Hi, Nevadans!

I was glad to hear from readers who liked the interactive Google map in Monday’s newsletter as a way to share community events. And if you’re looking for community and opportunities to connect with others but missed the Monday newsletter, don’t worry, we’ll also be publishing events on the site.

Here’s what we’re looking at in today’s newsletter:

🫏 Did you know there’s a Donkey History Museum in Mesquite? And entry is free! Check out what else Mesquite has to offer!

👀 A look at how online betting impacts gambling in Nevada.

Have a great Wednesday!

Jannelle Calderón

Newsletter Editor, The Nevadan

7 things to do in Mesquite (other than gamble)

An aerial view of the picturesque city of Mesquite, Nevada. (Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock)

By Aleza Freeman

If you’re seeking a getaway with the amenities and indulgences of Las Vegas, but not the crowd, Mesquite may be for you.

The community is home to casinos, hotels, restaurants, bars, a spa, and championship golf courses. While there are plenty of great gambling options, you’ll also find live entertainment, annual events, exotic animals, outdoor recreation, and local culture. And since it’s so close to the Arizona state line, it’s an easy drive to buy lottery tickets.

From hitting the links in a twisted canyon to meeting a two-toed sloth, here are seven of the best things to do in Mesquite besides playing bingo and slots.

Yes, you can ride a camel, too! 🐪

Nevada lawmakers’ concern over predictions betting grows

The Nevada Legislative building in Carson City (Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

By Naoka Foreman

A high-stakes bet over who President Donald Trump will nominate as new chair of the US Federal Reserve—a position that isn’t even open yet—has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars on the world’s largest prediction betting platform—Polymarket.

Locally, Nevada’s policymakers are looking to examine gambling activity at this summer’s Interim Finance Committee, Democratic state Sen. Dina Neal told The Nevadan. She said that, given the state’s historical reliance on a betting-based economy, Nevada could help inform potential federal regulations, stating that prediction markets are “sliding by states that have gaming or betting.”

Neal said this coming summer that lawmakers will focus on regulating prediction markets, raising concerns about political betting while emphasizing the need to protect “gaming interests.”

No specific policies have been identified at this time. However, a decision is pending from stakeholders—including gaming officials and lawmakers—on whether a statute is necessary. This statute would enforce existing gaming laws on prediction platforms to ensure state revenue.

Read the full article →

So-called ‘sell America’ trade sparks a pair of firsts: Gold flies past $5,000, silver tops $100: “The price of an ounce of gold traded for more than $5,000 an ounce for the first time in history Monday …. The price of silver, which increased by an even larger percentage than gold in 2025, has also continued to soar in 2026, and topped $100 an ounce Friday. Nevada is the nation’s largest gold producer, and the second largest producer of silver, after Alaska.” (Nevada Current)
Auto Insurance rates rising again—but not as much as previous years: “Drivers shouldn’t expect much relief on their auto insurance rates this year. But, while they’re set to increase, rates won’t rise as significantly as in previous years. In Mountain West states, it’s a mixed bag. While Wyoming has some of the lowest rates in the country, Nevada is the most expensive state for full auto coverage [with prices averaging 61% higher than the national average].” (KNPR)