City Cast Las Vegas

You’ve heard of wine sommeliers — but have you heard of a tea sommelier? Today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Yukino Aoshima, an actual tea sommelier in Las Vegas who consults with restaurants and teaches classes. Yukino explains how tea programs work at high-end Vegas restaurants, the best way to order tea, boba, and matcha at cafes, and where to buy tea and brew the best cup ever at home. Tea places mentioned in this episode: Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan Bang Bar at the Cosmopolitan Tao at the Venetian Brew Tea Bar (multiple locations) Sheffield Spice & Tea on Eastern Grand Yunnan Tea on Sahara Tea and Whisk on Jones Vesta Coffee downtown and Summerlin We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Blake Shelton’s new country music venue Ole Red has brought the current country trend to Las Vegas. In a city that has always loved the genre, you can find local artists performing originals and the classics all over town. Longtime local musician Paige Overton shares her insider’s perspective on the local country music scene, how the community rallied after tragedy, and where to go whether you are an oldies fan or casual listener (and even how to join them on the dance floor). Venues mentioned in this episode: Ole Red on the Strip Taverna Costera in the Arts District Fat Cat at Downtown Grand Gilly’s at Treasure Island Stoney’s Rockin’ Country at Town Square Brooklyn Bowl in the Linq Promenade We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Flag football has grown a lot as a sport since it reached Clark County high schools in 2012. Recently approved to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the sport has gained attention among girls and people concerned about brain injuries such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. In partnership with the Raiders, UNLV’s School of Public Health developed the RUSH program to address mental health for middle school girls by increasing their awareness of the rapidly-growing sport of flag football. Professor Dr. Jennifer Pharr shares details about the program and the future of high school sports in Las Vegas with co-host Dayvid Figler. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The Goodmans forever changed the role of the mayor of Las Vegas. So who should be next to fill their shoes? In this latest episode of Mayoral Mondays, our special series on the 2024 Las Vegas mayoral race, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with candidate Cedric Crear. Cedric has had a long career in marketing and advertising here in the Valley, served on the Board of Regents, and was elected to the Las Vegas City Council in 2018. We chat about his track record as a councilman, his fixes for homelessness, and when and how he’d resolve conflicts of interest when voting on issues in the council chambers. Stay tuned for more upcoming candidate interviews. Listen to Shelley Berkley here and Victoria Seaman on May 13. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

For our special series on the Las Vegas mayoral race, executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson interviews mayoral candidate Kola Akingbade, a proud Nigerian-born American with a background in engineering, the ministry, and real estate. They talk about his history of running for office in Nigeria, how he plans to “offset the offseason” in Las Vegas with economic development, and how legalizing prostitution could help tackle homelessness. Find more of our coverage on the Las Vegas mayoral race here. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Our special series on the Las Vegas mayoral race continues: Today, co-host Dayvid Figler interviews mayoral candidate Tera Anderson, a second-generation Las Vegan. They talk about how her experience as a businesswoman working in land and economic development influences how she’d tackle affordable housing, the Badlands brouhaha, and growth in our urban center. Find more of our coverage on the Las Vegas mayoral race here. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The June primary election is fast approaching, and one primary race stands out: In State Senate District 3, located here in Las Vegas, the Culinary Union has posted their own challenger as a show of dissatisfaction with the incumbent’s stance against one of their bills. It’s shaping up to be a referendum on Culinary’s power — what else is at stake here? Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman are joined by Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus to discuss. Plus, the team discusses the recent sentencing of controversial self-described “first amendment auditor” and YouTuber Jose “Chille” DeCastro, as well as the Raiders’ new cruise launching next spring (is it a dream or a nightmare vacation?). We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

What makes a great taco? Does Vegas have a taco style? And crucially, is a hot dog a taco? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with artists and taco enthusiasts Justin Favela and Brent Holmes to answer these and more hard-hitting questions. Plus, we hear about their favorite tacos around Las Vegas, from cheesy, drippy quesabirria to crunchy, crisp fish tacos. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. All the taco spots mentioned in this episode: Tacos el Gordo on Charleston & 17th Guisos de el Canelo on Pecos and Charleston The original Lindo Michoacán on East Desert Inn Antojitos D.F. on Flamingo and Pecos Tacos El Compita on Charleston and Jones The original Tacos Tijuana at Broadacres Los Tacos on Charleston and 17th Carnitas y Tortas Ahogadas Guadalajara on Bonanza and Eastern Juarez Border Food El Paso on Bonanza and Eastern Habanero Grill on Rainbow and Smoke Ranch Mariscos Playa Escondida on Charleston and Maryland Bajamar on Las Vegas Blvd and Oakey Abuela’s Tacos on Sahara and Lamb El Tamalucas on Las Vegas Blvd and Pecos Tacotarian, various locations Durango Taco Shop, various locations

