KNPR Discussions

Building the I-11

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Tom Skancke, president of The Skancke Company and transportation consultant to the LVCVA says now is the time to focus on building Interstate 11. The proposed freeway would connect Phoenix and Las Vegas and be part of a redesigned Boulder City bypass. But who would benefit from this highway? And how will it be funded? Tom Skancke joins us to discuss how and why we should build the I-11.

GUEST
Tom Skancke, president of The Skancke Company
Robert Puentes, Senior Fellow, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program

Bob Hazlett, Senior Engineer, Maricopa Association of Governments Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

State Corrections Dept and Budget Cuts

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"How does the State Corrections Department deal with budget cuts. Furloughs for guards might mean furloughs for prisoners as well. Not so far but there is a running battle between the department and the governor who want to close the state prison in Carson City and the Attorney General and Secretary of State who insist that it should stay open. And the recent lockdown at Clark County Prison has the guards association complaining that the state's prisons are dangerously understaffed. We talk with the Director of the Corrections Department Howard Skolnik about how the prisons are operating with a shrinking budget.

GUEST
Howard Skolnik, Director Nevada Department of Corrections Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Gambler's Quartet

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Reno author Brad Summerhill has published a new book - a quartet of stories about the characters seeking to be more than they can be. Summerhill will be reading Monday night at Sunrise Coffee (3130 E. Sunset Rd.,between Eastern and Pecos). And he joins us to talk about gambling and his new novel.

GUEST
Brad Summerhill, author, Gambler's Quartet Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Political Roundup

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"So what kind of traction are the firefighters getting in their campaign against Rory Reid? And why is the firefighters' local endorsing the Republican candidate for governor? Will Sharron Angle be remembered as the runaway candidate? Can she get enough money to neutralize Sen. Harry Reid's massive war chest? Who is likely to emerge victorious from the neck-and-neck struggle for congressional District 3? We talk with the experts to answer these and other political questions in the long slow summer of the mid-term elections.

GUEST
Steve Sebelius, Ed, LV CityLife, and Political Analyst, KLAS Channel 8
John L. Smith, author and columnist, LVRJ Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Former NV Gov Kenny Guinn Obituary

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Yesterday morning, Former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn died at his Las Vegas home.

Kenny, and Dema, his wife of 54 years, spoke on KNPR's State of Nevada in 2006, just before their departure from the Governor's Mansion in Carson City. Senator Richard Bryan joins us with his recollections of Former Gov Kenny Guinn. State Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio also joins us. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Sleepless in Las Vegas: The 48-Hour Film Project

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Here's the challenge. In 48 hours take a camera, crew, lights and whatever else you need and put together an entire film within that two day time frame. That includes writing, filming, editing and scoring.

Sound hard? This weekend about 400 Las Vegas based filmmakers will take that challenge by participating in the 48-Hour Film Project. So how do they do it? From script to screen teams get only a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre and must turn that into a movie.

We talk with Co-Founder of the 48-Hour Film Project, Mark Ruppert about the project and if films made in just two days are worth watching.

GUEST
Mark Ruppert, Co-Founder, The 48-Hour Film Project Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

West Side Story

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The city of Las Vegas has spent many years encouraging redevelopment in and around downtown - Union Park, The World Market Center and The Fremont Street Experience. But, writes Las Vegas CityLife reporter Amy Kingsley, the West Side has wasted away. Kingsley and photographer Justin Yurkanin developed a multimedia package -- text, photos and video that has just won the AltWeekly Awards "innovation/format buster" award for telling that story. We talk with the pair as well as West Las Vegas resident Brendan Green, about the sorry plight of neighborhood.

GUESTS
Amy Kingsley, Staff Writer, Las Vegas CityLife
Justin Yurkanin, Photographer, Las Vegas CityLife
Trish Geran, resident, West Las Vegas

Picture of Jimmy Bell getting ready to deal the 5 p.m. poker game at the New Town Tavern.
Photo by Justin Yurkanin Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

La Mission and the man's role in preventing violence

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"In the new film 'La Mission' the street tough ex-convict Che Rivera played by Benjamin Bratt has to overcome his alcoholic past to win back the love of his estranged son after beating and disowning him for being gay.

