Shows
Ballot Battleground: NevadaHow will the One Big Beautiful Bill affect Nevada? A closer look at Medicaid and SNAP cutsPresident Donald Trump's signature economic package, the One Big Beautiful Bill, is now the law of the land. It extends the Trump tax cuts, ends the tax on tips and boosts border security spending, among other GOP priorities.
But it also makes drastic cuts to social safety net programs, including Medicaid and food assistance.
How will these cuts affect Nevadans? How will our community health centers and food banks be impacted?
This week, host Ben Margiott interviews Mandi Larsen, the chief development officer for Northern Nevada HOPES and Jocelyn Lantrip, the marketing director...2025-07-0934 minBallot Battleground: Nevada‘No Tax on Tips’ effort is gaining momentum in Congress. It’s great politics, but is it good policy? With Culinary Union Local 226It was a simple campaign promise to put money back in people's wallets during a Presidential election centered on the economy.
'No Tax on Tips' resonated with voters across the country but especially in Nevada, which has the highest percentage of tipped workers.
That campaign promise, first raised by President Donald Trump, has not fallen by the wayside. Multiple proposals are actively being debated in Congress.
Before it comes up for final consideration - we wanted to take a deep dive on ‘No Tax on Tips.’ How would it work? Who would it help...2025-06-2531 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWhat happened in chaotic ending to Nevada legislature? Recapping the 2025 session with reporter Sophie Lincoln and analyst Fred LokkenLate nights, filibusters and political gamesmanship. The end of the 2025 session of the Nevada legislature had all the usual shenanigans we’ve come to expect as sine die approaches in Carson City.
On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, what happened? Which bills lived and died? And what does it all mean moving forward?
We’ll hone in on the final chaotic hours with KRNV/KRXI reporter Sophie Lincoln who was our boots on the ground for day 120. Plus, we examine the bigger picture (and what it could mean for 2026) with TMCC political science professor Fred...2025-06-1228 minBallot Battleground: NevadaEducation funding, film tax credits, nonpartisans and vetoes: The biggest questions as the Nevada legislature winds down with reporters Tabitha Mueller and Paul BogerIt is crunch time in Carson City — less than a week remains in the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature. Major policy proposals, big budget questions and the endgame are all still up in the air.
Will education get a funding increase this year? Is there room for state workers to get raises? What about tax credits for movie companies? Will Governor Lombardo’s major pieces of legislation make it through and how many bills will he veto?
This week, it's a reporter roundtable with two of the must plugged-in journalists in the building. Host Ben M...2025-05-2829 min
KELY 1230AM/98.5 FM News and CommentaryJoe Hart with developments in the Uprise Fiber Case and $9 million in NDOT moneyJoe Hart from KRNV TV-4 in Reno joins us to talk about more breaking developments in the Uprise Fiber Case. In short, NDOT put up $9 million in matching funds toward a $27 million dollar USDA project to bring Broadband to rural Lovelock. But as Joe has been following the money...disappeared into Uprise Fiber CEO Stephen Kromer's bank account. After weeks upon weeks of Joe's investigation and sealed lips from almost everyone in Carson City, Attorney General Aaron Ford finally announced charges against Kromer on Friday morning. Shortly afterwards, Kromer turned himself in. Joe recaps the story, along with break...2025-05-1908 minBallot Battleground: NevadaMail time! Answering listener questions on public lands, no tax on tips, GSR arena and 2026 midterms with Chris MurphyIt's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. This week, we're digging through the listener mailbag for the first time in 2025 with News 4 and Fox 11 morning show anchor Chris Murphy.
Ben and Chris answer questions ranging from public lands bills and no tax on tips to special sessions at the Nevada legislature and yes - the 2026 midterms.
Not to mention the GSR arena, jackpot thresholds and which Aces team is more likely to win the championship this season.
Do you have questions for our next mailbag? Send them to bjmargiott@sbgtv.com and put...2025-05-1534 minBallot Battleground: NevadaIs Nevada in a budget shortfall? With top state lawmakers Steve Yeager and Robin TitusIt's almost time to get down to brass tax in Carson City as we're a little over two-thirds of the way through the 83rd legislative session.
The massive list of bills has been whittled down somewhat, but perhaps more important than what legislation gets passed is passing a balanced budget.
With revenues lagging behind expectations, it seems Nevada may be in a budget crunch this session. How bad is it? How do both sides want to weather the storm?
This week, host Ben Margiott talks about the budget crunch with top state lawmakers...2025-04-3040 min
Guiding GrowthJen WahlJen Wahl is a reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor for 12News. Jen joined 12News in February 2016. Prior to joining Team 12, Jen worked at KSNV, the NBC Las Vegas affiliate as a reporter and meteorologist. Earlier in her career, she worked as reporter and weather anchor at KBOI, the CBS affiliate in Boise, Idaho and morning weather anchor at KRNV, the NBC affiliate in Reno, Nevada.
