Nevada
Nevada's role in the November elections. And, U.N. to discuss Middle East conflict
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Today’s top stories
The Israeli military is carrying out extensive strikes in Lebanon this morning and has published a video warning some villagers to evacuate immediately if they suspect Hezbollah is hiding weapons in their area. This comes as Hezbollah landed rockets deeper into Israel and after last week’s attack on Hezbollah by way of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies. The incidents mark the most significant escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border in almost a year of war.
First responders and Israeli security forces gather amid debris and charred vehicles in Kiryat Bialik in the Haifa district of Israel, following a strike by Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Sunday.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
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Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 NPR’s Daniel Estrin tells Up First that Israel is signaling it’s attempting to gradually hit Hezbollah, but is stopping short of launching a full out war that could pull in Iran and the U.S. Israel says its goal is to degrade Hezbollah’s rocket launching capabilities to prevent a situation similar to when Hamas stormed across the border on Oct. 7 of last year. NPR producer Itay Stern spoke with some Israelis who said it’s about time their country finally took the initiative against Hezbollah. But some are opposed to Israel’s moves in Lebanon, with one protestor telling Estrin she wants the war to end and the hostages to be freed.
World leaders are at the United Nations this week in New York, and conversations are expected to focus on the Middle East. President Biden is expected to give a speech tomorrow. The high-level week will also include meetings on the sidelines to try to push forward diplomacy. Gaza and the escalating war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are all parts of the world that need solutions addressed.
- 🎧 NPR’s Michele Kelemen says other conflicts that will be discussed include Haiti and its slow efforts to get gang violence under control as the country gets back on a path to elections. Also on the agenda: Sudan, where U.N. officials say the world’s worst humanitarian crisis is currently happening. Even though the U.S., Saudi Arabia and others were able to get aid routes open, more is needed to help, including getting the Sudanese armed forces and paramilitary RSF to negotiate. Russia’s war against Ukraine remains a big topic with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to rally support for an end to the war in a way that preserves Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
- ➡️ U.N. leaders yesterday adopted the “Pact of the Future,” which included explicit calls to end fossil fuels.
Police are looking for the people responsible for a mass shooting that left four people dead and at least 17 others injured over the weekend in Birmingham, Ala. The possible murder-for-hire incident happened Saturday night in a popular entertainment district, outside of a hookah bar where people were lined up to enter. Multiple suspects involved drove into the area, got out of the car, began shooting and then fled in the vehicle. This has the city’s mayor, Randall Woodfin, talking about the need to solve America’s gun violence epidemic.
- 🎧 Police believe one of the people who died was the intended target of the shooting while the others were caught in the crossfire, Andrew Yeager of NPR Network station WBHM says. Authorities say fully automatic weapons were used. These are banned under federal law, but Alabama has no equivalent state level ban. Woodfin says gun violence is a solvable issue if people, specifically elected leaders, worked together to have stronger laws, particularly at the local level. The city has already recorded 122 murders this year. Officers say the increase is due to multiple reasons, including the availability of guns and the tit-for-tat violence culture.
We, the Voters
The Arts District in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sept.18, 2024
Krystal Ramirez for NPR
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Krystal Ramirez for NPR
NPR is visiting six key swing states that will likely decide this year’s historic election. This week, Morning Edition is in Nevada to listen to voters about what matters to them and how that will affect their vote.
Nevada could help determine who wins the White House in November with its six Electoral College votes. Though that doesn’t sound like many, it doesn’t negate the state’s importance. In the last two presidential elections, 15 of the state’s 17 counties voted Republican. The two that didn’t made up 90% of Nevada’s population. For Republicans to make their mark and win, they’ll have to focus on those two counties. Around 40% of registered voters in the state don’t identify with a specific party, meaning candidates will have to find out if they lean left or right in order to reach them.
Here’s a deeper dive into the voters’ concerns heading into this election.