The film's producers are releasing the movie in Las Vegas this weekend in conjunction with the Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence to create awareness about sexual assault and violence prevention in the community and to highlight what a man's role is in preventing violence of all kinds.

So what is a man's role in preventing violence? We talk with two violence prevention activists and two stars of the film.

GUEST
Andrea Sundberg, Exec Dir, NV Coalition Against Sexual Violence
Erica Alexander, plays 'Lena' in "La Mission"
Jeremy Valdez, plays 'Jes' in "La Mission" Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Parental Involvement

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Does a great education start in the home or in the classroom? Research has shown that when parent's are involved in their child's education students generally do better academically, stay in school longer and like school more. But how is Clark County getting more parents involved? And are parents in the district doing enough to get involved with their kid's education?

We continue our summer series on education with a look at parental involvement. How well can students do without a strong parental presence in their educations? And what about the parents who simply can't be involved because of full time job or other constraints? And how much can any given school district do to facilitate strong involvement of a parent?

We'd like to hear from parents and teachers. What are your thoughts? What are the biggest roadblocks to being involved in your student's education? And for teachers what has proven to work and not work when trying to get parents involved? You can post your comments below.

GUESTS
Catherine Jordan, Program Mgr, SEDL (formerly the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory)
Dave Flatt, State Treas, NV PTA; and CCSD parent
Jeffrey I. Gelfer, PhD, Prof of Special Ed and Early Childhood Ed, UNLV
Brenton Lago, Principal, Mendoza Elementary School Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Chasing Epidemics and Superbugs with Maryn McKenna

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Maryn McKenna is the author of two books on epidemics, and she always keeps a face-mask nearby. It's no wonder her nickname is "Scary Disease Girl." As a journalist, she has covered anthrax, malaria, polio, Gulf War Syndrome, and cancer clusters in a small Midwestern town. Her latest foray into germs brings us her book on one of the hardest crises to hit hospitals, Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA. Maryn McKenna talks about how the MRSA bug infected hospitals... and how it could creep into our own homes. Join us for a conversation on epidemics, what we can do to prevent them, and what to do when they hit.

Maryn McKenna speaks to students Thursday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Springs Preserve. It's part of the Alexander Dawson Foundation summer program, in partnership with the Clark County School District. Her book is part of this program's five-week study of past and present epidemics. The event is free.

GUESTS
Maryn McKenna, author, Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Conservative Bloggers' Conference

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Talk about dueling blogs! Progressive bloggers are holding their annual conference (Netroots Nation, formerly YearlyKos) right next door to the conservative bloggers' convention (RightOnline). The director of RightOnline and the Editor-in-chief of RedState.com offer their insights about the power of the Internet. How has the political landscape changed thanks to blogging? What issues are hot online right now? (Immigration anyone?) The Democrats used online networking to their advantage in 2008... so how can conservatives use the Web to motivate the voting masses? Share your thoughts below.

The 2010 RightOnline Conference runs July 23-24 at the Venetian. It's held by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation. Speakers will include Judge Andrew Napolitano, Sharron Angle, and Representatives Mike Pence and Michelle Bachmann, among others.

GUESTS
Eric Telford, Exec Dir, RightOnline; Deputy Dir of Communications, Americans for Prosperity
Erick Erickson, Ed-in-chief, RedState.com; Political Analyst, CNN Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Kindness of Strangers

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Remember the days when a driver would stop and help someone with a flat tire? Or when someone would buy a homeless stranger a hot meal? What happened to those days? Do people still reach out to others? Two college filmmakers are traveling the United States and testing out the kindness of strangers, and they tell us what they found in Nevada. Do you reach out to help others? Or have you faced tough times, and has someone been kind to you? Are there any stories that really touched your heart? In this recession, where are we seeing the kindness of strangers? Share your story with us below.

GUESTS
Sarah Sellman, documentary filmmaker, American Bear

Pastor Robert Fowler, Sr Pastor, Victory Missionary Baptist Church
Linda Lera-Randle El, Founder and Exec Dir, Straight From the Streets
Alicia Farrow, Founder, Acts of Kindness Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva on Immigration

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Question: What politician asked people to boycott his own state? Answer: Raul Grijalva. The Arizona Congressman made headlines when he spoke out against SB 1070, the state's controversial immigration bill. He said deporting all illegal immigrants was "unrealistic" and "anyone who says otherwise is not living in the real world." Rep. Grijalva talks about why he called for a boycott, why progressives should push for immigration reform, and how he handles the death threats to his office.

