The casinos at Stateline sit just across the border from South Lake Tahoe. On a phone, that distinction is less obvious. A sweepstakes casino page might load in either place, but being able to open a site says nothing about whether its games are permitted there. California and Nevada took different approaches to online gaming long before the latest sweepstakes debate. Recent legislation has made checking the state line particularly important.
Crossing the Border Changes the Rules
Since January 1, 2026, California has prohibited a defined type of online sweepstakes game: one that uses dual virtual currencies, simulates casino gambling and offers prizes worth money. The restriction is not a blanket ban on ordinary store giveaways or promotional drawings.
Nevada regulates gambling through its licensing system. A 2025 law, Senate Bill 256, increased penalties for certain unauthorized activity and required profits from specified illegal gaming to be forfeited. Neither state’s rules depend on what a website calls itself. The fact that a game is labelled “social” or “sweepstakes” doesn’t settle its legal status.
Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins Aren’t the Same Thing
Some websites show Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins side by side. A player might have 100,000 of one and two of the other. Adding the totals together would be meaningless.
Gold Coins are generally intended for recreational play, with no cash redemption attached. Sweeps Coins may be used in promotions involving prizes. Exactly how they are awarded, played and redeemed depends on the operator’s terms, where the user lives and applicable law.
Casino.org, a gambling information and review website, describes how sweeps coins function in its guide to US sweepstakes casinos. It also compares operators’ coin packages, advertised offers and redemption conditions. Those comparisons explain the model; they don’t establish whether a listed site is authorized to serve somebody in either Tahoe state.
A daily login may add promotional currency without any purchase. Some sites also publish a separate free-entry method. Neither means the resulting coins can immediately be redeemed for a prize.
Twelve Coins, but No Prize to Claim
Imagine a website shows 12 Sweeps Coins but requires 50 before a prize request is allowed. That balance may be usable in the game, but it still falls below the redemption minimum. Some operators also require coins to be used in qualifying play first.
Age and residency conditions come earlier, and the fine print may name states that are excluded altogether. Then there may be identity verification, an address check or a minimum redemption threshold. Those rules should be accessible before someone buys a coin package, rather than first appearing at the prize-request stage.
California’s Penal Code Section 337o sets out which dual-currency, prize-awarding online games are prohibited. It also spells out exceptions. The legal definition is more useful than a colourful badge saying a game is “free to play.”
Prize terms aren’t a minor detail for the people using these sites. In a 2025 American Gaming Association survey, 68% of surveyed sweepstakes casino users said their main reason for playing was to win real money. The findings come from research commissioned by the casino industry’s trade group.
A person can receive coins, play with them and still fall short of the conditions for redemption. The account history may show how many coins were credited, but the terms explain which ones, if any, can lead to a prize.
A Familiar Screen Isn’t a License
A slot-style game, a spinning reel and a bright balance display can feel familiar to anyone who has walked through a Tahoe casino. The regulatory arrangements behind that screen are harder to see.
In the same AGA survey, 90% of sweepstakes casino users described what they were doing as gambling. Tres York, the association’s vice president of government relations, said: “These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms.” That’s an industry group’s criticism, not a formal ruling on every website. A polished design isn’t evidence of a Nevada license. Neither is an app-store listing.
The Cal Neva Is a Different Kind of Casino Story
At Crystal Bay, the Cal Neva is being rebuilt as the Lake Tahoe Proper Resort and Casino. Its planned $298 million redevelopment concerns a physical property with a long local history. Any casino operation there must meet the requirements of Nevada’s gaming authorities. Online sweepstakes sites can borrow the look of a casino floor without being regulated as one. Their logos and game libraries offer little help in working out who oversees them.
Checking Nevada’s Licensed Operators
The Nevada Gaming Commission’s online-gaming page names Real Gaming and WSOP among its approved interactive gaming operators. It’s not a list of approved sweepstakes casinos, or of every gambling site available online. For a visitor crossing between Stateline and South Lake Tahoe, the first check isn’t the coin offer. It’s the state they’re in and the rules that apply there.
With nearly a 19,000 vote lead mid-morning on Wednesday, Teresa Benitez-Thompson declared victory over Republican David Flippo in the race to represent Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. “I am honored that Northern Nevadans have placed their trust in me to represent our home in Congress,” she said in a statement. “Our region faces unique challenges that only someone with deep local roots and a genuine commitment to our communities can tackle. In Congress, I will fight every single day to protect our wallets, our water, and our way of life.
“As your representative, I promise to fight for all of us – regardless of political party. Our communities deserve nothing less.”
“Northern Nevada has spoken. Now, let’s get to work.”
Benitez-Thompson would be the first Democrat to be elected if the vote holds. District 2 represents Washoe, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Pershing, Storey and White Pine counties, along with Carson City. There are still outstanding ballots in all of those counties. In Nevada, for mail-in ballots to count, they had to be postmarked by election day.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., but long lines in Washoe and Clark counties caused the first wave of results to be released after midnight. The Nevada Secretary of State doesn’t allow the release of results until the last person has voted.
Original story:
In the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson has a 19,000-vote lead in the sprawling rural second congressional district.
Benitez-Thompson has 144,014 votes to Republican David Flippo’s 125,031. She has 50.75% of the vote to the small business owner’s 44%.
Carson City’s Amodei, who has served as District 2’s representative since 2011, announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.
Benitez-Thompson’s lead may be insurmountable. If she were to win, she would become the first Democrat to win Nevada’s District 2.
District 2 represents Washoe, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Pershing, Storey and White Pine counties, along with Carson City.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., but long lines in Washoe and Clark counties caused the first wave of results to be released after midnight. The Nevada Secretary of State doesn’t allow the release of results until the last person has voted.
Benitez-Thompson is a social worker and former Assembly majority leader from Reno.
The most fundamental — and arguably most important — duty of a California governor is managing the state budget.
Xavier Becerra, the former attorney general who won the governorship Tuesday, must submit a new budget to the Legislature just days after his inauguration in January. Outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaving him with a fiscal mess.
Newsom, who will likely launch a presidential campaign, insisted in June that the 2026-27 budget he signed was not only balanced but would remain so during his predecessor’s first year.
During Newsom’s second term, he and the Legislature routinely enacted general fund budgets that spent billions of dollars more than the state’s tax system was producing, covering the gaps with accounting gimmicks, by draining emergency reserves and incurring on- and off-the-books loans.
A chart in the back pages of the 2026-27 budget reveals that during Newsom’s eight years of managing the budget, the state took in $1.4 trillion in general fund revenue but spent $1.7 trillion, averaging $37 billion in overspending each year. Among other things, the spending spree increased the state’s payroll by 100,000 positions.
Newsom leaves the state with what Gabe Petek, the Legislature’s budget analyst, describes as a $29 billion “wall of debt” that must eventually be repaid, echoing a term that former Gov. Jerry Brown coined in 2010.
Becerra faces a stark choice.
He could continue the deficit spending, running up even more debt — the governmental equivalent of a family maxing out its credit cards to finance its lifestyle. Or he could do what Brown did when he began his second governorship and faced a $35 billion “a wall of debt” from the effects of the Great Recession.
After his 2010 election, Brown engaged in a very public discussion about what it would take to balance the budget and whittle down its debts. He settled on a mixture of spending reductions and temporary sales and income tax increases, plus creating “rainy day” reserves to cushion future revenue drops.
During Brown’s governorship, general fund income and outgo closely matched, the aforementioned chart confirms. He bequeathed a healthy budget to Newsom.
It would take political courage for Becerra to adopt the face-the-music attitude that Brown displayed in 2011. Politically, the easier path would be to emulate Newsom, who was content to overspend revenues while shunning any major tax increases to cover the gaps.
Becerra has been very reluctant to reveal any policy intentions, but in an interview late last month, he indicated that he may be willing to increase taxes — unlike Newsom.
Becerra told Ashley Zavala, of Sacramento’s KCRA-TV, that he’s interested in raising taxes on high-income Californians, taxing employers whose low-paid workers qualify for Medi-Cal health benefits, closing corporate tax loopholes and adopting a mileage-based tax on electric cars.
Although Becerra opposed Proposition 40, the billionaire wealth tax on Tuesday’s ballot, he told Zavala that increasing taxes on high-income Californians would hinge on “if we can prove that you’re not paying your fair share,” adding “to me, that’s pretty basic. If you’re a billionaire and you’re paying at a lower tax rate than a firefighter or a teacher or a nurse, you’re not paying your fair share.”
Under legislation passed this year, the state is already exploring taxation of employers whose workers qualify for Medi-Cal, but it and the other taxes Becerra mentions would be a hard sell.
Overall, Californians already have one of the nation’s highest tax burdens, which is a factor in the state’s recent losses of population and corporate headquarters. Increases probably would have to be paired with spending cuts to make them palatable, and those reductions would face opposition as well.
Rooted in the ancestral homelands dá?aw, (Lake Tahoe) of the Waší·šiw people Indigenous youth and advisors came from Arizona, California, and Nevada on Oct. 25-28 for the Keepers of Tomorrow Cultural Exchange & Indigenous Youth Leadership Conference at Zephyr Point Conference Center.
Through the Intergenerational Healing Project’s peer-to-peer cultural exchange model, youth participants engaged in meaningful cultural sharing that celebrated both the common values and unique traditions of their respective Nations, said Project Executive Director Sharon James-Tiger.
Throughout the gathering, participants exchanged handgames, songs, traditional games, regalia, clothing, cultural foods, coming-of-age teachings, and contemporary Indigenous arts.
“These activities fostered a spirit of mutual learning, respect, and cultural pride while strengthening connections among Indigenous youth from diverse communities,” she said.
Additional workshops focused on leadership development and personal well-being. A Mock Tribal Council Meeting presented by Jeanne Mortimer, Esq., introduced participants to tribal governance and decision-making processes, while Domestic Violence Coordinator Angie Martinez facilitated a session on healthy boundaries, prevention of teen dating violence providing tools to support healthy relationships and personal growth.
Keepers of Tomorrow pictured with Nataanii Means, center, guest speaker, hip-hop artist, activist, and member of the Navajo Nation from New Mexico.Provided
Participants learned about the history and enduring legacy of Stewart Indian School during a special presentation by Nevada Indian Commission Executive Director Stacey Montooth. The presentation offered valuable historical insight and encouraged reflection on the resilience, strength, and cultural perseverance of Indigenous peoples.
“Through Keepers of Tomorrow, we created a space where Indigenous youth could learn from one another, strengthen their cultural identities, and develop leadership skills,” James-Tiger said. “By investing in our youth today, we are investing in the resilience, wellness, and success of future generations.”
The healing project thanked sponsors, partners, presenters, advisors, volunteers, and supporters whose dedication and contributions made the gathering possible.
“Their collective support helped create a meaningful experience that celebrated Indigenous identity, strengthened community connections, and empowered the next generation of Indigenous leaders,” James-Tiger said.
