Nevada
Impaired driver who fatally struck 2 Nevada state troopers gets maximum sentence
LAS VEGAS — A man who was driving while impaired when he fatally struck two state troopers last year on Nevada’s busiest freeway has been sentenced to prison.
Jemarcus Williams received the maximum sentence Tuesday of 16 to 40 years for two counts of DUI resulting in death, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He pleaded guilty to the charge in April.
The crash on the morning of Nov. 30 happened on a stretch of Interstate 15 near downtown Las Vegas. Trooper Alberto Felix and Sgt. Michael Abbate had stopped to check on a driver pulled over on the highway when Williams struck them both and fled.
Williams, 46, evaded authorities for hours before police discovered the car he was driving at a nearby apartment complex, leading to his arrest. Williams has been jailed since the day of the crash.
At his sentencing, the widow of Alberto Felix said to a courtroom packed with relatives and uniformed law enforcement officers that her husband and Abbate “had dreams, plans and a lot of life still in them.”
“They were not just police officers,” Arlene Felix said. “They had family and friends and coworkers that loved them.”
Abbate’s mother said she is still wrestling with the grief of losing her son, whose injuries were so severe the family had to hold a closed-casket funeral service.
“My heart hurts every second,” Judith Abbate said. “I’m half dead.”
Williams said before he was sentenced that he made a stupid decision to drive that morning, despite “all the many options of safe transportation available.”
“I hate the stupid, ignorant decision that I made, which ultimately ended up having devastating and traumatic effects,” he said.
Sgt. Abbate joined the state police in December 2013 and had been recently promoted to sergeant before his death. Alberto Felix joined in 2019 after service in the the U.S. Air Force. Both men also leave behind young sons.
Nevada
Terrible’s takeover of Primm gets Nevada regulatory approval
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada regulators have given the green light to Terrible’s takeover of Primm casinos and rest stop operations, averting a closure of the state line enclave.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission voted Thursday to grant Terrible’s a non-restricted license to operate the three casinos: Primm Valley Resort, Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s.
Terrible’s reached an agreement with the Primm family, which owns the land, and Affinity Gaming, which had been operating the casinos, to assume operations.
Affinity planned to close the resorts, the Flying J gas station, the Primm Travel Center, and a lottery store in California by July 4. A total of 344 employees would have been terminated, many of whom live in apartments in Primm.
Scott Butera, CEO of Affinity, told regulators in May that business has been declining for years, despite efforts to invest in the resorts with new slot machines and a new digital sign. Only Primm Valley Resort has been operating on a full-time basis in recent months.
The Gaming Control Board said they still had serious concerns about the closures, however, particularly with how it would affect employees.
On Thursday, Tim Herbst, president and CEO of Terrible Herbst, told the Gaming Control Board that the deal to transfer control is unorthodox. He said Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft reached out to avert the closure and keep the workers employed.
“It all comes down to Nevadans helping Nevadans,” Herbst said.
He said the Primm family and Affinity are still in negotiations regarding what will be left behind, but Terrible’s is ready to assume control of non-gaming assets by July 4.
On Primm’s future, Herbst said he believes the Brightline West train and a supplemental airport would help revitalize the town.
“I think it’s a bright future for the Primm family,” Herbst said. “I think there’s a lot going on there. It may take a little time to figure out the family’s objectives and long-term ranges out there, but I can’t imagine – they’re a smart group of people. I think the state of Nevada and Clark County and the industry will all look favorable about what happens there soon.”
Gaming Control Board member George Assad said the goal was to make sure nobody in Primm lost their job.
“It’s just an example of how we can all move together and move forward and do the right thing,” Assad said.
Nevada
Nevada Secretary of State calls court ruling on Trump election order a ‘big victory’
CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) -Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is calling a federal court ruling against the Trump administration a “big victory” after a judge struck down a presidential executive order tied to voter “election requirements.”
The ruling blocks an executive order that would have mandated states require voters to provide proof of citizenship to register.
Aguilar said the decision is a recognition that states have the responsibility to run their elections.
“The constitution is very clear in that states have that duty and obligation,” Aguilar said.
Nevada and 18 other states described the ruling as an overwhelming victory in court.
The court also stopped threats to withhold funding from states that refused to comply with proof-of-citizenship requirements and it throws out a demand for states not to count ballots received after Election Day. However the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the latter of the two in the coming days.
Aguilar said the executive orders were intended for partisan gain.
“I think the fact the president is trying to federalize elections shows he’s trying to influence the election, and again that’s wrong,” Aguilar said. “Voters should decide elections, the president should not choose his voters for our elections.”
Aguilar also said the cost to taxpayers if the executive orders had remained in place would have been an unfair burden.
“To hold states hostage from resources I think is detrimental to the overall responsibility of the federal government,” he said.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
Nevada
NV Energy issues PSOM watch for northern, eastern Nevada amid elevated fire weather
NV Energy has issued a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) watch for multiple regions in northern and eastern Nevada, warning customers of potential proactive power shutoffs this weekend due to elevated fire weather conditions.
In the Carson City and Genoa areas, a temporary power outage is possible on Saturday, June 27, from approximately 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The impacted zones include South Carson City/Jacks Valley and South Carson City/Clear Creek.
Meanwhile, a separate 24-hour PSOM watch has been issued further east for parts of Elko County. Residents in East Elko and Spring Creek could experience proactive outages beginning Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m. through Sunday, June 28, at 10 a.m.
NV Energy officials stated they are actively monitoring local fire weather and will provide regular status updates to affected customers. The utility provider noted that any customers currently experiencing a power outage outside of these designated PSOM zones should report it directly via NV Energy’s online Outage Center.
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