What Is Hantavirus? Betsy Arakawa’s Cause of Death Explained
Nevada
Hantavirus That Killed Gene Hackman's Wife Spreading in Nevada
Hantavirus, the disease that killed Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, earlier this year, is on the rise.
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and the Nevada Department of Wildlife announced on Thursday, June 12, that the state recently found two confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hantavirus is a respiratory disease caused by exposure to the droppings, urine or saliva of deer mice. The condition is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs, per the CDC. Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Symptoms can begin to occur one to eight weeks after coming into contact with an infected rodent.
The Department of Wildlife encouraged the public to be cautious in areas where mice could have nested and left droppings, including sheds, barns, trailers, garages and cabins.
“We urge people to be aware of any signs of rodent activity and to take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to hantavirus,” state medical epidemiologist Melissa Bullock said in a press release. “Anyone who has been in contact with rodents, nests or droppings and subsequently develops symptoms consistent with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome should see a health care provider immediately.”
Hantavirus made headlines earlier this year as it was Arakawa’s official cause of death. In February, Us Weekly confirmed that Arakawa and Hackman were found dead inside their shared Santa Fe, New Mexico, house. The classical pianist was 65, while the Oscar winner was 95.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy,” Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter, Annie, said in a statement to Us at the time. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
During a March press conference, it was revealed that Arakawa’s death was ruled natural and due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Officials believe she was the first to pass. Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Authorities believed that he died one week after his wife.
The following month, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office released photos of Hackman and Arakawa’s property that revealed the pair’s main house was messy. The outbuildings, meanwhile, were rodent-infested.
Hackman and Arakawa were laid to rest during a private memorial service in New Mexico in April.
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Nevada
Nevada high school football head coach steps down
Mojave (Nev.) head football coach Wes Pacheco announced on Sunday morning that he’s stepping down from his position, according to a social media post.
Pacheco announced his resignation after six seasons at the helm of the Rattlers, putting together a 29-22 overall record from 2020-2025.
“I have officially stepped down as Head Coach of the Mojave Football Program,” Pacheco said in his social media post. “Thank you to Principal Cole for giving me the opoortunity make an impact on the lives of Mojave Student-Athletes. I am grateful and blessed to have labored through a 6-year journey of successes, failures, life lessons, character building and growth with the student-athletes myself and my coaching staff have served. I will forever love my Mojave Family, the Mojave Community and believe in the notion that SUCCESS can be attained by showcasing character, treating everyone with respect, and always have the courage to dream big and trust that “ATTACKING THE HARD WORK” & “HIGH MOTORING EVERYTHING” can yield SUCCESS that you want to achieve in life!”
During Pacheco’s half dozen seasons leading Mojave, his best record came in the 2024 season when the Rattlers finished with a 12-1 record. Located out of North Las Vegas, Mojave had to compete against the likes of national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman during the regular season.
Mojave ended the last season with a 4-6 record and as the state’s No. 23rd ranked team, according to the final 2025 Nevada High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Mojave High School
Mojave High School, located in North Las Vegas, NV, is a dynamic public high school that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community involvement. Home of the Rattlers, MHS offers a wide range of academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities. With a strong commitment to student success, Mojave emphasizes leadership, college and career readiness, and a supportive school culture that prepares students for life beyond graduation.
For Nevada high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Silver State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Nevada.
Nevada
IN RESPONSE: Cortez Masto lands bill would keep the proceeds in Nevada
A recent Review-Journal letter to the editor mischaracterized Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill. As the former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, I wholeheartedly support this legislation, so I wanted to set the record straight.
Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years in partnership with state and local governments, conservation groups like the NCL and local area tribes. It’s true that the Clark County lands bill would open 25,000 acres to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. It would also help create more affordable housing throughout the valley while ensuring our treasured public spaces can be preserved for generations to come.
What is not correct is that the money from these land sales would go to the federal government’s coffers. In fact, the opposite is true.
The 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act is a landmark bill that identified specific public land for future sale and created a special account ensuring all land sale revenues would come back to Nevada. In accordance with that law 5 percent of revenue from land transfers goes to the state of Nevada for general education purposes, 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for needed water infrastructure and 85 percent supports conservation and environmental mitigation projects in Southern Nevada. This legislation has provided billions to Clark County and will continue to benefit generations of Southern Nevadans. Sen. Cortez Masto’s lands bill builds upon the act’s success.
So here’s the good news: All of the money generated from land made available for sale under Sen. Cortez Masto’s bill would be sent to the special account created by the 1998 law. Rather than going to an unaccountable federal government, the proceeds would continue to help kids in Vegas get a better education, bolster outdoor recreation and modernize Southern Nevada’s infrastructure.
I know how important it is that money generated from the sale of public land in Nevada stay in the hands of Nevadans, and so does the senator. That’s why she opposed a Republican effort last year to sell off 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas of the country that would have sent those dollars directly to Washington.
Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably. I will continue working with Sen. Cortez Masto to advocate for legislation, such as the Clark County lands bill, that puts the needs of Nevadans first.
Paul Selberg writes from Las Vegas.
Nevada
Las Vegas High beats Coronado in 5A baseball — PHOTOS
click to expand photos
Las Vegas High’s baseball team claimed a 3-2 home win over Coronado on Friday.
Las Vegas (9-13-1) next hosts Rancho at 10 a.m. Saturday. Coronado (13-14) hosts Chaparral at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
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