City Cast Las Vegas - podcast cover

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.
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Episodes

That Wild Casino Con, New Union Efforts, and an Ethics Upset

Not only have we learned that this month’s mind-boggling casino con was allegedly committed by a 23-year old, it’s apparently one of at least five such heists in recent months. So today, co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler sit down with Nevada Independent reporter Jacob Solis to hash out what these heists might mean for casino safety protocol, and dream up their perfect Vegas casino heist movie. They also chat about the news that the last two non-union casinos on the Strip, the Venetian an...

Jun 30, 202333 min

How Vegas Became a Thai Food Hotspot

Las Vegas has some Thai food heavy hitters: Weera, Ocha, Archie’s, and of course, the James Beard Award-winning Lotus of Siam (which Saveur once called the “best Thai food in North America”). But how did we get here? Today, we’re bringing back a conversation that co-host Vogue Robinson had with UNLV professor Mark Padoongpatt. He’s the Director of Asian and Asian-American Studies at UNLV, and wrote a book about the history of Thai food in America called “Flavors of Empire.” Mark talks about how ...

Jun 29, 202322 min

What It’s Really Like Living in Mt. Charleston

Well, folks, it’s been a record-breaking year , but it looks like triple-digit temperatures are finally on deck this week. As Vegas starts its slow summer simmer, a lot of folks in the Valley make their escape up to Mt. Charleston, where temps are reliably 20 (or more) degrees cooler and pinyons and junipers shade trails along burbling creeks. Ahhh, paradise. Or is it? Today on the show, co-host Dayvid Figler talks with Jimmy Alderson, AKA Mt. Charleston Mountain Man, one of about 20 people who ...

Jun 28, 202321 min

The Biggest Vegas Casino Myths Busted

Is there something about Las Vegas, city of spectacle, that makes us especially prone to mythmaking? Journalist Corey Levitan thinks so: He authors a series at Casino.org called Vegas Myths Busted , and today, he’s putting our two hosts, Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson, to the test with seven stories about casinos and gambling that are either fact or myth. Play along and let us know how many you get right: You can tag us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram or send us a text or voicemail at ...

Jun 27, 202321 min

Why Removing Turf Won’t Save Us

Earlier this month, a ProPublica investigation uncovered a massive flaw in SNWA’s calculations: Their turf removal program, which was estimated to remove some 3,900 acres of nonfunctional grass, might only remove as little as 1,000 acres, not nearly the amount of Colorado River water savings as predicted. So how did this happen in Las Vegas, a city held up as a model of water conservation in the Southwest? Co-host Dayvid Figler talks with ProPublica environment reporter Mark Olalde about the inv...

Jun 26, 202323 min

$15k Adele Tickets, Apartment Fires, and Aliens Land in Vegas

It’s been a WTF week of news in Vegas starting off with the major fire that overtook an unfinished 5-story apartment building. This has been the biggest blaze among a string of apartment fires since 2019. Also, Adele tickets are being resold for $15,000 and alien sighting claims are running rampant around town despite NASA saying otherwise. Co-host Dayvid Figler is joined by lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson and co-host Vogue Robinson to explain (some of) the madness. Read about Harry Reid’s alien...

Jun 23, 202329 min

What Lawmakers Did About Housing, Schools & Death

This year’s legislative session felt particularly grueling, with the addition of not just one, but two hotly-debated special sessions tacked on to the end of our constitutionally-mandated 120 days of deliberation. Lawmakers passed over 600 bills, and Governor Lombardo vetoed a record-breaking 75 of them. So what exactly did our lawmakers get done up in Carson City for us down here in Las Vegas? Today, co-host Dayvid Figler chats with contributor and Nevada Current reporter April Corbin Girnus ab...

Jun 22, 202324 min

Must-Try Japanese Food in Las Vegas

For a desert city, Las Vegas has surprisingly fresh fish. Combine that with our supply of international culinary talent, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an amazing Japanese food scene. From the extravagant luxury dining of the Strip to simpler fare like noodles and curry bowls, Las Vegas has it all. Today on the show, food influencer and veteran Vegas diner Phil Tzeng (AKA Las Vegas Fill) takes co-host Dayvid Figler on a Japanese food journey around Las Vegas at every price point, from $ ...

Jun 21, 202323 min

Family-Friendly Summer Fun in Vegas

Yes, Vegas is known for its vices — and our gambling, smoking, drinking, clubs, and weed are exclusive to the 21+ crowd. But locals, especially those who’ve grown up here, know that there’s plenty for the kids and teens to do. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Vogue Robinson is joined by Las Vegas Weekly reporter Amber Sampson , who grew up here. Amber’s got all the insider tips on where to take the kiddos this summer — and where teens and 20-year-olds can(legally) go without their parents i...

Jun 20, 202323 min

Vegas’ Second Championship, the Last Las Vegas Eccentric, and Best BBQ in Vegas

We are going into this Friday roundup celebrating our Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup! Co-host Vogue Robinson is joined by publisher of TheList.Vegas Andrew Kiraly and co-host Dayvid Figler to discuss the latest sports news, the loss of the last great eccentric local, Lonnie Hammargren , and where you can find good barbecue in town since an electrical fire closed down Jessie Rae’s BBQ . Are you tired of hearing about the A’s possible Las Vegas move? We are too! Lament with us on social me...

