LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — As temperatures rise in Southern Nevada, animal shelters are bracing for the annual surge of newborn cats known as “kitten season.”

Kitten season happens every year between about March and October, when warmer weather leads community cats to breed, and shelters begin seeing little kittens trickle in.

Animal care officials urged residents who spot kittens in their neighborhoods to avoid intervening right away.

The best thing to do, they said, is to leave the kittens where they are because their mother is likely caring for them.

Even if the mother cat is not immediately visible, she may be nearby searching for food.

The mother cat is taking care of the kittens, and removing them can reduce their chances of survival.

Their best chance, officials said, is for the kittens to stay with their mom, who can provide nourishment.

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.

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.