Lucia Starbuck

Reno

Democracy Reporter at KUNR-FM (Reno, NV)

Political reporter for @KUNRPublicRadio Host of monthly show #PurplePoliticsNV 📻🎙️🎧💜

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Articles

Nevada lawmakers want to reform prior authorizations for medical care

1 week ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Nevada lawmakers are discussing nearly 10 bills aimed at reforming prior authorization requests for medical care through requiring quicker response times, increasing transparency, and creating regulations for artificial intelligence in decision-making. Insurance companies argue that the process controls costs and ensures care is medically necessary, but patients and providers say it’s riddled with red tape and leads to delays in life-saving treatment.
Political drama unfolds over rural trauma care bill in Nevada legislature

1 week ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

A bill that aimed to increase access to trauma care in rural Nevada has been watered down due to legislative politics. Assembly Bill 326 originally proposed designating rural critical access hospitals as trauma level IV centers. This would have provided the facilities with more training, education, and opportunities to respond to major incidents. Currently, there are no trauma centers outside of Reno and Las Vegas.
¿Tienes chatarra? Legisladores en Nevada quieren facilitar la remoción de vehículos abandonados

1 week ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Los legisladores de Nevada buscan hacer más fácil deshacerse de vehículos abandonados, tanto en terrenos públicos como privados. Estos vehículos en abandono son un problema en el estado, desde el Sun Valley hasta el Strip, dijo Heather Goulding, miembro demócrata de la Asamblea. Goulding afirmó que actualmente existe un proceso engorroso que las compañías de grúas deben cumplir antes de poder llevarse un vehículo abandonado y llevarlo al depósito de chatarra.
Laid-off workers join Trump protest on May Day

2 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Hundreds of people lined Virginia Street in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Reno. Demonstrators held American flags and signs that read, “Not paid, just pissed off,” alluding to leaked audio of Governor Joe Lombardo accusing the 50501 movement of paying protesters. Among them is Terese Jay, who was protesting for the first time. She lost her job after Renown’s Crisis Care Center’s federal grant funding was terminated. “We were helping so many mental health crises per day.
Nevada lawmakers look to protect LGBTQ+ community members

2 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

During President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, he’s been quick to sign executive orders targeting the LGBTQ+ community by removing nondiscrimination protections, limiting access to gender affirming care, and putting funding and programs related to LGBTQ+ health in jeopardy. Additionally, more than two dozen states have banned gender affirming care for minors.
Nevada Attorney General sues Trump over tariffs

2 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Nevada’s Attorney General has joined 11 others in suing to stop President Trump and his administration from imposing tariffs without Congressional action. The lawsuit challenges four executive orders that call for tariffs on products from China, Mexico, and Canada, among others. AG Aaron Ford said Trump is unlawfully using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). “The plain language of IEEPA does not directly authorize the president to impose or collect tariffs.
Handful of bills die during major deadline at Nevada legislature

3 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Just a handful of bills died, including legislation that would’ve created a Republican-backed property insurance plan for fires when the type of coverage isn’t already available and a Democratic-sponsored bill to prohibit HOAs from stopping owners from installing electric vehicle charging stations in common areas.
Seniors pack a bus to Carson City to advocate for legislation

3 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

The blue and white RTC bus made a final stop at the Ninth Street Senior Center in Reno at 7:40 a.m. before a group of seniors embarked on the 30-minute trip to Carson City. Betty Manson was one of just over a dozen seniors riding the bus to participate in Senior Day at the legislature. She said her top issues are housing, safety, and Social Security. Manson also wants lawmakers to prioritize food programs for low-income seniors.
What could Medicaid cuts mean for tribal and rural Nevada?

4 weeks ago | knpr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Congress is still debating ways to fund President Donald Trump's agenda, including immigration, energy, and tax cuts for the wealthy. Earlier this month, House Republicans passed a budget resolution that allows them to avoid a filibuster in the Senate, which has been more conservative in their proposals. Both chambers will now draft the final legislation, which calls for $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson have reiterated that they don't want to touch Medicaid.
What could Medicaid cuts mean for tribal and rural Nevada?

4 weeks ago | kunr.org | Lucia Starbuck

Congress is still debating ways to fund President Donald Trump’s agenda, including immigration, energy, and tax cuts for the wealthy. Earlier this month, House Republicans passed a budget resolution that allows them to avoid a filibuster in the Senate, which has been more conservative in their proposals. Both chambers will now draft the final legislation, which calls for $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson have reiterated that they don’t want to touch Medicaid.