Episodes

The issues of affordable housing and homelessness are a growing problem in Nevada, and the Legislature is working on a few bills addressing the issues. This week reporters Michelle Rindels and Riley Snyder sit down to talk about some of the pending proposals, and Riley shares what he saw and heard during a committee hearing on affordable housing. Michelle also interviews J.D. Klippenstein and Catana Barnes with Acting in Community Together in Organizing Northern Nevada (ACTIONN) re: their reacti...

On this week's episode of IndyMatters, we leave Carson City for a quick trip up to the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno to talk with the Dr. Kristen Averyt. Reporter Daniel Rothberg asks about the institution's relationship with NSHE and how they get their funding. They also talk about climate change, how science can influence lawmakers and Daniel's favorite topic: hydrology! Dr. Averyt also tells listeners about some exciting new changes at DRI.

Reporter Michelle Rindels sits down with Clark County Superintendent Jesus Jara and executive director of the Clark County Education Association John Vellardita to talk about Read by Grade 3, testing, the state's education funding formula and more in this double interview on IndyMatters.

This week reporters Michelle Rindels and Riley Snyder sit down with Republican Senator Ben Kieckhefer to talk about his thoughts on the gun background check bill and a possible red flag law, as well as his positions on a textbook spending bill, collective bargaining, Senate finance and Tim McGraw.

Reporter Roundtable: Legislature's first month - Indy reporters recap the week in the Legislature on this week's episode of IndyMatters. Megan tells us about two bills -- one allowing physician-assisted suicide and one requiring municipal elections take place in even years. Michelle talks about a bill that would put harsher penalties on crimes involving a weapon and an initiative to raise college graduation rates. Riley gives us the lowdown on a bill that calls for the popular vote to determine ...

This week reporters Riley Snyder and Megan Messerly sit down with two freshmen in the Assembly, Republican Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen and Democratic Assemblywoman Connie Munk. They cover the transition into Nevada politics, what the first few weeks have looked like, bipartisan efforts at the Legislature, as well as a bill looking at vaccinations and another looking at drives licenses for charter school students.

Riley Snyder, Michelle Rindels and Megan Messerly gather around the table at the Indy Carson City house to talk about this week's big topic, gun sales background checks. Riley breaks down SB143, what it entails and its history. Megan explains some of the problems that have been brought up by opposition. The team also discusses other stories from the week including affordable housing, campaign finance, donor breast milk and marijuana.

On this week's episode of IndyMatters, reporters Riley Snyder, Michelle Rindels and Megan Messerly sit down to talk about the first few days of the 2019 legislative session. We hear about the exciting (or not) first day of goings-on, as well as expectations, the pros and cons of a citizen Legislature, term limits and everyone's favorite mini segment: Riley talking about energy policy! We also have a surprise guest appearance from Moby the adorable, unofficial Indy Mascot.

ACLU policy expert and lobbyist Holly Welborn sat down with reporters Michelle Rindels and Riley Snyder a week before the Legislature convenes to discuss a range of topics from criminal defense reform to Marsy's Law to a proposed private prison ban.

Gov. Steve Sisolak sat down for an IndyTalks on Tuesday with Editor Jon Ralston and talked about everything from his opposition to the death penalty, private prisons and cash bail to why his extending tax rates that were supposed to decrease is not a tax increase to how he wants to change how Brian Sandoval funded education. A lot of news here.

Reporter Daniel Rothberg sat down with Brad Crowell, who heads the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, to talk about water, sage grouse conservation and wildfires. They also talked about what policies and aren’t changing under a new gubernatorial administration. “I think you’ll see from this administration more leaning in on addressing climate and energy problems,... focusing on clean energy, focusing on reducing emissions,” he said.

Mike Willden, chief of staff for departed Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, looks back on an exceptionally long career in Nevada state service and the major changes he's seen along the way, including implementing and then defending a Medicaid expansion against repeal efforts in 2017. With reporters Riley Snyder and Michelle Rindels.

In this week's episode of IndyMatters, Nevada Independent reporter Daniel Rothberg sat down with UNR President Marc Johnson, who shared his thoughts on the future of the university as it sees increasing enrollment and pushes for a top-tier research status. Johnson also discussed his views on free speech amid tension on campus over how to regulate hateful speech and maintain a culture of inclusion.

Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Riley Snyder chat with newly appointed state Sen. Dallas Harris, a PUC lawyer who reveals how she voted on Question 3, what she thinks about arguments that state workers should not be allowed in the Legislature and much more. Come for the issue to and fro, stay for Riley betraying his alma mater ("University of Nevada at Reno") and Jon saying he wants the senator to be sued. Then, Jon and Managing Editor Elizabeth Thompson discuss the new senator and the state bud...

Attorney General-elect Aaron Ford sat down with Editor Jon Ralston and reporters Michelle Rindels and Riley Snyder to discuss his plans to try enacting a stalled voter-approved gun background check law and to defend the state’s marijuana industry against any potential federal crackdown.

Editor Jon Ralston and Managing Editor Elizabeth Thompson chat about early voting, the U.S. Senate race, the governor's race and much more. There is passion, information and humor.

Live from Elko City Hall, reporter Daniel Rothberg sits down with Mayor Chris Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation about marijuana, the economy and rural Nevada politics. They also talk about Johnson's run in the Republican primary for Assemblyman John Ellison's seat and President Trump's visit to the town two days earlier.

Reporter Daniel Rothberg sat down with West Wendover Mayor Daniel Corona at his City Hall office to talk about the small town on the Utah border. Corona, a Democrat and Nevada's youngest mayor, described West Wendover as a blue dot in conservative Elko County. Elected in 2016, he has taken strong positions on immigration and health care during the Trump administration. They chat about those positions, how the city has dealt with the legalization of marijuana, a controversial topic in rural Nevad...

Former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Jon Wellinghoff and Nevada Assemblyman Chris Brooks debated the pros and cons of Question 3 aka the Energy Choice Initiative on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in a lively exchange moderated by Indy Editor Jon Ralston and Reporter Riley Snyder.

Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Jackie Valley chat with Keith Lynam, the incoming president of Nevada REALTORS, a statewide association. The trio discuss Nevada's housing market and whether Las Vegas will ever see its pre-recession peak of median home prices. Then, Managing Editor Elizabeth Thompson joins Jon for a spirited discussion about the 1 October anniversary and Brett Kavanaugh.

Reporter Daniel Rothberg sat down with Jim Faulds, director of the Bureau of Mines and Geology. The bureau, which serves as the state's geological survey, develops maps that assess everything from earthquake risk to geothermal potential. They talk about the state's dynamic geology, why Nevada came to be targeted for mineral exploration and how much more there is to learn about the processes that continue to shape the Basin and Range.

Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Riley Snyder chat with Democratic Rep. Dina Titus about her regrets on not running for the U.S. Senate, more women claiming to have been harassed by fellow Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen, who she will support if Dems take over the House, who she might support in 2020 (hint, ABT) and much more.

On this week's episode of IndyMatters, Northern Nevada Indy reporter Daniel Rothberg sits down with the mayor of Reno, Hillary Schieve. They talk about Schieve endorsing democratic candidate for governor Steve Sisolak as well as the struggles that Northern Nevada has with affordable housing and an increase in the homeless population as the city grows. Later on, they talk about flood risks for development projects in the region, the controversial strip club debacle in the city as well as a retros...

Editor Jon Ralston and Managing Editor Elizabeth Thompson talk to Wayne Thorley, the man who oversees the election section of the secretary of state's office. They talk about what's being done to secure the November vote,. what went wrong in the primary and where the voter fraud probe is that started a year ago.