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.
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This summary was generated with the assistance of AI and edited by us
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