The 2025 chapter of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s history is about to close, while we look forward to a new year of continuing academic excellence. The top headlines of both November and December are packed into this edition, with the promise of many more ahead in 2026.
Just how long do canned foods stay good past their expiration date? Is there a way to build muscle by walking? Which cities made the naughty list? What is the proper punishment for using marijuana in national parks? Will dynamic or personalized pricing models eventually spoil the holiday shopping season? And what is the meaning behind some of our most common Christmas traditions?
All of these great stories (plus many more) are sure to make you light up like a new year’s firework.
December 6 Memorial Garden
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý hosted a gathering for remembrance and healing on the two year anniversary of the December 6, 2023 shooting on campus. During the event, plans were unveiled for a permanent memorial and healing garden on campus to honor and remember colleagues, teachers, and mentors lost on that day, and the many lives forever impacted, as well as to commemorate the resilience and strength that exists within the university community. The event was covered heavily by outlets throughout the Valley:
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Health & Science
- Registered dietitian nutritionist Samantha Coogan explained the health benefits of and in Martha Stewart. Coogan also shared advice on dietary supplements in . Her expertise was again found in (), describing the possible health benefits of persimmons and orange juice.
- Astronomer Jason Steffen spoke about a rare celestial rock passing through our solar system, and the consequences, with .
- Infectious disease expert Brian Labus detailed just how long canned foods can last in , along with foods that have hidden mold in . Labus then covered the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine in a story from , how to minimize the threat of cold/flu at home in , and the best way to dry your hands in .
- Addiction researcher Shane Kraus spoke to the dangers of online sports betting in , and provided some warning signs of gambling addiction with .
- shared how to build muscle from walking with insights from health scientist Janet Dufek.
- wrote about the emotional benefits of a massage with help from integrative medicine expert Anne Weisman.
- Neuroscientists Dustin and Rochelle Hines’ research on CBD-like compounds from a common kitchen spice – potentially improving seizure therapy – was featured in , , , , , the (), , and .
- Therapist Dawn Moore went over best practices for handling stress over the holidays with , , and .
- discussed the role of artificial intelligence in therapy with AI researcher Soon Cho.
- Anthropologist William Jankowiak‘s study on the evolutionary history of kissing was featured in articles from the and .
Culture & Technology
- WalletHub ranked the top cities for , best options for businesses, and the and states. These stories featured insights from hospitality, law, public policy, and tourism experts Amanda Belarmino, Nancy Rapoport, Jessica K. A. Word, and Marta Soligo.
- Belarmino additionally commented on slumping Las Vegas tourism in , and the hospitality labor outlook for 2026 via .
- discussed the techniques of sports handicappers in the modern age of gambling with gaming researcher Brett Abarbanel.
- The (also in ), with the help of cybersecurity expert Gregory Moody, covered the quick action of Nevadans to identify and address a recent county-wide hack.
- interviewed Adam Paul about the affordability of movie tickets. Paul also discussed the ingredients of a good Christmas movie with , and with the about how modern airport rules would complicate Christmas classics.
- and covered the origins of holiday traditions with folklore expert Katherine Walker.
- Psychologist Rachael Robnett detailed why women are more inclined to stay in conflicted relationships in a research brief from .
- Psychologist Nicole Short commented on a study showing a link between marijuana and declining alcohol use in .
Politics & Economics
- Economic researcher Andrew Woods commented on the tug-of-war between Democrats and Republicans for the Silver State in (), joined a podcast to explain what Nevada data can tell us about the health of the national economy, and helped identify the corporate structure damaging tourism in Las Vegas.
- Education policy expert Bradley Marianno was featured in a story (also in ) about teachers unions considering climate change in their contracts.
- Law professor Nancy Rapoport was quoted in a story about law firms and their willingness to stand up to the government.
- Cannabis policy expert Riana Durrett talked to the about crackdowns on marijuana use in national parks. She was also tapped for a story about the potential impact of a federal bill on hemp products in Nevada, an article about interstate marijuana regulation, and a cannabis industry update piece.
- Administrative law expert Terry Johnson made an appearance in a story covering Elon Musk’s Boring Co. tunnels and its alleged OSHA violations.
- Economist Stephen Miller provided his thoughts on Nevada’s placement on ’s list of states with the highest unemployment.
- () spoke with economist Mark Tremblay to get a handle on the popularizing dynamic pricing trends this holiday season.
Experts Roundup
- The covered fall commencement with a feature on Miguel Castano, one of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's Outstanding Graduates.
- Airline historian Dan Bubb talked to about crew rest areas hidden from passengers, concerning the recent government shutdown, and / to explain why window shades should be open during takeoff and landing. Bubb also spoke on the Department of Transportation’s campaign to improve civility in air travel with the , , and . Additionally, he appeared in a story discussing the increasing dependence on computers in air traffic.
- Historian Michael Green recounted infamous heists in Las Vegas with the , along with the once-underwater town of St. Thomas, Nevada, in . Green also spoke about the influence mobster Whitey Bulger had on movies in .
- Emerging media expert Benjamin Burroughs spoke about the use of memes in the battle to control the perception of AI with the .
- Law professor Benjamin Edwards was quoted in ’s coverage of companies leaving Delaware, and the appeal of Nevada.
- The ’ coverage of Sacramento’s ban on comic book sales to minors includes thoughts from media studies expert Ben Morse.
- Fashion historian Deirdre Clemente provided her thoughts on a sweater that is sowing a political divide in stories from and .
- Couple and family therapist Brandon Eddy spoke about the do's and don'ts of New Years resolution-making in .