Jun 16, 202327 min

The Secret History of Ice Cream in Las Vegas

Who doesn’t love ice cream? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Vogue Robinson sits down with food historian Sarah Lohman, author of Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine . Sarah’s not only working on a new book about ice cream, she’s also a Las Vegas local — and in doing her research, she’s uncovered some fascinating facts about ice cream in Las Vegas. Like, did you know that Henderson has the country’s second largest ice cream plant? Or that ice cream used to be a luxury produc...

Jun 15, 202323 min

The Great Vegas vs. Reno Debate

As Nevada’s two largest metropolitan areas, Las Vegas and Reno have a sibling-like rivalry — our beef with Reno just might be the state’s biggest beef. But when you stack these two cities against each other, which one is better? Co-host Vogue Robinson hears Indy Matters producer Joey Lovato and fellow co-host Dayvid Figler make the case for their respective cities. What categories did we leave out and who wins? Leave us a voicemail and let us know at 702-514-0719 ! We’re also on social media! Fo...

Jun 14, 202325 min

How to Dance in Vegas With Your Shirt On

Las Vegas relies on the performers and creators who work to maintain the Vegas level of spectacle that keeps tourism alive. Jason Nious is a professional dancer and in his 16 years in the city, he's seen how our dance and performance scene has evolved. From Cirque du Soleil to Usher, Jason shares what it's like to be a dancer in the entertainment capital of the world with co-host Vogue Robinson. What's the most spectacular Vegas show you’ve seen? Let us know on social media and follow us @CityCa...

Jun 13, 202324 min

Summer Entertainment on a Budget

Events are popping up left and right this summer but as Las Vegas leans towards more big ticket events, where can you go that won’t break your bank? With the next installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide, publisher of TheList.Vegas Andrew Kiraly joins co-host Dayvid Figler to share an array of free and low-cost entertainment options. What are you looking forward to in Vegas this summer? Let us know your thoughts on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram . You can also call or ...

Jun 12, 202324 min

More A’s Drama, Food Awards Snub Vegas, and a Million Bucks on Display

Just when you thought this legislative session was over — it arises once again, zombie-like, to sine die another day. Since Wednesday night, legislators have been locked in a second special session to debate giving public funds to the Oakland A’s for a brand-new baseball stadium (and oh, have the debates been raging ). Nevada Current reporter and CCLV contributor April Corbin Girnus joins co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson from Carson City to give us the latest, and explains the pressure ...

Jun 09, 202329 min

How to Fix School Lunch

The legislature recently passed a bill that extends American Rescue Plan funds for universal free breakfast and lunch to ALL Clark County School District kids, at least through the 2024-25 school year. So while school lunch might now be free lunch — is it good lunch? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with award-winning food writer Kim Foster. She explains why money for free lunch is going towards some pretty problematic grub, and also offers up changes that the school...

Jun 08, 202323 min

Why This VGK Comeback Is a Huge Deal for Vegas

Vegas is a notoriously superstitious town — so we’re all just over here, trying to hold in our excitement as the Vegas Golden Knights head into game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals with a 2-0 lead against the Florida Panthers. This is the Vegas-born hockey team’s second appearance in the finals after their impressive 2018 run in their inaugural season. News 3 sports anchor Bryan Salmond returns to break down the hype and the hate for the Golden Knights and tells co-host Dayvid Figler what a champion...

Jun 07, 202322 min

Why Your Meds Could’ve Been Cheaper

While Nevada legislators passed a law that could make your prescription meds cheaper, Governor Lombardo vetoed the measure late yesterday. Under AB250, the discounted rates that Medicare negotiates for some of the highest-need, most expensive drugs would have been available for all Nevadans. What could a law like this mean for Las Vegas, where pharmacy deserts abound, and could lawmakers bring it back next session? Co-host Vogue Robinson is joined by Nevada Current reporter Camalot Todd, who bre...

Jun 06, 202319 min

The Best Shows in Vegas This Summer

The heat may be turning up but the entertainment in Las Vegas is not slowing down! For this first episode in our Summer Entertainment Guide, co-host Dayvid Figler and producer Layla Muhammad give their picks for the hottest concerts to attend this summer. From your standard concerts, to comedy, to musical theater, to local shows, these Vegas concert veterans join co-host Vogue Robinson with entertainment recommendations that will fit every vibe. Stay tuned for more summer entertainment episodes ...

Jun 05, 202325 min

Free Parking, Battle Bots, and Transgender Protections

Nevada, considered a relatively trans-friendly state (thanks to our largely libertarian streak of live and let live), has recently seen a rise in debates and backlash over laws and policies related to transgender issues. So in today’s news roundup, co-hosts Dayvid Figler and Vogue Robinson, along with lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson, take a look at the transgender protections that have already been passed and the likelihood of our Republican governor signing others into law. Next, it’s on to a c...

