Riley Snyder
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Co-editor @TheNVIndy
Articles by Riley Snyder
Ayúdenos a rastrear desinformación electoral en Nevada
Nos hemos asociado con una organización de investigación de la Universidad de Texas, Austin, para aclarar información errónea sobre elecciones. Esta nota fue traducida al español y editada a partir de una versión en inglés. Si hay algo que se repite en cada elección en Nevada y en otros lugares, es que la desinformación — ya sea accidental o intencional — aparece cada vez que se acerca el Día de la Elección.
Help us track election misinformation in Nevada
"I voted" stickers at the Galleria at Sunset polling site in Henderson on Election Day on June 9, 2026. (Daniel Clark/The Nevada Independent) If there's one consistent factor across elections in Nevada and beyond, it's that misinformation — either accidental or nefarious — pops up every time around Election Day.
Award-winning Nevada gaming reporter Howard Stutz plans retirement
Support Independent Elections Coverage and Journalism in Nevada You’ve enjoyed unlimited access to our reporting because we’re committed to providing independent, accessible journalism for all Nevadans. But sustaining this work — informing communities, holding leaders accountable, and strengthening civic life — depends on readers like you. Nevada needs strong, independent journalism. Will you join us?
Meet The Indy's new summer interns
Support Independent Journalism in Nevada You’ve enjoyed unlimited access to our reporting because we’re committed to providing independent, accessible journalism for all Nevadans. But sustaining this work — informing communities, holding leaders accountable, and strengthening civic life — depends on readers like you. Nevada needs strong, independent journalism. Will you join us? A gift of any amount helps keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone across our state.
Introducing The Nevada Independent's 2026 voter guide
Though the June 9 primary feels far away, our voter guide has detailed information on candidates and election procedures. "I Voted" stickers inside the downtown Reno Library on Oct. 19, 2024, the first day of in-person early voting. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent) June 9 — Nevada's 2026 primary Election Day — still feels far away. But some Nevadans may already be casting their ballots.
Elon Musk’s Boring Co. accused of nearly 800 environmental violations on Las Vegas project
Nevada could’ve fined the company more than $3 million, but regulators are seeking a reduced penalty of $242,800, citing an “extraordinary number of violations. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week.
The Indy wins big at Nevada Press awards, including top online news honor
The Nevada Independent won 16 awards, including eight first-place awards, at the 2025 Nevada Press Foundation Convention. For the first time in our eight-year history, The Nevada Independent has been recognized with the Nevada Press Foundation's top organizational award.
Trump admin wants to cancel Biden-era rule that made conservation a 'use' of public land
The rule put conservation on equal footing with development. Reversing it could open more taxpayer-owned tracts to drilling, logging, mining and grazing. By Matthew Brown, Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday proposed canceling a public land management rule that put conservation on equal footing with development, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to open more taxpayer-owned tracts to drilling, logging, mining and grazing.
What to know about mRNA vaccines
By Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — So-called mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic — and now scientists are using that Nobel Prize-winning technology to try to develop vaccines and treatments against a long list of diseases including cancer and cystic fibrosis. But this week, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F.
All major Las Vegas Strip casinos are now unionized in historic labor victory
By Rio Yamat, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — When Susana Pacheco accepted a housekeeping job at a casino on the Las Vegas Strip 16 years ago, she believed it was a step toward stability for her and her 2-year-old daughter. But the single mom found herself exhausted, falling behind on bills and without access to stable health insurance, caught in a cycle of low pay and little support. For years, she said, there was no safety net in sight — until now.
We caught Nevada sharing personal health data with Big Tech
This story was originally published by The Markup, now a part of CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletter. State-run health care websites around the country, meant to provide a simple way to shop for insurance, have been quietly sending visitors’ sensitive health information to Google and social media companies, The Markup and CalMatters found.
This is how you stop data trackers from sucking up your health data
The Markup and CalMatters found multiple ways consumers can block the trackers quietly sending your data to tech companies. This story was originally published by The Markup, now a part of CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletter. In April, The Markup and CalMatters found that Covered California, the state of California’s health care exchange, was sending the personal health information of its users to LinkedIn. The news triggered a class-action lawsuit and questions from federal lawmakers.
Judge rules AmeriCorps must restore funding, members to states that sued including Nevada
Around 200 AmeriCorps members in Nevada abruptly lost their jobs in late April. By Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press The Trump administration must restore hundreds of millions of dollars in AmeriCorps grant funding and thousands of service workers in about two dozen states, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Deborah L.
