KUNR Public Radio

01/27/2023

KUNR awarded Hearken’s 2022 Champions of Curiosity Impact Award

We are proud to announce that KUNR won Hearken’s 2022 Champions of Curiosity “Public-Powered Elections” Impact Award!

The station used Hearken’s audience engagement technology to collect community questions for candidates running in the 2022 elections in Nevada, and many were related to climate change. With additional environmental questions collected from a group of University of Nevada, Reno students, KUNR created a questionnaire for candidates running for nine races in Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. The result was KUNR’s Candidate Surveys on the Environment project: https://www.kunr.org/2022-northern-nevada-washoe-county-reno-sparks-environment-candidate-surveys

Thank you to all the community members who helped shape this coverage by sharing questions, ideas and concerns with us.

KUNR was awarded Hearken’s 2022 Champions of Curiosity Award in the “Impact” category for its public-powered elections coverage.

01/27/2023

WCSD Trustees approve new classroom tech, discuss graduation rates

Report for America’s Jose Davila IV joins KUNR host Marc Garber to discuss this week’s Washoe County School District Board of Trustees meeting, covering classroom technology and graduation rates.

KUNR host Marc Garber sat down with reporter Jose Davila IV to break down this week’s Washoe County School District Board of Trustees meeting.

01/26/2023

2023 Nevada Legislative Session: Share your questions with KUNR

What questions do you have about the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session that starts February 6? KUNR’s Democracy Reporter Lucia Starbuck is seeking community input to inform her political coverage.

Share your questions and thoughts with KUNR by filling out the short form linked below in either English or Spanish.

What do you want to know about the Nevada Legislative Session that starts February 6? Share your questions with KUNR.

01/25/2023

Gov. Lombardo proposes historic education funding, state employee raises and suspension of gas tax

During his first State of the State address, Nevada’s Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo proposed historic funding for education, raises for state employees, and a suspension of the gas tax. Democratic state lawmakers in key leadership positions opposed his school choice and election change proposals. KUNR host Marc Garber spoke with reporter Lucia Starbuck to break it all down.

On Monday night, Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo outlined his administration’s goals and proposals during his first State of the State address ahead of the legislative session early next month. KUNR’s Marc Garber sat down with Lucia Starbuck to learn more.

01/24/2023

Communities We Serve

KUNR is airing Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s State of the State address tonight at 6 p.m. PT. Listen online or find your frequency at https://bit.ly/kunr-communities-we-serve.

Communities We Serve

01/24/2023

Millions of Mountain West acres are part of USDA’s new wildfire strategy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending more than $490 million to reduce wildfire risk in the West. The Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel looked into which landscapes in the Mountain West are receiving federal funds and what the money will be used for.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending more than $490 million to reduce wildfire risk in the West.

01/23/2023

Explainer: What happens during a Nevada legislative session and how will it work in 2023?

Starting on February 6, state lawmakers from all over Nevada will gather in Carson City for 120 days to debate new laws and set the state’s budget for the next two years. KUNR’s Democracy Reporter Lucia Starbuck explores how the process works and why it matters.

Starting on February 6, state lawmakers from all over Nevada will convene in Carson City for 120 days to debate new laws and set the state’s budget for the next two years.

01/22/2023

Sesión Legislativa Nevada 2023: Comparta sus preguntas con KUNR

¿Qué preguntas tiene sobre la Sesión Legislativa de Nevada que comienza el 6 de febrero? La reportera de democracia de KUNR, Lucia Starbuck, está buscando la opinión de la comunidad para una mejor cobertura política.

Comparta sus preguntas y pensamientos con KUNR a través del siguiente formulario, en español o inglés.

¿Qué quiere saber sobre la Sesión Legislativa de Nevada que comienza el 6 de febrero? Comparta sus preguntas con KUNR.

01/21/2023

Concejal de Reno Miguel Martínez habla de seguridad pública, vivienda y pequeñas empresas

El concejal Miguel Martínez fue nombrado para el Distrito 3 en octubre de 2022, que cubre la mayor parte del este de Reno. María Palma de KUNR habló con él sobre sus planes para el próximo año.

El concejal Miguel Martínez fue nombrado en octubre de 2022 para servir al Distrito 3. Maria Palma de KUNR habló con él sobre sus planes para su periodo.

01/21/2023

2023 Nevada Legislative Session: Share your questions with KUNR

What questions do you have about the 2023 Nevada Legislative Session that starts February 6? KUNR’s Democracy Reporter Lucia Starbuck is seeking community input to inform her political coverage.

