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Cortez Masto, Rosen Announce Nearly $30 Million for Airports Across Nevada

This is a press release dated July 9, 2026.

Please note Mesquite Airport is included in this funding.

Las Vegas, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) announced a $29,974,140 investment into Nevada’s airports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ensuring that these twelve airports will continue to serve communities throughout the Silver State. This funding will be used for pavement and utility upgrades, runway and taxiway modernizations, improvements to weather observation systems, and hangar updates.

“Nevada’s airports are the gateway to our state – for visitors, for emergency services, and for Nevadans traveling throughout the Silver State and across America,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It’s critical that all the airports across Nevada continue to have world-class facilities and infrastructure. Nevada’s Congressional delegation will never stop fighting to deliver for our state’s aviation infrastructure.”

“Nevada’s airports see millions of travelers every year, domestic and international, who come to our state and contribute to Nevada’s economy,” said Senator Rosen. “This funding will help keep the infrastructure of our airports up to date, allowing them to keep up with Nevada’s demands as a top travel destination. I’ll continue supporting our state’s tourism and travel economy at the federal level.”

The Senators helped secure the following grants for twelve airports across the state:

  • $13,695,039 for Reno-Tahoe International Airport to reconstruct the existing airport terminal, including upgrades to pavement and utilities that have reached the end of their useful lives.
  • $5,094,412 for Reno-Stead Airport to reconstruct 24,800 square yards of the existing main apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. An airport apron is the area of an airport in which aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, boarded, or maintained.
  • $3,564,630 for Harry Reid International Airport to rehabilitate pavement across its airport apron and plan for future improvements.
  • $2,947,000 for Austin Airport to realign, rehabilitate, and reconstruct the airport’s taxiways, modernizing the airport and bringing them up to modern standards. The airport will also acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to gather more accurate local weather information.
  • $1,667,000 for Tonopah Airport to reconstruct 21,000 square yards of the existing aircraft apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.
  • $1,092,652 for Fallon Municipal Airport to construct a new 300-foot taxi-lane to provide airfield access to the site of future airport hangars, as well as update existing taxiways.
  • $769,028 for Mesquite Airport to reconstruct 25,000 square yards of the existing aircraft apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. The airport will also reconstruct a gravel road used by airport vehicles, FAA vehicles, and ground service equipment.
  • $387,448 for Silver Springs Airport to acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to gather more accurate local weather information.
  • $282,000 for Minden-Tahoe Airport to rehabilitate taxi-lanes that have reached the end of their useful lives.
  • $187,500 for Carson City Airport to reconstruct the pavement on airport taxiways to extend their useful lives.
  • $160,901 for Lincoln County Airport to construct a new 1,500 square foot building to house snow removal equipment.
  • $126,530 for Wells Municipal Airport Harriet Field to construct a new 200-foot taxi-lane to provide airfield access to the site of future airport hangars.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have consistently fought to ensure Nevada’s transportation infrastructure has the funding it needs through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FAA reauthorizations legislation, and annual budget bills. The Senators recently secured $33,746,000 from the FAA for airports throughout Nevada, including $20 million for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. These investments help support the Silver State’s vital manufacturing and hospitality sectors while ensuring that Nevadans have the safe and efficient transportation network they require.

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LINK: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-rosen-announce-nearly-30-million-for-airports-across-nevada/

Cortez Masto Secures Over $6 Million in Funding for Affordable Housing in Nevada

This is a press release issued on July 7, 2026

Note: A housing project in Mesquite is included in this funding.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded news that that the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of San Francisco has awarded $6.2 million in funding to help build affordable housing units throughout Nevada. Senator Cortez Masto has consistently encouraged the FHLBank of San Francisco to invest in housing for Nevadans, and she is proud to have secured these Affordable Housing Program Nevada Targeted Fund grants to create or preserve 218 housing units across six projects.

“Every family in Nevada deserves to have a safe, affordable place to call home. This critical funding gets us one step closer to achieving that goal,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I look forward continuing to work with Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to invest in communities throughout the Silver State.”

“We are proud to support projects that strengthen communities and increase access to stable, affordable housing throughout Nevada,” said Tom Dapice, community investment officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “Through our collaboration with Senator Cortez Masto, our member financial institutions, and affordable housing developers across the state, these grants will help create and preserve affordable homes for Nevada families, seniors, and other residents who need them most.”

