City Cast Las Vegas

Would Las Vegas be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly prioritized revitalizing its abandoned outdoor space, the ways that having a nonprofit partner has made all the difference, and what still needs to be done.

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President Trump signed an executive order to establish a U.S. Space Force Academy, which got us thinking: would Nevada be a good fit? The Las Vegas City Council is encouraging locals to get their sweat on outside after approving eight new free outdoor fitness courts across city parks in the valley. We also hit you with the news that put a smile on our face this week with another edition of Good News Friday. And in our members-only bonus segment, we explain why the company behind EDC has its sights set on Las Vegas' oldest shopping center. Host...

The Retail Association of Nevada just flipped its endorsement from Gov. Joe Lombardo to Democratic challenger Aaron Ford, but do endorsements actually move the needle in races like this? A new report on the CCSD Police Department's use of force raises serious questions about racial bias in how officers deploy force against students. Plus, the LVCVA's five-day sale returns next week, but will it be enough to entice us into a staycation? Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with NPR Mountain West News Bureau regional reporter Yvette Fernandez and Nevada Current reporter Michael "MJ" Lyle.

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The Nevada National Security Site is now a testing ground for microreactors, which got us wondering if Nevada is ready for another atomic age. The Nevada Department of Transportation has its sights set on developing 31,000 acres between Sloan and Jean as it tries to get ahead of a projected 44% increase in employment by 2050, but how far can Las Vegas realistically grow? Plus, a beer spa is coming to Vegas, but if that’s not your vibe, we’ve got you covered with our favorite spots around town to grab a drink and unwind. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down...

The LVCVA says Las Vegas is feeling the effects of the K-shaped economy, so we dig into whether catering to wealthy visitors is a sustainable long-term strategy for a city that built its reputation on being an escape for everyone. We also dive into Clark County's eviction process and explain why a new lawsuit is calling for changes, including getting rid of appointed hearing masters who wield significant power without being held accountable by voters. Host Jesse Merrick wraps it all up with the latest Vegas Fixations alongside Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope and Creative Producer Jacob Solis.

Mad Apple and Awakening announced permanent closures recently, spurring questions about what the future of entertainment in Vegas looks like. So we caught up with Sean McAllister and Dayna Roselli from Vegas Revealed to break down what's driving the shift, how the Sphere has played into this change and what the next iteration of shows on the Strip could look like.

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It was another brutal summer in Las Vegas, but local government took recent record-breaking temps as a serious threat and is already rolling out protections for locals like you. Jesse Merrick joins “Your City Could Be Better” to talk about the bold moves of Nevada’s lawmakers, like mandating heat mitigation and giving away trees, and how some time-tested strategies still need to be tweaked as rising global temperatures present new problems every day.

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The Arts District BID proposal is dividing the neighborhood it's supposed to help, so executive producer Layla Muhammad breaks down why some business owners aren’t on board with it. Criminal defense attorney and writer Dayvid Figler unpacks the growing Flock camera debate and how it's playing into the governor's race. Then we preview the Raiders' season opener against the Dolphins and explain why there's real reason for optimism around this organization for the first time in a while. And in our members-only bonus segment, we get into the change happening in Naked City and what it means for th...

The former Fiesta Henderson site is getting a second life as a 35-acre sports and entertainment complex, and Keep It Local writer Melinda Sheckells joins us to break down what Henderson's vision for the property says about the city’s growth strategy and how it centers around bringing residents together through sports. Then creative producer Rob Kachelriess dishes on a new Japanese omakase concept coming to The BLVD and what it signals about the Strip's evolving culinary strategy. The Las Vegas Aces are wrapping up the regular season and setting their sights on their fourth championship since 2022, so if yo...

The Trump administration has subpoenaed the Nevada Secretary of State's office seven times in three months over voter records, so Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus joins us to explain what the feds are actually trying to accomplish. Then creative producer Jacob Solis dives into a debate that's hitting close to home, exploring why data center developers facing pushback from states and municipalities are increasingly eyeing Native lands as an easier path forward. The Golden Knights also open rookie camp on Friday, so we break down everything you need to know about the VGK as they dive into...