Life advice
We all wash our bodies. The concept is simple enough. But when you get to the details… things can get complicated. How often you should wash? When you should get a new loofah? Is bar soap better than the liquid alternative? Dermatologists Sonia Batra and Michelle Henry offer surprising advice on the subject.
- 🧼 You should wash your whole body starting from the top and working your way down so you don’t transfer germs all over yourself.
- 🧼 Wash your washcloth or loofah with soap, rinse it out with hot water and let it fully dry to prevent mold growth. Launder it once a week.
- 🧼 There’s no scientific hard line on whether a shower or a bath is more hygienic.
- 🧼 Sitting in hot water for excessive amounts of time can strip your skin of its natural protective oils and dehydrate it.
See the complete list of advice in the form of a comic.
3 things to know before you go
A building on the Tufts University campus.
Eden, Janine and Jim/Flickr Creative Commons
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Eden, Janine and Jim/Flickr Creative Commons
- Five players on Tufts University’s men’s lacrosse team have been hospitalized after a “voluntary, supervised 45-minute workout” with an alum who graduated from a Navy SEAL training program, according to the school.
- Almost all of North Carolina Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson’s campaign team quit their jobs yesterday, just days after a CNN report alleging he posted racist and sexual comments on a pornography forum. (via WUNC)
- The creators of the comedic adult party game Cards Against Humanity have filed a lawsuit against SpaceX, claiming that the company trespassed and damaged their property near the U.S.-Mexico border. (via Texas Public Radio)
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
First team
P: Makamae Eugenio, Bishop Gorman – The junior had seven wins with a 4.33 ERA and 96 strikeouts and hit .442 with six home runs and 25 RBIs at the plate.
P: Ava Henderson, Arbor View – The junior went 11-5 with a 2.68 ERA and 139 strikeouts, and hit .337 with 29 RBIs. She is committed to Cal Baptist.
P: Ava Koenig, Palo Verde – The senior was the 5A pitcher of the year and went 13-1 with a 0.71 ERA and 103 strikeouts, and hit .554 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. She is committed to Boston University.
P: Madison Pitts, Faith Lutheran – The freshman was the 4A Mountain League pitcher of the year, going 15-0 with a 0.36 ERA and 141 strikeouts for the 4A state champion.
C: Presley Crowder, Liberty – The sophomore hit .418 with 33 hits and 25 RBIs.
C: Chase Magdaleno, Coronado – The senior hit .427 with 35 hits and 23 RBIs.
IF: Kayleen Enriquez, Palo Verde – The senior hit .410 with 34 hits and 16 RBIs. She is committed to UC Riverside.
IF: Summer Gilliam, Coronado – The senior hit .551 with 49 hits and 25 RBIs.
IF: Bailey Goldberg, Coronado – The senior hit .575 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs to be named the 5A MVP. She is committed to Oregon.
IF: Rosie Hensley Mokiao, Shadow Ridge – The sophomore hit .544 with 37 hits and 40 RBIs.
IF: Taylor Johns, Palo Verde – The senior hit .622 with a state-record 21 home runs and 43 RBIs. She is committed to Georgia.
IF: Breanna Nielson, Shadow Ridge – The sophomore hit .562 with 50 hits and 25 RBIs.
IF: Madilyn Lowy, Arbor View – The junior hit .375 with five home runs and 37 RBIs.
IF: Samantha Williams, Palo Verde – The senior hit .419 with four home runs and 26 RBIs.
OF: Lyla Baxter, Green Valley – The senior hit .400 with four home runs, 18 RBIs and 18 hits. She is committed to UC San Diego.
OF: Devaeh Crawford, Shadow Ridge – The freshman hit .457 with five home runs, 37 hits and 35 RBIs.
OF: Alexis Kearnes, Palo Verde – The junior hit .429 with 33 hits and 19 RBIs.
OF: Malaya Tellis, Arbor View – The junior hit .395 with 47 hits and 31 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
OF: Gwen Thewes, Bishop Gorman – The junior hit .500 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and 50 hits.
