City Cast Las Vegas

Monday was the last day for members of the Senate and Assembly to introduce bills for the 2023 session and some of those proposals are already seeing pushback. Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson are joined by lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson to break down both sides of a proposal to ban hate symbols and another to out cheaters in online poker. Plus, the team shares their highlights from the first year of City Cast Las Vegas — along with two surprise special guests! Check out our birthday post on Instagram for a year of memories (we’re @CityCastVegas on both Twitter and Instagram). And if you’ve got any thoughts on our discussion topics today, let us know! You can call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want even more Las Vegas news, events, and fun commentary? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here — it lands fresh in your inbox at 6 a.m.

Ever since Ikea popped up on the south curve of the 215, the surrounding empty dirt lots have been filling up with businesses, housing, and soon-to-be a new Station Casino. But the most exciting development in the Rainbow and 215 area is a food hub that neighbors are dubbing Chinatown 2.0. Food blogger Phil Tzeng (AKA LasVegasFill) joins co-host Vogue Robinson to talk about the best new spots, how the concentration of Asian food started, and if Vegas is big enough for two thriving Chinatowns. What other Vegas food topics do you want to hear about? You can let us know in a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719. And we’re on social media! Follow us and let us know if Vegas is big enough for two Chinatowns: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Find more Vegas favorite food spots and a whole lot more by signing up for our morning newsletter here.

When you’ve got friends or family coming to town that you really, really like, you take them to the good Vegas spots. You know what we’re talking about — whatever the opposite of M&M’s World is. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Coco Jenkins, creator of the popular Instagram account @NothingToDoLV. There is, of course, a TON to do in LV, and Coco’s got the best tips for where to take a family of six, the college friend who only visits Vegas ironically, and the auntie and uncle looking for a low-key good time. Follow us on social media for more Vegas tips, secrets, and explainers @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Have some Vegas recs of your own you’d like to share? Send us a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719. Don’t forget to sign up for the our morning newsletter here for your daily dose of local news, facts, and fun.

Last week, we asked our listeners and newsletter readers to tell us about the biggest tourist scams you’re all seeing in Las Vegas. And overwhelmingly, the number one response was the “fake cannabis” stores on Fremont Street. Yep — despite the green crosses and marijuana leaves all over their signs, none of their products will actually get you high. So how are they getting away with this… and why should locals care if tourists get a little swindled on Fremont Street? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson talks with Scot Rutledge, a government and regulatory affairs specialist at Argentum Partners — he managed the 2016 campaign to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis. Scot visited one of these “fake cannabis” stores over the weekend and explains how they’re getting away with selling the pre-rolls, gummies, and bud that don’t contain enough THC to get even the most enthusiastic tourist high. Have you seen the fake cannabis stores in Las Vegas? Post a pic and tag us on social media: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. And if you’ve thoughts on today’s episode, let us know: call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want some more Las Vegas news, events, and commentary? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

No place in Las Vegas has changed more in the past few years than the Arts District downtown. Over the course of the pandemic, as businesses all over town closed their doors, a few brave locals launched their own small businesses in the Arts District — and they’ve thrived. Our hosts Vogue Robinson and lifelong downtowner Dayvid Figler take you on their tour through the newest places on and around Main St. You’ll hear about Dayvid’s favorite coffee joints, Vogue’s newest favorite gift shop, and also their discussion on how the neighborhood has changed for the better and maybe even the worse. Learn something new about our city? Give us a follow on social media for even more Vegas content! We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas goings-on-about-town, do yourself a huge favor and sign up for our newsletter here — it arrives fresh in your inbox every morning at 6 a.m. You can thank us later.

Some long awaited news finally came down the federal pipeline to Nevada: Avi Kwa Ame, the sacred land to Indigenous communities, has officially been declared a national monument. On Tuesday, Biden protected over 500,000 acres of land in Clark County. Co-host Vogue Robinson and producers Sonja Cho Swanson and Layla Muhammad recap the efforts from multiple groups and discuss Governor Lombardo’s critical remarks. Also, Elon Musk’s Boring Company submits plans for an expanded Vegas Loop (hey, if it goes bust, we can always turn it into a giant Slip ‘N Slide). And last but not least, the team dreams up a very Vegas airport. How would you make the airport feel more Vegas? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. You can also join the conversation on social media by following us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Stay current and stay engaged with all things Vegas by signing up for our brilliant morning newsletter here — it’s the best thing in your inbox at 6 a.m.

