In the final episode recorded in 2025, This Is Reno’s Bob Conrad and Kristen Hackbarth look back at the stories, controversies and figures that defined the year in northern Nevada. From local leaders making waves to overlooked investigations and courthouse drama, this year-end wrap-up highlights Reno’s big moments — the good, the bad and the quietly consequential.

🗞️ The newsmakers of the year

We spotlight four individuals who generated headlines in 2025:

• Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch for her community advocacy and challenge to the state’s “Hollywood handout” session.
• Commissioner Mike Clark, known for demanding transparency and mellowing his approach in 2025.
• Olivia Tanager, Sierra Club Toiyabe director, credited for reinvigorating local environmental advocacy.
• Manny Becerra, Reno planning commissioner, recognized for pushing for guardrails on data center developments.

The underreported stories of 2025

We highlight 10 major local stories that went largely unreported elsewhere:

1. Reno’s legislative maneuvering to allow city council members to fire planning commissioners.
2. Fire board legislation that would have allowed property “assessments,” criticized as an end-run around voters.
3. Peppermill Casino’s AI facial recognition error, leading to a wrongful arrest.
4. TMCC’s $300,000 settlement after an academic freedom case loss.
5. Reno’s skyrocketing employee costs and city budget transparency.
6. City travel audit failure (80% error rate) and elimination of the auditing office.
7. Councilmember Devon Reese’s ethics case, covered in depth beyond press releases.
8. Recurring radon issues in the Washoe County courthouse.
9. City landscape maintenance failures and fire hazards in public spaces.
10. Secret Service raid on Washoe County’s Department of Alternative Sentencing — the most underreported local story of the year.

Top-read stories of 2025

Based on web traffic, the most-read This Is Reno stories were:

10. Washoe prosecutor fired over disturbing videos.

9. Toro Bravo opens in downtown Reno.

8. City removes expiration on sewer fee credits.

7. McCarran Boulevard fatal crashes highlight safety concerns.

6. Investigation into Washoe County’s DAS department.

5. Early closures of local elementary schools.

4. School district lawsuit over special education funding.

3. SOBER 24 and DAS fallout.

2. Arrest of former Reno police commander Tom Robinson on child solicitation charges.

1. Rupert Murdoch trust case sealed in Washoe County, later reopened by Nevada’s Supreme Court — our most-read story of the year.

Looking ahead to 2026

We preview next year’s political landscape:

• Major races: Reno mayor, district attorney, attorney general and governor.
• Ongoing coverage: data center growth, fire study results and development oversight.

We close by urging candidates to be transparent — and early — with information as election season approaches.

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Kristen and Bob this week break down Reno’s major local stories. These include the second straight year of budget shortfalls at City Hall, the ongoing downtown noise dispute after the J Resort Halloween EDM concert, TMCC’s $300,000 settlement with professor Lars Jensen, shifting city conversations on homelessness enforcement, concerns over souped-up e-bikes and scooters and takeaways from Nevada’s recent special legislative session. 

City of Reno’s budget shortfall

• Reno is staring at an estimated $24 million budget gap for a second consecutive fiscal year.
• Slower-than-expected consolidated tax (C-tax) revenues alongside rising labor costs (wages, PERS, health care) are to blame.
• Collective bargaining increases, particularly for police unions since 2019, outpace typical private-sector COLA ranges, intensifying costs to the city's general fund.
• City leaders are exploring fee increases and franchise renegotiations.

Downtown noise controversy after halloween EDM show

• A festival-grounds EDM show sparked widespread complaints after low-frequency bass was heard miles away.
• Council is weighing how to measure and enforce noise (shifting focus to C-weighted levels for bass); ideas include trial permits and physical noise-mitigation structures.
• Tension remains between downtown vibrancy and livability for growing numbers of residents. 

TMCC's $300,000 lawsuit settlement

• Truckee Meadows Community College agreed to pay $300,000 to end a long dispute with math professor Lars Jensen tied to speech and governance conflicts.
• As part of the settlement, TMCC will issue a statement acknowledging adverse employment actions; Jensen will retire by July 1.
• The Ninth Circuit previously ruled against TMCC, catalyzing the outcome. 