In Vegas, Vance urges crypto industry to stay involved in politics, touts Trump administration's record
Speaking at a bitcoin conference in Las Vegas, Vance urged the crypto executives and enthusiasts to keep pressure on Congress to pass pro-crypto legislation. Vice President JD Vance praised the cryptocurrency industry Wednesday and urged it to remain active in U.S. politics and policymaking, highlighting the Trump administration’s close ties to a deep-pocketed industry that’s become a powerful force in Washington.
A rare olive-colored fish in Nevada nears a key step toward endangered species listing
By Rio Yamat, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — U.S. wildlife officials want to extend federal protections to a rare Nevada fish that environmentalists say is “barely clinging to existence" because of rapid groundwater pumping in a remote region experiencing extreme drought conditions. A proposal to list the Fish Lake Valley tui chub as an endangered species was issued Wednesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, kicking off a 60-day public comment period.
After economic forecast, Nevada lawmakers eye (but hope to avoid) tapping rainy day fund
In today’s edition: A bill to tap into the rainy day fund How advancing imperfect bills can create trouble down the road The Nevada Equal Rights Commission could be moving … About three weeks ago, before members of the Assembly voted 41-1 to pass AB451, a gun suicide prevention measure, Assm.
Supreme Court weighs whether to let Trump's birthright citizenship restrictions take effect
Nevada is among 22 states that sued over a Trump order to deny citizenship to children who are born to people who are in the country illegally or temporarily. By Mark Sherman, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday weighed whether to allow President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship to temporarily take effect in most of the country, even if they might ultimately be found to violate the Constitution.
Nevada, other states sue Trump administration over conditions placed on federal funds
By Kimberlee Kruesi, Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is among the coalition of 20 state Democratic attorneys general who filed two federal lawsuits on Tuesday, claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in transportation and disaster-relief funds unless states agree to certain immigration enforcement actions.
Before they name a 2028 nominee, Democrats will have to decide which state will weigh in first
By Hannah Fingerhut, Meg Kinnard and Holly Ramer, Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Before they can name their next presidential nominee, Democrats will have to decide which state will weigh in first. In 2022, President Joe Biden forced a shake-up of the 2024 election calendar, moving South Carolina's primary ahead of contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Smoke from climate-fueled wildfires contributed to thousands of US deaths over 15 years, study says
By Dorany Pineda, Associated Press Wildfires driven by climate change contribute to as many as thousands of annual deaths and billions of dollars in economic costs from wildfire smoke in the United States, according to a new study. The paper, published May 2 in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment, found that from 2006 to 2020, climate change contributed to about 15,000 deaths from exposure to small particulate matter from wildfires and cost about $160 billion.
Nevada hearing may give first public view into legal spat over control of Murdoch media empire
The Nevada Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday afternoon on a bid by media outlets including the Times and The Associated Press to unseal the case. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A hearing Wednesday before Nevada's high court could provide the first public window into a secretive legal dispute over who will control Rupert Murdoch's powerful media empire after he dies. The case has been unfolding behind closed doors in state court in Reno, with most documents under seal.
Are all Nevada judges legally required to have law degrees?
By Megan Loe on 05/05/2025 Nevada does not require all judges in the state to have law degrees. Most Nevada judges must have a legal education under state law, but there are two exceptions: municipal court judges and justices of the peace in counties with populations under 100,000, said Eve Hanan, a law professor at UNLV. All but Clark and Washoe counties fall below that population threshold. Lower-level court judges in Nevada are not legally required to have law degrees.
OPINION: Why Nevada’s workforce needs the humanities
Nevada’s Legislature is forecasting less funding for education this year, despite clear recommendations from their own $1.2 million commissioned study to invest more in our colleges and universities. At the same time, federal programs such as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) face renewed threats of cuts in Congress. These decisions jeopardize not just our institutions, but the future of our workforce.
Nevada joins a dozen states in suing the Trump administration to stop tariff policy
The lawsuit challenges Trump's claim that he could arbitrarily impose tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. By Larry Neumeister, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A dozen states including Nevada sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York on Wednesday to stop its tariff policy, saying it is unlawful and has brought chaos to the American economy.
Student loans in default will be sent for collection. Here's what borrowers need to know
By Adriana Morga, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Starting next month, the Education Department says student loans that are in default will be referred for collections. Roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans and soon could be subject to having their wages garnished.