The days of the dirt-cheap buffet and the 99 cent shrimp cocktail are long gone — and with inflation on the rise, cheap eats are harder to find than ever in Las Vegas. But being on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) enjoy a meal out, says contributor Brent Holmes. Today on the podcast, Brent tells co-host Dayvid Figler all about their philosophy on cheap eats, and where to find the best ones in town, from falafel to food markets. A list of the restaurants that Brent and Dayvid discuss: Hot food counters at Marketon, Mariana’s, and Rani’s World Foods Pho Bosa Kitchen Fat Boy Restaurant Daikon Vegan Sushi Gyro Time Ellis Island Village Pub & Cafe Habanero Grill Esmeralda’s Cafe We’ve got them all mapped out for you here. Love what you’re hearing? Keep us with us on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Want to share your own favorite cheap eats in Vegas? Call or text us at 702-514-0719, or tag us on the social accounts above. For even more Las Vegas news, events, and whip-smart commentary, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

70 years ago, iconic Black musicians like Sammy Davis Jr. and Harry Belafonte might have graced the stage at Vegas casinos — but wouldn’t be allowed to stay on-site, or walk through the front door (though many pushed back). Despite Las Vegas’s reputation for some freedom from societal norms, segregation was one line in the sand casino operators wouldn’t cross. Why was that? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Vogue Robinson chats with historian Claytee White, director of UNLV’s Oral History Research Center. She points us back to March 26, 1960, the day the Strip finally agreed to desegregate — and why that agreement was never written down on paper. Did you learn something new from this episode? Have a question for Claytee White? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. You can also find us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For even more Vegas news, history, and goings-on about town, make sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

In Nevada and 11 other states, an obscure statute allows the trash company to put a lien on your home if you don’t pay your bills. They say it’s because unlike water and gas utilities, they can’t cut off service — they have to keep picking up your trash. But over the course of 2022, Republic Services has doubled their lawsuits, and they’re not saying why. Today, co-host Vogue Robinson chats with Michael “MJ” Lyle, who just wrote a story about a Henderson woman who could lose her home because of 20-year-old unpaid trash bills, and the solutions he sees as an alternative. (Spoiler alert: One of them involves Rihanna.) What’s been your experience with Republic Services? Let us know on socials — we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram — or by leaving us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Stay in the loop on all things Vegas, from news to events and more: Sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter! Get it right here.

If you follow any kind of Vegas news online, the algorithms will inevitably surface “gambling influencers” on your social media feeds. These are typically accounts that livestream hours and hours of slot play — with millions and millions of views. It’s a new phenomenon, casino industry expert Scott Roeben (AKA Vital Vegas) tells co-host Dayvid Figler. And casinos aren’t quite sure what to do with them — are they helping casinos? What about the influencers dabbling in illegal betting practices, or other questionable legal gray areas? And then there’s the dark side of it all: Are they making problem gambling worse? What’s your take on gambling influencers? Got a favorite gambling influencer? Let us know, and tell us why! Tag us on social media (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram). And hey, we’ve got another question for you: Have you seen any tourists getting swindled in Vegas? What do you think are the biggest tourist scams in town? Leave us a message at 702-514-0719 — we may play it on a future episode. For more Vegas news, events and commentary (it’ll make you laugh, we promise), sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Should animal abusers be put on a publicly-available registry, much like sex offenders are? That’s what one bill recently proposed in the legislature wants to do — but as always, we’ve got some hot takes on that proposal. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with producer Layla Muhammad and Nevada Current reporter April Corbin to talk about the week of news. After discussing the animal abuse bill, we tackle another tough topic: A bill that would legalize physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients — and all the complications involved. Last but not least, anyone who attempted to hit the highways on Wednesday knows that President Biden came to town. So why did he discuss healthcare… and not Avi Kwa Ame? What are your thoughts on the proposed registry of animal abusers? Let us know by leaving a voicemail or sending us a text message at 702-514-0719. You can also comment on social media — we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Want to stay even more in the know on Las Vegas news, events, and more? Make sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

As Vegas creeps towards warmer weather, we find ourselves in the perfect season for brunch. But this is the entertainment capital of the world, so we can’t just brunch — in this city we turn every occasion into a party. The Review Journal’s restaurant reporter Johnathan Wright and co-host Vogue Robinson share their thoughts on the “party brunch,” how brunch culture has taken a turn, and their favorite spots in Vegas. Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Or let us know your best party brunch experience on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For more food news and recs, be sure to sign up here for our deliciously curated morning newsletter.

On the heels of the February closure of Village Square, the one movie theater in town that would regularly play indie films, a new theater opened its doors: The Beverly is a glamorous, brand-new construction with top-of-the-line tech. It’s also privately-funded by noted Vegas philanthropist Bev Rogers. So where Village Square failed, can the Beverly succeed? Founding creative director Kip Kelly thinks so. He tells co-host Dayvid Figler how “event-izing,” quirky curatorial picks like “Leprechaun 3,” and catering to our 2.3 million locals (and not our 42 million visitors) is all part of the plan. What do you want to see at the Beverly? Got an indie film or cult favorite that you’re hoping they’ll screen? Comment on socials (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram) or leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. To stay in the loop on all things Vegas, sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here. You’ll get a delightfully-curated selection of news, events, and musings about our city, fresh in your inbox every day at 6 a.m.

