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EPISODE 4, SEASON 2: “We were there for protection.” That’s the storyline John Steven Olausen told police after he was arrested for the 1979 murder of undercover Reno Police Officer James Hoff. He and two others were waiting by the Truckee River in Reno past midnight and, along with a fourth man, took part in Hoff’s killing as part of a drug deal gone bad. This fourth episode of Solutions Season 2 features a never-heard-before interview between Steve Olausen and Reno Police Department detectives. This firsthand account of Hoff’s killing gives the perspective of one of the perpetrators of the crime both from ’79 and today: He claims he acted in self-defense. Learn more about this series, and listen to all of the episodes, here: thisisreno.com/solutions/

EPISODE 3, SEASON 2: There have been few events that shocked the Reno community as much as the 1979 murder of undercover Reno Police Officer James Hoff. Jimmy, as he was known, was allowed by the Reno Police Department to engage in a drug deal that ended his life. While most put blame on the four youth who were found guilty of Hoff’s murder, retired law enforcement, and Jimmy’s stepbrother, also say that RPD supervisors never should have allowed the deal to go down the way it did. Two of youth were sentenced to life, and two others were sentenced to death for their role in Hoff’s killing. Steve Olausen’s sentence was later changed to life without the possibility of parole. In addition to Jimmy’s stepbrother, this episode features interviews with retired police who knew Hoff. We also speak with the former girlfriend of the killer who remains on death row. Tom Wilson's ex-girlfriend Kellie Morrissey-Schmanski publicly reveals her remembrance of what lead up to the fatal drug buy. Learn more about this series, and listen to all of the episodes, here: thisisreno.com/solutions/

EPISODE 2, SEASON 2: Reno Police Officer James Hoff died in the line of duty. It was an undercover drug deal that went fatally wrong. But his legacy continues to be honored through today. Jimmy’s murder continues to draw raw emotion. Though not even alive when Hoff’s death occurred, the officer’s legacy as a fallen officer resonates through today to the men and women of the Reno Police Department. The James D. Hoff Peace Officers Memorial honors the risks law enforcement make each and every day. While law enforcement’s role in recent years has come under increasing scrutiny, the life-and-death scenarios faced by police remain. The role police had in Hoff’s killing, however, remains unsettled.

EIPOSE 1, SEASON 2: John Steven Olausen struggled to learn. Just out of high school, but without a diploma, he had a learning disability, dyslexia, that hampered his ability to understand the basics. Olausen was caught in an ugly divorce between his parents. He was also easily influenced. His friends said he was a Boy Scout, willing to do anything for anyone at any time. It was these traits that would land him on death row within a year of coming to Reno, Nevada in 1979. Learn more about this series, and listen to all of the episodes, here: thisisreno.com/solutions/

Solutions Season 2 launches Oct. 8, 2018. What unfolds in this podcast is the story of how many lives were irreversibly ruined because of grave errors made by numerous people — from cocky, maladjusted youth to the highest levels of the Reno Police Department and state government. It is a story that reverberates through the consciousness of the Northern Nevada community to this day. Subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Podbean and Google Play.   Learn more about this series, and listen to all of the episodes, here: thisisreno.com/solutions/

There is no silver bullet that will solve homelessness. But there are many solutions that can reduce houselessness. Our 5th episode, and the finale of our first season, covers some of what Reno locals are doing -- and recommending -- to solve the city's homeless crisis. We speak with houseless individuals, advocates, Reno's chief of police, and nonprofits about what can be done. We also visit Washoe County's Crossroads program, which has a high success rate but a lengthy waiting list. Solutions #5 relied heavily on the following sources:1. "A History of Homelessness in America," a presentation by Steve Carlson, Psy.D. 2. "The History of Homeless in America, 1640s to present" by Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness. www.dceh.org/the-history-of-hom…-1640s-to-present/3. "Homelessness in America" by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/4. "Amid booming economy, homelessness soars on US West Coast." Associated Press, Nov. 9, 2017. www.apnews.com/d480434bbacd4b028ff13cd1e7cea1555. "Driven Out." Pacific Standard. July 31, 2017. psmag.com/social-justice/driven-out6. "Bussed Out: How America moves its homeless." The Guardian UK, Dec. 20, 2017. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-inte…e-country-study

Solutions season 1 returns with its fourth episode, "If We Don't Build It, They Will Die." The podcast features Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon and the city's Reno Works Program. We debunk some myths about tiny homes, which the city is hoping to build. Solutions is hosted by Bob Conrad of ThisisReno.com. Solutions season 1 is covering the rise of the homeless in the Reno area.

The third episode of season one covers the issue of affordable housing in Reno, Nevada. Why is housing so expensive? What can be done about it? Who is impacted the most by housing prices? These questions and more are answered as we continue to explore the issue of homelessness in Reno, Nevada.

The second episode of Solutions continues examining the rise of the homeless population in Reno, Nevada and how it impacts dynamics between the houseless and law enforcement. In this podcast, Dana Nollsch goes on a ride-along with the Reno Police Department, and Cameron Hawkins get student and law enforcement perspectives from the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Our debut episode details how one western community is struggling with a rising homeless population. One advocacy group wants to see systemic change and they explain how. Plus, Dana Nollsch visits Reno-area houseless individuals with the Reno Police Department, and we hear directly from those struggling to get access to basic services. Some themes discussed may not be suitable for all audiences. Please use discretion.

Welcome to Solutions, where we examine complex problems and hope to find solutions for them. Season 1 focuses on the rising homeless population in one western community.