As the old Nevada lore goes, Senator Harry Reid rose up in battle and killed the Yucca Mountain beast in faraway DC, leaving it good and dead. Right? Well, not exactly. The contested nuclear waste site, just 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, has recently come up again in a Congressional hearing, putting the Nevada delegation and state nuclear commision officials on red alert. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Nevada Independent reporter Gabby Birenbaum about what danger these new rumblings pose, how an election year plays into the nuclear politics, and what it would take to put a stake in the heart of Yucca Mountain. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Las Vegas community. Our pre-summer weather is really kicking in so while you clean out the meltable items from your car, you can plan to make the most out of your month in Las Vegas with our May guide. From a cactus oasis to how to enjoy the Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival, tune in for activity recommendations and tips that you’ll only hear from locals. If you love our guest CoCo Jenkins, CEO of @nothingtodolv on Instagram, check out our episode on the best non-touristy things to do in Vegas. For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Las Vegas, check out Hey Las Vegas’s take on what to do this month. And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Las Vegas. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at [email protected], follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or call or text us at 702-514-0719.

Even though only a third of the valley can vote for the Las Vegas mayor (here’s why), the role has become a bully pulpit on the global stage. So who should be our city’s next spokesperson? In our second installment of Mayoral Mondays, our special series on the 2024 Las Vegas mayoral race, we sit down with candidate Shelley Berkley. Shelley enters the race after serving in the Nevada Assembly, on the Board of Regents, and in the United States Congress as Las Vegas’s representative for seven terms between 1999 and 2013. She and co-host Dayvid Figler sit down to talk about how she'd tackle affordable housing, the Badlands lawsuits, and homelessness in Las Vegas. Stay tuned for more upcoming candidate interviews: Cedric Crear on May 6 and Victoria Seaman on May 13. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Now that Mojave Max has finally emerged, we can officially welcome you to spring on this week’s Friday News Roundup. After a local restaurant owner discovered ghost kitchens posing as popular established restaurants on UberEats, four local restaurants filed a class-action lawsuit against Uber and related parties. Uber paused applications for virtual kitchens on the app on Tuesday, but the affected businesses want more. Also this week, the Supreme Court of the United States is weighing in on a case from the 9th Circuit Court — which oversees Nevada — that struck down a law banning camping in public places. Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler are joined by Nevada Current reporter Michael Lyle to break down the week of news. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

American restaurateur and writer David Chang almost broke the foodie internet when he declared “the best Chinese food in America is in Las Vegas” on his Instagram earlier this year. While we are inclined to accept any food flattery towards Las Vegas, we needed some proof. Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Review-Journal restaurant reporter Johnathan L. Wright, a major Chinese food fan, to ask what makes Las Vegas the Chinese food destination in America and where to find the best bites. Restaurants mentioned: Shanghai Taste Xiao Long Dumplings Wing Lei at the Wynn Red Plate at The Cosmopolitan Mott 32 The Noodle Man on S. Rainbow Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast Chinglish Cantonese Wine Bar Xiang Wei Xuan China Mama Palette Tea Lounge Chengdu Taste We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

How well do you really know the Strip? Today, our resident Vegas insiders, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman, along with newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess, spill their favorite hidden gems from around the Strip: From little-known historical oddities and quiet places for reflection to the best food and drink surprises they’ve discovered. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Myths about Las Vegas go all the way back to our city’s earliest days. Today, journalist Corey Levitan, creator of the Vegas Myths Busted series at Casino.org, quizzes our two hosts, Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman, about how well they know old Vegas history. Play along and let us know how you did! We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

This June, for the first time in 25 years, Las Vegas voters will face a mayoral ballot without a single Goodman on it. But given our valley’s odd jurisdictional boundaries, less than half of Southern Nevadans actually live within the city and can vote for the Las Vegas mayor. So why does this election matter to the whole Vegas Valley? How did the Mayors Goodman transform the role for a global stage — and what’s next for our city? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Channel 13 senior political reporter Steve Sebelius to find out. Today’s episode kicks off Mayoral Mondays, our special series on the 2024 Las Vegas mayoral race. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Hey Las Vegas newsletter to stay up to date on candidate interviews and more! We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

