Thank you for listening.

Vegas hosts the Super Bowl, a new program offers pre-K on wheels and reporter Sean Golonka gives a fond farewell.  

Host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Howard Stutz about what it was like to cover the Super Bowl and how gaming and tourism numbers look after the big game. After that, reporter Rocío Hernández explains how a new mobile preschool program in Clark County is helping communities that are lacking in child care and early education options. At the end of the show, Joey says goodbye to friend and colleague Sean Golonka, who has moved to Seattle. The two reminisce about some of Sean’s fondest memories of Nevada and his favorite stories to work on while at The Indy.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Howard Stutz - @howardstutz

Rocío Hernández - @rociohzz

Sean Golonka - @s_golonka

Read the stories

Wagering on Super Bowl LVIII sets a record at $185.6M

City of Las Vegas addressing child care shortage with mobile pre-K program

How rural Nevada became the next battleground for the ‘Big Lie’

Highlights from a community listening event put on by The Nevada Independent and Vegas PBS.  

On this episode of IndyMatters, host Joey Lovato brings your highlights from a community listening event that is co-moderated by The Indy’s Naoka Foreman and Vegas PBS’s Amber Renee Dixon. The event, which is the latest installment of The Nevada Democracy Project, was held at the College of Southern Nevada’s West Charleston Campus and garnered comments from people ages 8 to 80 and from all walks of life. You’ll hear some of the highlights on this episode. We’ll also share some of the best clips from our new politics podcast called On The Trail.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Read/Watch/Listen to the stories

The Nevada Democracy Project Feb. 13 listening session

On The Trail

D.C. Download

What early voting numbers tell us about the primary and caucus, and pushback as the Clark County superintendent seeks a contract buyout.  

This week, host Joey Lovato chats with CEO and Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Sean Golonka about what early voting turnout data can tell us about Nevadans’ presidential preferences. After that, education reporter Rocío Hernández breaks down the developing situation with Clark County Superintendent Jesus Jara, who plans to resign after more than five years leading the district and is seeking a severance package. At the end of the show, KUNR General Manager Brian Duggan sits down with Joey to discuss the formal partnership between Reno’s public radio station and The Nevada Independent. 

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Jon Ralston - @RalstonReports

Sean Golonka - @s_golonka

Rocío Hernández - @rociohzz

Brian Duggan - @brianduggan

Read the stories

Nevada primary turnout: More than 151,000 votes cast, mostly by mail

Jesus Jara, embattled Clark County superintendent, submits conditional resignation letter

A crashed spy plane in Nevada’s desert offers insight into the state’s history of military aviation testing and the UFO conspiracy theories it touched off.

On Oct. 25, 1967, an SR-71 Blackbird spy plane called Aspen 28 crashed outside of Lovelock. This week, host Joey Lovato heads out into rural Nevada with nuclear physicist and aerospace enthusiast Taylor Wilson to find the wreckage. Along the way, Joey talks with Area 51 historian Peter Merlin to learn about the history of the secretive military base.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Taylor Wilson - @Taylor_Wilson

Peter Merlin - Dreamland: The Secret History of Area 51

READ THE STORY

Blackbird crash site highlights Nevada’s key role in Cold War era aerospace testing

The Super Bowl will be in Las Vegas in February. What does that mean for the city, tourism, traffic and more?

This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis discuss the implications of football’s biggest event coming to Las Vegas both to the tourism industry as a whole and for the average resident priced out of the game. They hear from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and reporter Howard Stutz.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv

Guests

Steve Hill - @SHillforVegas, @LVCVA

Howard Stutz - @howardstutz

Marilyn Kirkpatrick - @MKNVspeaks

A profile on the analyst who has influenced Nevada’s biggest tax policies of the past two decades and a story on sealing abandoned mines.

This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Sean Golonka about Jeremy Aguero, who has had a singular role in controversial tax and stadium deals that shaped the state. After that, environmental reporter Amy Alonzo talks about an effort to seal up thousands of abandoned mines in Nevada and why the agency tasked with doing it is so underfunded.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Sean Golonka - @s_golonka

Amy Alonzo

Read the stories

Jeremy Aguero’s Nevada: How a well-connected consultant shaped the state over two decades

Nevada has the most abandoned mines in the nation. Why is it taking so long to seal them?

A breakdown of caucuses vs. primaries in Nevada and all the information you need to know to participate.

