Hello, Nevadans!

It’s still spring (despite the triple-digit forecast in Southern Nevada for next week), and spring calls for festivals like the Bighorn Barrel Race, Rodeo, and Festival and the Art Festival of Henderson this week.

We published this list of spring festivals across Nevada back in January, but I like to bookmark our seasonal lists and come back to them to see what’s coming up next. Are you looking forward to any of them? I’m intrigued by the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge over Memorial Day weekend.

In today’s newsletter:

Thank you for starting your day with me!

Mama Jocelyn Smith of New Mexico receives donations for the meal program she runs.

By Gwen Frisbie-Fulton

Moms are caretakers and caregivers, housekeepers, cooks, and, as often as not, workers. I don’t take it personally when the moms in my life can’t show up to my backyard parties or the hikes I invite them on—Lord knows, they have plenty to do.

How is it then that so many moms, everywhere, are showing up? 

Over the last few years, I’ve sat in community meetings, town halls, and attended countless protests all over the country and every single one of these events is filled with moms. As frequently as not, they are driven by mom connections and mom power. 

Observers at the ongoing special session of the Nevada Legislature in November 2025. (Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

By Nevada Current

Labor unions last year warned there would be political consequences for state lawmakers who voted against a bill that would have established a film tax credit—$1.8 billion subsidy would have been tied to a planned film and production studio in the Summerlin neighborhood of Las Vegas.

Now, the fallout from the failed film studio bill appears to be playing out in a state Senate race whose winner will be decided during the primary.

In the first three months of this year, a dozen political action committees affiliated with Laborer’s Local 872 have contributed a combined $20,000 to North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron’s campaign to unseat state Sen. Edgar Flores in the Democratic primary for Nevada State Senate District 2, who voted against the film tax credit bill.

The use of a dozen different PACs is drawing concerns about obscuring transparency in what could be the tightest state legislative race this year.

🟣 Nevada, California, Arizona propose water plan pushing cuts to 20%. 8 News Now

“Water officials from Nevada, Arizona and California say they will make extra contributions by reducing their use of the Colorado River. Combined with earlier commitments, the proposed cuts add up to a total of about 20% of the states’ water allotments.”

🟣 Is Nevada’s education funding on the chopping block in 2027 if the economy dips? The Nevada Independent

“Last year, concerns over state tax revenue declines limited how much lawmakers could spend on schools, leaving funding relatively flat for the next two years. But thanks to inflation, ‘flat’ might as well mean ‘cut.’ School districts are already facing budget troubles because of lower student enrollment and rising costs, and some are laying off staff or closing schools to save money.”

🟣 How does the rescheduling of marijuana affect Nevada? KNPR

“Marijuana was never meant to be a Schedule I drug, said director of the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute and vice-chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board Riana Durrett. Cannabis advocates have waited a long time for rescheduling for many reasons, including research.”

🟣 Amid ongoing threat of political violence, Nevada Legislative Police form special protection unit. KTNV

“According to an April 28 letter from Legislative Police Chief John Drew, the new unit will consist of specially trained officers who will provide security at town halls and community meetings, coordinate public events, consult on home security and assess threats received by lawmakers.”

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jannelle Calderón with stories by Gwen Frisbie-Fulton and the Nevada Current. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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