Las Vegas came to professional sports late, and the fan base that's grown around each new team has developed a uniquely Vegas feel to it. And if you've never considered yourself a sports fan, September might be the perfect time to change that: the Raiders are kicking off their season, the Golden Knights report for training camp later this month, the Aces are on the cusp of another playoff run and UNLV football has more eyes on it than ever before. Fox 5 sports reporter Mariah Janos and local filmmaker and sports aficionado Jason Harris join us to break down...

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Las Vegas? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying...

Las Vegas restaurants can now apply to sell alcohol to-go after the city council approved a new ordinance this week, and criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler joins us to break down what the new rules actually mean, why this feels like a very Vegas move and what the potential ramifications could be. Then Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus explains why property tax reform in Nevada is one of those things everyone agrees needs to happen but nobody seems to have the stomach to actually do it. We also close out another week with another installment of Good...

A group of property owners in the Arts District have a new plan to invest in the neighborhood's future, and Sam Cherry of Cherry Development joins us to break down what a Business Improvement District actually is and why they feel this is the right time to bring it to the Arts District. Nevada Current reporter Michael "MJ" Lyle also helps us unpack the latest twist in the Boulder City data center saga and why a proposed private gas power plant in Northern Nevada may have just unlocked an entirely new fear in the state's data center debate. Plus...

A new report found that 6,700 households in the Las Vegas metro area don't have working air conditioning, and in a city that regularly tops 100 degrees, that's not just an uncomfortable day at home, it's a life-threatening issue that needs to be addressed. Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope helps us dig into what that number says about our heat mitigation efforts and how to alleviate a problem so many Las Vegans are facing. Creative Producer Jacob Solis also breaks down what the latest ruling in Nevada's fight against Kalshi means for prediction markets in our state. Plus, we’ve got an...

As September arrives in Las Vegas, the temperatures start to cool, opening up a whole new set of activities around the city that you likely put on pause for the summer. Host Jesse Merrick, Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and "Keep It Local" writer Melinda Sheckells dish on all the things you need to do, buy, eat and see in Las Vegas this September.

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The Michelin Guide returned to Las Vegas for the first time in 17 years, and we have some thoughts. Host Jesse Merrick, creative producer Rob Kachelriess and local filmmaker and food correspondent Jason Harris break down Michelin's method, what they got right, their major misses, and what the future of the Michelin Guide in Las Vegas looks like. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, August 31st episode:

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The Las Vegas airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for...

Nevada's low literacy rates among the valley's youth are always a hot-button issue as it relates to our education system as a whole, and while we were looking back at Dolly Parton's legacy, we found an interesting connection she has to helping Las Vegas kids get a jump on reading, which got us thinking about what else can be done to improve our education system in a meaningful way. It turns out our housing shortage is worse than many realize, after a new report said Vegas needs 5,000 new apartments every year to make a dent. We dig into whether...

Trump's budget cuts to the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service are threatening Southern Nevada's $24 billion outdoor recreation economy, so we break down what those cuts actually mean for the trails, waterways, and outdoor spaces that locals and visitors depend on. Clark County School District police just gained access to hundreds of Flock license plate reader cameras across the valley, and the revelation raises serious questions about whether or not surveillance technology should be used by schools and what guardrails should exist on how it's used. A Las Vegas chef helped...

Nevada just filed the first lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's Colorado River plan that could cut the state's already tiny water allocation by up to 71%. We break down why these cuts don't make sense, and what it could mean for our water future. Then, Water Street's biggest real estate project has a new owner, could this be a step in the right direction for Henderson's historic downtown? Nevada was just ranked one of the worst places to live, while simultaneously being named the happiest travel destination in the country. So, we dig into what that disconnect actually says about...