Homelessness Policy: Services versus enforcement

• Council discussion and police updates highlighted a push from some council members for “zero-tolerance” enforcement downtown despite limited homeless shelter capacity.
• With community court discontinued, citations may translate more often into arrests—adding strain on already short-staffed RPD and complicating outcomes for unhoused residents.
• Advocates note gaps in the city/county resource listings and warn that removing aid distribution downtown doesn’t address basic needs. 

E-Bikes and scooters raise safety concerns

• Reno police flagged a rise in modified high-power e-bikes/scooters ridden by youth at roadway speeds without helmets, plates or DMV inspections where required.
• Police plan community education; parents could be liable in crashes involving underage riders on non-street-legal machines. 

Nevada's Special Session: A big, fat dud?

• Critics labeled the session a “dud” for lack of urgency and transparency.
• Remote public comment was curtailed, and some high-profile bills were stalled.
• One notable pass: an unfunded mandate establishing roughly $60M in grants aimed at expanding Nevada’s health-care workforce, especially in rural areas (awaiting the governor's signature).

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Kristen and Bob cover this week’s major Reno news — from a deputy district attorney’s firing over social media posts to lawsuits involving UNR and the Reno Police Department. We also discuss the return of the homelessness advisory board, our documentary on homelessness and Reno’s new “death café.”

📰 Deputy district attorney fired

A Washoe County Deputy District attorney, Aziz Merchant, was fired from the DA's office after local attorneys raised concerns over his social media videos. The content, described as misogynistic and suggestive of violence, drew public criticism and a swift response from the DA’s office. 

🎓 UNR lawsuit over toxic academic environment

A graduate student in the University of Nevada, Reno’s clinical psychology program filed a lawsuit alleging harassment. She claims the department’s long-standing problems hindered her progress toward a doctoral degree. 

🚔 False arrest lawsuit after AI facial recognition fail

A Reno police officer is being sued after a man was misidentified by Peppermill Casino’s AI facial recognition system. Despite presenting valid IDs, the man was arrested and later cleared. The city’s defense is that Real IDs can still be fraudulent. 

🏘️ Homelessness advisory board to meet after 18 months

The county’s community homelessness advisory board plans to reconvene for the first time since May 2024. We also discuss the Good Neighbors Warming Shelter, which begins its second year providing overnight refuge at several churches. 

🎥 Our documentary, “A City in Crisis,” is now available on YouTube

Our documentary, “A City in Crisis,” traces Reno’s homelessness challenges from 2010 to 2024. It features footage from local vigils and examines the gap between government responses and on-the-ground realities. The film is now available on YouTube.

⚖️ Self-professor First Amendment auditor hit with restraining order

First Amendment activist Drew Ribar was issued a restraining order after a judge found a pattern of harassment against attorneys and community members. While the court acknowledged his right to film in public, the judge determined that his behavior crossed into harassment. 

🖤 Reno’s “Biggest Little Death Café”

A new monthly gathering at the Radical Cat bookstore brings people together to talk openly about death and dying. Hosted by two local death doulas, the event encourages honest conversation around end-of-life issues. The segment closed with reflections on why discussing mortality matters for everyone.

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Kristen and Bob recap the latest Reno news headlines, such as the not-so-shocking news that “John Doe” in the GPS tracker case is Robert Beadles. We also award ourselves two “dookies,” clarifying a Verdi TV district budget gap and misleading school spending reporting. A $1.4 billion road repair backlog could lead to increased fees on electric and hybrid vehicles, plus the dramatic rise in the cost of living and Reno’s beleaguered downtown. 

Recorded Nov. 3, 2025

GPS tracker case update

The “John Doe” behind the trackers is Robert Beadles. We review the 2022 case of a GPS device secretly placed on Mayor Hillary Schieve’s car and another on former Commissioner Vaughn Hartung’s vehicle.

Verdi TV district and WCSD budget reporting

We award ourselves “one dookie” for implying actual spending at the Verdi TV district, clarifying the roughly $100,000 shortfall is projected and covered by reserves. Another dookie is awarded for WCSD reporting on the $275,000 facilities consulting contract versus the main operating budget and teacher contracts.

Road funding and EV fees

A Washoe RTC presentation shows the region faces about a $1.4 billion 10-year road maintenance deficit and new discussions focus on having EVs and hybrids contribute, by way of new fees, because they do not contribute—or contribute less—to fuel taxes. 

