Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UNLV broke up its diversity office. Students wonder whether it’s a change in name only. - The Nevada Independent

1 3

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 4h

“It's done only for the sake of preventing any chance that we do end up on the radar for the Trump administration. All it's doing is adding a little bit more bureaucratic tape...UNLV is trying to appease and do it the best that it can."

via Isabella Aldrete

thenevadaindependent.com/article/unlv...

Many students at UNLV, even if they didn’t personally participate in DEI programs, acknowledged that they provide important resources to the campus community. Several of the students interviewed by Th...

Senate approves bill to help vets exposed to nuclear contamination in Nevada - The Nevada Independent

2 7

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 1d

The Senate passed a defense authorization bill this week that would help veterans who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range more easily access health benefits.

via Mini Racker

thenevadaindependent.com/article/sena...

The House and Senate will now negotiate a final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, likely directing millions to state military facilities.

How did the son of a laundress for local brothels end up one of America’s most powerful politicians and the Senate’s most bare-knuckled Democrat? P...

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 1d

100 days!

www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ga...

The Game Changer

www.simonandschuster.com

Elon Musk’s Boring Co. accused of nearly 800 environmental violations on Las Vegas project - The Nevada Independent

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 2d

So Musk's company that is building tunnels underneath Las Vegas has been cited hundreds of times by state regulators. The cease-and-desist letter in this story by @AnjeanetteDamon and @OyVegas that we were happy to co-publish is stunning.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/elon...

Elon Musk’s Boring Co. accused of nearly 800 environmental violations on Las Vegas project. Read more from The Nevada Independent.

Nevadans in Congress frustrated as government shutdown drags into 2nd week - The Nevada Independent

1 16 45

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 2d

"..Rosen (D-NV) said during a press call..that only Cortez Masto could explain her votes. Rosen has voted against the GOP’s resolutions, she said, because 'I believe that fighting for people's health care is one of the most important things I can do.'”

thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...

With air traffic controllers calling out sick and small business loans on pause, Nevada lawmakers on both sides express concern.

Reid's first year as Dem leader: Heading off the nuclear option, appearing on national TV and articulating a vision

1 5 15

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 3d

My latest tease for my Harry Reid bio:

Talking points on the nuclear option in 2005, a lot different from 2013, prepping for his first big interview as Dem leader and...Norman Lear (!) on Reid.

Pre-order the book already!

jonralston.substack.com/p/reids-firs...

And a note about the legendary Norman Lear!

Nevada child vaccine rates continue decline, raising herd immunity concerns - The Nevada Independent

1 2 9

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 3d

Vaccine rates for kids are declining in NV, inc. for measles, a very concerning trend.

Public health officials worry about vax exemptions, trust issues, shifting fed rules and "hostile anti-vaccine rhetoric from the Trump administration."

thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...

Nevada child vaccine rates continue decline, raising herd immunity concerns. Read more from The Nevada Independent.

Reid's early-warning system for re-election and an eventful meeting with Obama

2 7

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 3d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 2009, a coalition opposing same-sex marriage in NV withdrew its stay request. Gov. Sandoval: "This action brings finality to the issue of same sex marriage in Nevada."

Days 'til my Reid bio: 102
Days 'til 2026 election: 390

1 4

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 3d

ICYMI:

"Lieberman turning into Zel Miller
"Should we ask him to stop attending the weekly caucus?
Any other actions for dealing with his behavior?"

Harry Reid's agenda for a meeting w/Obama in 2008.

More inside docs, more to come -- pre-order the book!

jonralston.substack.com/p/reids-earl...

He wondered in 2008 if Joe Lieberman was becoming Zell Miller

Why do lawsuits claim Las Vegas operates a ‘shadow police force’? - The Nevada Independent

1 3

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 4d

Great explainer via @Oona_Milliken about what powers city marshals have as lawsuits against them have proliferated. Are they acting as a "shadow police force?"

thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...

Why do lawsuits claim Las Vegas operates a ‘shadow police force’? Read more from The Nevada Independent.

Reid's early-warning system for re-election and an eventful meeting with Obama

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 4d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 2009, the inaugural game of the United Football League was played at Sam Boyd Stadium as the Las Vegas Locomotives beat the California Redwoods, 30-17, before 14K fans.