Yes, Las Vegas lights are visible from space and yes, you aren’t going to see much of the night sky from the middle of town. But, as David Blanchette, vice president of special events at the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, tells co-host Dayvid Figler, the open desert just beyond the light dome of our city is a fantastic place to view the night sky. He spills the beans on some great out-of-the-way spots to stargaze, and explains how humidity in the air and proteins in the human eye can change your viewing experience. David and Dayvid also touch on the new development out at Red Rock Canyon, and how a simple change in light fixtures could help cut back on light pollution. Don’t miss the LV Astronomical Society’s next community event on March 25th. Do you have a special spot to go look up at the stars? More tips for getting a good night sky show? Let us know on socials (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram), or leave us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719. We love getting your feedback, so fire away! For more on the latest, greatest, and sometimes irate-est goings-on in Las Vegas, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. It’s the best thing in your inbox at 6 a.m. daily!

Mojave Max is Las Vegas’s most elusive celebrity… literally. Like all desert tortoises, he spends 95% of his life underground. But as every Vegas schoolchild knows, the day that Mojave Max emerges from his winter brumation (that’s the reptilian version of hibernation), spring officially begins. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, as we await Mojave Max’s return, we’re bringing back a favorite conversation from last spring: Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Audrie Locke from the Clark County Desert Conservation Program to talk about how Mojave Max came to be, why you should never pick up a tortoise (spoiler: they’ll pee on you), and why these hard-shelled friends are surprisingly fragile, much like our desert ecosystem. Have you ever guessed Mojave Max’s emergence correctly? You’ve got bragging rights: Let us know by calling us at 702-514-0719, or commenting on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For more on the latest and greatest in Vegas news, arts, and culture, be sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter, right here.

Vegas icons Siegfried and Roy’s massive jungle-theme palace has been put up for sale for $3 million. Does this signify the end to the over the top, kitschy Vegas era that the late performers made their mark on? Also, CCSD takes on the fight against vaping in a lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul and a new proposed bill sparks debate between craft beer breweries and distributors. Co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler discuss with newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets for this week’s Friday news roundup. What do you think of the new Vegas design trends? Missing the OTT era or loving the lean towards minimalism? Let us know on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. And if you have some really strong feelings go ahead and rant it in a voicemail at 702-514-0719! Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here for more Dickensheetsian wit and humor in your inbox.

We’re “Mariana Trench” deep when it comes to the state of mental health in Nevada, Dr. Jim Jobin, psychotherapist and co-host of PodTherapy, tells CCLV co-host Dayvid Figler. That might sound like hyperbole, but it’s backed up with data: Nevada ranks 51st in the nation for access to mental health. But why? Why is it so hard for us keep providers in the state, and how do our current insurance laws make it harder to get care? Can any of the bills currently being debated in our legislature do anything about it? We take notes so you don’t have to! Here are the bills that Dr. Jim mentions: SB 119 - Allows for continuing coverage of telehealth AB 138 - Provides Medicaid coverage for integrated behavioral healthcare SB 177 - Allows Medicaid to cover stronger meds for psychiatric medication, like antipsychotics AB 69 - Expands student loan forgiveness to increase the number of mental health providers SB 146 - As initially proposed: An “any willing provider” law, basically to require insurance companies to accept otherwise qualified healthcare providers into their system. What other proposals are you curious about this legislative session? Let us know in a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the happenings in Carson City by signing up for our morning newsletter here.

Las Vegas is one of the most well-known destinations in the world, yet the best known works about the city are mainly from visitors who don’t always get things right. Co-Hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler are both accomplished writers living in Las Vegas who struggle with biases and expectations about how Las Vegas can or should be depicted. At this very special live taping at the brand new Beverly Theater, Vogue and Dayvid sit down with accomplished Las Vegas-based writers Kim Foster and Veeda Bybee in front of an engaged, live audience, to discuss the balance between being protective of your home town but also writing true, intriguing accounts of a city as unique as Las Vegas. Kim and Veeda also discuss pushback in presenting Las Vegas stories to editors and publishers and making sure Las Vegas is given its fair due. Want to hear the full panel plus audience Q&A? Find that on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfahv7ApjAVGufMbFlHP5A Let us know what you’d like to hear at a live City Cast Las Vegas panel! Send us a message @CityCastVegas on Twitterand Instagram. You can also send us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719. Make sure to sign up for our always entertaining morning newsletter here for more Vegas insights and hot takes.

