City Cast Las Vegas

What. A week. Of news. Before we get into today’s topics, we wanted to acknowledge the violence that occurred on the Strip yesterday: Six people were injured and two died in a mass stabbing attack near Las Vegas Blvd. and Sands. It’s a lot to process and the story is still developing, so we’ll be coming back to it next week. In the meantime, we’re got plenty more news to discuss today. Vogue is joined by Dayvid and special guest Geoff Carter, Senior Editor at the Las Vegas Weekly, and they’re tackling: 1. The latest news about the Rhodes development abutting Red Rock Canyon (and what some sources are getting wrong about it) 2. Sad puppies at the Animal Foundation! Or at least, the ups and downs of a nonprofit that’s now facing a wave of seriously sick pups 3. First Friday’s 20th birthday (as Vogue puts it, it’s not quite old enough to drink yet) — and Geoff’s fantastic retrospective in the Weekly about the evolution of First Friday, for better, worse, and somewhere in between What are your thoughts on the week’s news? Call or text us at 702-514-0719, or find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! And a quick note: We're observing Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, so we'll be back in your feeds on Tuesday. Happy weekend, everyone!

As we’ve discussed on City Cast, homelessness in the Vegas Valley is an urgent issue that’s only getting worse. Our patchwork of municipalities—including the County and the City—have taken different approaches (and have sometimes publicly sparred about them). But City Councilman Brian Knudsen has quietly been laying the groundwork for longterm solutions through healthcare — some of which might not bear fruit for 30 years, he says. Today, Dayvid sits down with Brian to talk about a new pilot program that brings social workers along with Metro on crisis calls, how Medicaid funding could support mental health centers, and just why this problem is so intractable in Las Vegas. Do you have questions about homelessness in Las Vegas? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. You can also ask us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! Special thanks to Jason and Wes over at KUNR for their technical support for this episode.

On Sunday, The Nevada Independent hosted a debate between Nevada gubernatorial candidates Steve Sisolak, the Democratic incumbent, and Sheriff Joe Lombardo, a Republican. The heated debate, moderated by CEO Jon Ralston, was an hour and a half long and went over education, taxes, crime rates, and more (read the full rundown on the Indy here). City Cast was one of the sponsors of IndyFest this year, so host Dayvid Figler and producer Layla Muhammad got to watch the debate in real-time. So today on the show, host Vogue Robinson sits down with Dayvid and Layla to give you the quick and dirty recap of what may be the only gubernatorial debate ahead of the November election.

Remember that Vice article about Vegas dive bars? Yeah, we panned it in a Friday roundup — it was full of breathy, gleeful observations that painted a lurid picture of the down-and-out. Consider this episode your antidote. Dayvid sits down with P Moss, longtime local, writer, and owner of two Las Vegas bars, one of which is the world-famous Double Down Saloon, a punk rock dive bar where you can buy puke insurance and shots of Ass Juice. Dayvid and Moss talk about what makes a dive bar a dive bar, the wildest things he’s seen at his bars, and why dive bars are so susceptible to romanticization. Don’t miss out: Dayvid will be moderating a conversation with Moss at The Writer’s Block this Thursday at 7 p.m., about Moss’s newest novel, Dead Ringer. Come say hello!

If you’re listening to this podcast, you probably know how to pronounce “Nevada.” Or do you…? Is the Spanish “ah”more historically accurate, and why did we start saying “Nuh-vadda?” Plus, you’ve seen Nevadans boo politicians across the political spectrum, from Donald Trump to Michelle Obama, for saying “Nev-ah-da,” so why do we care so much, and do Nevadans have an extra-deep chip on our shoulder about this compared to other places? Today, Dayvid talks with Valerie Fridland, professor of linguistics at UNR, to get the DL on all of this. Don’t forget to check our Instagram page for a special outtake of a quiz YOU can take alongside Dayvid, testing how Western of a speaker you are. Let us hear how you say Nevada! Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas

The escape and eventual capture of prisoner Porfirio Duarte-Herrera was all over the news this week — but could it become a hot button topic in this year’s fiercely competitive governor’s race? After all, Sheriff Joe Lombardo is running on a public safety platform, and the Nevada Department of Corrections director was a Gov. Sisolak appointee. Today, Sonja, Dayvid and Scott get into the potential political fallout of a highly-publicized manhunt. Then it’s on to a lawsuit filed this week by Councilwoman Victoria Seaman against fellow Councilwoman Michele Fiore and the City of Las Vegas, claiming that not only did Fiore assault Seaman at City Hall (breaking Seaman’s finger in the process), City Hall impeded the investigation and destroyed video evidence. (Yes, it’s a hot mess, and yes, we get into it!) Last but not least, you may have seen a few more grasshoppers flying around — but don’t worry, this isn’t the return of 2019’s hopper-pocalypse, at least according to 8 News Now. And hey, if the swarms do return, you could always take advantage of the bounty and cook a few up. Have you been following the Seaman-Fiore feud and do you have thoughts? Any ideas for what to do about all those ‘hoppers? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. You can also find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas. Want even more Vegas news, observations, and goings-on-about-town? You’re gonna want to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Despite being the most diverse city in Nevada, North Las Vegas has yet to see a Black woman mayor. This November, all that will change as Councilwoman Pamela Goynes-Brown and Democratic state Senator Pat Spearman, both Black women, go head to head for the nonpartisan seat. They take on major issues facing the city including housing, policing, and education. Host Vogue Robinson is joined by The Nevada Independent journalist Naoka Foreman to explain where the two candidates stand on the issues. Read Naoka’s coverage here. Are you in North Las Vegas? What issues do you care about? What questions would you have for the NLV mayoral candidates? Call or text us at 702-514-0719. And don’t forget, you can always find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news, events and whip-smart observations? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

