Nevada
Las Vegas woman arrested for alleged SNAP fraud
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.
“One of our caseworkers first identified suspicious activity after noticing multiple benefit applications tied to the same address. Most of the applications were submitted online and were processed in accordance with federal eligibility guidelines. As fraud tactics evolve, DSS continues to evaluate additional technology tools to strengthen fraud detection and protect the integrity of these programs.” — Robert Thompson, Nevada DSS administrator
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.
“While it is concerning to see this level of criminal sophistication, I applaud our state agencies for identifying this potential fraud, launching an investigation, and coordinating with law enforcement and the affected federal agencies. We do not tolerate any level of theft of taxpayer dollars and will continue to work with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.” — Governor Joe Lombardo
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.
“Fraud of this nature is egregious and diverts critical resources from those who need them the most, and puts responsible recipients of public benefits, like Medicaid and SNAP, at risk. This case of fraud highlights the important need for further modernization of Nevada’s systems and technologies. Many of these efforts are already underway at the Nevada Health Authority in partnership with the Nevada Department of Human Services.” — Ann Jensen, Nevada Medicaid administrator
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).
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Tickets for the return of the official State Fair of Nevada are now available, but only until the end of the month can you get 20% off your ticket price.
After a 16-year hiatus, the official State Fair of Nevada will return to the Nevada State Fairgrounds in Reno June 11-13. Early bird discounts of 20% are available through May 1 online with code EarlySFNV.
Ciara Ressel, public information officer with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, stopped by Morning Break to share what’s in store for the community during these three days of food, entertainment, agriculture and celebration.
The event will highlight Nevada’s history, communities and agricultural roots with a wide range of programming, including:
- Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s 4-H State Expo
- Opening Night Ceremony and Concert featuring Caleb Montgomery
- Next Generation Youth Bull Riding
- Made in Nevada Farmers’ Market
- Walking Tour of Nevada
- Drone show
- Local vendors, food and art
- Carnival rides
- And more highlighting Nevada’s history and heritage!
Click here to learn more. You can also follow the state fair on Instagram and Facebook.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — First responders from across Nevada gathered for a free training session on how to better recognize and respond to people on the autism spectrum as part of a broader push following the passage of Senate Bill 380 last year.
The free, day-long session, hosted by the Autism Coalition of Nevada, brought together police, firefighters, and emergency personnel from agencies statewide for what organizers call a “train-the-trainer” model. It equipped attendees with tools they can take back to their departments and share with others.
The training is designed to help first responders identify key behaviors associated with autism, such as delayed responses, lack of eye contact, or repetition, and adjust their approach in high-pressure situations where those behaviors could otherwise be misinterpreted.
“The training is to help them understand what’s in front of them, which is a person on the spectrum, and not somebody that’s being combative or argumentative,” said Michelle Scott-Lewing, president of the Autism Coalition of Nevada.
Advocates said misunderstandings can happen frequently, sometimes leading to unnecessary arrests, and this type of education is aimed at reducing those outcomes.
Senate Bill 380, signed into law by Governor Joe Lombardo, requires autism-specific training for first responders and adds guidance around how officers should be educated on recognizing and interacting with individuals on the spectrum, marking a significant step toward more consistent awareness across agencies.
The session was led by First Responder Autism Training, a national program that travels the country teaching officers and emergency crews how to recognize autism indicators and respond appropriately, with real-world scenarios that emphasize slowing down and de-escalating.
Henderson police said their officers already receive training on a range of mental health conditions, but this builds on that foundation with a more focused approach.
“For officers to be able to recognize those signs and be able to understand like, hey, this person, even though they’re not talking to me or they’re not doing what I’m saying, that doesn’t mean they’re non-compliant,” Deputy Chief Matthew Murnane with HPD said. “It just means maybe, hey, there’s something else going on there.”
Organizers said they want to expand the training with an additional session this year in Northern Nevada, aiming to make it more accessible statewide and ensure more first responders have the tools needed to safely handle interactions involving people on the spectrum.
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Birdies and Bliss is a women‑focused golf fundraiser for Northern Nevada Hopes that brings the community together for a day of connection, fun and giving back.
Meredith Tanzer, philanthropy associate, stopped by Morning Break to invite the community to this feel good event that pairs fun golfing with meaningful impact, supporting programs at HOPES that make a real difference for families.
This inaugural tournament takes place Monday, May 4 at Red Hawk and Resort. It marks an exciting beginning and reflects the generosity and strength of the community that supports our mission. Click here to reserve your spot.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
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