City Cast Las Vegas

ICE agents left a man handcuffed at Harry Reid International Airport after walking away from an attempted arrest, and the incident went viral. It's also prompting new scrutiny of Gov. Lombardo's claim at a closed-door event that his personal relationship with Trump is the only thing keeping ICE off the Las Vegas Strip. Then, Nevada still doesn't have a permanently confirmed federal prosecutor, and the delay appears anything but accidental. Finally, Las Vegas rents have risen nearly 20 percent faster than Los Angeles since 2019, while that's shocking, it may not tell the whole story. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with "Keep It Local" writer Melinda Sheckells and criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler. We're doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We'd be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it's only 7 minutes long. You'll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 21st episode: Neon Museum Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment Touching Hearts 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.

Christopher Nolan shot "The Odyssey" entirely on IMAX cameras, and that's a big part of why cinephiles are scrambling to find one of the only 25 true 70mm IMAX screens in the entire country to see it on. Las Vegas has one of them at Brenden Theatres at the Palms. So what makes 70mm IMAX such a big deal? Where are the best places to catch a movie in Las Vegas, and in an era of streaming, why should we still bother going to the theater at all? Host Jesse Merrick gets into it with film podcaster David Rosen and filmmaker Jason Harris. We're doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We'd be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it's only 7 minutes long. You'll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Mentioned in this episode: Brendan Palms The Beverly Theater Galaxy Theaters Cinemark Century Suncoast Regal Cinebarre Palace Station AMC Town Square Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, July 20th episode: Neon Museum Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment Touching Hearts 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.

Sometimes it can feel like the Las Vegas government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don't have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You've heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers. Mentioned on the show: Atlas Obscura feature on the community-built benches in Chattanooga Efforts by Strong Chattanooga to make a path through the woods in a sidewalk-less neighborhood Review of Hoboken's streak of zero traffic fatalities  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.

About 139,000 Nevadans currently have suspended driver's licenses, many of them because of unpaid traffic fines. But the suspensions meant to push people toward compliance are largely backfiring. Then, the LVCVA just approved a $100 million sponsorship payment to F1 through 2037 and handed its CEO Steve Hill more than $800,000 in annual pay and bonuses. Are Las Vegans seeing their tax dollars distributed properly? Host Jesse Merrick digs into those stories with Nevada Current reporter Michael MJ Lyle and journalist Naoka Foreman. And in our members-only bonus segment, Boulder City's fight against a federally approved data center is heating up — the team explains why this battle is likely bigger than many people realize. Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, July 17th episode: Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment 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.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo got pulled over by Metro, and the body cam footage just went public. A Las Vegas woman is accused of running a marriage scam, targeting men online, convincing them to fly to Vegas and marry her, then filing for divorce and demanding a financial settlement to fund her gambling habit.The Venetian is the latest Strip casino hit with a multimillion-dollar fine tied to convicted bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, bringing total penalties to $34 million across four casinos. And Flavor Flav's SHE Weekend parade hits the Strip Thursday to give Olympic women athletes the celebration they deserve. Criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler and NPR's Mountain West Bureau reporter Yvette Fernandez join host Jesse Merrick to break it all down. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, July 16th episode: Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment 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.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford just joined 11 other states in a lawsuit to block the $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount, so what are the ripple effects of our state getting in on the fight? Then, monsoon season is here and Las Vegas is bracing for an active stretch of weather, so what do locals need to know to stay safe? Finally, after eight years of planning and multiple redesigns, Clark County is moving forward with a $97 million overpass at one of the valley's most frustrating intersections. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope and Creative Producer Jacob Solis. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, July 15th episode: Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment 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.