“Break a leg” takes on new meaning for Dr. Kevin Debiparshad, a Las Vegas doctor and the subject of a recent viral article on GQ. Dr. D, as he often goes by, has pioneered a minimally-invasive limb-lengthening procedure that will nonetheless leave many squeamish: Via a small thigh incision, he breaks the femur bone, inserts a remote-controlled titanium gadget, and leaves the bone to fill the carefully-extending gap — giving his patients an extra three to six inches of height. It’s gruesome, painful, and expensive. But in a world where height has been shown to matter, both in hiring and dating, Dr. D’s patients are happy with the results. Today, Dayvid talks with Dr. D about how this procedure came about, why Las Vegas was the perfect place for him to set up shop, and how he thinks attitudes will change towards more involved cosmetic procedures like these. Would you spend $70k for a surgery like this? Why or why not? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719 or send us a tweet @CityCastVegas. For a well-blended dose of news, events and all things Vegas, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Baz Luhrmann directed a new film, which was recently released on HBO Max, about Elvis Presley’s life from childhood to riches, fame, and eventual demise. The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as his devilish manager, Colonel Tom Parker. No Elvis story is complete without our city, as Elvis had a seven-year-long residency at the International Hotel (which later became the Las Vegas Hilton and is now the Westgate). Co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler talk with producer Layla Muhammad about Elvis’ legacy in Las Vegas. Elvis was a superstar, a rock 'n' roll icon, who had impersonators on the Strip prior to his passing. We have Elvis-themed weddings, sell Elvis tchotchkes in our airport, and fake Elvis accompanies our mayor at parades… But are we honoring his legacy, or have we all turned him into a caricature?

Amy Saunders’s stage presence, Miss Behave, is more than an alter ego. Think more like “Amy times Amy,” — and if you’ve seen any of the Miss Behave shows, you know that Miss B is a brash, warm, comedic force, an androgynous drag queen in spectacular costumes, a master of audience interaction. Today, Dayvid talks with Amy (and Miss B) about the journey from London to Vegas via freak shows and the Festival Fringe, how aging Trump supporters helped hone the show at Bally’s, and why performing off the Strip creates an entirely unique audience experience. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.

Wow, Friday snuck up on us FAST this week — there’s just so much going on the news! Today, Vogue, Layla and Dayvid break it all down for us: What’s going on with Yucca Mountain (we thought that plan was dead), and why Governor Sisolak’s office just proposed that we kill it for once and for all. Plus, how other states vastly underestimated Senator Harry Reid when Yucca Mountain was first proposed back in the 80's. Next up, we revisit the long reach of the Route 91 shootings and how its aftereffects are felt even now: In the debates over exactly how many lives were claimed, what to do about guns, and what we should even call the massacre. And lastly, the team takes on the city’s newly-approved cannabis lounges, whether locals will actually go, and what we’d want to see in a cannabis lounge. Oh, and let us not forget: CONGRATULATIONS to the Las Vegas Aces!!! WNBA Champions, bayybeeeee! That’s right, Las Vegas just got its first major league sports championship. We love to see it. What would you want to see at Yucca Mountain? What does the weed lounge of your dreams look like? Leave us a voicemail or shoot us a text at 702-514-0719. You can always find us on Twitter too: @CityCastVegas For more news, events, and commentary about the city we love best, get our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Today on City Cast Las Vegas, Vogue chats with Dr. Erika Gisela Abad Merced, (AKA Dr. Abad) an educator, writer, and curator. We talk about Vegas as a multicultural city and how that encompasses generation gaps, sexuality, race, & ethnicity. Dr. Abad shares how she’s turned her personal story into art and invited others to do so too with her show, Two Cultures, One Family. In a press release, Dr. Abad says, “I hope this exhibition helps people feel seen. To have their families feel seen. Two Cultures is a love letter to my mother and grandmother. While our struggles are different, I am here because of them – a testament to their resilience and sacrifice.” Dr. Abad also tell us how Las Vegas celebrates & respects different cultures, especially for our LGBTQ community, but also what we could do better. Two Cultures, One Family will be on display until January 28, 2023 inside the Barrick Museum at UNLV. It is free and open to the public. Visit the show and create art of your own during the Zine Workshop Friday, Sep. 23, 2022, 4pm to 6pm Do you have thoughts about multiculturalism in Las Vegas? Share them with us at 702-514-0719. Keep the conversation going with us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Looking for more community events and more? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

