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Articles by Alex Couraud
UFO Culture Draws a Crowd Throughout the West
Festivals, like UFO Fest in McMinnville, Ore. bring people together to talk about aliens, paranormal activities and more. Photo Alex Couraud / Sierra Nevada Ally On a late spring afternoon, hundreds of people took over the streets of McMinnville, Ore., many dressed in costumes with large, inflatable eyes, a hammerhead mask or long, flowing robes that look straight out of a science fiction show.
Ally Audio: Looking at the People and Industries that Control the West
On this episode of Ally Audio, Multimedia Director Alex Couraud chats with the Ally’s reporter and Managing Editor Hannah Truby about the first story in her ongoing series, Who Controls the West? The series examines the people, companies and organizations that make decisions over how land and resources are used across the American West. Have ideas for the series? Email editor@sierranevadaally.org.
The Radical Act of Building Community: Bookstores, Books and Social Change
When The Radical Cat bookstore opened in 2022, its owners wanted to build a community space that aims to bring more than just books to Northern Nevada. Located in Midtown Reno, it offers a mix of books, live community events, and even cat adoption. ”It feels like we’re adding some kind of value to the neighborhood that can’t really be measured,” said co-owner Ilya Arbatman. As a bookstore, The Radical Cat sees its role as more political than some other businesses in the area.
Ally Audio: Covering the Largest Protest in History
On this episode of Ally Audio, Multimedia Director Alex Couruad steps into the hosting chair to talk about a few updates on energy and climate policy in Nevada, as well as how federal actions are impacting life here. Then, Managing Editor Hannah Truby joins the show to talk about covering the latest No Kings rally in Reno, part of the largest single-day demonstration in American history.
Ally Audio: What Minneapolis can teach us about Nevada
Around 1,000 people protested against ICE in Minneapolis on Jan. 9, 2026. Protesters brought noise makers and musical instruments to make noise outside the “Canopy by Hilton” hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
Ally Audio: A Conversation on our Complicated Immigration System – Sierra Nevada Ally
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The Realities of Our Rapidly Changing Immigration Landscape – Sierra Nevada Ally
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Immigration Lawyer Kyle Edgerton on his way to work. Photo by Alex Couraud / Sierra Nevada Ally As a bike commuter, Kyle Edgerton spends his mornings navigating the hills and curves around Reno to get to the office. It’s during these rides he likes to think through new ways of solving work issues. As an immigration lawyer in Reno, one major challenge is figuring out how to help more people make sense of the country’s complicated immigration system.
How does a special session in Nevada work? – Sierra Nevada Ally
Nevada’s governor has many duties, from overseeing the executive branch of the state government and preparing a state budget to commanding the Nevada National Guard. As the current governor, Joe Lombardo also has the power to veto bills or sign them into law. In fact, he set the record for the most single vetoes in any legislative session, shooting down 87 bills in 2025 (and breaking his own record in the process).
Despite supermajority, Oregon Democrats struggle to pass priority bills
Lawmakers introduced 3,466 bills in the 2025 legislative session, the highest in at least two decades. Even with a Democratic supermajority and a record number of bills to work with, lawmakers didn’t pass more laws than usual: 640 bills, roughly the average for recent sessions. But political friction continues to deepen divisions among Oregon legislators.
Ally Audio: Unpacking Solitary Confinement in Nevada and Beyond – Sierra Nevada Ally
On this week’s show, Noah and Multimedia Manager Alex Couraud get into some of the latest news around the ransomware attack against the state of Nevada, and provide some updates about forest lands and the Colorado River. Then reporter and Managing Editor Hannah Truby joins the show to talk all about our her new series looking at the impact of solitary confinement in Nevada and beyond.
TriMet says state funding required to avoid deep cuts
More people take public transportation in Portland than just about anywhere else in the country. TriMet says that could soon change, if the Legislature doesn’t approve transportation funding during the August special session. In September 2024, TriMet offered 1.3 million rides a week. Numbers are down from pre-pandemic levels, but TriMet services remain essential to many in Portland.
Ally Audio: How the One Big, Beautiful Bill Extends Support for Downwinders – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Ally Audio: The Law Being Used to Justify Tariffs – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Audio: Understanding Muslim heritage in Nevada – Sierra Nevada Ally
There are an estimated 2 billion Muslims worldwide. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. Yet many Muslims in the United States suffer from religious discrimination, their faith often misunderstood or overlooked. Join Civics Reporter Alex Couraud as she dives into the rich culture of Muslim Americans in Nevada on the cusp of the passage of AB278, a bill that would dedicate the month of July to Muslim heritage.
