The Daily Rundown: August 12, 2026
⚖️ The trial of a man accused of orchestrating the killing of Tupac Shakur started this week with jury selection, almost 30 years after the rap legend was gunned down near the Las Vegas Strip.
Attorneys began vetting potential jurors Monday for the case, which centers on one of the hip-hop world's defining moments and enduring mysteries. Seven potential jurors were asked to return Thursday afternoon as attorneys continue the selection process Tuesday and Wednesday. A total of 16 jurors will be selected for the monthlong trial.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, has pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in the rapper’s death. At the time, Davis was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips in California.
Family members of Shakur were among those who gathered at a Las Vegas courthouse for the beginning of jury selection, which could continue through much of this week. “Whoever had anything to do with it, whoever set it up, whoever had any hand in it should be locked up in prison,” said Shakur’s cousin, Kendrick Lesane.
Thirty years after his death, Shakur remains a cultural icon and is considered one of the most influential and versatile rappers of all time.
Shakur’s death at age 25 came as his fourth solo album had sold 5 million copies. He was in a BMW on Sept. 7, 1996, with music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight when a white Cadillac pulled up at a red light. Shakur, who was in the passenger seat, was shot multiple times and died six days later, while Knight survived.
💧 The water level in Lake Mead is now the lowest it’s been since the nation’s largest reservoir was filled about 90 years ago, according to reporting by the Mountain West News Bureau's Alex Hager.
The reservoir, which straddles the Arizona-Nevada border, is about a quarter full. That’s after two decades of climate change and drought — and policymakers’ inability to cut back on demand.
Jack Schmidt studies the Colorado River at Utah State University. “In the near term, there is only one way to maintain water elevations, and that is to reduce consumptive use.”
Schmidt says the reservoir is only feet away from impacts to hydropower generators in Hoover Dam. The federal government is soon expected to release a new plan that would keep more water in Lake Mead by cutting the amount that flows to Arizona, California and Nevada.
🏈 The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is bringing back Game Day Express. It will provide direct transportation to Allegiant Stadium for Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV football games, and to T-Mobile Arena for Vegas Golden Knights hockey. The cost to ride is $4 round-trip.
The RTC launches it on Thursday (Aug. 13) for the Raiders’ first preseason home game. Service for UNLV football begins with the first home game on Aug. 29. For the Knights, it begins with their first preseason home game on Sept. 24.
There are six departure/return sites for the Knights and Raiders games. The UNLV express leaves from and returns to campus.
🚗 Thirty-one people died on Nevada’s roads in July, according to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. That’s compared to 30 in June.
Through the first seven months of the year, there have been 199 traffic-related deaths in the state, which is down from last year’s seven-month total of 230.
There have been just over 100 deaths through July in Clark County, compared to over 150 fatalities over the same period last year. Statewide, deaths involving unrestrained individuals, bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are all down compared to 2025.
🎨 The Nevada Treasury’s sixth annual “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up” art contest is now accepting submissions until Oct. 9, 2026. Open to all Nevada students in pre-K through grade 12, the Treasury has asked participants to submit original art pieces that answer the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Contest officials will choose first-, second- and third-place winners from each grade level, while awarding $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The Treasury will deposit all winnings into college savings accounts. The agency will also award the teacher whose class has the most submissions a $200 gift card.
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.