On this week’s Friday News Roundup, we lay out all the details from a Henderson police barricade situation that resulted in the suspect deceased and the front of a home ripped away. Also, Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant gets a policy she voted for wrong and issues an apology after receiving backlash in videos posted to social media. Lastly, National park rangers are asking the public to help identify two men videoed pushing over ancient rock formations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Dayvid Figler is joined by his co-host Sarah Lohman and local policy wonk and communications lead at Battle Born Progress Jacob Solis. Also, a few announcements: Make sure to tune in on Monday, April 22nd for the launch of our new series, Mayoral Mondays. We kick things off with a conversation with Channel 13’s senior political reporter Steve Sebelius on why this mayoral race is important to everyone in the Valley, even if you can’t vote on the position. After that, we have interviews with the candidates airing every Monday until the election. As of this weekend, we’re airing our Friday News Roundups on KUNV (91.5 FM) on Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. So if you are tuning in for the first time welcome! We discuss the week’s top news every Friday in addition to daily episodes and newsletters Monday through Friday. You can learn more at lasvegas.citycast.fm. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The Kroger-Albertsons merger proposed in 2022 is still in the works, but the FTC has raised alarm bells about the consequences a merger of this magnitude would have on consumers. And about a month ago, the Nevada Attorney General’s office announced it was joining the FTC and seven other states in a lawsuit to block the proposal. So today, we’re revisiting a conversation co-host David Figler had in September with food justice writer Kim Foster and Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus about the impact a merger like this would have on our city, grocery workers, and consumers. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Most people know a little about the mob and their part in building the Las Vegas we know today, but what you might not realize is how integral burlesque was in cementing Vegas’ sinful status. As new burlesque shows pop up left and right in the city, co-host Sarah Lohman takes a look back on the history of the American art form with burlesque stars Dirty Martini from DITA Las Vegas and Buttercup from the Burlesque Hall of Fame. They discuss why we are seeing a revival and how Las Vegas can help fight the misconceptions of burlesque. Shows mentioned: DITA LAS VEGAS: A Jubilant Revue at the Horseshoe Lady Like: A Retro Modern Burlesque Show at Virgin Hotels The Jiggle Room at Cheapshots Lost Spirits Distillery at AREA15 (closing April 29) Viva Las Vegas (Rockabilly Weekend) at The Orleans on April 18 - 21 Sinful: A Night of Sin City’s Finest Stripteasers at The Fat Cat on May 11 Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender at The Orleans on June 6 - 9 We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

We’re only four months into 2024, but we’ve already heard some infuriating, hilarious, or, honestly, kinda out-there quotes on Vegas issues in the news. So today, Executive Producer Sonja Cho Swanson invites co-hosts David Figler and Sarah Lohman to a game of “Guess Who Said It” to reflect on all the shenanigans our city finds itself in and, of course, win some bragging rights!

O.J. Simpson died at his home in Las Vegas on Thursday at age 76; the cause was cancer. He’s arguably one of our city’s most controversial celebrities, trailed by the specter of that notorious 1995 murder trial, and then later, his 2008 conviction for armed robbery at Palace Station right here in Vegas. Co-host Dayvid Figler, who is also a lawyer, was there in 2008 as an expert commentator for Court TV — he and executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson discuss the stakes of that trial (and what made it so unusual), why O.J. made Las Vegas home after serving time in Nevada, and what he means to our city of second chances, for better and worse. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

New details have emerged about the acrimonious child custody case at the heart of the Summerlin law firm shooting — but it also raises the question, how did things get this bad in the first place, and are we talking about this all wrong? Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler sit down with contributor Andrew Kiraly, creator of thelist.vegas, to discuss. Next up, we break down just why the monorail is feuding with media outlets over reports of its eventual demise, and wrap up with the curious case of a strip club lawsuit: Spearmint Rhino is suing Peppermint Hippo over copyright infringement… but is there really any confusion? We wrap up with a little game: What would your knock-off Vegas business be named? We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

