Your Daily Guide

⚖️ Could a Pardon Board Controversy Sink Ford’s Campaign?

Last year, Attorney General and Democratic governor candidate Aaron Ford sponsored a commutation hearing for a man convicted and imprisoned for armed robbery — and killing a pregnant woman. The issue has become a lightning rod, as Gov. Joe Lombardo’s campaign has pounced and put Ford’s campaign on the defensive. But what really happened – and will that matter to voters? [Reno Gazette Journal]

• Ford’s team insists he never sought a pardon, instead sponsoring an investigation into potentially commuting the robbery sentence. But the Clark County DA’s office disputed that characterization, and either way, Ford skipped the hearing and the commutation was denied. [KLAS]
• On Wednesday, Democratic State Sen. and AG Candidate Nicole Cannizzaro told the conservative outlet the Daily Caller that she wouldn’t have sponsored the clemency petition — putting her at odds with Ford, and suggesting the issue may prove a durable campaign hazard heading into the final weeks before Election Day. [Daily Caller]
• The team broke it down on today’s podcast, which also dove into whether Vegas locals are too comfortable dumping trash. And, for our members only: We consider whether a few buzzy restaurant openings mean Henderson can finally call itself “cool.” [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

💰 If the Economy’s So Good, Why’s It Feel So Bad?

Want a one word answer? Costs. So say the many economists, polls, politicians, and other pontificators who suggest inflation on everything from fuel prices to groceries has intensified Nevadans’ collective economic pessimism. Or in the eloquent words of one economist: “Nevadans are getting hosed.” [Nevada Independent]

🗳️ Lombardo, Aguilar Split on Voter Database

Gov. Joe Lombardo called for the state to use the federal government's “SAVE” voter verification system on Wednesday, putting him at odds with Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar. The system has come under heavy scrutiny after it triggered thousands of false positives — marking citizens as non-citizens — including in Nevada. [KTNV, Nevada Independent]