When Kim Foster started the cookbook club Please Send Noodles (a cheeky play on “please send nudes”), it was a gathering of local home cooks who discussed a new cookbook and met for a potluck every month. Then, the pandemic shut down Las Vegas — and the cookbook club. Our hospitality-centric city was devastated… and hungry. The Please Send Noodles crew swung into action, pivoting from potlucks to pantry, cooking hundreds of meals each month for struggling Las Vegans. Next week, Please Send Noodles will hold its first in-person gathering since the pandemic started. Kim joins host Dayvid Figler to talk about how the cookbook club met the challenges of the moment, why restaurant-centric Las Vegas needs a cookbook club, and how both trauma and resilience can show up when the table is set. For more information about Monday’s cookbook club event, visit The Writer’s Block website. Kim Foster is a James Beard Award-winning food writer and essayist. Her book, The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City, will be released from St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2023. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas Do you have an interesting club or organization that Vegas needs to know more about? Tell us about it by calling or texting 702-514-0719.

Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto made headlines when she publicly criticized President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, breaking rank with Democrats. So is this a play for Republican votes during a tough battle for reelection? Or is she actually swinging left of the Dems on this issue — especially given the fact that she’d already proposed a college affordability and loan forgiveness bill? Today, Dayvid talks with Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller, who recently wrote about Cortez Masto’s stance on the Biden plan, and how it all might play out in her reelection campaign. What do you think about Biden’s loan forgiveness plan? How are student loans affecting you? Leave us a voicemail or a send us a text at 702-514-0719. We’re all ears on Twitter, too: @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news, observations, and goings-on about town? You’ll want to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

A few weeks ago, our team talked about the movers and shakers from Las Vegas history who would be on our(hypothetical) Mt. Rushmore. The problem? We had no women on our list! Here to help us fix that glaring omission is Dr. Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV Libraries. She and host Vogue Robinson talk about four iconic women in Vegas history that we should all know (plus one bonus pick!), and how they made our city what it is today. 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) Did you know about all of these Las Vegas women? Who would you add? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719, or hit us up on Twitter @CityCastVegas. For even more Vegas insider history, news, events, and more — you’re gonna want to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! Note: In the introduction to this episode, we incorrectly called Su Kim Chung the Head of Special Collections. Her correct job title is Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV Libraries. Apologies for the error!

Sonja and Dayvid are joined today by a very special guest: Joey Lovato, host of the Nevada Independent’s podcast IndyMatters. (Psst, it’s his birthday today, y’all!) Joey catches us up on the cannabis news — namely, that the ACLU has won its lawsuit against the State Board of Pharmacy, who will now be required to de-classify cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug. So what does that mean for Las Vegans? We also talk about the endorsement that six local chambers of commerce recently gave to a ballot initiative that proposes to split up Clark County School District into smaller school districts. CCSD is the fifth-largest school district in the country — but splitting it up comes with some pros and cons. We round out the roundup with a remembrance of Blair Dewane, a beloved local indie musician who passed this week at too young of an age. Last but most certainly not least, we learn that Dayvid is in a polka punk band called Tippy Elvis, and that Joey was in a Justin Bieber-meets-Alvin the Chipmunks band called Full Silver… in the 5th grade. We’re currently looking for the Full Silver deep cut album, so let us know if you find footage anywhere! How do YOU feel about the CCSD ballot initiative? Are you in a local indie band that you want to shout out? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719 or hit us up on Twitter @CityCastVegas. Want more Vegas news and events? Reward yourself every morning with our 6 a.m. newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Vegas is buzzing as the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces make their way to Connecticut tonight with a 2-0 lead over the Sun in the WNBA Finals. They are one game away from bringing home our city’s first major league sports championship — it could happen tonight! News 3 sports anchor Bryan Salmond tells host Dayvid Figler how the team got there with a rookie coach and all-star roster. Also, what its win could mean for Las Vegas and a hint as to how they might celebrate a W. GO ACES! How do you hope to celebrate Vegas’s first major league sports championship? Share your excitement with us at 702-514-0719. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas Stay up to date on all the Vegas happenings by signing up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

The music, food, and art festival Life is Beautiful starts Friday — you may have already noticed street closures downtown as it sets up. Since 2013, Life is Beautiful has taken over several blocks of downtown for three days. Headliners have included huge artists, like Megan Thee Stallion, the Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar, Arcade Fire. Celebrity chefs show up. Apparently Banksy was there one year? It’s all wild and magical… but maybe not for everyone. Today, Sonja (an LiB newbie) talks with Dayvid and Layla, both veterans of Life is Beautiful, about why so many locals have mixed feelings about it. Dayvid shares a conversation with musician Jack Evan Johnson, who started the cheeky Life is Shit event, while Layla talks with local artist Tanna Marie, who’s getting a huge break at this year’s festival. Quick note, you’re gonna hear some profanity in this one, including a well-executed F bomb. How do YOU feel about Life is Beautiful? Let us know: 702-514-0719 or @CityCastVegas on Twitter. For even more Vegas news, events, and snarky commentary, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter.

