Politics and Policy

Faith-based organizations and charity groups are looking to city leaders in Reno for help in creating a tiny house village to shelter some of the chronically homeless in the Truckee Meadows.

Based on a similar village in Seattle, Washington, the plan would include 40 fairly austere tiny-homes. The buildings would provide few luxuries beyond four-walls, a roof and a door that locks. The village would surround a central building that includes bathrooms and kitchen facilities.

A Reno church held a forum this week in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations to cover topics for immigrants and refugees. KUNR reporter Natalie Van Hoozer has the story. 

All the seats in Ministerio Palabra de Vida were full, with more than 100 community members. For Pastor Cesar Minera, the location for the forum played a big role in the attendance.

The deadline for people to renew their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status is fast approaching, and northern Nevadans are organizing legal help. KUNR reporter Natalie Van Hoozer has the story. 

Current beneficiaries of DACA will only be able to renew their status if their paperwork is received by the Department of Homeland Security by October 5. 

The Reno City Council has voted to require adult businesses, like strip clubs, to move out of the downtown area to industrial zones closer to the edges of town. Our political reporter Paul Boger covered the marathon city council meeting where this decision took place and shared the details with our host Danna O'Connor.

The move by city leaders came last night during a four-hour debate on the matter. Councilwoman Jenny Brekhus says this puts Reno in line with other cities around the nation.

The City of Reno is considering controversial vagrancy ordinances that prohibit specific behaviors. Critic argue that the new rules would target the homeless. Our News Director Michelle Billman spoke to our contributor Bob Conrad of ThisisReno to learn more.

Today in Reno, like in many cities across the nation, protestors spoke out against President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also announced that Trump is giving Congress six months to find a legislative solution. KUNR reporter Stephanie Serrano has more. 

There have been multiple local protests, including one in front of the Federal Courthouse Building and another on the UNR campus.

The White House has stated that President Trump will announce his decision about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on Tuesday and Nevadans are reacting. KUNR reporter Natalie Van Hoozer has more. 

Those with DACA lived in the U.S. illegally when they were young, and the program protects them from deportation. Maria Toca entered the U.S. on a visa, but it expired before she gained legal status. She was the first person in the nation to receive DACA. Today in a Facebook video, she voiced her concern about the possible end to the program.

President Donald Trump made quick work of his most recent trip to Reno, staying for only an hour and 23 minutes. But in that time, the president delivered a rather sedate message to veterans of the American Legion. 

In a speech that lasted less than a half hour, President Trump called Congress to take greater steps to improve services and support for veterans and their families. 

The Reno City Council agreed yesterday to consider a five-acre parcel of land on Sage Street located just off Fourth Street for a new overflow homeless shelter. The building will house individuals overnight when other shelters in the area are full.

The move comes after two years of discussion and debate on where to put the new facility. Previous attempts to pick a site have fallen through, and city leaders have been wary of relying on private land.

And while the vote was unanimous, council members Jenny Brekhus and Oscar Delgado expressed concerns.

Political campaign paraphernalia is often seen as trash after an election, but for certain collectors, the memorabilia is a lifelong passion. Some believe political items like campaign buttons and bumper stickers are actually tangible pieces of both American history and culture. Our reporter Paul Boger, spoke with Adam Gottlieb from American Political Items Collectors about the hobby and why it's an important part of preserving the nation’s history.