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Nevada first responders receive autism training to improve emergency response

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Nevada first responders receive autism training to improve emergency response


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.

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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.”

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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.



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Northern Nevada Hopes hosts Birdies and Bliss golf tournament fundraiser

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Northern Nevada Hopes hosts Birdies and Bliss golf tournament fundraiser


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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No. 5 Arbor View outlasts No. 3 Palo Verde in 5A volleyball — PHOTOS

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No. 5 Arbor View outlasts No. 3 Palo Verde in 5A volleyball — PHOTOS




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Nevada’s top retirement city ranks near top 10 nationwide

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Nevada’s top retirement city ranks near top 10 nationwide


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People looking to retire may think of Florida as their first choice to spend their golden years, but it’s not just the Sunshine State in WalletHub’s ranking of the best retirement towns in the United States. Cities in Minnesota, Georgia, Wyoming and Ohio also earned top spots on the list.

It may surprise people that one Nevada city nearly made WalletHub’s top 10. Las Vegas led the state in the ranking, while Reno landed further down the list.

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WalletHub used data from federal agencies and national organizations, sorting it into categories of affordability, activities, quality of life and health care to determine its ranking.

Here’s a look at which Nevada city is the best in the state to retire to, why it ranked where it did and the other cities in Nevada and nationally that made the list.

What is Nevada’s best retirement town?

Las Vegas was named the best retirement town in Nevada, earning the No. 11 spot nationally.

What are the pros of retiring in Nevada?

Las Vegas ranked high in WalletHub’s categories for activities (No. 6 nationally) and affordability (No. 13).

The activities category is driven by access to recreation and senior centers per capita, along with fishing facilities, golf courses, museums, theaters, art galleries, music venues and bingo halls. It also factors in volunteer opportunities and overall recreation friendliness.

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Affordability is largely based on adjusted cost of living compared to other cities. It also factors in tax friendliness, retiree tax burdens and the cost of adult day health care.

What is the downside of living in Nevada?

Meanwhile, Las Vegas ranked low in quality of life (No. 106) and health care (No. 165).

Quality of life was determined mostly by mild weather. To a lesser degree, the category is also created using data that shows how walkable the city is, transit access and the amount of people older than 65 in the city that are living in poverty, to name a few.

The health care category looks at death rates, suicide rates, life expectancy and substance abuse among seniors, along with the number of health care facilities and access to specialized care.

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What is the #1 best place to retire?

Here are the cities that made WalletHub’s top 10 best cities to retire, Las Vegas barely missing the top 10 list.

  1. Orlando, Florida
  2. Scottsdale, Arizona
  3. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  4. Miami, Florida
  5. Tampa, Florida
  6. Atlanta, Georgia
  7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  8. Cincinnati, Ohio
  9. Madison, Wisconsin
  10. Casper, Wyoming

Here are the Nevada cities that made the list, including their national ranking.

  1. Las Vegas (No. 11 nationally)
  2. Henderson (No. 59)
  3. Reno (No. 57)
  4. North Las Vegas (No. 76)



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