Author

Michael Lyle (MJ to some) has been a journalist in Las Vegas for eight years. He started his career at View Neighborhood News, the community edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. During his seven years with the R-J, he won several first place awards from the Nevada Press Association and was named its 2011 Journalist of Merit. He left the paper in 2017 and spent a year as a freelance journalist accumulating bylines anywhere from The Washington Post to Desert Companion. While he covers a range of topics from homelessness to the criminal justice system, he gravitates toward stories about race relations and LGBTQ issues. Born and mostly raised in Las Vegas, Lyle graduated from UNLV with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies. He is currently working on his master's in Communications through an online program at Syracuse University. In his spare time, Lyle cooks through Ina Garten recipes in hopes of one day becoming the successor to the Barefoot Contessa throne. When he isn’t cooking (or eating), he also enjoys reading, running and re-watching episodes of “Parks and Recreation.” He is also in the process of learning kickboxing.
Southern Nevada homeless deaths spiked in 2018
By: Michael Lyle - December 19, 2018
Every year for the annual homeless vigil, the Clark County Coroner’s office determines how many homeless people died, who they were, and in most cases, how their lives ended. Figuring out why they died can be a far more complicated question. While often connected to medical, mental health or substance abuse conditions many homeless people […]
Opposition to school “dragnet” policy unites rival groups
By: Michael Lyle - December 10, 2018
From guidelines involving gender-diverse students to stances on education savings account, the ACLU of Nevada and Power2Parent’s opinions on policies could not be further from one another. For once, the groups are united to oppose a Washoe County School District policy that requires parents to provide a government-issued photo identification. Board Policy 1505 uses IDs […]
Frierson announces Assembly committee assignments
By: Michael Lyle - December 7, 2018
Though there are two vacancies to be filled, Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson announced committee assignments for the 2019 Legislative session. The two spots opened after Assemblyman Chris Brooks was appointed to the Senate on Tuesday and Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz announced her resignation to run for Las Vegas City Council. Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson announced […]
Horsford names Asha Jones chief of staff
By: Michael Lyle - December 5, 2018
U.S. Rep.-elect Steven Horsford appointed Asha Jones as his chief of staff, making her one of 21 African-American women to hold that job of the 535 chiefs of staff in Congress. Jones, who most recently was the Director of Government Affairs for the College of Southern Nevada, previously worked as the Nevada Political Director for […]
Homeless working Nevadans have a hard job
By: Michael Lyle - December 5, 2018
Brett Yadon knew he could get a call for temp work at any given moment. Being homeless and living in the shelter at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, last minute job opportunities would leave him scrambling trying to figure out how to get to where he needed to go work. “You know they are going […]
In reversal of trend, more Nevada children uninsured
By: Michael Lyle - November 30, 2018
A study released Thursday from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found the rates of uninsured children increased across the nation. In Nevada, the number of uninsured children increased by 16 percent. “It had been going down for almost a decade,” says Emma Rodriguez, the Children’s Health Policy Manager with the Children’s Advocacy […]
Realtors oppose tax to fight homelessness
By: Michael Lyle - November 29, 2018
Ahead of the 2019 Nevada Legislative session, the committee of taxation submitted a bill, on behalf of the City of Las Vegas, to increase the real property transfer tax and add a surcharge to sewer services in attempt to fund homeless services and affordable housing. The bill already has opposition from Nevada Realtors. “We support efforts […]
Ford announces transition team
By: Michael Lyle - November 28, 2018
Attorney General-elect Aaron Ford announced the 19 members of his transition team Wednesday. Members include Geoconda Arguello-Kline from the Culinary Union, Clark County public defender John Piro, Douglas County district attorney Mark Jackson and Barbara Buckley, the executive director of Legal Aid of Southern Nevada — Buckley is also a co-chair for Governor-elect Steve Sisolak’s […]
Whatever happened to that homeless corridor gate, anyway?
By: Michael Lyle - November 27, 2018
Construction on a proposed gate to limit foot traffic on Foremaster Lane has been postponed until early 2019. The Las Vegas City Council voted Aug. 1 to erect a gate within the Homeless Corridor. “We had to work through some underground utility issues that required some slight redesigns of the gate post locations,” says Jace […]
Sisolak announces full transition advisory committee
By: Michael Lyle - November 27, 2018
Governor-elect Steve Sisolak announced his full, 28-member transition advisory committee Tuesday. “I have pledged to be a governor for all of Nevada and I have worked to make sure my transition team captures the diversity this state holds,” Sisolak said in a statement. “Every member of this team brings a unique experience and view to […]
Community remembers trans deaths worldwide
By: Michael Lyle - November 21, 2018
Celine Walker, 36. Date of death, Feb. 4, 2018. Tonya Harding, 35. Date of death, Feb. 6, 2018. Phylicia Mitchell, 45. Date of death, Feb. 25, 2018. Some fought back tears while others openly wept as all 369 names of transgender people who have been killed in the last year were read — 22 in […]
Las Vegas asks to raise taxes, fees to take on homelessness crisis
By: Michael Lyle - November 15, 2018
At an October Las Vegas City Council meeting, city officials agreed more needs to be done to address homelessness in Southern Nevada, and there isn’t enough money to do it. So the council is asking the state Legislature for permission to raise an estimated $20 million in new taxes and fees. The council voted to request […]