Over the years, Jen has covered everything from immigration and drug smuggling stories at the Arizona-Mexico border to wildfires raging across Arizona and Nevada. She was also recognized with Emmy Awards for h...2025-04-2133 min
Ballot Battleground: NevadaSen. Jacky Rosen on tariffs, deportations, voter ID and federal lands billsJacky Rosen is back in the U.S. Senate for a second term representing the Silver State - after she barely hung on to her seat amid the red wave.Democrats are in the minority in both the Senate and House, but Senator Rosen says they’re finding their footing when it comes to pushing back on tariffs, deportations, DOGE and more. This episode, host Ben Margiott sits down with Senator Rosen for an extended one-on-one conversation on all of that - not to mention her opinion of a ne...2025-04-1830 min
Ballot Battleground: NevadaNevada Rep. Mark Amodei on tariffs, Signalgate, DOGE, immigration and moreLongtime northern Nevada Representative Mark Amodei, fresh off his 2024 re-election, is now part of the GOP's slim House majority in President Donald Trump's second term. It's been a busy start, from the back-and-forth over enacting tariffs, DOGE cuts, deportations, Medicaid, the Signal group chat controversy and much more. Where does Amodei stand on these issues? This week, host Ben Margiott sits down with him for a one-on-one interview you will only hear on Ballot Battleground: Nevada.In a wide-ranging interview, Ben asks for Amodei's positions on a number of major issues affecting Nevadans...2025-04-0742 minBallot Battleground: NevadaAre Nevada leaders doing enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? With the Guinn CenterA fast-growing state, lagging incomes and a limited supply of developable land created an affordable housing crisis in Nevada before the pandemic hit. Supply chain constraints and construction costs experienced during COVID-19 only exacerbated the issue. In the pandemic's wake, have our elected leaders done enough to solve the affordable housing crisis? What's it going to take to put Nevada on a sustainable path to boost housing supply into the foreseeable future? And are our leaders pushing the right buttons or advancing limited solutions?The nonpartisan Guinn Center recently...2025-03-2635 minBallot Battleground: NevadaUprise Fiber internet scandal - where is the $9 million? With News 4 evening anchor Joe HartResidents of a small Nevada town were promised high-speed fiber internet from Reno-based Uprise Fiber. Nearly 3 years later, there is no progress whatsoever and $9 million allocated to the project by the state is missing. Now, investigations have been launched and the story has shifted to the Nevada legislature. The story may not have been uncovered and certainly would not have received the amount of attention it has if not for the dogged efforts of KRNV News 4 evening anchor and investigative reporter Joe Hart. This episode, host Ben Margiott and Joe walk listeners through the Uprise Fiber scandal from the...2025-03-1236 min
KELY 1230AM/98.5 FM News and CommentaryInstead of taking responsibility, AG Ford attacks his critics.Instead of Attorney General Aaron Ford addressing the numerous complaints regarding his office’s failed oversight on the Uprise Broadband project in Lovelock, he goes on the attack, accusing State Senator Ira Hansen of politicising the situation. The record is clear. Joe Hart of KRNV TV in Reno has the receipts. He has the improper contracts and the records of the money being siphoned off by the owner of Uprise, who remains mute. Ford needs to man up and take responsibility. Instead, he goes on the attack. The 2026 Gubernatorial race with Ford in it will be anything but honorable. But then, g...2025-03-0601 min
KELY 1230AM/98.5 FM News and CommentaryJoe Hart talks about the missing $9 million of YOUR Tax Dollars in Lovelock!KRNV's investigative Reporter Joe Hart told us Friday morning, February 28 about a still developing story of $ 9 million that NDOT advanced for a broadband project in Lovelock. Seems the money is missing...and so is the local man behind the project.AND...only one man in Carson City has even commented. State Senator Ira Hansen is livid. But not a word from anyone else in the legislature. Not a word from the Governor. Not a word from the Attorney General. The silence is deafening.2025-03-0206 minBallot Battleground: NevadaEggs, Daylight Saving Time and Medicaid: What’s happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislative session?What's happened so far in the 2025 Nevada legislature? From a fast-tracked egg prices bill and ending Daylight Saving Time to possible Medicaid cuts, there's been a flurry of activity recently after a few slow weeks to start. One month in, we thought it would be a great time to check in on the biggest debates of the 83rd session with two of the best legislative reporters.The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller and Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger join host Ben Margiott for another remote podcast inside the legislative building in Carson City to get you up to...2025-02-2736 minBallot Battleground: NevadaNevada Legislature 101 with veteran lobbyist Will AdlerThe clock is ticking at the 83rd session of the Nevada legislature, which kicked off last week in Carson City. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the session, we wanted to start with an approachable, easy-to-understand primer for people who are brand new to #nvleg. How does our unusual citizen legislature work? How does a bill become a law? And how does the building really operate?Veteran lobbyist Will Adler, principal of Silver State Government Relations, joins host Ben Margiott for a laid-back Silver State civics class. Ben and Will explain the ins and outs...2025-02-1238 minBallot Battleground: NevadaGov. Joe Lombardo's former chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer on his second State of the State speechWelcome back to season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada! We'll kick off season 2 with a deep dive on the first major political event of the odd years in Nevada politics - the Governor's State of the State address.That speech sets the stage for what's to come in the upcoming legislative session. This week, we have the perfect guest to give us some insight - former Lombardo chief of staff