In a move that has caught the attention of some lawmakers and property rights advocates, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently proposed a rule approving the creation of a new investment vehicle known as the Natural Asset Company (NAC).

Championed by the Intrinsic Exchange Group (IEG) in collaboration with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the initiative aims to list companies with missions to improve ecosystems through the management, maintenance, or restoration of public or privately owned lands. The IEG, founded by the Rockefeller Foundation and supported by international environmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, claims that the NAC would create a $5,000 trillion economy by quantifying and monetizing “natural processes” and “ecosystem services.”

However, critics argue that this proposal will threaten human well-being, independence, and the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

Of particular concern is that approximately 86 percent of Nevada remains federally held.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo expressed his apprehension in a letter to the SEC, stating, “This rule has wide-ranging implications for the citizens of our states, specifically in our natural resources and agricultural industries.”

The core idea behind NACs is to grant corporations “ecological performance rights” rather than traditional leases for extractive activities. These rights are valued based on carbon storage, sequestration, and the more subjective “sensory benefits.” Critics fear that this approach could pave the way for privatization of national parks and protected lands, raising questions about the potential misuse of public resources.

To qualify as a natural asset company, corporations would need to document improvements in the land they manage, committing to goals such as wildlife habitat enhancement and ensuring clean air. However, the proposal’s broad scope and 38 categories of potential improvements have sparked concerns about the potential overreach of private entities into public land management.

One concern is the potential for foreign entities to invest in NACs and gain control over U.S. public lands. Lawmakers and governors have raised alarms about the implications of this rule, suggesting that it could be a backdoor approach to implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles on land use and management. While proponents argue that NACs would provide investors with an avenue for preserving nature, critics question the viability of such investments, arguing the restrictions imposed on NACs, prohibiting unsustainable extractive activities, could hinder their profitability and result in significant expenses for environmental statements and audits.

The SEC’s proposed rule defines NACs as corporations holding rights to the ecological performance of designated areas, with management authority over conservation, restoration, or sustainable management. It has led to concerns about the constitutional implications of private investment companies having management authority over federal lands, a responsibility historically exclusive to Congress and land management agencies.

As the Biden administration expresses interest in valuing “natural capital” and its contribution to the economy, critics view the NAC proposal as a step toward consolidating political and financial control over natural resources. The proposed rule aligns with international efforts to establish a system for accounting natural assets, with potential implications for the national debt, taxation, and the creation of a new investment product.

As the debate unfolds, the proposed SEC rule has ignited a broader discussion about the balance between environmental conservation, private investment, and the protection of property rights and national sovereignty. Critics argue that the potential risks of NACs outweigh the claimed benefits, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and public discourse on this significant proposal.

The SEC plans to rule on the question of Natural Asset Companies on Tuesday, January 2, a day before the U.S. Congress is to reconvene following winter recess.

Since the passage of Assembly Bill 236 in 2019, spearheaded by Democratic Assemblyman Steve Yeager and supported by Attorney General Aaron Ford, Nevada has witnessed a concerning surge in property crimes.

The bill, designed to reform the state’s criminal justice system, notably raised the threshold for felony theft from $650 to $1,200, resulting in unintended consequences. The aftermath of the legislative change reveals a 15 percent increase in property crimes and a staggering 39 percent rise in drugstore thefts along the Las Vegas Strip.

Critics argue that the higher felony threshold has contributed to a rise in organized retail theft, with reports of ‘flash mob’ robberies and criminal rings from neighboring states targeting businesses in both Southern and Northern Nevada. Yeager, a proponent of the bill, defended the adjustment, citing business concerns that led to a compromise on the initial proposal of a $2,000 felony theft threshold.

However, the unintended consequences have prompted a backlash in Northern Nevada, where businesses report an influx of theft and criminal activity.

The Reno and Sparks Police Departments have reported increases in retail theft, attributing it to organized rings crossing state lines. Reno responded by announcing intensified efforts, including increased patrols during the holiday season, to combat theft in malls and shopping centers, while the City of Sparks introduced the “Back Our Business” initiative and set up sting operations, recently arresting several shoplifters as they stole alcohol products from a Safeway grocery store.