Representative Raul Grijalva will be one of the speakers at Netroots Nation, a conference for progressive bloggers. The conference runs July 22-25 at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

GUEST
Rep Raul Grijalva, [D-AZ] Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

The Progressive Bloggers' Conference

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"They say the Internet brings the world together, but here's an interesting match-up: the right-wing bloggers are holding their annual conference right next door to the left-wing bloggers in Vegas. We talk to the head of the progressive conference, Netroots Nation. And tomorrow, we check in with the conservatives. So... do you need an Internet connection to be plugged into politics today? How has the political landscape changed thanks to blogging? What issues are hot online right now? And how are bloggers using the web to prepare for the 2010 elections? Share your thoughts.

The progressive blogging conference, Netroots Nation, runs July 22-25 at the Rio Hotel and Casino. Speakers will include Daily Kos and Netroots Nation founder Markos Moulitsas, Senator Harry Reid, and Senator Al Franken, among others.

GUEST
Raven Brooks, Exec Dir, Netroots Nation; Co-founder, BuyBlue.org
Cheryl Contee, Co-founder, Jack and Jill Politics; partner, Fission Strategy; presenter, Netroots Nation
Jim Gilliam, Founder, 3dna (making internet tools like act.ly, GovLuv, and pro.act.ly); Co-founder, Brave New Films; presenter, Netroots Nation
Tracy Van Slyke, Project Dir, The Media Consortium; Former Publisher, progressive magazine In These Times; Co-author, Beyond the Echo Chamber: How a Networked Progressive Media Can Reshape American Politics Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Foreclosures and Strategic Defaults

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"How different are the rich from the rest of us? Lots... at least lots more of them are likely to walk away from their homes than average people who are upside down in their mortgages. So why is that? And is it the rich who are making the right decision or is it better for everyone to stick with their mortgages. We talk with some of the experts who crunched the numbers on who exactly is walking away from their homes as well as some people who are dealing with strategic defaults on a daily basis.

GUESTS
Brent White, Prof of Law, U of AZ Law School
Michael Joe, Atty, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
Sam Khater, Sr Economist, Corelogic
Rich Sharga, VP Marketing, RealtyTrac
Richard Plaster, President, Signature Homes Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Should We Extend Jobless Pay?

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"If you're unemployed, jobless pay does not go on indefinitely. But what if you still haven't found a job? Will the government extend that time limit? Plenty of local Nevadans said they need more time to find a job. But critics say that only encourages laziness. What do you think? Are you unemployed? Do you think we should extend jobless pay. or is it better to stop it? Jobless Nevadans share their stories, and two experts explain the case for/against extending pay. Share your thoughts below.

GUESTS
Jeffrey Miron, Senior Fellow, Cato Inst; Dir of Undergraduate Studies in Economics, Harvard U
Jeff Waddoups, Assoc Economics Prof, UNLV
Isabelle Diaz Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

101 Places Not to See Before You Die

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"In author Catherine Price's new book 101 Places Not to See Before You Die Nevada lands somewhere between number 1, the "Testicle Festival" in Missoula, Montana and number 85 "the inside of a spotted hyena's birth canal." So how did we end up behind the likes of the great pacific garbage patch and Juarez, Mexico as the top places NOT to visit? We ask Catherine price.

Readers can make their own suggestions to the list of 101 Places Not to See Before You Die either at http://www.101worstplaces.com or the iPhone app also called 101 Worst Places.

GUEST
Catherine Price, author Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Why Are So Many People Mad with Harry Reid?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Sen. Harry Reid has never been really popular but his negatives are dangerously, some say even terminally, high. Republicans say he is no longer the independent Nevadan that he was when he was sent to Washington, but has become a major force for the liberal agenda in Washington. But is that enough to generate all the anger that is now focused on him? Has he been victimized by the circumstances of the recession and historically high unemployment in Nevada? Or has he simply failed to deliver what he says he has?

