Your Daily Guide

📬 You Can Still Vote by Mail

The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s use of the U.S. Postal Service to limit voting by mail with just 48 days until the midterm elections. The administration wanted to require federally standardized ballot envelopes and voter lists submissions through an online portal (described as clunky by those familiar with it). The plan raised concerns about widespread disruption and disenfranchisement, particularly in eight states — including Nevada — that rely heavily on mail voting. [Associated Press/New York Times]

• Guess who’s mad about it. [CNN]
• Nevada’s Secretary of State weighed in, saying “Despite the president’s efforts to disrupt the 2026 midterm elections, the Supreme Court made it clear the restrictions on mail voting are unlawful and cannot move forward.” [Nevada Current]

🗳️ Business Leaders Endorse Aaron Ford

The Retail Association of Nevada is bucking tradition and backing a Democrat over a Republican in the race for governor. The group, which represents 8,000 businesses and endorsed Gov. Lombardo in 2022, is going with challenger Aaron Ford this year, saying the incumbent hasn’t done enough to separate himself from President Trump’s tariffs. [Las Vegas Sun]

• Lombardo defended his record, touting endorsements from “the Latin Chamber, Vegas Chamber, and Asian Chamber of Commerce.” [Nevada Current]

⚖️ Suspect Gets a Second-Chance in Murder Case

A new trial was scheduled for Rickie Slaughter, who remains behind bars, even after his conviction on attempted murder and other charges in a home invasion case was vacated by a federal court earlier this year. [KSNV]

• It's a complicated story with a lot of questions. City Cast Las Vegas did our best to explain the circumstances of the Rickie Slaughter case a few months ago — and if he was treated unfairly by the District Attorney. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

📚 Nevada Schools Failing, But Improving at Math

Less than 37% of Nevada students between third and eighth grade are proficient in math — and that’s actually a slight improvement over last year. Reading was down, however, to a little more than 45% according to the Nevada Department of Education. The state also debuted a three-tier rating system for school districts with Eureka County, Carson City, and the state charter system earning the highest rating while Elko, Nye, and Lander counties received the lowest. (Enjoy life in the middle, Clark County 👍) [Nevada Independent]

The Nevada Department of Transportation is looking to widen and upgrade Interstate 15 between Sloan and Primm — a 27-mile stretch southwest of the Las Vegas Valley. The plans would also add new interchanges while updating existing ones.

As Southern Nevada continues to develop, the area surrounding that corridor could be used to fill an anticipated 6,000 acres of industrial land over the next 25 years, plus potential residential communities to support them.

A new airport to ease the burden on Harry Reid International is in the planning stages near Jean, but wouldn’t open until at least 2037. If and when it happens, another 17,000 acres near the airport would be targeted for commercial and industrial facilities.

Less certain: the Brightline West high-speed rail line between Vegas and Southern California, which has struggled to secure funding and move past the ceremonial groundbreaking stage. The tracks are supposed to run alongside or down the center of Interstate 15. A station at the new airport would make sense, but that’s more than a decade away — and we need a train first.

Don’t expect to see California do much to improve I-15 on its side of the state line. Caltrans believes added lanes don’t help traffic congestion and harm the environment 🤔

South valley communities like Southern Highlands and Inspirada continue to grow, giving energy and momentum towards Sloan and beyond. Primm fended off closure over the summer and was sold to Terrible Herbst’s parent company. The stateline casino town would clearly benefit from new homes and businesses along the I-15. (Hang in there, Primm!)

Vegas continues to grow in other directions too, thanks to future master-planned communities like Monument Hills north of Tule Springs (courtesy of a BLM land sale), Sky Summit near Red Rock Canyon, and Aries by the former Three Kids Mine in Henderson.

With that being said, Clark County’s population growth has slowed down a bit — and won’t hit 3 million people until 2055, ten years beyond what was originally projected.

• City Cast Las Vegas takes a closer look at the potential Interstate 15 project and why it could play a pivotal role in the future of Southern Nevada. Today’s news roundup also discusses the return of nuclear testing outside Vegas and a new concept that gives bros a beer and a spa day, all in one. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