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»3/2/09 Conspicuous Consumption and Legislative Roundup
It was a spendy store in Northwest Las Vegas, but writer and CSN Professor H. Lee Barnes argues that the recent closure of The Great Indoors is symbolic of something more -- the fragile fate of conspicuous consumption by Baby Boomer culture. We talk with Lee Barnes.

Political commentators Jon Ralston and Steve Sebelius join us to share the latest news from Carson City.

»3/3/09 How could the economic crash reshape America?
We talk with writer and thinker Richard Florida. His cover story in the current issue of The Atlantic Monthly looks at the economic crash and asks how it could reshape America.

He writes: "What fate will the coming years hold for New York, Charlotte, Detroit, Las Vegas? Which cities and regions can come back strong? And which will never come back at all?"

»3/4/09 MGM Mirage Bankruptcy and Folies Bergere Closes
MGM Mirage could be facing bankruptcy and the financial clock continues to tick on Station Casinos. We hear the latest.

We also discuss how the Nevada Department of Transportation will determine where to spend federal stimulus dollars. Then we talk with key players in the Folies Bergere which is set to end a 49-year run at the Tropicana.

»3/5/09 The Latest on New City Hall and Obama's Housing Plan
We look at the latest twists and turns in the saga of the proposed Las Vegas City Hall complex. We are joined by Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic and Culinary Union boss D. Taylor.

Then, we hear details of the Obama Administration's plan to limit home foreclosure. One in nine US homeowners are expected to benefit. But will it help people in this region?

»3/6/09 The New Jobless and Medicare Spending
There's a new face of unemployment in this region, and many people are having trouble spotting it. We talk with a writer for Fortune Magazine.

Then, Medicare costs are rising, but a recent study argues that we're not getting much for our money. We hear why.

»3/9/09 Coal versus Wind and Is Food the New Sex?
First, Jon Ralston and Steve Sebelius join us to discuss the latest from the Carson City budget battles. Then we ask which provides more jobs, coal or wind?

Then we ask, "What happens when, for the first time in history, adult human beings are free to have all the sex and food they want?"

»3/10/09 Foreclosures and Minorities and Algae Energy
Ethnic minorities have been disproportionately hit by the home foreclosure crisis. We hear how that's played out in this region.

Then we talk about the latest research of a new fuel used to offset carbon emissions: algae energy.

»3/11/09 War, Water, Politics, Drugs and Security
According to a recent report from the DEA, crystal methamphetamine produced in Mexico and imported into the U.S. has become the principal drug of concern in Nevada. We hear how the collapse of the Mexican government is tied to the supply of illegal drugs in Nevada.

Then, we talk with former U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. He's in Las Vegas to speak at an annual conference. We discuss domestic security, including that of the Strip, and the challenges posed by political and social instability in Mexico.

»3/12/09 Chinese Foreclosure Tourists and ACLU Issues
Wealthy citizens of Mainland China are touring American cities buying homes in foreclosure-ravaged neighborhoods and Las Vegas is a stop on their itineraries. We talk with a local realtor who has taken Chinese nationals on bus tours of Clark County neighborhoods.

Then, the ACLU's Gary Peck joins us to discuss some of the key local issues on his group's agenda.

»3/13/09 Legislative Townhall and Indian Casino Ruling
State Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley joins us. We discuss the latest budget machinations in Carson City.

Next, a recent court decision could slow the spread of Indian casinos. We hear why. We also talk to Professor Maria Casas on her book on Mexican/EuroAmerican intermarriage in the Spanish borderlands.

»3/16/09 Access to Justice and Arc Light One
We talk to NV Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty about the Access to Justice program set up to benefit Nevadans of limited means.

Then we talk to Vietnam Combat Pilot Don Harten about his book, Arc Light One. He will be speaking at the Atomic Testing Museum 6:30pm Tuesday night.

»3/17/09 Walking Away from Mortgages and Terry Fator
Walk away or stay and try to pay the mortgage? That's the question many troubled homeowners are asking in this region. We hear arguments on both sides.

Then, we talk with ventriloquist-comedian-singer Terry Fator. His new show just opened at The Mirage.

