The Daily Rundown - December 15, 2025
Nevada's unemployment rate held steady in September compared with the previous month, according to numbers released Thursday by the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.3% for September was down slightly from the 5.7% rate of a year ago. Clark County's rate, at 5.7%, mirrors the statewide average, while Washoe County's, at 4.3%, is more in line with the national U.S. rate of 4.4%.
Let's play word association. If we said entertainers and Las Vegas, what combinations come to mind? A lot of them, we're sure. Liberace, certainly. Siegfried and Roy, of course. Wayne Newton? Sure. You might think of other entertainers, or symbols like the showgirl, the production show or the Cirque show.
But you can't talk about entertainment in Las Vegas without talking about the Rat Pack. And you can't talk about the Rat Pack without talking about its leader, Frank Sinatra. UNLV Professor Michael Green and former Nevada Sen. Richard Bryan look into the legacy of a Las Vegas icon in the newest episode of Nevada Yesterdays.
Read or listen to the Frank Sinatra Las Vegas story on Nevada Yesterdays.
The Washoe County Commission has approved a $30 million road improvement for the route most commonly used by Burning Man attendees. The project, slated for completion in 2030, will address deterioration, navigation and safety concerns for the main road leading from Gerlach to the Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles northeast of Reno. The Federal Lands Access Program will cover $29 million of the needed funds. Black Rock Desert hosts a number of events, with Burning Man drawing 70,000 to 80,000 annually.
The number of Mountain West law enforcement agencies that have agreed to collaborate with the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts has risen significantly since January. Signed agreements, known as 287(g), rose from 10 to 54 in seven Mountain West states. In a recent visit to Las Vegas, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who oversees ICE, said the agreements help the federal government enforce immigration laws by working with local officers.
Nevada Public Radio's Yvette Fernandez has the full story here.
The NBA Cup finals are set for tomorrow. The New York Knicks will take on the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. This is the third NBA Cup. The annual midseason tournament, held in Las Vegas, has become a staple of the league. The winning team's players receive a bonus of around $530,000.
Read more Las Vegas NBA coverage here.
Drive through any American town or pull off any highway across the country and you'll see them: the glowing neon signs of chain restaurants. Think Chili's, Applebee's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster.
There's something about these places: They're familiar, nearly ubiquitous and, somehow — despite rising food prices — offer a full sit-down restaurant service experience at an affordable price, according to many readers who dine at these places and who spoke to NPR for this project.
But they also stir something deep for many Americans. These restaurants are personal landmarks dotted with memories of nights spent with friends before a movie, awkward first dates or family birthday dinners.
Read the full story by NPR's Jaclyn Diaz and Alana Wise here.
Part of these stories are taken from KNPR's daily newscast segment. To hear more daily updates like these, tune in to 88.9 KNPR FM.