GUESTS
Elizabeth Crum, Ed, Nevada News Bureau
Brad Coker, Mason-Dixon Polling
Geoff Schumacher, columnist, LVRJ
Prof Marc Hetherington, Dept of Poli Sci, Vanderbilt U Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

International Drag Day

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"What brings together kings, queens, and nuns in four-inch platform heels? International Drag Day, of course! Drag kings, drag queens and the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (aka nine "nuns" who dress in drag) will be celebrating in style this Friday at the Erotic Heritage Museum. The event is sponsored by Where's My Lesbian, an international LGBTQ web site. So what's drag culture all about? And what inspires grown men and women to cross the gender line? We talk to an organizer and a drag queen about International Drag Day and why it's about more than just "dressing up."

The event takes place Friday at 8 p.m. at the Erotic Heritage Museum. The drag show performance starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $10 and proceeds will benefit the nonprofit group, Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

GUESTS
Sister Loosy Lust Bea Lady, President and Founder, Sin City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Karen Plowden, developer, Where's My Lesbian; co-organizer, International Drag Day Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Commentary: Fremont Street

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Desert Companion Editor Andrew Kiraly was never a big fan of the Fremont Street Experience. Until that one fateful night downtown ... Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Desert Bloom: Hot Weather Gardening

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"With the dog days of summer approaching, Norm Schilling has some tips for a living yard. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Lake Mead Carp

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The brown carp has invaded waters in Nevada disrupting natural habitats for birds and other fish in Lake Mead as well as other rivers in the area. But how did they get here? And what kind of impact can an ugly brown fish have on the Southern Nevada marine ecosystem?

Jon Sjoberg, supervising fisheries biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife joins us to talk about the impact of Lake Mead's brown pest. Nevada's Division of Wildlife will also hold a Carp Rodeo this weekend to let residents help out with the elimination of the invasive fish.

GUEST
John Sjoberg, Supervising Fisheries Biologist, Nevada Department of Wildlife Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

The Future of CCSD

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The Clark County School District is facing a number of problems. The district is dead last in the country in graduation rates, the system is broke and currently has a lame duck leader. In November the school board could take a philosophical shift depending on the outcome of the election and two gubernatorial candidates are making education a top issue in their platforms for election. So what is the biggest issue the district will have to wrestle with going into the election and the 2011 legislative session? Las Vegas Sun education reporter, Emily Richmond is leaving Las Vegas soon, but first she joins us to talk about what she anticipates the big stories will be.

GUEST
Emily Richmond, education reporter, Las Vegas Sun Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Canyon Ridge Christian Mission in Uganda

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The Canyon Ridge Christian Church is one of the largest megachurches in Southern Nevada. It has created a missionary partnership with Martin Ssempa - a Ugandan pastor who advocates abstinence only to control AIDS. He has also been closely associated with the law to jail and even execute gays in Uganda. We talk with Democratic activist Derek Washington who thinks the Canyon Ridge congregation is unaware of the extreme positions taken by its missionary partner.

GUEST
Derek Washington, Pres, Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada
Tyler Egeland, member, Canyon Ridge Christian Church Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Smart Meter

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Ever heard of the Smart Meter? Well, guess what... you may be getting one in your home. It's a digital meter that's supposed to reduce energy consumption during peak hours. Some companies even claim you can use it to control your power usage from your cell phone or laptop. But how smart is the Smart Meter? Some Californians are lodging complaints that it's not reading right, and that utility bills shot up. There are even lawsuits against the meters in California, Texas, Maryland and Connecticut. But NV Energy claims it can do it right. And thanks to a $138 million federal grant, it's looking to have Smart Meters in Nevada homes very soon. How helpful will the Smart Meter be? Will it be worth the time and money? What do you think? Is there a better way to save energy? Call 258-3552 or join the discussion.

GUEST
Michael Yackira, president and CEO, NV Energy
Robert Stewart, senior vice president of Customer Relationship, NV Energy Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Sheriff vs. District Attorney

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Here's something you don't see every day: a sheriff arresting the district attorney (D.A.). Law enforcement usually partners with the local prosecutor to catch criminals, but in this case, the sheriff is accusing the D.A. of fraud. The D.A. turned around and filed felony charges against the sheriff's deputy. Now, both sides are pointing their fingers and crying, "Foul!" What's going on in Nye County? Why are two lawmen facing off? And why is a judge being shipped hundreds of miles to clean up the mess? A reporter gives us in the inside scoop on the showdown.