The Healing Project is planning future opportunities for youth engagement, including a regional Hand Game Tournament and a Sigayuk (Women’s Stick Game) Tournament anticipated in late spring or early summer 2027.
“These gatherings will continue to provide opportunities for cultural learning, leadership development, and relationship building among Indigenous youth throughout the region,” James Tiger said.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.– The “Lake Show” is about to hit the road. The Lake Tahoe Lakers will head south to play three games against the Ventura Vikings in Southern California this weekend. The series will be a matchup between the top two teams in the NCDC Western Pacific Division.
The Lakers improved to an overall record of 7-1-1 after a successful six game homestand in which they went 5-0-1 at the Tahoe Ice Arena during the first half of October. The Lakers’ points percentage of 0.833 is fourth best of the 63 NCDC hockey teams that compete leaguewide across the United States and Canada.
Yet they still trail the Vikings who currently sit atop the Western Pacific with a record of 8-3-0-1 after sailing smoothly past the McCall Smokejumpers in a three game sweep last weekend while the Lakers were idle. Lake Tahoe will look to make the most of the three games in hand that they have against Ventura to regain the top spot in the division.
The Lakers have not played a game since their 3-1 win over the Fresno Monsters on October 18th. It was the one-hundredth game played as a Laker for defenseman Chayce Tuton. In typical fashion, the warrior from Whitehorse showed why he wears the “C” for the Lakers as team captain during his milestone game. Late in the second period, Tuton sprawled to block a shot in front of his own net and took the puck high off the ribs. Play was halted as Tuton coughed violently while struggling to regain his breath. He then went to the Lakers dressing room where he was reportedly coughing up blood. But not even that would keep Tuton out of the rest of the game entirely. He returned to the ice late in the third period to take one final shift during the dying seconds of the game to help secure the win.
A hundred games later and Chayce Tuton still gives the Lake Tahoe Lakers one-hundred percent of his effort, a hundred percent of the time.
The Fresno series was billed as a marquee matchup and a measuring stick opportunity for the Lakers. And it did not disappoint. In the series opener on October 16th, Lake Tahoe erased a one goal deficit four different times to send the game to overtime. But in the extra session, Monsters forward Hugo Ostberg made a nice pass around some traffic in front of the Lakers net during a goalmouth scramble to find fellow Swede Anton Danemar who put the puck into the open net to give Fresno a 5-4 overtime victory.
But just one night later it was the Lakers that emerged victorious in extra hockey… a lot of extra hockey. Five minutes of three-on-three overtime failed to produce a goal for either side so the game headed to a shootout. Unbelievably, both goaltenders – Aidan Finn of the Lakers and Viktor Pasztor of the Monsters – stopped ten shooters in a row to start the shootout. After Finn stopped Alex McIsaac in the top of the eleventh round, the Lakers once again had a chance to win the game with the puck on their stick.
Enter Lakers defenseman Nathan House from Lone Tree, Colorado. Known more for his bruising physical play than his scoring touch, House entered the game with just one goal scored in 18 career games played as a Laker; an unlikely candidate to be the hero.
But looking surprisingly comfortable in the moment, House picked up the puck at center ice, came in with speed, made a deceptive shoulder fake to his right at the hash marks, then cut sharply across the top of the crease to his backhand, and put it off the left post and into the net, sending Lakers fans into a frenzy.
Nate House brought the house down in the eleventh round of the shootout. Riley Misa had 2 goals and 2 assists in the 5-4 win.
Aidan Finn improved his record to 5-0, with a .960 save percentage, a 1.37 goals against average, and was named the NCDC Western Conference Standout Goalie of the Week for the second consecutive week in a row.
The Lakers’ next home game will take place at the Tahoe Blue Event Center on Thursday, November 12th against the two-time defending National Champion Vernal Oilers. The homestand continues at the Tahoe Blue Event Center on Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th against the defending Pacific Division Champion Ontario Jr. Reign.
Congratulations Scott Morgan on your election to the Douglas County Commission. I wish him every success as he takes on this important responsibility.
I also want to thank Scott for a respectful campaign. While we brought different backgrounds and perspectives to the race, I know we share a commitment to Douglas County and the people who call it home.
It has been an honor to participate in this election and to meet so many wonderful residents who care deeply about the future of our county.
I sincerely hope Scott will give District 4 the attention and representation it deserves. The residents need a strong voice on the County Commission, and I hope their concerns and priorities will be heard as he makes decisions affecting their future.
I wish him the very best as he moves forward and hope he has a successful term serving our community.
To try and decide each week where and what to eat around the basin can be a challenge – there are so many amazing choices. In this feature we’ll dive into dishes that will surely satisfy those hunger pangs and leave you wondering where to go next.
The beauty about this week’s feature is you can walk right up to the counter, order as many as you’d like, and take them home to enjoy however you’d like. This isn’t the only ready to cook item available at Overland, but if you’re a fan of crab cakes, it should be high on the list to bring home.
I’m not going to tell you how to cook them because you have plenty of options and everyone dances to their own beat, but I will tell you that my method involved an air fryer. I just like the outer crust you can get without sacrificing the creaminess of the inside. Plus, since they are ready to go, you can just place and cook, and they’ll be done in a matter of minutes. The quicker the cook, the quicker to my belly.
I’m told that if you wanted to deconstruct and combine multiple cakes into one super cake and enjoy as like a huge crab cake sandwich, it’s amazing … and I believe it. I blew through two in like a breath and a half. I may not even have swallowed.
One of the best parts about eating these at home is you can experiment with sauces to serve with – although I housed the first one with just a squeeze of lemon so rest assured, you can devour on their own if you choose. Traditionally, a remoulade or a tartar sauce are usually the go-to’s with cocktail sauce not far behind. For me, I had a Polynesian sauce burning a hole in my pocket so that’s what I went with and I was not disappointed. Each bite was full of meat and not lacking anywhere in the flavor department.
Typically, on Mondays they will run a special giving you two for $5. I’d take full advantage going forward – I just need to remember to order enough.
Overland Meat & Seafood Company is located at 2227 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe. For specials and more information visit them online at overlandmeatco.com or via phone at 530-544-3204.
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Butte College – 1:30 p.m., Lake Tahoe Community College. The Coyotes Men’s Soccer Team faces Butte College at Lake Tahoe Community College Athletics Field on Friday, November 6 at 1:30 pm.
To follow the latest Coyote news, visit the
LTCC Athletics website .
For more information, visit https://www.ltcc.edu/calendar/#event-details/89cd0789-d03a-4886-bca5-ebd21fe6f459.
Afternoon Tea at Osteria Sierra – 1:30-3 p.m., Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, 111 Country Club Drive. Enjoy a refined afternoon tea experience every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, featuring premium teas, house-made scones, pastries, and gourmet sandwiches. Additional dates: 11/6, 11/7, 11/8.
For more information, visit https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1055665&restref=1055665&experienceId=763094 or call 7758866675.
Arty the Party at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – 9 p.m., Harrah’s Center Stage, 15 Hwy 50. 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday Nights. You can Party with Arty the Party at Harrah’s. It’s the best disco, dance, R&B, and soul party in Lake Tahoe!
“Arty the Party,” as he’s affectionately called, has been playing in Lake Tahoe for several years and now calls Casino Center Stage at Harrah’s his home.
Arthur’s incredible music career began as a lead singer for San Francisco’s 13-piece Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra. He then went on to star in the city’s famous stage musical production “Beach Blanket Babylon.” It didn’t take long before the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s, and the 49ers invited Arthur to come and sing the national anthem to open their games.
Arthur has developed a large following of loyal fans from here to L.A. People come to hang out and watch, then can’t help themselves when they end up dancing in their seats. Arthur’s versatility ranges from renditions of Van Morrison to party and dance hits from Shaggy.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/arty-the-party-at-harrahs-lake-tahoe/2026-11-06/.
The Drowsy Chaperone at South Tahoe High School – 7-9:30 p.m., South Lake Tahoe High School Theatre, 1735 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Get ready for an evening of laughter, music and theatrical fun as South Tahoe High School presents The Drowsy Chaperone at the TADA Theater!
Winner of five Tony Awards, this hilarious musical comedy brings the glamour and humor of Broadway’s Golden Age to life. When a devoted theater fan plays his favorite cast recording, the characters leap off the record and onto the stage. What follows is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, wedding-day mishaps, colorful characters and show-stopping musical numbers.
Join South Tahoe High School’s talented student performers for this entertaining production filled with laughter, music and unforgettable moments.
Performance Dates & Times:
November 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:00 p.m.
November 8 and 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: TADA Theater, South Tahoe High School
Tickets:
Adults: $15
Students (18 and under): $10
Special Cabaret Seating: Tables for two are available with a minimum $100 donation to the Performing Arts Booster Association (PABA). Each table includes signature mocktails and chocolates. Limited to 12 tables per performance.
Tickets are available in advance here, or at the door, subject to availability.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/the-drowsy-chaperone-at-south-tahoe-high-school/2026-11-06/.
Jim Norton (SEATED Comedy Show) – 8 p.m., 14 NV-28. Jim Norton Fri. Nov. 6th 2026 I Doors: 7pm Show: 8pm I Tickets: $35 ADV/DOS / $45 VIP (First 50 Seats) I Ticket Link: https://tixr.com/e/201094 Jim Norton is a stand-up comedian, radio host, actor, and a twice NY Times bestselling author. He hosts the podcast ‘Jim Norton Can’t Save You’, as well as Sword Fight, the latter of which he co-hosts with his wife Nikki. His comedy specials can be seen on Netflix, MAX, Hulu, and Amazon. In addition to his stand-up specials, he has released 8 comedy albums. Throughout his career he has made multiple appearances on late night talk shows, and has appeared in several tv shows and films, including Martin Scorsese’s, The Irishman. A longtime fan of mixed martial arts, Jim is also the co-host of the official podcast of the UFC, “UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton & Matt Serra”. He lives in New York City.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1024745780469079/.
Kids Movie Night / Parents Date Night – 6-8 p.m., Cascade Kitchens Food Hall & Bar, 1030 Tata Ln. Description Join us on the first Friday of each month from 6-8pm for Kids’ Movie Night aka Parents’ Date Night! Each month, we show a different kid and parent approved film in our private party room. The evening is complete with snacks and supervision for the kids while parents enjoy a well-deserved night off just steps away with dinner and drinks at Cascade Kitchens. Our line for the rest of 2026 includes: September 4th – Cars 3 October 2nd – Coco November 6th – Shrek December 4th – Inside Out A date night, entertainment for the kids, and a chance to give back to the community? We’d call that a pretty great Friday night. Grab your kiddo a ticket and make it a date night! Cascade Kitchens Food Hall & Bar 1030 Tata Lane South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 www.cascadekitchenstahoe.com
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/details/kids-movie-night-parents-date-night-11-06-2026-26588 or call +1 530-600-0028.
