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»5/1/09 Danny Gans Dies and Arts Excellence
First we talk about the sad and sudden death of Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans.

Then, what makes a first-rate educator? We hear from top professors at UNLV. Then we listen to the big band sounds of the Tony Scodwell Big Band.

»5/2/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
First we talk with MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren about the deal to save the the CityCenter project. Then we check in with our neighbors who share their stories about how the foreclosure crisis is affecting their neighborhoods.

Finally, we talk about he future of Las Vegas' art scene in the wake of the closing of the Las Vegas Art Museum. What's next on the horizon? These selections represent the best segments from the past week's broadcasts.

»5/4/09 Economic Forum and Terry Fator on Danny Gans
First we catch up on the latest from the Nevada's Economic Forum. When will the state's economy recover?

Then ventriloquist, comedian, and singer Terry Fator returns to share his feelings about entertainer Danny Gans, who suddenly passed away last Friday.

»5/5/09 Homeless Women and Children and Cinco de Mayo
They are known as the hidden homeless -- women and children -- and their numbers are growing amid the massive recession. We talk with a 74 year old woman and a single mom with an 11 year old child. All are homeless for the first time in their lives.

Then, Review-Journal columnist Doug Elfman talks with L.A. Times entertainment writer Richard Abowitz.

»5/6/09 Luxury versus Necessity and Swine Flu Update
Tough economic times often lead to difficult choices. Should you give up cable TV? Do you postpone buying that new washer and dryer? We hear how Nevadans are redefining the essentials of life amid the economic downturn.

Next, the swine flu outbreak could offer lessons on how to prepare for a major crisis. We look at possible takeaways from the discussion about the swine flu.

»5/7/09 The Feds Are Calling
We continue our weekly series, "Hope At Home: Understanding the Foreclosure Crisis." We discuss how federal stimulus money could be used to purchase at least 600 foreclosed-upon homes in the Las Vegas Valley for their sale to people in need of quality housing.

»5/8/09 The Next Wave: Who is at Risk?
We hold a roundtable meeting with 12 of your neighbors, including a banker, a realtor, a lawyer, an economist, a representative of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and several homeowners. We look at the next wave of the foreclosure crisis.

This special edition of KNPR's State of Nevada will be rebroadcast Sunday, May 10th from 7-9pm.

»5/9/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
They are known as the hidden homeless -- women and children -- and their numbers are growing amid the massive recession. We talk with a 74 year old woman and a single mom with an 11 year old child. All are homeless for the first time in their lives.

These selections represent the best segments from the past week's broadcasts. Tune in Sunday May 10th from 7-9pm for a rebroadcast of Friday's show, "The Next Wave: Who is at Risk?"

»5/10/09 The Next Wave: Who is at Risk? (Rebroadcast)
We hold a roundtable meeting with 12 of your neighbors, including a banker, a realtor, a lawyer, an economist, a representative of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and several homeowners. We look at the next wave of the foreclosure crisis.

This special rebroadcast of Friday's show airs Sunday from 7-9pm. Sound Opinions will not air tonight and will return next Sunday at 8pm.

»5/11/09 Summer Gardening Prep and Strip Entertainment
It's just days until the thermometer has triple digits. So what remains to be done in the yard and garden? We talk with those surgeons of soil, Norm Schilling and Frank Rauscher.

Then, he's one of the sharpest writers in Southern Nevada. We hear from L.A. Times blogger and Las Vegas Valley contributor Richard Abowitz.

»5/12/09 Unemployment Numbers and All Things Water
We hear how and why minority unemployment rates far surpass those of white Americans.

Then we talk about the record levels of drought, a multi-billion-dollar water project and the effects of climate change. Each is a key piece of this region's water picture. We talk with Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy.

»5/13/09 Legislative Update and Ancient Anasazi Flute
Jon Ralston, Steve Sebelius, Molly Ball and Anjeanette Damon join us to discuss the latest from Carson City, as the state legislative session winds down.

Then composer, producer and performer Scott August talks to us about the recovery of the rare Anasazi flute and its music.

»5/14/09 Summer Entertainment and Sounds of Homelessness
Review-Journal columnist Doug Elfman and free-lance journalist Steve Friess talk about the Las Vegas opening of The Lion King, the start of the summer pool party and some big-name concerts.

Then we continue our weekly series, "Hope At Home: Understanding the Foreclosure Crisis." Janice Baker spends time with a homeless family. They join us in the studio to talk about their experience.

»5/15/09 Health Insurance Report and Colorado River Study
Nevadans with health insurance are paying a larger share of their pre-tax income for health care. We hear why. Then, as water levels at Lakes Mead and Powell continue to fall. We discuss what that could mean for Southern Nevada.

And in our second hour, Las Vegas Philharmonic maestro David Itkin discusses this weekend's performance of Beethoven's Ninth.

