City Cast Las Vegas

Yes, Las Vegas lights are visible from space and yes, you aren’t going to see much of the night sky from the middle of town. But, as David Blanchette, vice president of special events at the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, tells co-host Dayvid Figler, the open desert just beyond the light dome of our city is a fantastic place to view the night sky. He spills the beans on some great out-of-the-way spots to stargaze, and explains how humidity in the air and proteins in the human eye can change your viewing experience. David and Dayvid also touch on the new development out at Red Rock Canyon, and how a simple change in light fixtures could help cut back on light pollution.Don’t miss the LV Astronomical Society’s next community event on March 25th.Do you have a special spot to go look up at the stars? More tips for getting a good night sky show? Let us know on socials (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram), or leave us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719. We love getting your feedback, so fire away!For more on the latest, greatest, and sometimes irate-est goings-on in Las Vegas, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. It’s the best thing in your inbox at 6 a.m. daily!

Mojave Max is Las Vegas’s most elusive celebrity… literally. Like all desert tortoises, he spends 95% of his life underground. But as every Vegas schoolchild knows, the day that Mojave Max emerges from his winter brumation (that’s the reptilian version of hibernation), spring officially begins. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, as we await Mojave Max’s return, we’re bringing back a favorite conversation from last spring: Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Audrie Locke from the Clark County Desert Conservation Program to talk about how Mojave Max came to be, why you should never pick up a tortoise (spoiler: they’ll pee on you), and why these hard-shelled friends are surprisingly fragile, much like our desert ecosystem.Have you ever guessed Mojave Max’s emergence correctly? You’ve got bragging rights: Let us know by calling us at 702-514-0719, or commenting on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.For more on the latest and greatest in Vegas news, arts, and culture, be sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter, right here.

Vegas icons Siegfried and Roy’s massive jungle-theme palace has been put up for sale for $3 million. Does this signify the end to the over the top, kitschy Vegas era that the late performers made their mark on? Also, CCSD takes on the fight against vaping in a lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul and a new proposed bill sparks debate between craft beer breweries and distributors. Co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler discuss with newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets for this week’s Friday news roundup.What do you think of the new Vegas design trends? Missing the OTT era or loving the lean towards minimalism? Let us know on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. And if you have some really strong feelings go ahead and rant it in a voicemail at 702-514-0719!Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here for more Dickensheetsian wit and humor in your inbox. 

We’re “Mariana Trench” deep when it comes to the state of mental health in Nevada, Dr. Jim Jobin, psychotherapist and co-host of PodTherapy, tells CCLV co-host Dayvid Figler. That might sound like hyperbole, but it’s backed up with data: Nevada ranks 51st in the nation for access to mental health. But why? Why is it so hard for us keep providers in the state, and how do our current insurance laws make it harder to get care? Can any of the bills currently being debated in our legislature do anything about it?We take notes so you don’t have to! Here are the bills that Dr. Jim mentions:SB 119 - Allows for continuing coverage of telehealthAB 138 - Provides Medicaid coverage for integrated behavioral healthcareSB 177 - Allows Medicaid to cover stronger meds for psychiatric medication, like antipsychoticsAB 69 - Expands student loan forgiveness to increase the number of mental health providersSB 146 - As initially proposed: An “any willing provider” law, basically to require insurance companies to accept otherwise qualified healthcare providers into their system.What other proposals are you curious about this legislative session? Let us know in a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.Keep up with all the happenings in Carson City by signing up for our morning newsletter here. 

Las Vegas is one of the most well-known destinations in the world, yet the best known works about the city are mainly from visitors who don’t always get things right. Co-Hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler are both accomplished writers living in Las Vegas who struggle with biases and expectations about how Las Vegas can or should be depicted. At this very special live taping at the brand new Beverly Theater, Vogue and Dayvid sit down with accomplished Las Vegas-based writers Kim Foster and Veeda Bybee in front of an engaged, live audience, to discuss the balance between being protective of your home town but also writing true, intriguing accounts of a city as unique as Las Vegas. Kim and Veeda also discuss pushback in presenting Las Vegas stories to editors and publishers and making sure Las Vegas is given its fair due.Want to hear the full panel plus audience Q&A? Find that on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfahv7ApjAVGufMbFlHP5ALet us know what you’d like to hear at a live City Cast Las Vegas panel! Send us a message @CityCastVegas on Twitterand Instagram. You can also send us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719.Make sure to sign up for our always entertaining morning newsletter here for more Vegas insights and hot takes. 

