Here are a few of this year’s Focus on Nevada entries that made us smile — in the best possible way — at a time when smiles were hard to come by

Congratulations to 2022's winners and honorable mentions — and thanks as always for inspiring us to look at Nevada with a truly fresh perspective.

My usual response to the word “tradition” is a whiplashy gag of nausea and dread at its connotations of unthinking obedience and ritualized conformity but, no lie, I actually love the way it sounds when applied to our Focus on Nevada photo contest.

Zen and the art of birdwatching — a pastime, passion, and, for many, a lifelong obsession

With its strong winds and endless plains, the Ivanpah Dry Lake is perfect for the desert adventurer’s extreme sport: landsailing

If you’ve got a burning desire to taste the rage for spicy chicken sandwiches, these spots are fire

Reflecting on my young life as a regular at Koi, lonesome ultra lounge for the have-nots

Movies and TV shows regularly get Vegas completely wrong. That's a good thing

With a gritty, grassroots ethos, these filmmakers are exploring Vegas' recent history

We scoured the valley to find our new favorite spots for cold, creamy goodness