The Daily Rundown - June 1, 2026
🗳️ More than 1,100 people filed to run for federal, state, and local office in the Silver State this year — and that doesn’t even count the candidates running for judicial seats like district judge or state supreme court. So, what are the issues, endorsements, and candidates impacting the 2026 primary election? "I think we're going to have to see our leaders really speak to what they can do to make sure that Nevadans can get by on their paychecks, and that's going to be a tall order," said Dallas Harris, an attorney and former Democratic state Senator.
Another major issue in the election is the impact of President Trump and the current administration's policies on Nevadans. His approval numbers are in the mid-30s, with nearly 60% of Americans disapproving of how he's handling the job. However, Trump still controls much of the Republican Party. According to lobbyist and former Republican state Senator Warren Hardy, Trump's support could be enough to help candidates in the primary. Hear the full story by State of Nevada's Paul Boger here.
🪖 Veterans exposed to high levels of radiation and toxic substances at the Nevada Test and Training Range would get some help through a proposed bill. Sponsors U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee said on May 28 the bill would assist those who are ill but cannot get help through existing programs.
Some were working on classified programs that the VA is unable to confirm. Also, the Pentagon has downplayed contamination risks at the site. With this bill, the Pentagon would identify everyone who served on the site since nuclear testing began in 1951, establish a process to confirm proof of service, and share the documentation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veterans could then apply for VA benefits. Rosen and Lee said there were over 900 nuclear and other tests at the site from the 1950s through the 1990s.
🏒 John Tortorella is having the time of his life. The sharp-tongued coach famous for blowups with the media, players and opponents is headed back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since leading Tampa Bay to the 2004 title. He has been with Vegas for all of nine weeks — more than enough time to turn the Golden Knights into a unlikely championship favorite in what could be a bruising series against Carolina.
The 67-year-old Tortorella insists the Knights didn’t need much from him, but it’s clear this is currently as close as a love affair as you can find between coach and NHL team. “I like being with the group,” Tortorella said. “It was such a crazy situation (several) weeks ago. I think they have kind of accepted me. I think they understand me better. I certainly understand them better. I feel more comfortable in changing as a coach in order for this to work.
The bottom line is we’re trying to win. I need to give them what I think they need to help them and get the obstacles away so that they can just play.” Don't expect Tortorella to take the stage at one of Las Vegas' comedy clubs, but he has shown a side to the players the public doesn't see. Tortorella shockingly replaced Bruce Cassidy in late March with just eight games remaining in the regular season.
He made it clear to his new players he was along for the ride with them and they would work together to achieve what at the time seemed more like a fantasy than a realistic goal of playing for the Stanley Cup. Vegas had dropped from first to third in the Pacific Division by the time Tortorella took over, in danger of missing the postseason for just the second time in the franchise's nine-year history. Read the full story here.
👶 After 29 years of work with the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, also known as CASA, Clark County Program Administrator Sheila Parks retired from her position on May 29th according to a report by KNPR's Rafaela Gandolfo Bustamante. CASA is a nonprofit organization that serves abused and neglected children in foster care. They recruit and train judge-assigned volunteers to advocate for the best interests of a child in the family court system.
Parks served for 20 years as the program administrator for CASA’s Eighth Judicial District Court program in Las Vegas. During her time, she worked with over 1,800 CASA volunteers who supported the welfare of more than 5,500 children. Parks will remain present within the program as a volunteer and peer coordinator for newly trained participants.
Currently, there is no replacement to fill her role of program administrator for Clark County. There are approximately 3,400 children in Clark County's foster care system on any given day.
🦌 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said more than 95% of national refuge lands could be open to hunting after proposed expansions. The changes follow an order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum earlier this year to remove barriers to hunting and fishing on public lands across agencies. Land Tawney, the co-chair of American Hunters and Anglers, which advocates for public lands, supports the effort to provide more hunting and fishing opportunities at refuges.
“National wildlife refuges are set up to make sure the wildlife have places to go,” he said, “but they're also set up for other resources like recreation, which includes hunting, photography, bird watching.” Hunting and fishing, Tawney noted, support conservation funding in the U.S. through licenses and taxes. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said the changes mark the "largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in agency history," Tawney said the agency evaluates hunting and fishing opportunities annually and that the proposals mostly allow for harvesting additional species at locations already open to hunting and fishing. Read the full story by the Mountain West News Bureau's Rachel Cohen 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.