Did y’all know that the four-time national goatee championship winner lives in Las Vegas? Patrick Dawson settled in Vegas and co-founded the Sin City Beard Coalition with his wife, Lori Fries — and as it turns out, Lori is a bit of a beard aficionado herself. In beard and mustache competitions, “whiskerinas” are an entire category of creative beard-ing for the biologically whiskerless (Lori once made a beard out of Barbie heads). Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler dives into the world of competitive facial hair, the charity causes they support, and what it takes to care for an award-winning beard in our hot, dry desert climate. Interested in seeing more, or even competing yourself? You’re in luck! The Sin City Beard Coalition is hosting the Battle Born Beard and Mustache Competition on Saturday, March 25th. All proceeds will go to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Extreme Couture, a veterans’ organization. Learn more at beard.vegas. Do you have a niche hobby you’d like to tell us about? Or a beard-grooming tip for Vegas? Post a pic of your hobby (or magnificent facial hair) and tag us on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us a voicemail or text us at 702-514-0719. Looking for even more in-the-know Vegas chatter, news, and events? Sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

It seems someone dropped Australian redclaw crayfish into the Wetlands Park, and that’s bad news for the native fish. They’re currently contained in a couple of ponds, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife is trying to remove them before they spread. Agency spokesman Doug Nielsen explains to co-host Vogue Robinson the danger they pose to the local environment, and how we can prevent this in the future. Did you learn something new today? So did we! Keep up with us on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. You can also learn something new about Las Vegas everyday in our morning newsletter! Sign up here to be one step closer to becoming a Vegas expert.

Co-host Dayvid Figler leads our Friday news round up with producer Layla Muhammad and publisher of thelist.vegas, Andrew Kiraly. They unpack major plans to bring the Rio Hotel and Casino back to life, a surprising turn of events in the trial of Robert Telles, and the impact of the Rock N Roll Marathon on Las Vegans. Don’t forget: Come see City Cast Las Vegas live at the opening of The Beverly Theater this Saturday at 1 p.m.! Event details here. Should Vegas make the Strip a pedestrian walkway? Let us know your thoughts on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. What will you miss about the OG Rio hotel and casino? You can 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.

March is Women’s History Month — and Las Vegas has no shortage of trailblazing women who have helped make our city what it is today. In this conversation originally aired last fall, co-host Vogue Robinson sits down with Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV, to talk about her shortlist of Las Vegas women. Essentially: If Las Vegas were to have its own Mt. Rushmore of notable ladies, who’d be on it? For more information about the women on Su Kim’s list, click on the links below: Helen Stewart Lubertha Johnson Claudine Williams Carol Harter Margaret Kelly (Miss Bluebell) Don’t forget: Come see City Cast Las Vegas live at the opening of The Beverly Theater this Saturday! Event details here. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and 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 all have our list of places to take people in Vegas that we like, but what about those we hate? Whether it’s an ex or that drunk tourist who won’t leave you alone, co-host Dayvid Figler and producers Sonja Cho Swanson and Layla Muhammad are here with their recs for where to go to have the best terrible day in Vegas. Where are you sending your enemy in Las Vegas? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Or send us your terrible day recommendations on social! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. We’d never recommend anything bad to our readers though, so be sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here for the best Vegas has to offer. Last but not least, we’re excited to let you know about a LIVE event we’re hosting at the Beverly opening weekend this Saturday! Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson will interview local authors Kim Foster and Veeda Bybee about what it means to be a local, Las Vegas writer. Come on through: Saturday, March 4th, at 1pm. Find more details here.

At the end of last year, the Aria closed its buffet and opened up a food hall in its place. And not long after Station Casinos famously (notoriously?) announced that their buffets would never return, their plans for Durango Station, opening this fall, came out — featuring Eat Your Heart Out, a buzzy new food hall… and no buffet. So why are food halls all the rage now, and is this the death knell of the iconic Vegas buffet? Today, co-host Vogue Robinson talks with food influencer Phil Tzeng, A.K.A. Las Vegas Fill, about the rise of food halls, the best ones to visit in Vegas, and where the Vegas buffet is headed. Are you team food hall or team buffet? Let us know on social media (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram), or leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. For more on what’s happening in Las Vegas (and it’s a lot), sign up for our brilliant daily newsletter: You’ll get a curated selection of the Valley’s best events, latest news, and sharpest observations. Sign up here!

Did someone say burlesque baking show?! Vegas entertainers Anaïs Thomassian, Melody Sweets, and Melissa King-Jules aka MsTickle bring us Sweets Spots TV. After performing on the Strip in Absinthe and other Vegas venues for over 7 years, these creators took their live show concept and made it work as a hilarious online series full of talking puppets, flying blueberry pies, and a very evil donut. Co-host Vogue Robinson talks to Melody and Melissa about making your creative dreams come true in Las Vegas. Be the first to see upcoming episodes of Sweets Spot TV by subscribing on Youtube at youtube.com/@sweetsspottv. Have you seen some cool content created in Vegas recently? Share it with us on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also leave us a voicemail, song, or rant at 702-514-0719. Don’t miss out on all the essential Vegas information in our morning newsletter! Sign up here.