Live Music at Cutthroat’s Saloon – 7-9 p.m., Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, 111 Country Club Drive. Experience live music by local artists! Additional dates: 11/6, 11/7.
For more information, visit https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/tvllt-hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort-spa-and-casino/dining or call 7758866675.
Next Stop Comedy at South of North Brewing Company – 8-10 p.m., South of North Brewing Company, 932 Stateline Ave. Friday, November 6 and Friday, December 4, 2026, seating begins at 7:30 pm. The show is at 8:00 pm. Next Stop! – A Comedy Show Near You! Join us at South of North Brewing Company for a brand new line-up of comedians every time!
Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues! Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts.
Join us at South of North Brewing Company in South Lake Tahoe, CA! – 932 Stateline Ave Suite B, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
For more info, check out our website! – nextstopcomedy.com
Our shows feature top-tier talent from across the country, delivering high-energy performances in intimate, local venues. Whether you need an exciting date night, you’re a die-hard comedy fan, or you’re just looking for a fun night out, Next Stop Comedy guarantees big laughs, great vibes, and an experience you won’t want to miss.
Parking is available in the nearby paid lots.
Buy tickets here for November 6
Buy tickets here for December 4
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/next-stop-comedy-at-south-of-north-brewing-company/2026-11-06/.
Peek Nightclub inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – 10 p.m.-4 a.m., Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, 15 Highway 50. Peek Night Club is back with an incredible lineup of DJs. Join us for unforgettable nights of music and dancing. Get ready to party like never before at Peek Night Club! Get your tickets today!
Peek Nightclub inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Saturday nights, doors open at 10:00 pm. Featuring over 6,700 square feet of optimal nightlife and live entertainment space, Peek Nightclub’s footprint includes 40 intimate VIP sections, including some of today’s most highly touted nightclub amenities. With the capability to provide full-scale music performances, Peek Nightclub hosts some of the world’s biggest names in entertainment, including big-name Las Vegas, Miami, NY, and L.A. DJs.
DRESS CODEUpscale fashionable attire is required. PEEK Nightclub does not permit the following: bandanas, durags, skull caps, beanies, sandals, ripped or baggy clothing, athletic wear, steel-toe shoes or work boots. Management reserves all rights of entry based on dress code etiquette.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/peek-nightclub-inside-harrahs-lake-tahoe/2026-11-06/ or call (800) 427-7247.
Picture Book Putt-Putt – 3-4 p.m., Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Avenue. November is National Picture Book Month! To celebrate we will have a picture book golf course set up for the whole family. Visit between 3 and 4 pm to have a go!
For more information, visit https://events.washoecountylibrary.us/event/17019804 or call 775-832-4130.
Pierre LaRage – 4-6 p.m., Heavenly Corner Stage.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
Placer Artists Tour in North – 10 a.m.-6 p.m., North Shore Lake Tahoe, Safeway, N Lake Blvd. Placer Artists Tour comes to North Tahoe for the first time! Nov. 6–8, North Tahoe galleries will join the Placer Artists Tour, inviting you to meet local artists, explore original work and experience our creative community during this FREE, self-guided tour. Discover the stories and creative processes behind the art — and shop directly from participating artists along the way. Participating North Tahoe galleries: The Eadington Gallery | Tahoe City Gallery Keoki | Olympic Valley Kiwi Kamera Gallery | Tahoe City North Tahoe Arts | Kings Beach North Tahoe Arts | Tahoe City ️ Tahoe Print & Frame | Kings Beach Nov. 6–8 ️ FREE Self-guided Details available at https://placerartiststour.org. The North Lake Tahoe tour is presented by TCDA, Kings Beach District, Placer Artists Tour and Arts Council of Placer County. Additional dates: 11/6, 11/7, 11/8.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2228902407683968/.
Porterhaus – 5:30-9:30 p.m., South of North Brewing Co., 932 Stateline Ave.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=5.
Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe Annual Gala – 5:30-9:30 p.m., Hooray For Hollywood Soroptimist Gala at the Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, 50 US Hwy 50. Join us for a fabulous evening of wine, libations, and delicious food on November 6, 2026, at the Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, while supporting a great cause! Your participation benefits Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and its mission to improve the lives of women and youth throughout the greater South Lake Tahoe community.
For more information, visit https://www.sislt.org or call 4083130899.
South Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week – 6 a.m., Participating Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe, 1901 Lisa Maloff Wy. The City of South Lake Tahoe invites residents and visitors to enjoy Restaurant Week, taking place November 6-15. The multi-day event will spotlight South Lake Tahoe’s wide range of restaurants, encouraging diners to visit a favorite dining spot, try something new, and support local businesses.
Savor the Sierra by exploring the variety of flavors and cuisines available throughout South Lake Tahoe. Restaurants will feature discounted prices, prix fixe menus, and other special offerings at more than 30 local dining establishments, including restaurants, cafés, wine bars, and breweries.
An interactive Restaurant Week map created by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority will help diners find participating businesses and plan their Restaurant Week experience.
To learn more and to view the Restaurant Week map, visit www.cityofslt.gov/RestaurantWeek. Additional dates: 11/6, 11/7, 11/8, 11/9, 11/10, 11/11, 11/12.
For more information, visit https://www.cityofslt.gov/2602/South-Lake-Tahoe-Restaurant-Week.
Stephanie Fagliano – 7-10 p.m., Social House.
For more information, visit https://tahoemusic.live/?page=3.
Warren Miller’s Days Off – 7:30 p.m., Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, 15 Highway 50. The legendary ski film series returns with Days Off, a celebration of the adventure, community, and passion that keep us coming back to the mountains. Follow host Katie Burrell on a journey from the heli-skiing peaks of Alaska to the powder of Japan and some of North America’s most iconic ski destinations. A portion of net ticket proceeds will benefit the Share Winter Foundation, helping expand youth access to winter sports.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1635614291242494/ or call (800) 427-7247.
Saturday, November 7
Crafting History – 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Douglas County Public Library–Lake Tahoe Branch, 233 Warrior Way. Crafting History: January 3rd on the 1st Saturday of every month from 10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
This program will consist of a presentation on the historical practice and function of a particular craft with demonstrations and hands-on experience for adult and older teen participants.
The Crafting History program will occur in conjunction with the launch of basic kits so related materials can be circulated. Registration will not be required at first, but if attendance is high enough that we risk running out of materials and tools, registration may become a requirement. We will rotate between the same four crafts with the potential inclusion of others if there is interest. The initial crafts will be spinning yarn, tablet weaving, embroidery, and making thread buttons.
For more information, visit https://library.douglascountynv.gov/calendar or call (775) 588-6411.
The Cut – Sequined Ornament Workshop – Tahoe Gifting Company, The Cut – 868 Tahoe Blvd, Ste. 8. Description Inspired by vintage ornament-making techniques – Beck Baumann
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/the-cut-sequined-ornament-workshop-1929852?sourceTypeId=Hub or call (775) 237-2318.
Live Music at the Grove on the Lake – 4-6 p.m., The Grove at Camp Richardson Resort, 1900 Jameson Beach Rd. Live music at the Grove. Please see the schedule for times and performers. More information here.
Live music with acts like The Trey Stone Band, Cash Only Band, Heavenly House Band, Arizona Jones, The Beach Cowboys, Whiskey and Wolves, Acustagruve, Winter Light Band, and Bluesberry Jam.
Come have a Rum Runner cocktail and check out the view while you enjoy some live music at Lake Tahoe!
More information on the website, here, and on their Facebook page, here.
Specials and Events
The Grove at Camp Richardson ResortWelcome to The Grove at Camp Richardson Resort. Located on the beach just steps from the lake, The Grove offers expansive Lake Tahoe views, a casual ambiance, and indoor and outdoor (seasonal) dining. Our award-winning Chef has created a creative family-friendly menu with tasty bites, unique entrees, sumptuous desserts, and a slew of cocktails and mocktails to quench your thirst. Check out our menu and join us for an unrivaled experience in the restaurant or the bar.
We accept service dogs only.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/live-music-at-the-grove-on-the-lake/2026-11-07/.
Shwayze – Asher Roth – Chiddy Bang – 8 p.m., 14 NV-28. Shwayze is bringing his laid back, beach-infused pop rap style to the Crystal Bay Casino’s Crown Room on November 7th. Asher Roth and Chitty Bang will be warming things up, so you know this is going to be fun! We can’t wait for this high energy show, dripping with great vibes! Sat. Nov. 7th 2026 I Doors: 7pm Show: 8pm I Tickets: $30 ADV / $35 DOS I Ticket Link: https://tixr.com/e/201265
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1371554517779489/.
Skate Night at Kahle Community Center – 5-9 p.m., Kahle Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade P.O. Box 5040. Join us Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 5:00-9:00 pm at Kahle for a fun evening of music, movement, and roller skating — all indoors at Kahle!
Day-of sales only
Bring your own skates or rent a pair from us and roll the night away!
Open Skate: 5–8 PMAdult Skate: 8–9 PM
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/family-roller-skating-night-at-kahle-community-center/.
Tahoe Club Crawl Fall/Winter – 8-11 p.m., Aleworx Stateline 31 US-50. Tahoe Club Crawl is an organized VIP nightlife tour of the Tahoe South. With the purchase of your ticket, you will receive a welcome shot at 3 out of 4 stops, appetizers, free indoor games at Tipsy Putt and VIP entrance into Peek Nightclub, Lake Tahoe’s hottest Club! You will meet amazing people and have the night of your lives. We meet every Saturday at 8:00 PM Aleworx Stateline, unless told otherwise. Be Sure To Check Out our Ice Cream Shop, Aloha Ice Cream Tahoe “Winner of Best Ice Cream in Tahoe 7 Years In A Row” (Opened Seasonally)
Venues Subject to Change At Anytime, No Refunds
For more information, visit https://tahoeclubcrawl.ticketsauce.com/e/tahoe-club-crawl-spring-summer-2083?aff=cityspark.
Sunday, November 8
11/8 1:30 PM University of Nevada Men’s Basketball vs Saint Mary’s – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 U.S. 50. University of Nevada Men’s Basketball vs Saint Mary’s\nStreaming Audio: https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/oas-1345/content/nevada:allaccess-Live-4879\nTickets: https://www.tahoeblueeventcenter.com/events/detail/caesars-lake-tahoe-classic\n
For more information, visit https://nevadawolfpack.com/calendar.aspx?game_id=14215&sport_id=4.
Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic – 11 a.m., Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 U.S. 50. The Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic will feature 3 Men’s games and 1 Women’s game. Individual session tickets will include 2 games, or tickets can be purchased as a combo getting you tickets to both sessions and all 4 games. Session 1 11:00 am California (home) (Women) vs USF (visitors) 1:30 pm Nevada (home) vs St. Mary’s (visitors) Session 2 5:00 pm Houston (home) vs California (visitors) 7:30 pm USC (home) vs Wichita State (visitors) Set against the backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Lake Tahoe Classic combines elite college basketball with one of the nation’s premier year-round destinations. The event is expected to attract fans, alumni, donors and supporters from across the country while continuing to establish Lake Tahoe as an emerging destination for nationally televised collegiate sporting events. Tickets for the 2026 Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic go on sale Wednesday, September 2, through Ticketmaster. The event will feature two separate sessions, with fans able to purchase tickets to either individual session or take advantage of a discounted two-session package providing access to all four games. Premium courtside seating, suites, hospitality experiences and group ticket packages will also be available.
For more information, visit https://www.tahoeblueeventcenter.com/events/detail/caesars-lake-tahoe-classic.
University of San Francisco Women’s Basketball vs California – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Calif., Tahoe Blue Event Center. University of San Francisco Women’s Basketball vs California
For more information, visit https://admin.usfdons.com/calendar.aspx?game_id=9030&sport_id=9.
Monday, November 9
A Veterans Musical Tribute – 6:30-8 p.m., South Tahoe Middle School, 2940 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:30 pm, The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Performing Arts Department is presenting “A Veterans Musical Tribute” in the South Tahoe Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. The show is free at starts at 6:30 p.m.
This concert is a wonderful tribute to our men and women who have served or are currently serving our country in the various branches of the military. They invite all veterans and their families to attend the concert to honor and thank them for their brave and selfless duty. Everyone is invited to attend and listen to incredible patriotic music and give thanks to those who have fought for our country.
The performers include: South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs.
For more information, visit https://visitlaketahoe.com/event/a-veterans-musical-tribute-south-tahoe-middle-school/.
Tuesday, November 10
Level Up Workshop: The Six Types of Working Genius, Improve productivity for you and your team – 10-11:30 a.m., Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, 180 Lake Pkwy. Description Why does some work leave you energized while other tasks drain you? And how can understanding those differences help your team work better together? Join the Tahoe Chamber for an interactive Level UP Workshop exploring The Six Types of Working Genius, a simple and practical model designed to help individuals and teams better understand how they approach work. Led by Kathy Healy, PHR, MSOL, Training and Development Manager at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, this workshop will help make the work process more visible, align people with the work that energizes them, and create a shared framework for improving collaboration, role fit, and project flow. The result? Higher engagement, fewer bottlenecks, and stronger results. Participants will complete a Working Genius evaluation in advance of the workshop so the session can incorporate individual results and provide practical takeaways you can apply to your own role and team. Registration deadline: October 25. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Important Dates: Registered participants will receive their Working Genius evaluation on October 26. Must complete evaluation by November 1
For more information, visit https://business.tahoechamber.org/events/Details/level-up-workshop-the-six-types-of-working-genius-improve-productivity-for-you-and-your-team-1950625?sourceTypeId=Website or call (775) 588-1728.
Thursday, November 12
IVCBA X North Tahoe Chamber Mixer – 4-6 p.m., 14. Description Crystal Bay Club
For more information, visit https://business.ivcba.org/event-calendar/Details/ivcba-x-north-tahoe-chamber-mixer-1960927?sourceTypeId=Hub.
Lake Tahoe Lakers vs. Vernal Oilers – 7 p.m., Tahoe Blue Event Center, 75 U.S. 50.
SAILING CLUB, YACHT ROCK PARTY W/ PIER PRESSURE – 10 p.m.-2 a.m., Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords , 18 US-50. Sailing Club launches at Tessie’s with Tahoe’s smoothest & grooviest party starters, Pier Pressure. Captains Orders – grab a cocktail and head to the dance floor. Sailing Club offers a night of high-energy yachty fun that keeps the room rocking from start to finish. Rascal Flatts ticket holders receive a BOGO cocktail with their concert ticket.
Jamie Saso 8 pm
Pier Pressure 10 pm
Grab a drink and settle in for a night of yacht rock party anthems.
Experience the yachty energy firsthand—book your table today.
Lounge open 11 AM Daily. For large party reservations or tables before 10 PM, call us at 775.586.5014 or email: VIP@tessiestahoe.com
For more information, visit http://tessiestahoe.com/events or call 6194547421.
The Cork and More is celebrating 50 years on November 7Provided / Karla Brennan
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – 50 years operating a business in a place like Lake Tahoe is certainly cause for celebration, and this weekend, The Cork & More is hosting a lively party to honor their huge milestone.
The Cork & More is a deli, market, and gift shop, all wrapped up in one and located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. As a town favorite highlighted for its wine selection, gourmet cheeses, and cozy atmosphere, it’s no secret as to why this Napa-style market has become a city staple over the past 50 years.
Along with creating all of their salads, sandwiches and soups with ingredients made in-house, they have decades of tasting and assembling wines from around the world, an assortment of diverse beers, kitchen accessories, home décor, and gift baskets.
Offering a wide array of dynamic and mouthwatering catering menus running from breakfast/brunch to entrées and desserts, The Cork & More was recently voted 2026 Best of Tahoe’s best catering services, in addition to winning every year from 2021 to 2025.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating with the community that has helped us survive for so long,” said owner, Karla Brennan.
Brennan and her husband took over ownership in 2016 and are commemorating 10 years in the role.
November 7 marks The Cork & More’s official 50 years in business and they’ve put together an exclusive Anniversary Wine Tasting event featuring their favorite wines, gourmet bites and a storewide sale.
Previous owners and founders, Jim and Kim Warlow who opened the shop in 1976, will be in attendance, and the community is invited to join in on the fun and “raise a glass to 50 years”.
Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and tickets are $40 per person. There are a limited number of seats, so folks are encouraged to reserve their spots as soon as possible by calling 530-544-5253.
Read more about The Cork & More’s journey through 50 years in the upcoming 2027 Summer Edition of Tahoe Magazine.
The Cork & More is located at 1032 Al Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – City council will designate Heavenly Village as an Entertainment Zone allowing adults over 21 to openly consume alcohol, make Heavenly Village a “Walk your Wheels” zone and move to terminate its contract with the concessionaire for the city’s Ice Arena after finding contract violations and mismanagement.
Regarding previously discussed items, city council passed its resolution directing staff to send letters of advocacy to politicians and agencies at almost every level regarding glyphosate and other herbicides.
For the council compensation vote, Councilmember David Jinkins, who said he would abstain at the last meeting, ended up making the motion to increase council compensation. Councilmember Heather Horgan abstained, as she had previously indicated she would.
Heavenly Village will soon allow open alcohol consumption
City council passed the first reading of an ordinance designating Heavenly Village as an Entertainment Zone, allowing people 21 years and older to openly consume alcohol from licensed businesses within the limits of the village.
The zone would last from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day of the year.
In the Entertainment Zone, which state law opened in January 2025, those over 21 would receive wristbands, and licensed vendors would serve drinks in branded, recyclable or compostable plastic containers.
Councilmember Scott Robbins added to the ordinance, with the consensus of council, a provision that would require Heavenly Village to ensure all of its trash cans are bear-proof receptacles within a year and one month from when the ordinance is officially passed.
Robbins said council hopes to eventually require bear-proof bins citywide anyways, and the extra trash generated from the open container cups justifies adding the stipulation.
“Yummy sweet smelling margarita residue is bear nectar,” he said.
The crowd was full, with many public comments commending council for their actions against herbicides, representatives of Heavenly Village businesses and hockey players there to talk about the Ice Arena.Carly Heltzel / Tahoe Daily Tribune
State law does not allow the use of metal for the cups, as made clear when multiple council members advocated for more reusable options. Police Chief Jeff Roberson said that metal or glass containers can be turned into weapons.
All public comments were in favor of the zone, though some brought up the trash receptacle issue or voiced support for either sturdy, reusable cups or paper cups instead of single-use plastic.
The Entertainment Zone’s implementation will be based on the city of Redding’s downtown corridor. The Redding Police Department told Chief Roberson that they saw no additional public safety concerns after the zone’s implementation and that the zone is sustainable in their experience, he said.
Horgan expressed concerns that the public transit schedule ends earlier than the 10 p.m. open container cut-off which could pave the way for more drunk driving. But Mayor Cody Bass pointed out that people can consume alcohol until 2 a.m. indoors, so the outdoor drinking doesn’t make it any more of an issue.
Robbins said he has advocated for increased transit on the Tahoe Transportation District board, and it’s largely a budget issue.
“Walk your Wheels” policy coming to Heavenly Village
Also in Heavenly Village, city council will enact a village-wide “Walk your Wheels” policy, including the sidewalks along Highway 50.
“The idea is to slow everyone down,” Chief Roberson said.
In response to Robbins’ questions about bicycle safety along Highway 50, Chief Roberson said: “We’re not taking the bikes, we’re asking them to walk.”
Robbins said council needs to “make the right thing to do the easy thing to do” in order for people to actually abide by the rules, adding that the bike infrastructure in that area is not safe or intuitive.
Mayor Pro Tem Keith Roberts was a staunch supporter of “Walk your Wheels,” saying pedestrians need to be protected and that bikers could choose if they are comfortable biking on Highway 50 or if they prefer walking their bike on that sidewalk.
“I don’t think it’s nuanced at all,” Roberts said.
Chief Roberson said the Lime and Bird electric scooters are already geofenced to not be ridden in the Village, but that would now need to cover the sidewalk along Highway 50 as well.
A public commenter wears a patriotic hat for Election Day.Carly Heltzel / Tahoe Daily Tribune
A representative from Tahoe Restaurant Group who was speaking on behalf of two restaurants in Heavenly Village — Azul Latin Kitchen and Base Camp Pizza Co. — said the businesses support the “Walk your Wheels” initiative and called walking your bike in heavily trafficked areas the “decent thing to do.”
Another business owner who supported the initiative during public comment owns a gem shop in the Village. She said her elderly employees have reported close calls with bikes while walking into work and her shop was robbed by a person who rode away on a bicycle.
A Heavenly Village representative noted that it had increased the bike racks “tenfold” recently and said that while the village appreciates its bike traffic, the safest thing for everyone is to have cyclists walk their bikes.
Council moves to terminate contract with Ice Arena concessionaire
Unpaid utility bills, unresponsive management, understaffing, unreported financials, delays of basic maintenance, a lack of community programming and a website that hasn’t been updated since 2024.
These are all reasons city council directed staff to move toward terminating its contract with Tahoe Sports & Entertainment, the concessionaire who operates the city’s Ice Arena.
Interim City Attorney Sergio Rudin said the contract itself is “one of the strangest I’ve ever read.”
A lawyer retained by Tahoe Sports & Entertainment gave a brief presentation to council rebutting the claims of mismanagement in the staff report and asserting that the city was at fault for some of them.
