Monitoring Federal Decisions on Mail-In Ballots; New Vacation Rental Company Launches; More

NEVADA COUNTY

March 2026’s Executive Order No. 14399, Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections, by President Donald Trump was temporarily blocked on Aug. 27 by a federal judge in light of ongoing legal actions.

The executive order proposes state-by-state lists of eligible voters, instructs the Department of Justice to investigate officials who provide ballots to voters considered ineligible by the federal government, to limit ballot delivery to pre-approved lists of mail-in voters well in advance of elections, and more.

The plaintiffs in the legal battles — a coalition of state attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania, as well as a separate case led by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and other civil rights and advocacy groups — argue the order as unconstitutional and violating the separation of powers and United States Postal Service’s governing statues, among other points.

On Aug. 28, Nevada County Registrar of Voters Armando Salud-Ambriz released the following statement on the matter:

“We know some voters may have questions about recent developments involving mail-in voting and federal courts. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep voters informed if anything changes.

“As of now, we expect the Nov. 3 General Election to move forward in much the same way as the June Primary. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed to registered voters beginning Oct. 5. Our goal is to make sure every eligible Nevada County voter has clear information about how and when to cast their ballot.”

Nevada County residents with questions should contact the elections office at elections.mail@nevadacountyca.gov or (530) 265-1298. Visit nevadacountyca.gov/4249/november-3-2026-general-election for more. 

El Dorado County: eldoradocounty.ca.gov/county-government/elections, (530) 621-7480 or (800) 730-4322, elections@edcgov.us

Placer County: placercountyelections.gov, (530) 886-5650 (toll-free 1-800-824-8683) or vote@placer.ca.gov

Washoe County: washoecounty.gov/voters/index.php, (775) 328-3670, electionsdepartment@washoecounty.gov 

~ AH

KINGS BEACH

End summer on a high note by taking part in Keep Tahoe Blue’s 12th Annual Labor Day Cleanup at Kings Beach State Recreation Area from 8:30 to 11:30 am on Monday, Sept. 7.

Lake Tahoe provided a spectacular summer. Now say thanks with a few hours of hands-on beach area beautification. Join visitors, residents, businesses, and friends to remove litter, refresh and revitalize the shoreline, and leave the surrounding area clean as the season comes to a close.

Kings Beach is part of Keep Tahoe Blue’s Tahoe Blue Beach program, which brings together land managers, businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors to make Lake-friendly recreation the easy and obvious choice for everyone who comes to the shore.

 HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

• Register in advance at keeptahoeblue.org/laborday.

WHEN:

• 8:30-11:30 am | Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day)

WHERE:

• Kings Beach State Recreation Area | Bear St, Kings Beach, CA 96143 (map)
• Participants are encouraged to travel Car-Free and Care-Free to the event on a TART bus, TART Connect shuttle, in a carpool, or by bike. Limited parking will be available in the Kings Beach State Recreation Area parking lot (map).

WHO:

• Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome. No prior experience is required.
• Arcade Belts, California State Parks, and the North Tahoe Public Utility District join Keep Tahoe Blue in hosting the event.

WHAT:

• Participants will clean the beach and surrounding area to celebrate Labor Day, mark the end of summer, and prevent litter from reaching the Lake. Participants will be treated to snacks, refreshments, and raffle prizes.

WHY:

• Removing trash from Tahoe’s sensitive environment protects the Lake, and so does collecting data about the litter found. Keep Tahoe Blue’s policy professionals use that data to advocate for solutions to stop litter at source, like banning plastic bags, Styrofoam, and single-use plastic water bottles. Learn more about our Science to Solutions approach at keeptahoeblue.org/litter.

~ Keep Tahoe Blue press release

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Political Action Committee (CATT-PAC), Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, Tahoe Truckee Media, Moonshine Ink, and the Sierra Sun, will host the 2026 Truckee Candidate Forums over two evenings on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and Thursday, Oct. 8.

Both forums will be held in the Town Council Chambers at Truckee Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Rd., and will be broadcast and recorded as well. The events are free and open to the public.

