City Cast Las Vegas

City Cast Las Vegas

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

Will they, won’t they … Wherever they land, the Athletics are finally repping Las Vegas — at a cost. Our city’s marketing arm, the LVCVA, will pay the baseball team $8 million in exchange for a Las Vegas patch on the players’ jerseys. But with a Sacramento patch on their other arm, where do their allegiances really lie? Co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman chat with writer Kim Foster about our city’s increasingly expensive court...
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March 13, 2025 22 mins
Anyone can make a pretty decent sandwich — but a truly great sandwich? That’s a little harder to find. Luckily, co-host Sarah Lohman has writer and man about town Brent Holmes here to guide us through the best sandwiches in Las Vegas, from banh mis to cubanos and more. 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 ne...
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March 12, 2025 27 mins
Is Las Vegas safe? Las Vegans are certainly concerned about public safety — and if you listen to local town halls, what voters are telling their elected officials, and our local media’s crime beat, you might begin to wonder, how much violent crime is really taking place here? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Dr. Joshua Donnelly, professor of criminal justice at UNLV, to discuss what the stats actually tell us, and what s...
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March 11, 2025 24 mins
Once upon a time, Las Vegas loved all things atomic: In the 1950’s, we were the nuclear testing capital of the country, and atomic “tourists” flocked to mushroom cloud vantage points, secret societies held viewing parties with celebrities like Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Miss Atomic Bomb famously posed for a photo wearing nothing but a tiny, poofy mushroom cloud. So when did that all start to change? How did protests, progress, and the cont...
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March 10, 2025 27 mins
Nevada has been an outlier in allowing all kinds of legalized gambling — except for one: we've never had a lottery. This year, the Nevada legislature is considering a constitutional amendment that would allow Nevada to have a state lottery. Nevada Independent reporter Howard Stutz joins co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler to break down the proposal and how the lottery could affect our state, for better and for worse. Learn more...
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Today on City Cast Las Vegas’s weekly news roundup, UNLV’s President Keith Whitfield surprised the community by announcing his sudden resignation from the university, the bill to lure movie studios to Las Vegas with tax credits is back in the legislature, and an iconic Vegas restaurant sets its eyes on New York City! Executive producer Sonja Cho Swanson and thelist.vegas editor Andrew Kiraly joins co-host Dayvid Figler to break dow...
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With spring in full swing, food festival season is back as well. So which Las Vegas food festivals should you hit up? Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Review-Journal food critic Johnathan Wright, who recently penned a foodie fest guide — they chat about the best old gems (hello, Greek Food Festival!), the new creations (we’re lookin’ at you, Asian Night Market!), and if there’s an elegant way to eat a slice of pizza on the stre...
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A politician’s first 100 days are often seen as a forecast of their tenure — what can they get done in this political grace period? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, whose 100th day in office is coming up next week. They talk about the headway she’s making on the Badlands settlement, animal welfare, and homelessness … and if she’ll run for a second term. Learn more about the sponsors of th...
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Among the many organizations affected by the federal budget cuts, our national parks and monuments are also facing job losses and belt-tightening measures. Locally, we’ve seen jobs cut at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park, and Zion National Park. So what does this mean for your summer vacation plans? Co-host Sarah Lohman talks with Bertha Gutierrez, the Nevada Program Director for the Conservation Lands...
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The search for the next leader of the Clark County School District is heating up, with just three candidates left in the running. A lot’s at stake: CCSD is the state’s biggest employer, the nation’s fifth largest school district, and, frankly, kind of a hot mess. So who exactly are these three superintendent candidates, and what sets them apart? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with school district observer and education advo...
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After a few days of speculation, the mysterious donor of 11 Cybertrucks to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department has been revealed: Tech investors and philanthropists Ben and Felicia Horowitz. So why does that matter? Today, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Sarah Lohman chat with Nevada Current deputy editor April Corbin Girnus about the revelation. They also discuss April’s recent reporting on landlords outnumbering renters in the Nevad...
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February 27, 2025 29 mins
You already know our March Guide is the best way for you to make the most of March in Las Vegas. Andrew Kiraly, publisher of thelist.vegas, joins hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler to go over show-stopping experiences, mouth-watering food options, and a couple of kickers you won’t want to miss. If you like our outdoor options, be sure to check out our guide to the Ice Age Fossils State Park! If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put...
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February 26, 2025 22 mins
How well do you know your Vegas film lore? With the Oscars coming up, we’re bringing back a conversation that co-host Dayvid Figler had with writer and professor Greg Crosby about the best (and worst) representations of Las Vegas on film. Spoiler: “Showgirls” (1995) gets nods for both the best AND worst. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 26th episode: Treefort Music Fest Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas o...
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February 25, 2025 25 mins
When Town Square Las Vegas opened in 2007, it was a unique destination for the city. But as Las Vegas grew and evolved, the excitement surrounding the space faded. Now, with new attractions and restaurant openings, is Town Square worth a second look for Las Vegas locals? Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Hey Las Vegas newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess to explore everything new at the revitalized Town Square. Learn more about the...
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Spring is here, which means that desert tortoises will soon be emerging from brumation (that’s hibernation for reptiles) — but as they venture out into the sunshine, they face increasing dangers every year, from cars, solar projects, and even ravens. So we’re bringing back a conversation that co-host Sarah Lohman had with wildlife biologist Beth Wolff last year about all the things that make desert tortoises so unique and fragile, ...
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Welcome to this week’s Friday news roundup, where we break down the top headlines from around Las Vegas. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about the transparency issues surrounding yet another Henderson police chief asked to step down, the surprising percentage of public funds slated for the Campus of Hope, and a year-round immersive horror experience coming to Las Vegas. Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler are joined by Nevada C...
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February 20, 2025 25 mins
Las Vegas may not be known for its coffee, but locals know our coffee scene is thriving and evolving every year. Join co-host Sarah Lohman as she sits down with local coffee blogger Melissa Martinez (@meliscafecito on Instagram) to explore the best coffee spots in the valley, from beloved long-time favorites to the latest trendy cafés. Tune in for insider tips on where to find the best brews and pastries, and discover the exciting ...
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Last month, we published an investigation in collaboration with ProPublica, shedding light on Elon Musk’s Boring Company operating in Las Vegas with little government oversight. Since then, Musk’s influence within the Trump administration has only grown as he seemingly heads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. In his capacity as an employee of the White House Office, Musk has been interviewed alongside the president,...
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February 18, 2025 25 mins
Clark County’s public camping ban went into effect this month, following previously passed bans in the City of Las Vegas and Henderson. As waitlists for housing grow, we explore an innovative new program by U.S.VETS that turned the vintage Safari Motel on Fremont Street into housing. Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with the National Director of Executive Leadership Shalimar Cabrera to hear about the achievements and hurdles of the ...
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After over 200 days, it finally rained in Las Vegas but that’s not the only news this week. For our weekly news roundup, we discuss the legislature’s quick decision to tackle egg prices, a proposed tax revamp to increase school funding, and Mayor Goodman’s legacy. Plus, the newest residency at the Sphere means that Backstreet’s back. Alright? Education advocate Patricia Haddad Bennett joins City Cast co-host Dayvid Figler and produ...
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