City Cast Las Vegas

Our city’s love-hate affair with orange cones is basically canon at this point (remember that RTC “Love the Cone” ad campaign a few years back?). A local brewery even debuted a beer this summer cheekily named “Nevada State Flower,” as orange traffic cones are often called. But why do we have so many dang orange cones all around town, and what’s on the other side of all that construction? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Clark County’s Director of Traffic Safety, Andrew Bennett, to get the low-down on road construction around town, why there’s so much of it, and what those changes will do for us.You can find a map of current orange cone projects here. Still irked by those orange cones? Weigh in on this episode by leaving us a voicemail or sending us a text at 702-514-0719.You can also find us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.Want even more of the latest in Las Vegas news, events, and culture? Sign up for our morning newsletter here — it lands fresh in your inbox daily at 6 a.m.

After four years of litigation against big pharmaceutical companies, Nevada has won $1.1 billion in the fight to hold drug manufacturers and distributors like Walgreens and CVS accountable for their part in the state’s opioid crisis. This was part of a national effort with other states, and July’s settlement with Walgreens marks the end of Nevada’s opioid litigation. In an announcement last month, Attorney General Aaron Ford said that Nevada is “one of the hardest hit by this crisis” and that the money will be used to fight opioid addiction across the state. Nevada Independent reporters Joey Lovato and Sean Golonka join co-host Vogue Robinson on the podcast to explain Clark County’s response to the opioid crisis, where the funds will go, and what we can do to keep our neighbors safe.Listen to the Nevada Independent’s IndyMatters two-part deep dive “Facing the Fentanyl Crisis” here.Keep the conversation going with us on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Wondering what’s up with this weather? Where to eat? What to do?! Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter for all the Vegas news and tips here. 

You’ve probably seen the “We Buy Ugly Houses” fliers on the streets of Las Vegas promising quick cash in return for selling your home to them. According to the franchise, owned by national corporate company HomeVestors, they are America’s #1 home buyers. But does it all seem too good to be true? Reporter Anjeanette Damon shares with co-host Dayvid Figler what her team at ProPublica found while following the story of Las Vegas homeowner Royanne McNair who was targeted by the company’s aggressive business practices. If you are selling or already sold your home in Vegas recently, we want to hear about your experience! You can call or text us with your story at 702-514-0719. We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on the formerly known Twitter and Instagram. Trying to avoid all the scams and shady businesses? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here to stay Las Vegas savvy. 

According to CCSD, it is officially the last week of summer — school starts on August 7th (yes). So today, co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler sit down with contributor and Nevada Current reporter April Corbin to talk about whether school is starting too early now. Plus, we chat about the $20,000 fine levied on Governor Lombardo by the Ethics Commission, and what constitutes a fair fine for his campaign ethics violations. And in light of the recent news of a K-9 police dog getting stabbed, the team has an intense discussion about the use of dogs in policing — and whether law enforcement should be employing these dogs at all.For those of you with family heading back to school, whether as students, teachers, or staff, here’s the guide to Southern Nevada back-to-school events that Vogue mentions in the episode.What are your plans for the last week of summer? Tag us on social media (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram) or leave us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719.Want more Las Vegas news, events, and commentary? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Need an indoor activity to get you out of the house during this seemingly never-ending heat wave? Nestled into multiple establishments around Las Vegas are speakeasies where you can chill out in the A/C away from the crowds while enjoying some great drinks. To no one’s surprise, Sin City has an interesting (and inclusive!) history with speakeasies during the prohibition. So before you venture out to find these hidden gems, take a listen to this conversation from January with Claire White, Director of Education at The Mob Museum. Claire tells co-host Vogue Robinson about how our city handled the prohibition while they sip on signature drinks from the museum’s own speakeasy, The Underground.What Vegas speakeasies are you visiting this summer? Send us your list on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719 to share your speakeasy experience.For more places to beat the Vegas heat, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas, here. 

Tipping is a deeply-entrenched part of Vegas culture, perhaps more here than in any other city. But lately, it seems like we’re being asked to tip in more and more places at higher and higher percentages. And according to some research, tipping isn’t great for workers, either. So what’s the deal with tipping — should Vegas get rid of tipping? Today on the podcast, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with writer and longtime Vegas service worker Brittany Bronson. Brittany tells us about how tipped jobs in Vegas can really change someone’s life — and what we’d need to do if we want to change the tipping conversation. Plus, Brittany gives us a few tips of her own on how to tip right.How do you feel about tipping? Let us know — we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram, and you can call or text us at 702-514-0719.For more Vegas chatter, news, and goings-on-about-town, make sure to sign up for our amazing morning newsletter here.

Rick Lax has found the perfect formula for making viral videos, whether that means deep frying a whole watermelon or taping a pilot proposing mid-flight. They’ve amassed billions of views on social media — you’ve probably seen a few, without even realizing they’re Rick Lax productions. Rick has had many careers (attorney, writer, Vegas magician), but these days, through his company Network Media, Rick helps other entertainers make money from creating viral online content. The model has been so successful that last month creator company Jellysmack acquired Network Media for an undisclosed amount. Rick tells co-host Vogue Robinson how Las Vegas helped his company grow during the pandemic, his changing views on social media, and the secret to making millions from viral videos.Wanna help us go viral on social media? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also dial in to tell us about your favorite (or least favorite) viral video — bonus points if it’s about Las Vegas: 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Before 2016, not a lot of Nevadans knew the name Jacky Rosen. But today, she’s finishing up her first 6-year term as one of our United States Senators. So who is Senator Jacky Rosen and how did her decades in Las Vegas shape her views, her causes, and political life? Why does bipartisanship matter to her so much, and how does that help Las Vegas? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler interviews Senator Jacky Rosen about how life in Las Vegas, from her summer as a cocktail waitress to her role as a synagogue president, shaped the trajectory of her life — and (spoiler alert) we learn how her family’s story is intimately connected to that of a certain local podcast host…!Keep your eyes out for Bubbie’s famous bean salad recipe in our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Make sure to sign up here. How have you seen bipartisanship affect Las Vegas? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitterand Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.

It’s an annual complaint, sure, but can we all acknowledge that this year’s extreme freakin’ heat is on everyone’s minds right now? From that grounded Delta flight where people were passing out in 111F interior temps to puppies dying in hot cars, Las Vegas is feeling the effects — with some communities impacted even more than others. Today on the show, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson are joined by contributor Michael “MJ” Lyle to talk about the extreme heat wreaking havoc on our city, the new food vendor law that was signed this summer, and why teachers are protesting at coffee shops (and more specifically, the “Java with Jara” events helmed by CCSD Superintendent Jesus Jara).How are you dealing with this hot, hot summer? Got any tips or ideas to share? Leave us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719. You can also tag us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.Want some more hot and juicy Las Vegas news? Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

You’ve seen the videos: The best competitive eaters out there can scarf down dozens of hot dogs, donuts or tacos in mere minutes. So do you think you have what it takes? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler chats with internationally-ranked competitive eater Derek Hendrickson about the best restaurant food challenges around the Vegas Valley, from easy (a two-pound burrito) to medium (four double cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake) to the wildly difficult (130 kinds of cereal with a gallon of milk). Derek shares his insider tips for tackling a food challenge, and what the life of a competitive eater is really like (spoiler alert: he works out — a LOT).Let us know if you try a Vegas food challenge on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and 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.