Health organizations are pushing Nevada lawmakers to nearly double the state's cigarette tax, but with a two-thirds vote required for tax increases, do lawmakers have the political will to make it happen? Then, the Museum of Ice Cream just opened at Area15, promising 32 flavors, 60 toppings and unlimited ice cream, but is it actually worth it? Finally, an update on the Brightline West high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas to Los Angeles: construction is underway, but costs have ballooned from $12 billion to $21 billion and a critical $6 billion federal loan has been pending since September with no decision timeline. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Nevada Current Deputy Editor April Corbin Girnus and food historian Sarah Lohman. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 14th episode: Foundation for Women's Leadership & Empowerment 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 Metro PD wants to be the most technologically advanced police force in the country, and they're well on their way to doing that. Drones filling the sky, Flock license plate readers, a fleet of police Cybertrucks, ShotSpotter technology and a counterterrorism surveillance program called the Meridian Project are all part of Metro's growing tech arsenal. But how much do Las Vegas residents actually know about what's being deployed in their neighborhoods, and how much input have they had? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Nevada Independent reporter Oona Milliken, who has been digging into Metro's surveillance expansion, to break down what the technology actually does, why so much of it came through private donations rather than public funding and whether the tradeoffs in privacy and civil liberties are actually worth it. For more information on the sponsor of today's podcast, visit www.fwle.org 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.

There's lots to love about Las Vegas, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and affordable local airports are a specific resource that many cities need. To find out which cities are leading the charge and the kinds of amenities that elevate an airport to gold status, City Cast CEO David Plotz chats with Scott Keyes, founder and Chief Flight Expert of Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) about everything he's seen in his work and travels. How does your airport stack up? 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.

A billion-dollar lawsuit over a failed satellite city northeast of Las Vegas, which is led by a Lombardo campaign advisor, is headed to trial, and if developers win, it could fundamentally change the way the state regulates water rights. Then, a data center developer near Boulder City found a way around the city's public approval process by pivoting to federal land, which could open the door for more data center projects to follow suit. Plus, driverless cars are getting closer to Las Vegas streets as Waymo announces fully autonomous testing in the valley. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with reporters Tabitha Mueller of the Nevada Independent and Michael "MJ" Lyle of the Nevada Current. And in a members-only bonus segment, Gov. Joe Lombardo has outspent his opponent, Attorney General Aaron Ford 174 to 1 on campaign ads in a race everyone says is a toss-up. So what impact will that actually have on the governor's race? 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 built one of the fastest-growing sports scenes in the country. The Golden Knights arrived in 2017, the Aces followed, then the Raiders came to town and the Athletics are on their way. Now, as Summer League returns to Las Vegas, the NBA is eyeing the valley for one of two expansion franchises, alongside Seattle. But is the city actually ready for the NBA? News 3 Sports Director Bryan Salmond and Vegas Sports Today's Cassandra Cousineau join the show to break down whether Las Vegas has the market, the right ownership options and the arena infrastructure to make an NBA team work, and whether it's more likely to follow the Golden Knights' model of local support or the Raiders' reliance on tourists. 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 gotten in on national protests over the years, but it seems grassroots movements often have trouble gaining enough traction to garner attention for their cause in Southern Nevada. So why is that? Is Las Vegas dissuading massive protests? To answer that question, we sit down with journalist Naoka Foreman and criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler to dig into the guardrails created in Las Vegas that seem to be hindering protests from picking up steam. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, July 8th episode: Neon Museum 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 Supreme Court has been busy, and Nevada is feeling the effects. From rulings on transgender athletes to broader constitutional questions, host Jesse Merrick sits down with Nevada Current Deputy Editor April Corbin Girnus and Creative Producer Jacob Solis to break down what the court's latest decisions actually mean for the Silver State. Then, Nevada's November ballot is shaping up to be one of the quietest in years, with just two measures for voters to decide — abortion rights and voter ID — after every other initiative effort failed to make the deadline. And in a surprising twist from the Nevada Gaming Abstract, the Boulder Strip outperformed the Las Vegas Strip on the bottom line in 2025, keeping more than twice as much net income despite generating a fraction of the revenue. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, July 7th episode: Neon Museum. 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 Historic Westside has one of the most significant cultural legacies in Las Vegas, but decades of inconsistent development have left the neighborhood lagging behind while attention and investment flowed elsewhere. That may finally be changing. Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Las Vegas City Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong to dig into what officials are doing to revitalize the area, what has made progress so difficult and what success actually looks like for one of Vegas' most historically important neighborhoods. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, July 6th episode: Neon Museum 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.