Twenty-six years ago today, Tupac Amaru Shakur died at University Medical Center here in Las Vegas. A few days before his death, he was shot at the intersection of Flamingo and Koval — you may have driven past the spontaneous, informal memorial at the site, a collection of fan tributes scrawled onto a telephone pole. There is no official memorial or plaque here, or anywhere in Las Vegas. Tupac didn’t get the accolades he deserved during his lifetime, but today, he’s remembered as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time — so where’s our memorial? Host Vogue Robinson is joined by DJ Warren Peace, a local who was on the Death Row street team and was playing at Club 662 the night Tupac never arrived. He tells us stories from the 90s club scene, and lays out the big picture: How the Vegas powers that be viewed hip-hop in the 90s, and why he thinks we don’t have a Tupac memorial. Where were you when Tupac was shot? Who else do you think deserves to be memorialized in Las Vegas? Let us know at 702-514-0719 or on Twitter @CityCastVegas. Looking for more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our amazing morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

If you’ve been in Vegas for a while, you might’ve seen “Rogers” in an organization’s name or two. That’s Beverly Rogers, who grew up in Las Vegas and has become one of Las Vegas’ biggest donors to education and the arts. The Rogers Foundation’s commitment to supporting students in Las Vegas was created to advance the passion of Jim Rogers (Beverly’s late husband) for education. Today on the podcast, Beverly tells host Vogue Robinson about her early life and how its led her to philanthropy, the influence Vegas has had on her, and the scoop on when The Beverly Theater will be opening! Do you have first-hand experience with the work of the Rogers Foundation? Or thoughts on philanthropy in Las Vegas broadly? Fill us in! Leave us a message or send us a text at 702-514-0719. Or drop us tweet @CityCastVegas. Get even more Vegas news, commentary, and events when you sign up for our fantastic morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

In our look back at the week’s news, our team is tackling the story of local journalist Jeff German’s murder, which has made national headlines. Today, Dayvid, Scott and Sonja catch you up on the news, reflect on the tense environment for journalists, and how that might (or might not) bear on this particular case. In case you missed it, here’s a summary of the news so far: Investigative journalist Jeff German was found murdered outside his home Saturday morning following an altercation the night before that left him with multiple stab wounds. After four days of investigations, police arrested Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles on Wednesday evening in connection with the murder. Evidence was found linking Telles to the scene, including his car, a ripped-up hat that matched a video of the suspect, and DNA under German’s nails. It is believed that reporting from German (which exposed a toxic work environment at Telles's office) contributed to the loss of Telles's reelection bid in the June primaries. It was announced on Thursday that Telles was charged with open murder and will be held without bail.

Where have all the showgirls gone? No, we’re not talking about the costumed photo ops on Fremont Street, or those 50-foot clip art signs downtown. We’re talking about the classic showgirl revue — like Jubilee, the last showgirl show, which closed in 2016. Kelly O remembers those years well: She’s a dancer who performed in the iconic Jubilee show during its sunset years. In this special guest episode from our friends at the Faces and Aces LV podcast, Chris Kim talks with Kelly O about how she moved from ballet in NYC to the feathered world of Vegas showgirls, what a day in the life of a showgirl is like, and all of the other dancing gigs she’s taken up in Vegas since her showgirl days. You can listen to more Faces and Aces LV at facesandaceslv.com. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.

Football season starts tomorrow, and for some of you, it’s not just ego and bragging rights on the line. Ever since the Supreme Court allowed for sports betting outside of Nevada, the industry has seen major growth: It doubled in 2021 with over $57 billion wagered across the U.S. So what does that mean for Las Vegas? Yahoo sports betting analyst and Las Vegas local Minty (who goes by “Minty Bets” online) joins host Vogue Robinson to answer all of our most pressing and ridiculous questions about sports betting: What kind of prep does she have to do? Does sports betting ruin the experience of the game? Is Las Vegas still important in the ever-expanding world of sports-betting? And how can you tell when you’ve gone a little too far with the wagers?

Last month, CCSD confirmed their first Monkeypox case at Palo Verde High School. With Las Vegas being a global destination for tourism, how concerned should we be about Monkeypox? While our numbers remain low compared to the rest of the country, issues around messaging create a harmful stigma and false sense of safety for groups not included in the language. Southern Nevada Health District senior health educator Cheryl Radeloff talks with host Vogue Robinson about our case and vaccine numbers, the similarities in messaging with HIV/AIDS, and what we can to do protect ourselves. You can find the EPA's list of disinfectants for emerging viral pathogens here. Do you have more thoughts or questions about Monkeypox? A story to share? Tweet at us @CityCastVegas or leave us a voicemail or text 702-514-0719. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Millennial content warning: We reference BOTH The Dark Crystal and the Mayor of Flavortown in today’s episode. But before that — in this week’s Friday roundup, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with producer Layla Muhammad and host Dayvid Figler to discuss the most important news items to share at the BBQ this Labor Day weekend. A proposal from the Nevada Department of Corrections is on ice after Gov. Sisolak asks for more data on how restricting greeting cards and colored ink in mail would decrease the amount of contraband in prisons. Advocates say the proposal is anti-family and dehumanizing. With autumn at our doorstep, elections aren’t far behind. We take a deeper look at Question No. 3 on this year’s ballot and how the results in Alaska could give some insight on how Nevada’s elections could go in the future. Lastly, a new name in Nevada’s “Black Book” could open the floodgates for people restricted from casinos. Still confused about ranked choice voting? Want to share who YOU’D vote in as the Mayor of Flavortown? Let us know on Twitter @CityCastVegas or leave us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719. Stay up to date on the news and goings-on about town with our brilliant morning newsletter! Sign up atlasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter

