⛪ ICE targets Vegas churchgoers

⛪ ICE Targets Vegas Churchgoers

We’re in the seventh day of a partial government shutdown over funding the Department of Homeland Security, which means TSA workers at Harry Reid International Airport are currently working without a paycheck. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

• Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, a moderate Democrat who broke ranks with her party to reopen the previous shutdown over health care subsidies, is putting her foot down this time over funding ICE, noting the budget for the agency has already increased from $8-10 billion to $75 billion this past year. [KTNV]
• Sen. Cortez Masto says immigration enforcement agents are following people home from church in Las Vegas and targeting family members of local Las Vegas police officers. [The Daily/New York Times]

☀️ Lights Back On for Solar Power in Nevada?

The Trump Administration eliminated tax credits and subsidies for wind and solar projects, while slowing down the approval process for new ones. Yet there’s hope for Nevada. We think. Trump himself agreed with Gov. Lombardo to restore support for at least four stalled solar projects in the state. But that was last year — and there’s been little chatter about it since. [Nevada Current]

• City Cast Las Vegas looks more into the state of solar power projects in Nevada, plus inconsistencies on health care coverage in the state, and how Vegas casinos are dealing with a penny shortage since production on the coins ceased last year — all in the latest Friday news roundup. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

‼️ Toucan on the Loose in Las Vegas

A toucan named Sam escaped his cage inside a Northwest Valley home this past November, and has been flying around the desert and living off fruit ever since. However, Vegas isn’t a good natural environment for these exotic birds and rescue groups are trying to capture Sam — for his own good. If you see a big black bird with a bright yellow beak, give the right people a call. [KVVU/AP]