City Cast Las Vegas

With 4/20 and Earth Day landing in the same week, City Cast Las Vegas revisits a lively conversation about the valley's most polarizing plants, palm trees. Nevada Plants master arborist Lisa Ortega talks with Dayvid Figler about the surprising variety of palms that thrive in the desert and whether they really deserve their reputation as water hogs. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, April 20th episode: Zen Leaf Taskrabbit Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Could public financing get more Las Vegans involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

An Arts District dispute over patio concerts got louder this week, as a landlord is now ⁠suing his own tenant⁠ in an effort to quiet early-evening concerts. It comes after noise complaints from a single neighbor – and it raises the question: Can new arrivals to the Arts District handle what the neighborhood has to offer? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with longtime Vegas writer Scott Dickensheets and Executive Producer Layla Muhammad to break it down. Plus, the panel breaks down how much federal “⁠no tax on tips⁠” changes actually affected tax season, and whether ⁠a proposed NBA stadium⁠ well south of the Strip is actually a serious contender for the city's next pro team.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, April 17th episode: ⁠Southern Nevada Water Authority⁠ ⁠L.V. Academy of the Arts⁠  Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on ⁠Instagram⁠, or email us at ⁠lasvegas@citycast.fm⁠. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter,⁠ Hey Las Vegas.⁠ Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠.

Strip clubs promise spectacle, but in Las Vegas they also promise a full menu, from late-night nachos to white-tablecloth steaks. Food writer and hedonist Gemini Stevens breaks down where the city's clubs actually deliver, and why keeping diners in their seats is part of the business model. In conversation with Sonja Cho Swanson, they explore how Vegas blends indulgence and practicality, and whether any of these dishes are worth seeking out on their own.  Clubs mentioned: Peppermint Hippo, Crazy Horse III, Treasures, Spearmint Rhino, Las Vegas Strip Club  Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, April 16th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans love proving they're the real deal. We give that instinct the merit badge treatment with a playful checklist of local status. From surviving triple-digit summers to knowing secret parking hacks and late-night diner rituals, these badges capture the quirks that separate tourists from true residents. Beneath the humor, it reveals how pride and community shape belonging in a city people often misunderstand. Host Jesse Merrick is joined by contributors Dayvid Figler and Sonja Cho Swanson. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 15th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

We've all heard it by this point: Vegas needs more housing to drive down the price of homes. But where exactly are developers supposed to build? Today on our City Cast Las Vegas podcast, reporter Patrick Blennerhassett from the Review-Journal explains how federal land policy, local zoning laws, and the rising cost of building homes makes for a complicated answer.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 14th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

When a confirmed case of measles hit the Las Vegas Convention Center last month, did Vegas get lucky by avoiding a widespread outbreak? And if so – what happens if that luck runs out? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with Jeff Quinn, Public Health Preparedness Officer at the Southern Nevada Health District, to discuss whether Vegas learned its lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic – and whether the city is ready for another potential outbreak.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 13th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That's why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic's enduring negative impact on walkability, small businesses, and nightlife in cities everywhere. Plus, should your city be weirder? Mentioned on the show: "Can a Night Mayor Revive Downtown Portland?" (City Cast Portland) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Clark County has hundreds of ATMs that exchange cash for cryptocurrency (or "crypto kiosks") and scammers are swindling Nevadans out of millions with these machines. So what kinds of guardrails make sense — or are even possible? Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus and our brand new host at City Cast Las Vegas, Jesse Merrick, to discuss. Plus, the team looks at why the deep red community around Ash Meadows in Nye County is fighting development and seeking a national conservation area designation, and why the Animal Foundation just flew 30 rescue pets out to Utah. Plus: This week in our members-only feed, we discuss the debate over turning First Friday into an exclusive, ticketed event. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 9th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Taskrabbit Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal is no longer printing the Las Vegas Sun in its pages — at least for now. The longtime rival newspapers published competing op-eds to mark the change, which came after continued legal battles. But why was the Review-Journal printing the Sun in the first place, and should it continue doing so? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is getting the scoop on this modern newspaper war from UNLV history professor Michael Green, and longtime media observer and lawyer Dayvid Figler.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 9th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Taskrabbit Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

More tech companies are eyeing Southern Nevada for data centers, as the state's AI boom continues. But new proposals are getting local pushback over water and power usage, and raising questions about how to regulate these companies. So just how resource-draining are data centers, and is this boom actually a good thing for Nevada? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is getting the details from Review-Journal reporter Alan Halaly.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Taskrabbit Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

