KUNR Public Radio: Local News Feed

Reno’s homeless shelters closed on March 21 because social distancing protocols could not be safely maintained. The City of Reno opened the downtown Reno Events Center to provide safer housing for approximately 400 people, but the increased complexity and cost of doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic is driving an anticipated budget deficit for shelter operators, that may well surpass $1 million.

Rising food insecurity has been one outcome of the job losses associated with COVID-19 non-essential business closures. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is seeing a significant increase in the number of people who need help. KUNR’s Stephanie Serrano sat down with Spokesperson Jocelyn Lantrip to understand some of the challenges the Food Bank is facing.

During an online press conference Sunday afternoon, Governor Steve Sisolak announced a statewide residential and commercial eviction moratorium.

Coronavirus In Nevada Updates: Tuesday, March 31 9:18 p.m. | March 31, 2020 By Danna O'Connor

If you’re starting to feel sick, what do you do? Sore throat, exhaustion, trouble breathing... No doubt at that point you’d have COVID-19 on your mind.

Public schools across Nevada remain closed as part of the state’s ongoing effort to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. But to prevent students from losing ground midway through the academic year, districts are turning to distance learning plans. To talk about what that means for the 64,000 students enrolled in Washoe County schools, KUNR’s Paul Boger spoke with Debbie Biersdorff, the district’s chief academic officer.

The shortage of personal protective equipment used by health workers has been a nationwide problem during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Providers are grappling with the challenges presented to them and they're looking at various other ways to protect themselves and the community.

Friday, the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Board will decide if ex-military barracks in Stead can be used as emergency housing for the houseless during the COVID-19 pandemic. KUNR’s Stephanie Serrano and Lucia Starbuck discussed how people without stable shelter are feeling, and what's being done to protect this vulnerable population.

Nevada is seeing a surge in new unemployment claims because of business closures. Several locals said they are finding it hard to file for unemployment with the uptick in filing.

Support for our series Private Prison: Locking Down The Facts came from The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit news organization that partners with journalists and newsrooms to support in-depth reporting and education around the globe.