The founder of Hope for Prisoners is now ⁠facing nine felonies⁠ and 11 gross misdemeanors, including sexual assault charges alleging he used his position to ⁠prey on incarcerated women⁠ at Nevada prisons and transitional housing facilities. We dig into the case and what it means for the organization he built. Then, the Raiders are ⁠asking for $75 million⁠ in public funds to build a new entrance plaza at Allegiant Stadium, a project the team ⁠didn't bother including⁠ when the stadium was first built with $750 million in public money. We break down why they're asking for the funds and whether or not it's worth the i...

Thirty years after Tupac Shakur was shot and killed on the Las Vegas Strip, the trial of the man accused of orchestrating his murder is finally underway. Duane "Keffe D" Davis essentially talked himself into a Las Vegas courtroom, and now prosecutors are using his own memoir against him. Pete Christiansen, founding partner and lead trial attorney at Christiansen Trial Lawyers helps us dig into the key elements of the case, what the opening statements revealed, and where the trial goes from here. 

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How often are you out in nature in Las Vegas? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly bad rap. It’s true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about...

NV Energy's controversial daily demand charge is set to go into effect Jan. 1, and when state lawmakers had a chance to advance a bill to stop it, seven colleagues responded with complete silence. Then, a federal appeals court just ruled that Nevada's U.S. attorney Sigal Chattah has been illegally holding her position for over a year. We break down how this legally questionable arrangement happened in the first place and what comes next. Plus, Good News Friday returns. And in our members-only bonus segment, Aaron Ford just drew a line between himself and Gov. Joe Lombardo on data...

A fire tore through two beloved Arts District businesses this week. We dig into what Raw Remedies and Analog Dope mean to the Arts District and how you can help them get back on their feet. Then, we get into the debate on AI regulation after an investigative report alleges that Amazon has been buying and destroying rare books at a facility in North Las Vegas for AI training data. Finally, Cirque du Soleil's "Mad Apple" is closing permanently at New York-New York on Sept. 5, so we look at what's next for Cirque on the Strip, plus we offer...

Most Las Vegans know the drive to Los Angeles all too well, whether you're escaping the heat, visiting family or just craving the ocean. But how many times have you actually paid attention to your surroundings on that drive? What if you slowed down and made the most of the journey? To help you do that, we're revisiting a conversation co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler had with creative producer Rob Kachelriess to unearth the hidden gems, unexpected stops, and best-kept secrets along the I-15 between Las Vegas and Southern California. 

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Las Vegas has already seen more officer-involved shootings in 2026 than it did in all of 2025, and two high-profile incidents in the past two weeks have renewed the conversation about gun laws in Nevada. So we're revisiting a conversation Dayvid Figler had with Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui, one of the architects behind Nevada's gun safety legislation and a survivor of the Route 91 mass shooting, to dig into how Nevada's red flag laws have worked since they were implemented in 2020, and where they’re falling short.

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Las Vegas has one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country, and social media has played a massive role in shaping how tourists and locals interact with it. Host Jesse Merrick sits down with food influencer Phil Tzeng, also known as @LasVegasFill, to talk about the early days of food influencers in the valley, how platforms like TikTok and Instagram have changed the way restaurants market themselves and what’s next for our culinary landscape as it relates to social media and its influence on our food.

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What will Las Vegas do when it runs out of space for trash? Madison, WI, has a plan, and it’s one that other cities could follow. What could’ve just been another county landfill, slated to open in 2027, will instead be a “sustainability campus”, where local businesses will unite to more intentionally sort incoming waste, increase recycling intake, and generally aim to slow the flow of trash. And Dane County has historically handled waste disposal in a savvy way, making big bucks off of trash collection that they then use to fund future projects like this forthcoming campus. City Cas...