A pair of Democratic Socialists of America candidates are trying to unseat establishment Democrats in two Southern Nevada assembly races, betting that a message centered on affordability can break through. Nevada Current reporter Matthew Mondschein explains to host Sonja Cho Swanson how the candidates are rejecting corporate money, leaning on grassroots organizing, and tapping into voter frustration. But can that strategy translate into wins in Nevada's political landscape? Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority L.V. Academy of the Arts Taskrabbit Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Nevada is one of just a handful of states without so-called “Dram Shop” laws, aimed at allowing DUI victims to sue not just the driver who caused the accident, but the bar or restaurant that served that driver. And despite a large number of deadly DUI accidents, especially in Las Vegas, politicians remain deeply skeptical that Nevada could ever pass such a law. But why? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with investigative reporter Katelyn Newberg from the Las Vegas Review-Journal to answer that and more.  Read Katelyn's original investigation: Seeking accountability: Who shares responsibility for DUI crashes? In Nevada, businesses are shielded from liability Learn more about the sponsors of this April 6th episode: Taskrabbit SNWA Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

If you are a fan of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, you already know how incredible women's sports are! While more and more people are embracing women's sports, Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women's soccer. Will betting on women's sports drive Denver's economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office? Mentioned on the show: The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado's pro sports stadiums [The Denver Post] Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

It's been a busy week in Las Vegas, and we're breaking down the biggest stories shaping the valley right now. On today's Friday News Roundup, we dig into the Golden Knights head coach shake-up, the drama over Congresswoman Susie Lee's controversial tweet about a SCOTUS hearing on birthright citizenship, and the recurring phenomenon of pop-up casinos. Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by producers Layla Muhammad and Jacob Solis. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

The Trump Administration has spent months attempting to radically reshape how elections are run across the US – even though it's up to the states, individually, to run elections. That includes an executive order signed this week seeking to do away with vote-by-mail as we know it. But how will these proposed changes affect Las Vegas? The state's elections chief – Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar – joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to dive deep on not just what could change in 2026, but why it matters.   Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

April in Las Vegas hits a sweet spot, with ideal weather (usually), packed festival calendars, and locals fully out and about. From a citywide wrestling takeover and nostalgic movie screenings to stargazing parties and under-the-radar food gems, there's no shortage of ways to fill your calendar. We've got tips for dodging lines, finding parking, and eating your way through everything from Gujarati cuisine to Taiwanese tea and Eastern European desserts. Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess and writer and comedian Jason Harris. Want to learn how to photograph dark skies on your phone? Check out this episode for tips! Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Vegas casinos are constantly reinventing themselves, with recent multimillion-dollar renovations at the Horseshoe and Ellis Island reaching all the way down to the carpets. Those bold, swirling patterns are not just decorative, they are carefully designed to shape how you move and feel. We revisit a conversation that unpacks the hidden strategy and surprising psychology behind one of the Strip's most overlooked design elements. Sarah Lohman talks with carpet designer Terrien Hale and interior designer Alice O'Keefe. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

WrestleMania is back in Las Vegas after a controversial bid win, and this year the spotlight is shifting as women take center stage in more matches than ever. We dig into how the sport evolved from the Divas era to today's athletic, headline-making superstars and why fan backlash online now shapes the storylines in real time. Plus, what rising ticket prices, local indie promotions, and Vegas' growing role as a wrestling hub mean for the future of the industry here. Host Sonja Cho Swanson talks with Wrestling Winedown founder Lo about how women are redefining professional wrestling. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 30th episode: UNLV Performing Arts Center Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

More affordable housing is needed in places like Las Vegas. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-income residents can afford. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Austin podcast host Nikki DaVaughn about this paradox, the city's affordable housing successes, and where Austin's still falling short. Plus, how far is too far to walk to a neighbor's house? Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford is the presumptive front-runner for the party's nomination for governor ahead of June's primaries. But he's not alone – and so far he has declined invitations to debate fellow candidate and Washoe County Commission Alexis Hill. So what are Nevadans losing when primary debates start to disappear? April Corbin Girnus and Michael “MJ” Lyle, both from the Nevada Current, join host Sonja Cho Swanson to break it down. Plus, the group discusses why ICE hasn't supplemented TSA at the Las Vegas Airport, and what the NBA's interest in Vegas (and potentially another Super Bowl) mean for the city.  Want to help TSA agents going without pay during the partial government shutdown? Find more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 27th episode:  UNLV Performing Arts Center Zen Leaf Las Vegas Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