About a dozen public commenters, most players in the adult hockey league, all said the ice arena was mismanaged and not living up to its potential for public good.
Several said the adult hockey league has the interest but isn’t able to schedule ice time because the operator didn’t respond to them. They also said the facility has lacked a skate sharpener, a basic fixture for an ice rink, and some have commuted to Reno to play hockey instead, despite living in South Lake Tahoe.
“There are closed doors in a public facility that should be left open,” said Cooper Townsend, a member of the adult hockey league.
Multiple of the hockey players (called the “hockey lobby” by Councilmember Robbins) said they have skated at many rinks across the country and never seen one run as poorly as this one.
The former manager of the facility, who oversaw operations while the city’s Parks and Recreation Department ran the facility from 2002 until the concessionaire took over in 2012, said during public comment that the Ice Arena used to be a vibrant place with a booked schedule and plenty of revenue.
Current Director of Parks and Recreation John Stark told council that his department would be able to take over the facility again, both in the interim and potentially long term.
The council ended up directing Stark to come up with a business plan to present at a meeting down the line to assess the viability of the city running the public facility again.
The city attorney said that it will take a minimum of 90 days to terminate the contract with Tahoe Sports & Entertainment, so there will be time to plan for the transition without leaving the facility unmanaged.
All vote centers in Northern Nevada’s most populous county close ahead of Clark County.
All 41 of Washoe County’s vote centers are officially closed, after several high-turnout locations wrapped up operations before 10 p.m.
Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald said operations ran smoothly, with few issues.
“We put out small fires here and there, but in reality, it’s been a very flawless election. I’m very happy about it,” he said.
That’s despite unusually high turnout for a midterm election without any U.S. Senate races. McDonald estimated at least 58.2% of Washoe County’s roughly 330,000 registered voters cast their ballots. Mail ballots made up the largest share, with nearly 102,000 accepted by his office so far. Almost 55,000 people voted early and about 35,000 people showed up on Election Day.
“When you look at the 2024 general election, we had 41,000 vote in person. So, we weren’t that far off,” McDonald said.
That number will continue to rise as mail ballots are processed over the next four days.
Election officials will release the first batch of unofficial results tonight, including early voting and mail ballots that have already been tabulated. Washoe County will then post updated results approximately every hour until 3 a.m.
After tonight, the county will update results once a day by 6 p.m.
“Election Day may be over, but the work is far from done. The last day to cure your ballot is the 9th of November and provisionals will be the 6th,” McDonald added.
Provisional ballots are often cast by students who come from other states, and require additional checks to ensure those voters aren’t casting ballots in other jurisdictions.
“I think voter excitement is there,” McDonald said. “There’s different, obviously, opinions on where the economy is, where the country is. There’s a lot of local races on the ballot. So, I’m very curious to see these first results myself.”
RENO, Nev. – In what was considered one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in the U.S., Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford unseated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, according to an Associated Press race call.
Nevada also risks losing an estimated $1.2 billion in federal funding due to changes to Medicaid, food assistance and cuts in the Affordable Care Act health insurance.
Lombardo campaigned on telling voters he would continue the work he did in the first term when he increased pay for teachers and state employees and set aside $133 million to develop housing for middle-income Nevadans.
Both candidates had a hand in tax breaks for data centers, but they’ve argued over who would be tougher on them now.
The first snow of the season usually brings a familiar routine: skis waxed, boots found, heating bills checked. It is also a natural time to look at the household budget for the months ahead, and for Canadians who enjoy online casino games, the start of a new year is a good moment to put a number on that spending before the winter fills up. A budget set in November is calmer than one set at midnight in the middle of a session. For a look at safe online casinos in Canada, trusted casino sites for Canadians are a handy place to begin.
Why winter calls for a plan
Winter changes how people spend their time. Days are shorter, plans move indoors and screens get more use. Online entertainment fits naturally into that pattern, and so does casino play. The risk is that evenings spent online can drift, with sessions running longer and spending creeping up without a clear decision.
Setting a budget early protects against that drift. The decision is made by the calm version of you, with a clear head, instead of the version in the middle of a game.
Step one: look at the whole picture
Before deciding how much to allocate for casino play, look at the full budget.
1. List your fixed costs: rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, transportation, groceries and debt payments.
2. Add savings goals, including emergency funds and holiday expenses.
3. Count the usual entertainment spending, such as streaming, dining out, sports and travel.
4. See what remains. Only a small portion of that leftover amount, if any, should be considered for gambling.
If the numbers are tight, the right budget for casino play may be zero. That is a perfectly reasonable answer.
Step two: pick a monthly number
Choose an amount that you could lose entirely without any effect on essentials. Think of it as a ticket price. A monthly figure is usually easier to manage than a yearly one, and it gives you a regular chance to review.
Some helpful guidelines:
– Keep the amount modest relative to your income.
– Do not carry unspent money over to build a larger bankroll.
– Do not top up mid-month when the budget runs out.
– Treat the money as spent the moment it is deposited.
Step three: use the tools
Licensed Canadian operators provide controls that help enforce the budget. Look for deposit limits, loss limits, time reminders and cooling-off periods. Setting a deposit limit equal to your monthly budget means the platform will stop further deposits even if you feel tempted to continue.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and other provincial regulators require regulated operators to offer these protections, and it is worth checking where to find them before the first deposit. Each province regulates differently, so look up the rules where you live.
Step four: know the age and location rules
The minimum age to gamble is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Regulated platforms also verify your location, so your play is tied to the province you are in. These rules are strict and are part of what makes regulated platforms different from offshore sites.
Mountain towns and reading the news
Readers in ski country, such as those who follow the Tahoe Daily Tribune, know that winter plans depend on weather, road conditions and costs. A budget works the same way: it is a plan that responds to real conditions. If circumstances change, revisit the numbers.
Mistakes to avoid
– **Chasing losses.** Increasing bets after a loss usually deepens the loss.
– **Playing when stressed or tired.** Judgment declines when emotions run high.
– **Using credit.** Borrowed money turns entertainment into debt.
– **Ignoring time.** Long sessions often cost more than short ones.
– **Believing in patterns.** Casino outcomes are random, and a streak does not predict the next round.
Warning signs to take seriously
If you spend more than planned, hide gambling from family, borrow to play or feel irritable when you stop, take a break. Self-exclusion and cooling-off tools are available on regulated sites, and confidential help is free at any hour.
A 2027 starting plan
Write the budget on a card or in your phone. Set matching limits on every account you use. Check in monthly. Treat any win as a pleasant surprise rather than income, and treat any loss as the price you already agreed to pay. If the budget is gone, do something else, whether that is a movie, a walk or a trip to the slopes.
The takeaway is simple: decide early, set limits in advance and keep gambling a small piece of a balanced year.
You must be 19 or older to gamble in most provinces, or 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Gambling can be addictive. If it is affecting you or someone close to you, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offers confidential support at 416 535-8501, press 21.
(The Center Square) – Proposals for a billionaire tax and a voter ID requirement both failed in California’s election Tuesday.
As of 10:12 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, 68.5% of precincts in California were partially reporting their election results.
Prop. 40, commonly referred to as the billionaire tax, stood at 56.5% against to 43.5% in support, failing at the ballot box, with 3,458,132 against the wealth tax and 2,662,682 for it. The measure aimed to impose a one-time 5% tax on California residents whose wealth is valued at $1 billion or more. The tax would apply to wealth that includes assets like stocks, collectibles and artwork, according to previous reporting by The Center Square.
The money generated from that ballot measure is projected to be about $100 billion worth of revenue over five years and would primarily be used to offset federal budget cuts to taxpayer-funded health care programs like Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California.
However, another measure on the November ballot, Prop. 42, would cancel out that tax if the wealth tax had passed. Prop. 42 would ban new taxes imposed by the state on personal property. If California voters had ultimately voted in favor of both Prop. 40 and Prop. 42, whichever proposition garners the most votes would win and the other will be effectively nullified.
Prop. 42 was passing with 3,314,411, or 54.6% of voters for the measure, and 2,759,502, or 45.4% of voters against it.
Other propositions on the November ballot in California include Prop. 39, which sought to establish voter identification requirements. California voters opted to reject that proposition 59.7% to 40.3%, or 3,648,592 against the measure and 2,466,396 in support.
Several bond measures were on the November ballot. Prop. 1 proposed $11.25 billion to pay for affordable housing projects for the homeless, students and veterans. The proposition would cost California’s taxpayers $500 million to $600 million every year for 25 years to pay back the bond debt. Prop. 37 authorizes $25 billion worth of bonds to be used for fixed-rate mortgages for homebuyers in the state, and the bond debt would be repaid by mortgage payments paid by homeowners who qualify for the home buying assistance program established by this ballot measure.
Prop. 1 was passing 59.4% to 40.6%, garnering 3,580,591 votes in support with 2,451,843 votes against. Meanwhile, Prop. 37 was passing with 60.9% of the vote compared to 39.1% of voters who rejected the proposition, roughly 3,656,056 in support and 2,346,619 against.
Another bond measure, Prop. 38, authorizes $8.4 billion in taxpayer-backed bonds to pay for immunology and immunotherapy research. Half of the money would go to a medical research institute affiliated with the University of California and the other half of the bond money would go to research grants, according to the voter guide. Prop. 38 was passing with 57% of the vote with 43% rejecting the measure, showing 3,434,252 voters supporting the bond measure and 2,591,202 against it.
Other tax-related ballot measures Californians are deciding include Prop. 2, which increases the state’s “Rainy Day Fund.” This is essentially the state government’s savings account and would increase from 10% to 20% of general fund revenues if Californians vote to pass Prop. 2. The money would be used to pay for taxpayer-funded education, health care, public safety and other essential services when the economy takes a nosedive. That ballot measure was passing 60% to 40%, with 3,616,860 for the measure and 2,410,974 against.
Prop. 3 would extend a tax on Californians who make more than $371,000 annually to help pay for public education, according to the voter guide. The tax would maintain $5 billion to $15 billion of taxpayer funds instead of letting the already-existing tax expire in 2031. Prop. 3 was passing 58.9% to 41.1%, with 3,576,516 voters supporting the proposition and 2,500,435 against.
Prop. 4 aimed to repeal a ban on using public funds for political campaign-related expenses, although those taxpayer dollars can’t be taken away from education, transportation or public safety, according to the voter guide. That proposition was failing, with 52.1% of voters against it and 47.9% supporting it, pitting roughly 3,101,601 voters who rejected the measure against the 2,856,680 who supported it.
Prop. 41 nullifies state taxes enacted after Jan. 1, 2026 that generate more revenue for the state than what is allowed under the Gann Limit. This constitutionally-imposed limit curtails what the state Legislature can spend in its annual budget. If Prop. 41 passes, any new statewide taxes that exempt their revenues from the Gann Limit would be prohibited.
That measure was failing 52.5% to 47.5%, with 3,156,075 of voters rejecting it versus 2,860,842 supporting.