As we emerge from winter hibernation of our comfy, cozy regular haunts, spring and summer invite us to venture further afield when trying new bars and eateries. Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Neon News editor-in-chief Gemini Stevens to talk about the hottest new bars in Las Vegas right now — and what our drink scene is still missing. Bars mentioned in the episode: Wineaux at the UnCommons Crush Pad Wine Bar Garagiste The Silver Stamp Ser Veh Zah Cin Cin Brewhouse Hola Habibi Todo Bien at the UnCommons Liquid Diet The Bel-Aire Lounge at the Durango Bar Ginza Stray Pirate Fat Cat in the Downtown Grand Tiki Di Amore Mojave Brewing Company Hugo’s Cellar at the Four Queens We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

No one expected much when the Vegas Golden Knights played their first season in 2017. Now, since the team’s success in their first season and winning the Stanley Cup in their 6th, it’s hard to find a Las Vegan who doesn’t rep VGK merch. And key to their success in the community? The spectacular entertainment at every home game. The energy they create in the arena during their pregame shows is unlike any other team in the league — and today, VGK entertainment is legendary (c’mon, they even dropped a hockey puck from SPACE). Tyler Ferraro, VGK’s Director of Entertainment Experience, tells co-host Dayvid Figler what it takes to produce a pregame show only Vegas could handle. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Ah, spring in Vegas: That golden season of hikes, picnics, and… allergies. But how did a desert town get so pollen-y, and is allergy season getting worse? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with UNLV Pollen Monitoring Program Supervisor Asma Tahir to learn more about the rooftop gadgets that measure our pollen counts, and how we can (and can’t) fight back. Vegas residents, heads up! We’re starting a series on the mayoral race, and we want to know what your questions are. What would you like us to ask the mayoral candidates? Send us an email: [email protected]. You can also find us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

For a city that stays up late, we sure don’t have too many coffee shops open past 4 p.m. But it wasn’t always this way: Lifelong Las Vegan and co-host Dayvid Figler remembers the 90s as a golden era of late-night coffee shops that hosted poetry readings and musical performances. So where did they go? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Dayvid and writer Kim Foster to talk about why late-night coffee shops are so important, and what’s filling this “third space” gap in Las Vegas today. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Las Vegans are sharing an outpouring of support for Enzo, the police dog who was stabbed in a recent encounter downtown. Happily, he is on the road to recovery and heading home. But what really went down in that encounter, and how should we be thinking about the use of K-9 units with mentally unstable people? Today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman sit down with comedian-magician Matt Donnelly from the podcast Matt and Mattingly’s Ice Cream Social to discuss. Next, they tackle the new street vendor regulations, which advocates say are too strict and onerous for the vendors. And lastly, a new report lists the top states where departing Nevadans move. So of the top three, we play a PG version of FMK: Who would you wine, dine, or ditch? Interested in adopting Smokey, the 29-pound cat we mention at the end of the episode? Email [email protected] with his name and ID # (A1311271) to arrange a time for a meet & greet with his foster family. If you haven’t yet joined the City Cast Las Vegas membership program, now would be a great time: We’ve got a special ticket giveaway just for members — but we’re picking names at midnight on Friday! We’ve got two pairs of tickets for the Home & History tour coming up at the end of the month: Two (2) tickets to the Art Vegas bus tour (4/26 Friday 8:30 a.m.) Two (2) tickets to the Vintage Vegas Variety Hour + Cocktail Gala (4/27 Saturday 7 p.m.) We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The shrimp cocktail might just be the most iconic dish in Las Vegas. But why? Where did it come from, why’s it called a “cocktail,” and can you still find a good 99-center anywhere in town? Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman (a culinary historian) break down the history of the shrimp cocktail, its surprising Cajun and Jewish origins, and the story behind that special red sauce. If you haven’t yet joined the City Cast Las Vegas membership program, now would be a great time: We’ve got a special ticket giveaway just for members — but we’re picking names at midnight on Friday! We’ve got two pairs of tickets for the Home & History tour coming up at the end of the month: Two (2) tickets to the Art Vegas bus tour (4/26 Friday 8:30 a.m.) Two (2) tickets to the Vintage Vegas Variety Hour + Cocktail Gala (4/27 Saturday 7 p.m.) So make sure to become a member by Friday, and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Head over lasvegas.citycast.fm to join. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