Washoe County, with a population of approximately 3.1 million people, is grappling with controversies surrounding the salary of County Manager Eric Brown.

Brown, who presently earns over $331,000 per year, is under scrutiny for a proposed salary increase and benefits package that could significantly boost his compensation, which comes as the average salary in Reno is $51,235 per year. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, overseeing over 3.1 million people, makes only $163,474 yearly.

The Washoe County Board of Commissioners (WCBC) recently discussed actions to extend Brown’s employment agreement, raise his salary, approve a lump-sum bonus, and extend his severance package. Brown has received substantial annual raises since his hiring in 2019, totaling a 30 percent increase in base pay, excluding bonuses and cost-of-living adjustments.

There are concerns after the decision to hire a consultant from Fuse Corp to develop plans for reducing emissions and enhancing climate resiliency. The move aligns with Washoe County’s Green Recovery Plan, striving for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Brown released the plan in April 2022, citing a 2019 Nevada law mandating a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

In June 2023, Brown drew attention to the need for a substantial overhaul of Washoe County’s election system. An 80-page audit by the Democratically-aligned ‘The Elections Group’ revealed errors and confusion in the election process, recommending additional staff, enhanced training, and increased resources.

Further, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging department, falling under Human Resources, has been a point of discussion. Brown acknowledged a perceived lag in addressing equity and inclusion issues within the county’s strategic plan, expressing a desire to deploy these principles more pervasively to serve underserved communities.

Something stinks to high heaven in the Biggest Little City.

Private investigator David McNeely has filed a lawsuit against the Sparks Police Department (SPD), the City of Sparks, and the officers involved in the controversial TrackerGate case.

The lawsuit contends that the defendants violated McNeely’s constitutional rights, particularly his First and Fourth Amendment rights to privacy and protection against unlawful searches and seizures.
The complaint asserts that the officers’ actions were a result of inadequate training, contending that proper instruction in fundamental principles of search and seizure and safeguarding private information would have prevented the incident.

The lawsuit also alleges deliberate and wrongful conduct by the Sparks police, asserting that they compromised police protocol to sensationalize a story involving a public figure, Reno City Mayor Hillary Schieve. Furthermore, the complaint claims that the defendants misused administrative subpoenas to unlawfully acquire information about McNeely’s private investigation and tracking of Schieve.

It emphasizes that the defendants bypassed constitutional requirements for obtaining and disseminating McNeely’s information, lacking probable cause for a search warrant. Despite the detectives concluding that McNeely acted lawfully during his investigation of Mayor Schieve, the complaint contends that the willful and unlawful dissemination of his identity as a private citizen caused irreparable harm to McNeely’s life and livelihood by violating their obligation to keep the identity of a private citizen engaging in lawful conduct anonymous.

The lawsuit, filed as a Monell action in U.S. District Court, holds the SPD, the City of Sparks, and individual officers accountable for violating McNeely’s constitutional rights. Each defendant is alleged to have participated in or authorized the unconstitutional conduct, resulting in financial ruin, humiliation, and the destruction of McNeely’s life and livelihood.

Las Vegas Attorney Sigal Chattah is representing McNeely.

In Estes Park, the Stanley stood proudly, its charming allure beckoning tired souls in search of solace.

Exhausted Hallmark greeting card writer Jack Torrance felt the winds of change calling his name. With his wife Wendy and their young son Danny, they welcomed the chance to become the caretakers of this winter wonderland retreat.

The inn’s lobby exuded warmth from a grand fireplace, its crackling flames casting a cozy glow upon the vintage furniture that adorned the space. A peculiar antique typewriter whispered to have once belonged to horror author Stephen King and Ingersoll Lockwood before that found a resting place in a quiet corner.

While the rest of the family settled into the snug embrace of their rooms, Jack felt an irresistible pull towards the vintage typewriter.

“Perhaps this is my moment to finally pen that novel I’ve often dreamt of,” Jack pondered.

Seated at the antique typewriter, Jack immersed himself in capturing the extraordinary events unfolding in a book. His fingers danced gracefully across the keys, typing a single sentence repeatedly as if gripped by an otherworldly force.

