Ask-Reno

James

"Ask-Reno surfaces what Reno locals are actually saying — real community voices from r/Reno turned into your weekly guide to events, eats, and everything worth knowing about the Biggest Little City."

Episodes

  1. The Truckee River's Dirty Secret: Gentrification, Concrete, & Dog Poop

    APR 29

    The Truckee River's Dirty Secret: Gentrification, Concrete, & Dog Poop

    In this week's Ask-Reno.com "Hot Topic," we peel back the PR to explore the realities of the Truckee River's highly publicized revitalization. If you walk through downtown Reno, you see the postcard version, but the reality for many locals is much more complicated. In this video, we dive into: The Death of the Living River: Why the visionary, natural flood plan following the $1 billion devastation of the 1997 flood was quietly scrapped in favor of cheaper concrete floodwalls and channelization. Eco-Optimism or Gentrification?: How the updated flood maps and green infrastructure are acting as a displacement mechanism, raising property values and squeezing out renters and lower-income homeowners. The Elephant on the Riverbank: Why many locals don't feel safe on the river path in Sparks due to stripped vegetation, industrial exposure, and unaddressed social crises. Plus, the shocking truth about the river's third biggest pollutant: E. coli from the 58,000 pounds of waste produced daily by Washoe County's 116,000 dogs. A Massive Cultural Win: We close with a genuinely profound success story—the $8 million Numana Dam modification backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project will finally allow up to 600,000 Lahontan cutthroat trout and Cui-ui sucker fish to pass annually, returning a vital cultural icon to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. What do you think about the river's current state? Is Reno's growth serving its people or its developers? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation at Ask-Reno.com!

    47 min
  2. MAR 11

    The Real Reno: What Locals Actually Think About Living Here

    Reno is changing fast — and locals have a lot to say about it. In this episode of Ask Reno Weekly, hosts James and Erin break down one of the biggest conversations happening right now in the Reno community: what it’s actually like to live in the Biggest Little City. Drawing from real discussions on the Reno subreddit, we explore the honest pros and cons locals talk about every day — from outdoor paradise and sunny weather to rising housing prices, traffic, and the growing pains of a city in transition. In this episode we cover: • Why access to Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose, and the Truckee River keeps people in Reno  • The reality of Reno’s rising housing costs and out-of-state investment  • The ongoing debate about “Californiaization” and how it’s changing the city  • Why gas prices are higher in Washoe County than surrounding areas  • The Reno vs. Carson City lifestyle debate  • Which neighborhoods locals recommend — and which commutes to avoid  • The surprisingly vibrant hobby scene for board games, tabletop RPGs, and local events  • Major Reno festivals like ArtTown, the Great Reno Balloon Race, and the Rib Cookoff Reno is no longer just a casino town. It’s a city in the middle of a major identity shift — balancing rapid growth, outdoor culture, and a community trying to hold onto what makes the Biggest Little City unique. If you're thinking about moving to Reno, visiting Reno, or just want to understand the city through the eyes of locals, this episode is for you. Explore Reno event calendars, restaurant guides, and local recommendations at: https://ask-reno.com New episodes every week featuring real conversations from the Reno community.

    18 min
  3. MAR 10

    The Nevada State Fair Is Back — And Reno Has Feelings

    After 16 years away, the State Fair of Nevada is officially returning to Reno this summer — and locals have a lot to say about it. In this episode of Ask Reno, hosts James and Erin dive into one of the biggest discussions happening right now on the Reno subreddit: the return of the Nevada State Fair to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and Reno Rodeo Arena this June. The conversation ranges from pure nostalgia — memories of bumper boats, corn dogs, and long lines for carnival rides — to heated debates about parking, agriculture funding, and whether Nevada even needs a state fair in the first place. Along the way, we explore: • Why Reno residents are excited about the fair’s return  • The surprisingly intense Reddit debate about Nevada agriculture  • Local nostalgia for the old Reno fairgrounds experience  • The return of the 4-H State Expo, livestock shows, and art competitions • A wholesome thread from local crafters excited to submit handmade work again Whether you’re new to Reno or have lived here for decades, the fair’s return reveals a lot about what locals care about — and how this city is changing. Ask Reno pulls real conversations from r/Reno every week so you can hear what locals are actually saying about life in the Biggest Little City. Explore the full Reno event calendar and local guides at:  https://ask-reno.com Subscribe for new episodes every week covering Reno news, events, restaurants, and local insights.

    24 min

About

"Ask-Reno surfaces what Reno locals are actually saying — real community voices from r/Reno turned into your weekly guide to events, eats, and everything worth knowing about the Biggest Little City."