Nevada is set to become the 18th state to allow low-income pregnant women to use Medicaid funds to pay for abortions.

The state government declined to appeal a judge’s ruling earlier this year that found denying coverage for abortions violated Nevada’s equal rights protections adopted by voters in 2022.

It’s unclear when the coverage will begin, but the ruling judge said it should be no later than early November.

“Nevadans who have Medicaid as their health insurance will no longer need to fear that they will be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will,” Rebecca Chan, a lawyer with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, which sued in the case, said.

The issue of abortion has become a key voter issue across the country since 2022 when the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, which had federally guaranteed abortion access for women for half a century.

Most GOP-controlled states have implemented bans or restrictions —  including 14 that have barred abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with some exceptions, and four more that generally prohibit it after about the first six weeks of pregnancy. 

Conversely, most blue states have moved to protect and expand access to abortions. Nevada, whose legislature is controlled by Democrats, is among the states that has protected access.

Just this past week, a judge struck down North Dakota’s abortion ban and Arizona repealed its long-dormant 1864 law that criminalized all abortions except when a woman’s life was jeopardized.

Voters in The Silver State will consider enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution in November. If the referendum passes, there will be a second vote in 2026.

However, a major issue even in states where abortions are readily available to women is whether the procedure is covered by Medicaid for patients on the joint state-federal program for those with lower incomes.

Under a 1977 law, federal funds are prohibited from paying for abortion except in cases of rape, incest and when abortion is necessary to save the life of the pregnant person.  States are permitted to use their allocations to pay for abortion under certain circumstances.

The Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, says that most follow the federal law for the state funds, too — or do so but with some additional exceptions.

Seventeen states cover abortion without limitations. Nine of those are under court orders and eight cover abortion voluntarily.

Roughly one-third of American women between the ages of 15 and 49 live in states where abortion is accessible and Medicaid covers abortion but only in limited cases, according to the healthcare nonprofit KFF.

About one in five women in those states has Medicaid insurance coverage. 

Those with Medicaid are disproportionately low-income, Native American and Black.

With Post Wires

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Former President Donald Trump was in town this weekend for events both large and small in the swing state that he knows is critical on his path to the White House.

“We win this state, we’re going to win the whole thing. We win this we’re going to win the whole thing,” Trump said at his rally on Friday.

I met with the former president here at the Trump International Hotel to ask him about an issue that’s been on the minds of locals since this campaign began…

The Economy

Steve: I wanted to find out from you, what one policy or program would you pursue that you think is most important that would help local Las Vegans in terms of the economy?

This is what the former president had to say:

Earlier this year, Trump proposed a “No Tax On Tips” policy at a rally in June and recently held an event in August specific to the proposal here in Las Vegas. The push for no taxes on tipped income was again mentioned during his campaign rally on Friday, and now Trump has gone further with these proposals for no taxes on overtime pay and social security benefits.

Nevada is home to plenty of hourly workers and retirees who would benefit from those proposals, but I also wanted to know how Trump planned to pay for the revenue lost when those taxes are cut and what effect it might have on the federal debt.

Steve: Once you take that revenue out of the federal budget, how are you going to replace that?

Trump said:

I followed up in our exclusive interview to ask the former president if tariffs wouldn’t undercut the gains people would see with tax cuts since economists believe prices would rise in response to tariffs.

Trump told me tariffs were necessary to cut trade deficits and might even end up creating jobs in the United States.

Trump said:

The idea of tariffs is one of the things that old-school, free-trade Republicans find frustrating about Trump.

I asked him about the group “Republicans for Harris,” members of the GOP who say that while they disagree with Harris on issues, Trump presents a threat to democratic governance.

Steve: If there was a Republican for Harris in the room with us, what would you tell them in terms of persuading them to vote for you as opposed to vote for Harris?

Trump said:

This weekend will not be former President Trump’s last visit. He’s promised to return to the Silver State before the election on November 5.

You can watch our full interview with the former president in the video player above.

If you have a question about politics, elections or government, you can Ask Steve via the link on our website. He will endeavor to answer your questions on air or online.

Coming off a dominant 48-0 win over Rhode Island last weekend, the Minnesota Golden Gophers square off against the Nevada Wolf Pack, who come into the contest at 1-2. This game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, September 14 with a live broadcast on Big Ten Network, and streaming live on demand.

• WATCH: Minnesota vs. Nevada live for free with Fubo (free trial) or with Sling (cheapest streaming plans, $25 off your first month) or see more streaming options below.

What TV channel is the Minnesota vs. Nevada game on?

When: Kickoff takes place at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, September 14.

Where: Huntington Bank Stadium | Minneapolis, MN

TV Channel: Big Ten Network

How to watch live stream online: If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). If you are out of free trials, the cheapest and best way to watch this game and more football this month is by signing up for Sling (promotional offers, cheapest streaming plans), which is $25 off for the first month if you add the “Sports Extra” package that includes Big Ten Network, SEC Network and a few other sports channels. If you already have a cable or satellite subscription, you can watch the game on FOX Sports Live by signing in with your provider information.

What TV channel is Big Ten Network on?

You can find out more about which channel Big Ten Network is on in your area by using the channel finders here:: Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice.

Minnesota vs. Nevada spread, latest betting odds

Spread: MN: -17.5 | NV: +17.5

Moneyline: MN: -1000 | NV: +620

Over/Under: 43.5