As the presidential contenders battled it out on the podium tonight, back here at home, UNLV is bracing to host the third and final debate 10 days from now.

Sixty-three state lawmakers will gather Monday morning in Carson City to consider a number of tourism-related measures, including public funding for an NFL stadium.

The University of Nevada Las Vegas will be the site of the final presidential debate on Oct. 19. Las Vegas is expected to benefit significantly from the publicity value of the event, as only the Olympics and the Super Bowl attract more viewers than a presidential debate.

The first Trump-vs.-Clinton debate was watched by millions and analyzed by even more. But when all is said and done, you have to wonder if these contests matter.

In “Unify, Regionalize, Diversify: An Economic Development Agenda for Nevada,” a 2011 Brookings Institution report that undergirds the state’s current economic development plan, the authors detailed the need for Southern Nevada to strengthen its core economy of gaming/tourism/conventions and to economically diversify within that sector.

Nevada is world-renowned for precious metals and glitzy casinos, but to the online crowdfunding community, it stands out for other reasons.

The ballroom on the 2nd floor of the student union: not exactly a packed house.

Political attack ads typically stick to the same ol’ stuff, like voting records and candidate positions. That can’t be said for the jabs in Henderson, Nev., where voters in one state Assembly district are getting smacked with attacks on a pornographic level.

Think of student activism at universities over the years and schools like Cal-Berkeley, Kent State and Columbia might jump to mind. But the University of Nevada, Las Vegas?