A Las Vegas baker went viral for her cinnamon rolls, then got shut down by Clark County for letting customers pick up orders at her front door. Now she's fighting back with a petition that's raising questions about Nevada's cottage bakery laws. Henderson Hospital is ending its maternity and NICU services by the end of September, leaving families in the area with fewer options for one of the most critical moments of their lives. Plus, Good News Friday returns. And in our members-only bonus segment, a Las Vegas hotel has been caught listing itself under fake names with AI-altered...

Nevada ranks dead last in the nation for youth mental health access. We break down why Southern Nevada's kids are struggling to find care and what needs to change. Then, Nevada's decades-long fight against Yucca Mountain may finally be nearing its end, as Sen. Jacky Rosen introduces a bill to repeal the 1987 law that made it the nation's only designated nuclear waste site. Finally, Salad and Go just closed all its Las Vegas locations, so we ask the question nobody asked for but everyone needed: what would it actually take to make salad cool again in Las Vegas? Host...

Clark County is gearing up for the 2027 legislative session with four priorities, but do these proposals reflect what Southern Nevada actually needs right now? Then, we break down why Las Vegas has such a significant food insecurity problem and how you can help. Plus, Vegas has had many viral food moments over the years, so we dig into the local spots and trends that captured our attention recently, including a Las Vegas bakery that went viral overnight for its stuffed conchas. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Nevada Current Deputy Editor April Corbin Girnus and Executive Producer...

Construction on Charleston Boulevard is crushing businesses in the Arts District, and the parking situation isn't helping either. So what does all of this mean for one of Las Vegas' most exciting and fastest-growing neighborhoods? Plus, 30 years after Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas, the trial of the man accused of orchestrating his murder is finally underway. We break down the case, the key players and what a verdict could mean for one of the most infamous nights in Las Vegas history. Then, we have another round of our latest Vegas Fixations for you. Host Jesse Merrick breaks...

The inaugural Southwest Michelin Guide drops later this month, and Las Vegas foodies are waiting with bated breath to see which local spots make the cut. Japanese cuisine may be one of the city's strongest cards to play. So we’re revisiting a conversation Dayvid Figler had with food influencer Phil Tzeng, better known to locals as VegasFill, to make the case for why Las Vegas' Japanese food scene deserves serious recognition, from hidden ramen counters and neighborhood curry spots to the kind of omakase experiences that rival anything you'd find in New York or L.A. It's a fu...

As much as you love Las Vegas, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out.

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Gov. Joe Lombardo says he can't control Nevada's affordability crisis, but is that actually true, or is he ducking responsibility? Then, Clark County commissioners are considering an ordinance that would prohibit platforms like Airbnb and VRBO from processing bookings for unlicensed short-term rentals, a move that could significantly reduce the number of problem properties in the valley. Chinatown is also finally getting its first direct county investment through a $1.5 million corridor improvement grant program for local businesses, which got us thinking about our favorite spots to eat in Chinatown. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Nevada Current...

Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill is defending the department's use of license plate reader cameras across the valley, even as a nationwide backlash grows and civil liberties groups call the technology a mass surveillance system. Then, the federal government just released its preferred plan for Colorado River water cuts, and Nevada could be forced to give up between a third and two-thirds of its current allocation after 2028, prompting swift pushback from state officials. Finally, the Raiders are back in training camp with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza generating some buzz, but with six coaches, and a 39-50 record since...

President Trump is heading back to Las Vegas to promote his "no tax on tips" policy, but did it actually make a difference for the service workers it was designed to help? Then, Clark County School District is offering eligible families up to $1,000 in transportation assistance to help cover the cost of getting their children to higher-rated schools, but is it enough to make school choice a real option for working families? Plus, we debut a new segment: Vegas Fixation of the Week, where host Jesse Merrick, Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope and criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler each...

The local dining scene in Las Vegas continues to explode, so what are some of the best new restaurants that opened in 2026? Host Jesse Merrick and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess break down the best new restaurants in the valley, which upcoming openings to keep an eye on and what challenges new restaurants face in Southern Nevada.

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Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call...