

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

Oct 15, 2024 • 39min
The Local Stories About to Go National
Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Las Vegas's own Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman along with hosts from our daily local shows in Denver, Houston, Madison, Nashville, Philly, and Portland.City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member community is the best way to support what we do. Get all the details and sign up here.Looking to advertise on City Cast? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 11, 2024 • 34min
A Fiery Landing at LAS, Chippendales Dancers Unionize, and Coldplay’s Love Letter to Downtown
It’s been a fiery week in Las Vegas, and we aren’t just talking about the temperatures! In today’s weekly news roundup, we cover the Frontier flight that caught fire and made an emergency landing at Harry Reid International Airport, the unionization of the Chippendales dancers, and the music video that emerged from Coldplay’s Chris Martin’s now-legendary Las Vegas visit. TheList.vegas founder Andrew Kirally joins co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 11th episode:Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTBetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCASTWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 10, 2024 • 24min
Where to Find (Good) Jewish Food in Las Vegas
Where does the Las Vegas Jewish community go to wind down the high holidays and fill up for the coming ones? Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman—also an award-winning food historian who has worked closely with the New York Jewish food scene—go into a brief history of Jewish food in Las Vegas, the little things Dayvid and Sarah look for when they walk into a Jewish deli, and where Dayvid’s mother would have liked to go in town to sit down for a bowl of matzo ball soup.We didn’t get into bagels in this episode because we’ve already done a deep dive on the best bagels in town—check that out here.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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 9, 2024 • 26min
Inside the Vegas Airport Expansion
Harry Reid International Airport has just released conceptual plans for a significant expansion and major improvements to its terminals and roadways. The goal is to enhance overused roadways and provide long-overdue updates to the aging Terminal 1. How might Las Vegas travel look different in the future? What does this expansion mean for the proposed second airport? And will our chaotic rideshare system improve?! Director of Aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis joins co-host Dayvid Figler to answer those questions, discuss why we need an airport upgrade, and tell us how the plan will affect both local and visiting travelers. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode:Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTBetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCASTWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 8, 2024 • 22min
The Most Surprising Moments From Michele Fiore’s Fraud Trial
Michele Fiore’s trial has drawn significant attention, which is not surprising—the over-the-top political personality has been attracting national headlines since her first election win in 2012. So what happens now that a federal jury has convicted her of wire fraud? Is her political career over? Host Dayvid Figler talks with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Katelyn Newberg about Fiore’s speedy trial and guilty verdict, who showed up to testify, and the sentencing she might face.Among those notable figures taking the stand in the Fiore trial were Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, who testified against Fiore, and Fiore’s daughter, Sheena Siegel, who was called to testify for the defense but ended up pleading the fifth.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode:Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTBetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCASTWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 7, 2024 • 21min
After UNLV Scandal, Will Vegas Pay Its College Athletes?
The surprise exit of UNLV’s star quarterback Matt Sluka begs the question: did Sluka leave his team in the lurch, or did UNLV not make good on its promises? Sarah Lohman talks to sports columnist Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the fallout from the $100K scandal, how this might have a local impact, and the complications around paying college athletes.More of Adam Hill’s coverage of the Sluka scandal in the Review-Journal.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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 4, 2024 • 32min
Terminal 1’s Glow-up, Push to Criminalize Homelessness, and Attack of the 43-Foot Naked Trump
In this week’s roundup, Harry Reid International’s Terminal 1 has been showing its age for a while. We talk makeover-and-expansion plans and how it may make an anticipated second airport irrelevant. Then, the County announced a desire to arrest people experiencing homelessness in public areas. With the unhoused population definitely growing, we debate this approach. Finally, an anonymous artist suspended a 43-foot tall, naked Donald Trump from a crane off the I-15 and people lost their damn minds.It became the center of a political maelstrom replete with finger-pointing and accusations of partisan low blows. Journalist turned press secretary Jacob Solis and co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman get to the bottom of it.

Oct 3, 2024 • 23min
The Best Hawaiian Food in Las Vegas
Did you know that Las Vegas has such a significant Hawaiian population that it's often referred to as the "9th Island"? While some people take issue with this nickname, establishments like the California Hotel and Casino have embraced it, actively marketing to Hawaiians moving to the area. But what makes Las Vegas such an appealing destination for them? In today’s podcast, co-host Sarah Lohman is joined by Kalani Heu, the President of the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club. Together, they explore the controversy surrounding the "9th Island" moniker, discuss why Hawaiians are drawn to Las Vegas, and share tips on where to find the best Hawaiian food in the valley.Learn more about this weekend’s event, the 31st annual Ho’olaule’a put on by the Hawaiian Civic Club.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 3rd episode: TheList.VegasWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 2, 2024 • 22min
How To See the Tropicana Implosion. Plus, Our Favorites Over the Years
Prepare to bid farewell to the Tropicana as it comes down with nearly 2,200 pounds of explosives at 2:30 am on Wednesday, October 9th. If you want to witness a part of Vegas tradition, we’ve got all the details on how to see the longtime casino implode to make way for a baseball stadium (maybe?). Co-host Dayvid Figler is joined by Hey Las Vegas editor Rob Kachelriess and TheList.Vegas founder Andrew Kiraly to discuss the Tropicana’s spectacular end, why Las Vegas loves implosions, and a look back at some of the best casinos to be blown up on the Strip.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 2nd episode: TheList.VegasWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Oct 1, 2024 • 20min
Why the Las Vegas Pride Festival Looks Different This Year
While the rest of the nation celebrates Pride Month in June, Las Vegas stands out by hosting its own LGBTQIA+ Pride festivities in October, taking full advantage of our beautiful weather. Planning an event in Las Vegas can be daunting, especially with high expectations and comparisons to other major cities. However, organizer Brady McGill embraces this challenge, focusing on the heart of our local community. In a conversation with co-host Sarah Lohman, Brady shares what attendees can look forward to at this month’s Las Vegas Pride festival and discusses how supporting Pride enriches the entire city. And here's a fun surprise: the Teletubbies will be making a special appearance!Did you know Las Vegas Pride runs its own magazine? Stay up to date with events and more year-round at https://lasvegaspride.org/.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 1st episode: TheList.VegasWant 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.Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.