The forums are intended to provide a fair, nonpartisan setting where candidates can introduce themselves, share their priorities, and respond to questions about the responsibilities and challenges facing the districts they hope to serve.

Night One: Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 5 to 8 p.m.

5 to 5:15 p.m.: Measure P

5:15 to 6 p.m.: Tahoe Truckee Unified School District

6 to 7 p.m.: Truckee Donner Public Utility District

7 to 8 p.m.: Truckee Fire Protection District

Night Two: Thursday, Oct. 8 | 5 to 9 p.m.

5 to 6 p.m.: Truckee Town Council

6 to 7 p.m.: Tahoe Forest Hospital District

7 to 8 p.m.: Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District

8 to 9 p.m.: Sierra College Board of Trustees, Trustee Area 2

Although the Truckee Town Council race is uncontested, the forum will still give community members an important opportunity to hear directly from the candidates who will represent them. 

Community members are invited to submit questions by emailing Jessica Penman at jessica@truckee.com by Friday, Sept. 25. Due to time constraints, not all submitted questions may be asked.

~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release

TRUCKEE

Town of Truckee staff will be bringing proposed policy and information updates associated with the management of the Downtown Parking District to Town Council for consideration at its Sept. 8 meeting.

The proposed updates are part of a broader effort to modernize and consolidate the policies that govern parking in Downtown Truckee. Since the parking district was established in 2005, downtown has experienced significant development and infrastructure improvements, including the Railyard and West River areas. While these changes have been incorporated into day-to-day parking operations, the town’s formally adopted parking maps and policies have not been comprehensively updated over that time.

To address this, staff is proposing adoption of a new Downtown Parking District Rules and Regulations document that would provide one current, comprehensive source for district parking maps, operating requirements, rates and fees, and permit programs. To learn more, see the agenda packet for the Sept. 8 town council Meeting.

The town is encouraging downtown business and property owners to review the proposed changes and provide comments to the town council in advance or as part of the council meeting.

~ Town of Truckee enews

TRUCKEE

The Town of Truckee is updating its 2015 Trails and Bikeways Master Plan through development of a new Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The ATP will establish a long-term vision and implementation framework for improving walking, bicycling, rolling, micromobility, trails, and other active transportation options throughout Truckee.

The Town’s current Trails and Bikeways Master Plan was comprehensively updated in 2015. Since that time, many high-priority projects have been implemented, mobility needs and technologies have continued to evolve, and active transportation has become increasingly important to Truckee’s mobility, sustainability, economic vitality, and quality of life. The ATP will build upon the success of the 2015 Trails and Bikeways Master Plan while addressing current and future needs and establishing priorities for the next generation of active transportation investments.

Those interested in helping shape Truckee’s Active Transportation Plan have multiple ways to get involved:

• Take the ATP Survey: Share experiences and priorities to help shape the future of walking, biking, and active transportation in Truckee.
• Sign up for updates: Go to our Notify Me page and sign up for the Active Transportation Plan Updates to get email and text notifications on any upcoming news. 

Additionally, there will be an ATP Stakeholder Committee that will provide community and partner perspectives throughout development of the plan. The committee will include representatives from partner agencies and community organizations along with seven at-large community representatives selected with the intent of representing a broad range of Truckee neighborhoods and community perspectives. Committee members will be asked to participate in a series of meetings throughout the planning process, review materials in advance as needed, and provide input based on both their individual experiences and the broader interests of the Truckee community.

Anyone interested in serving as an At-Large Community Representative for the ATP should submit a brief letter or statement of interest describing their connection to the Truckee community; the neighborhood(s) or area(s) where they live, work, or spend time; how they typically travel; and any community, mobility, accessibility, interest-group, or user-group perspectives they would bring to the committee (for example, as a resident, employee, commuter, transit rider, parent or caregiver, youth, older adult, person with a disability, walker, bicyclist, or trail user, etc.). Applicants are also encouraged to describe their interest in active transportation and any relevant experience.

Letters or statements of interest should be submitted by Sept. 18, 2026, to Danielle McHugh at mdmchugh@townotruckee.gov, or mailed to the Town of Truckee, 10183 Truckee Airport Rd., Truckee, CA 96161.