Recently, the FHLBank of San Francisco has been making historic investments in affordable housing throughout Nevada. This year, the FHLBank invested 20 percent of its income in affordable housing and other voluntary programs, double the required 10 percent. In addition to these six grants, the FHLBank also invested $27 million in Nevada Housing Division bonds so far this year. It has also provided Nevadans more than five million dollars in grants for downpayment assistance and Tribal investments. Senator Cortez Masto will continue to collaborate with her partners at the FHLBank and its members and stakeholders to increase the supply of homes available to working Nevadans.

More detailed information about the projects receiving the FHLBank funding can be found here and here.

For years, Senator Cortez Masto has encouraged the nation’s 11 FHLBanks use their resources to invest in housing and community development. Following her push, banks, credit unions, state housing finance agencies, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and other similar organizations have sought more opportunities to benefit from this government-sponsored enterprise. Thanks to Cortez Masto’s efforts, the FHLBanks have invested more than 90 million dollars in affordable housing in Nevada. Cortez Masto has also introduced legislation to enable CDFIs and credit unions to finance more community development investments.

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LINK: https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-secures-over-6-million-in-funding-for-affordable-housing-in-nevada/

Heather Explains It All To You

Opinion

I have often advised others that if you have time to listen to one podcast, it should be historian Heather Cox Richardson.

Yesterday, she pointed out a pet peeve of hers, which is a pet peeve of mine.  It is the way in which we define, re-define, amplify, identify, criticize and otherwise inaccurately use words such as communist, socialist, progressive, democratic socialist, liberal, fascism and the like.  She zeroed in on the mis-use of these terms.

Policies promoted by self identified democratic socialists are those which were enacted by our presidents since World War II, including Republican presidents. They are called The New Deal and The Great Society, which the radical right has been effective in destroying since the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

President Joe Biden passed more progressive legislation than any president since Lyndon Johnson, which was passed in Congress by leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.

Yet, the American people rejected that progress, which breaks all of our hearts.

Democrats who worked to pass health care legislation, for example, include Ted Kennedy (who worked with Richard Nixon)  Bill and Hillary Clinton, and of course, Barack Obama who did get the Affordable Care Act passed (with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid), but lost 60 seats in Congress over the backlash.  And yet passing health care legislation is called “socialist” and the so-called “left” side of the Democratic Party claim to be the ones “for the people” on this and other issues, and those who don’t call themselves “socialist” are not.

This is not socialism — which is what Heather Cox Richardson will explain to you.

I refuse to fall into the trap of being labeled anything — and have often said to others, I’m fine with leftist, progressive New Deal, Great Society policies — quit attacking me or labeling me as something I am not, just because I won’t identify with a “label” such as “socialist.”

The media is creating a false narrative that the Democrats on the left and in the center are at war with each other. We cannot fall into the trap of that narrative because it isn’t true.

We all want to improve the lives of the American people through our government and we are opposed to the radical right oligarchy authoritarian policies of this regime.

Do not let them divide and conquer us.  Listen to Heather Cox Richardson. She will explain it all to you.

Aaron Ford Unveils ‘Workers First’ Economic Development Plan, Focused on Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs, Investing in the Future and Raising Wages

This is a press release dated June 25, 2026

Today, Aaron Ford released his Workers First agenda – a roadmap for how he will make the American Dream accessible to Nevadans again by diversifying Nevada’s economy, cutting costs for working families, and standing up for workers as Governor. Ford has pledged to be the most pro-worker governor in Nevada’s history, and his agenda outlines how he’ll fight for by protecting prevailing wages and ending the “right-to-freeload.”

Ford’s economic development plan will:

  • Support union workers by protecting collective bargaining rights, safeguarding worker safety protections, creating new union apprenticeship opportunities, and ensuring AI doesn’t put workers at risk.
  • Futurize Nevada’s economy by investing in cutting-edge clean energy technology, supporting small businesses, fast-tracking new public infrastructure, and forcing data centers to provide real benefits for working people before they receive another dollar of our tax-payer money.
  • Build Nevada’s future workforce by creating scholarships to provide top-notch educational opportunities here at home, increasing investments in state colleges and universities, tackling student loan debt, and banning predatory lending practices.

Ford’s ‘Workers First’ agenda builds on his ‘Affordable Nevada’ platform, a comprehensive agenda to make Nevada affordable for working families struggling to get by in the failing Lombardo-Trump economy. 

