The Daily Rundown - March 12, 2026
⚡ NV Energy expects to miss Nevada’s 2030 renewable energy targets due to a massive surge in power demand from new data centers. The expansion of AI computing has led the utility to project 47 percent more energy use than previously estimated, according to the Nevada Independent. NV Energy plans to rely more on natural gas to meet immediate needs as renewable projects face development delays.
Current state law requires NV Energy to provide power to any business setting up shop in Nevada. Regulators may fine the utility if it fails to meet the 50 percent renewable mandate by the deadline. State lawmakers plan to address these energy shortages and data center growth in the upcoming legislative session.
🚗 Hit-and-run fatalities have reached record highs, according to research from an organization whose mission is to keep drivers safe. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says 15 percent of all police-reported crashes in 2023 involved a driver who fled the scene. That’s the highest percentage recorded in any recent year. The study suggests drivers are less likely to flee if they think they’ll get caught and will be held accountable for an accident. A spokesperson says stronger enforcement, smarter use of technology and public education are all ways that can help decrease the number of hit-and-run crashes.
⚖️ Clark County commissioners have voted unanimously to appeal a judge’s ruling that requires the county to repay roughly $8 million in property taxes. It's the latest in the protracted legal battle between the county, the city of Las Vegas and the former owners of the shuttered Badlands Golf Course. Developers purchased the property in 2017 with the intent to build housing. The city blocked the development, but property taxes were still assessed.
The property owners want a full refund plus interest. Lisa Logsdon, the county’s legal counsel, told commissioners during the meeting that since several governmental organizations used the money, they should also be responsible for paying some of it back. Whether the money is returned is not an issue. The Nevada Supreme Court previously ruled that the property was illegally taken. Under that settlement, the city of Las Vegas officially took ownership of the property. They have since sold it to homebuilder Lennar, which has outlined plans for a new development.
🚇 The Boring Co. and Clark County are working on new regulations that would speed up construction of the tunnels they use, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. In January, Boring Co. President Steve Davis said that boring a tunnel for the Las Vegas Loop system and preparing it for use is pretty much the same no matter the location. He said if new tunneling regulations are approved by the county, the company would be able to start on new tunnels as soon as they receive clearance from utility companies.
Clark County Commission Chairman Michael Naft told the Review-Journal that it would make sense for the county to consolidate the process. The Vegas Loop has nine operational stations, including five at the Las Vegas Convention Center, using 3.5 miles of tunnels. Eleven more miles of tunnels have been built, and Boring Co. is waiting for approval to use them and for the stations to be ready.
🏀 The NCAA Mountain West men’s basketball tournament kicked off in Las Vegas yesterday and both Nevada teams have made it through to the second round. Nevada had a large margin of victory over Air Force, while UNLV gutted out a three-point win over Wyoming. UNLV is set to play the first game of round two today against No. 1-ranked Utah State. The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid for March Madness.
🏈 A deal isn’t a deal until it’s official. The Las Vegas Raiders learned that hard lesson Tuesday night when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told The Associated Press that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private. NFL teams have committed billions of dollars on free agents and players acquired in trades since the start of the legal tampering period on Monday.
However, none of the transactions can be finalized until the new league year begins. That means trades can be nixed and free agents can change their minds. It’s all business. Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He missed the final two games of the season because of the injury despite wanting to play through it at the time.
Baltimore now keeps the 14th overall pick in next month’s draft and hopes Hendrickson can produce the way he did before his injuries last season. Meanwhile, the Raiders have to figure out what to do with Crosby after his relationship with the team seemingly deteriorated.
Part of these stories are taken from KNPR's daily newscast segment. To hear more daily updates like these, tune in to 88.9 KNPR FM.
