

City Cast Las Vegas
City Cast
City Cast Las Vegas is a daily podcast and newsletter created by and for locals (and locals-at-heart) that’ll challenge the easy narratives about our city … and, okay, maybe confirm a few of them, too. Las Vegas is a city of reinvention, bursting at the seams as it welcomes newcomers into its various incarnations as a service-worker union town, a military town, a college town, and, most recently, a sports town.There’s a four-mile street testifying to our entrepreneurial genius, not far from pockets of staggering inequality. Great wealth runs through our city, but how much of that actually stays in Vegas? We’re independent in spirit, but also ruled by orange traffic cones. Our 2.5 million residents anchor an ever-changing city of 42 million visitors.Join us every morning for the messy, delightful, complicated conversations that Las Vegans are having: You’ll hear us ask hard questions about where we’ll get our water when Lake Mead runs out, and how we’ll keep housing affordable. We’ll argue over our favorite Chinatown bars, and share insider tips on the best tacos in town. City Cast Las Vegas will show you how loving a city means celebrating it and also holding it accountable, while having some fun along the way—because Las Vegans know how to have a good time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2025 • 25min
Is the Rio Ready For a Comeback?
The Rio once helped redefine the Las Vegas experience, with its all-suite rooms, Masquerade Village, and sky-high energy. But after years of decline, can it reclaim its place in Vegas history? Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Rio CEO Patrick Miller to talk about the massive revamp, why mascot Rio Rita is roaming the floor again, how locals still fit into the equation, and what it really takes to pull off Vegas’ biggest comeback.
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.

Sep 2, 2025 • 33min
Your Guide to September 2025 in Las Vegas
The leaves may not change color on the Valley floor, but September still brings a big shift to Las Vegas: there's finally stuff to do again! In this episode, community advocate Patricia Haddad Bennett joins co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler to share their best tips for making the most of early fal l— from new food gems in Henderson and Summerlin to a stargazing party at Red Rock. They dish on their favorite seasonal rituals and local happenings, including how to snag free tickets to a highly anticipated Atomic Museum tour and the nostalgic charm of Friday night high school football games. And if you’re intrigued by Dayvid’s pick for the cheeky Würst Festival, check out our episode for more to do in Boulder City.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Las Vegas community.
For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Las Vegas, check out Hey Las Vegas’ take on what to do this month.
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.

Aug 29, 2025 • 37min
The Statewide Cyberattack, the Problem with a New Airport, and the A's Plan a Vegas Vacation
As the week wraps up, the fallout from the cyberattack that downed state government systems from Medicaid to the DMV continues to impact Nevadans — so why didn't Governor Lombardo show up at the first press briefing about it, and did his appearance yesterday give us any more answers? Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler chat with Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus about the political implications of the attack, as well as why plans for the new airport by Jean are facing criticism from environmentalists, and whether the A's upcoming six-game stint at the Las Vegas Ballpark makes us feel more or less hopeful about their arrival.
If you need an update on the restoration of government services call 2-1-1 or go to oem.nv.gov/recovery.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 29th episode:
Woven
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.

Aug 28, 2025 • 22min
A Hot Dog Tour of Las Vegas
Every regional American food finds its way to Las Vegas, and the hot dog is no exception: Food writer Brent Holmes tells co-host Dayvid Figler where to get the best snappy beef franks of Chicago, chili-loaded Coney Island dogs from Detroit, and bacon-wrapped Sonora hot dogs in Las Vegas — just in time for Labor Day and the dog days of summer.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 28th episode:
Woven
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.

Aug 27, 2025 • 25min
Is Vegas Really Dead?
Las Vegas is at the center of a growing national narrative — one filled with dramatic headlines, viral outrage, and talk of economic decline. Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Scott Roeben of Vital Vegas to separate fact from frenzy. Is the Strip really struggling, or is this just a case of exaggerated doom and gloom? From falling visitor numbers and pricey margaritas to corporate missteps and political noise, we unpack what's really going on behind the scenes, and what it means for the city’s future.
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.

Aug 26, 2025 • 26min
Why Treating Heat Like an Emergency Could Finally Save Lives
At the end of every summer, Las Vegans add another notch to their belt — when you're here for the long haul, you learn to live with the heat. But the long stretches of extreme heat that we're experiencing is new: Reno and Las Vegas are the country's two fastest-warming cities, and the number of heat-related deaths is growing every year. Legislators from the Southwest are trying to get extreme heat classified as a natural disaster, but why is it so hard to address? Co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Ariel Choinard, coordinator of the Nevada Heat Lab at the Desert Research Institute about the solutions that do and don't work, what we can learn from other cities, and how to respond to climate change naysayers.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 26th episode:
Woven
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.

Aug 25, 2025 • 24min
So Are Airbnbs Legal Now, Or What?
Short-term rentals (or STRs) like Airbnbs have been a hot topic in the local headlines over the last few years. We talked with two STR owners back in 2023 when they first challenged the County's regulations, but since then, they've taken the County to court, including hearings in front of the Nevada Supreme Court. So where does it all stand now? Are STRs legal in Clark County, and what kinds of regulations would actually make sense for our neighborhoods? Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler discuss.
Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes:
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 25th episode:
Woven
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.

Aug 22, 2025 • 36min
Sex Sting Fuels Conspiracy Theories, Corporate Home Buyers, and That Wasn’t Justin Bieber
While underage sex stings (à la "Catch a Predator") are fairly regular local operations, the most recent such effort nabbed an Israeli cybersecurity official — and unleashed both international conspiracy theories and public furor between local officials. Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman discuss this and other news with Nevada Current reporter Michael MJ Lyle, including the revelation that the top two biggest landlords in the Valley are both corporations, and an appreciation for how the "fake Bieber" story keeps getting wilder.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 22nd episode:
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, 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.

Aug 21, 2025 • 23min
Las Vegas Breweries with the Best Craft Beer
As summer winds down, tickets for fall beer festivals are coming online — so we're bringing back a conversation co-host Sarah Lohman had with beer expert Phillip Garcia from Khoury's Fine Wines and Spirits. They talk about the best locally-brewed beers in Las Vegas and where to drink them.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 21st episode:
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, 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.

Aug 20, 2025 • 21min
Can Vegas Entertainment Withstand the Drop in Tourism?
With Las Vegas tourism still in a slump, the entertainment industry is shifting, and locals might finally have the upper hand. Co-host Sarah Lohman chats with Roger Jones, veteran ticketing expert and owner of VegasTickets.com, about how falling demand is unlocking discounted shows, why locals are slow to take advantage, and what trends are shaping residencies and creating the perfect moment for locals to dive back into Vegas entertainment.
Learn more about the sponsors of this August 20th episode:
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, 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.