Share your questions and thoughts with KUNR by filling out the short form linked below in either English or Spanish.

What do you want to know about the Nevada Legislative Session that starts February 6? Share your questions with KUNR.

01/20/2023

Contaminated cannabis found in more than 100 dispensaries across Nevada

Contaminated cannabis was reported in more than 100 dispensaries across Nevada. As KUNR’s Maria Palma reports, state regulators are advising consumers and patients to avoid certain cannabis products that had been treated with an unapproved pesticide.

State regulators are advising consumers and patients to avoid certain cannabis products that had been treated with an unapproved pesticide.

01/20/2023

Ward 3 Reno City Councilmember Miguel Martinez on public safety, housing and small businesses

Councilmember Miguel Martinez was appointed to Ward 3 in October 2022, which covers most of east Reno, extending from North McCarran Boulevard to South Reno. KUNR’s Maria Palma spoke to him about his goals for the coming year.

Councilmember Miguel Martinez was appointed in October 2022. He serves Ward 3, which covers most of east Reno, extending from North McCarran Boulevard to South Reno. KUNR’s Maria Palma spoke with him about his goals for the coming year.

01/19/2023

As tribes await return of ancestors’ remains, a new database reveals repatriation law’s failures

A ProPublica database reveals tribes in the Mountain West are waiting for 11,515 of their ancestors’ remains to be made available for return by U.S. museums and universities holding them. The Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel talked to the Stealing Culture project to find out what is contributing to the lack of progress in repatriation.

A new database reveals that museums and universities across the U.S. still hold the remains of more than 100,000 Native Americans, despite a federal law passed more than 30 years ago to help return their remains to tribes.

01/18/2023

Elimination of expanded SNAP benefits could leave more Nevadans struggling

State officials announced last week that a federal program offering expanded food aid is coming to an end. Food banks and anti-poverty advocates warn that could lead to a surge in food insecurity.

State officials announced last week that a federal program offering expanded food aid is coming to an end.

01/14/2023

New Reno Police Chief on homelessness, officer mental health and community policing

Reno City Council unanimously confirmed Kathryn Nance on Wednesday as the city’s next chief of police, and she will be the first woman to lead the department. She sat down with KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck to discuss her policing vision.

The former deputy chief of the Stockton Police Department, Kathryn Nance, will be sworn in as Reno’s chief of police in February, and she’s the first woman to lead the department. KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck spoke with Nance about her policing vision.

01/13/2023

WCSD looks to tackle student mental health, chronic absenteeism with federal funds

The Washoe County School District is looking to address two significant barriers to learning – student mental health and chronic absenteeism – with new federal funding. Report for America’s Jose Davila IV has more.

The Washoe County School District is looking to address two significant barriers to learning – student mental health and chronic absenteeism – with new federal funding.

01/13/2023

Study quantifies how 2021’s extreme spring heat waves shriveled Western snowpack

A new Desert Research Institute study shows that mountain snowpacks are melting at alarming rates. The Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel looked into what’s driving the rapid snowmelt and how it impacts Western water supplies.

A new study shows that extreme spring heat waves can wipe out mountain snowpack at alarming rates, with big consequences for the West’s water supplies.

01/12/2023

Theater 42: Bringing art house cinema back to Reno

UPDATE: As of Thursday afternoon, Theater 42 had to temporarily close due to not meeting certain government requirements. For more information, visit theater42.org/closing-time.
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A new art house cinema opened its doors in Reno last week. As KUNR’s Maria Palma reports, Theater 42 aims to provide a space for those who enjoy independent and classic films.

UPDATE: As of Thursday afternoon, Theater 42 had to temporarily close due to not meeting certain government requirements.

01/12/2023

Dilworth teachers plead with WCSD Trustees to address student behavior

At Tuesday evening’s Washoe County School District Board of Trustees meeting, a group of Dilworth teachers pleaded with the members for more support in addressing student behavior. Report for America’s Jose Davila IV has more.

At Tuesday evening’s Washoe County School District Board of Trustees meeting, a group of Dilworth teachers pleaded with the members for more support in addressing student behavior.

01/11/2023

Northern Nevada lithium mine draws Native resistance from across the West

Native American activists with diverse tribal affiliations marched to the U.S. District Court in downtown Reno last week. KUNR’s Bert Johnson reports they’re seeking to block the proposed mine at Thacker Pass.