“Nevada workers built the middle class, are the best workforce in the world, and deserve leadership who rewards them for that hard work,” said Attorney General Aaron Ford. “My Workers First agenda puts working families first by supporting union workers, futurizing our economy, and investing in the future of our workforce. Under Joe Lombardo and Donald Trump, Nevada’s economy is headed in the wrong direction with unemployment remaining higher here than any other state in the nation. Nevada workers deserve a fighter who is focused on lowering costs and creating good-paying union jobs – I am that fighter.”

Under Joe Lombardo, Nevada’s unemployment rate is one of the highest of any state in the nation — showing no improvement from when he took office. Las Vegas saw a 2.2% year to year decrease in visitors from January 2025 to January 2026. Las Vegas gaming companies have had to lay off workers following a decline in visitors. Trump’s tariffs, which Lombardo supports, increased expenses by $1,565 for the average Nevada family. Under Trump and Lombardo, Nevada families have had to spend an extra $2,900 on average for things like food, energy and health care.

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Affordable Housing -Not!

In a bizarre turn of events this morning, Donald Trump refused to show up and sign bi-partisan legislation that passed both chambers which would have increased the number of housing starts, lowered barriers to home-ownership, and restricted the ability of private equity firms to buy up single family homes in our neighborhoods.

What’s hilarious is that the Republicans were staging a press conference with the theme of “see, we do care about affordability” when word came down via Truth Social that Trump wouldn’t show up for the signing,

Unless ….. (wait for it)

The SAVE Act is passed by the Senate.

What is the SAVE Act? It’s the one that eliminates mail-in voting, mandates each state to turn over its voter rolls to the federal government, requires each citizen to show up to register (re-register) to vote with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change documents or a passport. The only mechanism to vote would be in person with a government-issued photo i.d. The financial burden of all of this would fall onto the states.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed it (of course) but the U.S. Senate can’t get around the filibuster, hence Trump’s pique at Republican Senators who refuse to end the filibuster.

Now, let’s get back to the housing issue.

Last year, the Nevada Legislature passed a slew of bills which would have protected homeowners and renters. Republican governor Joe Lombardo vetoed them. One of the vetoes in the previous session protected private equity firms’ ability to buy up single family homes in Nevada neighborhoods and turn them into rental properties. This action, highly prevalent in certain neighborhoods, turns single family homes into rental units and drives up housing prices, thus acing out the average home buyer. In 2025, Lombardo successfully blocked it – killing it twice.

See a pattern here?

Our MAGA Republican president. Our MAGA Republican governor. Do you really think they care about affordability and the ever-increasing cost of housing?

Nope.

But they do care about the money-ed class. We have the proof.

A Fine Day For A Name Removal

This morning, a federal judge ruled that DJT’s name must removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The ruling made by District Court Judge Christopher Cooper stands which affirms that the Congress named the living memorial to John F. Kennedy, and only Congress can change it.

Yay!

It’s a beautiful day in D.C. and there are several live feeds on YouTube with cameras trained on the lettering, in anticipation of the name removal.

Of course, the White House is desperately (reportedly) trying to stop this.

We do a love a mini-drama!

Tune in, if you’d like, here are two lives:

WATCH: Nevada Delivers First in the Nation Proposal to DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee

This is a press release issued May 29, 2026

As a majority-minority, working-class, battleground state, Nevada not only meets the DNC criteria but will propel our party to success in 2028
In today’s presentation to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, Nevada leaders, including Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno; CBC Chair Emeritus Congressman Steven Horsford of Nevada’s 4th District; Former State Senator, White House staffer, Culinary 226 political director and current Chief of Staff to the Congressman Yvanna Cancela; Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar; and Former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and architect of the Reid Machine Rebecca Lambe, laid out the case that in addition to being the only state that meets the committee’s early state criteria, kicking off Democrats’ nominating process in Nevada is a strategic decision that will set our party up for success in 2028.
 
 WATCH HERE

Party leaders underscored that Nevada is best positioned to be first in the nation because we meet all of the necessary criteria of rigorousness, efficiency, and fairness as outlined by the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee:

“Nevada is the third-most diverse state in the nation and our electorate represents the coalition it takes to win national elections. We are a vibrant majority-minority state that Latino, Black, AANHPI, Native American, multi-racial, young and white communities all call home. We are also union strong and where working-class adults make up 70% of the electorate,” said Horsford. “Nevada is where candidates learn whether their coalition can scale nationally. It’s how I won my district–one that is both urban and rural, racially diverse, working class, where union members live and work, and where small businesses, many women and minority-owned, thrive.”

