President Trump’s second term has put mass deportations back at the center of U.S. politics — and Nevada offers a revealing look at what that means on the ground. In part 1 of our two-part series, host Ben Margiott talks to reporter Kim Burrows, who witnessed several ICE arrests during an exclusive ridealong in May. Then, we turn to The Nevada Independent’s Eric Neugeboren and Isabella Aldrete, who crunched the numbers to answer a pressing question: Who is ICE actually arresting in Nevada — violent criminals, or people whose only offense is crossing the border illegally? Analysis: ICE arrests are surging in Nevada — including of people with no criminal record ICE arrests multiple people with alleged criminal pasts during northern Nevada operation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Silver State is home to some of the most interesting characters - political and otherwise. Former Assemblyman, journalist and columnist Pat Hickey recently released Here and Hereafter: Nevada Voices on Life and the Great Beyond. The book includes inspiring, intimate portraits of power of some of the most famous, infamous and influential Nevadans of the 21st century. Host Ben Margiott interviews Hickey about his extended interviews with notable Nevadans like Harry Reid, Brian Sandoval, Mike Tyson, Barbara Cegavske and dozens more. Buy the book here: https://pathickey.net/here-and-hereafter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How will the 2026 elections be different because of the 2025 legislature? After sweeping changes in the last 5 years, Nevada lawmakers didn't make any wholesale changes to how we vote. But they did tweak certain laws regarding AI in campaign materials, sample ballot deadlines and language access. Host Ben Margiott interviews Kerry Durmick, the Nevada state director of All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan voting rights advocacy group. Ben and Kerry discuss what changed, what didn't and the controversial proposal that will be on your ballot in 2026. Voter ID - a critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide Should recounts be automatic in close Nevada elections? Drag Queen Devon. Death Smith. Veto Villain — nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now (pt. 1) with Beth Smith and Dr. Amy Pason Nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now - how the Dignity Index ranks them (pt. 2) with Andre Wade and Dr. Amy Pason Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump's signature economic package, the One Big Beautiful Bill, is now the law of the land. It extends the Trump tax cuts, ends the tax on tips and boosts border security spending, among other GOP priorities. But it also makes drastic cuts to social safety net programs, including Medicaid and food assistance. How will these cuts affect Nevadans? How will our community health centers and food banks be impacted? This week, host Ben Margiott interviews Mandi Larsen, the chief development officer for Northern Nevada HOPES and Jocelyn Lantrip, the marketing director for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. 'Very alarming:' 114k Nevadans could lose health care in Pres. Trump's 'beautiful bill' Proposed cuts to SNAP benefits set to burden local food banks Nevada congresswoman introduces bill to restore full gambling loss deductions Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for Best Local Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It was a simple campaign promise to put money back in people's wallets during a Presidential election centered on the economy. 'No Tax on Tips' resonated with voters across the country but especially in Nevada, which has the highest percentage of tipped workers. That campaign promise, first raised by President Donald Trump, has not fallen by the wayside. Multiple proposals are actively being debated in Congress. Before it comes up for final consideration - we wanted to take a deep dive on ‘No Tax on Tips.’ How would it work? Who would it help? And would it be unfair to others? This week, host Ben Margiott interviews two people with Culinary Union Local 226, the most influential union in the Silver State. Ted Pappageorge, the union's Secretary-Treasurer and Sebastian Espinoza, a longtime union member and busser at Caesars Palace join for a 'No Tax on Tips' conversation. It’s clear 'No Tax on Tips' is great politics - but will it be good policy? Vote Ballot Battleground: Nevada for Best Local Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Late nights, filibusters and political gamesmanship. The end of the 2025 session of the Nevada legislature had all the usual shenanigans we’ve come to expect as sine die approaches in Carson City. On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, what happened? Which bills lived and died? And what does it all mean moving forward? We’ll hone in on the final chaotic hours with KRNV/KRXI reporter Sophie Lincoln who was our boots on the ground for day 120. Plus, we examine the bigger picture (and what it could mean for 2026) with TMCC political science professor Fred Lokken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. This week, we're digging through the listener mailbag for the first time in 2025 with News 4 and Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy. Ben and Chris answer questions ranging from public lands bills and no tax on tips to special sessions at the Nevada legislature and yes - the 2026 midterms. Not to mention the GSR arena, jackpot thresholds and which Aces team is more likely to win the championship this season. Do you have questions for our next mailbag? Send them to bjmargiott@sbgtv.com and put Ballot Battleground: Nevada in the subject line. Sen. Jacky Rosen on tariffs, deportations, voter ID and federal lands bills Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei on tariffs, Signalgate, DOGE, immigration and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's almost time to get down to brass tax in Carson City as we're a little over two-thirds of the way through the 83rd legislative session. The massive list of bills has been whittled down somewhat, but perhaps more important than what legislation gets passed is passing a balanced budget. With revenues lagging behind expectations, it seems Nevada may be in a budget crunch this session. How bad is it? How do both sides want to weather the storm? This week, host Ben Margiott talks about the budget crunch with top state lawmakers from both parties — Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D) and Senate minority leader Robin Titus (R). