The Daily Rundown - January 14, 2026
🗳️ The Democratic National Committee has launched a new voter registration initiative in Nevada costing more than $1 million. The “When We Count” program marks the party’s first direct investment in on-the-ground voter registration in the state in more than a decade and its largest such effort to date.
Republicans recently surpassed Democrats in Nevada voter registration. The campaign prioritizes voters of color, particularly Latino Nevadans and the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander community — groups that shifted toward the GOP in the 2024 election. The initiative includes a paid fellowship program that trains young Democrats to register peers in key congressional districts.
💵 Gov. Joe Lombardo says he ended 2025 with $9 million on hand for his reelection campaign. According to Fox News, Lombardo raised $4.28 million last year — the highest non-election-year total for a Nevada governor. Two Lombardo-affiliated political action committees raised more than $4 million combined and now hold nearly $6 million in reserves.
That gives Lombardo-aligned efforts about $15 million heading into the 2026 election. In 2022, Lombardo defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak following the COVID-19 pandemic.
🥔 Two brands of frozen processed potatoes are being recalled over concerns they may contain fragments of hard plastic. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports more than 21,000 cases of Ore-Ida Tater Tots and about 17,000 cases of Sysco Imperial Potato Taters distributed in Nevada and nationwide are affected. Parent company McCain Foods USA issued the recall voluntarily. The company says no illnesses have been reported. The Food and Drug Administration considers the health risk to be low.
🛎️ MGM Resorts International is rolling out an invitation-only rewards program aimed at high-value, non-gaming visitors. A company spokesperson says Fountain Club members receive benefits such as personalized concierge service, access to exclusive events and premium tickets.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports selected guests were contacted late last year and recently received their rewards cards. MGM says more invitations will go out in 2026 but declined to provide numbers, citing growing interest from non-gaming visitors to Las Vegas.
👮 Nevada prisons are rehiring retired correctional officers to address a critical staffing shortage. The rehired officers continue receiving retirement benefits while also earning a salary. New shortage-designated positions are listed for Ely State Prison and Lovelock Correctional Center. At a Tuesday Board of Examiners meeting, Gov. Joe Lombardo said “we need to be a little more proactive” in recruiting correctional staff.
🏠 The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association expects the Las Vegas housing market to rebound in 2026 after a slower 2025. Builders submitted just over 8,200 permit applications in the first 10 months of 2025, a 25 percent decline from the previous year. Interest rates continue to affect market conditions. Financial institutions including Goldman Sachs expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates multiple times in 2026. Analysts project 30-year mortgage rates will remain between 5.7% and 6.0%, aligning with builders’ outlook.
📚 Two of Nevada’s largest education institutions are receiving national recognition. The Cognia Global Commission has accredited the Clark County School District, making it one of the largest districts in the nation to meet the organization’s education standards. The designation certifies that all CCSD schools and early learning centers meet research-based benchmarks.
In a statement, Superintendent Jhone Ebert said the recognition shows the district is a national destination for Pre-K through 12 education. Meanwhile, UNLV has earned its second consecutive Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, the highest national recognition for collaboration between universities and their surrounding communities.
KNPR’s Paul Boger sat down with Superintendent Jhone Ebert ahead of the 2025–26 school year to talk about how the district and teachers prepared for the year ahead. Hear that story 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.