Notes from the Leg - May 31 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Sine Die is Monday, June 2nd, and will mark the final and 120th day of the 2025 Nevada legislative session. Look out for special updates from us next week as bills continue to get passed and we follow the hectic buzz that fills the halls in Carson City at the end of the leg. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager introduced AB 597 on Monday. The bill would allow for voters registered as independent to vote in primary elections.
I'm Just a Bill: How are New Laws Created in Nevada? – Sierra Nevada Ally
We have reached the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session in Nevada. Friday, May 23 marked the deadline for the second house passage of bills, except for those exempt from this requirement. This ultimately helps decide what new laws will land on Governor Joe Lombardo’s desk for final signature. Eight bills failed to make it past the deadline Friday.
Ally Audio: The FYI on TPS – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Notes from the Leg - May 18 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Friday, May 16 marked the second committee passage of bills. More than 30 bills died throughout the day, including some we have been following. The remaining bills, except exempt ones, will move on to the second house passage deadline on Friday, May 23. All bills must make it through this process by the end of the session on June 2, which is just two weeks away, so lawmakers are in crunch time. AB 81 would have ended Daylight Saving Time but died in committee Friday.
Notes from the Leg - May 11 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Monday May 5 marked the start of budget balancing for senators, who now face an economic slowdown and a recession with the economic forum predicting $191 million less for Nevada’s budget. That means many bills will likely die due to lack of funding. Legislators now have until the end of session, so about a month, to balance the budget. The second committee passage of bills will be May 16 followed by the second house passage on May 23.
Ally Audio: The First 100 Days – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Notes from the Leg - April 27 – Sierra Nevada Ally
April 22 marked the first house passage of bills, meaning all bills, except those special ones that are exempt, have to be voted out of the house in which they originated—either the Senate or Assembly. Only seven bills died in the first house passage including AB 437, which would have helped homeowners with disaster insurance for things like wildfires. This issue will become more and more important in the years to come as Nevada continues to heat up.
Notes from the Leg - April 19 – Sierra Nevada Ally
We are in a bit of a holding pattern at the Nevada legislature. In the next couple of weeks, we will see what bills make it through first passages and which ones die on the floor, so stay tuned. A daylight savings bill looks like it will make its way to the governor’s desk, but some think it will ultimately get vetoed due to Nevada’s close economic ties with California. In early April, a Nevada board voted to limit transgender athletes in school sports.
Notes from the Leg - April 12 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Friday was the first committee passage of bills, known as first house. We will keep a close eye on what happens and report back next week. From now on things should start to take shape and heat up in Carson City. The First floor passage of bills will be April 22. UNR celebrated Public Health Day at the legislature on Monday by encouraging students to tune into committees on Assembly Health and Human Services, which were hearing a series of bills related to public health.
The Chinese Exclusion Act lasted for 60 years. A refugee ban and impending travel ban echo the same tune – Sierra Nevada Ally
Nancy Wong, 67, is a first-generation Chinese American. Her father came to San Francisco in 1937 at the age of 13. During this time, the Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese from immigrating to the United States, making him and his family undocumented when they arrived. “ That’s probably the main reason why I have a special place in my heart for refugees,” said Wong. Wong’s father eventually settled in Nevada, and his struggle to gain citizenship inspired Wong to live a life of service.
Notes from the Leg - April 5 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Senators started closing budgets on Wednesday, April 2 This week Gov. Joe Lombardo introduced AB 540, an affordable housing bill aimed at increasing affordable housing projects across Nevada. Nevada’s housing crisis is one of Lombardo’s biggest budget and policy areas this legislative session.
Ally Audio: All About the Filibuster – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Notes from the Leg - March 29 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Monday marked the last day of bill introduction, save for a few bills slated to be introduced by Gov. Joe Lombardo. These bills can be introduced at any time and the Sierra Nevada Ally will be on the lookout as they are dropped. This week Lombardo introduced AB 540, an affordable housing bill aimed at increasing affordable housing projects across Nevada. Nevada’s housing crisis is one of Lombardo’s biggest budget and policy areas this legislative session.
Notes from the Leg - March 22 – Sierra Nevada Ally
This coming Monday, March 24, is the last day for assemblymembers and senators to introduce bills. The 2026 gubernatorial race got a head start this week, with Joe Lombardo looking at a face off with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. A key campaign issue will be immigration. In late Feb. Ford published a list of model immigration policies for Nevada. Some argue these would make Nevada a sanctuary state for immigrants.