OF: Peyton Williams, Arbor View – The freshman hit .571 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs.
UTL: Melia Aionaaka, Shadow Ridge – The junior hit .398 with 25 hits, 23 RBIs and went 9-3 on the mound with a 4.18 ERA.
UTL: Abigail Estrada, Centennial – The sophomore hit .461 with 47 hits and 24 RBIs.
UTL: Haley Kearnes, Palo Verde – The senior hit .382 with 29 hits and 17 RBIs, and was 10-0 with a 2.73 ERA on the mound.
UTL: Audrey Melton, Arbor View – The senior hit .449 with 42 RBIs and was 12-2 on the mound with a 1.94 ERA and 49 strikeouts.
Coach of the year
Angel Council, Palo Verde – The first-year coach guided the Panthers to a 24-1 record to win the Class 5A state championship.
Second team
P: Hailey Dixon, Centennial – The senior went 9-5 with a 4.51 ERA in 107 innings pitched.
P: Laila Esparza, SECTA – The sophomore hit .500 with five home runs and 39 RBIs and went 11-2 on the mound with a 2.02 ERA and 87 strikeouts.
P: Jaycie Hayes, Pahrump Valley – The freshman went 21-7, which led the state for wins, with a 1.52 ERA and the most strikeouts in the state with 298, and hit .462 with 54 RBIs.
P: Alissa Perkins, Desert Oasis – The junior had a 1.96 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, and hit .525 with four home runs and 33 RBIs.
C: Campbell Cole, Centennial – The senior hit .352 with 38 hits and 18 RBIs.
C: Halle Law, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit six home runs and had 21 RBIs as the everyday catcher for the 5A state champion.
IF: Ava Cruz, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit .328 with five home runs, 20 hits and 20 RBIs.
IF: Lilly Easton, Arbor View – The sophomore hit .378 with 45 hits and 22 RBIs.
IF: Abigail Estrada, Centennial – The sophomore hit .461 with 47 hits and 24 RBIs.
IF: EmmaLynn Hussey, Doral Academy – The sophomore hit. 446 with 33 hits and 10 RBIs.
IF: Isabella Lenahan, Spring Valley – The senior hit .662 with eight home runs and 62 RBIs.
IF: Logan Sanford, Liberty — The senior hit .440 with 37 hits and 12 RBIs.
IF: Zoey TarBush, Faith Lutheran – The sophomore hit .556 with 45 hits, five home runs and 33 RBIs, and went 10-1 with a 1.07 ERA on the mound.
OF: Sophie Bendlin, Coronado – The junior hit .452 with 33 hits.
OF: Amelia Carlson, Centennial – The sophomore hit .393 with 33 hits and 21 RBIs
OF: Sophia DeMonbrun, Clark – The senior hit .707 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs, and recorded 195 strikeouts and nine wins on the mound.
OF: Lauryn Galvin, Green Valley – The senior hit .422 with 19 hits and 10 RBIs.
OF: Elise Hanseen, Centennial – The senior hit .385 with 35 hits and 26 RBIs.
OF: Keileanna Johnson, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit .321 with 17 hits and 12 RBIs and on defense did not have an error.
UTL: Loa Duarte, Shadow Ridge – The freshman hit .444 with 24 hits and 23 RBIs and went 8-2 on the mound.
UTL: Brynndal Gonzales, Faith Lutheran – The sophomore hit .508 with 33 hits and 54 runs scored.
UTL: Francesca Hull, Arbor View – The sophomore hit .359 with 28 hits and 23 RBIs.
UTL: Elena Rodriguez, Legacy – The senior hit .475 with 19 hits and 11 RBIs and was 13-3 with a 3.13 ERA.
UTL: Charli Taylor, Liberty – The freshman hit .427 with eight home runs, 42 hits and 24 RBIs.
