Christopher Alvarez

Las Vegas

Multimedia Content Producer and Reporter at KNPR-FM (Las Vegas, NV)

Featured in: Favicon

knpr.org

vix.com

newsbreak.com Favicon

ourcommunitynow.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

kunr.org

Articles

Nevada’s trying to fix education-again. Will this time be different?

1 week ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

It’s no secret Nevada’s education system has long taken a backseat to powerhouse industries like tourism and entertainment — and the consequences are clear. The state consistently ranks near the bottom nationwide. According to U.S. News & World Report, Nevada is the 14th worst state for education overall and ranks fourth worst in Pre-K through 12th grade. It also faced the worst teacher shortage in the nation for the 2023-2024 school year.
In the 5 years since George Floyd's death, what has changed in Las Vegas?

2 weeks ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

May 25 marks five years since George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police, sparking protests about police conduct nationwide, including in Las Vegas. In the aftermath of that movement, what, if anything, changed about the Black experience in Las Vegas? What reforms have police made? Did George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Officer Derek Chauvin really change police behavior? The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said they couldn’t join us for this discussion.
Two Las Vegas owners talk about what Trump's tariffs mean for small business

3 weeks ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

Since President Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed “Liberation Day” in April, when he announced massive tariffs on international imports, those policies have been altered several times. The Washington Post reported Trump officials have announced new or revised tariff policies more than 50 times, and Trump has issued more than a dozen tariff-related executive orders. Tariffs are taxes. And since those taxes are passed down businesses, then consumers, it has businesses worried.
Inside the housing legislation moving through Nevada’s legislature

1 month ago | kunr.org | Christopher Alvarez

In April, Governor Joe Lombardo introduced the housing access and attainability act that he says will increase availability of homes and generate about 4 dollars for every one dollar invested. This comes at a time when the median price of a home in Nevada is at the record of $485,000. It's also at a time when the rate of evictions in Las Vegas is around 13 percent.
Reported ICE activity in Las Vegas raises alarm for immigration advocates

1 month ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

Federal immigration agents have reportedly been detaining people throughout the Las Vegas valley, with the help of the federal agents. But where and how are they arresting people? Videos of stops and detainments are circulating online, and while government and immigration attorneys have been urging education over panic, it’s scaring many Nevadans and alarming immigrant advocacy organizations.
Inside the housing legislation moving through Nevada’s legislature

1 month ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

In April, Governor Joe Lombardo introduced the housing access and attainability act that he says will increase availability of homes and generate about 4 dollars for every one dollar invested. This comes at a time when the median price of a home in Nevada is at the record of $485,000. It’s also at a time when the rate of evictions in Las Vegas is around 13 percent.
Should Formula 1 be extended on the Las Vegas Strip after its third?

1 month ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

The second Formula 1 Grand Prix race in Las Vegas was a hit, according to the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority. But the overall economic impact, according to Applied Analysis, was down. While tickets for the 2025 race in November are now on sale, they’re as low as $50 — a big drop. But race officials say it’s part of a push to make the race more inclusive. Still, not everyone’s sold on the race’s benefits. A handful of lawsuits have been filed against Clark County and Formula 1.
Feds revoke visas for four international UNLV students

2 months ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

The federal government has revoked the visas of four international students at UNLV. UNLV Executive Vice President and Provost Chris Heavey confirmed the visa revocation of four students in an email sent to the campus community. The email did not identify the students or explain why the visas were revoked. However, the university says it’s offering support and guidance to the four students so they can complete the spring semester.
Why does a New York hedge fund own this many Las Vegas homes?

2 months ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

For a few years, we’ve known about corporations, hedge funds and other conglomerates buying homes in Las Vegas, then turning them into rentals. It’s been frustrating to many who want to buy a home but find homes previously for sale have quickly been purchased and turned permanently into rental units. It’s also exacerbated the lack of homes for sale, which has kept values at record levels. Currently, the median price of a home in Nevada is around $485,000.
International tourism to Las Vegas dropped sharply last month. Why?

2 months ago | knpr.org | Christopher Alvarez

Tourism is the state’s bread and butter, and there are signs it’s starting to falter. These are the numbers for February from Harry Reid International Airport:International passengers fell 19.6% from January, while domestic passengers fell 6.9%, and the 4 million travelers passing through the airport were down 7.5% from last year.