For today’s roundup of the news, co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler are joined by contributor Michael “MJ” Lyle, a reporter at the Nevada Current. First up: A recent video of CCSD police arresting several Black students and throwing one to the ground while shouting an expletive went viral — community organizations have since rallied. So what’s at the heart of this recurring tension, and what comes next? Then, the team discusses a GQ profile of Usher that dubs him the “new king of Las Vegas,” and dives into what a Las Vegas residency can do creatively for music artists. And last but not least: A Republican lawmaker wants to stop restaurants from automatically serving you a glass of water when you sit down — under these new rules, you’d only get water on request. So how much of this is sound environmental policy, and how much of it is, well… optics? What do you think about this water bill? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or hit us up on Twitter and Instagram. For more commentary, events, and news from locals for locals, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

News reports and social media are awash with photos and videos of coyotes roaming the streets of Las Vegas — but why? Are we in the middle of a coyote population boom, is climate change driving them out of their natural habitat, or are we simply moving into the coyotes’ neighborhoods? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with UNLV wildlife ecologist Dr. David Choate, who explains why we’re seeing all these coyotes, and how much of a threat they pose to people and pets. Plus, he’s got tips on what to do if you run into one. Have you seen any coyote in Las Vegas? How do you think the city should handle them? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719 or hit us up on Twitter or Instagram. Love what you’re hearing? Get even more Vegas news, events, and commentary when you sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter! You can do that right here.

The Vegas Loop is an underground tunnel system connecting the Las Vegas Convention Center halls and two properties on the north end of the Strip by Tesla rides. Elon Musk’s Boring Company got approval from the Clark County Commission in 2021 to expand the tunnels to connect downtown, the airport, and Allegiant Stadium. As construction plans move forward this year, is this private venture a solution to our public transportation issues? And can visitors look forward to this at next year’s Super Bowl? Transportation expert and CityNerd Ray Delahanty breaks down the hype. Share your thoughts about the Vegas Loop with us on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Stay up to date on all hype-est Vegas projects by signing up for our morning newsletter here.

Rents are crazy high, evictions are spiking, and now federal rent assistance is scaling back drastically. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Legal Aid Executive Director Barbara Buckley, who is predicting a “tsunami” of housing insecurity in Las Vegas in the next 60 days — Legal Aid has already seen the number of clients seeking housing advice at their free legal clinic nearly double recently. Barbara says Legal Aid has some “common sense” solutions they’re pushing at the 2023 legislative session, but, as former Speaker of the Assembly, she knows a showdown is likely in store. Are you seeing your rent go up? Are you a landlord trying to navigate the system? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or a comment on Twitter or Instagram. For more on what’s going on in the Vegas Valley, from the latest news to the hottest events in town, you’ll want to sign up for our morning newsletter — get that here.

In today’s roundup of the news, co-host Dayvid Figler is joined by lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson and newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets and we’re covering a lot of ground: First up, what the departure of the last Mirage dolphins means for Las Vegas and our particular brand of spectacle (and why keeping cetaceans in the Mojave miiiiight have been not such a great idea after all). Next, we get into the troubling report that Nevada is a childcare “desert,” with one of the lowest rates of access to childcare in the nation. So what’s a state to do — and could “bring your baby to work” programs like the state treasurer’s office is trying out actually work? Last, we’re trying oh-so-very-hard to NOT get our hopes up with reports that a high speed rail line is one step closer to fruition… but what exactly does that mean? Look, we’ve heard it all before, we’re kinda jaded! And to round things things out, we talk about our plans for the three-day holiday weekend — from Pokemon Go at Sunset Park to the Great Backyard Bird Count, all taking place this weekend. How are you figuring out childcare in Las Vegas? Are you holding out hope that we’ll get a SoCal to Vegas high-speed train? Let us know! Give us a ring at 702-514-0719 or leave us a comment on Twitter and Instagram (we’re @CityCastVegas on both). For more fun Vegas events and observations from the ever-brilliant Scott Dickensheets, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here — sign up now, thank us later. And have a great three-day holiday weekend, y’all! We’ll be back on Tuesday.

Nevada lawmakers in DC say they’re on board with President Biden’s new Junk Fee Prevention Act, announced last week, with one exception: The resort fees charged by “our world-class casinos and hotels,” which they say are up front and transparent. But resort fees can double or even triple the nightly cost of a hotel room here in Vegas — and if you’ve heard from any tourists lately, they’re not happy about it. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with longtime casino industry observer Scott Roeben, better known as the author behind Vital Vegas. They talk about how the internet spurred a surge in resort fees, and why Scott has some serious reservations about how their rise could affect our city — for locals and tourists alike. What do you think — are resort fees outta control, or do our hotels need them? Leave us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719, or comment on social media: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For more on the latest in Las Vegas, sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter, arriving in your inbox every day at 6 a.m. Nothing like the smell of fresh-baked pixels from the one and only Scott Dickensheets!

