Week of Oct. 25, 2023
From the editor’s desk
We’ve got your COVID-19 forecast for this winter: While experts anticipate a modest seasonal jump in infection rates in the coming months, as is common with respiratory illnesses in general, they don’t expect a dramatic increase.
At 80, Martin Scorsese is at the top of his game. Killers of the Flower Moon—the true story of the 1920s Osage Nation Indian murders—gets a sweeping, epic and appropriately dark treatment, says film guy Bob Grimm.
Got a kid-size or teen-size bike you no longer use? The Kiwanis Club of Downtown Sparks has a way to get it to a kid who needs one. The group’s goal this holiday season is to get 300 of them donated, spruced up and delivered to new owners.
Columnist Sheila Leslie read the nonfiction book A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan, set in the 1920s, and was reminded that we’ve seen eras of intense polarization before. One thing we can do, she says, is vote.
Former Reno musician Red Leather, now based in Los Angeles, went from the throes of addiction to having a huge online fan base in just 20 months. His debut album, RENO, drops Nov. 17, and his album-release tour stops at the Cypress this Friday, Nov. 3.
It’s time for letters to the editor! Our readers share their opinions on efforts to remove local libraries’ diversity programs and books, GOP policies, and Israel’s role in the war with Hamas—more in the Letters section.
Animal advocate Michelle Dosson clarifies what a “no-kill” animal shelter is and discusses the Nevada Humane Society’s rescue efforts in the latest Guest Opinion.
We just put our excellent November print edition to bed. Watch for it on newsstands and RN&R racks over the weekend and next week!
Take care,
—Kris Vagner, managing editor
From the RN&R
Leaving the darkness behind: Reno native Red Leather went from addiction to online fame on the road to his debut album
By Matt Bieker
October 25, 2023
Red Leather, who never shows his face or reveals his legal name, grew up in Reno. With 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and 850,000 followers on TikTok, he is set to release his debut album, RENO, on Nov. 17.
Winter COVID-19 forecast: Experts recommend vaccine boosters and predict a small seasonal increase in cases
By Leah Wigren
October 25, 2023
Mark Pandori, a microbiologist at the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory, said we should expect an increase in positive cases this fall and winter like we typically do with other diseases affecting the respiratory system. However, he does not expect a significant increase.
Dispelling myths about ‘no-kill’ animal shelters
By Michelle Dosson
October 25, 2023
For animal shelters, “no-kill” is about creating partnerships with other animal-welfare organizations and the community to help find lifesaving solutions for pets—either before they enter the shelter, or after.
Our readers opine on library meetings, the GOP and the Israel-Hamas war
By Staff
October 25, 2023
Our readers have their monthly say.
Instant classic: Scorsese, DiCaprio and De Niro masterfully tell a despicable real story in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
By Bob Grimm
October 23, 2023
The nearly 3 1/2-hour masterpiece never lags—and feels like it could’ve been twice as long, with no problem other than bladders bursting in the movie theater.
Used kids’ bikes in high demand for the holidays; here’s how to donate
By Kris Vagner
October 22, 2023
The biggest demand period for bikes is now, as the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Sparks prepares to give away up to 300 of them through the Salvation Army Angel Tree, which distributes gifts to families during the holiday season.
Left Foot Forward: First, a history lesson, then to the polls—we’ve seen unbridled madness before
By Sheila Leslie
October 21, 2023
Sheila Leslie was reminded of another time of unbridled madness in our country when she read the book A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them.
We need your support!
The RN&R is alive and well—but advertising no longer covers our costs. Therefore, we depend on reader support to fill in the gap. Please, if you can, click on the button below and help us out. As always, thanks for reading!
Click here to view an html version of this newsletter!