Tovin Lapan

Latino Community, Immigration and General Assignment Reporter

After working for his college paper, Tovin started his professional career in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he fell in love with the variety and excitement of working in daily journalism as well as with a sandwich called the torta ahogada. He comes to the Las Vegas Sun from the Santa Cruz Sentinel, where he covered higher education, city government and immigration. Prior to Santa Cruz, Tovin was on staff at the San Diego Union-Tribune, Miami New Times and Naples Daily News and worked as a freelance journalist for numerous publications. He has reported extensively in Latin America, including Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico, and holds masters degrees in journalism and Latin American Studies from UC Berkeley.

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Story Archive

With viewers increasing, Hispanic TV networks drawing more than passing interest from advertisers: Monday, April 8, 2013; In “El Capo 2,” one of the first original shows on new U.S. Spanish-language network MundoFox, a Colombian drug kingpin fights off challenges from all sides, the U.S. authorities, rival cartels in Mexico and the victims of his violence. The show, from its origins and target audience to its plot, is emblematic of the escalating battle over Hispanic television viewers in the United States.
Neighbor says explosion preceded fire at house in Henderson: Friday, April 5, 2013; A neighbor said she heard an explosion Friday and looked outside to see a large column of smoke and flames coming from the backyard of a house in the 100 block of Ocotillo Street in Henderson.
Two women arrested in shooting of man who stumbled onto burglary, police say: Friday, April 5, 2013; Two women have been arrested in the March 7 shooting of a man who interrupted a burglary at his son’s house, Metro Police said.
Immigration in brief: News from Capitol Hill and elsewhere as immigration reform moves forward: Thursday, April 4, 2013; Right now immigration is more at the forefront of public policy discussion than at any time since the debate over immigration reform in 2007. Here is a round up of the latest in immigration news.
Driver’s privilege bill receives broad support at Nevada Senate committee hearing: Wednesday, April 3, 2013; A procession of supporters favoring creation of a Nevada driver’s privilege card testified before the Nevada Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday, emphasizing the public safety benefits of such a policy.
Thanks to two Girl Scouts, new foster children get guide to intimidating system: Tuesday, April 2, 2013; It’s a tough but essential question for anyone advocating for Nevada’s foster children: How do you make children aware of their rights, and empower them, without overwhelming them and causing panic when they have just been taken from their home?
Brooks arrested in California after police chase: Police use dog, Taser to subdue former Nevada assemblyman; Friday, March 29, 2013; On the night he was expelled from the Nevada Legislature, former Assemblyman Steven Brooks was arrested after leading police on a chase near Barstow, Calif.
Q&A: Laura Espinosa, Mexico’s new deputy consul to Las Vegas: Thursday, March 28, 2013; Twenty years ago, Laura Espinosa was working in the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City. Her niece’s birthday was approaching and Espinosa asked what she wanted. Her niece, at just 7 years old, blurted out: “Las Vegas!” Apparently the lights of Las Vegas had captured the young girl’s imagination. So, Espinosa brought the young girl to Southern Nevada. Then, her niece asked for a trip to Las Vegas the next year, and the next. Every year of Espinosa’s five-year stint in Salt Lake City, she visited Vegas with her niece.
Report: Immigration policy touches many sectors, draws varied lobbying interests: Comprehensive reform effort watched by many industries with different goals; Wednesday, March 27, 2013; A new report from the Sunlight Foundation explores lobbying on immigration issues from various organizations, and helps to explain why a comprehensive reform package has been elusive.
Suspect in shootout with Mesquite Police identified: Friday, March 22, 2013; Authorities have identified the the suspect in a shootout with Mesquite Police on Thursday morning that left an officer and the suspect injured.
Police seize $10.9 million of cocaine during traffic stop: Friday, March 22, 2013; Authorities arrested a truck driver hauling more than 280 pounds of cocaine worth $10.9 million after he was stopped Friday in the northern part of the valley, Metro Police reported.
Two wounded in shooting on Las Vegas street corner: Friday, March 22, 2013; Two people were wounded in a shooting late Thursday after a confrontation among a group of people on a Las Vegas street corner, Metro Police said.
Man, 75, dies when car runs into bridge pillar: Friday, March 22, 2013; A 75-year-old man crashed into a bridge pillar while driving south on U.S. 95 early Friday and died from injuries sustained in the accident, the Nevada Highway Patrol reported.
Family of five flees fire at mobile home: Friday, March 22, 2013; Two adults and three children fled their mobile home early Friday when it caught fire, according to Las Vegas Fire and Rescue officials.
Allergies got you down? Fight back with these tips: Friday, March 22, 2013; Ask allergists in Las Vegas, and they will tell you they see them in their waiting rooms every spring. A lot of seasonal-allergy sufferers move to the desert with visions of clear, non-itchy eyes and voices that are no longer scratchy or nasal-toned. But sufferers of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever as it's commonly called, who move to desert environments like Southern Nevada in search of relief from seasonal allergies frequently are sorely disappointed.
