City Cast Las Vegas

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...

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 w...

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 Mu...

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 laws...

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 capt...

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 wha...

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...

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 insi...

After months of speculation, Houston-based billionaire Tillman Fertitta announced Thursday that his company would buy Caesars Entertainment in a deal worth $17.6 billion. It’s the second Caesars sale in just six eight years – but will it change the complexion of the Las Vegas Strip? Host Jesse Merrick is joined by Kip Kelly, Founding Creative Director at the Beverly Theater, and Executive Producer...

We’ve all been there. Your friend, your uncle, your friend’s cousin’s uncle – they’re coming to Las Vegas and they need a local’s opinion on where they should go to get the full Las Vegas experience. Well fear not, the City Cast Las Vegas team has you covered, as we discuss not just the tourist traps that are actually worth it and the restaurants you can’t miss, but the hidden gems that are only g...

Staring down a budget crisis, falling test scores and tumbling enrollment data, the Clark County School District’s recently-released five-year-plan is committing to solving those problems and more. But can it be done? Nevada Current Reporters April Corbin Girnus and Michael “MJ” Lyle join host Jesse Merrick to find out. Plus, the team dives into the county’s “whack-a-mole” approach to solving home...

As Nevada candidates increasingly skip debates and dodge traditional media interviews, are voters losing out on accountability? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller to explore how social media has transformed political campaigning, allowing candidates to bypass journalists and deliver unfiltered messages directly to voters. They discuss whether this shift t...

Las Vegas is getting Nevada’s first standalone children's hospital, but will the city have enough medical professionals to staff it? Host Jesse Merrick digs into the $1 billion project with newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess and executive producer Layla Muhammad. Plus, why the Golden Knights are the most hated team in the NHL, the Heart Attack Grill's dramatic closure after 15 years on Fremont Stre...

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...

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...

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...

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-ri...

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 gett...

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 d...

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...

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....

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 bre...

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 dow...

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 n...

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...