GUEST
Alexandra Berzon, reporter, WSJ Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Rory Reid on Education

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval has just released his education plan for Nevada. But how does it stack up against Rory Reid's plan? We ask Sandoval's biggest critic and opponent Democrat Rory Reid. There are a lot of similarities but implementation would be a key difference in making their plans happen. But, given the similarities and differences what makes these plans different?

GUEST
Rory Reid, Democratic candidate for Governor, and Chair, Clark County Commission Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Brian Sandoval on Education

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Republican Gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval just released his long awaited education plan. So how does it stack up against the Rory Reid Plan? We talk to Brian Sandoval about his plans to overhaul Nevada's education system.

GUEST
Brian Sandoval, Republican candidate for Governor Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Nevada's 2010 Environmental Youth Ambassador

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"If you ask Lida Kilchenko why she flew to Australia, she'll say it's because of the water. The high school junior won an essay contest - and a spot as Nevada's 2010 Environmental Youth Ambassador. That earned her a trip to the Land Down Under to study how that country deals with drought. Lida talks about what she learned in Australia, and what her generation of fellow teens can do in Nevada.

GUEST
Lidiya "Lida" Kilchenko, 2010 Environmental Youth Ambassador, Advanced Technologies Academy student Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Candidate Makeovers

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Since she won the Republican Senate primary, Sharron Angle has hired a new ad agency and redone her website. Critics say she's also softening her rhetoric. Journalist Jon Ralston called it a "political makeover." Is she reshaping her image for the general election? Will it appeal to more voters? Where have we seen these political makeovers before? And how do they affect elections? We talk to local campaign consultants, plus a professor who recalls Richard Nixon's "makeover" decades ago. What do you think about candidate makeovers?

GUESTS
Ryan Erwin, Republican political consultant, Ryan Erwin and Associates
Dan Hart, Democratic political consultant, Dan Hart and Associates
David Greenberg, Asso Prof, history and journalism and media studies, Rutgers University; author, Nixon's Shadow: The History of an Image Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Should Women Have Their Own Poker Night?

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The World Series of Poker (WSOP) ladies event was June 11, and a few men decided to crash the party. One man said he did it to prove a point: that banning men is reverse discrimination. So what's the value of an all-female poker tournament? How do men change the vibe? How do women play poker differently among each other versus with men? Are tells and other poker tricks different between the sexes? A behavioral specialist and poker players from both sides weigh in. What do you think: should women have their own poker night? Join the conversation below.

GUEST
Maryann Morrison, Managing Ed and Publisher, Woman Poker Player Magazine; Pres, Women's Poker Club; author, Women's Poker NightWomen's Poker Night Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Republican Convention

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Nevada Republicans are holding their state convention in Las Vegas this weekend. It should be a display of unity but there are tensions between some sections of the party who are less than happy with the selection of Sharron Angle to carry the party's banner in the U.S. Senate Race. And even though the party line is to reject any and all tax increases, one Republican leader has broken ranks to say that the 2011 Legislature will have to increase taxes and cut programs to write a workable budget. Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea joins us to talk about the convention and his take on taxes in the next legislature. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Stranger Sojourn

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Utah has two opposing immigration plans before them, one in the spirit of Arizona's SB 1070 and another that supports illegal residents in the state. We talk to authors on both proposals and two Utahans who don't see eye to eye on the immigration issues.

GUESTS
Paul Mero, President The Sutherland Inst
Marty Carpenter, spokesman, Salt Lake Chamber
Stephen Sandstrom, Utah State Rep (R-Orem)
Eli Cawley, Chair of the Board of Directors, Utah Minuteman Project
Tony Yapias, Dir, Proyecto Latino de Utah Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Candidate Boot Camp

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"A group of women activists in the Nevada Democratic Party has formed Emerge - a group that offers advice and training for potential women candidates. The group had its first successes in the last election cycle and now has slate of candidates running for diverse offices in the November election. Republicans have a mobile training school for women candidates, which they'll bring to any city in the country. We talk with both groups' organizers and some of the candidates to find out what the candidate schools teach and why it's so complicated to be a woman candidate.

