A new battleground is forming in the state of Nevada, where an influx of federal funding and state-level tax incentives are seeking to kickstart a critical mineral economy necessary to support the renewable energy transition. But while critical minerals provide foundational components to all of our electronic devices - from everyday technologies li…

Amy Ray of Indigo Girls has been penning songs for decades now. The duo had a major hit with the song Closer to Fine in the late 1980s and have continued to write and tour in the years since. Amy has also established herself as a solo artist releasing seven studio albums and three live records on her own. Her musical style is best described as folk…

For nearly 80 years, six friends from the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind have been singing together, starting from their first performance at WSGN, a radio station in Birmingham, Ala. The group, now known as the Blind Boys of Alabama, has traveled around the world, performing at Carnegie Hall, the White House and this month, the Nas…

On this week's Ally Radio, we learn about heat islands: what they are, and how they can impact health. Our contributor Richard Bednarski brings us an interview with Nevada's state climatologist. Then, we head into our personal archives and take an international audio trip to the Republic of Molossia, a micronation located in northern Nevada, and me…

In March of last year, a group of friends decided to start a new business together, a bookstore. But they didn't want to make just any bookstore, they wanted it to be more community focused. The Radical Cat is a feminist bookstore, cat adoption center, and community space. Ilya is in charge of events for the store, which covers the gamut from arts …

On this week's Ally Radio, we’re exploring how the lack of decorum and dignity in public discourse spells trouble for democracy - one possible path forward. Then, we’ll head to eastern Nevada to learn more about a proposed mine that is hoping to extract vanadium. Vanadium is a critical mineral, like lithium, but this one could hold the answer to mo…

A perennial challenge for renewable energy development has been and continues to be long-duration, grid-scale storage. But one proposed mine in Eureka County could be the first primary ground source in the United States of a mineral called vanadium. Science and technology reporter Scott King chats about vanadium and it's potential for rural countie…

On this week’s Ally Radio, we look at an event this weekend commemorating the 160th anniversary of the Treaty of the Ruby Valley. This agreement from 1863 was between the Western Shoshone people and the U.S. government, and it allowed colonial settlers to travel through and use the land of the Western Shoshone. What it didn’t do was cede land. A co…

Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, with community celebrations of Latin culture, people and traditions through Oct. 15. But, educational opportunities remain harder to obtain for many Latino residents. What can be done to increase equality? Dr. Jafeth Sanchez is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Nevada, Reno an…

On this week’s Ally Radio, we look at the need of rural food pantries in our region, and the challenges facing these local, community (and mostly volunteer-run) organizations. We chat with Lisa Selmi from the Healthy Community Coalition of Lyon and Storey counties to learn more. Then, we chat about how proposed rules governing the nation’s public l…

On this week's show, we look at the role psychedelics can play in treating mental health, with some studies showing the potential of psychedelics in treating serious mental conditions, including depression, addiction and PTSD. Then, we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by chatting with Dr. Jafeth Sanchez, director of the Latino Research Center at th…

On this week's Ally Radio, the Sierra Nevada Ally's Scott King joins the show to talk about efforts to build green energy infrastructure and transmission throughout rural Nevada. While well intentioned, these projects have the potential to harm the communities they're meant to serve. Then, we chat with Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, history professor at the …

A new school year is underway for students, teachers and parents across northern Nevada. It's also the second year for Washoe County School District Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield. She and the district [recently] announced its three-year roadmap for the district. Executive Editor Noah Glick chatted with Dr. Enfield to learn more about what she's …

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve was in Washington D.C. earlier this year, as part of the United States Conference of Mayors, to advocate for stronger federal support to address mental health in American cities. But, what can mayors really do to address the issue? Executive Editor Noah Glick recently caught up with Schieve to talk about how to increase a…

On this week's Ally Radio, Sierra Nevada Ally contributor Richard Bednarski highlights a new local news outlet serving the rural residents of Plumas County, California. The Plumas Sun began this summer, after the area's only local news source closed. Then, Executive Editor Noah Glick chats with Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve about increasing access to …