The city’s economic outlook

An economist told Reno’s council the area’s cost of living is up 29% since 2018, and a young family would need about 33 years of saving to afford a home, up from eight years in 1990. We also touch on AI’s job impacts, a need to build talent in healthcare and the growing interest in changing Nevada’s property tax structure.

Enforcement and quality-of-life downtown

Council member Kathleen Taylor pressed for stricter enforcement of ordinances downtown, including against jaywalking. We cover complaints about loud music and other deterrents from visiting downtown.

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In the latest Reno news podcast, Kristen and Bob walk through a packed week: Washoe County got a new manager among four finalists for county manager, while the county commissioners put the little-known Verdi Television District on the hot seat.

Jacobs Entertainment dangles a downtown youth sports complex that was met with some environmental concerns. The Truckee Meadows Water Authority says our long-term water picture is better than people often think. Sparks faces a lawsuit over a teen suicide response, and Reno city staff offer candid criticism of their own city leadership.

Recorded Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

Washoe County’s next manager

• Washoe County launched a nationwide search after former county manager Eric Brown left in June after nearly five years. They received about 900 applications and narrowed it to four finalists.

Verdi Television District grilled by the county

The Verdi TV District is a small government subdivision — like other GIDs — that collects taxpayer money but no public-facing information. 

A legislative amendment, prompted by KOLO-TV’s reporting on the district, now basically requires these TV districts to post the basics: agendas, minutes, members, financials. Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch said even her office struggled to find any info on the district. Right now, a difficult-to-find website has only a couple of 2025 agendas. 

Jacobs Entertainment’s new play: a downtown youth sports complex

In its regular update to the Reno City Council, Jacobs Entertainment brought a new shiny proposal: a 12-field youth sports complex downtown, to be built over six years, with four fields open by next June. Council members loved the tourism angle and the potential hotel demand. 

Council members Naomi Duerr and Megan Ebert raised concerns that plastic turf will worsen the urban heat island downtown — some turf can get well over 120°F — and kids could literally burn sliding across it. There were also flags about PFAS or “forever chemicals.”  

Water outlook: surprisingly solid

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) released its latest water resource plan. It’s long, but the headline is positive: The region has adequate water supplies for the next 20 years and, likely through the end of the century

Sparks lawsuit after teen suicide response

Newly released 911 recordings in a November 2024 incident show Sparks responders were told to stand down because the call didn’t yet meet a “medical emergency” threshold. REMSA arrived 28 minutes after a mother’s first call expressing concerns about her song’s wellbeing; by then a firefighter neighbor had already forced entry and started CPR. The teen later died. The parents, Sarah Toliver and Christopher Schatz, filed suit Oct. 7 alleging wrongful death and negligent training/supervision against the city of Sparks. 

Reno city staff’s blunt internal comments

The city released a batch of staff comments about how Reno is being run — and they sound a lot more like what residents say than what city PR says. Complaints included:

• “Reckless spending” and approving raises without revenue to cover them
• Top-heavy management: “too many managers and analysts and not enough worker bees”
• Manual, broken payroll system for a city this size
• Short city-manager tenures leading to inconsistency
• Hiring based on relationships versus qualifications
• Departments operating like “island countries” instead of one organization 

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Kristen and Bob give a rundown of the latest big news in Reno. We discuss the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, a regional child-exploitation sting that led to the arrest of a former deputy police chief, Washoe County’s move to dissolve its Department of Alternative Sentencing, an ethics case resolution involving a Sparks council member and questions over the library system’s funding. 

Recorded Oct. 20, 2025.

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“No Kings” rallies

• Large protests were held nationwide for the second time this year; organizers’ figures were debated, but Reno’s turnout was described as “thousands,” with no reported violence. 
• Demonstrators criticized what they said was increasingly authoritarian rhetoric and policies from the Trump administration.
• Notable visuals included inflatable-costume groups; online reactions were heated and, often, racist and unnecessarily antagonistic. 