GUESTS
Assemblywoman Ellen Spiegel, D-Henderson
Adriana Martinez, Chair, Emerge Nevada
Erin Bilbray-Cohn, Exec Dir, Emerge Nevada
Alisa Nave, Political Dir, Nevada Senate Democrats
Sue Lynch, Pres, NFRW
Holly Robichaud, Instructor, NFRW Campaign Management School Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

How Do We Control the Pigeon Problem?

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Watch out, pigeons... there's a new cop in town! The Nevada Pigeon Control is a local business that pledges to contain the pigeon problem. They've got uniforms, cages, and air guns... all aimed at cutting down on the number of winged beasts. They say the county isn't taking care of the bird problem. But Clark County says it will use pigeon birth control pills. Why are pigeons such a problem in Southern Nevada? Why are casinos hiring uniformed men with air guns? And why are so many groups all aflutter over the best way to handle this controversy? We talk to a "pigeon cop" and others tackling bird control. Fly into the conversation below.

GUEST
Nephi Oliva, Founder, Nevada Pigeon Control, and former bounty hunter Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

World Cup Sports Betting

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Las Vegas is the only place in the county where you can put a bet down on your favorite World Cup team. So how have the valley's sports books accommodated soccer bettors? And did the average sportsbook patron even know how to bet on soccer? We talk with the directors of two Las Vegas sportsbooks about betting on the World Cup.

GUESTS
Jay Kornegay, VP of Race and Sports Operations, Las Vegas Hilton
Jason McCormick, Dir of Race and Sports Operations, Station Casinos Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

World Cup-Immigrant Roundtable

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Las Vegas is a city of immigrants--people who came from another country to find a new life in the US. Immigrants bring their hopes and dreams and aspirations. But most human beings also hold a basic desire to connect with others--through traditions, beliefs, language. And the struggle for immigrants in Las Vegas is sometimes a struggle to find these human comforts.

The immigrant story is a story of cultural transition, and transitional identities.

On this program, we talk to individual immigrants who connect with their homeland through the prism of the World Cup. How does soccer, and watching a game halfway around the world, connect immigrants in Las Vegas to their cultural roots? And we hear several individual stories of transition--the ways that individual immigrants have transitioned to living here, and the ways they stay in touch with the cultural identities in a foreign land.

GUESTS (pictured below left to right)
Biniam Negassi, Eritrean-American
Jo Dumic, German citizen
Rosana Santos, Brazilian-American

Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Low-income and Minority Students in College

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The Nevada System of Higher Education is teaming with national experts to figure out how to draw more of Nevada's low-income and minority students to college. We continue our summer series on education with a look at the Educational Equity and Postsecondary Student Success project. Researchers out of the University of Southern California's Center for Urban Education will be working with Nevada's schools to identify solutions to getting our increasing minority and low-income students to and through college.

But, how do we get minorities and low-income students to college? And what will it take to mobilize the community and education system as a whole to embrace this effort? We talk with Nevada leaders about how to do that. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Should There Be a Line Between Church and Politics?

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"In his documentary, 8: The Mormon Proposition, filmmaker Reed Cowan accuses the Mormon Church of using its donation to influence the ballot box to pass Proposition 8. and stop same-sex marriage in California. We take the discussion one step further: how do you feel about who and what your church donates to? How should your money be used? Should any religious organization be involved in politics? Why or why not? We want to hear from you!

GUESTS
Rob Boston, Asst Dir of Communications, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Austin Nimocks, Sr Legal Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

8: The Mormon Proposition

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Reed Cowan was a married father when he came out as gay. He was also a Mormon. Since then, Reed has made documentaries taking a closer look at Mormonism. His latest, 8: The Mormon Proposition, contends the Mormon Church influenced the Proposition 8 battle in California to stop gay marriage with hidden donations. We talk to Reed Cowan about his documentary, what he hopes to achieve with it, and what he's heard from the community.

GUEST
Reed Cowan, Co-Director and Writer, 8: The Mormon Proposition; and TV news anchor, WSVN 7 News (Salt Lake City) Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

The Gaming Outlook

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The gaming industry has been struggling for two years. Declining gaming take and falling room rates have hurt casinos up and down the Strip. And the Cosmopolitan is about to open another 3,000 rooms. So what is the outlook for the gaming industry for the second half of 2010? Is there any hope that the big industry in Las Vegas will pick up in the next few months?