On this week’s show, we take a look at the legacy of mining in the West, particularly the industry’s legacy of waste and pollution. A new report from the Center for Western Priorities looks at the issue and what policies might help. We chat with the group to learn more. Then, we wrapped up our series on El Capitan this week, looking at the history …

A new testing facility in Oregon is researching how to bring wave energy from the shore to the grid. The Sierra Nevada Ally is supported by readers and listeners just like you. Show your support of independent journalism at sierranevadaally.org. And sign up for our FREE newsletter and get the latest reports from the Sierra Nevada Ally sent directly…

School is back in session for kids, teachers and parents across northern Nevada. On this week's Ally Radio, we look at the upcoming school year with Washoe County School District Superintendent, Dr. Susan Enfield. Then, a look back at the Nevada legislative session with the Nevada Women's Lobby. The group released a report highlighting some of the …

On this week's Ally Radio, we head to Maui, where a wildfire has destroyed an historic town, killed dozens of people and destroyed homes and businesses. Our friends at KMUD Redwood Community Radio were able to connect with our radio friends in Maui to check in. Then, we look at the world-famous El Capitan. This granite wall has attracted climbers f…

July was one of the hottest and driest in history for Reno this year. We break down what is going on with climatologist Kaitlyn Trudeau with Climate Central, who tells us temperatures are only going to continue to rise. Then, we visit the Radical Cat, a bookstore in Reno, to learn about how the owners are using the space to give voice to the commun…

This week's Ally Radio is going international (sort of). But first, we start by going over the latest from the Douglas County School District with Rocío Hernández, education reporter with the Nevada Independent, and we get a civics refresher on constitutional amendments with Dr. Sondra Cosgrove from the College of Southern Nevada. Then, we chat wit…

From a new transgender athlete policy to threats of lawsuits and the hiring of Joey Gilbert, the Douglas County School District has made a series of puzzling moves. Community members and parents are eager to know why such attention is being put into a policy that affects few students, rather than address the larger needs of student achievement and …

California Governor Gavin Newsom has long been outspoken on gun violence and the need for more common-sense gun reform. And early last month, he backed up his words with action: specifically, he proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the reach and scope of the Second Amendment. The amendment will be tough, if not impossible, to pas…

Extreme summer heat and an historic snowpack means lots of water flowing into streams, creeks and rivers. So, how does all that get managed? Plus, Nevada lawmakers have nearly 18 months before they kick off another regular session. What should we be paying attention to in the meantime? All that, plus the Douglas County School District's hiring of J…

The legislative session in Nevada wrapped up earlier this summer, and it will be nearly two years before lawmakers meet again in Carson City for the next session. So, what should we all be paying attention to in the meantime? Dr. Sondra Cosgrove is a history professor at the College of Southern Nevada, and she recently joined the Sierra Nevada Ally…

This week on Ally Radio, we look at the rise of book challenges across the country and explore what is happening in northern Nevada. While public libraries are seeing less attention for book challenges, schools and school libraries have become the latest area for conflict. Then, we bring an interview with Tahoe author Alenka Vrecek about her book, …

With the Fourth of July behind us, we now look to the dog days of summer and fire season across much of the West. But, with historic levels of snowpack in the Sierra, what does our overall fire risk look like? And what can we do to help protect ourselves? This week, the Sierra Nevada Ally's Richard Bednarski takes over the show, and chats with a lo…

Pride month is wrapping up, but the celebrations continue throughout July in northern Nevada. On this week's Ally Radio, we look at pride throughout the region, a push to ban LGBTQ+ books, and a conversation with a local transgender woman about her personal journey. Get the latest news and information from the Sierra Nevada Ally, and become a membe…

The annual Pops on the River is a community party that brings all sorts of people together. That’s how the Reno Phil’s music director Laura Jackson describes it. The event, which doubles as a music festival and fundraiser, will include two new venues this year, including the controversial J Resort in downtown Reno. The Sierra Nevada Ally's Noah Gli…

