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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · 4d

My latest for @thisisreno.bsky.social, follow up on a story I've been covering since Feb. 2024. The complaints were dismissed, which was reported by others, but we looked at what led to the dismissal and what happened after, w/ @bobconrad.bsky.social : thisisreno.com/2025/10/devo...

Reno Council Member Attacks Nevada Ethics Commission over Dismissal

Reno City Council member Devon Reese attacks Nevada Commission on Ethics, claims exoneration. Commissioners defend executive director.

thisisreno.com

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Reposted by Kristen Hackbarth

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 17d

Hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US

Before universal vaccination for hepatitis B began in 1991, 18,000 children contracted the virus by age 10 each year, and most of them developed chronic illness and liver damage. Vaccination reduced…

buff.ly

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · 19d

That's a lot of donuts. And redevelopment funds.

Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · 20d

Thank you @aprilcore.bsky.social for making my Friday. nevadacurrent.com/2025/09/19/b...

Boulder City flushes plans for ‘10-foot tall, 11-foot wide, 6-foot deep turds’ at Pinkbox Doughnuts • Nevada Current

Pinkbox Doughnuts is attempting to open a new shop in Boulder City by the end of the year, but the company’s plans for a pair of poop emoji-shaped mascots in front of the building, and the fact public...

nevadacurrent.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · 22d

We didn't even talk about the effects of inflation on the BBQ sauce!

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · 22d

I know a little bit about AI, I probably know more about public health communications than I give myself credit for, and I know enough about AI in public health communications to share with others. Join me Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. ET for PHCC's AI In Action webinar: bit.ly/4nd44eI

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: AI in Action: Strengthening Public Health Communications with Care & Clarity. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the web...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work, think, and communicate. It is now a force across sectors and can, if used responsibly, lead to better communications, greater efficiency, and ...

bit.ly

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Reposted by Kristen Hackbarth

This Is Reno @thisisreno.bsky.social · 22d

🎤 Our latest podcast: "Burner trash and the price of ribs."
👉 Listen: thisisreno.buzzsprout.com

With @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social & @bobconrad.bsky.social

___
#thisisreno #renonews #reno #renonv #biggestlittlecity #sparksnv #renotahoe #journalism

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Sep 3

We usually cover stuff like this as a straight news story, but I had so many thoughts on how it missed the mark that I couldn't help but write it as an editorial, with @bobconrad.bsky.social
thisisreno.com/2025/09/resi...

Residents Criticize Washoe County's PR-Driven 'State of The County'

Washoe County's 'State of Washoe County' presentation was criticized for focusing on positive aspects while ignoring pressing issues like crime and homelessness.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Sep 3

I haven't been to the CDC's BRFSS page in a few weeks, but this is new and gross. 🤮 "Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from truth ... This page does not reflect reality and therefore the Administration and this Department reject it."

Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Sep 3

Yikes!

Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Sep 3

Imagine if we did this full time.

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jul 28

This keeps unravelling, and @thisisreno.bsky.social seems to be the only outlet covering it with any substance.

Bob Conrad @bobconrad.bsky.social · Jul 26

The latest from me and @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social Hackbarth:

1. More details have emerged in the U.S. Secret Service investigation into Washoe County’s department of alternative sentencing. MORE ⬇️

SUBSCRIBE: thisisreno.com/2025/07/das-...

Reno Police Join Secret Service in DAS Investigation

Former DAS employee speaks out as investigations into Washoe County's department of alternative sentencing continue and an attorney seeks sanctions.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jul 23

Millions of dollars in efforts to "clean up the lake" and zero effort to pass policies to prevent the mess in the first place. Sounds about right for Nevada.
thisisreno.com/2025/07/neva...

Report: Nevada Lacks Policies to Curb Plastic Pollution

Nevada needs improvement in tackling plastic pollution, according to a recent report by Ocean Conservancy. State lacks policy action to reduce plastics.

thisisreno.com

Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jul 15

This week we called out some local media for their lazy journalism. They didn't like it. We have the receipts. thisisreno.com/2025/07/loca...

Reno Journalism: Copy-Paste Vs. Original Reporting

Local journalism suffers from imitation and laziness, resulting in redundant coverage and missed stories. More original reporting is needed.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jul 3

Great report MJ!

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jul 3

We're still working to learn more about what's behind the closure of Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, but this week their entire staff was laid off. via @thisisreno.bsky.social with addt'l reporting by @bobconrad.bsky.social

thisisreno.com/2025/07/truc...

Fiscal Mismanagement Closes Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation

Layoffs at Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation: Financial mismanagement leads to dismissal of executive director and 40 layoffs.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jun 23

I'll be interested to see dysfunction on full display as Washoe commissioner talk about this report on Wednesday. thisisreno.com/2025/06/wash...

Consultant calls for ‘reset’ to improve Washoe County leadership

Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com

Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jun 3

This is right on target. Reno's city leaders keep talking about "activation" but it's clear they just want to improve optics, not create a place people really want to be.

With the Right Target Audience, a City Sells Itself

Tourists, sports leagues, and splashy headlines won’t build your city. Residents will.

open.substack.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Jun 1

The biggest obstacle to affordable housing isn't federal land ownership. It's the lack of political will to greenlight a diversity of multifamily housing, codify a variety of housing types into zoning codes, and provide better incentives for infill -- like reducing the damn parking requirements.

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · May 28

Cuts to public health funding would have a negative impact on thousands of Nevadans. The proposal to cut vital CDC programs related to cancer prevention and early detection sucks, but we’re continuing our work because it’s valuable and important. lasvegassun.com/news/2025/ma...

Trump’s budget request stokes fears that cancer patients could be cut off from treatment

A cancer screening became the moment that would ultimately save Samantha Gonzales-Russell’s life.

lasvegassun.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · May 19

The full series on how employee pay affects local governments in Reno and Washoe County is now posted. This is more of an explainer than an investigation, but reveals information most people aren't aware of, and some still don't care about.
thisisreno.com/investigatio...

Investigations

Get news from This Is Reno, Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · May 16

Part 3 of this week's series. The benefits are healthy, far healthier than what the average private sector worker gets. That's kind of the point: Average citizens working in the private sector whose tax dollars are supporting benefits they don't get and having services cut, in part, because of that.

This Is Reno @thisisreno.bsky.social · May 16

Reno and Washoe County employees receive full employer-paid PERS contributions, comprehensive health insurance, and additional perks like longevity pay and tuition reimbursement. These benefits aim to attract top public servants but come at a significant taxpayer cost.

The privilege and price of government benefits (part 3 of 6)

Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · May 13

This started as a simple data story, but it grew into much more. Looking at local government budgets for @thisisreno.bsky.social

‘Employees are our biggest expense’: A look at local government pay (part 1 of 6)

Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com

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Reposted by Kristen Hackbarth

This Is Reno @thisisreno.bsky.social · May 1

A bill at the Nev. Legislature intended to improve master planning has morphed into legislation that allows Reno City Council members to have more control over planning commissioners. The changes come after council members criticized commissioners who raised concerns about data centers.

Legislative bill will allow Reno council members to remove planning commissioners at will

Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com

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Kristen Hackbarth @kristenhackbarth.bsky.social · Apr 9

Using the First Amendment to argue that others' First Amendment rights should be curbed, from people who should probably read a more diverse selection of materials.

Legislative bill aims to protect access to books in libraries

Reno's independent, online news and events source. Established in 2009.

thisisreno.com