Backers of the project say it would provide essential materials to build electric vehicles and address the climate crisis, but a coalition of Native American tribes is fighting against it.

01/10/2023

Study: Many firms in the West are ‘misinforming the public’ by not disclosing wildfire risks

A new UC Davis study reveals that publicly traded companies in the West rarely disclose their wildfire risks in their federal filings. The Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel looked into how these companies hide this information.

A new study reveals that publicly traded companies in the West rarely disclose risks posed by wildfires in their federal filings.

01/10/2023

Rosca de Reyes: Celebrando una tradición mexicana en el norte de Nevada

La comunidad latina del norte de Nevada celebró el Día de Reyes el 6 de enero. En Carnicería La Chiquita, un mercado latino local, el panadero Carlos Almazán y su equipo elaboraron cientos de Roscas, que son una parte central de las celebraciones.

Con el Día de los Reyes, o Epifanía, el 6 de enero, una pastelería latina del norte de Nevada elaboraba un postre llamado Rosca de Reyes para sumarse a las celebraciones.

01/10/2023

Northern Nevada’s Congressman Amodei on land use, immigration, gas prices, and Trump

The 118th U.S. Congress has a blue majority in the Senate and red in the House. KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck spoke with Republican Congressman Mark Amodei to learn about his goals for this year and highlights from the last.

The 118th U.S. congress convened on January 3. KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck sat down with Republican Congressman Mark Amodei to learn about his goals. Amodei has represented Congressional District 2 in Northern Nevada since 2011.

01/07/2023

Washoe County, City of Reno issue emergency declaration in preparation for upcoming storms

Another round of storms is expected to hit Western Nevada beginning Sunday. In anticipation of possible flooding and power outages, the City of Reno Government and Washoe County, Nevada - Government have issued an emergency declaration.

In anticipation of possible flooding and power outages, Reno and Washoe County have issued an emergency declaration.

01/07/2023

Nevada Governor Lombardo’s administration ends COVID declarations, orders review of state employment

Nevada Republican Governor Joe Lombardo signed two executive orders during his first week in office, ending all COVID-19-era declarations, and directing the state to review and recommend changes to hiring and retaining state employees.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed two executive orders related to COVID-19 and state employees during his first week in office.

01/07/2023

Celebrating a Mexican tradition in Northern Nevada

The Northern Nevada Latino community celebrates Día de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, today, [Jan. 6]. At Carnicería La Chiquita, a local Latino market, head baker Carlos Almazán and his team make hundreds of cakes that are the centerpiece of holiday celebrations.

With Día de los Reyes on Jan. 6, a Latino bakery in Northern Nevada makes a dessert called Rosca de Reyes to add to the celebrations.

01/06/2023

City manager picks Stockton police deputy chief over Sparks police chief for next Reno police chief

Reno’s City Manager has nominated Kathryn Nance, deputy chief of the Stockton Police Department, to lead the Reno Police Department. If appointed, she’ll be sworn in during the Reno City Council’s meeting on Wednesday, becoming Reno’s first female police chief.

Reno’s City Manager has nominated the next chief of police.

01/05/2023

In 2021, Alex Cox watched as the Caldor Fire engulfed South Lake Tahoe in dangerous levels of smoke, and he shut down his two restaurants with no idea when they would open again. For NPR’s Next Generation Radio, Cox reflects on the threat to his livelihood and what worried him the most: protecting his older father and newborn child.

Learn more about this story at https://bit.ly/npr-next-gen-reno-2022.
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This story is part of a series for , which explored the impacts of climate change on the lives of northern Nevadans and eastern Californians.

01/04/2023

Zach Cannady owns and runs Prema Farm, a small-scale, sustainable farm along the Nevada-California border. While his worldly experiences have greatly influenced him and encouraged him to cultivate produce for northern Nevadans, Cannady describes the challenges that have arisen as a result of climate change for NPR’s Next Generation Radio.

Learn more about this story at https://bit.ly/npr-next-gen-reno-2022.
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This story is part of a series for , which explored the impacts of climate change on the lives of northern Nevadans and eastern Californians.

01/04/2023

Governor Lombardo pledges no new taxes, less government oversight, and more school choice at inauguration

Republican Joe Lombardo promised to work across the aisle during his swearing-in as Nevada’s 31st governor in a public inauguration ceremony on January 3, ahead of the Nevada Legislative Session, which will be controlled by Democrats and starts next month.

Republican Joe Lombardo promised to work across the aisle during his swearing-in as Nevada’s 31st governor in a public inauguration ceremony on January 3.