See if your Las Vegas knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country's semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura 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.   

Thanks to local authorities, a potential mass shooting was stopped over the weekend at a locals casino in Henderson. The City Cast crew dives into the measures local authorities are taking to protect us from potential threats. Plus, Yvette Fernandez of NPR's Mountain West News Bureau helps us understand how officials across the Mountain West are banding together to improve extreme heat response protocols. Along with Fernandez, Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and host Jesse Merrick also dissect how — and why — Las Vegas was recently named the seventh-best city in the country. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, July 2nd episode: Neon Museum 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.

Looking to beat the heat or catch some fireworks? The City Cast Las Vegas team has you covered, with not only the best nearby road trips that'll get you out of the blistering sun, but the best ways to take advantage of some Independence Day deals. Plus, we cover all the best experiences, meals and hidden gems that'll make the most of July, from burgers to Michelin dining to hiking to outdoor theaters. And most importantly, it (almost) all has free parking, too.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, July 1st episode: Neon Museum 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.

Nellis Air Force Base – long a fixture at the north end of the Las Vegas Valley – updated its online name this week … kind of. The shift has drawn strong reactions from locals, but as the Pentagon has pushed hard for a “warrior” rebrand, how much does the change matter? Plus, the team digs into the fallout for Las Vegas flyers after Spirit Airlines' abrupt closure, and the many snubs (and deserved plaudits) from the Las Vegas Review-Journal's latest Top 100 Vegas restaurants list. Executive producer Layla Muhammad is joined by writer, filmmaker and comedian Jason Harris 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. 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.

Station Casinos is celebrating 50 years of serving locals, and we're marking the occasion by revisiting one of our favorite conversations. Sarah Lohman sits down with Dayvid Figler and Heather Collins of @raisedinvegas to break down the best local casinos in the valley — from Durango to Green Valley Ranch — plus the best deals, free perks, and a tip that could score you a room upgrade for just twenty bucks. 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.

Just how good are the sidewalks in Las Vegas? The state of a city's sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about what drove this initiative, how it's going, and who's paying for it. And speaking of sidewalks, do bikes, scooters, and people playing music belong on public sidewalks? 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.

A Las Vegas youth pastor accused of murdering his wife on a Utah hiking trail nearly 20 years ago died in custody before his case reached trial. Executive producer Layla Muhammad fills in for host Jesse Merrick, joined by Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus and creative producer Jacob Solis. They cover that stunning development, Nevada's billion-dollar public lands maintenance backlog, and what Zillow co-founder Rich Barton's relocation to Las Vegas reveals about the local housing market. Plus, in a member-only segment, should Nevada further restrict A.I.? 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.

L.A. may have invented the drive-thru, but Vegas took it to new heights. Whether it's drive-thru weddings, drive-thru betting or drive-thru weed, we've made drive-thrus more than just a food experience. But do all these drive-thrus come at a cost? To dive into that, we're revisiting a conversation Dayvid Figler had with Sarah Lohman and Sonja Cho Swanson, where the three debate the pros and cons of drive-thrus and whether we'll ever truly outgrow them. 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 Strip has a lot to offer. After all, more than 38 million people come to Las Vegas every year, so the city is doing a lot of things right. But with tourism slowing down in recent years, it could likely use a refresh. So with that in mind, City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick, Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and Newsletter Editor Rob Kachelriess offer up their thoughts on what amenities, restaurants and investments could take the Strip to new heights. 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.

Are we witnessing the early stages of an insurance crisis making its way to Nevada? With wildfire-related home insurance cancellations and denials on the rise across Clark County, even state regulators are having trouble explaining why. Plus, after a months-long workplace dispute between two Las Vegas city workers ended in a fatal shooting, many are wondering how HR let it get this far. Finally, the A's stadium construction is moving along, but Bally's doesn't seem to be holding up their end of the bargain. Host Jesse Merrick digs into it all with local artist and writer Brent Holmes and City Cast Las Vegas Creative Producer Jacob Solis. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 22nd episode: Neon Museum 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. 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.