Las Vegas doesn’t run on rum, tequila, or vodka — that’s tourist juice. Coffee’s the true lifeblood of our 24-hour city. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, Scott, Dayvid and Vogue talk about their favorite spots around town to get excellent brews, where to take a coffee date, and why a city needs a vibrant, healthy coffee scene. Did we miss your go-to coffee shop? Let us know at 702-514-0719 or tell us on Twitter @CityCastVegas! For more Vegas tips, tricks, and thoughts, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

City Cast Las Vegas co-host Dayvid Figler has a decades-long friend in Anne Kellogg. Anne is a fiercely proud born-and-raised Nevadan, businessperson, an arts supporter, a ranch caretaker and maybe beyond all else, one of the biggest cheerleaders for Nevada you’ll ever meet. She and her husband spend much of the year bouncing between her hometown Las Vegas and her adopted city of Ely. With its plentiful charms, artistic endeavors and abundantly magnetic sights and sounds, Ely has become a favorite for Las Vegans. But are Las Vegas residents always welcome, and why don’t Ely residents seem to embrace much that comes from Las Vegas? In a State where blue cities and red rurals make us perpetual purple, is there still time to embrace "One Nevada?" Dayvid and Anne talk about the differences, the similarities and the causes of disconnect between two very different but both unique Nevada towns.

Amid the attention given to predictions in a recent UNLV study that valley’s population will grow by more than 1 million by 2060, another interesting trend seemed largely overlooked. That is, that the number of residents 65 and older is expected to more than double. Among other implications of this is a likely boom of the healthcare industry to cater to these seniors. Today on the podcast, host Vogue Robinson is joined by independent Medicare broker La’Chelle Buckner to discuss why Las Vegas is the new retirement Mecca and how the healthcare system works — or doesn't — for our aging populace.

Las Vegas has shifted its slogan from “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” to “What Happens Here, Only Happens Here.” Both slogans shroud our city in mystery and encourage outsiders to speculate about our culture. What happens when you tell someone you live in Vegas? You get a slew of ridiculous questions! Do you gamble everyday? Do you only eat at fancy restaurants? Can I get a job outside of a casino in daytime hours? City Cast CEO, David Plotz, lives in Washington, D.C., and hasn’t visited Vegas for almost 20 years! Today on the show he asks our hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson a series of wild and ridiculous questions about Las Vegas. You might learn a bit more about the weird jobs people can have in town, plus a few fun places you’d actually want to take your kiddos.

In this Friday’s news roundup, the question of whether Vegas is a “cesspool of crime” as former president Trump claimed is debated yet again, but this time by our very own Dayvid Figler, Vogue Robinson, and Scott Dickensheets. Oh, and they’ve got some numbers! Also, what’s with that new megasculpture, “City,” and why haven’t any local outlets covered it yet? Plus, the team talks about how Lake Las Vegas ended up on the 2021 list of top Las Vegas valley water users. Hear more from Scott in our daily morning newsletter! You can sign up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter

Everyone we know in the Valley has an opinion about water — so why not make it an informed opinion? You can start by listening to the highly informative and entertaining podcast Water Smarts, from the experts at the Southern Nevada Water Authority. You’ll get deep dives on topics like wastewater surveillance, tips on how to save water in your landscaping, and insights into our decades-long water crisis, straight from the source. Today, we’re sharing an episode of Water Smarts all about our tap water — yep, it’s safe to drink. Carolyn Faircloth, the Water Quality Laboratory Manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), shares how she and her team test and monitor our drinking water to ensure high-quality water is delivered to your home or business every day. Hosts Crystal Zuelke and Bronson Mack talk water quality and how you can find out what’s in our water on episode 25 of Water Smarts Podcast, “Yes, you can drink the tap water.” Do you have feelings about the tap water in town? Got a burning tap water question? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text message at 702-514-0719. You can shoot us a tweet @CityCastVegas. Get more Vegas news, events, and whip-smart commentary in our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter— it’s the freshest thing in your inbox every morning, at 6 a.m.