Notes from the Leg - March 15 – Sierra Nevada Ally
While more than 1,000 bills were introduced during the 2023 session, only about half of those were signed into law. All the bills we are seeing introduced now will likely be amended in their committee hearings. There are three readings for a bill in order for it to be passed into law. The first passage for bills in the 2025 legislative session will happen in April. This week was Children’s Week at the Nevada Legislature.
Psilocybin is back on the table in Nevada – Sierra Nevada Ally
Nevada Democratic Senator Rochelle Nguyen presented a joint resolution on Tuesday in front of the Operations and Elections Committee that continues her fight to decriminalize psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms. The resolution, which is sort of like a letter to Congress, won’t impact law. Instead, it makes a statement urging federal lawmakers to reschedule psilocybin.
Notes from the Leg - March 8 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Nevada holds legislative sessions every two years, and sessions last 120 days. The 83rd legislative session started on February 3rd, 2025. We are currently in the stage where lawmakers are introducing bills for consideration. 438 bills were introduced in the first 3 days of session–this is record breaking. Lawmakers have until March 24 to introduce bills, which will then head to committees for further research and debate.
Ally Audio: Toll Roads, Wildfire Compacts & Federal Cuts – Sierra Nevada Ally
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Listen: The Nevada Black Legislative Caucus celebrates Black History – Sierra Nevada Ally
Despite efforts from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Black History Month celebrations took place last month at the state capital. The events brought a message of hope and resilience during tumultuous times. This work is made possible by Press Forward, a national coalition investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms and close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage.
A legacy of hope in tumultuous times: The Nevada Black Legislative Caucus celebrates Black History – Sierra Nevada Ally
On Tuesday, February 18th, Nevada Senator Angela D. Taylor stood before the legislative body to recognize Black History Month. “Black history is American history. It’s woven into the very fabric of our democracy, of our economy. It is a history of triumph over adversity, of innovation in the face of exclusion, of voices that refused to be silenced,” Taylor said. Taylor represents Senate District 15, which covers much of western and southern Reno, Sun Valley and parts of Stead in Washoe County.
Ally Audio: A day of protest to kick off the first week of the Nevada Legislature – Sierra Nevada Ally
Ally Audio: A day of protest to kick off the first week of the Nevada Legislature Check out the latest edition of Sierra Nevada Ally’s podcast Authors Noah Glick is an award-winning journalist, audio and podcast producer, and writer, whose work has been heard nationally on NPR, Marketplace, Here & Now, and more. He is a multiple regional Edward R. Murrow Award winner for his reporting on climate, energy, and housing.
Nevadans protest outside the state capitol building to decry Musk, Trump, and Project 2025 – Sierra Nevada Ally
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Carson City to decry the actions from the Trump administration. In particular, many were concerned with the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its ruler, Elon Musk. “ I’m upset with Elon taking over stuff that he has no business to,” said Jeannie, a protester who preferred to keep her last name anonymous for fear of retribution.
Immigrants have a major impact on Nevada. How is the community preparing for Trump’s second term? – Sierra Nevada Ally
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign was dominated by immigration talk, promising mass deportation of immigrant communities, particularly those of color. But many of his promises lack practicality. Echoing the grandiose promises of his first term, he has proposed things like ending birthright citizenship, which is protected in the U.S. constitution, and using state police to round up the undocumented. However, those policies could be hard to implement.
American journalists take a dip in the Dead Sea – Sierra Nevada Ally
Mohamed is a retired driver for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the international agency that works to aid and protect refugees. But, on this day, he was a tour guide for our group of Western journalists visiting the Middle East to learn about, of all things, the media landscape there. He pointed out the window as rolling hills of sand flew past. “Over there, that’s Bethlehem,” he told us. It was a short drive from Amman, the capital city of Jordan, to the Dead Sea.
Latino families in Nevada are a deciding factor this election cycle – Sierra Nevada Ally
This story was first published in The Fulcrum and republished with permission. Although Nevada has a sitting U.S. senator who is Latina (Catherine Cortez-Masto), Latino political representation still lags. This could explain why some Latino voters feel discouraged or why — despite such high population numbers — Latino voter turnout is lower than that of other demographics in the state.
What solar panels can tell us about investment in rural Nevada – Sierra Nevada Ally
At Scougal Rubber, a corporation in McCarran, Nev. east of Sparks, machines apply more than 1 million pounds of pressure at 280 degrees Fahrenheit to create giant bearing pads used in buildings and bridges to help transfer weight throughout the entire structure. The company is headquartered in Seattle, but has been at this location since 2011.
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