Summer in Las Vegas hits different. And those temps aren't dropping anytime soon. In fact, Las Vegas is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country. So what are Southern Nevada officials actually doing about it, and is it enough? Jesse Merrick sits down with Nevada Current reporter MJ Lyle and local artist Justin Favela to go beyond the obvious advice and dig into the real conversation around heat mitigation, and what Las Vegas could be doing better. Plus, the trio shares their insider tips for surviving the summer – from late-night escapes to hidden cool spots you probably haven't thought of.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 22nd episode: Neon Museum 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. 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.

Switch wants to expand its data center campus in the southwest valley, and we dig into whether chasing AI infrastructure is good or bad for southern Nevada. Las Vegas just landed its first James Beard Best Chef award in 15 years, so what does Sarah Thompson's win say about the city's food scene? Plus, after the "Wizard of Oz" pulled in $400 million, the Sphere just announced "Rocky Horror Picture Show" as its next cinematic bet, and we break down why it might be an even better fit. Jesse Merrick is joined by lifestyle and entertainment writer Melinda Sheckells and Nevada Independent Opinion Editor Andrew Kiraly to break it all down. And in our members-only bonus segment, we wonder why Las Vegas seems more prone to alleged scams like Pearadise, the TikTok body positivity community now at the center of a national docuseries. And a programming note: We won't have a new episode over the Juneteenth holiday weekend, but will be back Monday morning.  If you enjoyed this interview with IS LUXURY's, Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Holly Erker learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 18th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority The Neon Museum 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 World Cup is here, but Las Vegas isn't one of the 11 host cities. At first glance that might seem like a missed opportunity, but the more you look at what FIFA actually demands from it's host cities, the more it looks like Vegas lucked out, by missing out on the World Cup. Jesse Merrick sits down with Creative Producer Jacob Solis to break down why Allegiant Stadium was never going to work for World Cup games, the jaw-dropping costs FIFA has stuck on host cities, and how Las Vegas locals can still get in on the World Cup action with watch parties happening around the valley. 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 unions who backed Nevada's controversial film tax credit bill just tried to punish the lawmakers who killed it, and voters pushed back. Jesse Merrick breaks down what it means alongside Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and Creative Producer Rob Kachelreiss, plus the trio weighs in on Lisa Vanderpump's splashy Strip hotel debut and a surprising new study that flips everything we thought we knew about Las Vegas sprawl. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 16th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority The Neon Museum 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.

America is gearing up for a milestone birthday this July 4th with 250 years of history to celebrate. But where — and when — does Nevada fit into the picture? Newsletter Editor Rob Kachelriess joins host Jesse Merrick to look at what our region of the country was up to when the Declaration of Independence was signed, how (and why) Nevada joined the United States, and the best Independence Day celebrations taking place in and around Las Vegas. Plus, some insider tips on where to view the fireworks.  Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 15th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority The Neon Museum 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.

Do you know how many parks Las Vegas has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs. Mentioned on the show: Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (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.

Nevada's primary election results are in. Host Jesse Merrick breaks down the surprises and results alongside Creative Producer Jacob Solis and contributor Dayvid Figler, plus the trio digs into a big shake-up in the Water Street District and, in a members-only bonus segment, picks apart the LVCVA's latest investment in the Vegas Loop. 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.

We are now in the thick of peak hot dog season (which is a real thing, we swear!), and what better way to celebrate that than finding the best hot dogs in all of Las Vegas? We've got sausages, franks, buns and most important of all: The final word on whether a hot dog counts as a sandwich. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, we revisit a conversation between Dayvid Figler and food writer Brent Holmes to break down the best spots to grab that perfect hot dog.  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.

Dark money is flooding Nevada's elections, but voters might never know who's really behind the ads saturating their screens. Host Jesse Merrick talks with Eric Neugeboren, politics and data reporter for The Nevada Independent, about the millions in untraceable campaign spending in the primary election and why transparency laws are working against voters who want to follow the money. 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.

