Blog

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.

Nevada Canyon Gold Corp. has made a binding Purchase Agreement to acquire a two percent net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Lapon Canyon Project, in Mineral County, through Nevada Canyon’s subsidiary, Nevada Canyon, LLC.

The two percent NSR is being acquired from Walker River Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of Walker River Resources Corp., which holds a 100 percent interest in the Lapon Canyon Project. The project comprises 96 unpatented lode mining claims, known as the Sleeper and Lapon Rose claim groups, within the northern part of the Walker Lane gold trend.

In a prior transaction, Nevada Canyon secured an additional one percent NSR from two third-party royalty holders on the Sleeper 36 claim group, part of the same project.

Lapon Canyon has a history of high-grade gold mining, featuring approximately 2,000 feet of underground workings spread across three adits. Historical underground operations have reported numerous assay values in the one-ounce-per-ton range.

The project is accessible via secondary state roads, about 15 miles from the main highway and roughly 40 miles southeast of Yerington. A state power grid transmission line runs within two miles of the project site.

Walker River Resources has conducted exploration at Lapon Canyon, with multiple drill hole intercepts revealing significant gold mineralization. The planned drill programs will include definition and systematic drilling for geological modeling, exploration drilling to uncover new gold mineralization, and extending known mineralization in various directions, including at greater depths.

The results from these drill programs will aid in completing an initial compliant mineral resource estimate for the project.

Nevada’s lone Republican Representative, Mark Amodei, faced a setback as his proposed legislation aimed at addressing a recent court ruling on mining laws failed to advance in the House, with six Republican members joining Democrats to block the bill, dealing a blow to efforts to navigate a stricter interpretation of the General Mining Law.

The legislation, known as the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024, sought to respond to a 2022 federal court ruling restricting mining companies’ ability to use federal lands for purposes like waste disposal. The ruling, which stemmed from an Arizona case, has significant implications for mining projects in Nevada, potentially setting them back considerably.

One such project affected is Eureka Moly LLC’s planned molybdenum mine, where a district court invalidated the Bureau of Land Management’s approval due to concerns over waste rock disposal. Additionally, the Thacker Pass lithium mine, poised to be one of the largest in the U.S., faces hurdles following a similar ruling.

Before the court’s decision, mining companies routinely utilized adjacent federal lands for waste disposal. Amodei’s bill aimed to amend the 1872 General Mining Law by removing the requirement to demonstrate mineral presence before constructing support facilities. However, critics argue that such changes could empower mining companies excessively, potentially undermining environmental protections.

While Republicans and Democrats acknowledge the need for clarity in mining regulations, disagreements persist over the proposed solutions. Efforts in the Senate, including a similar bill proposed by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, reflect a recognition of the issue’s significance. However, the fate of Nevada’s mining industry remains uncertain as debates over regulatory reforms continue.

Seven jails in Nevada are now fully compliant with Assembly Bill 286 following a settlement agreement with Elko County to ensure adherence to the law.

AB286 was designed to reduce the disenfranchisement of eligible voters in jails during election years. According to ACLU of Nevada Voting Rights Attorney Sadmira Ramic, when the bill went into effect, no jails were compliant, risking continued disenfranchisement.

However, through collaboration between the ACLU of Nevada, jail administrators, and county clerks, most jails in the state have policies in place to facilitate ballot access for eligible voters. Ramic emphasized the ongoing effort to combat outdated policies undermining democracy.

Earlier this year, the ACLU of Nevada discovered that local jails were not complying with AB286, which mandates the creation of processes to allow eligible prisoners to vote. They presented a compliance check of the bill to the Interim Legislative Operations Committee, setting a deadline for response before taking legal action.

While several jails cooperated with the ACLU to become compliant, Elko County did not respond, prompting a lawsuit. Following the lawsuit, Elko County collaborated with the ACLU, and on Wednesday, May 29, a settlement agreement was reached ensuring compliance.

The six other Nevada counties that worked directly with the ACLU to become compliant were Mineral, Washoe, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Carson City, and Clark County.

“Every Nevada voter deserves the right to have their voices heard, and people detained in our jails are no exception,” said ACLU of Nevada Executive Director Athar Haseebullah.

He credited Assemblywoman Miller, the Nevada Legislature, and Governor Lombardo for recognizing this necessity in approving AB286. Haseebullah highlighted that thousands of Nevadans now have the chance to participate in democracy.

While it was disappointing that compliance required demands and court filings, he expressed gratitude for local governments conforming with the law and praised Elko County for negotiating and achieving compliance. He reiterated the ACLU’s commitment to ensuring the right to vote for eligible voters, regardless of their location.

Most prisoners detained in jails are held pre-trial or serving misdemeanor sentences and have not lost their right to vote.