Cheyenne Kyle is a classically-trained chef with Strip credentials, a master gardener, and an entrepreneur. But when the pandemic hit, like so many others in our hospitality-centric city, she lost two jobs in one day — helping others find food during that tough time, she says, kept her going. So joining the Obodo Collective, a Black women-led nonprofit, in starting a farm in the historic Westside was a natural next step for her. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Vogue Robinson chats with Cheyenne about the impact of a farm in a historically underfunded community with limited grocery options. The next gardening class at the Obodo Farm will take place on Sunday, February 26th. Are you gardening this spring? Tag us and @theobodocollective in your pics! We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and 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 out here trying to be single and mingle in Las Vegas, we feel for you — it’s not easy, anywhere. But is it extra-hard in our city? After all, we’re a big little town of 2.5 million locals and 42 million visitors every year, and tourists tend to clog up the dating apps. Or is the problem that we’re actually a small town, and you see the same faces everywhere? Today, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson, producer Layla Muhammad, and contributor Michael “MJ” Lyle discuss the ups and downs of dating in Vegas, our strategies for avoiding tourists and serial killers, and the best places to take first dates when you’re looking for love in Las Vegas. Last but not least, for an extra dash of inspiration, the rest of the CCLV team chimes in with their Vegas love stories — because newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets, and co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson all met their life partners IRL right here in Las Vegas! Did you meet your partner in Las Vegas? Agree or disagree that dating sucks here? Leave us a voicemail or a text message at 702-514-0719, or leave a comment on social media: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For even more Las Vegas news, events, and fun commentary, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. It’s the best thing in your inbox at 6 a.m., we promise.

Egg prices are outta control — they doubled over the course of 2022. So that’s got a lot of Las Vegans asking themselves… should we get backyard chickens? Award-winning food writer and backyard chicken wrangler Kim Foster joins co-host Vogue Robinson today to talk about why you should (and shouldn’t) raise chickens, and everything it takes to do it right in the extreme weather conditions of Las Vegas. Fair warning in case you’ve got kids in the car: There’s a lengthy discussion about chicken butts in this episode. Actually, they’re gonna love that. Queue up this episode! If you’re now on the chicken train, check out the Las Vegas Backyard Pet Chickens group that Kim mentioned here. Do you keep chickens? Change your mind about chickens thanks to this episode? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. Or leave a comment for us on social media: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Have you signed up for our amazing morning newsletter yet? If so, you know that it’s the best place to your daily dose of news, events, and commentary about town. If not, get on board, already! Sign up here.

It’s Friday (whoop whoop) and we’ve made it to the end of the week, which means you get to treat yourself to this week’s roundup of the news. Today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson welcome Thelist.Vegas publisher and culture maven Andrew Kiraly onto the show. They talk about the recent allegations against the Aces and the WNBA’s investigation into whether or not the team used under-the-table payments to circumvent the league’s salary caps. But the question also arises… why are the WNBA salary caps so low? Next, with Jim Belushi in town this weekend to hawk his cannabis brand, we discuss the rise of celebrity-owned cannabis companies, and which celebrities we’d want to buy weed from. Third, a senator from Hawaii is proposing a bill to ban gambling ads from Nevada (and Nevada only) — why? And will banning those ads actually address problem gambling? Last but not least, we get into the Black History Month eventsyou should be checking out (one of which features our very own Vogue Robinson!). Which celebrity cannabis brand would you want to see? Do you have thoughts on the WNBA salary cap? Call or text us at 702-514-0719, or leave us a comment on social media — we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. If you love this daily dose of fresh Vegas news, events and commentary, then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter for EVEN MORE! You won’t regret it, we promise. :)

Valentine’s Day can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re heading out with your significant other(s), yourself, or a group of pals, food writer and multidisciplinary artist Brent Holmes has got you covered with all the best restaurant options. Make a reservation or keep it low-key — let Brent and co-host Vogue Robinson plan out your Valentine’s Day. Mentioned in this episode: Hamburger Hut Sparrow + Wolf Triple 7 Sweets Raku Big Wong Palms Casino Resort / Vetri Cucina The Steak House at Circus Circus PRIME Matcha Cafe Maiko China Mama Fukuburger Steaks and Beer Starboard Tack Champagne’s Vegas Test Kitchen Esther’s Kitchen Main St Provisions Sorry Not Sorry Creamery Do you think Las Vegas is a romantic city? Send us a love letter or voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.

In this follow up to yesterday’s episode about the policing of street vendors in Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler hears from officials at the Southern Nevada Health District about their part in regulating vendors for food safety. They explain how they interact with unlicensed vendors, the resources they do (and don’t) provide for licensing, and address their claims that some street vendors could be victims of human trafficking. We also learn that there might be some common ground when it comes to one big issue: The high cost of permitting for low income communities. Do you have a favorite street vendor? Thoughts on how they should be more (or less) regulated? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re on social media, too! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Curious about more issues in your community? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.