As our population grows in Vegas and major events become a regular occurrence, sweeps of the storm tunnels under Las Vegas seem to be in the news more than ever. Not to mention the rain we’ve already experienced this year that can put people living down there in danger. It makes for titillating urban folklore — a subterranean quasi-community shuffling through the darkness beneath the bright city. But what’s the reality? We are revisiting a conversation with Nevada Current reporter Michael Lyle, co-host Dayvid Figler, and lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson on what it’s really like in the storm tunnels of Las Vegas. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Today, almost exactly 67 years after opening, the Tropicana Casino and Hotel closes its doors for good. Old-timers with deep connections to the property have shared their special memories from the Trop’s heyday… but most Las Vegans of today will admit it’s been years since they stepped foot inside the Trop. So when did the Tropicana start to lose its relevance and why? Should we care about its closure — and when does a casino become worthy of preservation? Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman discuss. If you haven’t yet joined the City Cast Las Vegas membership program, now would be a great time: We’ve got a special ticket giveaway just for members — but we’re picking names at midnight on Friday! We’ve got two pairs of tickets for the Home & History tour coming up at the end of the month: Two (2) tickets to the Art Vegas bus tour (4/26 Friday 8:30 a.m.) Two (2) tickets to the Vintage Vegas Variety Hour + Cocktail Gala (4/27 Saturday 7 p.m.) So make sure to become a member by Friday, and you’ll be automatically entered to win. Head over lasvegas.citycast.fm to join. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Whether you know the difference between the Sunrise and Frenchman Mountains or not, they’re home to some extraordinary views and natural wonders — including rare plants, Indigenous sites, and a world-class geological feature called the Great Unconformity. But you might be surprised to hear that this land isn’t federally protected. You’ll often see broken glass bottles and graffiti here. City Cast co-host Sarah Lohman took a trip out to see the site, and meet with community leaders who are advocating for an East Las Vegas National Monument: UNLV geologist Dr. Steve Rowland; Bertha Gutierrez, program director at the Conservation Lands Foundation; and Taylor Patterson, executive director of the Native Voters Alliance. They discuss why the area needs protection, and what an accessible outdoor space would mean for East Las Vegas. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Starting in August, CCSD middle and high schools will enact a new policy: During classes, students will be required to place their phones into signal-blocking pouches. Unsurprisingly, the move is deeply controversial. So what’s the upside (and the possible fallout)? Co-host Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler are joined by Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus to discuss. Next up, the team looks at new polling numbers that have just come out on Nevada ballot measures and how that could affect the election. And last but certainly not least, we take a moment to admire an enormous, 29-pound cat up for adoption at the Animal Foundation. (Spoiler: He is a very good, very chonky boi.) We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

There’s a lot that’s edible in the parks, walking paths, and backyards of urban Las Vegas, if you just know where to look. Today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman (a culinary historian) sit down to talk about the edible greens, flowers, and fruits coming into season this spring — all of which you can find growing right here in our city. Resources mentioned: Indian Uses of Desert Plants by James W. Cornett Southwest Foraging by John Slattery Portico by Leah Koenig Nevada Grown: A Year in Local Food The Meth Lunches by Kim Foster Seek app We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Renewable energy is a pillar in the fight against climate change — Nevada’s tackling that with giant solar farms out in the desert. But solar farms here aren’t without controversy. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Nevada Current reporter Jeniffer Solis, who wrote about the fight brewing over the Rough Hat Clark County Solar Project 40 miles outside of Vegas. This project could provide our growing city with urgently-needed clean energy, but conservationists warn it could also kill hundreds of endangered desert tortoises. And, as Jeniffer explains, solar projects come with a host of other issues for the rural communities where they’re placed. So who pays the price for our city’s growing energy demands? Want to leave a comment for BLM? You have until April 11! Find instructions here. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Arguably the best month in Las Vegas is approaching, and we’ve got the guide to what you can’t miss this April. Contributor and artist Brent Holmes joins co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler to recommend where to eat, what to do, and how to get out of your comfort zone this month. Mentioned this episode: Red Rock Canyon Lone Mountain Park and Trail “Jones Ranch Egypt” Brent Holmes curated by Sydney Galindo at ASAP Gallery (end of April) Listen to our episode with Brent on Black cowboys here! Ride the Cyclone at Majestic Repertory Theatre (starts April 18) Titus Andronicus at 1600 Wigwam Pkwy (March 28 - April 6) Esther’s Kitchen’s new location on Main Street Early Birds on Blue Diamond Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, NV Raow Raow Free Earth Day Celebration at Lorenzi Park (April 20) University Forum Lecture with Kim Foster at UNLV (April 18) Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson - Astronomy Bizarre at The Smith Center (2 shows on April 14) Nevada Preservation Foundation Home + History Bus Tour (April 25 - 28) We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us (or recommend somewhere for Sarah to find a passion fruit vine!) at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Sooo… Circus Circus doesn’t have the best reputation. It’s one of the oldest still-standing casinos in town and occupies the quieter, dustier north end of the Strip. It frequently tops lists of the “worst casinos in Las Vegas,” and the murder-clown vibes (and rumors of hauntings) don’t help, either. But co-host Dayvid Figler is on a mission to convince you otherwise. He and co-host Sarah Lohman recently took a field trip to Circus Circus, and they sit down to talk about the casino’s unique place in Vegas history, its hidden charms, and why maybe, just maybe, we should all give Circus Circus another chance. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Things heated up in the Fontainebleau v. Wynn non-compete feud this week: Not only did the Fontainebleau come back with a countersuit to the Wynn’s claims of executive “poaching,” they also dropped some fiery text messages between the Wynn and Fontainebleau CEOs. So today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman, along with contributor Vogue Robinson, break down the drama (along with a dramatic reading of said texts). Next up, the team takes on Lombardo’s shots at Biden over affordable housing, and lastly, we talk about why Henderson’s only DMV is shutting down — and which services we’d love to see go (and stay) online. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