US expected a big travel year, but overseas visitors — angered by Trump — are heading elsewhere - The Nevada Independent
The number of international visitors to the United States jumped in 2024, but three months into 2025, international arrivals are plummeting. By Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Business Writer Olja Ivanic looked forward to welcoming some cousins from Sweden to her Denver home in June. Ivanic and the four travelers were planning to go hiking in Colorado and then visit Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Nevada, other states sue to block Trump's election order, saying it violates the Constitution
By Lindsay Whitehurst and Christina A. Cassidy, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic officials in 19 states filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's attempt to reshape elections across the U.S., calling it an unconstitutional invasion of states' clear authority to run their own elections. Thursday's lawsuit is the fourth against the executive order issued just a week ago.
Man accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas arrested, police say
Las Vegas police said they were “actively investigating” a motive and whether it is connected to other recent cases of vandalism targeting Tesla properties. By Rio Yamat, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man who set fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas and who painted the word “resist” for authorities to find at the scene has been arrested, police announced Thursday. Paul Hyon Kim, 36, faces charges in connection with the March 18 attack in both state and federal court.
Supreme Court upholds Biden rule of serial numbers, background checks for ghost guns
Nevada lawmakers had passed a state-level ban on ghost guns in 2021. One of the largest manufacturers of the weapon kits was based in Dayton. By Lindsay Whitehurst / Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Biden administration regulation on the nearly impossible-to-trace weapons called ghost guns, clearing the way for continued serial numbers, background checks and age verification requirements to buy them in kits online.
The high cost of fixing Lake Tahoe: Famed alpine lake still murky after decades of efforts
Billions of state and federal dollars are spent on Lake Tahoe. But is all this attention actually protecting this unique treasure? This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. An azure jewel set more than a mile high, deep in the High Sierra, Lake Tahoe is California’s most highly curated and micromanaged natural asset. Even among the state’s many famous landmarks, Tahoe is beloved and revered.
Norm Clarke, a Las Vegas celebrity columnist and former AP sports writer, dies at 82
By Dan Sewell, Associated Press Norm Clarke, a colorful journalist who covered the back-to-back World Series champion Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s as an Associated Press sports writer and then became a popular entertainment columnist in Las Vegas, has died after a long battle with prostate cancer. Clarke, 82, died on Thursday at a Las Vegas hospice center, said his brother, Jeff Scheid.
OPINION: It’s Sunshine Week. But some bills in the Nevada Legislature threaten to keep the public in the dark.
March 16-22 is national Sunshine Week. The week is promoted by a nonpartisan alliance of those in journalism, law, education and others advocating for open government all around the county. The Nevada Open Government Coalition and the Nevada Press Association are celebrating Sunshine Week on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The event is from 6-8 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. We invite all who care about open government issues to join us.
More than 50 universities, including UNLV, face federal investigations as part of Trump's anti-DEI campaign
By Collin Binkley, AP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 50 universities including UNLV are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.
An effort to block non-citizens from voting could impact married women, too
This story was originally reported by Barbara Rodriguez and Grace Panetta of The 19th. Meet Barbara and Grace and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. Millions of American women have a different last name than what’s on their birth certificates, and House Republicans have prioritized a bill that voting rights groups say could make it harder for them to vote.
OPINION: The essential church: Lessons from the pandemic 5 years later
What happens when the institutions that have sustained communities through plagues, wars and social upheaval for centuries are suddenly deemed 'nonessential'? Five years after Nevada's pandemic restrictions on religious gatherings, we're still discovering the answer. This month marks the fifth anniversary of when Nevada imposed unprecedented restrictions on houses of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Trump's mass layoffs raise the risk of wildfires in the US West, according to fired workers
The Forest Services oversees more than 6 million acres in Nevada, including in Lake Tahoe and the Ruby Mountains. By Martha Bellisle and Claire Rush, Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The termination letters that ended the careers of thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees mean fewer people and less resources will be available to help prevent and fight wildfires, raising the specter of even more destructive blazes across the American West, fired workers and officials said.
Manfred calls Athletics' new park in Sacramento charming but still expects to be in Vegas by 2028
By David Brandt, AP Baseball Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called the Athletics temporary home charming but reiterated he expects the franchise will open its new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028.
Nevada joins lawsuit challenging Elon Musk and DOGE’s authority
Filed by attorneys general from 14 states, the lawsuit asks a federal judge to declare Musk’s actions to radically cut government programs have no legal effect. By Morgan Lee, Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Attorneys general from 14 states, including Nevada, challenged the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive government data and exercise “virtually unchecked power" in a lawsuit filed Thursday.