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jacky Rosen is back in the U.S. Senate for a second term representing the Silver State - after she barely hung on to her seat amid the red wave. Democrats are in the minority in both the Senate and House, but Senator Rosen says they’re finding their footing when it comes to pushing back on tariffs, deportations, DOGE and more. This episode, host Ben Margiott sits down with Senator Rosen for an extended one-on-one conversation on all of that - not to mention her opinion of a new voter ID proposal, the criticism of her Washoe County lands bill and how her first job as a cocktail waitress on the Vegas Strip informs her work in Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Longtime northern Nevada Representative Mark Amodei, fresh off his 2024 re-election, is now part of the GOP's slim House majority in President Donald Trump's second term. It's been a busy start, from the back-and-forth over enacting tariffs, DOGE cuts, deportations, Medicaid, the Signal group chat controversy and much more. Where does Amodei stand on these issues? This week, host Ben Margiott sits down with him for a one-on-one interview you will only hear on Ballot Battleground: Nevada. In a wide-ranging interview, Ben asks for Amodei's positions on a number of major issues affecting Nevadans - and gets some news about 2026 at the very end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A fast-growing state, lagging incomes and a limited supply of developable land created an affordable housing crisis in Nevada before the pandemic hit. Supply chain constraints and construction costs experienced during COVID-19 only exacerbated the issue. In the pandemic's wake, have our elected leaders done enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? What's it going to take to put Nevada on a sustainable path to boost housing supply into the foreseeable future? And are our leaders pushing the right buttons or advancing limited solutions? The nonpartisan Guinn Center recently released the report on housing affordability in Nevada. This episode, the center's executive director Jill Tolles and one of the authors Dr. Nic Irwin join host Ben Margiott to take a deep dive on housing affordability in the Silver State. Full report: Housing Affordability in Nevada: An Economic Analysis and Policy Considerations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislature? From a fast-tracked egg prices bill and ending Daylight Saving Time to possible Medicaid cuts, there's been a flurry of activity recently after a few slow weeks to start. One month in, we thought it would be a great time to check in on the biggest debates of the 83rd session with two of the best legislative reporters. The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller and Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger join host Ben Margiott for another remote podcast inside the legislative building in Carson City to get you up to speed on the first month of #nvleg. Don't know how the Nevada legislature works? Listen to our last episode: Nevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will Adler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The clock is ticking at the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature, which kicked off last week in Carson City. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the session, we wanted to start with an approachable, easy-to-understand primer for people who are brand new to #nvleg. How does our unusual citizen legislature work? How does a bill become a law? And how does the building really operate? Veteran lobbyist Will Adler, principal of Silver State Government Relations, joins host Ben Margiott for a laid-back Silver State civics class. Ben and Will explain the ins and outs of the Nevada legislature in simple terms for people who are interested in following the process for the first time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back to season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada! We'll kick off season 2 with a deep dive on the first major political event of the odd years in Nevada politics - the Governor's State of the State address. That speech sets the stage for what's to come in the upcoming legislative session. This week, we have the perfect guest to give us some insight - former Lombardo chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer. Kieckhefer has worn many hats over his years in Nevada politics — Associated Press reporter, Reno-area Senator and Nevada Gaming Commission member, just to name a few. This week, Ben joins host Ben Margiott to chat about what the governor hoped to accomplish in his State of the State address, his 2025 legislative priorities, the structural budget errors and Lombardo's governing strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back! Season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada returns on January 29 with a renewed focus on getting regular people more informed and involved in their government. With the 2024 election behind us, host Ben Margiott will now focus on how the newly elected officials are using their power. Will they fulfill the lofty promises made on the campaign trail? Or will they find those goals not feasible in reality? Will the policies they enact truly make Nevada a better place? Or could they backfire with unintended consequences? Ben will interview the biggest lawmakers, advocates and power players of Nevada politics - as well as the voters that are affected by policies. Together, they'll examine and explain the Nevada legislature, federal policies, the practical effect of passed ballot measures and yes — eventually the 2026 midterms. New episodes will drop every other Wednesday - starting January 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Residents of a small Nevada town were promised high-speed fiber internet from Reno-based Uprise Fiber. Nearly 3 years later, there is no progress whatsoever and $9 million allocated to the project by the state is missing. Now, investigations have been launched and the story has shifted to the Nevada legislature. The story may not have been uncovered and certainly would not have received the amount of attention it has if not for the dogged efforts of KRNV News 4 evening anchor and investigative reporter Joe Hart. This episode, host Ben Margiott and Joe walk listeners through the Uprise Fiber scandal from the start. How did this happen? Who is to blame? Are the people responsible being held accountable? And how can the state put in safeguards to prevent this from happening again? Uprise owner resigns from family business amid News 4 investigation into missing funds Probe launched as $9.1M Lovelock internet plan unravels, raising accountability worries Nevada senator raises alarm over missing $9 million in fiber optic project 'We're done,' staffer abruptly ends interview with News 4 over failed fiber optic project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
All 17 of Nevada's counties have certified the results of the 2024 election, bringing this unprecedented cycle officially to a close. This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott recaps the dramatic canvass meeting in Washoe County and looks ahead to 2025. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joins to explain how his office intends to stand up to efforts to infringe on Nevadans' rights and be a 'bulwark' against the incoming Trump administration. Plus, Vote Nevada executive director Sondra Cosgrove - a big supporter of open primaries and ranked choice voting - says the fight for open primaries is not over even after statewide ballot Question 3 failed. Programming note: This was the final episode of season 1 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada. We will be taking a holiday hiatus and returning with all-new episodes in early 2025. Advocates continue push for open primaries in Nevada after Question 3 defeated Top Nevada Democrat says he won't introduce open primary bill despite advocate push Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What really happened in the 2024 election is now coming into focus with all the results now in. What are the biggest takeaways? What lessons did we learn about the electorate? What will candidates and campaigns take away and use in future elections? Tabitha Mueller, reporter with The Nevada Independent, and Lucia Starbuck, KUNR political reporter, join host Ben Margiott to talk takeaways. The three chatted about the importance of early voting, the Reid Machine's strength, the changing Clark County, how Nevadan you are, ballot deadlines, election denialism and much more. Nevada state election results Northern Nevada local election results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first time since 2004, a Republican presidential candidate won the Silver State. Former President Donald Trump won Nevada's 6 electoral votes, but how did he beat his 2016 and 2020 margins? The Cook Political Report's Matthew Klein joins the podcast to explain the gains Trump made with key demographic groups to secure Nevada and the remaining 6 battleground states. Plus, election night reporters Kim Burrows and Sophie Lincoln join to explain what it was like reporting from the county's mail ballot processing room and the UNR polling place, respectively. And finally, an update on several key races and ballot measures we covered previously on Ballot Battleground: Nevada. Nevada state election results Northern Nevada local election results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's our last podcast before Election Day 2024! Vice President Kamala Harris makes her first Reno stop plus a quick update on the latest early voting numbers. The Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston joins to chat about whether Democrats can still close the turnout gap in the Silver State and what's driving this unprecedented trend. Emerson College's polling director Spencer Kimball chats about their latest survey plus the outside shot at former President Donald Trump winning the national popular vote. Then, we interview both the Harris campaign's battleground states director Dan Kanninen and top RNC spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko on the campaigns' closing messages and reaction to the 'garbage' comments. Early voting is underway. Here's where you can cast your ballot in Washoe County Nevada 2024 election cycle - early voting sites and polling locations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ashanti Larson
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