Jun 02, 202329 min

The Great Las Vegas Donut Throwdown

Picking the very best donut in Las Vegas is probably an impossible task. But — in honor of National Donut Day — the CCLV team is pitting three of the Valley’s donut heavy hitters against each other in a sugar-filled donut throwdown. We’ll tell you the back story behind Ronald’s Donuts , Donut Bar , and Poppy’s Donuts , and then we get down to business: Tasting a boxful of donuts from each and deciding which donut shop comes out on top. There can only be one! (Quick note: we’ve just heard the new...

Jun 01, 202324 min

How to Buy a Home in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas housing market is bucking national trends , at least slightly: While other cities are continuing to see their home prices rise, Vegas has pretty much flattened out. This new stability might have some of you wondering: What are the ins and outs of buying a house here? Today, co-host Vogue Robinson sits down with Christina Chipman, a born-and-raised local, realtor, and current president of the Women's Council of Realtors Las Vegas Network. They talk about the myths surrounding the be...

May 31, 202326 min

We’re On Track to Get the Nation’s First High-Speed Rail

Every few weeks, it seems like we get a new headline telling us that the much-publicized high-speed rail line between Vegas and LA is getting one step closer to reality. Las Vegans are used to start-and-stop train promises that dangle and disappear. But this time (this time!) things might actually be different. Nevada Independent reporter Gabby Birenbaum tells co-host Dayvid Figler how the billionaire-backed Brightline West is in the field goal zone of approval, what few obstacles remain, and ho...

May 30, 202324 min

A Commercial Center Scandal, Punk Rock Bowling, and a New Pokémon Neighborhood

The Commercial Center debacle is the (erm) gift that just keeps giving: To celebrate the renaming of the adjacent Karen Ave. to Liberace Ave., the County helped organize a festival that ballooned to a party with 10,000 ticket holders when it was announced that legendary DJ Deadmau5 would be headlining. But the local artists who’ve worked to rebuild this“blighted” center weren’t exactly pleased with how the party turned out — and when Commissioner Tick Segerblom accidentally hit reply-all, callin...

May 26, 202330 min

Is Las Vegas Vegan Friendly?

Vegan or plant-based eating has been picking up steam recently and by all accounts the trend is here to stay. Vegas has seen a rise in popular vegan restaurants while other establishments are adding vegan dishes to their menus. With her Vegas Vegan Culinary School & Eatery, Heather Heath is in the vanguard of a meat-free movement in a town better known for steakhouses and prime rib. But while the city’s getting veggier, it's still not an easy path. In today’s episode, Heath gives co-host Day...

May 25, 202319 min

What the A’s Deal Could Mean for the Vegas Economy

Well, it looks like the Oakland A’s are one step closer to getting public financing for a new stadium in Las Vegas. Yesterday, the Nevada Independent reported that the team and state officials had reached a “loose agreement” for a reduced public financing package. After all the drama over stadium sites, dubious polling, PR blitzes, and public financing demands… are we in the home stretch? And is bringing the A’s to Vegas really such a good thing for our city? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, we’re ...

May 24, 202321 min

Las Vegas’ Love Affair With Pickleball

The new racquet sport of pickleball has been sweeping the nation — here in Las Vegas, demand for the sport has risen so much that the City of Las Vegas recently received a $12 million grant to build 30 new pickleball courts. But it isn’t without controversy . Some homeowners near the new court sites are worried about noise levels, parking issues, and how their home values could fare. So what’s with the pickleball mania? And can the issues be resolved? Today on City Cast Las Vegas, lead producer ...

May 23, 202317 min

How CCSD Became a Hotbed for School Choice

A showdown over school choice is brewing up in Carson City: Governor Lombardo is prepared to veto the entire state budget if the legislature doesn’t approve his ambitious plan to expand Nevada’s quasi school voucher program . Meanwhile, Clark County is ground zero for the impact of school choice legislation — the majority of the state’s voucher program recipients (administered through Opportunity Scholarships) live here in Southern Nevada, and most of them use the funds for religious private sch...

May 22, 202323 min

New Airport Tech, Vegas Goes Hollywood, and a Questionable Poll for the A’s

In this week’s news roundup, we discus some big money moves happening in Vegas. First, Nevada lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking $4.9 billion tax break aimed at attracting film companies to the state. Next, we delve into the results of a recent poll conducted for the A’s baseball team, suggesting that two-thirds of Clark County are in favor of their ballpark proposal — but we’ve got questions about this poll (like… why didn’t it ask about support over public funding?). Lastly, Harry Reid...

May 19, 202331 min

K-BBQ Isn’t the Only Korean Food in Town

Korean food has seen an explosion of popularity in Vegas (and the U.S. broadly) over the last few years, but most of our Korean restaurants in town seem to be K-BBQ spots. You know, the meat restaurants where you cook your meat over a grill set right into your table. But there’s a whole lot more to Korean food, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson tells co-host Vogue Robinson — in fact, the traditional Korean diet was largely vegetable- and seafood-based (after all, Korea is a peninsula surrounded by...

May 18, 202321 min
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