Bill would allow immigrants without legal residency to get insurance, drive legally: Monday, March 18, 2013; Nevada lawmakers on Monday took some ideas from their neighbors in Utah, with the introduction of a bill that would allow immigrants without legal residency to obtain driver’s privilege cards. Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis said the bill, which has bipartisan support, addressed a serious public safety issue and hopefully would reduce the number of uninsured and untested drivers on the roads.
Two people flown to Las Vegas hospital after motorcycle crash: Friday, March 15, 2013; Two people were airlifted to a hospital after a motorcycle accident Friday near the western fringe of Clark County. The Nevada Highway Patrol received a report at 11:23 a.m. of the crash involving a BMW motorcycle.
Cars broken into while parked near hiking trails: Friday, March 15, 2013; Authorities are advising visitors to Lake Mead National Recreation Area to be alert and secure their belongings after a series of vehicle break-ins in the area.
Road closed after stolen truck crashes, spills chlorine canisters: Friday, March 15, 2013; A stolen pick-up truck with a trailer attached dumped canisters of chlorine tablets onto Desert Inn Road early Friday after the thief had an accident, Metro Police said.
Suspect in Strip shooting, crash fights extradition to Nevada: Thursday, March 14, 2013; It could be months before Strip shooting suspect Ammar Harris is brought back to Nevada to face trial. On Thursday, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, with collaboration from its Clark County counterpart, successfully established the identity of the Strip shooting suspect, who has been in custody since March 1.
Further delays possible, but experts say extradition nearly inevitable for suspect in Las Vegas Strip shooting: Thursday, March 14, 2013; If all goes according to prosecutors’ plans, the man police say is responsible for the deaths of three people last month after a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip will be returned to Nevada from California as early as this afternoon.
Pimp subculture filled with money, manipulation, violence: Monday, March 11, 2013; Alisha was 17 years old when she was kicked out of school, lost a basketball scholarship and subsequently was recruited into prostitution by Raymond Sharpe. Sharpe, by that time, was already a pro at picking up teenage girls and trafficking them throughout the country as prostitutes, according to court records.
Thieves swipe a pair of Super Bowl rings during break-in at Henderson home of former 49er: Friday, March 8, 2013; Burglars broke down the front door at the home of former San Francisco 49ers kicker Mike Cofer and went straight for the gut, taking his two Super Bowl rings and a few other items.
Authorities ID Henderson woman gunned down by ex-husband: Friday, March 8, 2013; The Clark County Coroner's Office has identified the victim in what was reported as a murder-suicide Tuesday in Henderson, but not the suspect.
Valley hit with rain, sleet, snow; NASCAR qualifying KO'd: Friday, March 8, 2013; Mountain lovers should grab their skis and snowboards, and those who prefer the valley should not fret; snow is falling on Mt. Charleston and the rain will not wash out the whole weekend.
Authorities arrest ex-girlfriend of man killed in Strip shooting, crash: Wednesday, March 6, 2013; A former girlfriend of Kenneth Cherry Jr., one of the victims in the Feb. 21 shooting and fiery car crash on the Las Vegas Strip, has been arrested on an alleged parole violation, according to Metro Police.
Pit bull bites 2 people as man tries to break up dog fight: Friday, March 1, 2013; Two people were bitten by a pit bull Thursday afternoon when a man tried to break up a fight between a pair of dogs, city of Henderson spokesman Keith Paul said.
Two residents displaced by fire at apartment complex: Friday, March 1, 2013; An apartment fire in east Las Vegas displaced two seniors and did an estimated $50,000 damage, but nobody was injured, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue officials said.
Metro Police report sheds light on details of fatal Strip shooting: Suspect Ammar Harris went to Haze before arguing with victim outside casino; Friday, March 1, 2013; Ammar Harris went to Haze nightclub at Aria before arguing with Kenneth Cherry Jr. outside the casino and then opening fire on the Strip, killing Cherry and two others, documents from Metro Police released Thursday allege.
DA might seek death penalty for Strip-shooting suspect arrested in LA: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013; Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said the suspect in the Strip shooting that left three dead demonstrated “reckless disregard for human life,” and would not rule out seeking the death penalty after the man’s arrest Thursday in Los Angeles. Ammar Harris, 26, was found at an apartment complex in North Hollywood.
Range Rover passenger located out of state: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013; The person of interest in last week’s shooting on the Strip sought by detectives was located Wednesday night out of Nevada, Metro Police said. Police didn’t specify where Tineesha Lashun Howard – who also goes by Yenesis Alfonzo – was found but did say she was located about 8:30 p.m.
Watchdog group says system allows employers to take advantage of immigrant workers: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013; The current immigration system is manipulated to deny rights afforded under federal labor law to immigrants who are not legally eligible to work but are employed nevertheless, an advocacy organization says. The National Employment Law Project,a national advocacy organization that focuses on employment rights of low-income workers, released a report Tuesday detailing ways in which employers take advantage of workers lacking legal status.