Another tax measure, Prop. 43, limits the ability of California’s voters to approve voter-proposed local taxes by increasing the number of votes needed to pass such a local tax. If this measure passes, local taxes would need a two-thirds vote in support to be able to pass starting on Jan. 1, 2027. Prop. 43 was failing 54.7%, or 3,274,180 rejecting it, versus 45.3%, or 2,712,508 voters supporting it.
Prop. 45 was failing early Tuesday evening, with 3,239,196 voters, or 45.5%, rejecting the measure, with 2,720,187, or 45.6%, in support. Prop. 44 had 82.6% of voters against it – roughly 4,936,859 – to 17.4%, or 1,040,999 voters, in support.
Prop. 5 would require a special election or appointment to fill vacant political offices after a successful recall election. Prop. 5 was passing late Tuesday, with 50.4% of voters supporting it – 2,956,917 in total – while 49.6% of voters rejected it, totaling 2,904,616.
Voters on Tuesday rejected Prop. 44, which seeks to impose penalties on federal taxpayer-funded health clinics that provide medical care to disadvantaged populations and Prop. 45, which expedites environmental review for housing, transportation and water projects.
LAKE TAHOE Calif./Nev. – Tahoe Backcountry Radio is heading into its second year, expanding with more trailhead signs and outreach events.
The program started last year with the aim of implementing backcountry radio community channels in the Tahoe Basin, which are specific radio channels assigned to specific backcountry areas (zones).
The channels are valuable in the backcountry because they place users in reach of other users for intel on conditions, drop-in notifications and calls for help.
The program launched last winter, and organizers raised awareness of the new backcountry resource.
“We have great awareness; now we need to get people to use it,” radio project lead Jamie Morgan said. “We are encouraging people to do their radio check at the trailhead on the community channel so people know there are others out there.”
This year, the program is expanding to more trailheads, increasing from last year’s 26 to 40 trailheads. In that effort, the program is recruiting trail stewards to help with education and awareness when they are out skiing.
The program is also offering more trailhead outreach days to raise awareness and teach people how to use the channels. The trailhead outreaches take place at various popular backcountry trailheads with beacon practice fields, and resources on the radio program and avalanche education.
Tahoe Backcountry Radio has launched a new website that offers a trailhead check-in page that finds a user’s zone channel from a phone in a parking lot. It also provides area avalanche forecasts and localized weather links, information from the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, and a place to provide feedback.
Tahoe Backcountry Radio will participate in a series of educational events and discussions this winter, including the Tahoe Mountain Sports Avalanche Education Series night on December 16 in Truckee, plus other film nights and workshops.
For a full list of events, trailhead outreaches or more information about the program, radio etiquette or a backcountry zone’s channel, visit the Tahoe Backcountry Radio website, tbradio.org.
The Latest Renovations and Venues at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore
From fresh dishes to new accommodations, from extra activities to advanced meeting spaces, South Lake Tahoe is constantly innovating. The only elements we strive to leave unchanged are the natural ones. In fact, you can marvel at the stunning peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the strikingly blue waters of our eponymous lake right from your room, game, meeting, table, trail, or entertainment venue. That’s because everything you need is within walking distance on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Add 365 days of outdoor recreation and 24/7 entertainment to the mix, and you have an equation that can’t miss.
Activities
Go ahead; play like it’s your job. Our fresh mountain air can stir up inspiration like nothing else. And you can easily incorporate this new batch of activities into any event itinerary, or try our ever-popular horseback rides, guided nature walks, hot air balloon excursions, and lakeside yoga sessions.
Get a front row seat to colorful granite stones and pristine waters beneath your kayak while taking in picturesque mountains that frame the shoreline all around you. The Summit Shores tour from Clearly Tahoe is a 1.5 to 2-hour guided paddle that’s designed for all skill levels. Expert local guides provide a smooth journey and share about the geology that formed the Tahoe Basin as well as the local flora and fauna.
Heavenly Mountain Resort aims to keep you connected. In addition to offering skiing and snowboarding lessons, restaurant options, lodging properties, and event space, this local resort now provides a bike haul program. Mountain bikers and Class 1 e-bike riders can upload their bikes to the mid-station for access to our community network of trail systems. So your group can keep calm and roll on.
The latest offering from Lagree South Lake, this low-impact yet high-intensity strength workout is intense on muscles but gentle on bones and joints. With plenty of group options, these trained teachers redefine team-building exercises.
Accommodations
If you like options, upgrades, and renovations, you’ve come to the right place. South Shore hotels, resorts, cabins, bed and breakfasts, and campsites are updating their amenities left and right.
With its cozy fires and bubbling hot tubs, The Iceberg Tahoe is anything but cold. Fully renovated in 2025, this hotel is the ideal combination of a remote, tucked-away feel with close proximity to shops, trails, restaurants, and ski slopes.
Sure, your group could cluster inside a conference room, but wouldn’t you rather be sipping cocktails poolside in a cabana? Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe now features The High Dive Pool + Lounge, a venue that claims to be Lake Tahoe’s second greatest body of water. It looks promising, but we’ll let you be the judge.
With in-room gas fireplaces, private terraces or balconies, and separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, Edgewood Resort just completed a comprehensive redesign of its lodge rooms and suites. Edgewood also added a 5,600-square-foot lakefront ballroom that can host up to 250 guests for receptions and corporate events, a 2,100-square-foot heated deck for outdoor ceremonies and gatherings, and a lakefront private dining space for up to 40 guests.
After a $45 million comprehensive renovation, Gurney’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa plans to open its doors in 2027. The 7.6-acre lakefront resort also includes a cafe, pizzeria, restaurant, and dessert shop alongside a health and wellness spa, meeting spaces, and private beach access.
Restaurants & Bars
The following establishments have just joined our lineup of delectable South Shore provisions. Hot tip: JWB Prime Steak and Seafood released an updated menu. Even hotter tip: We developed a group dining guide for planners so you can spend less time organizing and more time tasting.
Japanese A5 Wagyu. Bread with Black Truffle Butter. White Cheddar Lobster Mac & Cheese. Those are just some of the dishes you can order at the latest restaurant within Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe. Might as well pair it with one of their award-winning wines. Cheers.
This is not your grandmother’s afternoon tea. Edgewood Tahoe recently launched a modern tea experience with thoughtfully curated sips and small plates. Hosted inside the resort’s fine dining restaurant, your tea and cakes come with sweeping panoramic views. Who knows, you might just brew up your next big idea.
Building on the momentum of the resort’s rebrand and summer 2025 debut, Caesars Entertainment has launched pool enhancements, meeting and convention spaces, and a bar and lounge area with live music seven nights a week—right at the center of the casino floor.
Find your untapped potential at the newest taproom and cafe. Select from indoor and outdoor spaces with firepits, a stage—even a whimsical garden tucked beneath the pines where winding brick pathways, soft market lighting, and atmospheric landscaping create a charming, almost secret-garden feel. Paddle House specializes in private events, and the food is just as good as the brews. Their blueberry mascarpone cake is a local delicacy.
Try chef-led culinary experiences that pair tastings at handpicked local restaurants with the history, hidden stories, and neighborhoods that make the South Shore unique. From progressive dinners to private sightseeing and food tours, it’s a memorable way to bring a team or client group together over great food and a deeper taste of Tahoe’s local character.
Transcend Your Agenda
All of these exciting transformations happening in South Lake Tahoe combined with our existing offerings means that the only thing missing is you. Browse venues for events, meetings, and conventions of all sizes, or book your group accommodations to secure the choicest spot for your crew. Your guests will feel so invigorated, they might just push back their return flight (which is a great time to mention that we’re only a short drive away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport). Ready to make a move? We’d love to see your RFP.
Sure, we’re a little biased, but there’s never a bad time to visit Lake Tahoe. Pick a season, any season. Celebrate summer in the Sierra with a hike to Emerald Bay State Park or make a splash at Pope Beach. Discover why Tahoe winters are legendary for skiing and holiday fun at the Heavenly Village and Ski Resort. If you want to avoid the high season crowds, visit Lake Tahoe in the spring to hit the slopes in sunglasses and a t-shirt, or come in the fall when the mountains are painted in autumn colors and hiking is at its best. Regardless of when you visit, there’s plenty of Lake Tahoe things to do.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) invites community members to the next round of public meetings on the Marsh South Restoration Project on November 18 and 19, 2026.
At the two meetings, the Conservancy will engage the public about the proposed restoration project in the southern part of méšuk málɨm, formerly known as the Upper Truckee Marsh, in South Lake Tahoe. Proposed project elements include significant river and wetland restoration downstream of U.S. Highway 50, including the site of the former Motel 6. To facilitate the restoration, the Conservancy also proposes to modify the South Tahoe Bikeway and river access.
méšuk málɨm (listen for pronunciation) is the name the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California uses for the area around the confluence of the Upper Truckee River and Trout Creek, and which applies to the 600-acre marsh where the Upper Truckee River meets Lake Tahoe.
Public Meetings
In-Person Public Meeting | 4:00–6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Meet in the LTCC Board Room (L104), located in the Roberta Mason Library building.
Spanish interpretation will be available for both meetings.
Proposed Elements of the Marsh South Restoration Project
River and Floodplain Restoration: The Conservancy proposes to restore historical wetland habitat, which will include removing fill from past development, lowering the floodplain to reconnect it to the river, and removing encroaching conifers.
South Tahoe Bikeway Modifications: To facilitate the floodplain restoration, the Conservancy proposes to realign the South Tahoe Bikeway, an existing shared-use trail. Elevating the shared-use trail to a new bridge and boardwalk will protect the river and wetlands while providing a safer connection for people walking, biking, and rolling.
Recreation Features: The Conservancy proposes to protect streambanks from erosion by formalizing a river access point that meets the Americans with Disability Act standards. Other proposed improvements include picnic tables, wayfinding and interpretive signage, and changes to parking.
History of the Marsh South Recreation Project The Conservancy acquired 31 acres at the southern end of méšuk málɨm in 2024, and removed a former motel and restaurant from the site in 2025. Last year, the Conservancy began public outreach to seek ideas for restoration and recreation improvements.
The Conservancy has also been working closely with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and Lake Tahoe Basin partners on planning the project. The marsh area called méšuk málɨm in Wá∙šiw (the Washoe language) holds particular importance to the waší∙šiw (Washoe people—the people from here).
The Marsh South Recreation Project also helps advance longstanding goals of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program and the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan.
In the upcoming meetings, the Conservancy will present the elements of the proposed project and continue to engage with and hear from community members.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – South Tahoe Public Utility District completed a busy and productive 2026 construction season, investing $28 million in critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to improve reliability and prepare the community for the future.
The District invested $20 million in water system improvements, including new groundwater supply, water mains, storage tank rehabilitation, and the final phase of its water-meter installation program.
