This Is Reno
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Reno, Nevada's award-winning, online news and events source. We are reader-supported and cover Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. Subscribe to support local independent journalism. #thisisreno #renoNV #northNV #reno #journalism #localnews
Any doubt about Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s allegiance to President Donald Trump was put to rest Wednesday as they appeared on stage together at a rally in Las Vegas.
Lombardo rallies with Trump, defends taking care of billionaires
Gov. Joe Lombardo joined Donald Trump on stage at a Las Vegas rally, defending the former president's ties to wealthy business owners.
thisisreno.com
Reno-area events this week include theater, filmmaking, dance and live vocal music. Events include the Reno 48 Hour Film Project kickoff, the Annual Dog Days of Summer Dance Festival, “Mean Girls” and Harmony in the Park.
Reno events this week: Film, dogs, Mean Girls and Harmony in the Park
Discover weekly events in Reno including Mean Girls: The Musical, the 48 Hour Film Project kickoff, and the Dog Days of Summer Dance Festival.
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Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency Monday in several areas across Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony as the Bug and Fred Mountain Fires continue to grow.
Lombardo declares state of emergency for Washoe fires
Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as the Bug and Fred Mountain fires burn over 16,000 acres.
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The Washoe County Registrar of Voters moved 8,755 voter registrations to inactive status following post-primary voter roll maintenance completed before a federally mandated 90-day blackout period began Aug. 5.
Washoe County moves 8,755 voter registrations to inactive status
Washoe County moved 8,755 voter registrations to inactive status following maintenance before the federal blackout period.
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The Reno City Council will consider zoning and annexation measures involving Ladera properties, potential adoption of the city’s fiscal years 2027-29 strategic plan and a zoning change for One Mica Place when it meets Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Reno City Council to consider possible city clerk severance, 2027 legislative priorities
Reno City Council will meet August 12 to discuss Ladera annexation, rezoning, and the possible dismissal of City Clerk Mikki Huntsman.
thisisreno.com
More than eight months after 24-year-old Malik Avila died in custody at High Desert State Prison his family is still left with questions around the circumstances that lead to his death.
Lawsuit alleging guards fatally beat inmate prompts calls for state review of prison deaths
Attorney James Urrutia files suit for Malik Avila, claiming guards used excessive force before his death at High Desert State Prison.
thisisreno.com
In honor of Hot August Nights and classic car culture, Fireside Lounge inside the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino has gotten a temporary makeover as Pepp Drive-In & Cocktail Lounge. Through Aug. 15, the casino bar doubles as a sort of drive-in movie theater, leaning heavily into HAN’s nostalgia.
1950s Rewind: Fireside Lounge reimagined as a classic drive-in
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino's Fireside Lounge is transforming into the Pepp Drive-In & Cocktail Lounge through August 15.
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The former chief of Washoe County’s Department of Alternative Sentencing, Justin Roper, on Thursday was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing from a federal program. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Former alternative sentencing chief indicted on federal theft charges
Justin Roper, former DAS chief, faces federal charges for the alleged theft of $56,000 in government funding.
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#Editorial Wednesday’s Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency community meeting on #datacenters drew concern, frustration and opposition from residents, with many delivering a clear message: They don’t want data centers near Reno. But TMRPA didn’t open the door to these facilities.
Editorial: Don’t like data centers in your backyard? Blame the Reno City Council
Reno residents voiced strong opposition to data centers at a heated community meeting where officials faced criticism.
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The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency held a community forum Wednesday to present survey findings and 26 draft recommendations on #datacenters. Many attendees loudly criticized presentation.
Video: Residents again express opposition to data centers at community forum
A TMRPA report on data center regulation received backlash during a forum held Aug. 5 at Reno Public Market.
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Some businesses in Reno just make sense. They don’t need to reinvent themselves or try too hard in order to be local favorites. One such place is Sierra Tap House, a watering hole located downtown on the Truckee River that celebrated its 20-year anniversary in May after opening in 2006.
Sierra Tap House celebrates 20 years
Discover Sierra Tap House, a Reno Riverwalk favorite celebrating 20 years with local brews, sports, and a great outdoor patio.
thisisreno.com
Hot August Nights marked its 40th year in Reno last week with classic-car events all week long. Downtown Reno took center stage starting Aug. 4. 📸 Cesar Lopez has a giant photo gallery.
Photos: Hot August Nights 2026 classic cars
Classic cars filled downtown Reno for the 40th Hot August Nights, ending with a parade and awards ceremony.
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This #opinion by B Fulkerson and Elvira Diaz calls on the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority to limit cooperation with ICE at the airport. The authors also urge people to attend the "De-ICE the Reno Airport" rally Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 225 S. Rock Blvd.
Stop the raids: Why RNO must end its complicity with ICE (opinion)
Activists call for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority to end its cooperation with ICE following reports of aggressive enforcement.
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Eight Washoe County Schools are closed Monday due to threats from the Bug Fire. Schools affected by the closures are Desert Heights, Silver Lake, Lemmon Valley, Alyce Taylor, Jesse Hall and Spanish Springs elementary schools, Shaw Middle School and Spanish Springs High School.
Eight schools closed, Hungry Valley evacuated due to Bug Fire
Washoe County closes eight schools as Bug and Fred Mountain fires spread. Evacuation centers are open for tribal members.
