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Another record high temperature yesterday in Ely as the Yellend Field top of 61 degrees broke the 1955 record of 56 degrees. Today we’ll see cloudy skies ahead of Christmas Rain and upper elevation snows. Look for today’s high near another record…56 degrees. Today’s record high was 58 back in 1901.
Strong winds are set to whip across much of Central Nevada just in time to challenge holiday plans, with a wind advisory in effect from 4 this afternoon through 4 p-m Christmas Eve. South winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, gusting up to 50, will kick up blowing dust, slashing visibility on roads at times. Travelers—especially those in high-profile vehicles like trucks and RVs—face difficult and potentially dangerous conditions. Authorities urge drivers to exercise caution, while residents should secure outdoor Christmas decorations and displays today before the gusts arrive. Stay tuned for updates as Christmas—now just two days away—approaches amid this blustery weather.
With the rain and wind come reminders to be sure to pack a winter travel kit before you hit the roads over the holiday weekend. Authorities say winter weather can change quickly, especially on mountain passes and rural highways.
A proper kit should include warm blankets or extra clothing, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a phone charger, basic first-aid supplies, ice scraper, jumper cables, and a shovel. Drivers are also encouraged to carry sand or kitty litter for traction. Officials say a few simple preparations can make a critical difference if you’re stranded in cold conditions.
And while the $1.75 gas seems to have backed off in West Wendover, the best prices in Nevada are still in town there with Maverik and Pilot there reporting $2.15 a gallon. Prices along I-80 remain in the $2.50 range with AAA saying this morning the statewide average price is $3.40 a gallon for 85 octane regular.
Federal immigration agents arrested more than 100 commercial truck drivers in California this month as part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on non-citizen drivers and state licensing practices.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and ICE carried out two enforcement operations in Southern California, arresting dozens of drivers at highway checkpoints and during inspections of trucking companies. At the same time, the administration moved to block California from issuing certain commercial driver’s licenses, threatened to withhold $160 million in highway funding, and pushed for the revocation of thousands of existing CDLs. Federal officials say the actions are meant to enforce immigration and licensing laws, while California disputes the administration’s authority.
Holiday dinners are getting more expensive this year, especially for families planning beef at the center of the table. In Las Vegas, meat shops say rising wholesale prices are pushing costs higher just as Christmas approaches.
At John Mulls Meats in Las Vegas, prime rib now sells for about 25 dollars a pound, up sharply from last year. Owner Chuck Frommer says a nationwide cattle shortage is driving prices higher, with wholesale costs jumping and supply tightening. Despite sticker shock, many customers say prime rib remains a holiday tradition worth paying for.
Your best bet is to cut out the middleman. Local ranchers like Jess Trask at Perigo Hay and Cattle sell beef direct from the ranch to consumers, and by cutting out the middleman, you get the freshest beef at a better price. It’s still not as cheap as it was a few years ago, but it tastes better than what you remember.
The massive $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot remains unclaimed and continues to climb.
Powerball officials say the jackpot is now estimated at $1.7 billion for the next drawing on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th. Cash value is $781.3 million. In all, nine tickets nationwide matched five numbers to win one million dollars, keeping the holiday lottery excitement rolling.