On Tuesday, March 19, the Clark Commission received a long-awaited debriefing on the economic impact of the F1 race. Well, it’s a real mixed bag with the list of challenges being pretty dense (one commissioner says we all “suffered”) and a host of fixes unlikely to be all in place by the time the race rolls around again in November, 2024. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler speaks with Clark County Commission Chair Tick Segerblom, who is not only concerned about the amount of county worker hours redirected to F1 and the loss to the County government of almost half a million dollars, but also the accuracy of the $1.5 billion dollars in economic impact assessed by private consultant Applied Analysis (spoiler: Tick says that number is “not even close”). So what comes next for F1, and will Commish Tick support F1 and their demands in the years to come? We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The largest electronic dance music festival in North America, Electronic Daisy Carnival (EDC), returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for its 13th year in May. As the city gears up to host the 500,000+ attendees, we look at what makes the massive festival thrive in Las Vegas and the local rave community that keeps it alive. Mary Michaud, who has been raving in Vegas since 2008, explains what brought EDC here, the ups and downs of the Vegas rave scene, and gives us insider tips for how to join the party with co-host Sarah Lohman. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Where is the secret nap room at the airport? Why is there a Terminal 1 and a Terminal 3… but no Terminal 2? Which local coffee shop just opened an outpost in T3? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess, who recently wrote a guide to the Las Vegas airport for Thrillist, to get his insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and (yes!) sleep at Harry Reid International. Places mentioned: Zerolevel Fitness Center Liquor Library Airport Slots Metro Pizza Moe’s Southwest Grill Sprinkles Cupcakes Espresso Urbano Las Vegas Chophouse and Brewery Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza Wolfgang Puck Express Lego vending machine The Raider Image The B Lounge (Budweiser) We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

When a Yellow-billed loon, a rare Arctic bird, shut down the Bellagio Fountains water show, the eyes of the world turned to the city from CNN to Fox News to John Oliver. The Nevada Department of Wildlife was able to capture and release the lost bird in an undisclosed location but not without criticism. So how could the rescue of this rare bird have gone better and what does Las Vegas need to be a more bird-friendly city? Co-host Sarah Lohman asks Alex Harper from the Red Rock Audobon Society why the yellow-billed loon gained so much attention and gets an inside look at rare bird sightings in Nevada. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

To no one’s surprise, Elon Musk’s Boring Company is in the news again as Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, throws his support behind the Vegas Loop’s expansion amid safety concerns. Also, a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents is facing calls to resign after doubling down on comments aimed at trans athletes and the American Film Market moving to Vegas revives hopes for a Hollywood 2.0. Hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler are joined by thelist.vegas publisher Andrew Kiraly to round up this week’s news. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

On March 19th, the International Pizza Expo, the largest pizza industry conference in the world, is coming to Las Vegas. So we thought there is no better time to ask the question: Does Las Vegas have a pizza style? And we got the best of the best to give us an answer. Pizza expert Scott Weiner, founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours and Slice Out Hunger, who sits down with host Sarah Lohman to spill some industry tea, give us the breakdown on what a pizza style should look like and lets us in on the future of pizza boxes. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