The typewriter transformed into a conduit, seamlessly blending literary prowess with supernatural energies, pulsating with an ethereal glow. Jack’s connection to the typewriter appeared to have unleashed forces beyond their comprehension that threatened his sanity and cast a dark shadow on their lives.

Unbeknownst to them, the storm outside wasn’t just a natural occurrence but a manifestation of the evil spirit lingering within the typewriter. The hotel’s layout shifted and twisted, creating a disorienting labyrinth that challenged the Torrance family’s sense of reality as they navigated its winding corridors.

Finally, the spirit gathered enshrouded the typewriter, and the supernatural force reached its zenith, causing the thing to levitate, suspended in mid-air. The pinnacle of this celestial performance occurred as the typewriter released a burst of blinding light, engulfing the room in an ethereal glow.

As the brilliance subsided, the spectral presence of Stephen King materialized. Suddenly, the keys began clicking relentlessly, producing a sequence that echoed with an unsettling rhythm.

Wendy, sensing a connection between the ghostly typewriter and the apparition of Stephen King, cautiously approached the specter.

“Is this your doing? Are you the one guiding these words?” she inquired.

King, his expression oscillating between surprise and realization, nodded in acknowledgment as the keys on his old typewriter clicked faster, producing an unsettling sequence of words: “Trump, Trump, Trump…”

As I strolled down the freshly shoveled boardwalk in Virginia City, I saw Frost the Snowman crafting frosty treats for passersby. I recognized him from the animated film he starred in back in 1969.

Intrigued, I just had to approach him. “This is quite a unique gig you’ve got here. What made you start selling snowcones?”

Frost half-chuckled in disgust. “Well, it’s a bit of a long story. You see, I used to be a regular snowman, enjoying the winter months and all. But lately, things have been tough. Despite all this Bidenomics I’ve been hearing about, I found myself in a bit of a financial snowdrift and had to sell my top hat.”

“You are kidding, right?” I responded.

Frost sighed, his snowy shoulders slumping a bit. “It’s been affecting my So, I had to get creative. I figured, why not turn myself into a business? People love snowcones, and I’ve got plenty of material to work with!”

Frost grinned, scooping into his snowy torso. “I’ve got the classics like cherry, blue raspberry, and lime. But I’ve also got some unique blends, like frosty mint mocha and winter berry delight. What’s your fancy?”

In 2021, during the legislative session, Blockchains Inc. pitched Nevada lawmakers to allow the cryptocurrency company to create its local government, or Innovation Zone, within Storey County.

The Innovation Zone, backed by then-Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, would have carved out a separate tax base, policing agency, and government outside Storey County but within county borders. The plan fell through following pushback by the county, some legislative members, and finally, the courts.

Now, a developer has created a town in Liberty County, Texas, for illegal aliens by selling off land to border crossers without asking for any paperwork. Trey Harris sells plots at Colony Ridge, allowing buyers to purchase land without proof of income or credit.

The story goes back more than a decade. Trey and his brother John started buying distressed lots in Montgomery and Liberty Counties and then offering the properties to Hispanic buyers using owner financing.

Around 2010, they began looking for more property to buy. They found 500 acres in Liberty County, subdivided the land into half-acre tracts, and dubbed the development Montebello.

Within a year, they had sold all 900 lots. They bought an additional 900 acres and sold 1,400 lots, followed by more land.

Today, Colony Ridge is a maze of streets with wildly disparate housing, from dilapidated mobile homes to brand-new two-story houses. Once sold out, there could be 100,000 residents in the unsanctioned community, a population just slightly smaller than Sparks, Nev., at 109,226.

The settlement is around 60 square miles, home to up to nearly 75,000 illegal aliens policed by only eight deputies. It remains unknown how much the county collects in taxes from Colony Ridge.

Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader said the agency needs more deputies, but the relatively small tax base of the county constrains its budget. He also said violent crime occurs in Colony Ridge, and cartels operate there, but those are no more prevalent than in other parts of Houston and Texas.

The figures show the violent crime rate in Liberty County was lower last year than the Houston Police Department and the Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Waller counties. The data also show murders, rapes, robberies, and assaults have remained consistent over the past decade, even as the population has boomed during that time.

