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Expect a sunny sky with warmer conditions today as we head into Fire and Ice weekend, with a high of around 55.
Republican lawmakers report fundraising has been good so far this election season.
Nevada Controller Andy Matthews is reporting record-breaking fundraising numbers as he seeks re-election in 2026. The Republican says his campaign has raised more than 282-thousand dollars so far, with about 254-thousand dollars cash on hand — the largest totals ever at this point in a Nevada Controller’s race. Matthews, first elected in 2022, points to his work on government transparency, including the state’s online checkbook at checkbook.nv.gov and proposed oversight reforms, as drivers of his statewide support.
Meanwhile Governor Joe Lombardo is reporting a record-setting financial position as he heads into the 2026 election cycle. The governor’s campaign says it ended 2025 with more than nine million dollars cash on hand after raising over four-point-two million dollars last year — the largest non-election-year total ever for a Nevada governor. Lombardo’s two affiliated political action committees report an additional $5.9 million, bringing his total campaign resources to approximately $15 million. His campaign says that figure surpasses all previous records at this stage, including totals held by former Governor Steve Sisolak. Lombardo was elected in 2022 after defeating an incumbent, following a long career in law enforcement as Clark County sheriff.
Ely State Prison is once again facing a critical staffing shortage, prompting action from state leaders. Eric Neugeboren at the Nevada Independent reports this morning that the Nevada Board of Examiners has designated Ely State Prison and Lovelock Correctional Center as having a “critical labor shortage,” allowing retired state employees to return to work through the end of June while collecting both a salary and retirement benefits.
At Ely State Prison, about one-third of correctional officer positions remain unfilled, some for as long as six years. The prison, which houses roughly 1,200 inmates, also lacks a permanent senior physician, forcing many inmates to be transported off-site for serious medical care. State officials say the prison relies on physician’s assistants, but the remoteness of the facility and lower pay compared to hospitals make recruiting doctors especially difficult.
The staffing gaps have driven up overtime costs statewide and raised concerns about inmate health and safety. Governor Joe Lombardo told the board the state needs to be more proactive in recruiting medical professionals, noting the approval this week of nearly 800-thousand dollars in settlements tied to inadequate inmate medical care. State officials say targeted rural recruitment and housing challenges in Ely remain key obstacles as the shortage continues.
The White Pine County Commission meets this morning at nine in the conference room of the White Pine County Library in Ely. On the agenda, commissioners will choose a chair and vice chair for the 2026 year, review proposed natural resource agreements with the Bureau of Land Management, and conduct public hearings on road and easement abandonments near McGill. The meeting also includes advisory board and town council appointments, county and fire district financial reports, renewal of the county’s AirMedCare Network membership, and action on several budget, grant, and pay scale matte
The White Pine County Sheriff’s Office handled a wide range of calls on Monday, according to the January 12th blotter.
In Ely, deputies investigated a hit-and-run after a vehicle struck a fence and fled the scene. Several public nuisance complaints involving unlicensed vehicles were reported in the county, resulting in one warning and one case found to be unfounded. Deputies are also investigating reports of a sex crime, a fraud case involving unauthorized bank withdrawals, and a theft at a local mine site.
Officers conducted multiple welfare checks in Ely and surrounding areas, all of which confirmed the individuals were safe. At local schools, deputies handled reports of a student fight, vaping on campus, and juvenile harassment, with cases referred to Juvenile Probation as appropriate.
One arrest was made. Thirty-seven-year-old Ashley N. Duran of Ely was arrested on a charge of elder abuse following a reported battery. Bail was set at ten-thousand dollars.
Nevada’s unemployment rate edged down slightly late last year, according to a new report from the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. DETR says the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 5-point-2 percent in November 2025, down one-tenth of a percent from September. Among metro areas, unemployment measured 5-point-5 percent in Las Vegas, 4-point-2 percent in Reno, and 4 percent in Carson City. At the county level, Elko County posted the lowest rate at 3-point-6 percent, while Mineral County recorded the highest unemployment rate at 10-point-5 percent.
White Pine County trails Elko County slightly at 3.7 percent, with drops in the total county labor force, unemployed individuals, employed individuals, and the unemployment rate.
A Nevada congressman is pushing to restore a full tax deduction for gambling losses. Democratic Representative Steven Horsford and Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio have introduced the bipartisan FULL HOUSE Act, which would again allow gamblers to deduct 100 percent of their losses. The bill aims to undo a recent tax change that lowered the deduction to 90 percent, meaning some gamblers could owe taxes even if they break even. Horsford says taxing losses hurts Nevada’s tourism-based economy. A similar proposal failed last session, and it remains unclear whether the legislation would gain support from President Trump.
The Democratic National Committee is launching a major new push to directly control voter registration efforts, starting in Arizona and Nevada. The DNC says it will spend at least two million dollars to train organizers as part of what could become the party’s largest-ever voter registration campaign.
Party leaders say the effort is aimed at rebuilding support among young voters, voters of color, and people without college degrees — groups that drifted away from Democrats in the last presidential election. DNC Chair Ken Martin says relying solely on nonpartisan advocacy groups is no longer enough, and Democrats need a more explicitly partisan approach similar to Republicans.
The program will recruit organizers from diverse backgrounds, including gig workers and young parents, and is designed to strengthen Democratic infrastructure ahead of the 2026 midterms and future elections.
Gas prices are dropping as low as $2.59 for 85 Octane Unleaded this morning in Ely, with Diesel as low as $2.95 at the Golden Gate. AAA says the national average for Unleaded this morning is $2.84 per gallon, with the state average at $3.35.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is speaking out against Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters. In remarks Tuesday, Lombardo said Nevada stands with people around the world who seek safety, dignity, and freedom. The governor said he is deeply concerned by reports of violence and loss of life, particularly among innocent civilians and young people, and expressed support for families in Nevada and abroad who are grieving or fearing for their loved ones. Lombardo said Nevadans believe in the fundamental value of human life and the right to live free from violence and oppression.
The Nevada Department of Transportation is reviewing whether to add wildlife warning signs along U.S. 95 near Corn Creek and Snow Mountain following a fatal crash involving a wild burro. NDOT says the area is being evaluated, but any new signage would require additional review and available funding, with no timeline set. The review comes two weeks after 59-year-old David Gene Aughinbaugh was killed when his motorcycle struck a wild burro. His wife says she is pushing for improved signage or lighting to help prevent future crashes along the dark stretch of highway.