~ Town of Truckee enews

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) testified before the House Rules Committee on Sept. 2 and proposed a change that would enable a Member of Congress who does not belong to either party caucus or conference to serve fully on House standing committees. This would restore the historical practice, which was changed in the 1970s and 1980s when the parties took control of committee assignments.

Rep. Kiley’s proposed rule would guarantee a Member one committee assignment from an unranked list of six eligible standing committees submitted by the Member and a second standing committee assignment upon request.

Additionally, a Member who leaves a party caucus or conference would retain existing committee and subcommittee assignments rather than having them automatically vacated.

“Committee seats should not be the property of the parties. They belong to the American people,” Rep. Kiley said. “The House Rules should be changed to allow a greater measure of independent representation in Congress and give greater voice to the 50 percent of Americans who don’t identify with either party.”

Rep. Kiley is the only Independent in the House. To fulfill his commitments on his existing committees, including his chairmanship of a House Education & Workforce Subcommittee, he was forced by the House Rules to affiliate with the Republican Conference as a formality for the remainder of this term.

Watch Rep. Kiley’s full testimony here.

~ Rep. Kevin Kiley press release

AUBURN

Placer County continues to lead the country with the highest number of designated Firewise USA® communities and on Sept. 2 celebrated a new milestone.

County and fire officials joined Granite Bay residents from the Mooney Ridge community to celebrate the addition of the 150th Firewise USA® community. A commemorative sign was presented to neighborhood organizer Patrick Dwyer during a special ceremony this morning to mark the achievement, which comes just as the country moves into September’s National Preparedness Month.

Firewise USA®  provides a framework for neighbors to work together to reduce wildfire risk through actions such as creating defensible space, removing hazardous vegetation, and hardening homes. Since the program began in Placer County in 2007, residents have invested thousands of volunteer hours in wildfire risk reduction.

“Wildfire preparedness is about much more than responding when a fire starts,” said Cal Fire/Placer County Fire Chief Jim Hudson. “The work residents are doing before an emergency, creating defensible space, hardening their homes and working with their neighbors, helps create safer conditions for firefighters and communities.”

In July, Placer County received a Fire Risk Reduction Community designation from the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, recognizing the county’s comprehensive approach to wildfire prevention and risk reduction. California requires insurers to account for the designation when setting rates, although the amount of any potential savings varies by insurer and property. Residents should contact their insurance provider to determine how the designation applies to their policy. Firewise USA® participation may also qualify homeowners for wildfire-related insurance discounts, depending on their insurer and policy.

In eastern Placer, the county has coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation on fuels reduction projects on county-owned property near Olympic Valley and Cabin Creek, helping leverage resources and expand the amount of land receiving treatment.

For more information about Firewise USA® communities, visit Placer County’s Firewise program webpage.

For more information about preparedness, including wildfires, visit readyplacer.

~ Placer County press release

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Award-winning author Priya Hutner will take her acclaimed memoir, Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss and Liberation, on a national book and speaking tour this fall, with appearances in New York City, Chicago, Highland Park, Brooklyn, and Lake Tahoe.

Winner of a 2026 National Indie Excellence Award, Chasing Nirvana chronicles Hutner’s decades inside a cult-like spiritual community and her eventual escape. Raised under the influence of a Brooklyn housewife turned guru, Hutner was drawn into a world of spiritual promises, bizarre rituals, and oppressive beliefs. Her quest for enlightenment ultimately became a struggle to untangle devotion from control and reclaim her own identity.

The national tour will bring Hutner into conversations with authors, memoirists, and prominent voices examining cults, high-control groups, belief, and belonging, including A Little Bit Culty podcast host Sarah Edmondson and two-time “Survivor” winner and bestselling author Parvati Shallow.

Event details available at priyahutner.com. 

~ Tahoe Literary Festival press release

TAHOE CITY

Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) Director of Strategic Affairs Kim Boyd has been named the 2026 Staff Member of the Year by the California Special Districts Association (CSDA), recognizing her leadership, initiative, and commitment to public service at TCPUD and throughout California’s special district community.

