Nevada
Rating the Raiders Relocation to Las Vegas Nevada
Franchise relocation is always challenging. It’s an uprooting of identity and community, pure and simple. However it isn’t uncommon, and it frequently turns out well.
For instance, the 2021 Super Bowl Champions, the Los Angeles Rams, have been a notable threat since their relocation from St. Louis. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a perfect franchise since they took over from the Seattle Supersonics.
It can work; it has worked. When it came time for the Oakland Raiders to leave and head to Nevada, the question was, would it be for the better?
The Financial Motive
The Raiders didn’t relocate just for the love of the game; they were chasing revenue. Their value has skyrocketed since the move to Nevada. What helps is Allegiant Stadium, which seats a meaty 65,000 roaring Raiders fans.
It was a key reason they moved from Oakland: they couldn’t get permission to renovate their old stadium or relocate within the city. They had to leave to improve their infrastructure. And, you know what, it’s worked. But as the saying goes, “mo’ money, mo’ problems.” The Raiders have had to navigate a minefield of challenges and are looking healthy out the other side!
Attracting a New Audience
While Oakland has its well-established and rooted culture and credentials to be a host city for a major American sports franchise, it isn’t Vegas. What Vegas can do for a franchise has a potentially higher upside than Oakland.
In today’s age, views and engagement are king. The iGaming industry is a clear example of how to embrace that Vegas vibe. Leading operators are bound to offer competitive customer-centric perks – from the top US casino bonuses to exciting new games – but it often boils down to how they portray a culture they know and want. Can an online platform distill Vegas to its purest essence and ensure users feel that? If the answer is yes, success. If not, well, good luck.
The On-Field Push
On the field, well, the Raiders are still finding their feet. Their 2021 Playoff run did a lot to get things looking rosy. (In fact, it was a year for relocated teams to do well in the post-season, with the Las Vegas Rams lifting that most coveted trophy.) However, around that one stretch, it’s been mixed. Winning isn’t everything, but this is Vegas, after all, and why else would anyone come to the city? The Raiders need those dubs regularly, not simply to make up the league’s numbers. The top US casinos don’t rate the Raiders as Super Bowl contenders for the upcoming season and are still looking for a title challenge in the coming seasons.
Never Overlook Las Vegas
When has Las Vegas really ever been closed to outsiders? By definition, it’s Las Vegas. You’re encouraged to come and go, and hey, if you come again, you’ll be embraced just the same. It’s no surprise the Raiders have been very warmly welcomed—not least because before now, they hadn’t had an NFL team. To return the favor, the Raiders have been out and about in the community, shaking hands, kissing babies, and building goodwill.
Again, the stadium helps. It’s an attraction of almost alien proportions. They love big and shiny things in Vegas, and the Allegiant Stadium fits that bill very nicely.
The Road Ahead
We can be optimistic about the outlook, but simultaneously, it’s like trying to predict the outcome of a high-stakes poker game. On the one hand, the Raiders have a lot going for them – a fancy new stadium, a growing fanbase, and a city that knows how to party. On the other, they’ve got some stiff competition breathing down their necks, both on and off the field. It will take some severe hustle (and some hard graft) along with some bold moves to stay ahead of the game.
Our Two Cents
The Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas has mixed reviews. We’re not in doubt that the move has been a financial boon for the franchise, but the jury’s still out on whether it will translate to long-term success on the field and in our hearts. One thing’s for sure, though – the Raiders have never been a team to play it safe, and their Vegas gamble is a testament to that spirit. They need to harness that ahead of the new season.
Nevada
28-year-old inmate at Southern Nevada prison dies
A man serving time at the Southern Desert Correctional Center for felony reckless driving died last month, the Nevada Department of Corrections said Tuesday.
Shiloh Walker, 28, died at the Indian Springs facility on Nov. 24, a news release said. Cause of death was not listed.
Walker was serving a sentence of up to six years after a plea agreement was reached in 2022 following a DUI crash that happened May 31, 2021 in Las Vegas, according to online court records.
An autopsy was requested following Walker’s death, though results were not available as of Monday evening. Attempts to reach Walker’s family members have been unsuccessful, according to the department.
Contact Bryan Horwath at bhorwath@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BryanHorwath on X.
Nevada
Is USPS breaking vow not to use Sacramento for Northern Nevada mail?
After widespread condemnation last year, the U.S. Postal Service backed away from plans to move its Reno mail-processing operations to Sacramento — but did it stay true to what it told the public?