Ben Kieckhefer.Kieckhefer has worn many hats over his years in Nevada politics — Associated Press reporter, Reno-area Senator and Nevada Gaming Commission member, just to name a...2025-01-2932 minBallot Battleground: NevadaBallot Battleground: Nevada Season 2 TrailerWe're back! Season 2 of Ballot Battleground: Nevada returns on January 29 with a renewed focus on getting regular people more informed and involved in their government. With the 2024 election behind us, host Ben Margiott will now focus on how the newly elected officials are using their power. Will they fulfill the lofty promises made on the campaign trail? Or will they find those goals not feasible in reality? Will the policies they enact truly make Nevada a better place? Or could they backfire with unintended consequences? Ben will interview the biggest lawmakers, advocates and power players of Nevada p...2025-01-2202 minBallot Battleground: NevadaElection results certified, AG Aaron Ford on the incoming Trump administration and the continued push for open primaries in NevadaAll 17 of Nevada's counties have certified the results of the 2024 election, bringing this unprecedented cycle officially to a close. This week on Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott recaps the dramatic canvass meeting in Washoe County and looks ahead to 2025.Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joins to explain how his office intends to stand up to efforts to infringe on Nevadans' rights and be a 'bulwark' against the incoming Trump administration.Plus, Vote Nevada executive director Sondra Cosgrove - a big supporter of open primaries and ranked choice voting - says the fight for open...2024-11-2029 minBallot Battleground: NevadaTop 2024 election takeaways: Early voting matters, coattails, Reid Machine, ballot deadlines and much more with reporters Tabitha Mueller and Lucia StarbuckWhat really happened in the 2024 election is now coming into focus with all the results now in. What are the biggest takeaways? What lessons did we learn about the electorate? What will candidates and campaigns take away and use in future elections? Tabitha Mueller, reporter with The Nevada Independent, and Lucia Starbuck, KUNR political reporter, join host Ben Margiott to talk takeaways. The three chatted about the importance of early voting, the Reid Machine's strength, the changing Clark County, how Nevadan you are, ballot deadlines, election denialism and much more.Nevada state election resultsNorthern...2024-11-1344 min
Keep the Line MovingCredibility and Consistency | Joe Hart on Keep the Line Moving with Chris GarganoJoe Hart is the Evening News Anchor at KRNV News 4 in Reno, Nevada, where he’s been for 27 years. Joe and I both started our careers together as reporters in Santa Rosa, California. We talk about caring about your community, using your platform to be an advocate, and the value of consistency.Keep up with JoeKRNV: https://mynews4.com/station/people/joe-hartInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemhartkrnv/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-hart-21388111/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Joe-Hart-KRNV-100058056790127/Twitter: https://x.com/joehartkrnvKeep up wi...2024-11-1233 minBallot Battleground: NevadaElection Day recap: Nevada turns red for first presidential election in 20 years, Senate race too close to callFor the first time since 2004, a Republican presidential candidate won the Silver State. Former President Donald Trump won Nevada's 6 electoral votes, but how did he beat his 2016 and 2020 margins?The Cook Political Report's Matthew Klein joins the podcast to explain the gains Trump made with key demographic groups to secure Nevada and the remaining 6 battleground states.Plus, election night reporters Kim Burrows and Sophie Lincoln join to explain what it was like reporting from the county's mail ballot processing room and the UNR polling place, respectively.And finally, an update on several key...2024-11-0635 minBallot Battleground: NevadaCan Dems close the gap in Nevada? Jon Ralston on the GOP’s early vote lead plus top Emerson College pollster and Kamala Harris in RenoIt's our last podcast before Election Day 2024! Vice President Kamala Harris makes her first Reno stop plus a quick update on the latest early voting numbers.The Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston joins to chat about whether Democrats can still close the turnout gap in the Silver State and what's driving this unprecedented trend.Emerson College's polling director Spencer Kimball chats about their latest survey plus the outside shot at former President Donald Trump winning the national popular vote.Then, we interview both the Harris campaign's battleground states director Dan Kanninen and top...2024-11-0138 minBallot Battleground: NevadaTrump and Harris tied in last NYT/Siena national poll, GOP out to early turnout lead in Nevada, Voice of the Voter and Vance visitOne week remains until Election Day 2024. The final NYT/Siena College national poll shows Trump and Harris deadlocked at 48-48. Siena College Research Institute director Dr. Don Levy joins to explain what that poll means, how it compares to their last head-to-head poll and how pollsters adjust for non-response bias.We also recap Sen. JD Vance's second Reno rally, including our question on a hot-button issue.Plus, a quick update on the trends we're noticing in early voting, our Voice of the Voter segments and the final fact-check segment, taking a closer look at two...2024-10-2929 minBallot Battleground: NevadaEarly voting begins, Washoe GOP’s unproven claims, and polling on how Nevadans feel about the biggest issues of the 2024 electionEarly voting has begun in the Silver State and already over 320,000 Nevadans have voted. This week, we have the sounds from the first days of early voting, a quick glance at early voting turnout numbers and an update on Washoe GOP's unproven claims of voting irregularities with the machines. Plus, host Ben Margiott interviews pollster Dr. Steven Kull, who has done 10 issue surveys in Nevada and several other swing states. How do Nevadans feel about the most critical election issues, including economic policies, immigration and border policy, reproductive rights and more? And do the results portend anything for the...2024-10-2321 min
