Episodes

Gov. Joe Lombardo gives his 2023 State of the State address, and snowplow drivers help keep roads clear in Northern Nevada. This week, The Indy’s legislative team stays up late to report on Gov. Lombardo’s State of the State address in Carson City. They break down the important talking points and get reactions. After that, we have a piece on snowplow drivers on Mt. Rose and what it’s like to work on the mountain during the winter. Hosts Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_ Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv ...

The transition of power from former Gov. Steve Sisolak to Gov. Joe Lombardo, a food pantry in Southern Nevada trying something new and the Jewish community in Nevada facing adversity. This week, The Indy’s legislative team goes over the transition of power from the Sisolak administration to the Lombardo administration. After that, we have a story on a food pantry in Southern Nevada changing how they approach their services. At the end of the show, reporter Tabitha Mueller has a piece on antisem...

Snow in Northern Nevada, new laws taking effect and plants in the Downtown Reno Library. This week, host Joey Lovato sits down with Chris Smallcomb, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Reno, to talk about the big snowstorm that hit Northern Nevada on New Year’s Eve, what it means for the drought, and a whole lot more. After that, reporter Sean Golonka lets listeners know what new laws are going into effect in 2023. At the end of the show, reporter Lucia Starbuck, with...

This week we are rewinding to share some of our favorite podcast stories from the past year. We start with a piece about queer artists in Nevada as they find their voice and their community through their art. After that, host Joey Lovato interviews nuclear scientist Taylor Wilson, who, at 14, achieved nuclear fusion with a reactor built in his parent’s garage in Reno. Joey and Taylor talk about science education, what makes Nevada such a rich state for the field and more. Hosts Joey Lovato - @...

This week we are rewinding to share some of our favorite podcast stories from the past year. We start with an interview with Nevada author Robin McLean, whose recent book has received high praise from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She talks about what it means to live out West and more. After that, we have a story from reporter Savanna Strott on showgirls in Las Vegas as she follows them around for a day. Hosts Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_ Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv – 0:50 -...

This week we are rewinding to share some of our favorite podcast stories from the past year. We start with a piece on state symbols in Nevada, one of host Joey Lovato’s favorite topics. After that, we explore some caves — literally — and talk about the uniqueness of the cavernous systems in rural Nevada. At the end of the show, we have a few monster stories from our Halloween episode of IndyMatters. Hosts Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lovato_ Jacob Solis - @jacobsolisnv 0:40 - State symbols Sheryln Hay...

To wrap up the year, some reporters on Team Indy go over their favorite stories from 2022 and what they will be following in 2023. This week, host Joey Lovato talks with a few of the reporters from Team Indy about what they liked reporting on this year and what issues they will be following in their reporting next year. We also say goodbye to Assistant Editor Jackie Valley, who is departing after six years on staff, and have an update on Nevada’s status in the order of states voting in the Demo...

Nevada’s poet laureate, continuing crisis on the Colorado River and our new D.C. reporter. This week host Joey Lovato sits down with Gailmarie Pahmeier, the first Nevada poet laureate in more than 50 years. They talk about poetry, Pahmeier’s role and a statewide project she’s working on with the Nevada Arts Council. After that, environmental reporter Daniel Rothberg talks about the ongoing water crisis facing Nevada as negotiations for water conservation continue for states in the Colorado Rive...

The life of a working showgirl, Nevada’s nuclear future, and National Guard recruitment. This week freelance reporter Savanna Strott has a story about showgirls in Las Vegas. Once regarded as an art form, today’s showgirls say their hustle is a sales job — and they want more respect for their business. After that, host Joey Lovato interviews Taylor Wilson, a nuclear scientist based in Reno who, at age 14, built a nuclear reactor in his parents’ garage. At the end of the show, KUNR and Mountain ...

This week we are rewinding to share some of our favorite podcast stories from the past. We start with a story about a company that helps people compost in Reno. Down to Earth Composting picks up food scrap and turns it into compost for their customers. To learn more, we followed one of their workers who traverse the city by electric bike to pick up the compostable materials. After that, gaming reporter Howard Stutz goes over the history of gambling in Nevada. From the Old West to the mob days to...

A post-Election Day overview with Jon Ralston, Jacob Solis and Joey Lovato. This week Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston joins hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis to go over the results from the election and opine on wins and losses. They break down who won, analyze why they won, examine voter turnout and talk about what the future holds for Nevadans. Between it all, you’ll hear from voters themselves, giving insight into how they made decisions at the ballot box. Hosts Joey Lovato - @Joey_Lova...

A pre-Election Day download with Jon Ralston, author Robin McLean’s take on Nevada life and fun tales from the Nevada Historical Society. This week Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston plays political pundit as he goes over early voting before the 2022 midterm elections and opines on some possible election outcomes. After that, we have some decidedly lighter content, perfect to kill time while waiting in line to vote or as a distraction from all things political: Author Robin McLean discusses her...