HEAT sting & former deputy chief’s arrest

• A two-day regional operation by the Human Exploitation and Trafficking team and partner agencies led to 13 arrests, including retired Reno Police Deputy Chief Tommy Robinson. 
• Tactics described included undercover online interactions posing as minors; charges cited included solicitation, attempted sexual assault, luring, attempted kidnapping and drug offenses. 
• Discussion touched on Nevada’s age-of-consent law, how online conduct can alter legal exposure, and defense claims of potential entrapment—claims local judges have not generally embraced. 

Department of Alternative Sentencing to dissolve

• Washoe County commissioners voted to begin dissolving DAS after audits and investigations sparked months of turmoil; officials framed the move as efficiency-driven. 
• Employees and union reps argued staff were being penalized for leadership failures; public defenders supported consolidating pretrial supervision in one agency for consistency. 
• Next steps include ordinance actions and administrative work; Jan. 1 was mentioned as a target to finalize changes, though legal and political hurdles could extend the timeline. 

Ethics & Elections: Sparks Councilmember cleared in ethics probe

• Rodriguez, who faced an ethics complaint for appearing in uniform during a prior school-board campaign, was effectively cleared in a settlement following court proceedings. 
• The conversation contrasted his case—use of an existing job photo—against Governor Joe Lombardo’s separate matter involving a uniformed campaign production, which resulted in a payment to the state’s general fund. 
• Broader context questioned whether the state ethics commission acts with sufficient teeth compared with standards in other professions. 

Library system’s uncertain horizon

• The Washoe County Library system advanced a budget that relies on the remaining “expansion fund” to keep branches open and fill vacancies in the near term. 
• Concern centered on what happens after those dollars are exhausted (around FY27), while there is leadership instability. 

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Kristen and Bob return with a new discussion on the latest Reno news headlines. This episode covers Washoe County’s plan to dissolve its Department of Alternative Sentencing, results from the city of Reno’s community survey, the sewer-rate debate and feedback, Stonegate’s zoning appeal and Nevada DMV’s new tool for reporting unregistered vehicles. 

Episode recorded Oct. 13, 2025

County moves to dissolve Alternative Sentencing
Commissioners were expected to advance dissolving the Department of Alternative Sentencing (DAS) after a year marked by an investigation tied to former chief Justin Roper and a federal raid of the office. An internal review released mid-year flagged numerous issues, including unauthorized traffic stops, misuse of county vehicles and weak controls. The audit committee counted roughly 70 findings. If dissolution proceeds, an ordinance would be drafted for final approval, aiming for a January 1, 2026 effective date. 

Survey reveals mixed views of downtown, city services
Top perceptions among respondents: Reno as a good place to live (about 64%), visit (57%), and work (52%); fewer than 4,000 people responded, above the city’s target but not presented as a representative sample. Lowest ratings were for travel by public transportation (10% “good/very good”), micromobility (~20%), and walking (16%). Downtown perceptions skewed negative: 9% “good” and 1.3% “very good,” while 65.3% rated the downtown experience “poor/very poor.” Services faring better included Reno Fire (72%), 911 (63%), and city activities (53.3%). 

Sewer rates: vote delayed after public pushback
The Reno City Council postponed a proposed 8% annual sewer-rate increase for the next two years, seeking more information. Public comments—just under 300 submissions—were overwhelmingly against the hike; only about a dozen supported it. 

Governing board reverses StoneGate rezoning denial
After the TMRPA Planning Commission twice said no, the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency Governing Board approved Stonegate’s appeal, allowing the rezoning to proceed. The board chair emphasized the decision addressed whether the prior denial was “legal and just,” not a specific project approval. The conversation also noted that data centers in Reno currently require a Conditional Use Permit. 

Devon Reese ethics case update
The Nevada Commission on Ethics dismissed complaints against Council member Devon Reese for not meeting the evidentiary threshold of proving personal enrichment when spending city of Reno taxpayer funds. During public comment—after the agenda item—Reese criticized the commission and threatened its director. 

DMV launches unregistered-vehicle reporting tool
The Nevada DMV introduced an online form for reporting unregistered vehicles. The tool drew heavy early use. 

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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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On today’s show, Kristen and Bob break down a packed local news week: The ongoing Lear Theater debate, a fresh round of NV Energy refunds and climate grades, the city of Reno scraps a much-anticipated data-centers meeting while Sparks presses ahead. There was also an ADU ordinance hiccup, and we do a rundown of our Nevada Press Association awards for the year. This episode was recorded Sept. 27, 2025.

