LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Governor’s Office has announced the arrest of Mychelle Lay, a Las Vegas woman allegedly involved in the “theft of personal identifying information and trafficking of… SNAP benefits.”

Multiple cases were marked as suspicious by caseworkers with the Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS), and brought to the attention of the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. It was at this time, officials said, that they learned Nevada State Police (NSP) were also tracking these activities.

In June, 2025, NSP officers with the Parole and Probation Division held a home contact on Lay, a probationer. They discovered fraudulent activity evidence at that time.

During their investigation, NSP learned that Lay had set up a fake business in December, 2024, that was approved for SNAP/EBT transactions and began to operate in January, 2025.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars were processed through this scheme between January and September, 2025, according to financial records. The precise number of individual profiles in connection with the “business” is still unknown.

In addition to SNAP fraud, NSP’s investigation revealed “a potential fraud connected to Medicaid enrollment.” Officials are working to learn more about this activity.

The Nevada DSS (administrators of SNAP benefits and processors of Medicaid eligibility) shared that they are working closely with law enforcement’s investigation. The Office of the Inspector General and their Social Security Administration department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General are also assisting in this case.

According to the report, Lay was booked into the Clark County Jail with the following charges:

• 1 count of theft over $100,000
• 1 count of fraudulent acts — public assistance
• 1 count of multiple fraudulent transactions through an enterprise or occupation
• 11 counts of obtaining or using the ID of another

During the time NSP conducted their home contact, Lay was being supervised for possession of a controlled substance and for obtaining and using the personal identifying information of another.

This investigation is still ongoing. If you believe you might be a victim of identity theft, contact the Division of Social Services by visiting a local office, email welfare@dds.nv.gov, or call 702-486-1646 (Southern Nevada) or 775-684-7200 (Northern Nevada).

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Las Vegas entertainment fans will have several big dates to circle this spring, from a high-profile gala honoring Lisa Vanderpump to major concerts and award shows on the Strip.

Vanderpump is set to be honored as the next Nevada Ballet Theatre Woman of the Year at the April 11 Black and White Gala at Encore Las Vegas. Vanderpump gained fame through Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules. She is also an entrepreneur, with her Vanderpump Hotel taking over the Cromwell on the Strip this year. Vanderpump is active in many charity causes and has a background in the arts. “I was born into the acting thing and dancing was a big part of that education,” Vanderpump said.

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The Jonas Brothers are scheduled to play Dolby Live on May 20, 22 and 23. The group most recently headlined the theater in 2023, and the family also runs Nelly’s Southern Kitchen at MGM Grand.

MGM Grand Garden Arena will also host two award shows on consecutive weekends in May: the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17 and the American Music Awards on Memorial Day, May 25. It is the first time two major award shows have performed on consecutive weekends at MGM Grand.

Over 1,000 candidates have filed to run for political seats across the Silver State at the federal, state and local level as of midday Friday, according to the Secretary of State.

Friday is the last day of the two-week candidate filing period for non-judicial seats. When the candidate lists are finalized, the races for the 2026 midterms will be set.

The top northern Nevada races of the 2026 cycle are likely to be Joe Lombardo’s gubernatorial reelection bid, the open race for Rep. Mark Amodei’s seat in Congress and the open race for Reno Mayor.

Below is a list of the declared candidates for some of the key races, which will be updated throughout the day as more candidates apply to run. To see the full list of candidates for all judicial and non-judicial seats across Nevada, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Governor of Nevada

Political observers expect Gov. Lombardo to coast through the Republican primary in his reelection bid with no major candidates running against the incumbent. On the Democratic side, five candidates had filed as of midday Friday, including Nevada attorney general Aaron Ford and Washoe County commissioner Alexis Hill.

• Aaron D. Ford (D)
• Alexis Hill (D)
• Allen Rheinhart (no party)
• Barak Zilberberg (R)
• Danielle Ford (no party)
• Donald J. “Donald Jr.” Beaudry Jr. (R)
• Emile Bouari (D)
• Emilio R. Rodriguez (no party)
• Irina Hansen (R)
• John T. Scott (no party)
• Jordan Koteras (no party)
• Jose M. Zelaya (R)
• Joseph Lombardo (R)
• Matthew R. Winterhawk (R)
• Kameron M. Hawkins (R)
• Miqehl Bayfield (D)
• Sunshine Arterburn (D)
• Max Beck (no party)

2nd Congressional District

Rep. Amodei’s surprise retirement announcement earlier this year touched off a frenzy of speculation and rumors in the political world, but the list of declared candidates is now coming in to focus. As of midday Friday, 24 candidates had applied for the seat, which covers all of northern Nevada:

• Andrea Lowe (R)
• Bruce Grego (R)
• Fred J. Simon, Jr. (R)
• Gamaliel Z. “Gamy” Enriquez (D)
• George Forbush (R)
• James A. Settelmeyer (R)
• Jennifer Billat (R)
• Jerry Olsen (R)
• Jesse J. Watts (R)
• Johnny E. Kerns (D)
• Josh Hebert (D)
• Kathy Durham (D)
• Lynn Chapman (Independent American Party)
• Mark Jolle (D)
• Matthew Fonken (D)
• Michael “Mike” Smith (R)
• Monica Jaye Stabbert (R)
• Morgan Wadsworth (D)
• Rick Shepherd (R)
• Sherman Tylawsky (R)
• Teresa F. Benitez-Thompson (D)
• Tom Doyle (R)
• Robert, G “Greg” Kidd (D)
• Douglas “Doug” Miller (R)
• William “Bill” Conrad (R)
• Gerold L. Gorman (D)
• David Flippo (R)

Reno Mayor

Mayor Hillary Schieve is termed out and cannot run for another 4-year term leading the Biggest Little City. As of Friday morning, 9 candidates had filed for the open seat, including a former lieutenant governor and two current council members. Below is the full list of candidates for the nonpartisan seat:

• Corinthia M. Yancey
• Devon T. Reese
• George “Eddie” Lorton
• Greg “Nutt” Nuttle
• Jesse O. Razo
• John Wayne Zink
• Kate Marshall
• Kathleen Taylor
• Tim Ross

Sparks Mayor

Ed Lawson, who has led the City of Sparks as its mayor since his appointment in 2020, is running for a second full term leading the Rail City. So far, three candidates and Lawson have filed to run for the mayoral seat, including current councilwoman Charlene Bybee. Below is the full list of candidates for the nonpartisan seat:

• Charlene Bybee
• Ed Lawson (incumbent)
• Wendi M. Rawson
• Diana L. Mackey

Washoe County Sheriff

As of Friday morning, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam was the only candidate to apply for the seat. If no one else files before the Friday deadline, Balaam will win re-election automatically.

Washoe County District Attorney

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has filed for re-election, but will face an opponent for the first time in his political career.

Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan is seeking to unseat Hicks. So far, Hicks and Duncan are the only two candidates in the race. If no one else files to run before the deadline, the pair will automatically advance to the general election.

Reno City Attorney

Reno city attorney Karl Hall confirmed to News 4-Fox 11 Thursday that he was not filing for reelection. Hall has been in the seat since his first election victory in 2014.

So far, attorney and professor Zee Bogale is the only candidate who has filed to run for the city attorney’s office. If no one else files for the race, Bogale will win the city attorney seat by default.