CSDA’s annual awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, advocacy, and commitment to public service strengthen special districts and the communities they serve across California.

“Kim’s initiative, strategic thinking, and deep commitment to serving our community have made her an invaluable leader within our organization, and I couldn’t be more pleased to see her recognized with this well-deserved honor,” said TCPUD General Manager Sean Barclay. “Kim is a quiet leader who doesn’t seek recognition or the spotlight. Instead, she focuses on doing the work with excellence, supporting her colleagues, and making sure we deliver the best possible outcomes for our community.”

Boyd joined TCPUD in 2017 as a senior management analyst and was promoted to director of strategic affairs in 2024. During her tenure, she has helped secure more than $15.6 million in grant funding for critical district initiatives, including infrastructure improvements, environmental stewardship, multi-use trail reconstruction, and cybersecurity investments.

Within TCPUD, Kim is a trusted advisor, collaborator, and mentor whose influence reaches across departments. Her willingness to step forward, take on complex challenges, and support those around her reflects the leadership and commitment to public service recognized by the Staff Member of the Year Award.

~ TCPUD press release

PARK CITY, UTAH

Avari, a vacation rental management company, officially launches with homes across 24 markets and a new vision for the future of vacation rentals. Built on a foundation of deep industry expertise, Avari brings a more thoughtful, hospitality-driven approach to vacation rental management designed to deliver stronger performance for homeowners and more personalized stays for travelers.

Formed in late 2025 following the acquisition of management rights for 24 former Vacasa markets, Avari officially assumed management earlier this year with an established operational foundation already in place, including more than 5,500 homes, more than 700 employees, experienced local teams operating within each regional market, and thousands of homeowner relationships.

The company currently manages homes spanning premier vacation destinations in seven states: Florida, Alabama, Utah, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington.

For homeowners, Avari’s model starts with a substantial investment in revenue management and a more strategic approach to property performance. Avari has increased its ratio of revenue managers to homes six times since launch, making this one of the company’s most significant areas of investment. Dedicated revenue managers continuously evaluate pricing, occupancy, booking pace, seasonality, local events, and traveler demand to drive more dynamic pricing that generates stronger long-term returns.

For travelers, Avari aims to combine the comfort and flexibility of a vacation home with the consistency of a trusted hospitality brand. Each home is thoughtfully prepared for arrival and stocked with essential amenities, including linens, towels, and kitchen and bath supplies. 

Guests also benefit from seamless communication before, during and after their stay; locally curated travel guides developed by Avari’s in-market teams, helping travelers discover some of the best restaurants, attractions, and highlights each destination has to offer; and a simplified checkout with no need to strip beds, take out trash, or complete an extensive cleanup checklist.

For more information, please visit stayavari.com.

~ Avari press release

LAS VEGAS

As of Sept. 1, NV Energy now accepts applications for the company’s Expanded Solar Access Program (ESAP), which provides income-qualified residential customers access to solar energy from utility-scale and community-based solar resources at a guaranteed lower rate without needing to install solar panels.

Through ESAP, eligible customers receive a discount on the energy portion of their electric bill while supporting the development of additional clean energy resources in Nevada. In 2026, program participants are saving an average of 8% to 9% on electric consumption, depending on their customer rate.

Applications will be accepted online at nvenergy.com/esap from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. Customers may also apply through MyAccount or by mailing a completed application and supporting documentation to NV Energy.

To qualify, customers must:

• Be a bundled residential NV Energy customer.
• Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or provide documentation demonstrating eligibility through a qualifying assistance program.

Customers currently enrolled in ESAP who wish to continue participating in 2027 must also complete the recertification process by Oct. 31, 2026, and submit updated eligibility documentation. Current participants will receive additional information by email and U.S. mail.

Applying to ESAP does not guarantee enrollment. The program has a set annual capacity limit. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available capacity, a lottery will be conducted in December to determine participation.

As part of changes approved for the program, the Disadvantaged Business/Nonprofit and Eligible Premises categories will close effective Jan. 1, 2027, transitioning available capacity to income-qualified residential customers.

For more information about eligibility requirements and available savings, visit nvenergy.com/esap.

~ NV Energy press release