Lear Theater proposal sparks process questions

• Reno City Council discussed an unsolicited proposal to renovate the historic Lear Theater; the city previously estimated at least $17M in repairs and must coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Office. 
• Confusion over the agenda language—specifically a “potential sale” reference—prompted criticism from the Historical Resources Commission chair; historian Alicia Barber noted “sale” wasn’t in the proposal. A public “Lear Summit” is now being planned to broaden input. 

NV Energy’s refunds, billing errors and a climate grade

• After misbilling residential categories for years, NV Energy issued $5.4 million in initial refunds and now says about $32M more will be credited to overcharged customers, roughly $40 million total.
• In Sierra Club’s “Dirty Truth” report, NV Energy received a “B,” amid discussion of coal retirements and added natural gas power. 

City of Reno cancels Oct. 1 meeting; Sparks presses forward

• A long-anticipated Oct. 1 meeting on data centers was removed from Reno’s calendar; the city cited a need for a “regional approach.”
• Those partners already meet via the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency. 
• In Sparks, council members discussed a pause/moratorium and directed staff to draft development standards; business voices urged a single regional rule set. 

ADU ordinance delayed by drafting error

• Reno’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance—recently amended to remove a short-term-rental ban—was postponed after an entire section was accidentally struck between readings; an attentive public commenter spotted the mistake. 

In our newsroom: awards roundup

• We discuss our seven Nevada Press Association honors this year, including Editorial of the Year, plus prior SPJ recognition and photo/story awards. 

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Kristen and Bob break down the latest Reno news headlines. This week, we discuss the Lear Theater’s future, a federal lawsuit tied to Burning Man, patient safety concerns at a Saint Mary’s Hospice, worker-safety allegations at UPS in Sparks, the city’s new arts board naming flap. We also give a nod to Nevada historian Guy Rocha, who recently passed away.

Lear Theater: What’s Next?

• The Reno City Council was slated to discuss unsolicited proposals to buy the long-closed Lear Theater, despite a February directive to keep it off the “for sale” list.
• Reno bought the property from Artown for $875,000.
• Restoration remains unfunded; prior estimates top $17 million for any work that must meet state historic-preservation standards.
• Council could reject proposals, entertain them, or issue an RFP. (They rejected it; more later.)

Burning Man Sued Over Alleged Trespass on Public Land

• Two local YouTubers filed a federal lawsuit after being told to leave the Black Rock Desert post-event during cleanup in 2024.
• The dispute centers on whether Burning Man’s BLM permit allowed exclusion of the public during cleanup and the scope of First Amendment access on public lands.
• Defendants include Burning Man, BLM, and local sheriffs’ offices. Burning Man calls the complaint “frivolous.”

Saint Mary’s Hospice Care and Compliance Concerns

• State inspections documented multiple deficiencies, including hygiene lapses and medication record issues at Saint Mary’s Hospice.
• Parent company LHC Group (a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, associated with Optum) says a temporary admission hold was due to staffing shortages, not failed surveys.

UPS Sparks Facility: Worker Safety Allegations

• Employees and Teamsters Local 533 cite ongoing hazards: welding sparks near active work areas, excessive noise, and nonfunctioning conveyor “start-up” buzzers (workers say some only resumed after media inquiries).
• Roughly 10+ OSHA complaints over three years; formal records are delayed amid a state cyberattack.
• UPS says alarms are operating and emphasizes safety; union maintains conditions are substandard.

Crisis Comms in the AI Era

• Observation from recent stories: local institutions often issue brief, generic statements.
• We note AI-generated responses can be more effective.

City Arts Boards Merge … and an Acronym Problem

• Reno merged its arts bodies into the Arts and Culture Advisory Board.
• The chosen acronym, ACAB, drew public mockery and confusion due to widely known alternate meaning.
• City is recruiting members while the name and acronym remain.

In Memoriam: Guy Rocha

• Nevada historian and former state archivist Guy Rocha has died.
• Remembered for myth-busting columns, public talks and advocacy that helped move Nevada Day to a three-day weekend format.
• Segment closes with reflections on Nevada Day traditions and the state’s identity.

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