadium.

The debate over stadium financing in Nevada reflects a broader national controversy regarding using public money to finance sports venues.

Proponents, including representatives of the Athletics and some Nevada tourism officials, argue that public funding could bolster Las Vegas’ burgeoning sports scene and serve as an economic driver. However, many stadium economists, educators, and lawmakers contend that the benefits would be minimal compared to the substantial public expenditure.

The Supreme Court ruled the entire 66-page bill has to be in the ballot question to provide proper context. However, state law limits ballot referendums to 200 words, a restriction that Schools over Stadiums lawyers acknowledged made it challenging to convey the bill’s complexities. Meanwhile, the court found the 200-word description submitted by Schools over Stadiums to be “misleading” and insufficient in explaining the practical effects of the referendum.

Attorney Bradley Schrager, representing two labor union lobbyists supporting the public funding, emphasized the importance of adhering to laws that ensure voters are fully informed about proposals.

“All Nevadans have a right to participate in direct democracy, but they need to observe the laws that require properly informing the voters of a proposal. This measure obviously fails to do that,” Schrager stated.

Meanwhile, Major League Baseball owners have unanimously approved the Athletics’ move to Las Vegas, cementing the city’s growing status as an up-and-coming sports hub.

Nevada Secretary of State (SoS) Francisco Aguilar’s decision to count ballots before the polls close violates Nevada State Election laws.

Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 293.363 states that the counting of ballots should commence exclusively after the polls have closed, and the process must be public and continuous until completed.

On Thursday, May 23, an article by AP writer Gabe Stern on the WFTV website reported that Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar announced a new plan allowing Nevada election officials to start tabulating in-person Election Day votes as they arrive, rather than waiting for the polls to close. The stated goal of this change was to expedite the release of election results.

However, beginning the tabulation of in-person votes before the polls close violates NRS 293.363, which explicitly states that the counting should start after the polls have closed and continue without recess until completion.

Moreover, during the 2023 legislative session, the Secretary of State’s office had a regulation approved changing the word “adjourn” to “recess,” allowing the counting board to recess while ballot counting is in process. Nevada Revised Statutes use the word “adjourn,” allowing the taking of a “recess” to appear as legal.

Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 293.363 mandates, “When the polls are closed, the counting board shall prepare to count the ballots voted. The counting procedure must be public and continue without adjournment until completed.”

On Thursday, May 23, an article by AP writer Gabe Stern on the WFTV website reported that Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar announced a new plan allowing Nevada election officials to start tabulating in-person Election Day votes as they arrive, rather than waiting for the polls to close. The stated goal of this change was to expedite the release of election results.

However, the decision to begin tabulating in-person votes before the polls close violates NRS 293.363. The law states that counting will start after the polls close and are to proceed without recess until completion.

Adding to the controversy, during the 2023 legislative session, the Secretary of State’s office had a regulation approved changing the word “adjourn” to “recess,” allowing the counting board to recess while ballot counting is in process. Nevada Revised Statues use the word “adjourn,” allowing the taking of a “recess” as legal.

On Tuesday, June 4, Robert Beadles, through his initiative Operation Sunlight, released video footage, photographs, and voice recordings of a tour conducted at the Washoe County elections facility.

The tour included Beadles, his attorney, their lead for observation scheduling, Washoe County Registrar of Voters (ROV) Cari-Ann Burgess, and county attorney Herb Caplan. During the hour-long walkthrough, the group asked several questions regarding election security.

In one recording, Burgess emphatically stated that USB flash drives would not be plugged into any election computers, a practice she condemned based on an incident in 2022 involving a technician named Mike. She emphasized that the only permissible use of USB drives would be on election night to transfer votes from the machines to the central count system. Burgess further mentioned that her office was implementing security measures to prevent USB use, citing potential termination for violating this protocol.

The reason behind this strict policy is well-known in the tech community: USB drives can be vectors for spyware, malware, and viruses, which can compromise an entire system. Despite this, Beadles and his team observed Mike, the same technician, using a USB flash drive in the EMS-Tabulation room. According to Beadles, Mike took a white flash drive from his pocket, inserted it into a computer that houses election votes, worked for several minutes, and then pocketed it again before leaving.

The action raised concerns, as the computer in question is supposed to be “air-gapped,” meaning it is isolated from the internet to prevent external access and ensure security. The observed use of the flash drive contradicts the security protocols outlined by Burgess.

Beadles has filed an election violation complaint with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office but has not received a response.

When questioned, county attorney Caplan and a spokesperson from the ROV stated that it was for risk-limiting audit (RLA) testing. However, Beadles pointed out that RLA testing is supposed to be conducted before the start of the election, not during the early voting period.