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Washoe County officials today said evacuations have been lifted for Cold Springs and neighborhoods as crews continue battling the Bug Fire. Perimeter Map, however, shows the 150-acre Fred Mountain Fire prompting warnings to evacate north of Stead as of 5 p.m. Sunday.
Evacuations lifted in Cold Springs as other evacuation areas expand
Washoe County lifts evacuations near White Lake as Bug Fire hits 20% containment; Fred Mountain Fire prompts warnings.
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The former chief of Washoe County’s Department of Alternative Sentencing, Justin Roper, on Thursday was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing from a federal program. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. More: thisisreno.com/2026/08/form...
U.S. District Court of Nevada Judge Craig Denney on Thursday again scolded the federal government in how it is handling its prosecution of the man suspected of murdering Anna Scott. Denney chastised federal prosecutor Joshua Brister for the months-long delay in turning over evidence.
Judge orders federal prosecutor to turn over evidence in Anna Scott murder case by Monday
Judge Craig Denney ordered prosecutors to release evidence by Monday in the Anna Scott murder trial.
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Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dan Walters completed his final Nevada Army National Guard flight in a Chinook over familiar northern Nevada landmarks before retiring after 42 years of military service. Walters said he will continue flying helicopters for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Leading from above: Longtime Nevada Guard pilot retires after 42 years in the sky
CW5 Dan Walters retired from the Nevada Army National Guard after a 42-year career and two Afghanistan deployments.
thisisreno.com
The Reno City Council is scheduled Wednesday to terminate City Clerk Mikki Huntsman after a human resources investigation reportedly confirmed employee complaints. City council members, who supervise the clerk, did not respond to questions.
City council to consider city clerk’s termination again, this time with either 3 or 6 months severance
Reno City Council is set to terminate City Clerk Mikki Huntsman following an HR probe into absences and low morale.
thisisreno.com
Club Underground reopened in 2025. It soon faced online criticism from people familiar with promoter Brandon Deriso’s felony theft conviction and earlier, failed concert promotion efforts.
Club Underground rises again
Promoter Brandon Deriso faces scrutiny as musicians report issues with vague contracts and inconsistent venue info.
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Hot August Nights began its 2026 run Monday with an official kickoff party and Show ‘N’ Shine at the Peppermill. The event marked the start of the weeklong classic car celebration running Aug. 3-8.
Photos: Hot August Nights 2026 kicks off with Show 'N' Shine at Peppermill
Hot August Nights kicked off at the Peppermill on Aug. 3. Daily Show 'N' Shines will continue through Friday with prizes.
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Imagine placing a $100 bet on how many acres the 2024 Davis Fire burned or how many homes would be lost. In Nevada, where wagering operations are highly regulated under state laws and many people have been impacted by wildfires, bets like that might seem crass and illegal.
Nevada senators seek federal limits on wildfire prediction markets
Nevada senators urge the CFTC to block prediction markets from offering contracts on wildfires to prevent profiting from disaster.
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Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo says there’s nothing he can do about affordability and warns claims to the contrary are “bullshit.” The governor, a Republican, faces a reelection challenge in November from Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. Polling has the race tied or Lombardo slightly ahead.
Lombardo says he’s powerless to address affordability
Gov. Joe Lombardo claims state leaders cannot control inflation, despite criticism over his vetoes of affordable housing and child care bills.
thisisreno.com
Fallon’s Endacott recognized for 30 years of service to aviation ordnance community A Fallon resident who forged a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy and the local community has been recognized for three decades of service in aviation ordnance leadership.
Above and beyond the call of duty
Fallon resident Steve Endacott was honored for 30 years of service to aviation ordnance leadership at a recent conference.
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Northern Nevada Public Health issued an air quality advisory for the Reno-Sparks area Wednesday because smoke from regional wildfires could contribute to unhealthy ground-level ozone levels.
Air quality advisory issued for Reno-Sparks amid wildfire smoke
An air quality advisory is in effect for the Reno-Sparks area Aug. 5-6 due to wildfire smoke increasing ozone levels.
thisisreno.com
How does being genuinely seen by another affect our sense of ourselves? This is the quiet paradox at the heart of our self-regard. My latest for @thisisreno.bsky.social explores a local artist’s deeply moving journey to answer this question. Your response to it may surprise you.
The power of being seen: Midori Ishibashi Wall’s journey to visibility and The JOY Project
Midori Joy Ishibashi launched THE JOY PROJECT, a portrait photography exhibit featuring diverse families, running through Aug 2-30 in Reno.
thisisreno.com
Friday, July 31, Pure Country Canteen hosted a midget wrestling show. The local honkytonk cleared off its dance floor, trading line dances for a wrestling ring. The show sold out with Reno-ites flooding the bar. The headliner: wrestler 25¢ versus wrestler Mini Diddy.
Micro Mania midget wrestling: Reno’s continuing history of strange entertainment
Disability rights experts critique dwarfism in entertainment after a sold-out Micro Mania wrestling event in Reno.
thisisreno.com
Club Underground promoter Brandon Deriso has long accused perceived enemies of conspiring against him. Deriso describes that coup as a coordinated effort to damage his business and reputation. The coup against him includes elected officials, casinos, promoters, a nonprofit and area musicians.
Local music promoter alleges a ‘coup’ is conspiring against him
Brandon Deriso claims a conspiracy of politicians and rivals sought to ruin his career, though all named parties deny his accusations.
thisisreno.com
Dozens have turned out this evening to Reno Public Market for a discussion on #datacenters.
