Click a link below to view more details and hear audio.

»8/1/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
We talk to the Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Steven Kalas. He is not the typical therapist nor is he the typical advice columnist.

We talk with Kissy Simmons, who plays Nala in "The Lion King" and Thom Sesma, who plays Scar in the production.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»8/3/09 Cash for Clunkers, OSHA, Infectious Diseases
The Cash for Clunkers program to get junkers off the road has burned through $1 billion in a week. What does the program mean for Southern Nevada?

The U.S. Department of Labor has assembled a task force to review Nevada's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's practice for investigating workplace accidents.

Southern Nevada has had a serious scare with the Hepatitis C outbreak at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. But what can be done to prevent further problems?

»8/4/09 GI Bill, Mixed Martial, Tommy Porello, Timeshare Shills
A new GI bill for 9/11 veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001 went into affect on August 1.

The Nevada Athletic Commission may implement instant replay in mixed martial arts and boxing matches.

Trumpeter Tommy Porrello has played with some of the great names in Las Vegas entertainment.

Also, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg found timeshare shills everywhere he went on his recent Vegas vacation. We talk to him about what went wrong.

»8/5/09 Health Care Overseas, T. Boone Pickens, Station Fight
We talk with Las Vegans who have lived overseas for a number of years to find out how those government-insured health care systems work and why patients are happier there than they are in the United States.

We talk with Texas billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens. He will be speaking on Monday at the National Clean Energy Summit taking place at UNLV.

The Culinary is planning another attempt to unionize the Station Casinos.

»8/6/09 Hurley, Energy, Comm. Development, After the Bomb
We talk with Michael Hurley about the implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, and whether or not the country is safer today than it was in 2001.

The Legislature has been working on renewable energy in this state for more than a decade.

As part of our ongoing series, Hope At Home: Facing the Foreclosure Crisis, we take a look at how commercial properties are faring in this economy.

The Atomic Testing Museum is hosting a panel discussion Thursday, August 6th, "After the Bomb: A Generational Discussion," that will focus on the ways the passage of time affect our perception of historical events.

»8/7/09 Smith, NDA, Alexander Dawson, LV Tenors, First Friday
We talk with Las Vegas Review Journal columnist John L. Smith about recent news stories in the Las Vegas valley.

The Nevada Development Authority has launched its latest attack on the "tax and regulate" business climate of California.

The Alexander Dawson Foundation has been running a summer camp with a difference.

We talk with the musical trio The Las Vegas Tenors

We talk with Henderson artist Daniel Pearson, who owns the Circadian Gallery in the Arts District about his art and the First Friday arts event.

»8/8/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
We talk with Las Vegans who have lived overseas for a number of years to find out how those government-insured health care systems work and why patients are happier there than they are in the United States.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»8/10/09 AmeriCorps, Colorado River Water, Nursing Crisis
Every year, the Nevada AmeriCorps program employees 200 people, who serve at 52 nonprofits and organizations around the state. But the program's funding is in danger.

Water supply from the Colorado River will be safe at least until 2026 with a very small chance that increased demand will drain Lakes Mead and Powell.

Most of the problems with nurses - the idea that they are underpaid and not very smart as well as the looming shortage is caused by the negative media stereotypes. So says Sandy Summers, co-author of the book, "Saving Lives: Why the Media's Portrayal of Nursing Puts Us All at Risk."

»8/11/09 Hispanic Perspective, Bob Boehm, Theater, Dian Diaz
Judge Sonia Sotomayor won Senate confirmation and was sworn in as the nation's first Latina Supreme Court Justice last week. Meantime, Nevada's Hispanics have been hit harder than any other state by joblessness.

We talk with Bob Boehm, Director of UNLV's Center for Energy Research. He'll be speaking at UNLV's Renewable Energy Symposium, taking place today and tomorrow (August 11 and 12).

We talk with the director and two of the lead characters of "Once on this Island." The show will be playing throughout August at the Super Summer Theater at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

We talk with long-time Las Vegas lounge singer Dian Diaz, who has been the headliner at the Bellagio's Fontana Room since 1998.

Norm Schilling offers some suggestions as you plan for fall planting in todays Desert Bloom.