Since 1980, about 3 million refugees have been resettled in the United States. Recently, northern Nevada has seen an increase in refugees coming from war-torn areas like Ukraine and Afghanistan. But what is the process like for those coming here and what challenges await them once they arrive in northern Nevada? On this edition of Ally Radio, we br…

From mining and processing to production and recycling, the Silver State is going all in on the lithium-ion battery cycle. Report by Scott King, Sierra Nevada Ally The Sierra Nevada Ally is supported by readers and listeners just like you. Show your support of independent journalism at sierranevadaally.org. And sign up for our FREE newsletter and g…

The Oakland Athletics have cleared another hurdle in their bid to move to the Las Vegas Strip. Nevada lawmakers have approved the deal, which just needs the approval from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority and Major League Baseball. We break down what the final bill looks like with KNPR’s Paul Boger. Then, as summer officially starts next week, we cha…

Alenka Vrecek is an athlete, an avid climber, skier and mountain biker specifically. She had a goal to ride her bike 2,500 miles from Lake Tahoe to the tip of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. She wrote a book about it called “She Rides,” which is out today. The Sierra Nevada Ally’s Noah Glick chatted with Vrecek about the book and her journey. The Sie…

Nevada lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session late Monday night with all but one budget bill signed. That forced Governor Joe Lombardo to call a special session Tuesday to get that last bill over the finish line. Lombardo then called another special session Wednesday to discuss the public financing proposal for a new baseball stadium in Las V…

The Oakland A's want to move to Las Vegas. A site has been selected and a proposal is in front of Nevada lawmakers, who are considering the bill during a special session. How did this proposal get to this point? What are the A's asking for exactly? And what are lawmakers saying as they consider the proposal? We chat with KNPR's Paul Boger, who has …

Lawmakers have just days remaining in the Nevada legislative session. Democrats in the Assembly and Senate have agreed on an education budget with Republican Governor Joe Lombardo. But that doesn't mean the threat of a special session or partial government shutdown is off the table. We break down the latest with KNPR's Paul Boger. Then, we chat wit…

This week, we break down Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo's threat to veto the state budget with Paul Boger, reporter and producer with KNPR's State of Nevada. Then, we bring you a preview of Nevada Expressions III, an art sale and fundraiser supporting local artists and public service journalism from the Sierra Nevada Ally and KNVC, Carson City Community …

This week, we break down the latest from the legislative session with Paul Boger, reporter and producer with KNPR's State of Nevada. Then, Claire Carlson joins the show to talk about a battle brewing in western Utah, pitting urban growth against biodiversity. The Sierra Nevada Ally is supported by readers and listeners just like you. Show your supp…

This week, we break down the latest from the legislative session with Paul Boger, reporter and producer with KNPR's State of Nevada. Then, Richard Bednarski chats with ecohydrologist, Dr. Mark Hausner with the Desert Research Institute in Reno. The Sierra Nevada Ally is supported by readers and listeners just like you. Show your support of independ…

Listen to this week's Ally Radio from KNVC Carson City Community Radio and the Sierra Nevada Ally. This week, host Noah Glick chats with KNPR reporter and producer Paul Boger about the Nevada Legislative Session. Then, we hear a report from energy and science reporter Scott King about the challenges to getting more renewable energy projects off the…

Clean, renewable energy is needed to meet ambitious climate goals, but as the Sierra Nevada Ally's Scott King reports, getting projects permitted can be a challenge. The Sierra Nevada Ally is supported by readers and listeners just like you. Show your support of independent journalism at sierranevadaally.org. And sign up for our FREE newsletter and…

When the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed in late 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey received an influx of funding to support the mapping of areas with potential deposits of critical minerals. Since then, Nevada has hosted a series of geological mapping surveys, the latest of which was an electromagnetic survey recently completed in the McDer…

Electric vehicle sales are expected to grow significantly over the next decade, with Goldman Sachs estimating EVs will make up more than half of all global car sales by 2035. More electric vehicles on the roads means more batteries needed to power them. Right now, lithium-ion batteries are the standard for electronic devices from smartphones to veh…