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.

Northern Nevada's local government primary saw the longtime top prosecutor in the state's second largest county lose to his first ever challenger.

Sen. Lisa Krasner (R-Reno) was one of the few legislators in Northern Nevada who voted in favor of a proposal to expand Nevada's film tax credit program this fall, much to the chagrin of Nevada conservatives.

City staff will work in the coming months to craft a proposal that encompasses suggestions from the public, outside groups council members and regional officials who have been studying the issue for more than a year.

Even among council members who supported the moratorium, there are disagreements about how to proceed.

In late April, Sparks City Council unanimously approved a request by the local police department to roll out facial recognition software to crack down on shoplifting in partnership with Reno Police and Washoe County Sheriff's Office. The technology is the latest strategy to tackle what police say are rising theft rates in Sparks.

Kate Marshall's campaign is confident that a campaign finance complaint filed by the Nevada Republican Party will be tossed out.