Elko

Nevada’s urban hubs and hidden rural pockets have long been dotted with neon signs. Authors Peter Laufer and Sheila Laufer used to live in Silver City and have crisscrossed Nevada three times over 40 years, hunting that neon. Their book, Neon Nevada, captures the changing story of neon across the region with colorful images and detailed narratives. Holly Hutchings caught up with them to learn about what they saw on their nocturnal quests.

The the LGBTQ-rights focused nonprofit, Human Rights Campaign, recently released a study concerning how inclusive city policies and services are to folks in the LGBTQ community. The report rates cities around the country on their non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and the city leadership's public position on equality.

Elko's 35th annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering wrapped up this weekend. Nearly 50 poets, musicians and musical groups, including diverse and dynamic new voices, have shared their artistry. The event is older than Josh Dugat, a first-time presenter, whose poetry pays homage to the  boots that stood on stage before him. KUNR's Holly Hutchings has more with him. 

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is underway in Elko, Nevada this week. One young poet taking the stage is Olivia Romo, a bilingual activist who uses her art to tackle environmental issues facing the West. She told KUNR’s Holly Hutchings why she thinks poetry can spark change.

As many of us are traveling in and around Nevada for the holidays, the American Society of Civil Engineers says roads in Las Vegas are improving, but much of the infrastructure in Northern Nevada is aging.

In rural Nevada, two industries dominate local economies -- agriculture and mining. Nowhere in the state is that more true than in the city of Elko. As the largest municipality in Northeastern Nevada, Elko plays a special role in shaping the economy for the rest of rural Nevada.

A vast majority of Nevada's cannabis dispensaries are concentrated in either Clark or Washoe Counties. There's also a handful in Fallon, Carson City and Pahrump– as well as a few others on tribal land, but cannabis retailers have yet to open a shop in most of rural Nevada.

The 34th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering wrapped up in Elko over the weekend. Its theme focused on herding cultures, with a heavy emphasis on Basque people. Our News Director Michelle Billman spoke with two Basque performers who were highlighted during the festival.

The food truck industry is growing nationally, with cities like Orlando, Florida and Austin, Texas leading the charge.

But a new crop of mobile food vendors is popping up in an unlikely rural area: Elko. Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick has more.

Tourism is Nevada’s largest industry, making up nearly 30 percent of total state employment and bringing in more than $3 billion in tax revenue.

But most visitors are only stopping in Nevada’s two urban centers: Las Vegas and Reno.

Our reporter Noah Glick looks at what is being done to attract more people to Nevada’s rural communities.