City Cast Las Vegas

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Jesse beat out his competitors from Chicago, DC, Denver, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities? 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. 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 has quietly emerged as one of the country's fastest-growing hubs for Korean culture — and starting today, K-pop juggernaut BTS is putting that status to the test with a city takeover for the rest of the month. Host Jesse Merrick speaks with Haya Whang, founder of Koreative Events, and executive producer Layla Muhammad to explore why Las Vegas is betting on K-culture to help boost tourism numbers, from large-scale official activations to intimate local fan events, plus where to find the best Korean food when the BTS Army arrives. If you enjoyed this interview with IS LUXURY's, Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Holly Erker learn more here. 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. 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.

Formula 1 could be calling Las Vegas home through 2037, but is a decade-long commitment actually good for locals and small businesses? Plus, 69-mph winds knocked out power across the valley and forced EDC stages to shut down — raising questions about whether these extreme windstorms are becoming the new normal. And The Plaza Hotel is betting big on all-inclusive packages. Could that model reshape how Vegas does hospitality? Host Jesse Merrick is joined by 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. 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 Arts District is thriving — maybe too much. Parking headaches, noise complaints and a valley that keeps growing have us asking: does Las Vegas need a second arts hub? Host Jesse Merrick, executive producer Layla Muhammad, and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess make their cases for Henderson's walkable Water Street, the booming southwest corridor around The Bend and Uncommons, and the history-rich Huntridge neighborhood — then vote. Spoiler: food wins. For a deeper dive into Henderson's history, check out our episode with the Nevada Preservation Foundation. 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. 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.

Would Las Vegas be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?  Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) 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 suburban southeast of Las Vegas was stunned early this week after a gunman shot and killed his ex-wife and her husband at an area grocery store before being subdued by bystanders. Nevada Current reporter Michael “MJ” Lyle and Executive Producer Layla Muhammad join host Jesse Merrick to discuss not only why the shooting broke through the news cycle, but whether or not it could spur action for domestic violence survivors in the Las Vegas Valley. Plus, the team breaks down why a potential gas tax holiday won't be all it's cracked up to be, and a Gen Z internship opportunity trying to put Las Vegas directly onto your For You Page. And in this week's members-only bonus segment, we break down the long-awaited return of Lotus of Siam's original location (and add some of our favorite local Thai food recommendations, too).  Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 15th episode: The Neon Museum 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. 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.

Thousands upon thousands of lightly-dressed partiers will descend on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for EDC. But as they head to a weekend of debauchery and – for many, substance use – some revelers are opting to take advantage of free Naloxone (also known as Narcan), which can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The drug has existed for decades, but only recently became the linchpin in nationwide efforts to staunch the opioid epidemic. So what changed? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Leah Shepherd, executive director of the nonprofit Victoria's Voice, to discuss what EDC-goers can tell us about how regular people are helping end the opioid crisis.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, May 13th episode: The Neon Museum 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. 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.

Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill is running for Nevada governor as a self-described grassroots candidate challenging the Democratic establishments. She tells host Jesse Merrick her proposals for overhauling the state's tax structure — targeting corporations, hedge funds, and billionaires — while addressing Nevada's housing crisis, underfunded schools, and unreliable gaming-dependent revenue. She also calls out her primary opponent Attorney General Ford for declining to debate her. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, May 13th episode: The Neon Museum 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. 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.

Teens shut down the Great American Foodie Fest after brawls forced organizers to close early for the first time in 14 years — so what went wrong and how should Vegas rethink event design? Plus, Las Vegas ranked 19th best city to start a career but does that match the reality on the ground? Host Jesse Merrick and creative producer Jacob Solis are joined by Istorya co-founder Walbert Castillo to break down the headlines and preview Isang Kusina, an immersive Filipino-American dining experience coming May 22nd to the Keep Memory Alive Event Center. It's not too late to become a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor! Sign up by today, March 12th, to enter into our raffle for a pair of tickets to Istorya's Isang Kusina experience. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, May 12th episode: The Neon Museum 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Last year, the Las Vegas Strip had its worst tourism year since the pandemic, with a visitation falloff supercharged by steep declines in international tourism. Still, some of the Strip's biggest casino operators have trumpeted strong numbers to start 2026. Could it be a sign the Strip has finally broken its slump – or an outlier in an economy filled with mixed signals? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with longtime casino gaming and tourism reporter Howard Stutz to break down why answering that question is more complicated than you might think.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, May 11th episode: The Neon Museum Zen Leaf Learn more about Istorya's immersive dining experience at isangkusina.com. City Cast Las Vegas Neighbors can enter to win a seat at the table, so sign up now at membership.citycast.fm/lasvegas. 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city's nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary without feeling like you're serving a Trump narrative. 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.