While our producers are taking a much-needed vacation, we’re revisiting one of our favorite City Cast Las Vegas interviews with the woman we’ve dubbed the Lorax of Las Vegas: Lisa Ortega, Master Arborist. This episode originally aired on June 14, 2022. Las Vegas is the fastest-warming city in the U.S. — and that's only made worse by the urban heat island effect, caused by dense concentrations of heat-trapping concrete, asphalt, glass, and steel. (Read more about Southern Nevada's extreme heat vulnerability on this site from RTC: Southern Nevada Strong.) The effect isn't evenly distributed: Our neighbors in the center and Eastside of the city see even higher temperatures from older infrastructure and more blacktop. This April, the City of Las Vegas announced a plan to plant 60,000 trees by 2025 to combat the city's extreme heat. In today's episode, the state’s only female Master Arborist and founder of the non-profit Nevada Plants, Lisa Ortega, joins host Dayvid Figler to discuss why trees are the answer to our heat problems, how this disproportionally affects communities of color, and why we might just be able to dub her the Lorax of Las Vegas. Do you have a favorite trees? Thoughts on our warming city? Leave us a voicemail or a text message at 702-514-0719. Or find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas and gives us your best hot take. Want more Vegas news, events, and snarky commentary? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Today, we're bringing you a special guest episode from The Nevada Independent's podcast IndyMatters. (If you're not already listening to their show, do yourself a favor and go subscribe right now!) IndyMatters host and producer Joey Lovato joins our host, Dayvid Figler, to introduce the three segments he's sharing with us today: Indy reporter Carmen Landinger explores why East Las Vegas is disproportionately affected by poor air quality and what’s being done to combat that problem Reporter and co-host Jacob Solis talks with a Nevada State College professor, Jo Meuris, about her animated short she showed at Comic-Con, and a dream of hers realized Joey Lovato dives into the world of the Bristlecone Pine, one of the oldest living trees on the planet. He talks to experts James Woolsey and Gretchen Baker about what makes the trees unique, what we can learn from them and what threats they face. This segment was co-produced with Indy environment reporter Daniel Rothberg. Thoughts, ideas, questions? Leave us a voicemail or a text message at 702-514-0719. Or find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas. Want more Vegas news, events, and witty observations? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Clark County sentences more people to death than almost any other county in the nation — we come in fourth (fourth!)out of thousands. But as it turns out, we very rarely actually execute prisoners on death row. So why is that? Kim Foster, writer and friend of the pod, brought us this question when she saw the recent news about an 18 year old and a 20 year old facing the death penalty — would our county really put these young people to death? And if not, why seek the death penalty at all? Kim and lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson talk with host Dayvid Figler (a longtime criminal defense attorney) about how the death penalty is used in the Clark County courts, why it’s so easy to deploy here, and what justice might look like. Come for the knowledge, stay for the Baretta and Princess Bride references. Find Dayvid and Kim on Twitter at @OyVegas and @KimFosterNYC. We’re on Twitter too @CityCastVegas! Stay up to date with the latest Vegas news, hot takes, and events by signing up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! If you want to join the discussion, call or text us at 702-514-0719.

On this week’s Friday news round up, the team laments over some of our small city’s big problems. Lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson wonders how the demographics of our city could change, after reading a UNLV study that says Las Vegas’ population will grow by over 1 million people by 2060. Host Dayvid Figler expresses concern over the lack of mental health professionals in our schools. Meanwhile, Producer Layla Muhammad shares her philosophy about parking in Las Vegas as a local after the city generously tosses us a few crumbs with new free lunchtime parking in the Arts District. Plus, our picks for who should be on Las Vegas’ Mt. Rushmore! Who would you put on your Las Vegas Mt. Rushmore? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719 with your ridiculous, sleeper, and/or must-have picks! You can also complain about paid parking with us on Twitter @CityCastVegas. Make sure to also sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Food writer Johnathan Wright has had his eye on Las Vegas for a long time — so when longtime Review-Journal food writer Heidi Knapp Rinella retired earlier this year, he jumped at the opportunity. Host Vogue Robinson sits down with Johnathan to chat about his first impressions of the Vegas food scene, his favorite martini in town (so far), and why he can’t find a good slice of pizza here (yet). We dig into meatier topics, too: Why do so many Americans assume that Chinese, Thai and Mexican food has to be cheap? And can you really separate the art from the artist when it comes to restaurants and troubling chefs at their helm? If you know where Johnathan can find a good New York slice in town, give us the deets! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. We’re on Twitter, too! @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news, events, and spicy-hot takes? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

On Monday evening, human remains were found at Lake Mead’s Swim Beach. This is the fifth body found by visitors since May and the second at Swim Beach. These discoveries come in the wake of water levels reaching their lowest point since the reservoir was being filled in 1937. Officials have yet to identify the victims, but that isn’t stopping Las Vegas from buzzing with speculation, curiosity… and tactless billboards. Given our infamous history with organized crime, it’s no surprise that people have been bursting with theories about their connection to the mob. Today, host Vogue Robinson chats with Geoff Schumacher, Vice President of Exhibits and Programs for The Mob Museum. They discuss why most of these theories relate to the mob, why they may or may not be true, and what Las Vegans aren’t thinking about as we romanticize the mob’s involvement. Do you have a wild Lake Mead story? Call or text us at 702-514-0719 or find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter for updates on all things Vegas at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

You’ve probably driven past this swirly, swooped steel structure on Bonneville across from the outlet mall. It’s also all over social media every summer: “Hey, Vegas is so hot, this building melted!” You might even know that it’s officially titled the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health — but as it turns out, none of the theories we’ve heard about its origins (modeled after a brain, fashioned after sand dunes, and certainly not actually melted) are true. Here to share the true story behind the building is Director Dr. Dylan Wint, who’s been with the Center since it opened in 2010. As it turns out, famed architect Frank Gehry didn’t want to build anything in Las Vegas — but something changed his mind. Host Vogue Robinson and Dr. Wint talk about the origins of the building, the research and care that happens inside, and why Las Vegas so desperately needed the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Have you been to the Lou Ruvo Center? Do you have a “what’s that building” episode idea? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719, or email us as [email protected]. You can always shoot us a note on Twitter, too: @CityCastVegas For even more Vegas news, events and fun times, sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