»8/12/09 LVSun, Unemployment, Politics, Laugh Therapy
Las Vegas Sun editor, Drex Heikes, is leaving to return to Los Angeles. He talks about his time at the paper and the future of Las Vegas journalism.

Nevada's unemployment rate for Hispanics leads the nation at 16.4 percent just ahead of California's Hispanic unemployment rate which sits at 15.7 percent.

With state revenues already falling and the looming battle on health care, we talk with experts about what the future holds for state and national politics.

We talk with Dr. Upinder Singh, who is Chief of Geriatrics at Southwest Medical Associates, about why we all need to laugh more during these troubling times. He'll be giving a presentation on Laugh Therapy Wednesday night, August 12th, at Temple Sinai.

»8/13/09 UNLV Pres, Herzlinger, Rethinking Mortgage Crisis
Neal Smatresk has been tapped to replace ousted President David Ashley.

We talk with Regina Herzlinger, a Senior Fellow with the Manhattan Institute Center for Medical Progress and a Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School.

Also, there is a way to sell your house, even in this market. Guarantee the price won't fall.

Robert Fielden "Pays it Forward".

»8/14/09 Danny Tarkanian, Health, LVCVA, Business, Go West
Danny Tarkanian has made the official announcement that he wants to run against Senator Harry Reid. We ask him how he expects to win.

With health care costs rising so rapidly in Nevada, we talk with Ron Pollack, Executive Director of the Families USA group, about how proposed health care reforms could make a difference.

The Las Vegas Convention and Tourist Authority has funded the only counter-terrorism expert for a resort destination in the country.

Could health care reform lead to a big saving for business or a big tax increase?

We talk with Paul Taylor, director of the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends project about the new report describing Mountain West and West Coast seniors feel younger and healthier than their counterparts in other areas of the country.

»8/15/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
Neal Smatresk has been tapped to replace ousted President David Ashley.

We talk with Regina Herzlinger, a Senior Fellow with the Manhattan Institute Center for Medical Progress and a Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School.

This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»8/17/09 What Doctors Really Want, TIME, Youth Poetry Slam
In our first hour, a group of Southern Nevada physicians join us in studio to explain their take on health care reform - what's needed and what will work.

We talk with Joel Stein, a writer for the Los Angeles Times and TIME Magazine. He wrote a cover story in the current edition of TIME, looking at how Las Vegas is faring during the recession.

Also, the Las Vegas Youth Poetry Slam will take place on Monday, August 17th, 6-9pm, at the Summerlin Library Theater. Competitors in the Las Vegas Youth Poetry Slam will be taking the stage to raise money for the English Department at Palo Verde High School and, even more importantly, to raise awareness of the arts in Summerlin and the surrounding communities.

»8/18/09 Militia, Health Co-ops, Sandoval Resignation and Strip Show Make-Up
In our first hour, we talk with the author of a new report on the rise of the militia movement, which has roots back in the antitax libertarianism of the Western United States. Then, we hear about health co-ops and what it would take to make them work. Next, Commentator Jon Ralston will explain how Brian Sandoval could scramble political calculations for 2010.

In our second hour, we talk with author Bonnie Tsui about her history of America's Chinatowns. And three make-up designers from major theatrical productions will explain the secrets of their craft.

»8/19/09 Civil Liberties, Million Med March, Lance Burton and Top Chef
First we talk with former ACLU of Nevada Executive Director, Gary Peck about the struggle for civil liberties in the age of surveillance.

Then Million Med March organizer Richard Chudacoff tells us about the movement which is fighting to re-establish honor, dignity and worth to the medical profession.

In our second hour, Master Magician Lance Burton talks to us about magic, his show and performing on the strip.

And KNPR food critic John Curtas gives us the inside scoop on "Top Chef: Las Vegas." The Emmy Award winning show's sixth season was filmed in Las Vegas and will debut tonight on the Bravo cable network.

»8/20/09 C Street House, Coping with Job Loss, What's Next and Don Rickles
Ensign's extramarital affair became public and has soured many Christians on their one-time political allies. We talk about their reaction to Ensign living in the Fellowship house in Washington DC.

Then, UNR researchers are exploring how unemployed people are coping with the stresses of job loss. We talk with the creator of the study.

