From the Publisher: My Top Stories From 2025

A note from Sierra Nevada Ally Publisher Joe McCarthy:

2025 was a banner year for culture and community coverage at the Sierra Nevada Ally. It’s a point of pride for us to publish creative work from the talented people that make up this region, alongside our award-winning civics and climate reporting.

Here are a few of my favorites from this year, made possible by your financial support.

Poetry is inclusive of many types of thoughts and ideas, but it can also follow many of the same forms and structures. This year, we were introduced to a new poetic form, the Cadralor, co-created by Dr. Lori Howe.

Nevada writer, Michael P. Branch, is known for his shrewd wit and captivating narratives on life in the Great Basin. This year, he began sharing snippets of some of his work with you, adding some levity, life and laughter to the overall discourse.

Poetry took center stage in many ways for the Sierra Nevada Ally, including in this profile of April’s National Poetry Month reading series in Reno. After the closing of Sundance Bookstore in Reno, the event moved to a new location, the Mountain Music Parlor, but the spirit remained the same.

Every year, thousands make their way to northeast Nevada to take part in the annual tradition that celebrates Western culture, cowboy poetry and music. This year was the event’s 40th celebration, and marked a tipping point for organizers who say younger visitors are making up a larger portion of the audience than ever before.

Part of culture is about the ways in which we connect to the land in which we live. Officials have been working to build that connection for residents and visitors alike along the Walker Lake system.

This kind of cultural, environmental, and community-focused storytelling is only possible thanks to your support. Our work helps highlight the vibrant life in our region. Your donations make it possible.

Help the Sierra Nevada Ally reach our $25,000 campaign goal with a tax-deductible donation. Through Dec. 31, your donation will be matched up to $1,000 thanks to our partners at NewsMatch. Plus, if you give at the $10 a month level, or a $120 one-time donation, you’ll also receive a Sierra Nevada Ally 2026 calendar.