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As Nevada’s geothermal wonders go, Steamboat Hot Springs south of Reno holds a storied place in Comstock history, with bubbling mineral-rich waters and once-majestic geysers. Yet, in recent decades, this natural spectacle largely faded into obscurity — until now.

In an unexpected turn reminiscent of its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a small geyser has reemerged, captivating locals and scientists alike. The resurgence, unseen since the early 1900s, has puzzled experts, including renowned nuclear physicist Taylor Wilson, who views the phenomenon as a captivating enigma.

Indeed, the sudden reappearance of geothermal activity has left him scratching his head.

“Really it’s a mystery,” Wilson told KRNV. “We don’t quite know yet why this activity after 60 years has decided to reemerge.”

Despite the allure, the area remains off-limits to the public due to the hazardous nature of the scalding water. During a recent visit, Wilson measured temperatures reaching 208 degrees Fahrenheit.

The significance of Steamboat Hot Springs extends beyond its geological marvels; it once attracted Virginia City’s literary giant Mark Twain, who famously likened the bubbling springs to the sounds of a steamboat.

In 1863, Twain wrote of the area, “From one spring the boiling water is ejected a foot or more by the infernal force at work below, and in the vicinity of all of them one can hear a constant rumbling and surging, somewhat resembling the noises peculiar to a steamboat in motion.”

In the decades following, surface activity waned, but the therapeutic benefits of the mineral-infused waters persisted. Today, the site hosts the Steamboat Hot Springs healing center and spa.

The recent resurgence, however, has sparked curiosity and speculation.

“There’s an active earthquake swarm centered not much more than a mile (away)…,” Wilson said of the more than 100 tremblors the area has felt since the beginning of 2024.

Additionally, the operation of the geothermal power plant in the vicinity may also influence the revival.

As scientists delve deeper into this geological mystery, one thing remains clear: the revival of geyser activity at Steamboat Hot Springs is a remarkable chapter in Nevada’s natural history. For Wilson and others, it represents an opportunity to unravel the secrets of the Earth’s underground forces, one steamy eruption at a time.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been cataloging U.S. citizens’ mail and sharing the data with federal law enforcement without a warrant since 2017 under the Mail Isolation Control and Tracking (MICT) program, wholly separate from its post-9/11 responsibility to look at and collect private and corporate email.

MICT doesn’t read the content of the mail but records and stores data on thousands of letters, packages, and parcels that pass through USPS facilities. Critics compare the program to the FBI Department of Justice or National Security Agency surveillance of phone and internet records, warrantlessly searched under the Patriot Act, and using a loose standard of proof.

Because MICT only looks at the outside of letters, which are publicly viewable, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has used similar reasoning to explain why the police can go through your trash set out on the curb without a warrant or probable cause.

Alarmingly, there is no external oversight by the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Congress.

There is an external component to the MICT program where the USPS takes a photograph of the mail and texts it to subscribers to their ‘free’ service, called “Informed Consent,” which sounds a bit Orwellian.

In response to growing concerns over tax reporting loopholes, Congress changed the reporting requirements for gig economy workers and independent contractors, with those changes delayed multiple times due to apprehensions raised by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The changes and delays have affected many in Storey and Lyon Counties who work a second or third job to make ends meet.

Previously, gig workers were only required to report gross annual earnings exceeding $20,000 involving more than 200 transactions in a calendar year on Form 1099-K. It created a loophole allowing individuals to earn up to $20,000 without reporting their income.

In 2021, Congress responded to the IRS’s request and lowered the reporting threshold to $600, intending to close this loophole. However, in 2023 and 2024, the IRS postponed implementation because of concerns over potential errors and an influx of more agency paperwork within the agency.

The IRS fears the sudden influx of up to 44 million new 1099-K forms might overwhelm its systems and lead to the issuing of incorrect notices.

The reporting threshold was temporarily increased to $5,000 in 2024 before it reverts to $600 in 2025 to address the concern. Meanwhile, there is ongoing debate about whether this threshold is adequate, with some advocating for an increase to $10,000.

Furthermore, there is continued pushback by those who believe that the lowered threshold of $600 is an abuse by the federal government, which wants to control the number of hours gig workers and independent contractors can work and make. Still, others see the move as a way for the federal government to see what someone is purchasing or why they are receiving the money.

In addition to federal regulations, several states, including Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Virginia, have enacted reporting thresholds for Form 1099-K, further complicating tax reporting for gig workers. These thresholds range from $600 to $2,500 and can impact individuals working across state lines.

A cold case dating back to 1980 is finding new life towards a solution to the mystery surrounding the remains of an unknown homicide victim found in Nye County.

In October 1980, Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the remains of an unidentified adult male approximately one mile east of US-95, situated 60 miles south of Tonopah near a dirt road. They notified the Nevada State Police (NSP) to assist with the investigation following the discovery.