The Southern Nevada Health District and law enforcement have joined forces to crack down on unlicensed street vendors in Las Vegas, as the rise of sporting events has created a bigger market for vendors in front of venues like Allegiant and T-Mobile. Vendors can also be found in neighborhoods with a high immigrant population. The nonprofit Make the Road Nevada wants to help these unlicensed street vendors become legal, but the pathway is a hard one to navigate. Jose Rivera from Make the Road Nevada joins co-host Dayvid Figler to explain how enforcement over education builds mistrust and keeps these unlicensed street vendors at a disadvantage; also, he says, he’s seen no evidence to support SNHD’s claim that street vendors are being trafficked. This is our first of two episodes about street vendors. We'll be speaking with SNHD about this issue tomorrow, so stay tuned! Join the conversation on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Have you seen more street vendors in Vegas recently? Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.

While Community Schools Initiative’s proposal to break up the Clark County School District failed to get enough signatures, a similar attempt may still be in the works for this legislative session, which starts today. As the fifth largest school district in the nation, CCSD faces issues that are hard to address with 300,000 students. The Nevada Independent reporter Rocío Hernandez explains the pros and cons of breaking up CCSD to co-host Vogue Robinson. What do you think about having a smaller school district? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

It’s time for our Friday roundup of the news — and good lord, is there news to discuss this week. Co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler join producer Layla Muhammad to get into it. First up, a story from the Washington Post that continues the work of slain RJ investigative reporter Jeff German: It’s the sweeping tale of a massive Ponzi scheme that targeted the Mormon community… for FIVE years. So how were they so successful for so long? Next, we get into the weeds of a lawsuit that the Community Schools Initiative, a PAC that advocates for breaking up CCSD, has leveled against the company they hired to gather petition signatures. They say the company collected so many invalid signatures(including some papers that were burnt and smelled like “bong water”) that the petition was nixed. And last (but not least!), it looks like Formula 1 racing will be signing a 10-year contract with Clark County — so how do we feel about that? Have you encountered a Ponzi scheme in Las Vegas? Do you have feelings about F1 coming to town? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or find us on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram! And if you’re not yet signed up for our amazing daily newsletter, you’re missing out — get on board for more Vegas news, events and more by signing up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Nevada’s biennial legislative session starts next Monday so as our lawmakers prepare to spend the next 120 days in Carson City, Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller tells us what we can expect from our representatives. Governor Joe Lombardo already called out some previously passed laws that need revision, but what other proposals will get attention this session? Co-host Vogue Robinson also wonders what life is like for our legislators who often have other careers. Find your representatives and let them know what’s important in your neighborhood here. Curious about a certain topic? You can sign up for updates on proposals here. And make sure to follow the Indy's legislature coverage here. We will be keeping an eye on things during the legislative session too. Make sure to sign up for our daily morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.

You know we’re not done complaining about the internet — we’ve definitely got some quality issues here in Southern Nevada, especially for the price. Yesterday, we talked about how two companies, Cox and CenturyLink, got their stranglehold on the Las Vegas broadband market, and why treating the internet like a publicly-owned utility might be the answer — even though municipal internet is actually illegal in Nevada. Today, we get another take: Dayvid sits down with Brian Mitchell, Director of the NV Office of Science, Innovation & Technology. Brian oversees High Speed Nevada, a new initiative that just got $55 million in federal funding. Brian talks about his solutions for better broadband in Nevada, but also says that municipal networks might not be the panacea they’re touted as. Join the broadband conversation: OSIT wants your input! You can complete this form to join the process as a community partner. You can also take a speed test here to help OSIT see how fast internet speeds are in different parts of the state. And you can also submit a challenge to the FCC’s map of speeds at your address here. How do you feel about your internet service in Las Vegas? Leave us a voicemail (702-514-0719) or a comment on social media: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Love what you hear? Get even more Vegas news, events and commentary when you sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Look, it’s no secret that the internet options in Las Vegas aren’t great. We pay more than the rest of the country for slower speeds, and it’s worse if you’re in lower-income and less white parts of town. But why?? How did we get here? Today, Dayvid talks with Sean Gonsalves, senior reporter, editor and researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, who explains how Cox and CenturyLink established control here (hint: there’s a state law involved) and why treating the internet like a locally-owned utility could make all the difference. Don’t miss out on tomorrow’s episode, too: We’re talking with a Nevada state official about the big federal money headed our way for broadband investment — and why he doesn’t necessarily think that locally-owned municipal broadband is the answer. What’s your internet like in Southern Nevada? Got any good stories, gripes, or ideas? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Or leave us a comment on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Hey, did you know that Henderson is the second-largest city in Nevada? Yep, the sister “suburb” of Las Vegas, so often overlooked, has more people than Reno — and as proud Henderson resident (and CCLV producer) Layla Muhammad tells Dayvid, it’s actually not so very sleepy anymore. With the recent influx of sports facilities like the Raiders headquarters and the ongoing renovation of all those restaurants, breweries and bars on Water Street, Hendo is HAPPENING. Layla clues us into her favorite hikes, the best shopping, and great places to eat out in H-Town (and maybe, just maybe, we can all stop calling it Hender-tucky).

