Happy Friday, Nevadans!

I’ve always believed in the power of the people. So much so that, for my 18th birthday, all I wanted was to attend the Women’s March at Sam Boyd Stadium that year. As a journalist, I’ve covered a handful of peaceful protests and strikes, always leaving with a sense of empowerment.

People across the country are participating in a national shutdown today—a grassroots movement of a day of no school, no work, and no shopping as a form of protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And while protests are happening tomorrow in several cities, advocates are holding protests today in Henderson and Las Vegas.

In today’s newsletter:

🍵 Looking for an earthy drink that relaxes your mind? Find out where you can buy Kava in Nevada.

🖊 Tax season has begun! Here are some reminders and frequently asked questions.

Have a great weekend!

Jannelle Calderón

Newsletter Editor, The Nevadan

Kava craze: Where to ‘get rooted’ in Nevada

Kava is a recreational and ceremonial drink native to the Pacific Islands. (Aleza Freeman)

By Aleza Freeman

Kava is a recreational and ceremonial drink native to the Pacific Islands. Kava (or awa) has been consumed for centuries in Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia due to its psychoactive properties. A blend of crushed kava root strained in water tastes a bit like soil and mushrooms.

It isn’t kava’s taste, however, that has drawn interest in this plant, but its natural sedative properties that instantly relaxes your mind and muscles while enhancing your overall well-being.

Along with attracting the younger generation, which doesn’t drink alcohol socially like generations before it, kava is popular with the sobriety and recovery community.

Discover local Kava spots

When will I get my tax refund? Key dates for Nevadans

Tax forms, US currency, calculator, and a pen. (Shutterstock Photo/RomanR).

Tax forms, US currency, a calculator, and a pen. (RomanRShutterstock)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Monday, Jan. 26, marked the beginning of the 2026 tax season. And the deadline to file your tax return is April 15, unless you file for an extension.

If you make less than $89,000 annually, you can utilize multiple free tax filing services verified by the IRS at apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/.

Some of the free filers IRS recommends include Tax Slayer, 1040.com, OLT, and TaxAct.

Whether you’re looking forward to your return, waiting on tax documents, looking to file your taxes this week, or wondering how long you can wait to file, here’s everything Nevadans need to know about the 2026 tax season.

Tax season FAQs

Washoe County School District cuts 39 positions to address $5.7 million budget shortfall: “WCSD initially projected an $18.4 million General Fund deficit for FY27. Cost-saving measures approved in September reduced that figure to approximately $8.3 million. Further analysis of projected revenues lowered the shortfall to about $5.7 million before Tuesday’s vote.” (News 4 Reno)
Trump administration wants to delete language acknowledging tribe from Death Valley visitor center: “The phrases in question “We are still here” and “This is our Homeland” have been a part of the exhibit since it was created, but came under review after the Park Service submitted plans to add a medallion and earrings to the Timbisha exhibit as part of a public ceremony for the act’s anniversary.” (Nevada Current)

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jannelle Calderón with stories by Aleza Freeman and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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