GUESTS
Howard Stutz, Gaming Reporter, LVRJ
Michael Paladino, Sr Dir - Gaming, Lodging and Leisure, Fitch Ratings
Bill Lerner, Head, Union Gaming Group
David G. Schwartz, Dir, Ctr for Gaming Research, UNLV
Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Sammy Davis, Jr. - Mimic

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"John McWhorter writes that Sammy Davis, Jr. had great talents but wasted them on mimicry. "For Davis," he adds, "the important thing was getting to hang around with famous white people. In fact, one inconvenient obstacle between Davis and an engaged black identity was that he wished he were white." We talk with McWhorter about his critique of Sammy Davis, Jr. as a failed African-American.

GUEST
John McWhorter, Contributing Ed, City Journal Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Arts in Crisis?

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The Smith Center for the Performing Arts hosted a community conversation with Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center. While the title of the event was "Arts in Crisis" it was an upbeat presentation of the challenges and solutions available to cultural organizations. We're sharing Kaiser's extended comments. He's collected them into a book "The Art of the Turnaround". That's what he's most well known for, turning around arts organizations in crisis. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

First Friday Wedding

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Artists Michael Todoran and Rhoda Lazo are making their wedding into performance art at this month's First Friday -- the downtown arts festival. And they will be making a political statement about the need for all people to be able to wed. We talk to them about the reasons they decided to do political performance art and how their family and friends feel about this wedding.

GUESTS
Michael Torodan, artist
Rhoda Lazo, artist Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Surviving the Mob

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"For 15 years Andrew DiDonato stole cars, robbed banks and ran illegal gambling operations for the Gambino crime family in New York. After landing on his own mob crew's hit list he began to realize what the mob was really about. And that lead him to become a federal witness.

Local production company 2 Reel Productions has produced a new DVD on the life of Andrew DiDonato. It's called, Surviving the Mob. We talk with the producer and director of the film and DiDonato about life in the mob.

GUEST
Andrew DiDonato, retired mobster
Jay Cleveland, surviving the mob producer
JC Willette, surviving the mob director Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Fight of the Century

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"It's not surprising that one of the biggest fights in boxing history took place on Nevada soil. But it wasn't in Caesar's Palace, and ringside tickets didn't go for thousands of dollars. Instead, two men squared off in a dusty railroad town. One was black, and one was white. The year was 1910, and the outcome of that match changed the way people looked at race and boxing forever. We look back on the centennial of "The Fight of the Century," and how a black boxer named Jack Johnson and a white boxer named Jim Jeffries changed history.

GUESTS
Guest-list forthcoming

VIDEOS
Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Nye County Card Draw

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"It's a plot tailored made for the "only in Nevada" file. A deadlocked Nye County primary for a county commission seat will be decided by a deck of cards this week. After a 381-381 tie, the race between two Nye County Commission challengers will go to whoever draws the highest card at the county courthouse. Nye County Clerk, Sam Merlino will oversee the process and she joins us to discuss how it will go down.

GUEST
Sam Merlinio, Nye County Clerk Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Teach for America

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Teach for America scours the country looking for the best and brightest college grads to join its ranks as teachers. Those teachers then go through a whirlwind training course and then placed into some of the toughest schools in the country.

Those schools are largely minority and have some of the poorest kids in their respective districts. So what are Teach for America recruits doing differently in Clark County? And how successful are they? We continue our summer series on education with a look at Teach for America.

We talk with the group's executive director as well as one former and one current TFA teacher.

GUESTS
Allison Serafin, Exec Dir, Teach for America Las Vegas Valley
Jonathan Thatcher, Program Dir, Teach for America Las Vegas Valley Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Youth Soccer in Las Vegas

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Of all the kids who have grown up playing soccer in Las Vegas, none have gone further than Herculez Gomez. Gomez made the US World Cup team and he's just back from competing in South Africa, after the US team lost to Ghana in a first round play-off game. . .

At least some of Gomez's greatness was forged right here in Las Vegas. As the son of two Mexican immigrants, Gomez was raised on a mixture of soccer traditions, and he played in both "American" and "Mexican" leagues -- and one could argue he absorbed the best of both.