This week, Vogue, Dayvid and Sonja look at a wild week of news: First up, journalist Jeff German’s murder investigation is back in the news, because his former employer, the Review-Journal, is locked in a battle with the LVMPD over German’s cellphone. So: Is a deceased journalist’s cellphone still protected under Nevada’s shield laws? And what happens now? Next, we cover the wild tale of Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner’s bankruptcy, and the murdered owner of an exotic reptile breeding business that Lehner invested in. And if that wasn’t enough news to make your head spin, it looks like some contaminated cannabis has been making its way around the state… since 2021. But how contaminated is it, exactly? And what should we be worried about? For a list of the affected cannabis products and dispensaries where they were sold, you can download the product list spreadsheet here. Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter for daily news updates at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! Did you learn something new today? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.

Governor Joe Lombardo gave his first State of the State address on Monday, using the hour to detail a legislative agenda that included election reform, tax cuts, and education funding. Lombardo also took a few jabs at the Democratic legislature on healthcare and criminal justice. With the start of legislative session just around the corner, how will the Dems and our Republican governor get along? April Corbin Girnus, Deputy Editor at The Nevada Current, joins host Vogue Robinson to explain the major takeaways and what the reaction from Dems says about the next four years in Nevada. Curious about Nevada politics? Send us your questions at at 702-514-0719. We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter for all the major news from the upcoming legislative session.

To no one’s surprise, Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster hit “Elvis” got several Oscar nods yesterday, including nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor. So should you add “Elvis” to your lineup of pre-Academy Awards movie nights? The City Cast Las Vegas team watched the film together last fall — and we’ve got mixed feelings. Today, Vogue, Dayvid and Layla discuss how Las Vegas is represented in the film, Elvis’s complicated legacy for Black musicians, and whether or not Elvis should continue to be our city’s unofficial mascot. Do you think Elvis is still the King of Las Vegas? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitterand Instagram. You can also leave your best Austin Butler-as-Elvis impression in our voicemail at 702-514-0719. Want more Vegas news, hot takes, and witty commentary? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Last week, the Artisan Hotel near the Strip made national news when its owners announced their plans to re-invent the venue as a “cannabis-friendly” resort. Why? Well, while weed might be legal in Nevada, Vegas isn’t exactly tourist-friendly when it comes to consumption — there’s a ban on public use, and so far, that includes hotels. With other state-level regulations in place, how likely is the Artisan to succeed? Today, Dayvid talks with Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, whose district the Artisan is located in. Tick is well-known as an advocate for not only legalizing cannabis consumption, but also promoting Las Vegas as a cannabis destination — and he’s probably the only elected official currently serving in the U.S. with a strain of cannabis named after him. Tick talks about his high hopes for the Artisan, and why cannabis tourism projects have faced an uphill battle. Should Las Vegas allow cannabis-friendly resorts? What would you like to see in one? Let us know by leaving us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or commenting on social media: @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Want more Vegas news, fresh in your inbox at 6 a.m.? Yes, you do — trust us on this one. Sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

One of the best badges of being a local is knowing your way around town — like really, really knowing your way around those stupid-crowded intersections (we’re looking at you, Trop & LV Boulevard), crazy parking lots (thanks, Chinatown), and I-15 insanity when the SoCal tourists head home. So today on City Cast Las Vegas, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson, producer Layla Muhammad, and co-host Dayvid Figler are sharing some of our very best insider knowledge: The best shortcuts to get you around town like a real local. A shout out to listener Poly Schmitt who suggested this episode topic — thank you, Poly! If you’ve got other episode ideas for us, call or text us at 702-514-0719. You can also hit us up on social media: Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. For more insider tips, hot takes, and fresh commentary, make sure to sign up for our amazing morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

It’s the end of a cold and rainy week here in Las Vegas, so today we’re cozying up to the week’s news with drinks in hand (it’s the end of Booze Week over here at CCLV, after all). Producer Layla Muhammad and co-host Dayvid Figler are joined by Jonah Gibbs, mixologist at Esther's Kitchen downtown — Jonah is whipping up a cocktail for each of our news items today: DTLV’s questionable new marketing campaign, the return of Helldorado Days, and the controversy surrounding Kyle Rittenhouse’s now-cancelled event at a gun convention, ShotShow, at the Venetian. Having trouble keeping up with all the Las Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on social media! Follow us and tell us how much you love or hate the rain @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. (We love voicemails!)