Immigration 'lines' vary widely in length: 4 million people awaiting word from government; Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013; With immigration reform's rise to the top of the agenda on Capitol Hill, there has been much discussion about immigrants residing in the country illegally "getting in line."
Man shot in head, killed near UNLV campus: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; Metro Police are searching for at least two men in connection with a fatal shooting that happened shortly before noon, just east of the UNLV campus. Metro Police received reports about 11:40 a.m. of a shooting at East Harmon Avenue and Spencer Street.
Reward offered in fire at Muslim mortuary construction site: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; A year after a devastating fire at a construction site where a Muslim mortuary was being built, the bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Clark County Fire Department are offering a reward to spur the investigation.
McCarran Magic: Two travelers share stories of strangers coming to their aid: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; Don’t say anything bad about Las Vegans to Brittany Dewitt and Paul Chapman. The two travelers came through McCarran International Airport 11 days apart in February, and they both wound up with tales of hair-pulling panic that ended with the acts of strangers rescuing them and reinforcing their faith in humankind.
Data dump: Nevada's Hispanic population grows steadily but isn't fastest in U.S.: State and U.S. population of immigrants without legal residency decreases; Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013; Nevada is home to the 14th largest Hispanic population in the country, according to new data released by the Pew Research Center.
Immigration march planned for Sunday: Rally to support immigration reform will follow downtown march; Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013; A march in support of reforming the U.S. immigration system is planned for Sunday in downtown Las Vegas.
Horsford, community organizations coming together to support immigration reform: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013; U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford joined with officials from an array of Las Vegas community organizations Tuesday morning to express support for passing immigration reform legislation this year.
Nevada’s Hispanics come of age politically: Community looks to build on success found by candidates for state posts; Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013; More than 125 years ago, after the 1874 elections, Pablo Laveaga became the first Hispanic ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, representing Humboldt County. The next Hispanic legislator in Nevada came 70 years later. The third was not elected until another 38 years had passed. Recently, however, thanks to changes in the state’s demographics and opportunities that have come from tweaks in the state electoral system, Hispanics have been getting elected at a much faster pace.
Woman found dead in trash bin was headed to casino, mother says: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013; The mother of a 28-year-old Las Vegas woman found dead in a garbage bin Tuesday, said her daughter was last seen late Saturday night before heading to a casino.
Metro Police investigate death at Las Vegas apartment complex: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013; Metro Police homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman reported at a Las Vegas apartment complex early Friday.
Motorcyclist dies in collision in northeast valley: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013; A motorcyclist died in an early Friday morning collision with a car in the northeast Las Vegas Valley, according to Metro Police. The crash happened just before 3 a.m. at the intersection of North Nellis Boulevard and East Owens Avenue, Officer Laura Meltzer said.
Climber taken to hospital after fall at Red Rock: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013; A climber who fell at Red Rock National Conservation Area early Wednesday has been transported to an area hospital, according to Metro Police. A report was received about 11:40 a.m. of a male in his 20s who had fallen.
National union campaign backing immigration reform launches in Las Vegas: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013; National and local union workers rallied today in Las Vegas, promising to throw the weight of organized labor behind a push for U.S. immigration reform. “(Immigration reform) is a national priority for the labor movement,” Maria Elena Durazo, secretary-treasurer of Los Angeles County Labor Federation, told union members gathered Monday at the Cashman Center.
Young immigrant discusses life outside the shadows, president’s recognition: Vegas resident Alan Aleman featured in Obama immigration speech; Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013; In the excitement of the moment Alan Aleman did not capture all of the little details, and he struggles to recall them now. President Barack Obama held up Aleman as an example of just the kind of immigrant that deserves a chance to make a life in the United States during a recent speech at Del Sol High School.
Tip line established for info on ex-LA cop: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013; A tip line has been established to take calls from anyone with information pertaining to Christopher Dorner, the former Los Angeles police officer wanted in connection with multiple slayings.
Unions come to embrace immigration reform: Culinary Union, similar groups led the way to change of heart on issue; Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013; Until the start of the millennium, the AFL-CIO openly opposed immigrants living and working in the country illegally. In 2000, the group’s executive council voted to endorse a new policy including a path to citizenship. The shift occurred for a variety of reasons, labor analysts say, and is reflective of changing union membership levels and demographics.
Jewelry theft captured on video; thief captured by working reporter: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013; A reporter for the Univision affiliate in Las Vegas, KINC, was accosted by a man who stole a necklace right off his neck and then fled. The reporter was working at the time and the entire incident was caught on camera.
Closed landfill's makeover complete; officials hail project ridding landscape of malodorous eyesore: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013; Standing on the Sunrise Landfill, a 440-acre swath of terraced land on the eastern fringes of the valley, one immediately notices the spectacular panorama, highlighted by the Strip skyline and snow-capped Mount Charleston. Not noticeable are the 18 million cubic yards of waste buried there beneath dirt and rock. A former stench, which overwhelmed politicians and officials who toured the site 15 years ago and elicited numerous complaints from neighbors, no longer can be detected.