The question arose recently after letters sent from one Carson City address to another in Carson City were both postmarked in Sacramento.
Northern Nevadans did not want first class mail sent from one Northern Nevada address to another going first to California. They sent a unified message to the USPS all the way up to the postmaster general.
Critics of the USPS plan were especially worried about delays from mail having to go back and forth over the Sierra during winter.
The Washoe County District Attorney’s office filed a lawsuit over the plan, the Washoe County Commission voted to oppose the plan, public comment was universally opposed, and Democratic and Republican elected officials from across the state joined to stop it.
Could it possibly have happened anyway? The answer is yes, temporarily, for a brief time.
How letters sent in Carson City came to be processed at Sacramento USPS facility
A reader told the Reno Gazette Journal they’d twice had letters internal to Carson City postmarked in Sacramento, so we asked USPS if the policy had changed.
“Mail processing for First Class mail that originates in Northern Nevada and is destined to Northern Nevada has not changed,” USPS spokesperson Sherry Patterson responded by email.
“However,” she added, “without the specific mail piece and class of mail, we cannot determined if there is an issue.”
The reader then supplied a photo of the two envelopes postmarked Nov. 5 in Sacramento, and this was shared with USPS.
“Our processing machine in Reno was temporarily out of service while we awaited a replacement part,” Patterson said after viewing the postmarks to nail down the specific date the letters went through Sacramento.
“To ensure that mail was not delayed during this time, we implemented a contingency plan that involved routing certain mail to our Sacramento facility for cancellation and processing. This measure allows us to maintain service continuity and minimize disruptions for our customers. We understand that this may cause some confusion, and we are committed to ensuring that all mail is processed efficiently and accurately.”
Bottom line: Regarding first class mail that’s being sent to and from Northern Nevada addresses, it’s still USPS policy to process that in Reno at its Vassar Street facility, she said.
The path these particular letters took, Patterson added, “is indeed an unusual occurrence.”
Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.
Nevada
Holiday loneliness affects thousands in Nevada as many face Christmas away from loved ones
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Loneliness has become a significant health issue for people everywhere, and the holiday season sometimes intensifies those feelings. For many, December looks like family gatherings, matching pajamas and bustling homes. But this time of year can also be very difficult for those who may be battling distance, work commitments or recent life changes.
Marc Valli, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, has lived in Las Vegas since 1988. He moved to Nevada to join a ministry and be closer to his wife’s parents.
WATCH| Shellye Leggett talks to an army vet who’s recently moved into Escalante at the Lakes assisted living facility
Holiday loneliness affects thousands in Nevada as many face Christmas away from loved ones
“I wanted to come and join ministry here. Also my wife’s parents lived here,” Valli said.
Valli’s wife Barbara, known to friends and family as Bobby, passed away in 2018 after 54 years of marriage.
“I’m still counting the years. We’ve been married 54 years,” he said.
His children moved him into Escalante at the Lakes assisted living facility in June, making this his first holiday season in his new home.
“People are very nice, they treat you good,” Valli said.
Come Christmas Day, the facility’s common room will be filled with residents ready for holiday activities, but Valli hopes to get outside these walls to see his family that still lives nearby.
“I have grandkids. One goes to Cal Poly. He’s here right now, but he’s on vacation, and then I have two little granddaughters, one’s 11, one’s 7,” Valli said. “I don’t know if they’re gonna come for Christmas or I’m going there.”
Gus Farias, the executive director of Escalante at the Lakes Assisted Living, says many of his residents don’t have family nearby. Keeping their spirits high throughout the holidays is an important task.
“We can tell when our residents are feeling down. There’s a lot of pressure during the holidays because some of our residents don’t have families that are nearby, but they have us,” Farias said.
The organisation A Mission for Michael released a study showing just how many people are expected to spend the holidays alone this year. Nevada ranked 43rd on the list of loneliest states, with more than 212,000 people expected to spend Christmas by themselves.
“It’s pretty surprising that there’s so many Nevadans that are gonna spend the holidays by themselves,” Farias said.
He says combating loneliness will take a community effort.
“When you’re at the grocery store or whatever, reach, look back and ask them, you know, wish them a merry Christmas or happy holidays and ask them how they passed their holidays in the past because we, we as a younger generation than our seniors, we can learn a lot from that,” Farias said.
It’s an effort that Valli says makes the holidays a little brighter.
“Oh, it makes a big difference,” he said.
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