The Nevada Independent

The Nevada Independent
The homepage of the newspaper on May 11, 2025
TypeNonprofit
FormatOnline
Owner(s)Nevada News Bureau, Inc.
Founder(s)Elizabeth Thompson
Jon Ralston
PublisherJon Ralston (CEO)
EditorMichelle Rindels
Riley Snyder
Managing editorHali Bernstein Saylor
Staff writersSenior Reporter
Howard Stutz

Reporters
Gabby Birenbaum
Amy Alonzo
Tabitha Mueller
Rocío Hernández
Eric Neugeboren
Isabella Aldrete
Spanish Language EditorLuz Gray
Founded2017
Political alignmentNonpartisan
Headquarters7455 Arroyo Crossing Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89113
Websitethenevadaindependent.com

The Nevada Independent (also, The Indy) is an nonprofit, digital-only newspaper covering Nevada based in the Las Vegas area. In addition to general interest stories, The Indy specializes in government and politics journalism and reports year-round on the state government, the biennial meetings of the Nevada Legislature, county commissions and municipalities.

According to Form 990 tax filings with the IRS, The Indy received 76. 54% of its funding from public support in 2023, a slight decrease from 79.14% in 2022.[1]

History

The foundation under which The Indy operates was founded in 2010, but revived in 2016, by Elizabeth Thompson alongside political analyst and commentator Jon Ralston. It began with a staff of seven.[2] According to its 2023 tax filings, it now has a staff of 31.[1][2]

Ralston and Thompson cited a need for independent news coverage[3] in the context of major changes in Nevada.[4]

These changes included the retirement of U. S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and major political influencer in the state.[5] Along with political power shifts as a result, there was a major consolidation of news media in Nevada including the controversial[6] and at-first secretive[7] 2015 purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal by casino billionaire and ardent Donald Trump supporter Sheldon Adelson[8] along with the decades-long decline of the Las Vegas Sun, the only other daily newspaper in the Las Vegas Valley.[9]

The founding board and editorial team included journalists such as CBS-affiliate KLAS-TV's news anchor Paula Francis and news division head Bob Stoldal as well as the Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith.[2]

The Indy has expanded its newsroom over time, adding coverage areas such as health care, education, environment, and gaming.

In 2024, the outlet also began a formal content-sharing agreement with the Associated Press[10] and KUNR in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno.[11]

The Indy hosts public engagement fundraising events including IndyTalks featuring discussion-format, on-stage interviews and an annual policy conference known as Indy Fest.[12] Both events feature elected officials, businesspeople, and other prominent community members.[13]

Coverage

Significant reporting includes investigations into Nevada political figures, such as Storey County Sheriff Gerald Antinoro's ethics violations,[14] the Nevada Attorney General's investigation into fake elector certificates in the 2020 presidential election,[15] and safety violations at Nevada Gold Mines.[16]

Funding

Its funding model relies primarily on donations, foundation grants, and limited sponsorships. Major donors include the Engelstad Foundation, Arnold Ventures, and the American Journalism Project.[1] The outlet maintains a transparent list of donors publicly available on its website.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Nevada News Bureau, Inc. IRS Form 990 2023. (August 18, 2024). Signed by Jon Ralston and prepared by Houldsworth, Russo, & Company, P.C. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Kiraly, Andrew (January 1, 2017). "Journalism: Editor at Large". Desert Companion. Nevada Public Radio. pp. 15–6. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025.
  3. ^ Gold, Hadas (November 14, 2016). "Jon Ralston to Launch Nevada News Site". Politico. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "Jon Ralston says he founded The Nevada Independent to fill a gap he saw in his community". The Washington Post. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Kane, Paul (March 28, 2015). "Harry Reid to lay aside gloves, retire from Senate". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Somaiya, Ravi; Lovett, Ian; Meier, Barry (January 2, 2016). "Sheldon Adelson's Purchase of Las Vegas Paper Seen as a Power Play". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Cox, Rob (December 17, 2015). "Sheldon Adelson Bought the Wrong Newspaper". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  8. ^ Ember, Sydney (December 24, 2015). "The Las Vegas Review-Journal Is in Upheaval After a Sale to Adelson". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Mullen, Lawrence J. (2007). Las Vegas: Media and Myth. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-7391-2075-0.
  10. ^ "AP announces 3 new content collaborations with nonprofit newsrooms". Associated Press. August 21, 2024. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "KUNR Public Radio, The Nevada Independent announce news partnership". KUNR. January 29, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Burke, Taylor (March 6, 2024). "Nevada Independent hosts 'IndyTalks' with Gov. Joe Lombardo". KOLO-TV. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024.
  13. ^ "How The Nevada Independent turned events into a revenue and community engine". Local Media Association. April 23, 2025. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025.
  14. ^ Solis, Jacob (October 18, 2018). "Storey County sheriff fined $2, 500 by state ethics board". The Nevada Independent. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018.
  15. ^ Mueller, Tabitha; Birenbaum, Gabby (November 15, 2023). "Nevada GOP fake electors under state investigation". The Nevada Independent. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Bowlin, Nick; Rothberg, Daniel (October 10, 2022). "Exclusive: Investigation confirms Nevada Gold Mines violated safety rules, contributing to miner's death". High Country News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022.


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