Legislature

I took some time over Spring Break to look back on what we’ve done so far. It makes me happy to see the breadth of issues that our reporters have covered — animal cruelty legislation, protests, measures to protect children from human trafficking, and so much more. Their work has been featured in the Reno Gazette-Journal and on our local NPR and PBS affiliate stations — and it’s no wonder why. It’s quality journalism.

The use of solitary confinement in Nevada prisons could come under closer scrutiny if a senate bill regulating use of the practice passes the state legislature.

Senate Bill 107 would limit the use of solitary confinement on Nevada inmates, removing the ability to use isolation as a punishment and limiting the amount of time spent in solitary confinement. According to Nevada Department of Corrections information, Nevada has more than 300 inmates in ‘maximum’ custody, which is about two percent of the state’s prison population.

After a long night in a Carson City courtroom, a special bipartisan committee has voted 6-1 to expel Steven Brooks from the Nevada Legislature.

John Arthur “Jack” Johnson was a black heavyweight boxing champion from 1908 to 1915. On July 4, 1910 Johnson defended his title against former boxing legend James Jeffries in Reno. He won the fight, but the victory ignited race riots all over the country.

Johnson had several relationships with white women, which only added to the outrage over his race. In October of 1912, Johnson was convicted for transferring women across state lines for immoral reasons.

by NATASHA VITALE

The emotion and tension inside the legislature building was reflected in many young couples’ faces on Tues. as they sat side by side, some holding hands throughout the meeting as one by one, as community leaders and citizens testified to show their support for same-sex marriage.

by RILEY SNYDER

The Carson City Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting today beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center, 851 East William. Go here for the agenda and here to watch it live.

A herd of wild horses removed from an area off of Deer Run Road last month were purchased Saturday at a Bureau of Land Management adoption in Carson City.

The BLM-sanctioned silent bid adoption was held at Silver Saddle Ranch. The horses were bought for $850 by the Deer Run Preservation Group in a collaborative effort with the American Wildhorse Preservation Campaign.

About 100 people attended the auction, many of whom were supporting the group and its efforts to save the horses.

Reno artist Lara Alberti is the latest to be featured at the Nevada Legislature in the Legislative Exhibition Series gallery in Carson City. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. adjacent to the Caucus Deli, the LXS space displays Alberti’s series “Time Frame” March 18 through April 5. Managed by the Artist Services Program of the Nevada Arts Council, the Legislative eXhibition Series has provided a spotlight on the Silver State's breadth of contemporary and folk artists during the biennial session since 1985.

Enjoy a traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 16, with a hearty helping of live music by Cíana and corned beef and cabbage dinner served at Café at Adele’s.

The fun is planned for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and includes a variety of songs and tunes, two very different things according to Joe Blye (vocals, whistles and guitar), who, with his wife Kathy Blye (guitar and octave mandolin) and Tina Carlsen (fiddle and backing vocals), are Cíana.

Two mothers urged Nevada lawmakers to pass a bill they believe could have saved the life of a Reno woman raped and murdered in early 2008.
The duo testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday in support of SB243 — Brianna's Law.