With the arrival of Gymkhana's Michelin star-power to the Las Vegas Strip, the city's burgeoning high-end Indian food scene has grabbed national headlines. But what led to Indian food's upscale Vegas momentum – and maybe more importantly, where are the best slightly-more-affordable spots to eat? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, Giselle D'souza, founder of Nothing to Do LV Eats, and Roshni Dutt McIntire, private chef and founder of Dutt House, sit down with host Sonja Cho Swanson to break down why Indian cuisine is finally breaking through. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 26th episode: UNLV Performing Arts Center Zen Leaf Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

When gambling addicts commit serious financial crimes, is prison the only answer? Las Vegas' Problem Gambling Diversion Court has given local judges a rare alternative. But how well does the system work, really? For Problem Gambling Awareness Month, City Cast Las Vegas contributor and longtime local defense attorney Dayvid Figler joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to dive deep on the diversion court – and why Vegas might just be a model for other cities reckoning with worsening gambling addictions.  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 25th episode: UNLV Performing Arts Center Zen Leaf Roseman University Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

The Boulevard Mall went from suburban status symbol to so-called dead mall to something much more interesting, a community hub that reflects how Las Vegas actually lives, learns, and hangs out today. This episode digs into its midcentury origins, mall walking heyday, a lost time capsule, and the creative reinvention that's keeping its storefronts full and its halls busy. Host Sonja Cho Swanson talks with Nevada Preservation Foundation's Paige Figenbaum and April Mench about why this “lost relic” might be one of the city's most underrated success stories. Don't miss NPF's Mall Walk Through the Era's Tour. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 24th episode: UNLV Performing Arts Center Zen Leaf Roseman University Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

For many, bird watching or “birding” is firmly the stuff of retirement age – complete with floppy hats, binoculars and walks through the park. But in just the last few years, birding clubs have sprouted across Las Vegas' colleges and universities, including just last month at CSN. So what is it about these birds that have captured Gen Z's imagination? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by Morrigan DeVito, Education and Outreach Director at the Red Rock Audubon Society and Franklin Ung, President of the UNLV Birding Club, to find out if the early bird really does get the worm. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Will sex workers in Pahrump, Nevada, unionize, and if so, what are the implications for gig workers across the state and beyond? At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about why sex workers are considered independent contractors, what sparked this legal battle, and what happens if they win. Plus, what's different about neighborhoods in Las Vegas? Mentioned on the show: Could a Pahrump Brothel Union Set a New National Standard for Labor Laws? (City Cast Las Vegas) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The owner of a petting zoo in Henderson says that the city's attempt to classify her camels as "exotic animals" puts her business in peril. The standoff has sparked a debate: Are camels "exotic" wild animals or domestic pets, and which animals should be allowed in our increasingly urbanized neighborhoods? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with executive producer Layla Muhammad and creative producer Jacob Solis to discuss. Plus, a case is headed up to the Nevada Supreme Court over who has the final say on release with electronic monitoring — Metro or the courts — setting the stage for an existential fight over the balance of powers. Lastly, Vegas's NBA expansion team dreams will be decided at a Commissioners meeting next week — who's courting Nevada for a stake? Learn more about the sponsors of this March 20th episode: Roseman University Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Ramen's staying power in Las Vegas is on full display, with new openings and menu expansions popping up across the valley. From Henderson to Downtown Summerlin to the Strip, chefs are doubling down on a dish that locals never seem to tire of. We revisit a conversation Dayvid Figler had with food blogger Phil Tzeng to talk about why ramen still resonates and where to find the most satisfying bowls right now. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode: Roseman University Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegas is staring down a record-breaking March heat wave as near triple-digit temperatures arrive months early, raising alarms about climate extremes, public safety, and what this means for tourism and daily life in the valley. The team digs into the wild headlines behind the heat dome, from nationwide weather chaos to shrinking snowpack and looming water impacts, while swapping personal gripes and surprisingly inventive ways to cope. Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess and creative producer Jacob Solis. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

NV Energy's billing changes and a recent overbilling controversy have stirred public anger and raised new questions about how Southern Nevadans pay for power. The new peak demand charge could reshape monthly electric bills, spark lawsuits, and even influence the politics of rooftop solar and energy fairness across the valley. Dana Gentry, senior reporter at the Nevada Current, breaks down the ⁠⁠policy fight and its potential impact⁠⁠ on the governor's race with host Sonja Cho Swanson. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠⁠lasvegas@citycast.fm⁠⁠. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, ⁠⁠Hey Las Vegas⁠⁠. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at ⁠⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠.

