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As we rev the engines on the opening act of another school year, both students and faculty have been hard at work making change.

Whether it’s building solutions to the Southwest drought through atmospheric water harvesting or prying into the deepest reaches of the galaxy, UNLV is paving the way for tomorrow by answering the questions of today.

How big of a problem is the housing crisis for the common Nevadan? Are there consequences to tax-free tips? Is the age of influencers destroying our tourist destinations? What happens when a fly lands on food?

These topics, stories, and more all round out a stacked September Newsmakers.

Welcome Home

UNLV economics professor Daraboth Rith triumphantly returned to teaching this semester. A survivor of the tragic campus shooting on Dec. 6, 2023 that claimed the lives of three cherished faculty members, Rith has brought renewed positivity to the entire UNLV community. Rith’s path to recovery was shared in a variety of outlets, such as:

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Beep Beep Delivery

Little robots have been making their rounds across campus, delivering food to students and staff. And soon, they will be able to make deliveries off campus, venturing across the street to student apartments and further improving the student experience. These outlets covered what we can expect:

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Paving the Course for Climate Action

UNLV in September hosted an event that established the university as the first Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institution to launch a climate action plan. Nicknamed Rebel CAP, the initiative provides the university with a roadmap for becoming more sustainable and climate-friendly. Goals include reducing emissions, prioritizing water conservation, increasing renewable energy-powered facilities, and improved recycling, as well as achieving 100% carbon neutrality by UNLV’s 100th birthday in 2057.

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Milky Way’s Monstrous Middle

The center of our galaxy is about 26,000 light-years away. And it’s there that you will find a supermassive black hole swirling away, a fusion between two separate black holes billions of years ago. The research discovery on black hole formation from UNLV astronomers Yihan Wang and Bing Zhang was picked up by a wide range of publications, including:

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Health & Science

• featured the work of anthropologist Alyssa Crittenden, who is advocating for a new, more ethical approach to research data collection from indigenous communities.
• Mechanical engineering expert Jeremy Cho, along with Office of Economic Development entrepreneur in residence Rich Sloan, talked about his new startup that produces technology capable of pulling water from the atmosphere in a bid to make the Southwest more sustainable with , , and .
• For the first time in more than three decades, people with schizophrenia have a new treatment option. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine professor Jelena Kunovac weighed in on the FDA’s approval via .
• Family medicine doctor and professor Ann Childress shared insight with about the ADHD drug shortage.
• Psychologist Christopher Kearney went over how parents can navigate school avoidance with their children in a piece from .
• called upon the expertise of psychologist Shane Kraus to help people navigate addiction transference.
• Exercise physiologist Sara Rosenkranz and registered dietitian nutritionist Samantha Coogan’s comments were published in a article about cardio’s role in building muscle mass.
• spoke with therapist Vaida Kazlauskaite about strategies to emotionally cope with breast cancer.
• featured infectious disease expert Brian Labus along with epidemiologist Chad Cross in discussion about the “sloth” virus. 
• Brian Labus also told exactly what happens when a fly lands on food, and the science behind COVID-19 variants.
• Social media expert Benjamin Morse helped explain the “blackout challenge” found on TikTok with .
• UNLV Health opened a new clinic in northwest Las Vegas, , , and reported. The facility is the new home for UNLV Health Family Medicine and will serve as the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine’s second location for general surgery, as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• The Lincy Institute, a public policy think-tank at UNLV, hosted a panel discussion on the possibility and need for a dedicated children’s hospital in Southern Nevada. The data presented showed that such an investment would increase the desire for health professionals to move into the area, and boost the local economy. The event was covered by , , and .

Culture

• Hospitality expert Mehmet Erdem gave his recommendations on the proper way to check out of a hotel in the . Erdem also commented on the future of the hotel room key card with .
• Professor of social work Nicholas Barr talked about the housing crisis and lack of affordable housing in Nevada with .
• covered the rising trend of tipping, including at self-service kiosks, with hospitality professor Amanda Belarmino. She also chatted with about hotels selling in-room products to win repeat customers, about the emergence of new guest lodgings that focus on wellness and luxury, and the about plans for an AI-powered “aparthotel” that’s anticipated to shake up the industry. Additionally, Belarmino and economics professor Mark Tremblay teamed up with other experts for a discussion about the future of rideshares.
• spoke to economist Andrew Woods regarding the likelihood of Las Vegas becoming the next popular site for major film productions.
• The featured marketing expert Marla Royne Stafford in an article about the negative impact influencers can have on tourism destinations, and the story was picked up by outlets including and .
• covered what comes next for the intellectual property rights of James Earl Jones with the help of legal expert Mary LaFrance.

Politics

• Political scientist Rebecca Gill shared why presidential nominee Kamala Harris has sparingly used President Biden on the campaign trail with the . Gill again lent her expertise to outlets including the and in reaction to the recent presidential debate.
• and () tapped debate expert Craig Hennigan for commentary on the Trump-Harris debate.
• covered the Supreme Court’s rejection of Jill Stein on Nevada’s presidential ballot with insight from political scientist Dan Lee.
• Law professor Benjamin Edwards made an appearance in a article about regulatory power in the Supreme Court. The story was picked up by and .
• Tax law expert Francine Lipman spoke of the slippery slope that may come from making tips tax-free with , , , and the . She also helped readers understand how fewer graduates, an aging workforce, and the exodus of talent has led to an accounting industry CPA shortage.
• covered Kamala Harris’ tactic of making environmental changes patriotic with communications expert Emma Frances Bloomfield.
• ’s article on Democrats holding the upperhand for service workers in Nevada featured the expertise of political scientist John Tuman. He also talked to the about a report examining Latinos’ economic contributions in the U.S., and partnered with immigration expert Michael Kagan on a panel discussion about U.S.-Mexico relations.
• Fashion historian Deirdre Clemente talked about how politicians communicate through their clothing styles in a piece from .
• Law professor David Orentlicher chatted with about Nevada abortion laws.

Experts Roundup

• tells us why we should never put our clothes inside hotel dressers with insight from epidemiologist and bug expert Chad Cross.
• Aviation historian Dan Bubb explained what was happening in a TikTok video showing water streaming off of a plane in . He also chatted with about the Boeing worker strike. 
• Astrophysicist Jason Steffen discussed his unique method for boarding planes of passengers as fast as possible with .
• A episode featured law professor Eve Hanan’s expertise on juvenile court, and explored why some teens are sentenced in adult court.
• The show “Nevada Week” highlighted the UNLV Young Rebels’ STEAM education summer programming for children.
• showcased the Lee Business School’s new MBA program.