Ballot Battleground: NevadaAmodei-Kidd candidate forum, mail ballots arriving, election updates and Trump's Reno rallyMail ballots are arriving, early in-person voting starts this weekend and after months of campaigning, billions in spending and one of the craziest years in American politics ever, the 2024 general election is upon us. We start with a a quick recap of former President Trump's Reno rally and have several 2024 election updates, including a ballot error in Carson City, three voter roll lawsuits being withdrawn and tell you about Washoe County's new ballot sorter.Then, Rep. Mark Amodei (R) and nonpartisan political newcomer Greg Kidd participate in a candidate forum as they vie for Nevada's 2nd Congressional...2024-10-1841 min
Ballot Battleground: NevadaDebating Question 3: Open primaries and ranked choice voting - a Ballot Battleground: Nevada debateIt would be the most consequential change to Nevada's election laws in decades. Question 3 would put open primaries and ranked choice voting in the state constitution if it passes in November. News 4-Fox 11 hosted the first Ballot Battleground: Nevada debate featuring two guests from each side of this contentious initiative. This week, we bring you the entire debate with Molly Ellery and Mike Escobar representing the Yes on 3 campaign and Amber Falgout and Kerry Durmick with Battle Born Progress and All Voting Is Local Action, respectively. We asked about whether the measure is truly complicated, concerns about ballots being...2024-10-1631 minBallot Battleground: NevadaHow ranked choice voting effort started, a conservative perspective on Question 3 and Tim Walz rallyOur Question 3 debate is less than a week away, but before we bring you that debate, we've got a few more perspectives on Nevada's open primaries and ranked choice voting initiative.After a quick recap of Tim Walz's Reno rally, we interview Doug Goodman, founder of Nevadans for Election Reform and John Tsarpalas, president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute. Goodman gives the backstory on how the ranked choice effort started and makes his case for Q3. Tsarpalas' think tank is advocating against its passage from a conservative perspective.Finally, we fact-check two campaign ads...2024-10-0933 minBallot Battleground: NevadaHow has ranked choice voting worked in Maine and Alaska?Nevadans will soon decide if the Silver State will become the 4th state to use ranked choice voting to pick its representatives. Before Nevadans decide on this revolutionary change, we're taking a closer look at how it’s worked in other states. Has it been smooth? Have there been hiccups? Has it taken longer to get results? And do people like it?This week, you’ll hear from two veteran reporters who have covered the implementation of ranked choice voting in their state. We interviewed Gregg Lagerquist, Maine politics reporter at CBS 13 WGME and James Brooks, state repo...2024-10-0238 minBallot Battleground: NevadaBig announcement, signature verification with the Nevada Secretary of State and more mailbag questionsIt's a special episode this week as we can finally announce the first Ballot Battleground: Nevada debate! Our debate on Question 3, which would bring open primaries and ranked choice voting to the Silver State, will be airing on News 4 and Fox 11 on October 15th at 4:30 p.m. The debate will be an in-depth conversation about the possible benefits and pitfalls of this critical ballot measure featuring two guests from each side of the issue.Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain what the signature verification form is, why it's important and what you should do...2024-09-2537 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWalz visit and Democracy Defense Project feat. Brian Sandoval and Richard PerkinsA Republican and a Democrat — both well-respected in Nevada politics — are joining together to help rebuild faith in our elections through the Democracy Defense Project. This week, host Ben Margiott interviews the Nevada co-chairs, former Governor Brian Sandoval (R) and former Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins (D). Sandoval and Perkins explain what they hope to accomplish and why it's so difficult for some Republicans to admit the truth about the 2020 election. Plus, Gov. Tim Walz makes his first campaign stop in northern Nevada, though he cancelled a planned rally to focus on the Davis Fire. And finally, we fact-check two comm...2024-09-1827 minBallot Battleground: NevadaSen. Catherine Cortez Masto on Harris, no tax on tips, ranked-choice voting and moreIt's a special first for Ballot Battleground: Nevada this week - U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D) stops by the studio for an extended sit-down interview. Host Ben Margiott interviews the Silver State's senior senator on her work in the Senate, swapping out Biden for Harris, the no taxes on tips proposal, ranked-choice voting, the Washoe County lands bill and much more. Plus, at the end of the episode, it's another edition of our new segment fact-checking political commercials. This week, a closer examination of two ads related to housing in Nevada's hotly contested U.S. Senate race.2024-09-0440 minBallot Battleground: NevadaNevada is back in play with the Cook Political Report - plus our new fact-check segmentAfter the infamous Trump-Biden debate, it seemed Nevada might be out of reach for Democrats. But it's now back in play after the party switched out their struggling nominee for Kamala Harris. Jessica Taylor with the Cook Political Report, one of the nation's best election forecasters, joins to give her expert analysis on the state of play here in the Silver State. Plus, we launch a new fact-checking segment where we explain and provide context on campaign commercials, starting with a look at Sam Brown and Jacky Rosen's ads on abortion. Learn more about your...2024-08-2832 minBallot Battleground: NevadaShould diapers be exempt from sales tax? It’s Question 5 on the Nevada ballotShould diapers be exempted from Nevada's state sales tax like so many other essential items? Voters will get the chance to decide on Question 5 in November. There likely won't be much money spent on ads or opposition to this measure, but it's still worth explaining the benefits and possible drawbacks - including a loss of revenue for the state. This week, Baby's Bounty CEO and executive director Kelly Maxwell joins Ballot Battleground: Nevada to make the case for a sales tax exemption for child and adult diapers.Previous episodes on Nevada's abortion amendment, which...2024-08-2123 minBallot Battleground: NevadaContenders or spoilers? How RFK Jr. and third parties could affect Nevada’s presidential raceIndependent presidential candidate RFK Jr. will be on Nevada's ballot in November after officially filing with the state this month. He's a longshot to win the White House, polling at around 5% currently. But is that enough to spoil the election for Harris or Trump? Or is the worry about a spoiler overblown? UNLV political science professor Dan Lee joins the podcast this week to talk about how third party and independent candidates have fared in Nevada history - and whether this cycle will be any different.