The Daily Rundown: September 28, 2026
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🎭 There has been no shortage of headlines coming out of Las Vegas' entertainment scene. It was recently revealed that Vegas headliner Carrot Top was hospitalized on Friday, Sept. 18. The tabloid media outlet TMZ reported that it was related to an attempted suicide.
The 61-year-old comedian, born Scott Thompson, had been dealing with legal drama with occasional Vegas performer Brian Evans. It includes accusations of extortion by the former’s legal team. Evans has denied such a thing happened. Evans' litigation against Thompson includes allegations that Thompson gave a 19-year-old male alcohol before the two engaged in sexual activity.
Earlier this week, KNPR’s Mike Prevatt spoke with John Katsilometes, entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, to get an update on Carrot Top's situation, as well as recent production show closures and other Strip entertainment happenings. Hear that story and more here.
💻 The Center for Digital Government awarded the Silver State its first-ever “A” grade this week for accomplishments in digital technology over the last two years. Gov. Joe Lombardo announced the “A” grade in the 2026 Digital States Survey on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Nevada is among four states that made the most significant gains, according to the survey. According to a statement from the governor’s office, several areas contributed to the improved grade, including continuous innovation in technology to improve government operations and service delivery.
The Center also gave Nevada an Outstanding Achievement Award for Continuous Innovation.
🚗 The Trump administration announced Monday it’s scaling back how fuel-efficient American carmakers need to make their fleets. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards set average fuel economy levels for carmakers.
The revised rules, which were finalized Monday, will now require carmakers to make their new passenger car and truck fleets up to 1% more fuel-efficient each year, aiming for an average of 34.9 miles per gallon in model year 2031. Department of Transportation
This is down from Biden-era rules, which required an annual 2% increase in fuel efficiency with a goal of most vehicles getting, on average, 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031.
The rationale: affordability. Administration officials argue that fuel-efficiency technology is expensive and has helped drive up the cost of vehicles. They estimate that scaling back the standards will shave about $1,300 off the sticker prices of new cars. Department of Transportation
“This administration is delivering relief to families and reviving the beating heart of American manufacturing,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in an online statement announcing the change.
Climate advocates and auto industry observers say the rule change is another step in the Trump administration's efforts to roll back Biden-era climate policies — including cutting the federal tax credit for electric vehicle buyers, delaying federal dollars for a nationwide EV charging program, and striking down federal waivers that let California set its own strict pollution regulations. Read the full story by NPR's Willa Rubin here.
🚧 The Nevada Department of Transportation is beginning a pavement preservation project that is expected to impact traffic in the central Las Vegas Valley.
The impacted area is on Interstate 11 (I-11)/U.S. Route 95 (U.S. 95), between Martin Luther King Boulevard and West Lake Mead Boulevard. Through Dec. 1, NDOT says crews will reduce northbound and southbound I-11/U.S. 95 to two lanes with shoulder closures along that corridor.
Crews are scheduled to complete construction by early next year, weather permitting. During active construction, the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph through work zones for the safety of drivers and construction crews.
🏫 Gov. Joe Lombardo has granted the Nevada Department of Education emergency funding for school districts. The request came as the fiscal impact from declining enrollment is being felt statewide.
Actual enrollment in school districts across Nevada has fallen below the projected enrollment figures approved during the recent legislative session. According to a letter to the governor from the Nevada Department of Education, that budget anticipated no enrollment growth during the 2025-2027 two-year period.
Enrollment has instead declined, which means less funding than districts anticipated. The governor endorsed the emergency funding on Friday, Sept. 25.
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.