“Successful candidates will need to run statewide organizing efforts that work in the diverse neighborhoods of metropolitan Clark County, organize battleground precincts in Washoe County, begin to win in places like Carson City, where state employees now belong to a union, and make inroads in the unique rural counties of our state,” said Cancela. “Nevada’s expansive rural counties include small mining towns, cattle ranchers, and farmers–voters we can win here and beyond our state’s borders with the right outreach and message.” 

“With universal vote by mail, seven days of in-person early voting, county-wide Election Day vote centers, automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and a ballot cure process, Nevada has some of the most progressive voter access laws in the country. So we can ensure that all voters – no matter where they work or what hours they keep – can have access to the ballot box,” said Aguilar. “We continue to make voting in Nevada secure and accessible to all because we know that the more voices heard, the stronger our party will be.”

Most importantly, presenters demonstrated that Nevada is the state best positioned to nominate a candidate who can build the necessary coalition it takes to win in a general election and take back the White House.“Nevada tests a candidate’s ability to persuade and turnout new swing voters – who are often younger, non-college educated, and diverse; to craft a working-class economic message; build a multi-racial coalition; engage union workers; and run an effective organizing campaign,” said Lambe. “The early calendar is first and foremost about selecting a nominee who can win the White House.

Nevada is where that test should begin. Now is the moment.”Watch here to see our presentation video, which tells the story of why Nevada should be the First in the Nation primary in 2028. 

Trump claims presidential immunity denies $83.3 million payment to E. Jean Carroll.

President Donald Trump has asked the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to pause enforcement of the $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to E. Jean Carroll, seeking to delay payment. At the same time, he prepares a potential Supreme Court appeal.

The request comes days after the appeals court rejected Trump’s bid to rehear the case before the full court, effectively ending his path to further review at that level.

Trump claims presidential immunity as granted by the Supreme Court and argues that allowing enforcement now would cause irreparable harm, since Carroll has publicly stated she plans to give away any money she receives.

Former NASA astronauts launch new group to promote U.S. constitutional values

Astronauts for America

More than 100 retired NASA astronauts have banded together to form a new nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting U.S. constitutional principles. The following is from their web site https://www.astronautsforamerica.org/

“Astronauts For America is a nonpartisan organization of former NASA astronauts who have sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to science, evidence-based decision-making, public service, and the rule of law.

We work to uphold constitutional principles and to support leaders who demonstrate commitment to those principles and the ability to work across differences to solve problems.

We’re focused on protecting American constitutional democracy for the long term—beyond any election cycle.”

Here is their open letter to America:

“To Our Fellow Americans:

Looking at the Earth from space, we see what unites us more than what divides us. As former NASA astronauts, that perspective shapes everything we do.

We view our oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution as a lifelong commitment. And today, with the launch of Astronauts For America, we take on a new mission: to reinvigorate American democracy. It’s a critical mission that depends upon all of our vigilance and support.

For decades we’ve seen a steady erosion of our founding values and principles that weakens our democratic systems. The result has been political polarization and subversion of key constitutional and institutional norms, including bipartisan cooperation, executive constraint, and judicial independence.

In spaceflight, ignoring evidence costs scientific advancement, mission success, and even lives. In democracy, it costs trust, stability, international respect, and the health and well-being of the governed.

If you’re like us, you might not be used to talking about politics outside of your home. We didn’t spend time discussing who we voted for when we were working in the NASA Astronaut Corps. We know the importance of respecting one another and speaking up when things don’t look right. We’ve seen what Americans can achieve when we work as a team toward a common goal.

Our new mission is patriotic, not partisan. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents from many different backgrounds who share a love of this country. We believe deeply in the principles that have propelled our nation for 250 years, such as the rule of law, constructive checks and balances, equal opportunity, and the peaceful transfer of power. A strong democracy makes all else possible: economic growth, national security, and our rights and freedoms.

Astronauts For America will partner with voters and support leaders, regardless of party, who govern in accordance with the Constitution and work out differences to get things done for the good of the nation. We’ll also take officials to task when they ignore the rule of law or distort and disregard the facts.

We’re calling on all our fellow patriots to join us in this mission and put country over party. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, remember the democratic values that have allowed our nation to excel. We encourage you to sign the pledge and join our crew at AstronautsForAmerica.org.

We are very grateful for the opportunities provided to us by this great country which allowed us to live our version of the American Dream. Together, let’s ensure that America remains a land of opportunity and a beacon of democracy for another 250 years.

Sincerely,
The Members of Astronauts For America”