(Note: This episode was recorded on Monday, before a judge ruled...2024-08-1427 minBallot Battleground: NevadaCleaning up the voter rolls with Nevada Secretary of State Cisco AguilarClean up the voter rolls. The plea has become more common amid the baseless claims of widespread voter fraud - but nearly everyone agrees it's a good thing to keep the massive list of all registered Nevada voters as up to date as possible. Still, there are federal and state laws that make it difficult by design to remove someone from the rolls. With the primary well behind us now, voter roll list maintenance is well underway. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain why it's such a critical part of our electoral system and how Nevadans...2024-08-0732 minBallot Battleground: NevadaVance visit and more mail — answering your listener questions with Chris MurphyIt's less than 100 days until the 2024 presidential election and the campaigns are ramping up in the Silver State. On this episode, host Ben Margiott takes you to Trump VP pick JD Vance's campaign rally in Reno, where he focused on immigration and hammered Kamala Harris for the Biden administration's border policies. Then, special guest Christ Murphy joins again to dig through the Ballot Battleground: Nevada mailbag. Ben and Chris talked about Project 2025, RFK Jr., voter ID, ballot questions, the way-too-early race for Reno mayor, the best sandwich in the Biggest Little City and much more.What's Project 2025...2024-07-3135 minBallot Battleground: NevadaBiden bows out - what does it mean for Nevada? With Jon Ralston and Jeremy GelmanLess than 4 months until Election Day, a sitting U.S. President who ran for re-election has stepped aside. Joe Biden's announcement over the weekend that he would no longer run for president upended the 2024 race. What does it mean for Nevada? What do our 49 Democratic delegates do now? What is the precedent for such a race-altering event this late in the campaign? On this emergency episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott interviews Jon Ralston, CEO of The Nevada Independent and UNR political science professor Jeremy Gelman to get their insight on Biden dropping out and Kamala Harris...2024-07-2327 minBallot Battleground: NevadaVoter ID - a critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decideIs requiring voter ID a critical safeguard that will improve voter confidence? Or an unnecessary burden that could depress turnout? Nevada voters could decide this November on a ballot measure requiring photo identification to cast a ballot. How would it work? What about people that don't have ID? Is this a solution in search of a problem? Host Ben Margiott interviews advocates on both sides of the issue - Dave Gibbs with the Repair the Vote PAC and Kerry Durmick with All Voting is Local Nevada.Voter ID: Critical safeguard or unnecessary burden? Nevada voters could decide2024-07-1737 minBallot Battleground: NevadaShould recounts be automatic in close Nevada elections?Should Nevada automatically recount results in close races? Or continue to make the candidates pay regardless of the margin? What about 'frivolous' recounts requested in races where the outcome will almost certainly never change? The debate over recount policy in the Silver State has reignited after multiple recounts in Washoe County after the primary. This week, host Ben Margiott interviews Deb Otis with FairVote, a nonpartisan policy group advocating for various electoral reforms. Ben and Deb chat about the history of recounts in statewide elections since 2000, how often they change outcomes and balancing the need for recounts in tight...2024-07-1029 minBallot Battleground: NevadaNasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now - how the Dignity Index ranks them (pt. 2) with Andre Wade and Dr. Amy PasonDrag Queen Devon. Beth "Death" Smith. Veto Villain. The list of nasty and personal attacks, many of them launched by right-wing activist Robert Beadles, goes on and on. What does it do to the people who are targeted? Why are some taking this tactic, even though it's been largely unsuccessful? Where should we draw the line? In this two-part series, host Ben Margiott interviews candidates, activists and experts about the increasingly nasty political rhetoric and what can be done about it.In episode 2, Andre Wade with Silver State Equality on the toll such attacks take on marginalized...2024-07-0331 minBallot Battleground: NevadaDrag Queen Devon. Death Smith. Veto Villain — nasty political attacks the norm in northern Nevada now (pt. 1) with Beth Smith and Dr. Amy PasonDrag Queen Devon. Beth "Death" Smith. Veto Villain. The list of nasty and personal attacks, many of them launched by right-wing activist Robert Beadles, goes on and on. What does it do to the people who are targeted? Why are some taking this tactic, even though it's been largely unsuccessful? Where should we draw the line? In this two-part series, host Ben Margiott interviews candidates, activists and experts about the increasingly nasty political rhetoric and what can be done about it.In episode 1, Beth Smith opens up about threats to her family's safety after ads attacked her...2024-06-2641 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWhat did we learn from the Nevada primary? Top takeaways with reporters Gabe Stern and Tabitha MuellerThe dust has settled from the Nevada primary and the general election matchups are coming into focus. What did we learn from the messy GOP primary? What can we glean from the results of down ballot races? And what about that low turnout? Host Ben Margiott holds a reporter roundtable with the Associated Press' Gabe Stern and The Nevada Independent's Tabitha Mueller. What are the top takeaways from the June election? The group chats about Jeff Gunter refusing to endorse Sam Brown, Robert Beadles' rough night, Gov. Lombardo's influence, Election Day traditions and more.Gunter refuses to...2024-06-1938 minBallot Battleground: NevadaPrimary recap! Brown vs. Rosen matchup set, why I'm a 'sham journalist,' and Election Night wrap-up with reporters Kim Burrows and Audrey MayerThe voters have spoken in the Nevada primaries and the matchup that could decide control of the U.S. Senate is set. It's officially Republican Sam Brown vs. Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen in November. This week, we have a jam-packed Election Day recap - host Ben Margiott takes you out to the polls, to the registrar's office and to the big watch party in downtown Reno. Plus, why did a question we asked spark outrage on the right and prompt one candidate to label me a 'sham journalist'? And finally, an Election Night wrap-up with analysis and perspective from...2024-06-1233 minBallot Battleground: NevadaVote vote vote! Nevada primary election in full swingThe 2024 primary election is in full swing with hundreds of polling places open across the Silver State for early voting. Most people though are taking advantage of the convenient mail ballot and sending it in that way. Host Ben Margiott visits one polling place in Reno and has an update on turnout so far. Plus, Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess on the smooth in-person voting and how her office addressed a series of ballot errors. And Jennifer Willett with All Voting is Local joins to talk about her group's efforts to expand voting access including into jails.2024-06-0533 minBallot Battleground: NevadaEarly voting begins and Nevada’s changing electorate with UNR Prof. Jeremy GelmanIt is week 1 of early voting in Nevada's primary election as hundreds of thousands of voters get ready to whittle down the massive list of candidates for the November general election. We break down turnout so far and explain how most Nevadans are still choosing to vote by mail. Plus, host Ben Margiott has an extended conversation with UNR political science Jeremy Gelman about the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, other races he's watching closely and Nevada's changing electorate. How have Nevada’s demographics shifted in recent years? Does that mirror national trends? And what does that mean fo...2024-05-2941 minBallot Battleground: NevadaBonus! Meet the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate (part 2)It's a crowded field of Republican candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Nevada - 12 candidates filed for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in November. If you listened to episode 15, you heard from 3 of the top 4 frontrunners - the one exception being Sam Brown, who canceled his interview and never rescheduled. On this bonus episode, host Ben Margiott interviews the remaining candidates that were willing to interview with us: Bill Conrad, E.T. Hamilton, Garn Mabey, Ronda Kennedy, Stephanie Phillips and Vincent Rego.Skip to the following times to hear from...2024-05-2854 minBallot Battleground: NevadaIt's primary time! How to participate plus how voter fraud complaints are investigated with Secretary of State Cisco AguilarPrimary Election Day is less than 3 weeks away in Nevada. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins the show to talk when and how to vote, how to register to vote or change your party affiliation and everything else you need to know before casting your ballot. Plus, a deep-dive on how the Secretary of State's office receives and investigates complaints of voter fraud. Spoiler alert: the number of complaints represents a tiny fraction of the over 1 million votes cast in 2022 - and many are resolved with no criminal action.Read the full report here: 2024 Election Investigations Report...2024-05-2230 minBallot Battleground: NevadaMeet the GOP candidates for U.S. Senate (part 1)It's a crowded field of Republican candidates in the race for U.S. Senate in Nevada - 12 candidates filed for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in November.This week, we start our Know Your Candidates 2024 series by introducing you to the 3 GOP candidates that, according to a recent internal poll, have the best shot at upsetting Sam Brown, the wounded warrior widely considered to be the frontrunner.(Brown initially signed up for an interview slot but canceled, citing a scheduling conflict. His team did not respond when we offered three other...2024-05-1534 minBallot Battleground: NevadaMail time! Answering listener questions with special guest Chris MurphyIt's mail time at Ballot Battleground: Nevada. We put out a call for listener questions recently and received plenty. News 4-Fox 11 morning show anchor and political expert Chris Murphy joins this week to go through the mailbag with host Ben Margiott. They answered questions about a nonpartisan running in Congressional District 2, Yucca Mountain, abortion on the ballot, whether campaign signs work and much more.Submit your questions for future mailbag episodes by emailing bjmargiott@sbgtv.com or by tagging Ben on social media.LA Times story on Yucca Mountain: Nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain...2024-05-0130 minBallot Battleground: NevadaAdvocates push for permanent abortion protections in NevadaAfter the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there's been a state-by-state patchwork of differing abortion laws across the country. In Nevada, abortion is protected up to 24 weeks in state law after a 1990 referendum. But advocates want to make that protection even stronger by adding abortion rights to the Nevada Constitution. It appears their ballot question to enshrine that right is headed for the November ballot. Denise Lopez, director of Nevada campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All, joins to explain the abortion landscape in the Silver State, why she feels a Constitutional amendment is necessary and answer a number of...2024-04-2425 minBallot Battleground: NevadaNevada Congressional District 2 GOP primary race previewPrimary season is