This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporters Jacob Solis and Gabby Birenbaum about the difference between the Republican caucus and both parties’ primaries in Nevada, giving you important information you need to know on how to cast your vote. The three also go over why there has been so much confusion with dueling Republican contests and what the general election will look like in comparison.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv

Gabby Birenbaum - @birenbomb

What new laws are on the books and what big news should Nevadans look out for in 2024?

This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporters Sean Golonka and Eric Neugeboren about new laws that took effect for Nevadans at the start of the year. After that, CEO/Editor Jon Ralston and Managing Editor Michelle Rindels go over everything that The Indy plans to cover in 2024 and what big news stories are expected.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Sean Golonka - @s_golonka

Eric Neugeboren - @eric_neugeboren

Jon Ralston - @RalstonReports

Michelle Rindels - @MichelleRindels

Read the stories

Medicaid expansions, prison reforms among more than 80 laws taking effect Jan. 1

Reporters at The Indy reminisce about their favorite stories that they reported on this year, and we say a farewell to co-host Alex Couraud as her podcasting internship comes to a close.

Hosts

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Read the stories

Lyon County student-run turkey farm serving up lessons on business, agriculture skills

‘It absolutely hurts:’ Oakland fans lament possible loss of the A’s to Las Vegas

Networking group for Latinas helping Vegas mom reach her entrepreneurial dreams

Black Nevadans reconnect with family trees that were ‘extremely interrupted by slavery’

‘I am who I am’: Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman known for downtown renewal, speaking her mind

Challenges emerge as UNR continues expansion of dual credit program into Southern Nevada

‘It will never end’: Long a symbol of the West, debate rages over wild horse management

The battle over how to manage Nevada’s wild horses

Conservation and development: Nevada's unique public lands process draws renewed attention

'Phenomenal boon': How Nevada's signature public lands law ushered in growth, conservation

‘Destined to fail’: How Nevada’s $80 million HR, finance system upgrade went haywire

What Tesla’s multibillion-dollar Gigafactory expansion means for Nevada

‘Autism is lifelong:’ Advocates say new law expanding autism coverage to adults will make a difference

Hunger this holiday season

Follow along as IndyMatters takes a deep dive into physician-assisted death. It’s an issue that has a long history in the Nevada Legislature and is the topic of much religious debate across the country.   

In today’s episode, host Alex Couraud gives an intimate picture of one of life’s hardest topics – death. She talks with people who have had close emotional experiences with terminally ill people who want a say in how they die, and explores how religion affects the issue and what might have led Gov. Joe Lombardo to veto a bill that would have made the practice legal in Nevada.  

Host

Alex Couraud — @alexcouraud

Guests

Melissa Dike 

Valerie Quapay

Mara Buchbinder

Lori Freedman

Benjamin Zober

Elliot Malin

A geyser is reemerging in south Reno, and a look at what we might expect from this winter.

This week, host Joey Lovato and reporter Alex Couraud talk to scientist Taylor Wilson about a geyser that is reemerging in south Reno and what it could teach us about energy, space and the origin of life. After that, Joey walks along the Truckee River, talking to Chris Smallcomb with the National Weather Service about what we might be able to expect from the coming winter.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Taylor Wilson - @Taylor_Wilson

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Chris Smallcomb - @downslopewind

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Indy Environment: How a south Reno hot spring can offer hints about life on Mars

Wet water year all but erases Nevada drought

A public art project about water, a discussion about the Nevada Democracy Project and a chat about GivingTuesday.

This week, host Joey Lovato chats with reporter Daniel Rothberg about a public art piece in Reno that stretches through much of downtown. Later, Joey and reporter Naoka Foreman discuss the Nevada Democracy Project and how community listening sessions are informing reporting at The Indy. At the end of the show, Joey and Indy revenue team member Caty Foley talk about GivingTuesday.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Daniel Rothberg - @danielrothberg

Naoka Foreman - @naokadforeman

Caty Foley - @CatyatNVINDY

Read the stories

Artist uses Truckee River sidewalk poem to meditate on science, time, place

Listening session: Residents say racism, redlining is root of problems in West Las Vegas

Support our work

Happy Thanksgiving from the IndyMatters team. In today’s episode, learn about how hunger is affecting our state this holiday, and what a special flower means to Nevada. 

This week, host Alex Couraud focuses on food insecurity in the Silver State by highlighting work being done by The Community Food Pantry of Northern Nevada — a local nonprofit that delivers food each Saturday to residents of Reno’s weekly motels. Then, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Amy Alonzo about why Nevada is a hotbed for orchids.