Did y’all know that the four-time national goatee championship winner lives in Las Vegas? Patrick Dawson settled in Vegas and co-founded the Sin City Beard Coalition with his wife, Lori Fries — and as it turns out, Lori is a bit of a beard aficionado herself. In beard and mustache competitions, “whiskerinas” are an entire category of creative beard-ing for the biologically whiskerless (Lori once made a beard out of Barbie heads). Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler dives into the world of competitive facial hair, the charity causes they support, and what it takes to care for an award-winning beard in our hot, dry desert climate.Interested in seeing more, or even competing yourself? You’re in luck! The Sin City Beard Coalition is hosting the Battle Born Beard and Mustache Competition on Saturday, March 25th. All proceeds will go to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Extreme Couture, a veterans’ organization. Learn more at beard.vegas.Do you have a niche hobby you’d like to tell us about? Or a beard-grooming tip for Vegas? Post a pic of your hobby (or magnificent facial hair) and tag us on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us a voicemail or text us at 702-514-0719.Looking for even more in-the-know Vegas chatter, news, and events? Sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

It seems someone dropped Australian redclaw crayfish into the Wetlands Park, and that’s bad news for the native fish. They’re currently contained in a couple of ponds, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife is trying to remove them before they spread. Agency spokesman Doug Nielsen explains to co-host Vogue Robinson the danger they pose to the local environment, and how we can prevent this in the future.Did you learn something new today? So did we! Keep up with us on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.You can also learn something new about Las Vegas everyday in our morning newsletter! Sign up here to be one step closer to becoming a Vegas expert. 

Co-host Dayvid Figler leads our Friday news round up with producer Layla Muhammad and publisher of thelist.vegas, Andrew Kiraly. They unpack major plans to bring the Rio Hotel and Casino back to life, a surprising turn of events in the trial of Robert Telles, and the impact of the Rock N Roll Marathon on Las Vegans.Don’t forget: Come see City Cast Las Vegas live at the opening of The Beverly Theater this Saturday at 1 p.m.! Event details here. Should Vegas make the Strip a pedestrian walkway? Let us know your thoughts on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. What will you miss about the OG Rio hotel and casino? You can 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. 

March is Women’s History Month — and Las Vegas has no shortage of trailblazing women who have helped make our city what it is today. In this conversation originally aired last fall, co-host Vogue Robinson sits down with Su Kim Chung, Head of Public Services in Special Collections and Archives at UNLV, to talk about her shortlist of Las Vegas women. Essentially: If Las Vegas were to have its own Mt. Rushmore of notable ladies, who’d be on it?For more information about the women on Su Kim’s list, click on the links below: Helen Stewart Lubertha Johnson Claudine Williams Carol Harter Margaret Kelly (Miss Bluebell) Don’t forget: Come see City Cast Las Vegas live at the opening of The Beverly Theater this Saturday! Event details here. We’re 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.

We all have our list of places to take people in Vegas that we like, but what about those we hate? Whether it’s an ex or that drunk tourist who won’t leave you alone, co-host Dayvid Figler and producers Sonja Cho Swanson and Layla Muhammad are here with their recs for where to go to have the best terrible day in Vegas.Where are you sending your enemy in Las Vegas? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719.Or send us your terrible day recommendations on social! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. We’d never recommend anything bad to our readers though, so be sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here for the best Vegas has to offer.Last but not least, we’re excited to let you know about a LIVE event we’re hosting at the Beverly opening weekend this Saturday! Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson will interview local authors Kim Foster and Veeda Bybee about what it means to be a local, Las Vegas writer. Come on through: Saturday, March 4th, at 1pm. Find more details here.