In The News: Brookings Mountain West

Las Vegas Sun

President Donald Trump often cites the African-American unemployment rate as one of his key accomplishments. Confoundingly, he even made the boast in a tweet last week chiding soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe over her pledge not to accept an invitation to visit the White House.

Las Vegas Sun

Last October, my dad — the epitome of health — lost his life to a stroke. Everyone in our family was blindsided and devastated by this incident, which brought us face to face with the very thin line between normal family life and emotional and financial catastrophe.

Las Vegas Review Journal

Nevada, the nation’s fastest growing state, is becoming older and more diverse, according to annual U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Wednesday night. Between 2010 and 2018, the Silver State saw its retirement-age population grow by more than 149,000 people, the data shows. Close to 1 in 6 Nevada residents are now age 65 or older.

Brookings

In the last 30 years, Nevada has evolved from a sparsely and homogenously populated rural outpost to one of the most urban and diverse states in the country. Nevada’s population is now majority-minority. The Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise Metropolitan statistical area with over 2.2 million residents is the 28th largest in the country and is home to nearly three out of four Nevadans. By 2060, the demographics of the rest of the United States are expected to look a lot like Las Vegas does today.

Las Vegas Sun

Let’s not give up on light rail, Las Vegas. The decision last month by the Regional Transportation Commission board to create a rapid bus transit route along Maryland Parkway instead of a light rail system was a disappointment, but it doesn’t have to be the last word on the matter.

Reno Gazette-Journal

Southern Nevada becoming a two-franchise region raises an important question: Can Las Vegas handle a pair of professional teams?

Las Vegas Sun

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada board recently rejected a plan to build a light rail system along Maryland Parkway, despite public support for the $1 billion proposal.

NPR

Six presidential candidates in Las Vegas this weekend will talk about labor in a state whose unions still wield a lot of power.

Nevada Current

A Trump administration tax break designed to spur investment by the affluent in low-income neighborhoods may be rewarding investors for infusing their money into already gentrifying areas where no incentive is needed, including two highly-prized locations in Nevada.

KNPR News

The years of studies, presentations and lobbying for light rail on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas hit a dead end last week.
The Regional Transportation Commission board unanimously voted to install a bus rapid transit line instead of pursuing light rail.

Las Vegas Sun

The Brookings Institution’s John Hudak has been a frequent visitor to Las Vegas in recent years, teaching classes at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and giving community presentations both on campus and in special events such as the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce’s annual Preview expo. This month, he and colleague Richard Reeves took part in a unique event — a debate on single-payer health insurance against members of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s debate team.

Las Vegas Sun

Liu Yuejin, vice commissioner of the National Narcotics Control Commission, speaks during a press conference in Beijing on Monday, April 1, 2019. China announced Monday that all fentanyl-related drugs, as a group, would become controlled substances, effective May 1, a step U.S. officials have long advocated as a way to stem the flow of lethal opioids from China.