Nevada
EDITORIAL: Inspector general would improve accountability in Nevada
In Carson City, there are many legislative proposals to spend money, but not many to ensure that money is spent well. That’s why a bill from Controller Andy Matthews is worth examining.
On Monday, the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs is scheduled to hear Assembly Bill 33. It would create the Office of Inspector General within the controller’s office. The inspector general’s job would be to audit state and local agencies and nonprofits that receive government funding.
While Nevada does some auditing, the inspector general “would be focused on forensic auditing,” according to a release from Mr. Matthews’ office. This “would address a gap in the state of Nevada’s auditing capabilities.”
“Taxpayers deserve to know that public officials are being responsible with public resources, and that any money that has been allocated by the state is being used for its intended purpose,” Mr. Matthews said in his statement. “Creating an Office of the Inspector General would bring an unprecedented level of oversight to state finances.”
Making sure money is being well spent should be a bipartisan ideal. The inspector general would be “appointed by the unanimous agreement of the lieutenant governor, state treasurer and state controller,” the bill states. Mr. Matthews and Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony are Republicans, while Treasurer Zach Conine is a Democrat. This arrangement would help ensure the inspector general isn’t overtly political.
In 2023, Assemblywomen Brittney Miller, D-Las Vegas, introduced a bill that would have created the Office of the Inspector General of Education. That bill didn’t receive a vote, but it’s evidence that this is something on which Republicans and Democrats can agree.
Dozens of states have offices of inspector general, although some focus on specific agencies. Nevada’s Department of Corrections has an Office of Inspector General that does criminal investigations involving prisons and prisoners.
Last year, the Office of the State Inspector General in Virginia conducted dozens of criminal investigations. Those cases led to numerous prosecutions, including some involving federal crimes. In Ohio, the Office of the Inspector General assisted in an investigation into millions of dollars in improper payments from the state’s Department of Job and Family Services. In South Carolina, the Office of the State Inspector General looked into fiscal practices at various educational institutions last year.
Those committing fiscal fraud don’t announce themselves once they’ve finished stealing taxpayer money. They need to be ferreted out by professionals doing monotonous and unglamorous work. While there may be concerns about creating another bureaucracy, the potential reward might be worth the risk.
To increase accountability, the Legislature should pass this bill.
Lori Wisniewski lost her Nevada City home in a fire last year and has been living in a 150-square-foot tiny home while she waits for her house to be rebuilt.
It’s being rebuilt at little to no cost to her, thanks to her community stepping up to help.
“I had to jump off the deck, and I thought the dogs would be coming out too, and they didn’t, so that’s very sad,” she said, recounting the day of the fire on January 27, 2025.
Wisniewski lost her pets and home after an accident with her wood-burning stove. She says she wasn’t sure how to move forward without proper insurance and navigating the process without her husband, who died from cancer.
“In First James, it talks about serving widows and orphans as being true religion. So when I saw Lori’s story come across my path, I knew that was an opportunity to put my money where my mouth is with my faith,” said Matthew Sutherlin, CEO of Green Bee Construction.
Sutherlin is spearheading the rebuild of Wisniewski’s home with the help of donated time, labor and materials from other local tradespeople and businesses.
“Who am I to have a designer? And part of me, too, is when I have to choose everything, I always try to go for the least expensive item or tile or front door,” she said.
“Everybody has been shaving things off and donating things and getting reduced costs all the way across the board. That’s what has made it possible for this project to have worked,” said Sutherlin.
It’s been all hands on deck during the last year.
Wisniewski was excited to show us the inside of the house and what’s to come. As a former post-surgical nurse, she even decided an accessible room would be a nice touch for friends or anyone who lent a hand.
“If somebody has to recover or needs a few days to get around after a surgery, they can come and stay in here,” she said.
The builders say the weather has been posing a challenge, especially coupled with hazardous materials leftover from the fire. But they’re getting through it together.
“Every person has stepped up to offer their help. The timing with all the different processes has worked out in our favor. I really believe the whole thing has a blessing on it, really,” said Sutherlin.
Builders expect to be finished with the house in late spring or early summer.
“This community, a lot of them have seen your reports. At Grocery Outlet, ‘oh, you’re the one whose house burned down,’ and I always go into the most important thing about this is what people from the community are doing for this purpose or cause. I sometimes wonder why me? Why am I getting this opportunity? So that’s where I am today,” said Wisniewski.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is set to hold a press conference to discuss the status of multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration.