01/03/2023

Marcia Sherman is a lifelong animal lover and former bird breeder, and she’s worked at a pet store in Reno for nearly 50 years. For NPR’s Next Generation Radio, Sherman shares her concerns about the threat to birds and other animals due to climate change and worries future generations won’t be able to enjoy the variety of species she’s come to know.

Learn more about this story at https://bit.ly/npr-next-gen-reno-2022.
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This story is part of a series for , which explored the impacts of climate change on the lives of northern Nevadans and eastern Californians.

01/03/2023

Meet the Downtown Reno Library’s indoor jungle caretaker

Have you ever admired the plants at Washoe County Library’s Downtown Reno Library? Meet Leon Lewis: the local entrepreneur who has cared for the greenery weekly over the last 20 years.

Have you ever admired the indoor jungle at the Downtown Reno Library? In this audio postcard, a local entrepreneur shares what it's like to care for the greenery.

01/02/2023

¿Tiene alguna tradición festiva o invernal que le gustaría compartir con KUNR? Queremos conocerla.

¿Qué tradiciones festivas o invernales espera y qué significan para usted? ¿Ha afectado la pandemia a sus tradiciones? Si es así, ¿cómo? Comparta sus historias y comentarios con KUNR en el breve formulario que aparece a continuación.

¿Qué tradiciones festivas o invernales espera y qué significan para usted? Comparta sus historias y comentarios con KUNR.

01/02/2023

Washoe and Douglas counties open warming shelters for people without power

Washoe and Douglas Counties have opened warming shelters, and a few casinos have discounted rates for people without power. Roughly 31,000 Nevada residents were affected by power outages as of Sunday at 6 p.m., according to NV Energy.

Washoe and Douglas Counties have opened warming shelters for people without power.

01/01/2023

Winter storm warning in Western Nevada, Elko, Northeast California. Road closures, outages, sandbags

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Western Nevada, Northeastern California, and Elko. KUNR has compiled a list of resources, including where to find road closures and chain requirements, power outages, and sandbags.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Northeastern California and Western Nevada from Friday morning through Saturday evening. KUNR has compiled a list of sandbag filling stations in Reno, Carson City, Susanville and Douglas, Washoe, and Lyon counties.

12/31/2022

Have a holiday or winter tradition you’d like to share with KUNR? We want to hear from you!

What holiday or winter traditions are you looking forward to, and what do they mean to you? Has the pandemic impacted your traditions, and if so, what do they look like now? Share your stories and thoughts with KUNR by filling out the short form linked below.

What holiday or winter traditions are you looking forward to, and what do they mean to you? Share your stories and thoughts with KUNR.

12/30/2022

How Latinos in Reno keep their New Year’s traditions alive

New Year’s is just around the corner. For many, it means toasting at midnight while watching the Times Square’s ball drop, but for others, it means following certain traditions and rituals. KUNR’s Maria Palma explores how Latinos in Reno keep their New Year’s traditions alive.

New Year’s is just around the corner. For many, it means toasting at midnight while watching the Times Square’s ball drop, but for others, it means following certain traditions and rituals.

12/30/2022

U.S. teens, adults spend billions on toys, stuffed animals for themselves

When the pandemic started, many items flew off the shelves – including toys. Years later, toy stores like Learning Express Toys of Reno, NV are still seeing sales grow. The Bureau’s Kaleb Roedel looked into what’s driving the toy craze.

When the pandemic started, many items flew off the shelves – including toys. Now, years later, toy stores are still seeing their sales grow and consumer bases expand.

12/29/2022

Flood watch issued for Western Nevada & Northeastern California, find a sandbag filling location

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Northeastern California and Western Nevada from Friday morning through Saturday evening. KUNR has compiled a list of sandbag filling stations in Reno, Carson City, Susanville and Douglas, Washoe, and Lyon counties. https://bit.ly/3GmHjlt

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Northeastern California and Western Nevada from Friday morning through Saturday evening. KUNR has compiled a list of sandbag filling stations in Reno, Carson City, Susanville and Douglas, Washoe, and Lyon counties.

12/29/2022

KUNR Youth Commentary: Local students express concerns about school dress code

Some students in Washoe County School District want to see changes to the dress code. reporter Stella Cole talked to students about their experiences with the rules and the impacts on student mental health.

For a commentary on local school dress code, KUNR Youth Media reporter Stella Cole talked to students in Washoe County about their experiences with the rules and how it has impacted student mental health.