Week of Oct. 30, 2025

From the editor’s desk

The paper edition of the RN&R starts hitting the stands today and tomorrow, but you can read Mark Earnest’s November cover story online anytime: “The unraveling social safety net: Federal budget cuts are making it harder for locals in need to access health care, food and support services.”

The next anticipated cut: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million low-income Americans, including around a half million Nevadans, are expected not to be renewed as of Nov. 1. 

News on this situation is unfolding quickly. Today, a federal judge is trying to keep SNAP benefits intact. Here’s what the The Associated Press reported this morning:

A federal judge in Boston on Thursday challenged the Trump administration’s argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program’s history because of the government shutdown.

During a hearing over a request by 25 Democratic-led states (Nevada is among them) to keep the funding flowing, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers that if the government can’t afford to cover the program, there’s a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits. 

Meanwhile, Gov. Joe Lombardo has authorized the state of Nevada to issue $38.8 million to help bolster food banks as the need for food increases, and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and other groups are bracing for Nov. 1 SNAP cancellations and stepping up their efforts to get food to people who need it.

FBNN’s Jocelyn Lantrip said via email yesterday that monetary donations are “the most helpful for us to mobilize quickly like we are. The easiest way to help is to donate on our website, fbnn.org.”

Here are more details on how to help, and where to get food this weekend if you need some:

The Democratic Party of Washoe County’s food drive has been ongoing this week. The remaining time slot is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The group is seeking nonperishable food items, hygiene products, boxes of gallon zip lock bags, small cardboard boxes (approximately banker’s box size) and paper grocery bags. You can drop off items at the Washoe Dems’ office, 1465 Terminal Way, Suite #1.

Indivisible Northern Nevada—the group that organized the local No Kings protests—along with Indivisible Carson City and other groups, are holding food drives tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grassy area outside of Rep. Mark Amodei’s office, 5310 Kietzke Lane, in Reno, and outside the Nevada State Legislature, 400 S. Carson Street, in Carson City. Nonperishable, non-expired goods collected at these sites will be distributed via FBNN and the Ron Wood Family Resource Center in Carson City.

If you or anyone you know needs groceries this weekend, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is offering four special distributions (in addition to its many monthly distributions all over Northern Nevada) on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1305 Sullivan Lane (next to Jiffy Lube)
This one is a drive-thru distribution with a walk-up option for those without vehicles.

Catholic Charities
Moana Neighborhood Center
480 E. Moana Lane

Catholic Charities
Sun Valley Neighborhood Center
130 West Gepford Pkwy.

Catholic Charities
St. Rose of Lima Church
100 Bishop Manogue Drive

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In other news, Victoria Rocha—the daughter of Guy Rocha, longtime Nevada State Archivist and champion of truth, who died in September—sent notice that Guy’s celebration of life will be held tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31 at the Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records, 100 N. Stewart St., in Carson City, at 10 a.m. Attendees are invited to stay afterward to browse the Archives Reading Room. In lieu of flowers, Guy’s family requests donations to the Nevada State Archives.

If you missed Frank Mullen’s thoughtful remembrance of Guy, you can read it right here. Whether you knew him or not, it’s a lovely read about a beloved, longtime Nevadan and his dogged pursuit of facts.

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor