In his State of the State Thursday evening, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced that Switch, a major data center provider, picked Northern Nevada as the location for its next major expansion.

The announcement is considered a big win among economic development circles for a region that has focused on diversifying away from gaming, tourism and construction after the recession.

The 2016-2017 biennium budget being proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval this evening at the Assembly Chambers totals $7.3 billion. That is more than $750 million more than the General Fund projected by Economic Forum in ...

The governor has just started speaking (speech attached) , so here’s what you need to know:
►$1.1 billion above Economic Forum projections. About half from new taxes, half from not allowing sunsets to expire. Total general fund: $7.3 billion...

USDA Rural Development State Director Sarah Adler has announced that USDA is taking applications for Fiscal Year 2015 Community Connect Program grants. The program provides grants to establish essential broadband services in rural communities where it is currently not available.

“Many rural communities in Nevada do not have access to broadband,” said Adler. “USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program ensures that rural residents have the ability to run businesses, get the most from their education, and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides.”

Restaurant and food service inspections are made weekly by the Carson City Health and Human Services Environmental Health Division. The 29 inspections listed here were made from Dec. 19, 2014 to Jan. 13, 2015.

See the report below.

Still looking for the perfect 2015 calendar? The inaugural Pets on Patrol Calendar is still available at Nevada Humane Society — and they’re now on sale for a reduced price of just $10.

Beginning this Friday and continuing through April, the public is invited to spend a day at Lake Tahoe skiing with a U.S. Forest Service ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Tours begin at the top of the gondola at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Monday and Friday through winter. Spanish Ski with a Ranger returns Friday, Feb. 20, with tours offered every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Both programs last about an hour and continue through April 10, 2015, weather permitting.

I'll update this throughout the day with tidbits.
2:20 PM UPDATE:
We are about 90 minutes away from the biennial media briefing, which is where the governor's staff lays out the budget plan, we ask obnoxious questions but can't write about it or put it on TV until the speech. It's always fun as we t...

A 42-year-old Carson City man was arrested on drug and weapon charges early Thursday following a traffic stop on Highway 50 East, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

According to the arrest report, an officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Highway 50 East and Lompa Lane for a rear license plate light not working. The deputy made contact with the driver, Edward William Tucker, who presented a Nevada driver’s license.

Carson City Fire Chief Stacey Giomi was honored this morning by the Carson City Board of Supervisors for 31 years of service. Giomi announced his retirement in December and this week it was announced that Battalion Chief Robert S. Schreihans will replace Giomi.

“You’ve been a part of this community so many years keeping us safe. I particularly remember when we had the Waterfall Fire. It could have been tremendously damaging, and it was, but it could have been worse," said Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors meet today beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center. Go here for the agenda, and here to watch the meeting live.

The agenda is also posted below.

CASA of Carson City will hold the first class in a 10 week CASA volunteer training, Jan. 22 6-9pm, at the CASA of Carson City office, 1539 E. 5th Street.

CASA volunteers are appointed by the Carson City Juvenile Court to serve as guardian ad litem for a case of abused or neglected children in a child welfare court case. Being a CASA volunteer requires patience, caring, research, writing, speaking and follow-through. A background check, references, application, interview and 30 hours of training are required. CASA volunteers make a difference for very vulnerable children.

Every year, we celebrate the people from the community who step forward to advocate for abused or neglected children in Carson City--our CASA Volunteers. These exceptional individuals are appointed to serve as guardian ad litem under NRS 432b.500 by the Carson City Juvenile Court.

CASA of Carson City is excited to invite you to our annual CASA of Carson City Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Please join us in showing our support and appreciation for our wonderful CASA Volunteers - they are for the children!

Today is the day Gov. Brian Sandoval lifts the veil on his plans to balance Nevada’s budget for the coming two years. His State of the State speech to the combined membership of the 2015 Legislature is set...

There is always fun to be had in Virginia City. Shops, saloons, dining, ghost-hunting, history, and arts await you when you take the short trip from Carson City.

This week, Edwin Lyngar of the Nevada Department of Wildlife talks with Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed about the future of wildlife and boating law enforcement in Nevada.

Chief Turnipseed took over the helm of the division of law enforcement earlier this year, and Edwin sits down to talk about priorities and where the chief sees the most pressing challenges ahead.

A Carson City man, Joseph David Winters, died early Wednesday morning in a single vehicle accident on Highway 50 south of Glenbrook near Lake Tahoe, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports.

NHP Troopers were dispatched at 2:10 a.m. to a single vehicle rollover accident near mile marker 3 in Douglas County just south of Glenbrook, said NHP Trooper David Gibson. The crash investigation details indicate a maroon 2001 Jeep Wrangler driven by Winters, 27, of Carson City was traveling eastbound on Highway 50 in the right travel lane approaching mile marker 3 in Douglas County.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture has updated its organic program forms for the state’s organic producers and handlers and is hosting statewide workshops about the new changes.

All NDA organic certified operations are required to use new forms starting with the 2015 renewals due March 31, 2015.

Professor Paul Wender has made many highly significant original contributions to synthetic and bioorganic chemistry, including the successful use of compounds found in nature for development of medications to fight AIDS, Alzheimer’s and cancer. He will talk about his work Feb. 12, 7 p.m., in the Glick Distinguished Discover Lecture Series at the Milt Glick Ballroom in the Joe Crowley Student Union.

Nevada writers Ron and Susan James bring stories from their latest book “A Short History of Virginia City” to the Nevada State Museum, Carson City from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Engaging speakers and experts in the state’s heritage, the couple will share historic Nevada tales of mining and the Old West. Their book includes an illustrated walking tour describing more than 30 buildings and sites including the Comstock National Historic District, now designated a National Historic Landmark.

The Carson City Sheriff's Office is attempting to identify two suspects in a vehicle burglary case where they used the victim's credit cards in Carson City and Douglas County.

The vehicle burglary happened Dec. 30 between 8:30 am and 11:30 am in the 1400 block of Medical Parkway in Carson City, said Carson City Sheriff's Office Detective Sam Hatley.

Carson City's newest downtown brewery and restaurant, Lake Tahoe Brewing Co., is set to open soon. After a huge remodel, the Hop and Mae Adams restaurant site will open under the direction of owner and founder Michael Candelario.

On Wednesday a select number of people were allowed to see what is ultimately coming to Carson City. While a firm date has not been set, an opening is forthcoming within the coming weeks, perhaps even days.

UPDATE: Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) voted Wednesday in favor of H.R. 240, the FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which included amendments to defund the President’s executive action on immigration. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid said the legislation, which passed 236 to 191, would put national security at risk.

The vote makes good on the House Republican strategy to use a three-month Continuing Resolution to delay a vote on the DHS appropriations bill until that time it could be passed and sent to a Republican-controlled Senate in the 114th Congress.

Carson City has a new fire chief. Battalion Chief Robert S. Schreihans has been picked to lead the fire squad for the capital city of Nevada. The announcement was made by the city manager late Tuesday.

Schreihans replaces Stacey Giomi who announced in December that he was retiring, after 31 years of being with the Carson City Fire Department.