The pews were filled with the who’s who of the Las Vegas legal world last Thursday, from politicians to police officers, criminal defense attorneys, and more — all for a “tiny, fierce” woman named Bonnie Polley, who was Clark County Detention Center’s first chaplain. In this remembrance from host Dayvid Figler (himself a criminal defense attorney who knew Pastor Bonnie for many years), he describes her impact in the community and how her unique role enabled her to humanize people on all sides of the aisle in an all-too-often dehumanizing system. Did you know Pastor Bonnie Polley, or have stories from those impacted by her advocacy work? Leave us a voicemail or a text message at 702-514-0719, or send us a tweet @CityCastVegas. For even more Vegas news, events, and commentary, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Oh hello, Friday friends — if you’re here for hot takes and cool dad jokes, you’re in the right place. In this Friday roundup of the news, Layla, Scott and Sonja discuss the pros (smell of desert rain, Lake Mead gains 3 inches) and cons(uh, majorly destructive flood damage) of monsoon season and the wreckage in Death Valley. (Do we hate to love it? Love to hate it? Who can say.) Next up, the first week of school is coming to a close, and the students in our families fill us in on the general vibe. Word on the street is that some classrooms are so crowded, some students are sitting on the floors. Whoa. We also discuss an investigation from the R-J about an affordable housing program that’s coming to a sudden end… just as rents are peaking in the Valley. (Didn’t Nevada just get $500 million to create and preserve affordable housing? AHEM.) Last but not least, we name our Vegas residency dream tickets. Stay tuned to hear about the heavy metal band we’re forming, called Petrichor, after the smell of desert rain. *insert melodic screaming here* Do you have a hot take on our hot takes? A dad joke to usurp our dad jokes? Send ‘em our way on Twitter @CityCastVegas or leave us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719. (We might even play the best ones on the pod!) If you like what you hear, you can get even more Vegas news (and even more Scott!) in our morning newsletter: Sign up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter.

Avi Kwa Ame is the Mojave name for Spirit Mountain and the surrounding landscape, which is sacred to over 12 Indigenous tribes. In February, Representative Dina Titus introduced a bill to designate Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument that would protect the area for cultural and recreational purposes. There hasn't been any legislative action on the bill since it was filed, so advocates are looking to President Biden to sign a presidential decree to protect the lands. The Conservation Lands Foundation works with advocates to hold the Bureau of Land Management accountable and works to secure the safety of Avi Kwa Ame. Associate Program Director Bertha Gutierrez sits down with Host Vogue Robinson to explain its importance to Indigenous tribes, why they are working towards a national monument designation, and how this would benefit all of us. Have you been to Avi Kwa Ame? What do you think about the monument proposal? Leave us a message or send us a text at 702-514-0719, or tweet at us @CityCastVegas. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

When it comes to local mottos, we've got a few: #VegasStrong, "What happens here, stays here," and "it's a dry heat." Over the last couple decades, some locals have added "Save Red Rock" to their list. That's because the legal fights over where, how, and whether to develop near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area have become long-term, entrenched battles. The Nevada Independent's environment reporter Daniel Rothberg recently wrote an in-depth investigative piece detailing the latest twists and turns in developer Jim Rhodes' lawsuit against the county, which he claims has stalled his plans to construct a high-density residential development abutting the park. Daniel joins us today to help us put this lawsuit (and development around Red Rock, broadly) into context: What makes a project like Rhodes' different from, say, the construction at Bonnie Springs? Why should we care about the impact of a road through the desert? And who gets to make decisions about the lands bordering our national conservation areas?

Contributor Michael Lyle, a reporter at the Nevada Current, joins us today to talk about the results of the Valley’s latest homeless census — we’re seeing the largest uptick in homelessness since 2019. That’s not surprising, Michael explains, since we’re also in the midst of soaring rents (which, despite some reports of cooling, is still nearly 25% more expensive than it was in 2019). In fact, Michael points to research showing that a $100 increase in median rent is associated with a 9% increase in homelessness. So what’s a Valley to do about it, and is relief on the way any time soon? Read Michael Lyle's full report on nevadacurrent.com. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our amazingly witty morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! Find us on Twitter @CityCastVegas Have you been negatively impacted by an increase in rent? Leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719.

