Friday and Saturday mark IndyFest, The Nevada Independent’s fourth annual two-day conference focused on policy and politics.

IndyFest began on Friday at 9 a.m. in Worre Studios in Las Vegas (in-person and virtual ticket options are available), with a packed schedule of events hosted by Indy reporters and editors. Event updates will be regularly posted on social media, and videos of all panels will be available on The Indy’s YouTube page next week.

Panels on Friday included:

• The Business of Sports in Nevada — Moderated by Nevada Independent gaming, tourism and sports reporter Howard Stutz, this panel includes Deryk Engelland, special assistant to the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights; Marc Badain, president of Oak View Group; Nikki Fargas, president, Las Vegas Aces
• Southern Nevada Economic Development: The Path Forward – Moderated by Nevada Independent reporter Jacob Solis and featuring John Restrepo, chief economist, RCG Economics; Andrew Woods, director, Center for Business and Economic Research, UNLV; and Robert Taylor, board member, Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce
• Wildfires Science and Management — Featuring Christina Restaino, assistant professor and natural resources specialist, UNR; Tim Brown, research professor in climatology, Desert Research Institute and director, Western Regional Climate Center; moderated by Nevada Independent Editor Elizabeth Thompson
• Ask Us Anything! — A free-wheeling Q&A with Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and Editor Elizabeth Thompson (both in-person and virtual attendees may participate)
• Election 2024: Perspectives on the Campaign Ahead — Two panels moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and Editor Elizabeth Thompson and featuring key national and local operatives from both parties
  • Democrats - Alana Mounce, 2024 Biden-Harris campaign ballot access director; Rebecca Lambe, co-founder Senate Majority PAC; Asha Jones, chief of staff for Rep. Steven Horsford
  • Republicans - Matt Brooks, CEO, Republican Jewish Coalition; Omar de La Rosa, principal, Desert Strategy Group; Mike Slanker, co-founder, November Inc.
• Media and Politics in the Modern Age – Moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and featuring Major Garrett, chief Washington correspondent, CBS News; Molly Ball, senior political correspondent, Wall Street Journal; Ron Brownstein, senior editor, The Atlantic; Mark Barabak, political columnist, L.A. Times

Panel discussions scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, include:

• A Decade of Change: The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion in Nevada – Moderated by Nevada Independent health care reporter Tabitha Mueller and featuring Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon, associate professor of pediatrics, UNR; Politico Pro health care reporter Megan Messerly; and Brian Sandoval, former governor of Nevada
• Big Ideas for Creating Affordable Housing – Moderated by Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller, featuring Assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong (D-Las Vegas); NLS Deputy Director of Litigation Alex Cherup; Realtor at The Jessa Group at Urban Nest Realty and incoming chair of Nevada Realtors legislative committee for 2025 Azim Jessa; and Senior Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust Ted Chandler
  High School Debate: Should state government guarantee housing to every Nevada resident? Top students from two Nevada high school debate teams face off 
• K-12 Education and Read by Three: Achievement Booster or Poor Policy? — Moderated by Nevada Independent Editor Elizabeth Thompson and featuring President of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Education Association Vicki Kreidel and Rebecca Garcia, administrator of the Clark County School District's largest Facebook parent group
• Focus Group: Big Issues in Election 2024 — Hear from everyday Nevadans on a major policy topic. Moderated by Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston

Tickets are required to attend in person, all tickets must be reserved in the name of the guest and all guests must present ID at check-in.