East Coast freaking out about Nevada-ish skies | Reno Memo
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We never knew quite how hardy we were out here in the Sagebrush State until the East Coast had to start living like us. From Minneapolis to DC, the northeastern United States has been hit hard by poor air quality due to wildfires in Canada's forests, prompting suspensions of baseball games, a soccer game and one basketball game (even though that game was being played indoors). The smoke is expected to hang around for a few more days; USA TODAY's Doyle Rice has more.
Look, we're all dealing with atmospheric conditions everywhere. Why, here in Nevada, we're having to put up with weeks late afternoon rain and occasional rainbows, and you don't hear us canceling things.
Stray A's
Good news: The state passed a budget on Tuesday night despite a contentious game of chicken between the governor and the Legislature. Gov. Lombardo said he wouldn't sign any budget unless the Legislature acted on his priorities, including charter school legislation, criminal justice reform and ... you know what, it doesn't matter anymore, because Republican Sen. Scott Hammond split with his party late last night to give Democrats a veto-proof passage of the budget more or less as-is.
Weird news: Less than 24 hours after the weekslong budget fight was resolved, the Nevada Legislature is gathering to try to figure out how to give hundreds of millions of dollars to a California billionaire. The second special session in as many days is being held Wednesday to debate promising $380 million for a Las Vegas Strip ballpark to land the (currently Oakland) A's, who have lost 16 out of their last 21 games but actually improved their win percentage during that stretch.
"Why should we care? This is Clark County's tax dollars," you ask, and it's a great point until you read Sec. 30 7(1) of the bill, which notes that if the promised tax dollars fall short, the state's general fund would pick up the slack. The Nevada Current's April Corbin Girnus has the overview; you also can watch the proceedings live from Carson City.
Congress shall make no law ... (yawn zzz)
Whoever attached an electronic GPS device to the cars of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and former Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung is taking a new tack to keep their identity secret: saying that secret electronic tracking of politicians counts as "political activity" similar to distributing anonymous leaflets, and arguing that the First Amendment protects anonymity in cases of political activity. And really, has anyone actually checked the First Amendment for this? It's a pretty long sentence, nearly 50 words, a couple of semicolons ... we're sure if you really get into it, there's something in there about being able to slap tracking devices on politicians' personal stuff. It looks like we won't hear anything one way or another until at least next month; here's more from the AP.
The rundown
- All three Truckee River drownings are still under investigation
- 2 top museum officials injured in crash identified
- Clark County officials unveil five concepts for 1 October memorial
- Nevada to receive $12 million from the Department of the Interior for habitat restoration
- Wolverine spotted in Sierra Nevada for just the second time this century. Probably just hiding from the Soviets this entire time
- The Vegas Golden Knights, who play in a privately built arena, are two wins away from a Stanley Cup title. Here's how to watch the remaining games
Who's winning the internet?
TikTok revenge, apparently. Here's what happens when millions of people watch your 20-second clip about your lousy restaurant experience or whatever, and get absolutely livid about it.
Brett McGinness is the engagement editor for the Reno Gazette Journal. He's also the writer of The Reno Memo — a free newsletter about news in the Biggest Little City. Subscribe to the newsletter right here. Consider supporting the Reno Gazette Journal, too.