Honorable mention
Evaleene Armendariz, Pahrump Valley
Victoria Beebe, Legacy
Ella Bradley, Faith Lutheran
Zoey Brager, Faith Lutheran
Amelia Carlson, Centennial
Shawnee Casorla, Arbor View
Madison Castellon, Legacy
Gabriella Colarco, Cadence
Kalea Copenhefer, Doral Academy
Kamzlee Dalton, Virgin Valley
Evie Davis, Pahranagat Valley
Bella Dimmick, Faith Lutheran
Kaitlyn Dunigan, Desert Oasis
Maliah Harrell, Arbor View
Mia Mor Hernandez, Green Valley
Leah Henderson, Foothill
Julia Leavitt, Virgin Valley
Aliyah Loafea-Carter, Arbor View
Valeria Lopez, Centennial
Dani Luevanos, Liberty
Emiko Kalani, Mojave
Amelia McClerkin, Legacy
Audrie McClerkin, Legacy
Arianni Mollinedo, Coronado
Aspen Middaugh, Pahrump Valley
Ayla Murphy, Bonanza
Sofia Nazario, Legacy
Jasmine Ponce, Cimarron-Memorial
Scotti Powell, Laughlin
Sofia Quigley, Palo Verde
Naima Ralston, SLAM! Nevada
Jasslyn Ramos, Cimarron-Memorial
Natalie Ramos, Basic
Taylor Ramos, Cimarron-Memorial
Payton Rogers, Boulder City
Veyda Simon, Desert Oasis
Gia Salazar, Lake Mead Academy
Davie Slack, Virgin Valley
Portland Stacey, Liberty
Megan Upp, Doral Academy
Camren VanThomme, Foothill
Jaylynn Wymbs, Laughlin
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
HopeLink of Southern Nevada is hosting its first-ever “Dink for HopeLink” Pickleball Tournament. This is the organization’s main fundraiser of the year Join them for some friendly competition while helping raise money to PREVENT homelessness in Southern Nevada.
HopeLink of Southern Nevada is a non-profit family resource center providing much needed assistance to PREVENT families, individuals and vulnerable seniors from facing homelessness.
‘Dink for HopeLink’ is happening at CHICKEN N’ PICKLE June 28th, 2026 from 1:30pm – 5pm.
Nevada County is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian Evans has been selected to serve as Nevada County’s next Public Health Officer.
“Dr. Evans brings a long history of leadership in healthcare in Nevada County to the Health Officer position,” said Public Health Director Toby Guevin. “His expertise and knowledge of local health needs and providers across the county will be invaluable as we work to strengthen the health of our community. I also want to thank Dr. Cooke for her dedicated service as Health Officer for the past four years, guiding us through numerous challenges coming out of COVID 19.”
Dr. Evans was selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, which drew from a pool of highly qualified candidates nationwide. His start date is planned for July 1, 2026, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors at their June 16 meeting.
“I’m honored to step into the role of Public Health Officer for Nevada County,” said Dr. Evans. “This is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships across the community, focusing on prevention, preparedness, and improving health outcomes. I look forward to supporting a science based public health team that is responsive, transparent, and grounded in the needs of our residents.”
Dr. Evans is a physician with more than two decades of clinical and leadership experience. Since 2022, he has served as Chief Medical Officer for Tahoe Forest Health, overseeing clinical quality, patient safety, emergency preparedness, communicable disease response, and regulatory compliance across two critical access hospitals and a broad network of services. He has served as both CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, and served as CEO at Mercy Folsom and Chief Medical Officer at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.
A board-certified emergency physician, Dr. Evans practiced for 15 years in Grass Valley after completing residency at UC Davis. He holds an MD from UCLA, an MBA from CSU Sacramento, and a BS in Biology from UC Davis. Dr. Evans lives in Nevada County with his wife, Jennifer, and has two adult daughters.
California law requires each county to appoint a licensed physician as Health Officer. The Health Officer is responsible for carrying out provisions of the State Health and Safety Code and serves as the physician of record for all Public Health clinical services. The Health Officer reports to the Public Health Director.
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