underway - if you haven't noticed all the campaign signs and ads in every commercial break. This week, host Ben Margiott previews the GOP primary for Nevada's 2nd Congressional district, which covers most of northern Nevada. With no Democrat running in this deep red district, the winner of the seat will likely be determined in the June primary. Rep. Mark Amodei, the incumbent since 2011, and Dr. Fred Simon sit down for extended interviews about why they're running, the national debt, foreign aid and whether they would continue to support former Pres. Trump if he's convicted before...2024-04-1730 minBallot Battleground: NevadaShould public money be used for the A's baseball stadium in Las Vegas? Nevada Supreme Court to decide on proposed ballot questionShould public money be used to help build the Oakland A's baseball team a new stadium in Las Vegas? The state's largest teachers union wants to ask voters that question in November. But like so many other proposed initiatives, it's been challenged and appealed up to the Nevada Supreme Court. This week, justices heard oral arguments about the proposed referendum. Host Ben Margiott takes listeners inside the courtroom and interviews Alexander Marks, director of strategy for the Nevada State Education Association, about their 'Schools Over Stadiums' push, the effort to get the referendum on the November ballot and their...2024-04-1029 minBallot Battleground: NevadaInterview with Biden cabinet members plus Nevada legislature election previewAfter Pres. Biden's visit to Reno last month, two top Biden cabinet members are in northern Nevada this week. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su stopped by the studio for a sit-down interview with host Ben Margiott about ongoing FAFSA issues, unemployment, the Baltimore bridge collapse and more. Plus, Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus joins to preview some of the critical statehouse elections that will determine if Democrats are able to gain veto-proof supermajorities in Carson City or if Republicans can wrest back some power....2024-04-0337 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWhat is Question 3? Explaining open primaries and ranked choice voting with the Guinn CenterQuestion 3, which will be on the November ballot in Nevada, would make drastic changes to our electoral system, implementing two proposed reforms — open primaries and ranked-choice voting. If it were to pass again (after already passing in 2022), it would put those changes in the Nevada Constitution. Supporters say it would upend the two-party system as we know it but opponents worry it could lead to even more confusion. Before we explore the arguments for and against, we brought in the Guinn Center, Nevada's nonpartisan policy research center. The think tank just released a report explaining Question 3 and asking where Ne...2024-03-2733 minBallot Battleground: NevadaPOTUS visit plus Nevada's top election official explains voter history errorThe race for the White House heats up in the battleground states, with President Joe Biden making his first visit to Nevada this election cycle. Host Ben Margiott was in the presidential motorcade and takes listeners behind the scenes as Biden stopped by a Democratic campaign office to rally volunteers. Plus, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins to explain a coding error that caused the website to incorrectly show people as having voted by mail in the presidential preference primary. Aguilar also details why he feels the USPS proposal to send Reno-area mail through a Sacramento distribution facility...2024-03-2030 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWill abortion be on the ballot in November?Will abortion be on the Nevada ballot in November? One initiative seeking to enshrine reproductive freedoms is currently in the hands of the Nevada Supreme Court and advocates are already gathering signatures for another measure dealing with abortion alone. On this episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, host Ben Margiott takes us inside last week's oral arguments at the state supreme court, explains the abortion landscape in Nevada and interviews Jason Guinasso, the attorney representing the Coalition for Parents and Children, which is challenging one of the proposed measures. (Note: Lindsey Harmon, the president of Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, was...2024-03-1323 minBallot Battleground: NevadaNevada didn’t matter - but it will soon. A conversation with Jon Ralston We Matter - that’s the slogan made famous by this week’s guest - Jon Ralston, the CEO and editor of The Nevada Independent. As we heard on last week's episode of Ballot Battleground: Nevada, the Silver State will of course matter in the general election, but we mattered quite a bit less during this Presidential nominating cycle. We brought Jon in to talk about 2024, the early Biden/Trump polls, the U.S. Senate race heating up and the first year of Governor Joe Lombardo’s administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...2024-03-0629 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWhy is Nevada a toss-up in the 2024 Presidential election?In the 2024 Presidential election, Nevada isn't just a battleground, it's a toss-up. A coin flip. Don't take our word for it - that's the official race rating from the Cook Political Report, one of the most well-respected election forecasters in the United States. Senate and governor editor Jessica Taylor comes on the podcast to talk about why CPR changed Nevada from 'lean Democrat' to 'toss-up,' and our U.S. Senate race that could once again decide control of the chamber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-02-2823 minBallot Battleground: NevadaWho should draw Nevada’s political maps?Who should draw Nevada's political maps? Today, it's whichever party is in control in Carson City. In the last cycle, Democrats had a trifecta and passed their maps without any Republican support - those maps were given an "F" from the nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project for giving Democrats a clear political advantage. But now one group is pushing to take the redistricting process out of the hands of politicians and put it into the hands of an independent board. Last week, a judge shot down the proposed ballot questions, but that decision is being appealed to the Nevada Supreme...2024-02-2135 minBallot Battleground: NevadaCaucus recap and Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann BurgessThe busiest week in Nevada elections in a long time is in the rearview mirror. In the end, Donald Trump and Joe Biden won all of Nevada's delegates from the caucus and primary, respectively. Host Ben Margiott interviews reporter Audrey Mayer about her experience covering the caucus at a Reno-area elementary school. Plus, an extended interview with interim Washoe County registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess about why she came back to elections after experiencing burnout in a previous role, lessons learned running an ice cream shop in between jobs and how the primary went for a largely new elections...2024-02-1436 minBallot Battleground: NevadaPresidential primary recap, plus Jon Ralston on the 'None of these candidates' surpriseNevada's first presidential preference primary in decades went smoothly, with low voter turnout making for no lines at most polling places. As expected, President Joe Biden won the Democratic primary handily. But in a surprising turn of events, former ambassador Nikki Haley lost to 'None of these candidates' in the Republican contest. We speak with reporters Kim Burrows and Audrey Mayer about their experience covering the election on the ground, plus a conversation with Jon Ralston, the CEO of the Nevada Independent, about how that 'none of these candidates' option came to be and how voters have used it...2024-02-0729 minBallot Battleground: NevadaPrimary. Caucus. Confusion. Explaining the mess with political expert Fred LokkenNevada's Presidential nominating process is more confusing than ever in 2024 with two different elections being held in a span of just three days. Despite the state shifting to a Presidential preference primary, the Nevada GOP has still opted to hold a caucus on February 8th. Truckee Meadows political science professor Fred Lokken comes on the show to explain in detail how and why we got here and how you can participate. We also talked about Nevada's diminished national attention this cycle because of the split process.Presidential preference primary voter guide: https://mynews4.com...2024-01-3127 minBallot Battleground: NevadaBallot Battleground: Nevada TrailerBallot Battleground: Nevada is a show where we take deep dives into the issues, people, policies and debates shaping politics in our critical swing state. Many voters find themselves confused or overwhelmed when they walk into the voting booth. Our goal is to explain the issues that matter most to everyday Nevadans so they're fully informed before casting their ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-01-2501 min
Macabre RamblingsEpisode 42: D.B. Cooper Part 1In this part one of the D.B. Cooper episodes, the topic will focus on what the infamous hijacker had done and the investigation that had happened after his jump from the airborne airplane. Have any stories you want to share? Or a topic that you want me to cover? e-mail me at macabreramblings@gmail.com o7Twitter: linkInstagram: linkReferences:DB Cooper - WikipediaGoogle News Archive SearchDB Cooper -- Perfect Crime Or Perfect Folly? | The S...2022-02-051h 23
Inside the Den PodcastNSN Daily - August 4, 2020Segment 1 - Nevada football's most important players in 2020: No. 19 Berdale Robins
Segment 2 - ESPN ranks Jalen Harris #76 NBA prospect
Segment 3 - Murray's Mailbag extra: Where does this years skill positions rank all time?
Segment 4 - More than half of Idaho's football team opts out of 2020 season & how is Nevada football staying safe during fall camp
Segment 5 - Broncos players must walk through sprayer before practice & Raiders to play without fans this season, per email to season-ticket holders
Segment 6 - Road Trippin' through Southern Utah and Arizona features tonight on ou...2020-08-0442 minInside the Den PodcastNSN Daily - July 6, 2020Segment 1 - More big names opt out of MLB season
Segment 2 - Former Nevada basketball guard Nisre Zouzoua takes talents overseas
Segment 3 - What will happen to high school sports?
Segment 4 - GOAT bracket challenge: Final Four
Segment 5 - 4th of July firework show put on by our sister station KRNV
Segment 6 - Final thoughts: Kaepernick lands deal with Disney2020-07-0642 min
Worldly Church GirlGary MetivierThe shy boy from a family twelve was inspired to pursue broadcasting after being interviewed for a story in high school. After attending various universities, including the broadcasting specialization program at UCLA, Gary started a career that took him and his new bride from local cable news in Los Angeles, to a main anchor/reporter position at KTEN in Texas, to weekend anchor/reporter at KRNV in Reno, Nevada, to twenty years at KWQC in Davenport, Iowa. Plans to stay at KWQC for a 3-year contract turned into a life living in this community they grew to love. Bigger markets...2020-02-2424 min
Worldly Church GirlEpisode 027 – Gary MetivierThe shy boy from a family twelve was inspired to pursue broadcasting after being interviewed for a story in high school. After attending various universities, including the broadcasting specialization program at UCLA, Gary started a career that took him and his new bride from local cable news in Los Angeles, to a main anchor/reporter position at KTEN in Texas, to weekend anchor/reporter at KRNV in Reno, Nevada, to twenty years at KWQC in Davenport, Iowa. Plans to stay at KWQC for a 3-year contract turned into a life living in this community they grew to love. Bigger markets...2020-02-2424 min
NSAA 360 RadioBlack Talk Sacramento #028: Sun Dried PerspectiveBlack Talk Sacramento #028: Sun Dried Perspective
Current Show Date: January 10, 2017 / 5pm-7pm
Every Second Tuesday
Hosted by: Marichal J Brown, Gerry Gos Simpson, NSAA, Tony Harvey
We would like to welcome Black Talk Sacramento podcast, held at
Underground Books
2814 35th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 737-3333
Guest: Tim Martin II
Timothy Martin was born and raised in Sacramento CA. He attended American River Community College and received his AA Degree. He attended Jackson State University in Mississippi in 2007 to study Sociology. He has also earned an Affordable Health Care Act Certification from UC Davis Medical Center and has worked as a after...2017-01-111h 20