

City Cast Las Vegas
City Cast
City Cast Las Vegas is an an award-winning 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.
Join us every weekday 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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by The Las Vegas Weekly 2025
Join us every weekday 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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm.
Named Best Podcast by The Las Vegas Weekly 2025
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 15, 2024 • 22min
Do We Really Need Another Celebrity Chef Restaurant?
The new year always seems to bring on a slew of new celebrity chef restaurant openings in Vegas: This season it’s Blake Shelton, Bobby Flay, and Michael Mina. And this summer, Gordon Ramsay will open his seventh (yes) Las Vegas restaurant. But does Las Vegas really need another celebrity chef restaurant? Co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with food writers Gemini Stevens and John Curtas to discuss the rise and (possible) fall of our celebrity chef era, and which celeb restaurants are actually worth the hype.You can follow Gemini on social media — she’s @wishboneandvine on Twitter and Instagram and on her website, wishboneandvine.com. You can hear more of Gemini on the Food and Loathing podcast. And follow John Curtas on Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to check out his list of 52 essential Vegas restaurants on his website, eatinglv.com. John also podcasts at Eat. Talk. Repeat.Love City Cast? Help us win "Best Podcast" in the Las Vegas Weekly's Best of the City Awards. It takes just 10 seconds to vote, and plus — co-host Dayvid Figler has promised to share his most embarrassing high school yearbook photo if we win (how could you not go vote now??). DOOOO IT!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.

Feb 14, 2024 • 25min
Culinary's Next Big Power Moves
Over the last 20 years, the Culinary Union has become a force in Nevada politics to be reckoned with. Politicians court their endorsement, and their support can sway legislation. The historic contracts they just signed with the major Strip casinos (and now, most of the downtown properties, too) are a testament to the union’s sway. So what impact does the union have on our city, whether you’re in the union or not? How do they wield their influence in Las Vegas, and do they ever go too far? Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Culinary 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge for a rousing conversation.If you love City Cast Las Vegas, a) we love you too! And b) help us win "Best Podcast" in the Las Vegas Weekly's Best of the City Awards. Voting takes 10 seconds (maybe 15 if you're a slow typer), so do us a solid and help us achieve — if not world domination — a soul-affirming win for all the work we do. Vote now, please and thank you.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.

Feb 13, 2024 • 22min
The Surprising History of Black Cowboys in Las Vegas
The cowboy is an iconic figure in the history of the Southwest United States. Even when Las Vegas isn’t hosting the National Finals Rodeo or other rodeo events, you can still spot people in cowboy hats and boots around the city. What people may not know, from the now-typical image of the white heroic cowboy, is that there is a long legacy of Black cowboys who helped shape the history of this region. Contributor Brent Holmes shares the erased history of Black cowboys in Las Vegas with co-host Sarah Lohman.Do you love what you’re hearing? Do us a solid and vote for City Cast Las Vegas in the Best Podcast category over at the Las Vegas Weekly. It literally takes 10 seconds (or less, if you are a very fast typer) — and you will fill our hearts with joy. Thank you!Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Feb 12, 2024 • 25min
Did Las Vegas Win the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LVIII is officially in the books — so how did this year’s event, hosted by Las Vegas, measure up? Co-host Dayvid Figler and executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson sit down on Sunday night after the game to compare notes: Highlights, lowlights, and all the fun, messy drama (cough-streakers-cough) that took place in our city. Plus, we rate the halftime show and our favorite commercials.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.

Feb 9, 2024 • 31min
The Sphere Climber, More Jara Melodrama, and Our Mayor Disses the A’s
What a week, right? You have the School Board and the superintendent embroiled in a popcorn-worthy resignation melodrama; you have the mayor of Las Vegas casting shade at the Oakland A’s, and then (whoops, negative press!) lamely trying to uncast it; you have a future Darwin Awards nominee climbing the Sphere to send an anti-abortion message. And we have podcast co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman, joined by TheList.Vegas publisher Andrew Kiraly, eager to sort it all out for you.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.

Feb 8, 2024 • 23min
What Goes On Inside Ethel M Chocolate’s Test Kitchen
Ethel M Chocolates is probably our valley’s sweetest fixture: Since 1981, the chocolate maker has been crafting premium sweets from their factory in Henderson. So who was Ethel M., anyhow? Why did a chocolatier choose the nation’s hottest state to set up shop, and what goes on inside their Willy Wonka test kitchen? Today, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Ethel M’s chief chocolatier, Mark Mackey, to get the inside scoop on his sweet creations and Ethel M’s surprising origins.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.

Feb 7, 2024 • 23min
How the Super Bowl Will Change Las Vegas
Las Vegas has been anticipating hosting Super Bowl LVIII for the past few years and the time is finally here. This Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Bryan Salmond, the main sports anchor for News 3 Las Vegas, sits down with co-host Sarah Lohman to explain how we landed the big game, what our city offers as hosts, and how locals feel about another major sporting event.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.

Feb 6, 2024 • 22min
Is the GOP Caucus/Primary Kerfuffle Making NV Less Relevant?
Is there a prize for the most confusing primary process this year? Nevada Republicans might have just won it. GOP voters can cast their vote in both the state primary AND the caucus, but only one will decide who wins Nevada’s delegates at the Republican nominating convention. So what’s behind this split, and how does that affect Nevada’s national standing in the presidential election cycle? Nevada Independent reporter Tabitha Mueller joins co-host Dayvid Figler to explain what voters need to know about this week’s GOP election kerfuffle.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.

Feb 5, 2024 • 26min
Your Guide to February in Las Vegas
February is going to be a wild time in Las Vegas (we’ve got the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, plus all of these new residencies) — but lucky you, City Cast Las Vegas is going to help you make the most of this month. Today, co-host Dayvid Figler and executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson sit down with lifelong local and radio DJ Heather Collins to get the inside scoop on the best way to spend your month.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.Super Bowl
On Mon. Feb. 5th: Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium (use promo code “NFLPARTNER”)
Biggest Game Bash (Downtown Las Vegas Events Center), free
Illuminarium at Area15 (sold out)
Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate at the Linq
Super Bowl Fan Experience at Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Paramount Expedition Vegas at the Mirage
Frito Lay’s Cheetos Chapel at New York New York
TikTok tailgate with Gwen Stefani
NFL One Pass app
Valentine’s Day
Americana at Desert Shores
Lip Lab at the Fashion Show
“Singles Awareness Day” at Proper Eats (on Feb. 15th)
Vibes DIY Studio in Centennial Hills
Nittaya’s Secret Kitchen
Sweet Spot LV
tsp. baking company anti-Valentine’s Day cookies and brownies
Ohlala French Bistro prix fixe Valentine’s dinner
Wu-Tang Clan at the Virgin Hotel
New Edition at the Encore
Vintage shopping downtown
Alt Rebel
Good Wolf
Sin Amor Studio
Akin Cooperative

Feb 2, 2024 • 32min
Jara’s Sudden Resignation, Protest at a Kamala Event, and Plate-less Cars
This week’s biggest news is probably CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara’s resignation announcement, with one condition: Pay out his contract and he’ll go. But this doesn’t come without controversy. Today, executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by contributor Vogue Robinson and Nevada Current editor April Corbin Girnus to talk about the resignation and what comes next. Also, the team discusses a recent viral video from a Kamala Harris campaign event in Las Vegas this week that shows two women claiming they were barred from attending because they wore hijab, and the political implications for Biden in Nevada. And last but not least: Way more cars are driving without license plates now. What gives? (Plus: Our insider tips on navigating the DMV. You’re welcome.)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.