On this program we talk with Gomez about his first World Cup experience, and his upbringing. And we look at the rapid growth of youth soccer in Las Vegas as a tale of two cities -- there are the mostly suburban white leagues (known to Latinos as "Ligas Americanas") approved by the state soccer association, and then there's the almost entirely Latino "Ligas Mexicanas", that operate independently. These two worlds of soccer are not only distinct in organization, order and discipline -- the first having more of these than the second -- they are also different in their vision of the game.

GUESTS
Herculez Gomez, player, US National Soccer Team
Ruben Kihuen, Nevada State Assemblyman, former All State High School Soccer Player
Guy Hobbs, former Pres, Nevada Youth Soccer Association
Edwin Canizales, Dir, Universal Football Club

PHOTOS

(L-R) Herculez Gomez; Guy Hobbs; Anthony Muskovits, 10; and Hyden Canizalez, 11	Jesse Pratt's shirt signed by Gomez.
(L-R) Hobbs, Gomez, Muskovits, H. Canizalez, Jesse Pratt 13	(Back: L-R) Hobbs, Gomez, Edwin Canizalez, Ruben Kiheun, and Tim Pratt; (Front: L-R) Muskovits, Dillon Pratt, H. Canizalez, and J. Pratt

Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Gyu Yeun Kim

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Palo Verde High School Freshman, Gyu Yeun Kim is this year's Nevada winner of the United States Institute of Peace high school essay contest.

Her essay "The Nonviolence Effect" uses the experiences of Estonians and their resistance to soviet oppression to illustrate the impact of non-violent revolution. Gyu Yeun Kim joins us to talk about her award-winning essay.

GUEST
Gyu Yeun Kim, Freshman, Palo Verde High School Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

A Conversation with Ishmael Khaldi, Israeli Diplomat

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"How does a Bedouin Arab become a diplomat for Israel? That's the question that Ishmael Khaldi hears all the time. He admits his story is unusual: an Arab working and fighting for Israel. But "the challenge is to use it and turn it into understanding," he says. Currently an advisor to Israel's foreign affairs minister, Khaldi sits down in our studios for a conversation about politics, foreign relations, and growing up as a shepherd's son on the outskirts of Israel.

GUEST
Ishmael Khaldi, Policy Advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel and former Deputy General Consul in San Francisco Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Nine Months in the Peace Corps

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Peace Corps volunteer Michael Brooks left for Uganda in August. He's been working as an economic development specialist since October. We spoke with Brooks before he left for Africa and now we check back in to see how his first nine months as a volunteer have gone.

GUEST
Michael Brooks, Las Vegas businessman and Peace Corps volunteer Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Las Vegas Health Care

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"The Las Vegas Sun has undertaken a two-year investigation of the quality of medical care in Nevada. It terms the quality of care mediocre and says hospitals are failing to comply with even the most basic requirements of a state law that requires all serious incidents be reported. We talk with Las Vegas Sun Medical Reporter Marshall Allen and patient advocate Helen Haskell.

GUEST
Marshall Allen, Medical Reporter, Las Vegas Sun
Helen Haskell, founder and president of Mothers Against Medical Error and leader of the Empowered Patient Coalition Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Getting Kids to Eat Healthy

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"A fresh orange or a chocolate chip cookie... which would you choose? Two local chefs are hoping kids will make the healthier choice. They're part of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign, which is getting kids to eat healthier and exercise. And they're also working with local schools to bring in fresh options. How can kids eat healthier in Southern Nevada? What can parents do? Where should you be buying foods, and what should you be buying? Ask our chefs!

Chefs Christopher Johns and Thomas Trevethan flew to Washington, D.C., in early June to hear First Lady Michelle Obama launch the "Chefs Move to Schools" Program (pictured right).

GUESTS
Christopher Johns, Exec Chef, SouthPoint, and Chair, Chefs for Kids, Inc.
Thomas Trevethan, Pastry Chef, Paris Las Vegas, and board member, Create A Change Now

VIDEO

PHOTOS

Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"

Furtive Movement

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

"Earlier this month, police broke into Trevon Cole's apartment and shot him in the head. He died at the scene, while his pregnant fiance hid in the closet. Police claim Trevon made a "furtive movement." But what qualifies as a "furtive movement?" Trevon Cole's fiance and her lawyer join us to tell what happened that night. Plus, a criminology professor tells us about similar cases. Content created by News 88.9 KNPR"