Parents rally to challenge Nevada's ESA program

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016, 8:34pm

Thousands of Nevada families are in limbo as they await a decision on the state's school choice voucher-style program.

The State Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on a challenge to the program that lets parents use state school funding for their kids to go to private school.

A small group of parents demonstrated in front of the Rogers Foundation Tuesday. With posters in their hands, parents voiced their frustration with the on-going litigation over the Nevada Education Savings Account program.

"We've been very patient at the expense of our children, and we're not going to put up with it anymore," said Shannon Churchwell, a parent.

Churchwell organized the rally outside the Rogers Foundation because it houses the non-profit "Educate Nevada Now" organization. Educate Nevada NOW is one of the groups challenging the ESA program.

"It's not fair," according to advocate Hergit Llenas... Read More

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Thursday, April 28th, 2016, 7:02pm

Dark clouds filled the Las Vegas valley skies and dumped heavy rains early Thursday evening.

The thunderstorms showers, lightning, and hail in some areas rolled through just before 5:30 p.m. The storm started in the north and northwest before moving south.

Multiple lightning strikes were seen around Whitney Ranch. 8 News NOW received reports of pea-sized hail along Whitney Ranch and Warm Springs.

In the southern part of the valley, the rain came down around St. Rose Parkway. A flood advisory was issued for southwestern Clark County. It will be in effect until 7:15 p.m.

The rain pounded the area for a little over an hour before drying out. At the end of the showers, two rainbows could be seen in certain parts of the valley... Read More

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Friday, April 15th, 2016, 5:43pm

There was a big send off Friday for a group of soldiers heading off to a long-term deployment.

The Nevada Army Guard's Bravo Company will be gone for nine months.

8 News NOW was there as they said their final goodbyes before loading up.

Emotions were high as Bravo Company prepared to leave. There were plenty of tears as loved ones said goodbye knowing they wouldn't see each other for several months.

Governor Brian Sandoval was the first to speak at the 30-minute deployment ceremony.

The nine-month mission will take 140 members of the Nevada Army Guard to Kuwait where they will make sure
all the communication systems work for allied forces in the region.

Many of the soldiers say the hardest part of the missing is leaving loved ones behind.

"We're leaving in only a couple of days so knowing this is one of the last times they're going to see us here means a lot," said Spc. Tania Resgonia, Nevada Army Guard... Read More

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Thursday, April 7th, 2016, 7:33am

Metro Police are investigating a homicide near Las Vegas and Nellis boulevards that happened Thursday before 6 a.m.

Las Vegas Boulevard is closed to traffic between Craig Road and Nellis Boulevard while police investigate.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.... Read More

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Tuesday, April 5th, 2016, 8:10pm

For the third time this year, a Clark County School District educator has been busted for sexual misconduct with a student. The most recent incident involved, a legacy high school teacher who admitted to police that he had sex with a pupil.

All of the incidents have raised questions for CCSD about what the school board is doing to prevent inappropriate relationships between teachers and students.

8 News NOW Reporter Karen Castro took a closer look at the school district's policy and training... Read More

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Friday, April 1st, 2016, 5:59pm

Saying goodbye to a Las Vegas news legend creates a day filled with laughs, memories, and tears.

On April 1 -- April Fool's Day -- a day every 8 News NOW viewers and staffers wished was a big April Fool's joke in itself, we all said goodbye to our beloved Paula Francis.

Paula will anchor her last two newscasts, the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday evening. These time slots, along with the 11 p.m. newscast, are shows Paula anchored with Dave Courvoisier, and other news greats like George Knapp and Garry Waddell, by her side.

Waddell and Knapp rejoined Paula on the anchor desk Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

During Paula's retirement luncheon, Knapp, a longtime friend, and colleague, wowed and cracked the crowd up with his comical take on VH1's "Behind the Music." It was a video filled with dramatic storytelling and none truths about Paula and her colleagues... Read More

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Thursday, March 24th, 2016, 7:12am

Eight anti-drone protesters were issued misdemeanor tickets Wednesday during a demonstration at the gate of a U.S. Air Force base outside Las Vegas.

Nevada Desert Experience advocacy group spokesman Robert Majors says more than 25 people took part in the Wednesday morning civil disobedience at Creech Air Force Base.

Majors and police say no injuries were reported.

Those arrested were accused of jaywalking and given separate court appearance dates in Las Vegas between May 4 and June 21.

Follow-up protests developed last summer outside a courthouse when more than 30 anti-drone protesters appeared together following similar arrests at the Creech base gate a year ago. Charges against most were dropped for lack of evidence.

Protesters want the Air Force to stop flying unmanned remotely piloted aircraft on armed missions overseas... Read More

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