Days 'til my Reid bio: 103
Days 'til 2026 election: 391

1 3

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 4d

My latest Substack post teasing my Harry Reid bio has internal emails from 2006 among staffers warning four years in advance that he might be in trouble and a 2008 memo about an Obama meeting wondering how to deal with Joe Lieberman.

Enjoy and pre-order!

jonralston.substack.com/p/reids-earl...

He wondered in 2008 if Joe Lieberman was becoming Zell Miller

Introducing our 2026 Nevada campaigns newsletter - The Nevada Independent

1 4

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 5d

Our elections newsletter is back!

The place to find out all the campaign news from The #WeMatter State had its first edition of the cycle today, with all kinds of great info.

Subscribe, read, love.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/intr...

Introducing our 2026 Nevada campaigns newsletter. Read more from The Nevada Independent.

Teachers’ posts on Charlie Kirk raise questions about the limits of free speech in schools - The Nevada Independent

2

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 5d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 1982, Ronald Reagan was the first sitting president to visit the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Gov. Bob List and Sen. Paul Laxalt attended the rally.

Days 'til my Reid bio: 104
Days 'til 2026 election: 392

3

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 6d

This is an interesting issue, not so obvious what administrators can do in these cases. This issue came to the fore after a few school district employees made posts after Charlie Kirk’s murder.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/teac...

Although the First Amendment offers broad free speech protections, a local attorney said courts have become increasingly tolerant of school policies that restrict speech they deem disruptive.

Rising insurance costs complicate Nevada marketplace’s open enrollment effort - The Nevada Independent

5

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 6d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 1980, NBC Nightly News' "Wayne Newton and the Law" alleged Newton, who wanted to buy the Aladdin, had mob ties. He sued, won $22M, but it was eventually overturned.

Days 'til my Reid bio: 105
Days 'til 2026 election: 393

1 11

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 6d

"..brokers and clients say they are concerned that the loss of enhanced subsidies will drive costs even higher and deter some Nevadans from purchasing plans for 2026."
thenevadaindependent.com/article/risi...

About 86 percent of people on the state’s insurance marketplace receive subsidies that are set to expire and will likely further drive up costs.

Vegas man’s immigration arrest, caught on video, stirs questions about ICE transparency - The Nevada Independent

2 3

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 9d

ICE officers go into Vegas neighborhood and arrest 56-year-old with outstanding removal order from 2002 after he filed for political asylum, then he disappears, family finally finds him in a local hospital barely able to breathe.

Stunning stuff.

thenevadaindependent.com/article/vega...

The family — as well as some legal experts — contend that Lopez Gomez’s case highlights ICE’s lack of transparency on detainee whereabouts and their safety. Although many aspects about his case are no...

20 230 410

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 9d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 2010, the Las Vegas RJ opined: “The direction of this nation is at stake. This election offers a clear choice." An endorsement of Sharron Angle against Sen. Harry Reid.

Days 'til my Reid bio: 108
Days 'til 2026 election: 396

https://jonralston.substack.com/p/artifacts-of…

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 10d

My latest Substack teasing my Harry Reid bio with some choice bits about his relationship with Schumer and how Reid wanted Schumer to use Sharpton and Jackson against Ned Lamont in the 2006 CT Senate race to help Lieberman.

And a Don King photo, too!

jonralston.substack.com/p/artifacts-of…

6

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 11d

Good morning from The #WeMatter State.

On this day in 2009, former legislator/NV GOP Chair Sue Lowden announced for U.S. Senate. She was favored to win the primary and defeat Harry Reid. Then came "chickens for checkups."

Days 'til my Reid bio: 110
Days 'til 2026 election: 398

A rare glimpse behind the Reid fundraising machine

RalstonReports @ralstonreports.bsky.social · 11d

My latest Substack with a note that has a rare glimpse behind the Reid fundraising machine and how far the network extended, with a bonus of him saying he went to PBS leadership to complain about lil ole me.

Enjoy and pre-order the book!

jonralston.substack.com/p/a-rare-gli...

118 days to publication of my Harry Reid biography — don’t forget to preorder!