The pandemic floodgates have opened, and gambling is hot hot HOT once again. Southern Nevada is raking in months upon months of record-breaking gambling revenue. Reid International Airport saw its busiest month ever in June. And gambling influencers are apparently a thing now — the Plaza debuted an influencer-themed slot machine last month, making a play for the screen-addicted millennial generation. But with the highs come the lows, and host Dayvid Figler knows a thing or two about the low-lows that come with problem gambling: He helped create a diversion court to keep those suffering from gambling addiction out of prison and get them into treatment. So how do you figure out if you, or your friend, or your Uncle Benny, has a gambling problem? And what can families, casinos, and our government do about it? For more resources on problem gambling, visit the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, or call their confidential 24-hour hotline at 1-800-522-4700. You can also start the conversation with yourself: Take the 20-question problem gambling questionnaire here. Do you have thoughts, questions, or ideas for us? Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. You can go find us on the ol’ bird app too — tweet at us: @CityCastVegas And last but never least, get more Vegas news, events, mutterings and musings in our daily morning newsletter. Sign up at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Today, hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler, along with lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson, indulge in the cleansing fires of RAAAAGE: Cuz there’s so much rage-inducing news this week! First up, we talk about the new 50-foot showgirl signs planned for the entrance to the Arts District (spoiler: Dayvid compares them to “clip art”). Then it’s on to the Clark County Commission’s recent unanimous vote to expand an “order out” ordinance on the Strip: Now anyone with convicted of any crime can be ordered out of the area, and could face a misdemeanor arrest for violating the rule. Oh, and don’t forget RAGE item three: The results of a recent House committee investigation were released last week, and Siegel Suites (the subject of our episode on Pinkbox Doughnuts) were found to use egregiously underhanded tactics to evict tenants before, during, and after the moratorium on evictions — even those whose rental relief applications were underway. Don’t worry, we end on a sweet note: Bacon milkshakes, puppies, and art gallery openings. Come along for the emotional rollercoaster! What’s got your goat in this week of news? Do you actually love the showgirls and are we off the mark? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 702-514-0719. Or send us a tweet @CityCastVegas. For even more Vegas news, events, and less rage + more snark (we promise), make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

As rising rents push artists out of the Arts District, could the newly-revitalized New Orleans square be the answer? New Orleans Square is a two-story complex in the historic Commercial Center — once a hub for business, dining, and nightlife in the 60s and 70s. It has since gained a reputation (whether fair or not) as a dangerous hotspot for illicit activities. But business owners are working to rebrand the Commercial Center: Ron and Judy McMenemy bought New Orlean Square in the 2000s and curated it to create a center of arts and culture. Since their passing in the last few years, their children took over the building and have recently listed it for sale. Host Vogue Robinson visits gallerist Nancy Good at Core Contemporary Art Gallery inside New Orleans Square. They talk about how Nancy is continuing Ron’s work to make New Orleans Square a desirable place for artists, and why Las Vegas shouldn’t be afraid of the area. Have you been to New Orleans Square? Let us know what you think of the area by leaving us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719. Or tweet at us! Follow us on Twitter @CityCastVegas. For even more Vegas news, get our brilliant morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter!

Tony Hsieh has long been painted as a tortured visionary — most recently in the posthumous biography by two Wall Street Journal reporters dramatically titled “Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh.” But longtime Las Vegas locals have observed the last decade of transformations along Fremont East (funded by Tony’s company Downtown Project) with mixed emotions. Lifelong resident and writer Nicholas Russell recently penned an essay in the Baffler about the problem with mythologizing Tony Hsieh — he and host Dayvid Figler bust some Downtown Project myths, examine Tony’s legacy downtown, and break down just why it was so easy for Tony Hsieh to set up shop in Las Vegas. How do you feel about downtown Las Vegas? Leave us a message or shoot us a text at 702-514-0719. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @CityCastVegas Want more Vegas news? Get our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter

Even before the pandemic, Nevada had the second-largest nursing deficit in the country, and the pandemic has only worsened nurse burnout and retention. According to a 2022 report, nurses are leaving their jobs at “a dramatically higher rate” — Nevada needs to hire 4,000 nurses just to meet the national average. Nursing schools are responding: In 2019, the UNLV School of Nursing launched a summer Nurse Camp to help high school students “develop realistic expectations about nursing school and working as a registered nurse” through hands-on activities, simulations, and lectures. Producer Layla Muhammad takes us through the camp as she talks to UNLV alumni and organizer Jennifer Pfannes about the camp, their goals, and how they hope the program can mitigate Nevada’s nursing shortage. Plus, hear from two high school students about their experiences at Nurse Camp. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas Are you a local nurse working during this shortage? Share your story with us at 702-514-0719.

Nevada’s ballot initiative process can be confusing. The deadline for gathering signatures for measures proposing to amend the state Constitution passed in June, with another deadline approaching in the fall for measures to amend the law. After the signatures are verified by election officials, they make it on to our ballots. Some measure get caught up in court while others breeze through the process. Producer Layla Muhammad talks with Host Dayvid Figler about what we’ll see on our ballots this November, where the process goes right, and where it goes terribly wrong. We’ve got the wittiest newsletter in Vegas. Make sure to sign up for all the musings at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We also tweet! Follow us at @CityCastVegas Do you have questions about what’s going to be on the ballot this November? Give us a call at 702-514-0719.

Producer Layla Muhammad hosts newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets and host Dayvid Figler in a spirited conversation for this week’s Friday news roundup! The team discusses why residents may or may not care about the demolition of three casinos that cater to locals, and Dayvid’s idea on how the city could repurpose these properties. Also, the hits and (many) misses in The Vice Guide to Travel Las Vegas and what we would do with the billion dollar Mega Millions jackpot money ... even though we have to drive to the state line to buy lottery tickets. Want more Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter! We’re also on Twitter! Follow us @CityCastVegas You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.