For the last several years, Channel 13 has been investigating allegations of horrific animal abuse at SeaQuest, a petting zoo and aquarium at the Boulevard Mall. Through interviews and records requests, they’ve uncovered a pattern of stories involving animals mangled and cooked (yes) to death by their enclosures, creatures so starved they eat gravel or bite guests, and baby birds stomped on by unchaperoned toddlers. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Channel 13’s chief investigator Darcy Spears about their latest round of reporting and asks: If this is true, how is SeaQuest still operating? And is there a place in our community for a venue like SeaQuest to exist, even if they get their act together? We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Growing a garden in Las Vegas is already hard enough, but did you know that you might be making it harder on yourself and the environment? Planting invasive species that require more water and provide less habitat for animals is a growing problem as we stretch into the desert. So to kick off spring on the right foot, native plant nursery owner Nestor Robles shares his tips on how to start your own native garden and what it means to decolonize your landscape with co-host Sarah Lohman. You can find Nestor on Instagram @xochipilli_natives for more information. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Smoke and Mirrors, Nevada’s first state-approved marijuana lounge, is now open for business after years of the state working to figure out how regulations and licensing would look. The lounge is attached to Thrive Dispensary in the shadow of Resorts World which is closer to the Strip than other lounges will be allowed to get. So does the lounge give Amsterdam vibes or is it still figuring itself out? Co-host Dayvid Figler and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess recap their visit and share some insider tips with co-host Sarah Lohman. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

The A’s have finally released their latest stadium renderings — and y’all might have noticed, the design looks kind of familiar (Sydney Opera House, anyone)? Today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman sit down with contributor and Nevada Current reporter Michael MJ Lyle to break down the new design. Next up, MJ explains the county’s new ethics rules and what it might mean for events like F1 and the Super Bowl. And last but not least, the team gets some deep-dive bird knowledge while discussing the extremely rare loon that landed at the Bellagio this week and shut down the fountains for a whole day. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Yesterday, the feds signaled their approval for a long-awaited agreement between the Colorado River states — collectively, the lower basin states (Arizona, California, and Nevada) will reduce our water use by 3 million acre-feet by 2026. The hope is that we’ll be able to replenish our crucial reservoirs, including Lake Mead, the source of 90% of our city’s water. But damming rivers to create reservoirs isn’t without problems. So… was creating Lake Mead in the first place a mistake? Today, we’re bringing back a conversation co-host Dayvid Figler had with UNLV hydrologist Dr. David Kreamer, who explains the history of Lake Mead’s creation and why reservoirs can be so essential for cities — but also controversial. And before you forget: This is the last week to become a Founding Member in our brand-new membership program! Don’t worry, the podcast and newsletter will still be free for everyone, but this is a way for you to keep supporting the work we do. Founding members are enshrined on our website (and in our hearts) for all eternity, so sign up now. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

When the news broke last week that Elon Musk’s Boring Company faced over $100k in fines from Nevada OSHA for some pretty serious safety violations at their Las Vegas Tesla Tunnels (including a “toxic sludge” that burned workers’ skin and dangerously heavy equipment collapsing near tunnel entrances), Las Vegans were surprised. For most of us, this was the first we’d heard of last summer’s investigation. But in the meantime, while the Boring Co. contests the citations, city and county officials stayed mum and construction has continued. So what exactly was happening in those tunnels, and how does it reflect the culture of safety at the Boring Co? Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Fortune journalist Jessica Mathews, who interviewed over 10 former Boring Co. employees while researching her deep dive into safety at the Tesla Tunnels. Love our podcast? Support our work, and join our membership program! If you join by March 8, you’ll be enshrined on our website as a Founding Member for all time. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

A female desert tortoise can lay up to 14 eggs a year — and can breed for over 80 years. So if our randy reptilian friends are this fertile, why are they still endangered? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with wildlife biologist Beth Wolff to talk about the dangers that tortoises face in the Vegas Valley, why baby tortoises resemble “chicken nuggets,” and what to do if you encounter one (spoiler alert: it may or may not involve tortoise pee). Have you joined our membership program yet? This is your last week to join as a founding member. Founding members are permanently enshrined on our founding members wall — the deadline is Friday! We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.