»3/18/09 Economic Uncertainty for Young People
The unemployment rate for teens and twenty-somethings is climbing faster than that of any other age group. So what options are available for young workers? We seek some answers.

Then, we hear how pay for the bulk of Gov. Gibbons' staff has grown faster than the levels approved by the state Legislature.

»3/19/09 Station Casinos Bankruptcy and Renters' Market
Station Casinos is set to file for bankruptcy protection. MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment could soon follow. So how did so many highly trained MBA's make such poor decisions? We ask that question.

Then, we hear about the challenges of finding renters in a market flush with vacant homes and apartments.

»3/20/09 Deals on the Strip and National Park Documentary
Are Strip and neighborhood casinos tightening their slot machines in tough economic times to boost their bottom line? And what deals are out there for recession-wary shoppers? Anthony Curtis of the Las Vegas Advisor will offer some tips.

Then, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joins us to talk about his latest work - a 12-hour series about the history of the National Park Service. We get him for 20 minutes.

»3/21/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
It's a heart-wrenching decision that thousands in this region are contemplating. Should I walk away or keep my home? We hear some advice.

Then, we talk with ventriloquist-impressionist-singer-comedian Terry Fator. He just opened his five-year run at The Mirage.

KNPR's State of Nevada's Weekend Select is a selection of the best segments from the past week's broadcasts.

»3/23/09 NLV City Council Race and Mitzi Stauffer Briggs
We talk with candidates for the North Las Vegas City Council seat held by Robert Eliason, who failed to return numerous messages and won't be joining us. But we will speak with his primary opponents, Rolando Cruz and Jeffrey Eggeman.

Then, Review-Journal columnist John L Smith talks with former Tropicana owner Mitzi Stauffer Briggs, who lost her ownership interest to the mob.

»3/24/09 Henderson City Council Ward 3
The city of Henderson is facing budget cuts of $50 million over the next five years. We talk with candidates seeking to replace Jack Clark on the Henderson City Council.

Then, LV Sun reporter Marshall Allen talks with Dr Mel Pohl. Allen's reporting shows that Nevadans have the highest per-capita rate of prescription drug addictions in the country.

»3/25/09 LV City Council Elections and Food Shortage
Worker layoffs. The proposed City Hall project. And Oscar Goodman's push to bypass term limits and run for re-election. We look at all three when we speak with the candidates seeking the Las Vegas City Council seat that was held by Larry Brown.

Then, local food banks are running low on supplies. We hear their stories.

»3/26/09 North Las Vegas Mayoral Race
There's a budget shortfall, questions about future growth, and two new casino districts. We talk with candidates seeking to replace North Las Vegas Mayor Montandon.

Then, Las Vegas Sun reporter Emily Richmond talks with the principal of one of the Valley's empowerment schools.

»3/27/09 City of Henderson Mayor/CityCenter Bankruptcy
First we talk with the five candidates running for Henderson mayor about what could be the latest blow to the region's economy.

Then, MGM Mirage's City Center project is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy protection. That could mean an immediate halt to all work on the $8.6 billion project. And the loss of 8,500 construction jobs, and thousands more of indirect jobs.

»3/28/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
First, we hear how angry homeowners are trashing their houses and condos after receiving foreclosure notices.

Then, LV Sun reporter Marshall Allen talks with Dr Mel Pohl. Allen's reporting shows that Nevadans have the highest per-capita rate of prescription drug addictions in the country.

»3/30/09 NLV City Council Ward 3 and CityCenter Saved
We talk with candidates running for the North Las Vegas City Council about the future of growth, development, and the city's casino industry.

Then, we hear about the last-minute deal that's kept construction going on the CityCenter project and what the future holds for the mammoth effort.

»3/31/09 Las Vegas City Council Ward 6 and Property Taxes
It's probably the most heated city council race on the spring election ballot. We talk with the candidates for the Las Vegas City Council seat held by Steve Ross.

And in our second hour, 470,000 Clark County residents could pay lower property tax bills this year as the vast majority of the county's land parcels have lost value. We talk with Assistant County Assessor Rocky Steele.