»5/16/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
We talk about the record levels of drought, a multi-billion-dollar water project and the effects of climate change. Each is a key piece of this region's water picture. We talk with Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»5/18/09 LV City Council Ward 4 and Rogers and Rulffes
Stavros Anthony and Glenn Trowbridge take your phone calls and emails. They're running for the Northwest Las Vegas City Council seat that was held by Larry Brown.

Then, we talk education with Clark County Schools Superintendent Walt Rulffes and Nevada Higher Education Chancellor Jim Rogers.

»5/19/09 Henderson City Council and A Taste of Shakespeare
The city's budget crisis, a proposed air and space museum, and plans to strip mine near Anthem dominate the race for the Henderson City Council seat that had been held by Jack Clark. We talk with candidates Kathleen Boutin and Cathy Rosenfeld.

Then we talk with the members of two performance troupes set to perform classic plays: A Taste of Shakespeare and the Insurgo Theatre.

»5/20/09 Henderson Mayoral Candidates and More
In the first hour we interview the two candidates for Henderson Mayor: Andy Hafen and Steve Kirk.

Steve Sebelius, Editor of Las Vegas City Life and KNPR's Legislative Correspondent, discusses proposed tax changes and the impact on you, during the final days of the legislative session.

In our second hour, Anthony Marnell III, chairman and chief executive officer for M Resort.

Then Damon Seiter, Prep sports editor for the Review Journal, and Dallas Jackson, managing editor for Yahoo Sports discuss sports recruiting practices at Bishop Gorman High School.

»5/21/09 NLV City Council and Home Foreclosures
We talk with City Council candidates Anita Wood and Angelo Carvahlo.

Then, who's buying foreclosed homes in this region and why?

Next, we continue our weekly Thursday series: "Hope at Home, Understanding the Foreclosure Crisis" with Georgia Tech University Associate Professor Dan Immergluck.

»5/22/09 NLV Mayor Race and Claudine Williams Interview
NLV mayoral candidate Will Robinson and city council member Shari Buck join us to take your phone calls and emails.

Las Vegas City Life Editor and KNPR correspondent Steve Sebelius offers the latest details about the closing days of the Nevada legislative session.

Free-lance journalist Steve Friess joins us to discuss the opening of Las Vegas Sands' newest casino in Bethlehem Penn.

Gwen Castaldi's 2005 conversation with casino industry pioneer Claudine Williams, who died earlier this month at the age of 88.

We also discuss the latest business stories from throughout the region with Ian Mylchreest.

»5/23/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
Anthony Marnell III, CEO, M Resort

Then Damon Seiter, Prep sports editor for the Review Journal, and Dallas Jackson, managing editor for Yahoo Sports discuss sports recruiting practices at Bishop Gorman High School.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»5/25/09 Jim Sheeler, Peace in the Desert, American RadioWorks
The first hour we interview Jim Sheeler. He's author of "Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives."

Then, we talk with Robert Litwak, director of International Security Studies at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington; and Stephen Younger, President of National Security Technologies, which manages and operates the Nevada Test Site.

And in our second hour, we hear a special documentary from American RadioWorks. It focuses on the housing crisis in Southern Nevada.

»5/26/09 Legislative News and Madeleine Pickens
We hear the latest news from the closing days of the state legislative session in Carson City.

We discuss the Caesars Palace fundraiser for Harry Reid.

Also, Madeleine Pickens, is leading an effort to establish a wild horse sanctuary on 1 million acres in Northern Nevada.

Also on the program, the social and political implications of President Obama's nomination to the U.S. Supreme of U.S. District Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

»5/27/09 Rep. Shelley Berkley, Bill Maher, Smith Center
Rep. Shelley Berkley discusses regional, national and international politics.

KNPR legislative correspondent and Las Vegas City Life Editor Steve Sebelius shares the latest headlines from the final days of the legislative session.

Stand-up comedian and host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" discusses the role of the stand-up as social critic and de facto journalist.

Myron Martin, president of the Smith Center, joins us to discuss the future of the $485 million project.

»5/28/09 Triple-Digit Gardening, Legislature, Hope At Home
Dr. Angela O'Callaghan and Norm Schilling join us to offer their late spring, early summer gardening tips.

Steve Sebelius brings us the latest news during the closing days of the Nevada legislative session.

How many people have filed for personal bankruptcy during the past year? Who are they and why? We tackle those questions.

»5/29/09 Same-Sex Marriage, Teen Jobs, Senator Ensign
We talk with UNLV Political Science Prof. Rebecca Wood; and Brad Sears, executive director of the Williams Institute on Same Sex Law and Policy about recent California rulings on same sex marriages.

What does the increased competition for entry-level jobs mean for teens seeking summer work?

Dr. Ruan Zongze, the minister counselor in the political department of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., visits Las Vegas.

We talk with Senator John Ensign about President Obama's nomination of Federal Appeal Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court and more!

»5/30/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
How many people have filed for personal bankruptcy during the past year? Who are they and why? We tackle those questions.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.