LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — World-renowned free climber and Las Vegas local Alex Honnold is soaring to new heights with a new mission: helping everyone explore Nevada and all that the Silver State has to offer.

Travel Nevada, the state’s tourism agency, partnered with Honnold on the venture. FOX5’s Jaclyn Schultz spoke to Honnold after his recent success climbing atop Taipei 101. Streaming service Netflix broadcast the free climb live to millions of viewers.

Honnold is already an advocate for outdoor preservation across Nevada, and worked to preserve thousands of climbing routes on public lands like Red Rock Canyon.

“Everyone I meet is like, ‘Why would you live in Vegas?’ They think, they think I just spent all my time on the Strip. The Strip is cool– it’s incredible in its own way, world-class entertainment and everything. But man, the outdoor access is unparalleled,” Honnold said.

“I moved here for a reason. I think it’s the best climbing. I think it’s arguably some of the best access in the world. Having a convenient airport and sort of convenient living coupled with very convenient rock– there just aren’t that many places like that in the world,” Honnold tells FOX5.

“Get A Little Out There With Alex Honnold” features outdoor adventures across Nevada, and takes people along to discover hidden gems in different towns and communities.

What’s the most “underrated place” in Nevada, according to Honnold?

“Ely, Nevada,” Honnold said. “The potential, the bare bones of having a small town at the base of giant mountains, the access to skiing, the access to trails–I was like, this is as good as any kind of Colorado resort town,” Honnold said.

Nevada’s tourism has notably taken a nosedive over the past year. Various businesses, local leaders and state agencies have worked to lure back tourists, international visitors and domestic travelers.

“Part of the appeal of making the show is that you do just want more people to know about the opportunity. Nevada’s 80% public land. You can just go out and have adventures virtually anywhere,” he said.

Episode 1 of Honnold’s series drops February 26 on Outside TV. You can learn more here: Travel Nevada

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RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Nevada leaders from across the political spectrum are reacting to President Trump’s State of the Union Address Tuesday night.

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen said:

“Donald Trump spent hours lying by saying life has gotten better since he came back into office, but Nevadans know the truth: prices are still too high, millions have lost access to health care, and his illegal tariffs are hurting small businesses,” said Senator Rosen. “Tonight’s speech was not a display of leadership, it was political theater. Nevadans and all Americans deserve better – they deserve lower costs, access to affordable health care, and a president who actually fights for them.”

Meanwhile, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo took to Twitter to say:

“Tonight, I was encouraged by President Trump’s commitment to growing our nation’s economy, lowering costs for hardworking families, and protecting American workers. In Nevada, we share those priorities, and I will continue working with the President to strengthen our economy, expand good paying job opportunities and ensure every Nevadan has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream right here at home.”

Fellow Democratic Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said:

“Over the past year, President Trump has raised the cost of food, housing, and health care, severely hurt the travel and tourism economy, and terrorized communities across America. At a time when Americans across the country are asking for relief from this Administration’s policies, the President used his State of the Union Address to offer empty promises and spread lies. His speech offered working families no respite from his disastrous agenda. That’s not the America that we work toward – I’ll continue to fight for a better future for Nevadans.”

Representative Mark Amodei did not send KOLO 8 News Now a response after the address but did discuss several subjects prior to the speech. He praised Trump for securing the southern border, strengthening peace and stability abroad and reigning in wasteful government spending as well as cutting red tape.

Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.

After a record-breaking State of the Union — timewise — Nevada officials reacted to President Donald Trump’s speech in which he declared that “This is the golden age of America.”

It was Trump’s last such joint-session speech before the upcoming midterm elections that can shake up the power structure in Washington, D.C.

Four of five Nevada’s Congressional Democrats attended and later criticized Trump’s economic agenda in statements. A wave of their Democratic colleagues boycotted the address, including Rep. Dina Titus.

Titus noted a loss of hospitality jobs, and cuts to to federal health insurance programs and food stamps over the past year.

“All of us are struggling with the higher cost of food, energy, and other necessities,” she said. “Buying a home is out of reach for young families. These are the economic realities that Donald Trump conveniently omitted tonight.”

‘Political theater’

Sen. Jacky Rosen described the speech as political theater.

“Nevadans and all Americans deserve better — they deserve lower costs, access to affordable health care, and a president who actually fights for them,” said Rosen, D-Nev.

Asked if she’d considered skipping the speech, the senator told reporters earlier Tuesday that she respects the office of the presidency regardless of political disagreements or what party holds it. Rosen said she felt it’s her job to attend.

Looking ahead, Nevada’s lone Congressional Republican, Rep. Mark Amodei, said the State of the Union would give Trump an opportunity to speak directly to the American people and chart the course ahead as the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

In a statement, he said he wanted the president to build on his commitment to lowering costs and capitalize on the success of the Working Families Tax Cut.

“I also expect him to point to his success in securing the border, strengthening peace and stability abroad, reining in wasteful government spending, cutting burdensome red tape, and championing American energy dominance, and to contrast that record with the previous administration and serial federal shutdowns which achieve nothing,” Amodei said.

Longest State of the Union on record

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said the address provided no respite to working families.

“At a time when Americans across the country are asking for relief from this Administration’s policies, the President used his State of the Union Address to offer empty promises and spread lies,” she said.

Trump spoke for 107 minutes, making it the longest State of the Union in recorded history.

Rep. Steven Horsford noted the speech’s length.

“What families needed were real answers. Because here’s the truth: if the economy were working for everyday people, folks wouldn’t still be struggling with higher grocery bills, rising rent, and squeezed paychecks,” he said. “When costs go up and wages don’t keep pace, no amount of applause changes that.”

There were no specific mentions of Nevada, although the president highlighted his “no tax on tips” policy which was born during a Las Vegas campaign trip.

And Vegas Golden Knights players Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin were there as Trump honored the U.S. hockey team that recently won an Olympic gold medal.

Nevada governor’s race

Before the address, the Nevada Democratic Party tied Trump’s agenda to Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo.

“After helping Trump get elected and embracing his endorsement, Joe Lombardo still refuses to defend Nevadans against Trump’s cost-raising agenda and even said families need to ‘feel a little pain’ from his illegal tariffs,” party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno said in a statement.

Lombardo said he was encouraged by Trump’s commitment to growing the economy.

“In Nevada, we share those priorities, and I will continue working with the President to strengthen our economy, expand good-paying job opportunities, and ensure every Nevadan has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream right here at home,” he said.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat running for governor in 2026, also responded in a statement.

“The President promised to lower costs on day one and he has done the opposite,” he said. “Donald Trump and Joe Lombardo can claim that things are fine all they want but Nevadans know the truth because they’re living it every single day: Families are stretched thin, living paycheck to paycheck, and struggling to afford rent, mortgages, groceries, and gas.”

The Nevada Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.