EVENT RECAP • April 29, 2026
Reno Showed Up for Truth
And It Was Only the Beginning
Our first Community Conversation brought together over 100 people at the Reno Public Market for an evening of expert insight, community connection,
and a shared commitment to fighting truth decay.
community members in attendance
By Jody Baden • May 12, 2026
On the evening of April 29, the Reno Public Market buzzed with something rare and wonderful — a room full of people who came not to shout, but to listen, question, and connect. It was the News Literate Community Initiative’s very first public event, and the community showed up in full force.
More than 100 attendees gathered for Community Conversation: Combatting Truth Decay. An evening of expert panel discussion, audience Q&A, exhibitor tables, raffle prizes, and most importantly, genuine dialogue about one of the defining challenges of our time: the erosion of shared facts in public life.
Were you there? We’d love to hear your feedback. It takes just a few minutes and helps us make the next event even better.
NCLI Co-Founder, Steve Mulvenon, Terri Russell, KOLO and our panelists
NCLI Founder,
Jody Baden
Mark Robison, RGJ
Natalie Van Hoozer, LION
Dr. Gi Yun, UNR
Reno Public Market
Over 100 people in attendance
The News Literate Community Initiative
presents
A Community Conversation, Combatting Truth Decay
Exhibitor tables and raffle prizes
Photos by Lucia Starbuck
THE PANEL
Four Voices, One Mission
The evening’s centerpiece was a panel discussion moderated by Terri Russell, Chief Reporter for KOLO-TV, who guided a wide-ranging conversation on how misinformation shapes our local media landscape and what we can all do about it.
Our Expert Panelists
Terri Russell
Chief Reporter, KOLO-TV — Moderator
Mark Robison
State Political Reporter, Reno Gazette Journal
Natalie Van Hoozer
Bilingual Journalist & Community Manager, LION Publishers
Dr. Gi Yun
Dean, Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno
From the role of local journalism in holding communities together to navigating the flood of information we encounter daily, the panelists brought diverse perspectives grounded in deep experience. And when the floor opened for audience Q&A, the questions were sharp, sincere, and exactly the kind of discourse our community needs more of.
“Misinformation isn’t just a media problem — it’s a community problem. When trust in journalism erodes, it weakens the shared understanding we need to make decisions together.”
Community Energy
More Than a Panel — A Community Gathering
The evening was designed to be more than a lecture. Doors opened at 5:00 PM, giving attendees time to browse exhibitor tables from nine organizations including the University of Nevada’s Latino Research Center, the League of Women Voters of Nevada, Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, KUNR Public Radio, the National Security Forum, and Reno News & Review — to name a few.
The raffle, hosted by the effervescent Arianna Bennett of KTVN, drew cheers and laughter as attendees won prizes from more than 25 generous local businesses and individuals. From dinner packages and spa treatments to original artwork and once-in-a-lifetime experiences — like a tour of KOLO-TV with Terri Russell or lunch with the KUNR team — every prize reflected the generosity and character of our community.
But what people remember most? The conversations that happened in between — at the exhibitor tables, around the raffle, and long after the formal program ended. That’s the magic of showing up in person for something that matters.
WITH GRATITUDE
Thank You to Our Partners
& Sponsors
None of this would have been possible without the organisations and individuals who believed in this event from the start.
EVENT PARTNER
Truckee Meadows Tomorrow
PRESENTING SPONSOR
KUNR Public Radio
Promotional Sponsors
Venue partner
Reno Public Market
MArketing & outreach
The Abbi Agency
Interested in sponsoring our next event? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch →
Community Generosity
Thank You to Our Raffle Prize Donors
We are deeply grateful to every business and individual who donated raffle prizes. Your generosity made the evening unforgettable.
Arario
Cauglin Athletic Club
Great Full Gardens
La Condesa
Melange Hair / Talia Doiogne
Portofino
SUP
The Creamery
Buenos Grill
Consulting with Grace
Homegrown Gastro Pub
La Cucina
Nancy Podewils-Baba
Reno Aces
Tahoe Injectables
TMCC Dental Hygiene Program
Caesar’s
F45
India Kebab
Mari Chuy
Nevada Athletics
Silver Legacy, Eldorado & Circus
Terri Russell
Two Chicks
“Priceless Prize” Volunteers
A special thank you to those who donated their time and expertise as one-of-a-kind experiences: Ann Silver, Tabnie Dozier, KUNR, Robin Holabird, Tom Clark, Jimmy Boegle, Claudia Cruz, and Channel 8/KOLO.
At the Tables
Our Exhibitors
Thank you to the organizations who set up exhibitor tables and shared their important work with the community.
University of Nevada, Reno – Latino Research Center
Wait Until 8th
KUNR Public Radio
Truckee Meadows Community College Dental Hygiene
Al-Anon Information Service
National Security Forum
League of Women Voters of Nevada
Reno News & Review
Truckee Meadows Tomorrow
In the News
Media Coverage
We were honored to receive coverage from several local outlets before and after the event.
KUNR Public Radio
Interview with Steve Mulvenon, Co-Founder — by Brian Duggan
Reno News & Review
15 Minutes: Jody Baden, Co-Founder of NLCI — by Jimmy Boegle
Reno Gazette-Journal
Event at Reno Public Market to Explore Misinformation, ‘Truth Decay’ — by Jeffrey Meehan
This Is Reno
Reno Public Market to Host News Literacy Event
KOLO
Fight Truth Decay
Were you there? We’d love to hear your feedback. It takes just a few minutes and helps us make the next event even better.
WHAT’S NEXT
This Was Just the Beginning
The energy in that room confirmed what we already believed — our community is hungry for honest conversation and reliable information. We’re already planning what’s next, and we want you to be part of it.
Stay connected. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on upcoming events, news literacy resources, and ways to get involved.