Law enforcement agencies, however, do not report data on drug-related crimes to the state. And because so many are in the country illegally, crime statistics historically are undercounted in Colony Ridge due to a fear of the law.

Harris offers the land through the development company Terranos Houston using Spanish language marketing, where he says he requires two forms of ID, a down payment of around $500, and a U.S. address but does not ask for a social security number, which he claims is not required by law.

In Nevada, as in Texas, no state or federal laws prohibit the sale of land to illegal aliens. Meanwhile, a growing number of states are considering or have passed measures this legislative term banning “foreign adversaries” and foreign entities, specifically China, from buying U.S. farmland.

Virginia City witnessed a heartwarming event on Saturday, December 9, as Jeremy Renner’s RennerVation Foundation hosted an enchanting Christmas experience for 150 foster kids.

The actor, known for his roles in various films, established the foundation following a snowplow accident last winter that left him severely injured.

Romilda De Luca, CEO of the RennerVation Foundation, shared updates on Renner’s well-being, stating, “He’s doing great and appreciating the love from everyone, and this is an important step for him to a full recovery.”

The event was part of Renner’s commitment to giving back, as he donated his passion, time, and energy to bring joy to the lives of the foster children. The actor and musician plans to share more details about his foundation in the coming days.

Renner kept his planned visit low-key so the kids in his care could enjoy an old-fashioned hometown-style Christmas parade.

In the 1960s and early 70s, when I was a youngster, my grandmother faced immense financial hardship. My parents and our aunt and uncle often covered her monthly expenses, including food and utilities.

Yet, despite her struggle to make ends meet, she would give my brother, me, and later our sisters, each a single roll of pennies for Christmas. Little did we know she had saved those two dollars in coins throughout the year, a sacrifice for our joy.

In a world where I now witness children clamoring for the latest gadgets and expressing disappointment over not receiving high-tech gifts, my heart aches for them and their parents. The stark contrast between their expectations and my grandmother’s humble yet heartfelt offerings is a poignant reminder of the values that truly matter.

What lingers in my memories is not the materialism that pervades the present but the simple pleasures of my childhood. I recall the warmth of sitting beside my grandmother, watching Christmas movies, and sipping cups of hot cocoa with miniature marshmallows that our mom would make as we visited her home.

As time has passed, I find myself yearning for a tangible reminder of those cherished moments – perhaps just one roll of those pennies that held so much more than their monetary value.

At the dimly lit end of an empty bar, Cthulhu slumped over the counter, its tentacles occasionally knocking over the peanut bowl. The bartender, a friendly human named Joe, wiped a glass and listened intently to Cthulhu complain.

“You know,” Cthulhu grumbled, “it’s tough being a legendary horror figure in this day and age. The world is so scary already; I’m practically out of a job.”

Joe chuckled, polishing the glass. “Come on, Cthulhu, you’re timeless! People still appreciate a good scare.”

“But that’s just it,” Cthulhu sighed, its many eyes expressing frustration and confusion. “I read somewhere that my creator, H.P. Lovecraft, should be a hero to university students for his anti-semite views. But they seem hung up on some other prejudice stuff he did.”

Joe raised an eyebrow. “Prejudice, you say?”

“Yeah,” Cthulhu nodded, “Apparently, he named his black house cat something considered prejudiced by the same university students running around crying, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.’ I thought we were beyond that as a civilized society?”

Joe leaned in, genuinely intrigued. “What was it he called the cat?”

“‘Nigger Tom,’” Cthulhu huffed. “That’s beside the point, you’re missing the bigger picture. Lovecraft created me, and I’m a horror icon and I came from the sea, man!”

Joe poured another drink, smiling. “Maybe people need a reminder that you’re still scary, my friend.”

“Not with that stupid shit going on out there,” Cthulhu said as it tossed back the whiskey sour. “If they wanna kill all the Jews, what’s to keep them from killing me?”

“Say something about how wrong it is,” Joe shrugged. “Then show them them what real horror is like. Wanna ‘nuther?”

“Sure,” the eldritch, leather-winged creature answered, knocking another bowl of peanuts to the sawdust floor as he returned his empty glass.