Happy Friday, Nevadans!

Did you know Nevada only has 19 municipalities? The rest of our towns and communities are considered unincorporated.

Sometimes, when I learn new things about the state, I feel the way tourists must feel when they learn that The Strip is technically not in Las Vegas (it’s in Paradise, an unincorporated town in Clark County) or that ordinary people don’t live on or even frequent The Strip. It’s that type of a mind-blower. 🤯

Do you have a fun fact or piece of trivia to share about Nevada? Share it with me!

In today’s newsletter:

Have a safe weekend!

Signage about the dangers of hiking in extreme heat in Death Valley National Park. (Courtesy of the National Park Service)

By Jannelle Calderón

A reader recently sent The Nevadan a question about one of the hottest places on Earth: Why doesn’t Death Valley National Park close to the public during extreme temperatures to prevent heat-related injuries and deaths?

It’s a fair question. Summer temperatures in Death Valley can climb above 120 degrees. Surprisingly, August is often the second busiest month for Death Valley National Park.

Other Nevada recreation areas take a different approach. Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area close certain trails during the summer when visitors could become stranded or difficult to rescue. 

So why does Death Valley stay open in extreme conditions?

The park’s strategy is largely prevention: educate visitors, warn them about the conditions and encourage them to limit their exposure to the heat. 

“And while not 100% effective, because that does mean that people are making their own decision rather than us saying, ‘You cannot do this,’ it seems to mostly work well,” said Abby Wines, deputy superintendent of Death Valley National Park. 

Demonstrators rally outside NV Energy in Las Vegas on April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By Kristine Gill

Most Nevadans can name their governor and local representatives, but many would be hard-pressed to name the three commissioners deciding their utility bill rates and how they’re calculated. 

Yet the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is at the center of major changes around NV Energy customers’ energy bills, which are set to change for Southern Nevada customers come January 2027. 

Earlier this year, NV Energy and the commission announced a new peak demand charge, which will bill electric customers based on the highest 15 minutes of usage each day. 

It’s a system that some experts say penalizes solar customers while introducing an overly complicated equation the average customer can’t easily use to predict their monthly bills. And, some say it could be illegal. 

It’s all happening against the backdrop of a November governor’s race in the state that pits incumbent Joe Lombardo against current Attorney General Aaron Ford. 

🟣 Death Valley: Soft Times in a Hard Place. Desert Companion

“A few miles into the National Park lands, the road twists and what at first seems to be a mirage rises up: rows of palm trees surrounding a Spanish castle, its tower silhouetted against the clear blue sky. This is the Inn at Death Valley, built in 1927 by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which saw the area’s stunning natural beauty while digging enormous holes in it.”

🟣 For first responders, new Nevada program offers path to resilience with horses. KUNR

“A new equine program in Gardnerville connects horses with first responders to improve their mental health … It’s part of Healing Arenas’ resiliency program. Firefighters, police officers, and emergency room staff can develop skills to cope with the trauma they encounter on the job, day to day.”

🟣 Wellness in Vegas: As travelers and locals reach for healthier lifestyles, ‘Sin City’ responds. Las Vegas Weekly

“Two friends in workout clothes greet each other with a warm embrace, their yoga mats slung behind them. It’s a wholesome scene compared to what might have been there the night before—cliques of gussied-up partiers loudly bickering as they head to the nightclub.”

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jannelle Calderón, with reporting by Jannelle Calderón and Kristine Gill. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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