Kristen and Bob this week give a straight-ahead rundown of the major Reno-area news stories: a federal letter about the University of Nevada, Reno’s UndocuPack program, what was said at a community-led summit on data centers, a high-stakes Nevada Supreme Court dispute over police investigations, and major funding losses for LGBTQ+ programs at Our Center.
Recorded on Saturday, Oct. 4.
UNR’s UndocuPack under federal scrutiny
- A U.S. Department of Justice attorney sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education urging an investigation into whether federal funds support UNR programs aiding undocumented students.
- UNR temporarily disabled related web pages and officials said the program is supported with non-federal dollars, not federal aid prohibited for undocumented students.
Data centers press conference
- After a city of Reno meeting was canceled, advocates held an alternate forum and press conference.
- Speakers highlight power demand such as a 30-megawatt facility—roughly the energy needed for 21,000 homes.
- Many agencies and local officials attended.
- Reno says the issue is regional; Sparks has already directed staff to explore code changes for data centers.
Nevada Supreme Court fight over access to police investigative files
- A case stemming from a Reno officer accused of photographing intimate images from motorists’ phones has ballooned into a push for a “bright-line rule” making any open investigative file confidential under the Nevada Public Records Act.
- Attorney General Aaron Ford and multiple police agencies support the change; press and civil-liberties groups oppose it.
- Critics warn the practice already trends toward blanket secrecy and could erode transparency.
Sparks firefighter-senior confrontation: civil case settled
- The case involving Maureen Vegholm and Sparks firefighter Timothy Egan—captured on security video—has been settled.
- Family members expressed anger at Sparks agencies; an official statement said the city hopes to bring closure.
Our Center loses key grants for LGBTQ+ programs
- The LGBTQ+ community center says state-channeled federal grants—used for suicide prevention, mental health and substance-use prevention—are no longer available due to federal policy restricting programs serving LGBTQ+ youth exclusively.
- Lost funding totals about $240,000 per year for four years plus another $129,000 previously under review.
Stay current on Reno news by subscribing to our free daily newsletter: This Is Reno Newsletter.
This summary was generated with the assistance of AI and edited by us
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.