Subsequent forensic examinations revealed that the cause of death was homicide, resulting from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite extensive efforts over the years, including interviews, press releases, and DNA analysis, investigators struggled to make headway in identifying the victim or the perpetrator.

However, advancements in DNA technology offered a glimmer of hope as in March 2022, the FBI, NSP, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) sought the expertise of Othram, a forensic genealogy company, to conduct advanced DNA testing and a genealogy search.

The analysis conducted by Othram produced a genetic report and uncovered leads for detectives. With the collaboration of the FBI, Albert Matas of Commerce, Calif., was identified in December 2023. Further investigation revealed that Albert had lost contact with his family in September 1978.

Anyone with information about this case should contact the Nevada State Police Investigation Division at (775) 684-7456.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20 

Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant entangled in a high-profile bribery scandal implicating President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, found himself back in custody following an arrest at his attorney’s office in Las Vegas. This arrest comes just two days after U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts ordered Smirnov’s release, citing insufficient evidence to warrant his continued detention.

According to court documents filed by defense attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, Smirnov’s re-arrest came based on a warrant issued from California, the jurisdiction where the case originated. The defense team vehemently condemned the action, saying it infringed on Smirnov’s Sixth Amendment rights, and vowed to pursue legal avenues to secure his release once again.

Despite the situation, no immediate hearing has been scheduled in Nevada or California to address Smirnov’s detention status. Prosecutors dissatisfied with the initial release decision swiftly appealed, setting the stage for a renewed legal battle.

The circumstances surrounding Smirnov’s arrest have raised eyebrows, particularly as prosecutors allege that he misled authorities by fabricating claims regarding payments made by executives of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma to President Biden and Hunter Biden in 2015.

“Big Dan” Rodimer, a former Republican congressional candidate and ex-wrestler, surrendered to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on Wednesday, March 6, after officials issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the death of a man at a Las Vegas Strip hotel.

“Holy sh..!” Mindy Robinson wrote on X. “My former congressional opponent…the corrupt, wannabe wrestler/wife beater with a history of assault, who Kevin McCarthy gave half a million dollars to beat me in the primary knowing he’d lose in the general [election]…is wanted for murder.”

Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, he praised Rodimer as a fighter for lower taxes, better education, and law enforcement support. However, Rodimer’s loss in the 2020 election to Nevada District 3 Rep. Susie Lee by nearly 13,000 votes raised questions about the GOP’s candidate preferences.

Rodimer, 45, faced allegations of violence and domestic abuse during his campaign, with actress and America First influencer Mindy Robinson criticizing the GOP establishment, including Kevin McCarthy, for supporting him despite his troubled history. Robinson highlighted Rodimers track record of multiple assaults, involvement in shady deals, and allegations of running a Medicare scheme worth millions, which she uncovered during the campaign.

The arrest warrant alleges that Rodimer became enraged after the victim, Christopher Tapp, was accused of offering cocaine to Rodimers stepdaughter. Witnesses reported hearing Rodimer threaten Tapp before a violent altercation ensued.

Tapp, of Idaho, was previously charged in the 1996 rape and murder of an 18-year-old, despite being excluded by DNA evidence, according to the Innocence Project. He was convicted in 1998 on charges of first-degree murder, rape, and use of a deadly weapon and sentenced later that year to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 30 years for the murder conviction and ten years for the rape conviction.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, the court vacated his murder conviction.

A scenario could see former First Lady Michelle Obama nominated outside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held in Chicago, Ill., from Monday, August 19 through Thursday, August 22.

Sometime after the convention and during a 20-day window, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) could decide without the use of delegates to appoint Michelle the nomination. And it would all be perfectly legal with the framework of the party.

The DNC chair can call a special meeting of the Democratic National Committee, which includes about 500 members, to fill a vacancy on the national ticket. On paper, at least, all it takes is a majority vote of those present to pick a new presidential and vice presidential nominee in a process filled with behind-the-scenes jockeying and public pressure campaigns.

Donna Brazile, as head of the DNC at the time, nearly did it to Hillary Clinton in 2016 after Clinton passed out.

As Biden grows less popular, he grows more feeble, and Kamala Harris has even less favorable numbers than Biden. For the DNC, inclusivity is important, so the nominee replacing Biden has to be of color and female.

That points to Michelle Obama, whose possible nomination is made stronger by acknowledging that an extensive network of former President Obama’s allies is already embedded within the Biden Administration, making the transition seamless, requiring little more than the oath of office.

We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Gold Star father, Steven Nakoui, was arrested at the State of the Union on Thursday, March 7, and is now being charged with disrupting Congress and faces five years in prison.

His 20-year-old son Kareem was one of the 13 U.S. Marines killed during Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. He lost his temper last night and began shouting when Biden bragged about how safe Americans are under his leadership.

