The suddenly fraught future of the Thacker Pass lithium mine cleared an unexpected hurdle on Tuesday, after the Trump administration agreed to release the first part of a loan critical to the Nevada project’s development in exchange for the U.S. government taking a stake in the effort.

The Trump Administration officially owns part of private company Lithium Americas and its joint venture with General Motors, the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine Project north of Winnemucca. This is after the companies reached an agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) Tuesday.

The suddenly fraught future of the Thacker Pass lithium mine cleared an unexpected hurdle on Tuesday, after the Trump administration agreed to release the first part of a loan critical to the Nevada project’s development in exchange for the U.S. government taking a stake in the effort.

President Donald Trump’s administration has pitched its fix for the growing number of borrowers, which includes ending a COVID-19 pandemic-related pause on certain payments, restricting forgiveness qualifications and emphasizing responsibilities for schools — an expectedly drastic contrast from the previous White House’s approach.

As Indianapolis leaders head to Major League Soccer all-star festivities this week, the city's bid to land a franchise - while not fully fleshed out - is further along than efforts in other cities that have been mentioned as possible franchise sites in recent years. In a matter of three months, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has identified a downtown stadium location, received a key approval for the site and has even picked up some statewide political support. All are important to making the city attractive to MLS.

More than two dozen minor league franchises — including Silvers, Outlaws, Thunder and Gladiators are on the headstones in Southern Nevada’s sports graveyard. But not the Las Vegas Aviators. Without its $150 million stadium anchoring Downtown Summerlin, the Triple-A team — which has been known as Stars and 51s — might have followed.

Las Vegas is gearing up to score a royal flush of sports franchises — by bringing basketball to Sin City.

Taxpayer subsidies for stadiums part of doing business, experts say