Across the board, Northern Nevada gave way to the blue tsunami that engulfed the U.S. and Nevada, even in ruby red districts and despite Democratic candidates often raising much less money than their Republican opponents.

The Reno City Council on Wednesday voted 5-2 to approve an eight-year, $21.8 million agreement with Axon Enterprise that includes license plate readers to replace the city's Flock cameras.

The Reno mayoral race saw apparent record-breaking quarterly fundraising hauls while candidates seen as the favorites to win contests in Washoe County and Sparks had significant fundraising advantages.

Under a seemingly simple rule the Postal Service finalized last year, mail is now postmarked when it reaches a processing facility. That means a ballot dropped in a blue box on Election Day evening may not be postmarked until the next day, making it ineligible.

City staff will present more information on a new contract at the council's next meeting. The city wants the next company to ensure data remains under city control and that there are clear privacy guardrails and automatic audit trails.

City Councilwoman Kathleen Taylor and former Nevada treasurer and Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall each said they would bring a new vision to leading the city, while knocking the other as maintaining the status quo.

For the first time in a dozen years, there's an open race for Reno mayor. There are also two council member seats on the ballot: one open and one where a 25-year-old political newcomer is challenging a one-term incumbent.

In District 2, Democrat Marie Rodriguez faces Republican Jon Killoran. In District 3, Democratic incumbent Mariluz Garcia faces Republican Troy Regas. And in District 5, Republican Rob Pierce faces Democrat Brian Wadsworth.

The groundbreaking capped more than 15 years of research, testing and planning, and once complete, officials say the facility will reduce the region's reliance on the Truckee River and provide a locally controlled water source for residents.

In a typical year, fires break out in different parts of the West at different times so resources can shift from one to the next without every state needing help simultaneously. This year, fires were burning across the region at the same time, leaving little slack anywhere.

New data shows homelessness across Nevada is increasing, although more slowly in Washoe County than in Clark County. Nearly 3 in 5 of the homeless residents counted in Clark in 2026 were unsheltered.

A recent foray was cut short by the pandemic, but showed promising fan interest. Proponents think a dedicated stadium could seal the deal.

Housing developments, industrial projects and population growth have brought economic development, but they have also raised questions over whether the city has the resources to keep pace.

For nearly two years, the developer of the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center has traded legal barbs with the quasi-governmental entity that provides water to companies. 

More direct flights and international carriers, along with additional food options in the concourses, are expected to boost visitation and the economy.

In a move that officials stressed is not consolidation, Reno and Sparks city councils have unanimously voted to join their fire departments under one chief.

"This is not a change in direction," said Taylor Adams, president and CEO of the organization, now called Northern NV Now, a name meant to be action-oriented and forward-thinking. "It is a clearer way to say who we have become."

The ballots were sent to the wrong office after being marked undeliverable despite all of them having the correct address.

First Judicial District Court says the new system would allow e-filing, public document access and online case tracking within 12 to 18 months.

More than 80 percent of voters supported the 2018 ballot question to keep the city attorney an elected position. But this week, the city manager's office sought to recommend that the Legislature make the position appointed rather than elected.