How a far-right activist’s large donations are reshaping Republican politics in Northern Nevada, a look at the Senate race and a romp around the Nevada Day parade. This week reporter Tabitha Mueller has a story on Robert Beadles, a far-right activist and donor to many Republican candidates in Nevada. After that, host Joey Lovato chats with assistant editor Riley Synder about the race for the Senate between incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican Adam Laxalt. At the end of the s...

A Reno company’s wheeled approach to composting, an overview of the Secretary of State’s race and a few Nevada monster stories for Halloween. This week host Joey Lovato and video producer Tim Lenard have a story about Down to Earth Composting, a Reno company that’s using e-bikes in its quest to help residents live more sustainably. After that, cohost Jacob Solis and Joey chat about Nevada’s secretary of state race, which is receiving national attention. At the end, Joey and Jacob read two accou...

Growing the cannabis industry workforce, a dive into congressional district races and a look at the G2E gaming conference. This week host Joey Lovato has a story on the cannabis industry’s effort to boost its Nevada workforce. After that, reporters Jannelle Calderon and Sean Golonka talk about the state’s congressional races ahead of the November election. At the end of the show, reporter Howard Stutz talks about G2E (Global Gaming Expo), the largest gaming conference in the U.S., and the futur...

What removing grass means for Nevada, why you should care about campaign finance and more from IndyFest 2022. This week host Jacob Solis talks with scientists at the Desert Research Institute about how changing landscaping and moving away from grass will save Southern Nevada water, but what else will it do? After that, host Joey Lovato joins Jacob, reporter Sean Golonka and The Nevada Independent’s CEO, Jon Ralston, to talk about campaign finance. Wait! Don’t turn off the episode just yet. We w...

A recap of our favorite IndyFest moments and highlights from the gubernatorial debate. This week hosts Joey Lovato and Jacob Solis are joined by their colleague Jackie Valley to talk about their favorite things from IndyFest 2022. The annual conference hosted by The Nevada Independent covers everything from education and cannabis to water and elections. After that, we have highlights from the gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak and Republican Clark County Sheriff Joe Lomb...

Nevada Gold Mines, the race for Attorney General and a D.C. perspective on Nevada. This week we read you a story from Indy reporter Daniel Rothberg and High Country News reporter Nick Bowlin about Nevada Gold Mines and some employees’ safety concerns. After that, reporter Sean Golonka talks about the race for attorney general between Democratic incumbent Aaron Ford and Republican challenger Sigal Chattah. At the end of the episode, we say goodbye to our reporter in D.C., Humberto Sanchez, and h...

Threats to old trees and new opportunities for Nevada’s wine industry This week we are rewinding to share some of our favorite podcast stories from the past, starting with a piece on Bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living things on the planet. Host Joey Lovato talks with experts about threats to the tree and what makes them so special. Afterward, we re-air a piece on grape growing and winemaking in the Nevada desert. What does the industry look like, and does it have a future in one of th...

Meteorologists analyze summer weather patterns, a dive into ballot questions and a history of oppression in Native communities. This week host Joey Lovato chats with meteorologists in Reno and Las Vegas about weather trends this summer and what may be on the horizon. After that, assistant editor Jackie Valley joins Joey and Jacob to review ballot questions that voters will see this November. At the end, KUNR Reporter Gustavo Sagrero comes on the show to talk about Nevada’s Native communities an...

Solving the child care crisis in Nevada, a Congressional District 3 election preview and a needle-exchange program in Elko. This week host Joey Lovato sits down with reporter Naoka Foreman to discuss the issues facing Nevada families regarding child care in the state. With a shortage of workers and COVID-19 emergency funding sunsetting in 2024, how will Nevada address the growing concerns around child care? After that, reporter Sean Golonka breaks down everything you need to know about Congress...

Cave discoveries, a Reno City Hall race preview and a quirky option on Nevada ballots. This week host Joey Lovato has a story about the 100-year anniversary of Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park and an effort to map more caves across the state. After that, reporter Carly Sauvageau breaks down the races for Reno mayor and two city council seats. At the end, Mark Wlaschin, the deputy secretary of state for elections, explains why Nevadans have the option to vote for “none of these candidat...

Water and tourism woes at Lake Mead, a breakdown of the Inflation Reduction Act and a scientific discovery at UNLV. This week host Joey Lovato, reporter Sean Golonka and reporter Carmen Landinger talk about water cuts at Lake Mead and how the situation is affecting recreation and tourism. After that, reporter Humberto Sanchez breaks down everything you need to know about the Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden recently signed into law. At the end of the show, co-host Jacob Solis chats ...

Rural counties’ quest to hand count ballots, strip clubs seek slot machines and a standoff between Clark County and a developer who wants to build homes near Red Rock. This week host Joey Lovato and reporter Sean Golonka dive into the efforts in rural Nevada to move to paper ballots only — and all counted by hand. They also talk to the activist group All Voting is Local. After that, reporter Howard Stutz explains a Nevada gaming law that prohibits most adult entertainment from offering gambling...