In our second hour, the Las Vegas economy has been in a recession for the past 18 months and some are saying it's time to "reboot" the valley's economy. The Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies at UNLV is hosting its twelfth annual round table discussion this week on the topic,"What's Happened? What's Next?" We talk to three attendees. This program is part of our series, "Hope at Home: Facing the Mortgage Crisis."

Then we talk to legendary "insult" comedian Don Rickles on his lengthy career in showbiz.

»8/21/09 Jersey Boys Star Rick Faugno
First, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager, Pat Mulroy joins us to talk about the controversial decision to to continue planning for the pipeline to bring water from northeastern Nevada to Clark County.

Then, Broadway singer and dancer Rick Faugno is about to launch his one-man show, "Songs My Idols Sang (And Danced)" this Sunday at the Southpoint Hotel and Casino. This weekend's show is already sold out but Faugno gives us a preview in a special music edition of the show, taped in Studio One.

»8/22/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
A group of Southern Nevada physicians join us in studio to explain their take on health care reform - what's needed and what will work. This selection represents the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»8/24/09 Health Care Debate, Jubilee and Las Vegas Locomotives
First we check in with Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith about what's been happening with the health care debate in Nevada and the summer break for the Congressional delegation.

Then Las Vegas Locomotives coach, Jim Fassel joins us to talk about the United Football League's upcoming inaugural season which starts October 8th.

In our second hour we talk about the alleged conspiracy between Las Vegas doctors and lawyers, and the medical consultant Howard Awand.

And we talk with Jubilee's long-time manager and two dancers in about the show's longevity.

»8/25/09 Healthcare Frustrations, Swine Flu, Michael Jackson Tribute Concert, and the Golden State Strikes Back
First, patients tell their stories of frustration with the current healthcare system.

Then, we talk about a Michael Jackson tribute concert to take place this weekend to raise money for local music programs.

In our second hour, California-based Assemblyman Jose Solorio tells us about a campaign to bring more business to California in retaliation against the Nevada Development Authority's campaign to attract California businesses.

»8/26/09 Dina Titus, High Speed Rail, Cannibal! The Musical
In our first hour, we talk with Representative Dina Titus, about her views on health care, the foreclosure crisis and other national issues. We also talk about the latest push for a high speed rail between NV and CA and whether it is feasible.

In our second hour, we take a look at how valley law enforcement agencies are keeping residents safe. The UNLV Institute for Security Studies is co-sponsoring the event "Keeping Your Community Institutions Safe" this Thursday at 4pm at UNLV. Finally, cast members from "Cannibal! The Musical" join us.

»8/27/09 Debating Healthcare, Sportsbooks, Investment Strategies and Strip Show Costumes
First, we discuss how the healthcare debate is shaping up in Southern Nevada. Then, a leading authority on gambling law explains why sportsbooks are only legal in Nevada.

In our second hour, as part of our continuing series "Hope at Home: Facing the Mortgage Crisis," we talk about investment strategies during this economic downturn. And costume designers from a mix of Las Vegas shows join us to talk about the art of costume design.

»8/28/09 Shelley Berkley, Family Promise Ballet and Sake Sommelier
In our first hour, we talk with Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley about her thoughts on health care and other national issues.

In our second hour, we talk with the organizer and dancers from "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" who are holding a charity performance this weekend to raise money for the homeless organization, Family Promise. Then we talk to Las Vegas' own sake sommelier.

»8/29/09 KNPR's State of Nevada Weekend Select
First we talk about the alleged conspiracy between Las Vegas doctors and lawyers, and the medical consultant Howard Awand.

Then, costume designers from a mix of Las Vegas shows join us to talk about the art of costume design. These selections represent the best from the past week's broadcasts.

»8/31/09 Mountains Edge and Frank Sinatra Jr.
First, Review-Journal Publisher Sherm Frederick discusses his anti-Harry Reid column, which ran yesterday. Then we talk with two members of the Mountain's Edge HOA board about why they believe the developer should stick to the original plan.

In our second hour, Las Vegas Premier vocalist Frank Sinatra Jr. pays homage, in song and in style, to his father's music in Sinatra Sings Sinatra at the Suncoast Showroom on September 5 - 6, 2009. He joins us in the studio.