The Daily Rundown - February 25th, 2026
🏛️ The ability of Las Vegas residents to afford homeownership has improved since its peak in June, but costs remain elevated relative to average incomes. The average annual salary is about $58,576, according to ZipRecruiter. World Population Review says the median household income in Las Vegas is just under $74,000, at $73,877. But a recent study by Redfin says a household in the Las Vegas Valley must earn at least $111,088 to afford a monthly mortgage, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Ten years ago, that figure was just under $42,000. The report says home prices had been rising year over year since the pandemic. While housing remains historically expensive, affordability is improving.
🏞️ Twenty-five years after the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act became law, the tribe is marking the milestone amid concerns about signage at Death Valley National Park. Then-President Bill Clinton signed the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act into law in November 2000. Among other provisions, it returned ancestral land to the tribe, including a parcel in Death Valley National Park. Now, 25 years later, the tribe is celebrating the act’s passage as the Department of the Interior reviews signage at the park’s visitor center that mentions the tribe.
In response, more than 50 Timbisha Shoshone tribal members and supporters marched down the main road in Furnace Creek toward the Death Valley National Park Visitor Center on Jan. 30. That included Jimmy John Thompson, a Timbisha Shoshone council member. “We have 317 acres here within Death Valley National Park where we continue to live,” Thompson said. “And we want to make that statement. We are still here.”
He was part of a demonstration honoring the passage of the act, which returned five parcels of ancestral land to the tribe. While most of their sovereign land is in Nevada, one parcel is within the national park. Hear the full story by KNPR’s Jimmy Romo here.
⚖️ One of the largest Latino organizations is distributing funding to help local communities hold ICE accountable. The Latino Community Foundation is a nonprofit aimed at supporting communities in need. Headed by former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, the organization is distributing $500,000 to Minnesota, California and Nevada. Castro said the group launched the Community Protection Fund to ensure people’s rights are not violated during the administration’s enhanced enforcement efforts.
“And we want to do our part in partnership with local grassroots organizations to make sure that when they step over the line, that they’re held accountable for that. And by doing that, hopefully we encourage DHS to stay within the law,” Castro said. With billions of dollars in new funding for ICE and CBP, Castro expects immigration enforcement efforts to continue and expand. Hear the full story by KNPR’s Yvette Fernandez here.
💡 Some NV Energy customers could soon receive refunds after decades of overcharges. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on Tuesday approved NV Energy’s plan to issue full refunds to multifamily properties that were charged the higher single-family rate. Some overcharges date back more than 20 years. The $63 million in refunds includes interest. Current customers will receive account credits.
Former customers will receive checks. In a statement, NV Energy President and CEO Brandon Barkhuff apologized for the mistake and acknowledged that it created “frustration and financial impact” for customers. The company says the refund process will take several billing cycles to complete to ensure every customer receives the correct amount.
🏗️ Southern Nevada home builders and subcontractors have launched a bipartisan political action committee aimed at supporting candidates who will protect Nevada’s residential construction industry. The Southern Nevada Home Builders PAC says it will evaluate, endorse and financially contribute to candidates who support policies that “expand supply and reduce barriers to responsible development.”
The group currently has more than $700,000 cash on hand, with a goal of raising $1 million ahead of November’s general election. Candidate filing for the election begins March 2. The primary is June 9. Election Day is Nov. 3.
🌡️ Record-high temperatures are possible this weekend in the Las Vegas Valley following last week’s unusually cool and stormy conditions. The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 83 on Friday, which would tie the record for the date, and 85 on Saturday and Sunday, topping the record of 82 on both days.
Last Thursday, the daytime high at Harry Reid International Airport was 49 degrees and the overnight low was 38. It will be a warm weekend throughout the Southwest. Laughlin-Bullhead City and Death Valley could approach 90 degrees, while Phoenix is expected to be in the low 90s.
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.
