Lawmakers in Nevada approved a bill to send every registered voter in the state an absentee ballot ahead of the 2020 election. However, where will one’s ballot be sent if they are experiencing homelessness? KUNR’s Lucia Starbuck talked to Heather Carmen, the Assistant Registrar of Voters for Washoe County, about how to send and receive… [Read More]
Nevada surpasses 2010 U.S. Census Bureau self-response rate
The deadline to fill out the 2020 census is quickly approaching, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nevada has surpassed its 2010 census self-response rate. In 2010, Nevadans had the choice to self-respond to the census one of two ways: over the phone or by mail. By the end of the 2010 census deadline,… [Read More]
All races have COVID, but people of color will face vastly different outcomes: report
Early on in the pandemic, many called COVID-19 a great equalizer, a virus that affects rich and poor, white, Black and brown people alike. New realities have come to light suggesting that while anyone might be infected, based on race, class and in certain cases, gender, the outcome of the disease will be vastly different. … [Read More]
Running a school food pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic: an audio diary
Communities in Schools works directly with families experiencing hunger. With the overall mission of helping students stay in school, the organization staffs ten food pantries located in schools in Reno and Sparks. Carolina Juárez, works for the nonprofit as a bilingual site coordinator at Glenn Duncan Elementary School. In this audio postcard, she shares what… [Read More]
How the national eviction ban will work in Nevada
This week, Gov. Steve Sisolak extended the state’s eviction moratorium until mid-October. Right after that announcement, the Trump administration banned evictions until the end of 2020 for renters who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and don’t have available housing options. KUNR’s Michelle Billman talked to Lucia Starbuck about what tenants in Nevada… [Read More]
Education during COVID-19 discussed in first KUNR forum for Spanish speaking Nevadans
With the fall semester underway for public schools across the state, KUNR recently hosted a Facebook Live event in Spanish, with health and education experts, to answer community questions. Bilingual reporter Natalie Van Hoozer moderated the Q&A and spoke with KUNR’s Jayden Perez to recap the main takeaways from the discussion. Jayden Perez: Natalie, KUNR… [Read More]
Trump energizes base, attacks democrats during Nevada campaign stop
President Donald Trump used his campaign stop in northern Nevada over the weekend to slam Democrats and sow doubt about the integrity of the election. Marking his first campaign rally in Nevada since the start of the pandemic, Trump was greeted by several thousand mostly maskless supporters who crowded onto the small runway of the… [Read More]
Nevada’s communities of color, essential workers are disproportionately affected by COVID-19: Report
Nevada’s army of essential workers have not only kept the wheels of daily life going for all Nevadans, they’ve helped the state maintain the look and feel of normalcyduring a global pandemic and an historic budget shortfall in the state. They are the staff in grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies. They work in janitorial services,… [Read More]
Washoe County Library System retires late fees in attempt to remove barriers to library access
The Washoe County Library System became one of the first library systems in Nevada to eliminate fines for overdue books and materials last week, joining a nationwide movement aiming to alleviate financial stress and create a more welcoming space. The decision to eliminate overdue fees came during an Aug. 19 library board of trustees meeting and followed… [Read More]
Special education faces additional challenges with in-person learning during COVID-19
Washoe County teachers and students are returning to school and trying to adapt to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. The district’s approach to reopening schools includes individualizing materials and maintaining social distance in the classroom, which might be uniquely challenging in special education classrooms. For confidentiality, the identity of the teacher interviewed for… [Read More]