Officials say the address will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The conference will cover both the financial and nonfinancial wins regarding claims that the Trump administration has “practiced destructive overreach.”
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
Top performances
Boys basketball
■ Mekhi Carter, Canyon Springs: The sophomore collected 17 points, five assists and two steals while leading the Pioneers to a 63-49 win over Tech.
■ Gian Haddock, Desert Oasis: The senior scored 23 points as the Diamondbacks outlasted Silverado for a 70-68 triple-overtime win.
■ Rylan Hearns, Arbor View: The senior finished with 28 points in the Aggies’ 71-55 win over Foothill.
■ Uzo Nwapa, The Meadows: The junior scored 18 points to help the Mustangs hold off Shadow Ridge for a 57-54 victory.
■ David Quesada, Cimarron-Memorial: The sophomore racked up 28 points and eight rebounds to lead the Spartans past Del Sol 84-49.
Girls basketball
■ Samantha Chesnut, Liberty: The senior led a balanced attack with 11 points as the Patriots rolled past Las Vegas 68-14.
■ Greta Piepkorn, Rancho: The sophomore collected 12 points and five steals while leading the Rams to a 42-34 win over Green Valley.
■ Bella Robinson, Coral Academy: The senior finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 13 steals and six assists in the Falcons’ 59-20 victory over Eldorado.
■ Sabrina Stewart, Del Sol: The sophomore scored 27 points and the Dragons rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Canyon Springs 62-58.
■ Nation Williams, Centennial: The senior posted 16 points in the Bulldogs’ 76-24 victory over Faith Lutheran.
Flag football
■ Amaya Mackey, Legacy: The sophomore had three interceptions to help the Longhorns secure a 19-6 victory over Moapa Valley.
■ Manahere Peters, Sloan Canyon: The junior caught 10 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates’ 41-24 loss to Bishop Gorman.
■ Charli Taylor, Liberty: The freshman completed 23 of 48 passes for 384 yards and four TDs to lead the Patriots beat Green Valley 35-6.
Scores
Boys basketball
Arbor View 71, Foothill 55
Canyon Springs 63, Tech 49
Cimarron-Memorial 84, Del Sol 49
Desert Oasis 70, Silverado 68 (3OT)
Laughlin 72, Liberty Baptist 52
Losee 63, Mater East 40
Needles 86, Awaken Christian 33
Snow Canyon (Utah) 67, Virgin Valley 61
The Meadows 57, Shadow Ridge 54
Western 62, Cadence 7
Girls basketball
Amplus Academy 46, Chaparral 21
Centennial 76, Faith Lutheran 24
Coral Academy 59, Eldorado 20
Del Sol 62, Canyon Springs 58
Laughlin 41, Liberty Baptist 15
Liberty 68, Las Vegas 14
Mojave 64, Shadow Ridge 63
Rancho 42, Green Valley 34
Spring Valley 48, Doral Academy 29
Sunrise Mountain 53, Cheyenne 18
Western 29, Cadence 21
Flag football
Bishop Gorman 41, Sloan Canyon 24
Chaparral 7, Amplus Academy 6
Cimarron-Memorial 18, Clark 13
Desert Oasis 55, Cheyenne 0
Legacy 19, Moapa Valley 6
Liberty 35, Green Valley 6
Mojave 22, Basic 8
Palo Verde 13, Mater East 12
Jeff Wollard Las Vegas Review-Journal
Winners: 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year
A future starter could be emerging on the San Francisco 49ers offense
Triggered Fire Alarm Evacuates Dallas Love Field, Disrupts Flights And Security Screening
Ground stop lifted for flights coming to Miami International Airport due to weather
Ryan Serhant of Bravo, Netflix fame is opening his first Boston real estate firm
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Clashes With Federal Agents in Minneapolis Escalate
Venezuela releases multiple American citizens from prison following military operation
The Take: Iran, Trump, and the deadliest crackdown on protests yet
Lindsey Halligan argues she should still be U.S. attorney, accuses judge of abuse of power
Playing catchup to Republicans, Democrats launch ‘largest-ever’ partisan national voter registration campaign
-
Montana4 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Delaware5 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX6 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Virginia4 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Iowa1 week agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Education1 week agoVideo: This Organizer Reclaims Counter Space