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March 13, 2023: Here's the news you missed in Nevada over the weekend

Mead
AP Photo/John Locher
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Nevada lawmakers are considering a significant shift in water use for Las Vegas, one of the driest major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The water agency managing the city's Colorado River water supply is seeking authority to limit what comes out of residents' taps.

Democratic Assemblyman Howard Watts of Las Vegas says a sweeping omnibus bill under consideration is a worst-case scenario plan to ensure drinking water, basic health and safety are prioritized during dire times. The bill would give the agency the ability to cap single-family residential water in southern Nevada to about 160,000 gallons annually.

The average family uses about 130,000 gallons, meaning the largest water users could be targeted.

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Pavel Dorofeyev scored his first NHL goal and Jiri Patera made 30 saves in his debut to help the Vegas Golden Knights beat the St. Louis Blues 5-3.

Michael Amadio, Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson and Alex Pietrangelo also scored to help Vegas win for the sixth time in seven games – having also shutout Carolina 4-0 on Saturday. The Knights close a five-game road trip at Philadelphia on Tuesday night.


UNLV’s Lady Rebels received a No. 11 seed Sunday for the NCAA Tournament and will face No. 6 Michigan in the first round Friday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. UNLV reached its second consecutive NCAA Tournament after winning the Mountain West tournament for the second straight season.


Wet, miserable weather is continuing across huge swaths of California as an atmospheric river that caused major flooding flowed eastward.

As it moves out, weather officials say another onslaught of rain and snow could yet again pummel the region as soon as Monday night. The next torrent could exacerbate the severe flooding that overwhelmed the area in recent days, including a levee failure that prompted widespread evacuations in farming communities near the state’s central coast.

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The next storm could bring gusts as strong as 50 mph. Over the past two days, more than 20 inches of snow fell at a measuring station in the Sierra Nevada, and more is expected. The snowpack is now nearly twice the average, and the highest in about four decades.


As of July 1, Nevada State College could be known as Nevada State University. The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted 9-4 Friday to approve the name change.

However, it’s contingent on a change to Nevada law that would create a “second-tier teaching university” within the state’s system.

Nevada State College President DeRionne Pollard told the regents that a bill on the tier system has been drafted and there is interest in the Legislature. Pollard said the renaming would be funded through donations and would not affect the school’s funding formula, admission standards or the institution’s mission.

Nevada State opened in 2002 in Henderson and has more than 7,200 students enrolled.

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Last winter, most ski resorts at Lake Tahoe had to postpone their usual November openings because there wasn’t enough snow. This season, several have been forced to close at times because there’s too much.

A relentless winter has dumped more than 50 feet of snow on mountain resorts around the lake since December. The latest storm forced a half-dozen to shut down Friday. Three remained closed Saturday. One resort spokesman says they've taken a bit of a financial hit. But locals who’ve been skiing at Tahoe for decades say any disruptions are offset by the premium, powdery snow conditions and being able to ski through the end of May.


A new bill proposal in the Nevada Legislature seeks to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and other controlled substances.

Senate Bill 242 was introduced this week by Nevada Democrats. The bill aims to decriminalize MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, and "magic mushrooms" for adults in possession of four ounces or less. The bill would also establish procedures for a research facility, with approval from the Dept. of Health and Human Services, to conduct studies involving certain controlled substances, like psilocybin and psilocin.

If passed, Nevada would join Oregon, Colorado, and a handful of cities across the country that have already decriminalized “magic mushrooms.” The push for future legalization of psychedelics has gained momentum in recent years due to ongoing studies revealing the health benefits involved, especially for veterans suffering from PTSD.


The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting a total of 45 flu deaths in Clark County so far this flu season. Of the 45 deaths, 29 occurred in patients 65 and older. No deaths were recorded in age groups under 18 years old. The majority of flu deaths have affected older people, but hospitalizations have affected young and old. Reports through Feb. 25 show that 746 people have been hospitalized since the flu season started. The SNHD says flu activity is currently minimal.


Siegfried and Roy's Jungle Palace is under new management after a $3 million deal earlier this week. Owners of the Carden International Circus announced Friday they purchased the property out of concerns it would be torn down. The Jungle Palace was built in 1954 and sits on a half-acre of land. The main house is 8,750 square feet with two bedrooms, four bathrooms, an indoor jacuzzi and a pool. There are also multiple guest houses. The Carden family sees the home as an investment and will consider turning the property into a tourist attraction or a short-term vacation rental.

KNPR’s Morning Edition Host, Rick Andrews, joined Nevada Public Radio as an announcer in 2003, shortly after we split into two stations.
Briana Joseph is the afternoon and weekend announcer at Nevada Public Radio. She hosts during national syndication from NPR. You’ll hear her voice during All Things Considered and Weekend Edition.