Nearly 90 homes in Lake Las Vegas are sinking — raising big questions about whether the development was a mistake and if builders are prioritizing quantity over quality. Plus, international tourism is down and the city has a plan to win visitors back. We're also asking whether handing the Huntridge Theater to a nonprofit is the key to finally reopening it. Downtown neighbor Patricia Haddad Bennett and executive producer Layla Muhammad join host Jesse Merrick.  Don't miss our bonus segment on why Primm's last resort closing is hitting home for locals. To get access to bonus podcast content and our exclusive Oxford Pennant, become a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor before our spring campaign ends today! 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 can feel like an insurmountable problem — one so big it drowns out the people actually solving it. Brent Nowak, engagement liaison for the Shine a Light Foundation, joins us to pull back the curtain on the estimated 1,500 people living underground in Vegas's flood channels — and what it actually takes to help them find a way out. Plus, our executive producer Layla Muhammad shares what she witnessed firsthand on a recent tunnel tour.  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 June 9th primary election fast approaching, host Jesse Merrick and creative producer Jacob Solis break down everything you need to know before casting your ballot. They cover a Clark County Commission race full of mudslinging, labor unions primarying their own Democrats over last year's failed film tax credits bill, and how to vote in a primary election for the many locals who skip it. Plus, in a members-only extended edition, the two dive into the governor's race and the ripple effects across the ballot. Get access to bonus podcast content, a limited edition Oxford pennant, and more perks by becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm/lasvegas today. Learn more about Henderson's Ward 3 City Council race in our recent episode. 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Helldorado Days is back and with it comes the annual parade through Downtown Las Vegas celebrating the city's Western roots. But how deep do those roots actually go? Turns out, Las Vegas's relationship with the Wild West is a lot more complicated than the cowboy hats and rodeo vibes might suggest. We're revisiting our conversation with UNLV history professor Michael Green hosted by food historian Sarah Lohman to untangle the myth from the reality. Tell us what corners of Las Vegas history you want us to dig into next. And if you want to keep this kind of storytelling coming, become a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor today! This spring, we partnered with Oxford Pennant to create something special for new City Cast Neighbors. It's a custom American-made wool felt pennant designed for people who love this city as much as we do. Become a Neighbor during our spring campaign to snag yours! 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Last month, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson sought death warrants for three convicted murderers – once again thrusting a spotlight on capital punishment in a state that hasn't executed a death row inmate in 20 years. Despite the lack of executions, a Las Vegas Review-Journal investigation found prosecutors pursued the death penalty at least 220 times over that span. It raises the question: If no one is being executed, why pursue the death penalty so often? Host Jesse Merrick is joined by Review-Journal Reporters Katelyn Newberg and Noble Brigham, as well as public defender and former City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler, to find out.  Read Katelyn and Noble's original investigation here.  Read more on the Zane Floyd case here.  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 big shakeup is coming to the Strip as plans emerge to transform the struggling Las Vegas Monorail into part of Elon Musk's Loop system. Host Jesse Merrick is joined by Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope and creative producer Jacob Solis to ask a simple question: why turn a train into a road? They also dig into why falling rent prices aren't easing the burden for many residents and whether walking trails are reaching the neighborhoods that need them most. Plus, a members-only bonus segment imagines the themed resorts Vegas is still missing. Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 1st episode: TEDxLasVegas Become a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm during our spring membership campaign for an exclusive Las Vegas Oxford pennant! 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Consider May in Las Vegas a kind of pre-game for summer – the pools are open, the sun is out and the heat hasn't forced us to seek the nearest AC (yet). What better time to take advantage of great hiking, luxuriate at the spa or get a headstart on the summer movie season? We've got insider tips and tricks for finding the hidden gems, eating your fill of everything from an exclusive chef-y brunch to an Indian food feast to an all you can eat omakase experience, and yes, even how to enjoy the spectacle of EDC from a distance. Host Jesse Merrick is joined by newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess and lifestyle and entertainment writer Melinda Sheckells.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, April 30th episode: TEDxLasVegas Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor during our spring membership campaign at membership.citycast.fm. Join now for exclusive perks, a curated weekly events email, and more! 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