Key water-system projects included:
Two new drinking water wells: The District drilled and installed two new, 500-foot-deep wells. Design and construction of the above-ground well houses and pumping equipment will be the next phase of work, with the goal of connecting the wells to the drinking water system within the next two to three years.
9,000 feet of new water main on Pioneer Trail: This major pipeline project will improve the District’s ability to move water throughout the system where it is needed and support water pressure for firefighting. Next summer, the District plans to install pressure-reducing valves to connect the new main to the system and repave roadways affected by construction.
Recoating one of the District’s largest water storage tanks: This work extends the useful life of the tank by approximately 25 years. Water storage tanks are critical to maintaining adequate water supply and pressure, particularly during periods of peak demand. The District’s largest (2.3 million gallon) tank will be recoated next summer.
Completion of residential water-meter installation: The District installed the remaining 75 residential water meters. A metered system helps the District meet state requirements, supports water conservation, and allows customers to track their water use.
Emergency stand by power for the two largest drinking water wells: This project included the rehabilitation at one well, and back-up power that can be used at both wells to maintain water supply during power outages.
On the wastewater side, the District completed approximately $8 million in critical system improvements.
A major project was the successful lining of 8,000 feet of sewer main in the Tahoe Keys neighborhood. This trenchless method rehabilitated pipes from the inside, reducing the need for extensive excavation. The work is expected to extend the pipes’ service life by about 50 years and help prevent sewer spills into Lake Tahoe. This was the District’s first large-scale sewer-lining project, with more planned in the future.
District crews also work year-round to keep water and wastewater systems operating reliably. This includes responding to water leaks, cleaning the entire gravity sewer system to help prevent overflows, and using camera inspections to assess high-risk sewer lines to prioritize future repairs. The District also used satellite-based technology to identify water-main leaks early, helping reduce water loss and target maintenance where it is needed most.
“This summer’s construction work reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the systems our community depends on every day,” said Megan Colvey, Director of Engineering. “Reliable drinking water and wastewater service cannot be taken for granted. Continued investment is essential as we address aging infrastructure, meet regulatory requirements, protect Lake Tahoe, and ensure our systems are ready to serve the community for decades to come.”
The District’s capital improvement program is a long-term investment in the health, safety, and resilience of the South Lake Tahoe community. While the projects completed this summer represent meaningful progress, substantial work remains. Visit www.stpud.us/capital-improvement-program for more information on the District’s long-term capital plan.
Three minutes after the polls closed in California, the Associated Press called the state’s governor’s race for Democrat Xavier Becerra. In an explanation of the call, the AP’s website stated, “The AP will only declare a winner at poll closing time in races not expected to be competitive when all available evidence points to an overwhelming victory. This could include past vote results; pre-election polling; campaign fundraising and spending; and results from AP’s Voter Poll, which surveyed actual voters.”
Updated 8:08 p.m.: In El Dorado County’s initial election results report, it reports the first 60,101 votes cast, from 43.6% of registered voters in the county. Based on these preliminary and incomplete results, here’s where some key South Lake Tahoe races stand right now.
South Lake Tahoe City Council (reporting 33.84%; top three)
TL;DR: South Lake Tahoe has been named Expedia’s #1 Trending Destination for 2027, following a 195% surge in travel searches. Discover why this year-round mountain destination is capturing travelers’ attention worldwide.
The secret is out! South Lake Tahoe is capturing the attention of travelers worldwide, and Expedia’s latest travel trends report confirms it.
According to Expedia’s Unpack ’27 travel trends report, South Lake Tahoe saw a remarkable 195% year-over-year increase in travel searches, earning the top spot among trending destinations worldwide.
And it’s easy to see why. From sparkling blue waters and sandy beaches to breathtaking alpine scenery, South Lake Tahoe offers something unforgettable in every season. Visitors can hit the slopes at world-class ski resorts, explore scenic hiking and biking trails, cruise across the lake, or simply relax and take in the mountain views. Add exciting entertainment, delicious dining, and a wide variety of places to stay, and you’ve got a destination worth discovering again and again.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, a romantic mountain escape, or a memorable family vacation, South Lake Tahoe delivers an experience unlike anywhere else.
Who doesn’t love that cozy autumn feeling of walking to your mailbox, or a drop box, or an in-person voting center to cast your vote for local, state, and national leadership?
2026 is a midterm year, meaning no voting for the U.S. president and vice president. With that spotlight off, local races receive more, much-deserved attention. Ideal, since that’s where voters have the most power to effect change. But without presidential candidates on the ballot, there tends to be considerably less participation. In 2022’s midterm election, 36% of California’s voting age population cast a ballot compared to 53% in 2024’s general. In Nevada for those same years, 41% bumped up to 58%.
The irony isn’t difficult to spot: Rules and codes over local development, utility rates, transportation options — these and hundreds more decisions happen in your neck of the woods and are made by the people you vote into office. But it doesn’t have the same drama or them-versus-us vibe, so it might not feel as critical to participate.
We hope reviewing the answers provided by candidates in the following pages adds a reason to your pros and cons list about voting on or before Nov. 3. There are very real issues at hand and critical decisions being made, and who you vote for could turn the tide one way or the other.
For our election coverage in our October edition, we took a methodical approach to the jurisdictions and special districts featured: Those we questioned in person as part of the Truckee Candidate Forum on Oct. 8 — Truckee Town Council, Tahoe Forest Hospital District, and Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District — were not included in print. (You can re-watch those forums, which took place Oct. 6 and 8, at ttm.ompnetwork.org.
A North Shore Election Forum took place Oct. 6, where state candidates participated in a Q&A. Find the recording at firsttuesdaybreakfastclub.com.
Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association is hosting an IV-CB Community Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Duffield Theater at Incline High School. It will be broadcast live and available afterward at youtube.com/@iv-cbcommunityforum9730.
We also touch on Measure P, which goes before all voters within the TTUSD boundaries.
You’ll find three district-specific questions asked of the candidates, who were allowed no more than 125 words in response per answer. Please sit with their answers and mull over who you believe would best fill an empty seat on a board, then responsibly fill out your ballot and cast your vote by Nov. 3. A healthy democracy depends on participation.
For uncontested races and other information, view our 2026 Election Tracker at tinyurl.com/5f4w5j4c.
Residents must register to vote by Oct. 19. Same-day voter registration is possible, but must be done at a county elections office, polling place, or vote center. Visit caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov for a list of early voting locations.
Residents must have registered to vote in person or by mail by Oct. 6. Same-day voter registration is possible and must be done in person at a polling location. Visit tinyurl.com/mrfcsc7p for a list of early voting locations.
Two years ago, the Incline Village General Improvement District was in a precarious spot. Fraud allegations, financial issues, failed recalls, and a general manager spot that couldn’t seem to be kept filled — interim GM Bobby Magee, who resigned after three months, followed by Kent Walrack, who lasted a similar length of time before being terminated by a new board. That same month, January 2025, the still-current GM, Bob Harrison, was put in place.
Earlier this summer, Trustee Mick Homan wrote a piece for Moonshine saying that at long last, things are looking up. “With key hires in HR and finance to supplement the existing team, focus shifted to three priorities,” he wrote. “Improving organizational health, restoring financial discipline, and advancing long-term capital planning.”
The shape of that progress looks different to different people. There are three candidates running for two seats on the IVGID Board of Trustees, with only one incumbent running for reelection: David Noble. That means there’ll be at least one newcomer, either Harry Swenson, who ran in 2024, or Ryan “RB” Brooks. The candidates touch on cost discipline, transportation, and utility management.
Candidates were limited to 125-word responses per question, and they have been edited for style and clarity. Order of replies determined by a randomizer.
1. Public transportation has been identified as a critical option to reduce traffic, lower pollution, expand mobility, and more. December 2025’s cancellation of TART (Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit) Connect’s microtransit services and the Aug. 1, 2026, discontinuance of IVGID’s Senior Transportation Program have created a gap in public transportation needs across Incline Village/Crystal Bay. What do you see as the most critical way(s) IVGID can support or encourage expanded public transportation options?
Brooks: The end of these programs left us without on-demand transit for the residents who depend on it most: seniors, workers, and people without a car. As I see it, IVGID’s most critical role is to restore service quickly and on solid legal footing. IVGID’s counsel has advised that [Nevada Revised Statute] 318 doesn’t allow the district to operate transportation directly. Rather, we should let a local 501(c)(3) run the service and receive state and federal funding directly, including [Nevada Department of Transportation’s] [Federal Transit Administration] Section 5310 and Older Americans Act funds and Washoe County senior service contracts. IVGID’s role would be to convene partners and help prepare grant applications. Any direct financial support would be reviewed by legal counsel first, so we don’t trade one lawsuit risk for another.
Editor’s note: Words in brackets were added by editors and do not count against word count.
Noble: IVGID representatives have been in discussions with county representatives since April to strongly encourage restarting/funding TART, which would assist all residents, including seniors. Those discussions have included the use of at least some of the taxes generated from STRs in unincorporated Washoe County (over 90% of those revenues come from STRs in Incline Village and Crystal Bay), which currently go to the county, Travel North Tahoe Nevada (formerly the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau), and the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Unfortunately, IVGID is prohibited from providing public transportation service, unless it is tied to at least one of IVGID’s recreation venues.
Swenson: I would work with the board and amend the long-standing contract with Washoe County to ensure senior transportation services are fully funded by the county and are consistent with services offered in other towns/districts of the county. For instance, the county provides discounted Lyft rides and taxi services for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents. We need to ensure our community is aware of the services available.
IVGID has the responsibility of providing transportation according to the contract with Washoe County; therefore, the elimination of services was wrong. The problem appears to be budgetary and due to the services provided by IVGID going beyond what the county provides in other communities. Services should have been reviewed and refined rather than eliminated.
2. IVGID provides essential utilities while also operating an extensive recreation system. How would you determine which responsibilities should take priority when the district faces competing financial, infrastructure, and community needs?
Swenson: Maintaining and updating our water and sewer infrastructure is critical. Much of it is still original and in state of disrepair. We’ve had too many water main and line breaks. We need to budget and execute on a plan to get it upgraded and properly maintained. At the same time, we need to make the maintenance of our existing facilities, such as the recreation center, a priority. We should budget for these things first and then determine what additional projects can be accomplished. Only projects that can be delivered should be contained in the budget that results in your beach and recreation fees. This would resolve the over-collection of fees from our community while keeping our facilities in good repair.
Brooks: Tier 1 – Public health, safety, and legal obligations. Water, sewer, and effluent systems come first because they protect residents and the lake, and regulations aren’t optional.
Tier 2 – Taking care of what we already have. Before paying for anything new, IVGID should fully fund the repair and replacement of its existing pipes, pumps, facilities, and equipment.
Tier 3 – Core recreation at the heart of our community. Each IVGID facility should be evaluated on cost, usage, and how close it comes to covering its expenses. But keep a holistic approach.
