

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

May 14, 2024 • 24min
Has Vegas Entertainment Priced Out Locals?
The entertainment and dining options in Las Vegas look very different than they did a few years ago (see: the Sphere). But as our options grow along with our city, have locals been priced out of the fun? A recent survey found that a single person would need to make upwards of $94,000 to live comfortably in Las Vegas, including spending money for “wants like entertainment and hobbies.” In reality, the median income in Las Vegas falls behind the national number at $66,356. Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with longtime locals co-host Dayvid Figler and Hey Las Vegas editor Rob Kachelreiss to discuss what’s changed and where locals can find affordable entertainment.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 13, 2024 • 32min
How Mayoral Candidate Victoria Seaman Sees the Future of Vegas
Early voting for the upcoming primary election is right around the corner — it starts on May 25th — and while only about a third of the valley can vote for the mayor of Las Vegas (here’s why), it matters for all of us. In our latest episode of Mayoral Mondays, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with mayoral candidate Victoria Seaman. Victoria is a UNLV alum and former businesswoman who was elected to the Las Vegas City Council in 2019, where she has represented Ward 2 since. We chat about her stance on the Badlands lawsuits, her advocacy for animals, and how her two personal lawsuits against the city influence her views on safety and transparency.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 12, 2024 • 25min
Why Lynn Baird Wants To Be the Family Values Mayor
Our special series on Las Vegas’s mayoral race continues with co-host Dayvid Figler interviewing candidate Lynn Baird, a longtime Las Vegan who worked for decades at Nevada’s Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation. Lynn explains his platform based on promoting more moral principles and family values, his plans for affordable housing, and enforcing laws in Las Vegas.Find more of our coverage on the Las Vegas mayoral race here.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 11, 2024 • 30min
Mayoral Candidate Kara Jenkins on Her Hopes for Las Vegas
For our special series on the race for Las Vegas mayor, candidate Kara Jenkins sits down with executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson. Kara, or KJ, currently serves as the Nevada Equal Rights Commission administrator and has been a public servant for 10 years under Governors Brian Sandoval, Steve Sisolak, and Joe Lombardo. They talk about encouraging young voters, what the role should entail, and how she hopes to be a mayor for everyone.Find more of our coverage on the Las Vegas mayoral race here.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 10, 2024 • 36min
Why Lovers and Friends Was Canceled, Questionable CCSD Raises, and an Airport Rideshare Scam
After the music festival Lovers and Friends was precipitously canceled due to high winds, rumors began spreading among disappointed fans on social media: Was windy weather really to blame? Could there have been a credible threat of violence behind all this? On today’s Friday news roundup, co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler sit down with contributor Andrew Kiraly, creator of the thelist.Vegas, to dispel these rumors and talk about how festivals can do better by their fans. Next up, the team tackles the ugly politics around some massive pay raises that former CCSD superintendent Jesus Jara put into place right before leaving. And lastly, a rideshare scam is making the pickup area at Harry Reid International even more chaotic — here’s what to watch out for.And don’t forget: We’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away to the NV Indy’s upcoming Mayoral candidate forum on May 15 — but here’s the catch, the giveaway is just for members. So make sure to join by Monday to be entered for the tickets.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 9, 2024 • 23min
A Tea Sommelier’s Guide to Tea in Vegas
You’ve heard of wine sommeliers — but have you heard of a tea sommelier? Today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Yukino Aoshima, an actual tea sommelier in Las Vegas who consults with restaurants and teaches classes. Yukino explains how tea programs work at high-end Vegas restaurants, the best way to order tea, boba, and matcha at cafes, and where to buy tea and brew the best cup ever at home.Tea places mentioned in this episode:
Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan
Bang Bar at the Cosmopolitan
Tao at the Venetian
Brew Tea Bar (multiple locations)
Sheffield Spice & Tea on Eastern
Grand Yunnan Tea on Sahara
Tea and Whisk on Jones
Vesta Coffee downtown and Summerlin
We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 8, 2024 • 20min
An Insider’s Guide to Country Music in Vegas
Blake Shelton’s new country music venue Ole Red has brought the current country trend to Las Vegas. In a city that has always loved the genre, you can find local artists performing originals and the classics all over town. Longtime local musician Paige Overton shares her insider’s perspective on the local country music scene, how the community rallied after tragedy, and where to go whether you are an oldies fan or casual listener (and even how to join them on the dance floor).Venues mentioned in this episode:Ole Red on the StripTaverna Costera in the Arts DistrictFat Cat at Downtown GrandGilly’s at Treasure IslandStoney’s Rockin’ Country at Town SquareBrooklyn Bowl in the Linq PromenadeWe’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 7, 2024 • 21min
Is Flag Football The Future of High School Sports in Vegas?
Flag football has grown a lot as a sport since it reached Clark County high schools in 2012. Recently approved to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the sport has gained attention among girls and people concerned about brain injuries such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. In partnership with the Raiders, UNLV’s School of Public Health developed the RUSH program to address mental health for middle school girls by increasing their awareness of the rapidly-growing sport of flag football. Professor Dr. Jennifer Pharr shares details about the program and the future of high school sports in Las Vegas with co-host Dayvid Figler.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 6, 2024 • 28min
How Mayoral Candidate Cedric Crear Hopes to Change Las Vegas
The Goodmans forever changed the role of the mayor of Las Vegas. So who should be next to fill their shoes? In this latest episode of Mayoral Mondays, our special series on the 2024 Las Vegas mayoral race, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with candidate Cedric Crear. Cedric has had a long career in marketing and advertising here in the Valley, served on the Board of Regents, and was elected to the Las Vegas City Council in 2018. We chat about his track record as a councilman, his fixes for homelessness, and when and how he’d resolve conflicts of interest when voting on issues in the council chambers.Stay tuned for more upcoming candidate interviews. Listen to Shelley Berkley here and Victoria Seaman on May 13.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

May 5, 2024 • 21min
Why Mayoral Candidate Kola Akingbade Wants to Legalize Prostitution
For our special series on the Las Vegas mayoral race, executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson interviews mayoral candidate Kola Akingbade, a proud Nigerian-born American with a background in engineering, the ministry, and real estate. They talk about his history of running for office in Nigeria, how he plans to “offset the offseason” in Las Vegas with economic development, and how legalizing prostitution could help tackle homelessness. Find more of our coverage on the Las Vegas mayoral race here.We’re on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.