11 years after a celebrated opening, massive solar plant faces a bleak future in the Mojave Desert
The Ivanpah plant formally opened in 2014 and has been blamed by environmental groups for killing thousands of birds and tortoises. By Michael R. Blood, Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — What was once the world's largest solar power plant of its type appears headed for closure just 11 years after opening, under pressure from cheaper green energy sources. Meanwhile, environmentalists continue to blame the Mojave Desert plant for killing thousands of birds and tortoises.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company is tunneling beneath Las Vegas with little oversight
Given Musk’s role advising President-elect Donald Trump, Boring and the Vegas Loop project might be a harbinger for the country. January 8th, 2025 at 2:00 AM EnvironmentLocal GovernmentTechnology This story was originally published by ProPublica in collaboration with City Cast Las Vegas. Elon Musk’s Boring Company spent years pitching cities on a novel solution to traffic, an underground transportation system to whisk passengers through tunnels in electric vehicles.
Best of The Indy: Our favorite photos from 2024
Stories at The Nevada Independent wouldn’t be complete without photographs that accompany them. We’re lucky to work with photojournalists Jeff Scheid, David Calvert and Daniel Clark, who have brought their unique perspectives and immense talents to the important moments that shaped the trajectory of our state. As visual storytellers, their images help bring our stories to life and convey the nuanced emotions that are hard to put into words.
Best of the Indy: Our favorite stories from 2024
Indy staff share their favorite projects from the past year. The end of a calendar year is a natural time to reflect on the past 12 months. And for us at The Nevada Independent, 2024 has been quite a whirlwind. As we did at the end of 2023 and 2022, Indy reporters are pleased to share some of their favorite stories from the past calendar year.
New Biden admin rule targeting ‘junk fees’ includes mandated disclosure of resort fees
The use of resort fees for amenities is common in Las Vegas, where hotels will now be required to disclose them upfront, but not what they will be used for. By Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday said it will soon require hotels, vacation rental platforms and live event promoters to disclose any fees up front when they list prices.
Proposed merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges
The two companies have about 90 stores in Nevada. Nevada’s attorney general called the judge’s decision a “first step toward ensuring consumers are protected.” By Dee-Ann Durbin / AP Business Writer The proposed merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the deal.
Despite progress in Nevada, new study shows voting for Native Americans harder than ever
Study that included Nevada and 20 other states found voter participation was lower for those who lived on tribal land than those who lived off of it. By Graham Lee Brewer, Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A new study has found that systemic barriers to voting on tribal lands contribute to substantial disparities in Native American turnout, particularly for presidential elections.
Las Vegas man pleads guilty in lucrative telemarketing scam
By Larry Neumeister, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal criminal charge alleging that he duped people into donating tens of millions of dollars to what they thought were charities, but were really political action committees or his own companies. Richard Zeitlin, 54, entered the plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in Manhattan federal court, where sentencing was set for Dec. 10.
Nevada high court ends casino mogul Steve Wynn's defamation suit against The Associated Press
By Ken Ritter, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday ended a defamation lawsuit brought by casino mogul Steve Wynn against The Associated Press in 2018, rejecting his bid for a jury to hear his claim that he was defamed by an AP story about two women who alleged Wynn committed sexual misconduct.
Jury deliberating fate of ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
By Ken Ritter, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — A jury began deliberating Monday in the trial of a former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician accused of killing an investigative journalist who prosecutors said the official blamed for writing stories that destroyed his career, ruined his reputation and threatened his marriage. “And he did it because Jeff wasn't done writing,” prosecutor Christopher Hamner said during closing arguments of defendant Robert Telles and the reporter, Jeff German.
Closings set in trial of ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
By Ken Ritter, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — A jury that heard a former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician insist that evidence including DNA tying him to the killing of an investigative journalist was tainted, planted or wrong — and that he was the victim of a massive conspiracy — will hear closing trial arguments Monday. Robert Telles won't return again to the witness stand before a jury panel of seven men and seven women is pared to 12.
Ex-politician testifies he's innocent in the killing of a Las Vegas investigative reporter
By Ken Ritter, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — In his first words to a jury, a former Las Vegas-area Democratic elected official declared Wednesday that he didn't kill an investigative reporter who wrote articles critical of him and his workplace conduct. Then he promised to tell them his story.
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