City Cast Las Vegas

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 frustrati...

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...

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 talk...

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 L...

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 –...

April in Las Vegas hits a sweet spot, with ideal weather (usually), packed festival calendars, and locals fully out and about. From a citywide wrestling takeover and nostalgic movie screenings to stargazing parties and under-the-radar food gems, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your calendar. We’ve got tips for dodging lines, finding parking, and eating your way through everything from Gujarati...

Vegas casinos are constantly reinventing themselves, with recent multimillion-dollar renovations at the Horseshoe and Ellis Island reaching all the way down to the carpets. Those bold, swirling patterns are not just decorative, they are carefully designed to shape how you move and feel. We revisit a conversation that unpacks the hidden strategy and surprising psychology behind one of the Strip’s m...

WrestleMania is back in Las Vegas after a controversial bid win, and this year the spotlight is shifting as women take center stage in more matches than ever. We dig into how the sport evolved from the Divas era to today’s athletic, headline-making superstars and why fan backlash online now shapes the storylines in real time. Plus, what rising ticket prices, local indie promotions, and Vegas’ grow...

More affordable housing is needed in places like Las Vegas. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-inco...

Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford is the presumptive front-runner for the party’s nomination for governor ahead of June’s primaries. But he’s not alone – and so far he has declined invitations to debate fellow candidate and Washoe County Commission Alexis Hill. So what are Nevadans losing when primary debates start to disappear? April Corbin Girnus and Michael “MJ” Lyle, both from the Nevada...

With the arrival of Gymkhana’s Michelin star-power to the Las Vegas Strip, the city’s burgeoning high-end Indian food scene has grabbed national headlines. But what led to Indian food’s upscale Vegas momentum – and maybe more importantly, where are the best slightly-more-affordable spots to eat? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, Giselle D'souza, founder of Nothing to Do LV Eats, and Roshni Dutt McInti...

When gambling addicts commit serious financial crimes, is prison the only answer? Las Vegas’ Problem Gambling Diversion Court has given local judges a rare alternative. But how well does the system work, really? For Problem Gambling Awareness Month, City Cast Las Vegas contributor and longtime local defense attorney Dayvid Figler joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to dive deep on the diversion court – a...

The Boulevard Mall went from suburban status symbol to so-called dead mall to something much more interesting, a community hub that reflects how Las Vegas actually lives, learns, and hangs out today. This episode digs into its midcentury origins, mall walking heyday, a lost time capsule, and the creative reinvention that’s keeping its storefronts full and its halls busy. Host Sonja Cho Swanson tal...

For many, bird watching or “birding” is firmly the stuff of retirement age – complete with floppy hats, binoculars and walks through the park. But in just the last few years, birding clubs have sprouted across Las Vegas’ colleges and universities, including just last month at CSN. So what is it about these birds that have captured Gen Z’s imagination? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by Morrigan D...

Will sex workers in Pahrump, Nevada, unionize, and if so, what are the implications for gig workers across the state and beyond? At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney...

The owner of a petting zoo in Henderson says that the city's attempt to classify her camels as "exotic animals" puts her business in peril. The standoff has sparked a debate: Are camels "exotic" wild animals or domestic pets, and which animals should be allowed in our increasingly urbanized neighborhoods? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with executive producer Layla Muhammad and creative producer...

Ramen’s staying power in Las Vegas is on full display, with new openings and menu expansions popping up across the valley. From Henderson to Downtown Summerlin to the Strip, chefs are doubling down on a dish that locals never seem to tire of. We revisit a conversation Dayvid Figler had with food blogger Phil Tzeng to talk about why ramen still resonates and where to find the most satisfying bowls...

Las Vegas is staring down a record-breaking March heat wave as near triple-digit temperatures arrive months early, raising alarms about climate extremes, public safety, and what this means for tourism and daily life in the valley. The team digs into the wild headlines behind the heat dome, from nationwide weather chaos to shrinking snowpack and looming water impacts, while swapping personal gripes...

NV Energy’s billing changes and a recent overbilling controversy have stirred public anger and raised new questions about how Southern Nevadans pay for power. The new peak demand charge could reshape monthly electric bills, spark lawsuits, and even influence the politics of rooftop solar and energy fairness across the valley. Dana Gentry, senior reporter at the Nevada Current, breaks down the ⁠⁠po...

With the news cycle feeling a little… apocalyptic lately, we’re revisiting one of our favorite end-of-the-world conversations. Vegas has survived plenty of wild nights — but how would it fare if the world actually ended? Dayvid Figler joins filmmaker Darlene Dalmaceda and movie podcaster David Rosen to revisit some of the most memorable apocalypse movies set in and around Sin City. From “Mars Atta...

Las Vegans are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy...

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR) is launching a new AI tool designed to speed up unemployment benefits claims — is this a promising development or the beginning of our robot apocalypse? Nevada Independent opinions editor Andrew Kiraly and Elle Hope, poet and founder of Spotlight Poetry, join host Sonja Cho Swanson today to discuss this and other news: Why visit...

Remember when ordering off a secret menu made you feel like a true Vegas insider? In the age of influencers, QR codes, and restaurants openly advertising their “secret” items, that once hush-hush dining flex may be disappearing. Food writer John Curtas joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to talk about how the internet killed the secret menu and why becoming a regular might be the last real insider move l...

March is Women's History Month, so we’re putting your Vegas knowledge to the test: How well do you know the women who shaped our city? We bring back a conversation between Vogue Robinson and Dr. Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV Libraries. She shares the stories of five iconic women who helped shape the city — and whose impact every Las Vegan should...

Las Vegans used to be able to brag about being a mosquito-free city — but not so much anymore. So we're bringing back a conversation with Dayvid Figler and UNLV professor Dr. Louisa Messenger about why Las Vegas is seeing a mosquito population boom and what we can do about it. Plus, host Sonja Cho Swanson kicks off the conversation with a fresh update on Dr. Messenger's latest skeeter survey resul...