Tier 4 – Wants. New amenities, expansions, and nice-to-haves come last.
Three rules would guide me in how I apply this:
Keep the money where it belongs.
Plan on a five- to 10-year horizon.
Show our work.
Noble: Water and sewer services take priority over all recreation venues because those services are essential to daily life. IVGID recently completed the effluent export pipeline project under Highway 28 — a $62 million-plus project finished a year ahead of schedule and $13 million-plus under budget. Looking forward, I believe reinvestment in IVGID’s water service and ski area should be priority. Wildfire preparedness measures (pipe replacement, backup generators, etc.) need to be accelerated for our water delivery system to be better prepared for future wildfire events. Diamond Peak is the only venue that generates a profit for the community ($1 to $5 million/year), yet no meaningful investments have been made in nearly 20 years — lodge, lift, and snowmaking upgrades are long overdue to address declining skier visits.
3. The past few years have seen ups and downs in the facility fee amounts district property owners pay annually. For example, in the fiscal year ending 2023, residents paid $780. In 2024, that amount dropped to $455. In 2026, due to impacted district finances, the annual fee went up to $1,375. The current IVGID board said the latest increase will help ensure district financial stability and the ability to manage current and future capital facilities. Do you think the board and staff have handled the financial instability well? How would you seek to maintain or improve district financial management moving forward?
Noble: The facility fee was kept flat from 2010 to 2023, while construction, labor, and food prices rose considerably over that period. The fee went up to $1,375 to begin addressing years of deferred maintenance and capital projects that languished due to analysis paralysis. I led the effort in early 2025 to hire IVGID’s new GM, who has rebuilt the finance department. We now have the right personnel in place for IVGID to comply with all applicable fiscal and accounting protocols, resulting in a clean (no exceptions or disclaimers) [Fiscal Year] 2025 audit. IVGID will be removed from the state’s fiscal watch list once the anticipated clean audit for FY 2026 is filed in November, which will enable IVGID to access additional financing tools for future projects.
Swenson: IVGID is collecting money for projects without the ability to complete in the budgeted year for many years; it’s resulted in excessive cash reserves. The excessive cash build-ups have also allowed your money to be used where it wasn’t intended or budgeted. The lower-fee years were during a time when the board linked the fees to the ability to deliver projects and services; they didn’t over-collect but collected for what was achievable. Last year’s capital improvement plan was for $30 million of projects and barely executed on $6 million. Now, with the tripling of fees, they’ve collected another $40 million out of your pockets. The board needs to budget and collect only for projects and services it can deliver, nothing more. Apply proper fiscal management!
Brooks: The current board and staff faced the problem honestly. They built a long-term capital plan, ranked the most critical projects, and stabilized the general fund. The effluent pipeline replacement finished a year early and under budget. That’s real progress.
Going forward, I would:
Instead of raising fees, pursue cost savings and revenue generating opportunities. For example, we have a $400,000 line item for the replacement of golf carts. Let’s solicit sponsors like Titleist or Nike to brand and sponsor the golf carts.
Index the fee to construction costs every year with a published formula.
Autumn Color Reflected in the Twilight
Caples Lake, Calif.
Fall is here, and for photographers, it’s the most exciting time of the year. Grab your gear and head to the mountains. Great images may seem easy, but capturing world-class ones is not as simple as it appears. I have five key elements that I look for in a single image:
1. Color: The sky and landscape should be bursting with color. Brilliant blue skies, glowing sunsets, and vibrant fall foliage make images pop.
2. Water: I prefer a one to three-second exposure to soften the water into a creamy flow of motion. Reflections double the foliage and sky color, creating beautiful, mirrored compositions.
3. Strong Compositions: Find a solid center point, such as an is
olated tree or a splash of color. Your eye should wander around without being led out of the frame. S-curves and diagonals make images more dynamic.
4. Old Things: Ghost towns, dilapidated buildings or barns, and remnants of bygone eras are not only enjoyable to discover, but they are often weathered, rusted, or in disrepair, captivating viewers.
5. Weather: Clouds, snow, and rain can all enhance an image. Cloudy days reduce the contrast of shadows. The first snowfall of the year is a must-see, and a gentle rain to wash away dust is always welcome.
I haven’t yet captured a photo that incorporates all five elements, but I’ll keep trying!
It being a midterms year, Moonshine Ink sought to create a political education column, speaking with academics on the state of politics in the country. In this edition of the Politics Brief, Moonshine spoke with Teaching Assistant Professor Owen Fite, Ph.D., from the University of Nevada, Reno’s political science department. Answers were lightly edited for style and clarity.
You teach a class on political philosophy, so I’m wondering if you can define democracy and tell me about how it has evolved since its creation? Why didn’t the founding fathers go with a direct Athenian democracy?
To give the general synopsis of what Athenian democracy was, it wasn’t monolithic, it wasn’t static. It changed over different years in which it existed. But the most radical take … that I think is worth juxtaposing from today is a democracy in which you had 6,000 citizens who showed up to the Pnyx — the assembly. It’s this hilltop in Athens. And the first 6,000 citizens that showed up there got to be essentially congress members for the day.
Those citizens would be voting yea or nay on the various proposals that were submitted by [a] council of 500. This was still restricted to Athenians, even if there were other city-states and areas that were under Athenian rule. This was still a very exclusive form of citizenship that also did not include women or children or slaves. But these people also were paid.
As a way to make this more accessible even to the poor, you could get paid essentially a day’s wage to show up and do your citizenry duties. And so you had a form of citizenship that allowed for such participation and allowed for real engagement, whether it’s because you were picked by lottery to be one of these more deliberative council members in this smaller body of 500, or you always having this right to show up early to this assembly with 5,999 other folks and vote yea or nay on these various proposals. I don’t think I need to explain to you how different that is from democracy today.
Aristotle gives you a theory as to three noble forms of government — what are pure, virtuous forms of government: benevolent kingship, aristocracy, and polity, or what also might be translated to a constitutional polity of sorts.
The perverted forms, or the forms of government that end up taking shape if the noble ones end up being corrupted, are: tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. Democracy is seen as mob rule, rule of incompetence, rule of those who are subject to material needs. In other words, people are selfishly going into these assemblies looking for what they can get. If they don’t have their needs met, they’re going to be even more desperate and selfish instead of deliberating and thinking of a collective communal good.
And it isn’t until we get to John Locke and what we would call the introduction of liberal democracy that we get kind of this 180, where we get essentially the English Civil Wars, and we get this re-understanding that government is based on consent, individual’s agreement to enter into a social contract and accept legitimate authority.
[The founding fathers] had a lot of liberal ideas to pull from, they draw from Lockean philosophy, and so they have the basis of a liberal democratic government, but one that is still supposed to be based on rationalism, that is still supposed to exclude women, those who are not educated enough, like children, those who are supposed to only be property owning. In other words, still this idea that those who can’t provide for themselves are going to corrupt a public body, seeking their own selfish good if they don’t have their own material sustenance met.
And what one could clearly argue as real skepticism of the everyday citizen, the fact that the Senate was not able to be elected until we get to the 1900s shows that the founding fathers didn’t want everyday people in charge of affairs. The fact that the electoral college existed meant another layer of insulation in which individual people could not express their concerns. By just keeping it in the House of Representatives, it allowed some sort of representation based off citizens, which is still a very exclusive circle.
Not everyone could be a citizen … that would be specifically capped by a Senate. It’d be capped to really make sure that all these warnings made by political philosophers over the last thousand years [about] a tyranny of the masses, a tyranny of the uneducated, would never really take shape.
ZOON POLITIKON: Politics isn’t simply Congress or voting, says Owen Fite, it’s the network of relationships and decisions that shape how we live together. File image
As politics becomes wrapped up in every facet of life, what would you say to somebody who says that they’re not political? How does this tie into Aristotle’s idea of the zoon politikon?
Zoon politikon translates to political animal.
And this is an assumption made by Aristotle that people are political creatures. In other words, politics is not something we should avoid. Politics is the very essence of being human.
The fact that humans have ideas of what is good and bad, what’s better and worse, what is righteous, what is sincere, what is emotion, these are all very human things. And all of this has to do with politics. In order to understand this you have to have a more capacious definition instead of an institutional definition of politics just being Congress or voting.
But politics at its origins is the practice of compromise, of agreeing. Well, that’s what it’s like to be a person. The only way one could avoid politics would be living out on an island by themselves with no interaction with anyone else.
But even that is still the consequence of politics. For example, [if] some different treaties or different governments agreed not to populate this one island,[then] even if someone avoids all politics, the very absence of politics … requires politics elsewhere. And so that’s a different answer, though, to how someone who tells me they’re not political, how I’d respond to them.
I would do a long Socratic kind of back and forth if I had all the time in the world and I was invested in really getting this through. I would ask, ‘What does it mean to not be political?’ I’d throw it on its head. And if someone said, ‘Oh, it’s just I like my job and I like watching my TV.’ I’d ask, ‘Well, how do you have your job? What are the economic forces at play? What are the facts of insurance, the subsidies, the workplace protections, the fact that you have a home, the zoning, the roads that get you from here to there, the fact that you have TV, that you have internet connection here and there, that everything that leads to you being a part of another’s world, that’s political.’
It is interesting because I feel like some of the people I’ve talked to think it’s pointless. They think that they don’t have influence, or maybe they think that there’s no point in voting in the presidential election because they think that the only potential power that they have is within local elections.
What I would call a meaningful distinction of what you brought up is the difference between having agency and influence versus control and masterdom. Yeah, people in the U.S. right now do not have control over their politics.
They do not have a masterdom over politics unless they are one of those few exceptions of a political party elite or Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos-type billionaires. That doesn’t mean someone doesn’t have influence. If I were to have a conversation with individuals, I would probably take it as local, scaled down as possible to think of what influence have you had on friends, on family, on the community, and I would interrogate them or challenge them to say, how is that apolitical? You convincing a friend to watch a certain show over another, going to this event versus another, joining this club, spending their time doing this and that.
Whether they’re subtle or not, they have interconnections with ideas of what is better, what is worse, what are ways that we want to associate, we want to cohabitate, we want to live together, what institutions we want to make, whether they’re formal or informal.
What I problematize about the definition that you cited is that it’s really restricted by an institutionalist type of thinking that, yes, if you only work with institutions and you expect institutions to completely reflect what you want, it’s going to feel like you have no agency, but that’s only one avenue of politics.
The most radical changes over history, the biggest political change happens outside of formal institutions. It creates new institutions over time. You as an individual are not going to do that. You don’t have that control or masterdom, but that’s where you don’t get these big critical junctures until it actually takes up across a large group, a large mass of people.
We go back to the heart of it, which is politics only exists with others. You as an individual are not going to change everything in politics by yourself. It’s all part of a collective action problem, a collective effort.