Host

Joey Lovato — @Joey_Lovato_

Alex Couraud — @alexcouraud

Guests

Elyse Monroy — @elysemonroy 

The Community Food Pantry — @thecommunityfoodpantry 

Amy Alonzo 

Read the stories

Inside two Nevada scientists’ quest to conserve, track desert orchids

 

The pros and cons of bringing one of Europe's most popular motorsports to Sin City.

This week, hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis talk about Formula One (F1) on the eve of the first F1 race in Las Vegas in over 40 years. They go over the possible economic benefits and the struggles Southern Nevadans have dealt with as The Strip undergoes repaving and shutdowns before the race. They talk with former Gov. Steve Sisolak, analyst Brendan Bussmann and reporter Jannelle Calderón, who braved The Strip to talk to tourists about F1.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv

Guests

Steve Sisolak - @SteveSisolak

Brendan Bussmann - @BGlobalAdvisors

Jannelle Calderón - @NewsyJan

Read the stories

As Vegas race nears, will locals embrace F1?

A celebration of IndyMatters after 300 episodes, some big news from Editor Elizabeth Thompson and a discussion about the state of the news industry and the history of The Indy with CEO Jon Ralston, Co-Managing Editor Michelle Rindels, Spanish Editor Luz Gray and former Assistant Editor Jackie Valley.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Guests

Jon Ralston - @RalstonReports

Michelle Rindels - @MichelleRindels

Luz Gray - @LuzGrayNV

Jackie Valley - @JackieValley

Elizabeth Thompson - @elizthompsn

Read the stories 

A fond farewell

Catching up on House speaker chaos in D.C., learning about a furry friend in Nevada’s waterways, and a cyberattack on the Clark County School District (CCSD).

This week, host Joey Lovato catches up with D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum as the two talk about the tumult of the House not having a leader for three weeks. After that, reporter Rocío Hernández explains what happened with a cyberattack on the Clark County School District and what it means for student learning. At the end of the show, host Alex Couraud and reporter Amy Alonzo chat about beavers in Nevada and how they’re playing a role in Nevada water conservation.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Guests

Gabby Birenbaum - @birenbomb

Amy Alonzo - No Twitter

Rocío Hernández - @rociohzz

Read the stories

After initially demurring, Amodei votes to elect Mike Johnson as speaker

Rehydrating Nevada’s riparian areas, one beaver at a time

Clark County students back to pen and paper assignments after cybersecurity breach

An interview with outgoing Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and a recap of the annular solar eclipse that passed over northeastern Nevada.

This week, host Joey Lovato talks with reporter Carly Sauvageau about her interview with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman – looking back on her career as mayor as she is termed out and will be leaving office in 2024. After that, co-host Alex Couraud and Joey chat about the solar eclipse that passed over Nevada. Joey also chats with photographer Daniel Clark, who was out in Ely photographing the eclipse.  

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Guests

Carolyn Goodman - @mayoroflasvegas

Carly Sauvageau - @csauvageau_1998

Daniel Clark - @DanJClarkPhoto

Read the stories

‘Ring of fire’ solar eclipse to pass directly over Nevada

The Indy celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by profiling two Latino-owned businesses in Nevada and their impact on their communities.  

This week, host Alex Couraud and reporter Jannelle Calderon explore the history of Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate the diversity that exists within the Latino community in Nevada. Alex chats with Gerzon Chaves, owner of Tiempo Latino Dance Company in Reno. Jannelle sits down with Ernest Madrid, owner of Chops barbershop in Las Vegas to better understand what Latinidad looks like in the Silver State.

Host

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Jannelle Calderón - @NewsyJan

Guests

Gerzon Chaves - @tiempo_latino_dance_company

Vanesa de la Cruz - @VanesadelaCruz_

Ernest Mardid - @chops_barbershop_dtlv

The Indy goes to Fallon for the annual Cantaloupe Festival, hosts a live event on the plight of local news and discusses Latino voter trends.

This week, host Alex Couraud and reporter Carly Sauvageau head out to the annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and County Fair. After that, we have a short segment from our event on the plight of local news. At the end of the show, Alex and reporter Jannelle Calderón talk with Indy CEO Jon Ralston about Latino voters.

Host

Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_

Alex Couraud - @alexcouraud

Guests

Carly Sauvageau - @csauvageau_1998

Jon Ralston - @RalstonReports

Jannelle Calderón - @NewsyJan

Read the stories

IndyTalks: The Plight of Local News

Fallon Cantaloupe Festival stems from hardy melon with roots in Churchill County

Analysis: Lack of GOP gains among NV Latino voters boosted Cortez Masto in 2022