The 2025 chapter of UNLV’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

UNLV 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:

Las Vegas Sun; Las Vegas Review-Journal (twice); KVVU: Fox 5 (twice); KSNV: News 3 (twice) (thrice); KLAS: News 8; KTNV: ABC 13 (twice)

Health & Science

• Registered dietitian nutritionist Samantha Coogan explained the health benefits of carrot juice and sourdough in Martha Stewart. Coogan also shared advice on dietary supplements in Wise & Well. Her expertise was again found in Verywell Health (twice), 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 Fodor’s Travel.
• Infectious disease expert Brian Labus detailed just how long canned foods can last in Family Handyman, along with foods that have hidden mold in Real Simple. Labus then covered the importance of the hepatitis B vaccine in a story from Parents, how to minimize the threat of cold/flu at home in Dengarden, and the best way to dry your hands in Reader’s Digest.
• Addiction researcher Shane Kraus spoke to the dangers of online sports betting in Psychology Today, and provided some warning signs of gambling addiction with AARP.
• Prevention shared how to build muscle from walking with insights from health scientist Janet Dufek.
• The Guardian 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 Drug Discovery News, Medical News Today, Leafie, El Planteo, KLAS: 8 News Now, the Las Vegas Review-Journal (twice), Marijuana Moment, and Nutrition Insight.
• Therapist Dawn Moore went over best practices for handling stress over the holidays with KSNV: News 3, Verywell Health, and McKnight’s Senior Living.
• KSNV: News 3 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 Washington Post and Smithsonian Magazine.

Culture & Technology

• WalletHub ranked the top cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations, best credit card options for businesses, and the most charitable and most sinful 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 The Street, and the hospitality labor outlook for 2026 via The Food Institute.
• The New York Times discussed the techniques of sports handicappers in the modern age of gambling with gaming researcher Brett Abarbanel.
• The Associated Press (also in U.S. News & World Report), with the help of cybersecurity expert Gregory Moody, covered the quick action of Nevadans to identify and address a recent county-wide hack.
• Independent UK interviewed Adam Paul about the affordability of movie tickets. Paul also discussed the ingredients of a good Christmas movie with KSNV: News 3, and with the Associated Press about how modern airport rules would complicate Christmas classics. 
• The History Channel and KSNV: News 3 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 PsyPost.
• Psychologist Nicole Short commented on a study showing a link between marijuana and declining alcohol use in Fox News.

Politics & Economics

• Economic researcher Andrew Woods commented on the tug-of-war between Democrats and Republicans for the Silver State in Politico (twice), joined a Washington Post podcast to explain what Nevada data can tell us about the health of the national economy, and helped Slate identify the corporate structure damaging tourism in Las Vegas.
• Education policy expert Bradley Marianno was featured in a Hechinger Report story (also in Grist) about teachers unions considering climate change in their contracts. 
• Law professor Nancy Rapoport was quoted in a Bloomberg Law story about law firms and their willingness to stand up to the government.
• Cannabis policy expert Riana Durrett talked to the Associated Press about crackdowns on marijuana use in national parks. She was also tapped for a Las Vegas Sun story about the potential impact of a federal bill on hemp products in Nevada, an MJBizDaily article about interstate marijuana regulation, and a KNPR cannabis industry update piece.  
• Administrative law expert Terry Johnson made an appearance in a Forbes story covering Elon Musk’s Boring Co. tunnels and its alleged OSHA violations.
• Economist Stephen Miller provided his thoughts on Nevada’s placement on Money Digest’s list of states with the highest unemployment.
• KSNV: News 3 (twice) spoke with economist Mark Tremblay to get a handle on the popularizing dynamic pricing trends this holiday season.

Experts Roundup

• The Las Vegas Sun covered fall commencement with a feature on Miguel Castano, one of UNLV's Outstanding Graduates.
• Airline historian Dan Bubb talked to Travel + Leisure about crew rest areas hidden from passengers, the National News Desk concerning the recent government shutdown, and Express UK/US 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 Los Angeles Times, BBC, and Newsweek. Additionally, he appeared in a Marketplace story discussing the increasing dependence on computers in air traffic.
• Historian Michael Green recounted infamous heists in Las Vegas with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, along with the once-underwater town of St. Thomas, Nevada, in Business Insider. Green also spoke about the influence mobster Whitey Bulger had on movies in A&E.
• Emerging media expert Benjamin Burroughs spoke about the use of memes in the battle to control the perception of AI with the San Francisco Standard.
• Law professor Benjamin Edwards was quoted in CNBC’s coverage of companies leaving Delaware, and the appeal of Nevada.
• The Associated Press’ 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 HuffPost and Buzzfeed.
• Couple and family therapist Brandon Eddy spoke about the do's and don'ts of New Years resolution-making in Wallet Hub.