Happy Friday, Nevadans!

Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, so next time I’ll be in your inbox will be Wednesday.

Nevada is home to 28 federally recognized tribes across five major groups: Waší∙šiw (Washoe), Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), and Pipa Aha Macav (Fort Mojave).

It’s estimated Indigenous groups have called the region home for about 10,000 years. Their presence is woven into Nevada’s identity.

Check out these groups working keep Nevada’s Indigenous traditions alive.

In today’s newsletter:

Have a safe weekend!

A “VOTE” message is displayed on a video board at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

It’s the last day of National Voter Education Week, and early voting starts in a week (Oct. 17-30)!

And check this out: The Las Vegas Raiders announced that Allegiant Stadium will be a polling location again on Election Day, Nov. 3.

The stadium became Clark County’s first “Supersite” in the 2024 election with 98 voting machines. It will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. like other polling sites.

In 2024, Allegiant Stadium was the state’s most popular polling site on Election Day, with more than 4,200 voters.

Voters can expect photo booths, appearances by the Raiderettes, Raider Rusher, a live DJ, and special-edition “I Voted” stickers. And if you haven’t checked out the stadium yet, this is your chance.

You’re election-ready. 🙌 Now help a friend get there, too—forward this email before Nov. 3.

Gold Butte National Monument is a remote Mojave Desert gem worth visiting in October. (CC BY 2.0 / BLM)

By Aleza Freeman

October is not only Nevada’s birthday month, but it’s also when fall is in full swing.

The month brings colorful foliage, cooler weather, family-friendly festivals, pumpkin patches, and plenty of other October activities in Nevada. It’s a great time to hit a hiking trail, get lost in a corn maze, or scream for your life while a clown chases you with a chainsaw.

From outdoor activities to haunted houses, here are some top things to do in Nevada in October.

Healthcare payment concept with a stethoscope and a large US dollar bill. (Getty Images)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

Nevadans looking at Affordable Care Act health plans for the 2027 plan year can expect to see an average rate increase of 17% from the nine insurance carriers on the state exchange, according to the Nevada Division of Insurance.

Plans outside the exchange are expected to go up on average by 10.9%. 

“During this time of increased inflation, every dollar counts. I urge all Nevadans who purchase their health insurance on the Exchange to fully analyze each product offering to find the best option for you and to take advantage of all subsidies available,” said Nevada Insurance Commissioner Ned Gaines, in a statement. 

Potential enrollees can now check out Nevada Health Link’s pre-screener tool to compare prices across multiple insurance providers prior to the enrollment period. The actual enrollment period starts on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2027.

🟣 With violins, trumpets and the guitarrón, Las Vegas is training the mariachi educators of tomorrow. The Associated Press

“In recent years it’s become increasingly difficult to find enough mariachi teachers, said Jeffrey Williams, the director of CCSD’s Fine and Performing Arts Department. To fill the gap, [Stephen Blanco, who directs Las Vegas High School’s Mariachi Joya] recently launched a 22-credit curriculum for the minor program at UNLV, joining only a few universities in Texas that offer such training.”

🟣 New Las Vegas LGBTQ tradition Pride on Paradise honors the Fruit Loop’s history. Las Vegas Weekly

“Before Nevada repealed its anti-sodomy law in 1993, members of the LGBTQ community could be jailed and fined for engaging in same-sex conduct or even suspicion of it. If you can believe it, the historic Fruit Loop of today—lively, proud, resilient and now a recognized landmark—was once a hotbed for harassment and raids.”

🟣 How carbon-intensive is your state’s electricity? Mountain West rankings vary widely. KUNR

“New federal data shows a wide gap in the amount of carbon pollution produced by electricity generation across the West, reflecting stark differences in how states produce their power.”

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

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