That gigantic guitar rising on the Strip is the latest milestone in the growing story of tribal casinos in Las Vegas. The Hard Rock Hotel, soon to replace the former Mirage, is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, making it one of a small but growing number of tribal-operated properties on the Strip. Host Jesse Merrick sits down with visiting UNLV Boyd School of Law professors Kathryn Rand and Steven Light to trace the surprising journey from a 1970s Seminole bingo hall in Florida to one of the most anticipated casino openings in Vegas history. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 28th episode: TEDxLasVegas 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.

In her annual State of the City address, Las Vegas Mayor Shelly Berkely vowed not to let the city become “another San Francisco or Los Angeles” on the issue of homelessness. But what does that even mean – and can the city finally meaningfully address the problem? Nevada Current Editor April Corbin Girnus and Executive Producer Layla Muhammad join Host Jesse Merrick to dig into the details. Plus, we discuss how lax security led to a WrestleMania Weekend gone awry for some wrestling stars, and how a K-pop takeover by superstar boy group BTS will redefine the Vegas concert.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 28th episode: TEDxLasVegas 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.

Last week, facing one of the worst snowpacks on record, federal water regulators took an emergency step that would divert huge amounts of water to Lake Powell. The move will preserve the reservoir's ability to generate power and avoid nearing deadpool – at the cost of dramatically cutting water to Lake Mead, likely sending the lake to its lowest level ever and cutting power output from Hoover Dam later this year. But if the water picture is so dire, why can't Western states agree on mutual cuts? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, SNWA General Manager John Entsminger joins host Jesse Merrick to discuss how the aging Law of the River is colliding with a modern climate.  If you enjoyed this interview with TaskRabbit's software engineer, Cody Goeken, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, April 27th episode: TEDxLasVegas 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.

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Las Vegas? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it's gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville's Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism.  Mentioned on the show: "Who Put Benches at Nashville Bus Stops — and Why Did the City Remove Them?" (City Cast Nashville) "Guerrilla Public Service Redux" (99% Invisible) 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.

Airfare is climbing fast as jet fuel costs surge, and higher ticket prices could squeeze tourism to Las Vegas, especially for international visitors and budget travelers. We also dig into lingering funding questions around the latest flashy NBA arena proposal on the Strip. Then, a new report shows more young Nevadans are living with their parents, raising bigger questions about housing, wages, and what adulthood looks like now. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we ask whether a new cannabis consumption lounge can break into an uneasy market. Guest host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by creative producer Jacob Solis and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess. Listen to our episode on the turbulent journey to get legal cannabis in Nevada. Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, April 24th episode: Zen Leaf Taskrabbit TedXLasVegas 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 years, Summerlin North has been something of a dining no-man's land. But with burgeoning hotel food halls and fresh new spots at Tivoli Village and Boca Park, is the neighborhood finally a gourmand's paradise? Al Mancini & Gemini Stevens, co-hosts of the podcast Food & Loathing, join host Sonja Cho Swanson to break down the best spots, tastiest dishes and finally answer the question: Where should you eat out in Summerlin North?  Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 22nd episode: Zen Leaf Taskrabbit TedXLasVegas 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.

Henderson's Ward 3 City Council race is shaping up to be one of the most chaotic contests in Southern Nevada, with a three-way primary fueled by personal feuds, a recording scandal, and deep divides over local issues. Beneath the drama, debates over affordability, policing, and an ICE detention contract reveal real stakes for one of the region's fastest-growing cities. Host Jesse Merrick talks with Nevada Independent reporter Oona Milliken to unpack how this race became the valley's most unpredictable showdown. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 22nd episode: Zen Leaf Taskrabbit TedXLasVegas 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 judge vacated Rickie Slaughter's conviction, but he remains behind bars as the DA weighs a retrial, raising big questions about power and accountability. Nevada's $12 million settlement with Roblox also raises new concerns about kids' safety online. And the slow disappearance of Strip buffets has locals wondering what Las Vegas is becoming. Breaking down the biggest local headlines are host Jesse Merrick, Michael MJ Lyle, and creative producer Jacob Solis. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 21st episode: Zen Leaf Taskrabbit TedXLasVegas 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 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.