When a Gold Star father bashed Trump, he was given a platform by the media, gave speeches at different events, and went on the news multiple times. When one has a negative opinion about Joe Biden, he’s silenced immediately and arrested.

The Biden administration has turned America into a full-blown police state. When will we awaken?

In the aftermath of the recent Vermont election, concerns have emerged regarding the integrity of the voting process, with some alleging irregularities reminiscent of those seen in the 2020 election. Citing data from the Edison Research election system, critics point to significant fluctuations in vote counts, suggesting the presence of an algorithmic influence on the results.

According to reports, Scytl, a company that processes election data, received raw data directly from officials in at least nine states, including Vermont. Observers noted anomalies in the reported vote counts, which deviated from the expected additive process typical of elections. Instead, there were instances of votes paused, oscillated, and even deleted over time, raising questions about the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process.

Critics argue that such fluctuations in vote counts indicate the presence of an algorithm attempting to manipulate an election’s outcome. They point to examples where the reported percentage of votes counted shifted suddenly, with figures fluctuating from 99 percent to 95 percent, undermining confidence in the data. Concerns over the election data have led to calls for an investigation.

But, just so we are clear, Nikki Haley won the Vermont GOP primary. However, Vermont has an open primary, which means Democrats voted in the GOP primary and is also the state that elected Communist Bernie Sanders to the US Senate.

Contained Rage Over Election 2020, and Now This

In silence, I’ve been seething with rage since goddamn 2020 about the absolute mockery of democracy we call elections in Nevada! Scratch that, it’s been brewing even longer, but that shitshow four years back was the final straw.

I sat there, glued to my effing computer screen, watching it all unfold. And then, what? They dared to tell me it didn’t happen? Like I’m a blind fool.

Well, let me tell you, no spineless sack of crap judge in Nevada has had the guts, the decency, or the damn integrity to dig into the evidence and acknowledge the fact that our votes have been snatched away from us since the turn of the millennium.

And I’m sick of banging on about it, hoping against hope that one honest-to-god judge would have the cajones to look into it instead of burying their head in the sand and pretending like everything’s just fine and dandy. And don’t even get me started on these corporate lackeys masquerading as politicians! RNC and DNC — two sides of the same damn coin, both lining their pockets while we, the people, suffer.

Corporate interests? You bet your ass. They’ve got their grubby little fingers all over our elections, pulling the strings like we’re nothing but puppets on their stage.

And if you don’t want to believe me? Just listen to a man who lives in the belly of the beast.

Clinton Eugene Curtis, a damn computer programmer, spilled the beans on how easy it is to rig these elections. He rigged it, plain and simple, for Congressman Tom Feeney, and he did it with a smile because he knew he could get away with it.

They knew then, and they sure as hell know now, but they don’t give a rat’s ass because it serves their damn agenda. And what about us, the ones whose voices continue to be silenced by deceit and corruption?

They’ve been manipulating us like pawns in their sick game since the freaking Y2K scare! Central tabulators, rigged machines, you name it –they’ve got it all set up to keep us in the dark and keep themselves in power. Our so-called democracy is nothing but a facade, a sham, a goddamn charade to them.

Look, it isn’t about who won or who lost — it is about protecting our Constitutional Republic and our sacred right to free elections. And until we stand up and demand real change, we’ll keep being played like fools by these soulless bastards in suits.

Do you need more proof of the utter travesty that passes for elections in this country?

Well, strap in because I’ve got a fresh pile of bullshit straight from California, the so-called Golden State. They pulled the same damn stunt again, this time right in front of our eyes, and every single Californian needs to wake the hell up and smell the corruption.

They robbed votes from Steve Garvey, folks. Yeah, you heard me right.

Steve-freaking-Garvey was leading the charge against that lying weasel Adam Schiff with a whopping 1.8 million votes. And what do they do? Just like that, they slice it in half, playing some sick game they call the Glitch Switch.

And who comes out on top? Surprise, surprise, it’s Adam Schiff, by a margin so thin it’s practically invisible.

Schiff and his measly 1,247,723 votes crawl ahead while Garvey’s numbers magically dwindle to 1,220,683. Tell me that doesn’t smell fishier than an effing seafood market on King Street in Seattle.

Let me spell it out for you, in case you’re still living in la-la land: this is an algorithm at work, trying to crunch the numbers and screwing over every last one of us in the process. Elections are supposed to be about adding up votes, not subtracting them or playing some twisted game of musical chairs with our democracy.

Each vote should be an addition, plain and simple, with zero deletions, no damn oscillations — just a straightforward tally of the people’s voices. But what do we get instead? A circus act where the outcome is decided by some unseen hand, leaving us scratching our heads and wondering what the hell just happened.

So, to all you Californians out there and my fellow Nevadans, wake the fuck up. It is not a dystopian nightmare — it’s reality, and it’s time to take back control from these conniving thieves, whom we elect to represent us and instead believe they are our leaders.