With the news cycle feeling a little… apocalyptic lately, we're revisiting one of our favorite end-of-the-world conversations. Vegas has survived plenty of wild nights — but how would it fare if the world actually ended? Dayvid Figler joins filmmaker Darlene Dalmaceda and movie podcaster David Rosen to revisit some of the most memorable apocalypse movies set in and around Sin City. From “Mars Attacks!” to “Blade Runner 2049” and the cult oddity “Six-String Samurai”, they dig into why Hollywood loves blowing up Las Vegas. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It's a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email us now! We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR) is launching a new AI tool designed to speed up unemployment benefits claims — is this a promising development or the beginning of our robot apocalypse? Nevada Independent opinions editor Andrew Kiraly and Elle Hope, poet and founder of Spotlight Poetry, join host Sonja Cho Swanson today to discuss this and other news: Why visitors to Vegas are wealthier than ever and robotaxi company Zoox's new partnership with Uber. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Remember when ordering off a secret menu made you feel like a true Vegas insider? In the age of influencers, QR codes, and restaurants openly advertising their “secret” items, that once hush-hush dining flex may be disappearing. Food writer John Curtas joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to talk about how the internet killed the secret menu and why becoming a regular might be the last real insider move left in Las Vegas. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

March is Women's History Month, so we're putting your Vegas knowledge to the test: How well do you know the women who shaped our city? We bring back a conversation between Vogue Robinson and Dr. Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV Libraries. She shares the stories of five iconic women who helped shape the city — and whose impact every Las Vegan should know. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans used to be able to brag about being a mosquito-free city — but not so much anymore. So we're bringing back a conversation with Dayvid Figler and UNLV professor Dr. Louisa Messenger about why Las Vegas is seeing a mosquito population boom and what we can do about it. Plus, host Sonja Cho Swanson kicks off the conversation with a fresh update on Dr. Messenger's latest skeeter survey results, and her 2026 mosquito forecast. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

The long running Badlands saga refuses to stay buried. Years after a costly settlement over a failed golf course redevelopment, a new fight is brewing over millions in property taxes collected during the legal battle. Now Clark County and the City of Las Vegas are squaring off over who should repay the developer, with the dispute ⁠potentially headed to the Nevada Supreme Court⁠. Host Sonja Cho Swanson talks with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Ricardo Torres-Cortez to break down the latest over the battle over the Badlands. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 9th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on ⁠Instagram⁠, or email us at ⁠lasvegas@citycast.fm⁠. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter,⁠ Hey Las Vegas.⁠ Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠.

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Las Vegas are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it's one that's very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers. Mentioned on the show: Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We're also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Las Vegas grapples with the ripple effects of escalating conflict in the Middle East and what it could mean for tourism, gas prices, and military families tied to nearby bases. We also look at the fight to save McKee Ranch, a quirky animal refuge facing fines and possible closure as new housing development creeps closer. And an indie film studio plans a one-day dramatic wedding chapel on the Strip, raising the eternal question of whether Vegas wedding gimmicks are genius marketing or played-out spectacle. Host Sonja Cho Swanson breaks it down with writer Scott Dickensheets and Beverly Theater founding creative director Kip Kelly. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 6th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority UNLV Performing Arts Center Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

With the glitz and glam of Las Vegas just next door, the city of Henderson can sometimes get looked over. But as the second-largest city in Nevada, it has a fascinating history and has experienced rapid growth in the last few decades. Host Sonja Swanson is joined by Paige Figanbaum, executive director of the Nevada Preservation Foundation and Andy Hafen, former mayor of Henderson to dive into Henderson's hidden history.  Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority UNLV Performing Arts Center Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

When the Eastside Cannery is imploded tonight, it'll be the 23rd casino implosion in Las Vegas history. But while other casino implosions have taken place with fireworks and fanfare, this one isn't open to the public and takes place in the dead of night. What's going on there? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with journalist Steve Crupi, the Implosion Guy, who shares insider deets on his favorite implosions, what gives them their unique "personalities," and how implosions have become an essential part of Las Vegas culture. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: ⁠Southern Nevada Water Authority⁠ ⁠UNLV Performing Arts Center⁠ Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on ⁠Instagram⁠, or email us at ⁠lasvegas@citycast.fm⁠. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter,⁠ Hey Las Vegas.⁠ Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠.

With all the rain this winter, the wildflower forecast is looking really good — but how good, exactly? Does this qualify as a superbloom year (and why do we care so much)? Host Sonja Cho Swanson talks with Dr. Naomi Fraga, Director of Conservation Programs at California Botanic Garden, about what makes a superbloom, the secret lives of seeds, and what the resilience of these seemingly-fragile flowers tells us about life in the desert. Plus: Dr. Fraga shares her insider tips for the best places to see wildflowers this spring. Learn more about Dr. Fraga's wildflower tour in Death Valley this weekend (currently sold out, waitlist available). Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3rd episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority UNLV Performing Arts Center Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.