Police transparency fight reaches Nevada’s high court, that data center meeting and cuts to LGBTQ+ funding

Kristen and Bob this week give a straight-ahead rundown of the major Reno-area news stories: a federal letter about the University of Nevada, Reno’s UndocuPack program, what was said at a community-led summit on data centers, a high-stakes Nevada Supreme Court dispute over police investigations, and major funding losses for LGBTQ+ programs at Our Center. 

Recorded on Saturday, Oct. 4. 

UNR’s UndocuPack under federal scrutiny

• A U.S. Department of Justice attorney sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education urging an investigation into whether federal funds support UNR programs aiding undocumented students. 
• UNR temporarily disabled related web pages and officials said the program is supported with non-federal dollars, not federal aid prohibited for undocumented students. 

Data centers press conference

• After a city of Reno meeting was canceled, advocates held an alternate forum and press conference. 
• Speakers highlight power demand such as a 30-megawatt facility—roughly the energy needed for 21,000 homes. 
• Many agencies and local officials attended.
• Reno says the issue is regional; Sparks has already directed staff to explore code changes for data centers. 

Nevada Supreme Court fight over access to police investigative files

• A case stemming from a Reno officer accused of photographing intimate images from motorists’ phones has ballooned into a push for a “bright-line rule” making any open investigative file confidential under the Nevada Public Records Act. 
• Attorney General Aaron Ford and multiple police agencies support the change; press and civil-liberties groups oppose it. 
• Critics warn the practice already trends toward blanket secrecy and could erode transparency. 

Sparks firefighter-senior confrontation: civil case settled

• The case involving Maureen Vegholm and Sparks firefighter Timothy Egan—captured on security video—has been settled. 
• Family members expressed anger at Sparks agencies; an official statement said the city hopes to bring closure. 

Our Center loses key grants for LGBTQ+ programs

• The LGBTQ+ community center says state-channeled federal grants—used for suicide prevention, mental health and substance-use prevention—are no longer available due to federal policy restricting programs serving LGBTQ+ youth exclusively. 
• Lost funding totals about $240,000 per year for four years plus another $129,000 previously under review. 

Stay current on Reno news by subscribing to our free daily newsletter: This Is Reno Newsletter.

This summary was generated with the assistance of AI and edited by us