Why are Las Vegas car insurance rates among the highest in the country? Today we revisit a conversation contributor Dayvid Figler had with injury attorney Justin Randall, who breaks down the perfect storm of factors driving up premiums: from our transient population and chaotic driving culture to skyrocketing medical bills and expensive car technology. They also discuss practical steps drivers can take before and after an accident and what might help bring rates down. 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' reputation as the wedding capital of the world has roots that might surprise you. As we enter peak wedding season, we revisit a conversation with food historian Sarah Lohman and writer Eric Duran-Valle about the fascinating history of how Sin City became synonymous with quickie marriages — and why it actually started with quickie divorces. From drive-thru chapels to punk rock venues to ceremonies atop the STRAT, they explore the wild world of Vegas weddings and discuss Nevada's role as a sanctuary for personal freedoms. 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 water in Vegas stays in Vegas. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities' water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos? Mentioned on the show: "Reality Check - There are Big Fines If You Don't Change Your Watering Clock" (Southern Nevada Water Authority) "Federal Regulators Cut Lake Mead Water. Can Vegas Handle It?" (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.

Even as the Las Vegas Valley's largest nonprofit animal shelter has routinely dealt with overcrowding, Henderson's shelter recently reported a live release of 91 percent so far this year. So what's making the difference – and can the rest of the city replicate that success? Yvette Fernandez, Regional Reporter in the Mountain West News Bureau for Nevada Public Radio, and executive producer Layla Muhammad join host Jesse Merrick to find out. Plus, the team discusses why NV Energy executives are drawing protests amid surging energy costs, and whether new life for a downtown motel could spell the start of a wider revitalization. Then, in our member's only bonus segment, we break down the best advice for what to do – and what not to do – when you're moving to 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. 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.

Station Casinos belatedly acknowledged a cybersecurity breach this week – almost three months after the hack allegedly happened in March. It's the latest high-profile cybersecurity incident for Las Vegas casino giants, though so far less serious than the ransomware attacks that forced a payout from Caesars and hobbled MGM Resorts in 2023. Even so, Stations is now the subject of a class action lawsuit over the breach and we're left asking: Are Las Vegas casinos doing enough to protect their customers' data? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Greg Moody, director of UNLV's cybersecurity program, to find out.  Are you a local business owner and need help? Check out UNLV's Cyber Clinic. 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' rodeo community was left reeling this week after a teenager competing in a barrel race at the South Point allegedly stabbed three of her competitors' horses with a pocket knife. The horses are expected to recover, and the Clark County District Attorney's Office is now seeking to try the teen as an adult on animal cruelty charges. But what will justice look like and why has the case captured the city's attention? Host Jesse Merrick is joined by creative producer Jacob Solis to find out. Plus, we dig into what billionaire Barry Diller's push to buy MGM Resorts could mean for the Strip, and if the A's are finally starting to woo locals ahead of their 2028 Vegas debut.  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.

Last month, the City of Las Vegas unanimously approved a new traffic camera program that's not about speeding tickets – but collecting traffic data. It's in the hopes of improving street safety and won't be used by police, city leaders say, but also comes after local police leaders have tried (and failed) to install wide dragnets of red light cameras across the city over the past few years. So what gives? Today, we revisit a conversation between Dayvid Figler and Erin Breen, director of UNLV's Road Equity Alliance Project, to dig deep on not just why so many drivers hate these cameras, but why so many city leaders love them.  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.

School's out and the thermometer's creeping higher, which can only mean it's June in Las Vegas. That's why we have the tips, tricks and recommendations to get the most from the comfort of the glorious air-conditioned indoors – from Restaurant Week deals at top dining spots to a daredevil museum to hypnosis (yes, hypnosis!). And where we can, we make sure you can find free parking, too. Host Jesse Merrick is joined by Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and Newsletter Editor Rob Kachelreiss.  For even more tips on how to make the most out of June in Las Vegas, make sure to sign up for our newsletter. 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. 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.

Where would Las Vegas be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago's libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana? 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.