City Cast Las Vegas

For many, bird watching or “birding” is firmly the stuff of retirement age – complete with floppy hats, binoculars and walks through the park. But in just the last few years, birding clubs have sprouted across Las Vegas’ colleges and universities, including just last month at CSN. So what is it about these birds that have captured Gen Z’s imagination? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by Morrigan DeVito, Education and Outreach Director at the Red Rock Audubon Society and Franklin Ung, President of the UNLV Birding Club, to find out if the early bird really does get the worm. 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Will sex workers in Pahrump, Nevada, unionize, and if so, what are the implications for gig workers across the state and beyond? At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about why sex workers are considered independent contractors, what sparked this legal battle, and what happens if they win. Plus, what's different about neighborhoods in Las Vegas? Mentioned on the show: Could a Pahrump Brothel Union Set a New National Standard for Labor Laws? (City Cast Las Vegas) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The owner of a petting zoo in Henderson says that the city's attempt to classify her camels as "exotic animals" puts her business in peril. The standoff has sparked a debate: Are camels "exotic" wild animals or domestic pets, and which animals should be allowed in our increasingly urbanized neighborhoods? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with executive producer Layla Muhammad and creative producer Jacob Solis to discuss. Plus, a case is headed up to the Nevada Supreme Court over who has the final say on release with electronic monitoring — Metro or the courts — setting the stage for an existential fight over the balance of powers. Lastly, Vegas's NBA expansion team dreams will be decided at a Commissioners meeting next week — who's courting Nevada for a stake? Learn more about the sponsors of this March 20th episode: Roseman University 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Ramen’s staying power in Las Vegas is on full display, with new openings and menu expansions popping up across the valley. From Henderson to Downtown Summerlin to the Strip, chefs are doubling down on a dish that locals never seem to tire of. We revisit a conversation Dayvid Figler had with food blogger Phil Tzeng to talk about why ramen still resonates and where to find the most satisfying bowls right now. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode: Roseman University 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegas is staring down a record-breaking March heat wave as near triple-digit temperatures arrive months early, raising alarms about climate extremes, public safety, and what this means for tourism and daily life in the valley. The team digs into the wild headlines behind the heat dome, from nationwide weather chaos to shrinking snowpack and looming water impacts, while swapping personal gripes and surprisingly inventive ways to cope. Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess and creative producer Jacob Solis. 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

NV Energy’s billing changes and a recent overbilling controversy have stirred public anger and raised new questions about how Southern Nevadans pay for power. The new peak demand charge could reshape monthly electric bills, spark lawsuits, and even influence the politics of rooftop solar and energy fairness across the valley. Dana Gentry, senior reporter at the Nevada Current, breaks down the ⁠⁠policy fight and its potential impact⁠⁠ on the governor’s race with host Sonja Cho Swanson. 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, ⁠⁠Hey Las Vegas⁠⁠. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at ⁠⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠⁠. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at ⁠⁠citycast.fm/advertise⁠⁠.

With the news cycle feeling a little… apocalyptic lately, we’re revisiting one of our favorite end-of-the-world conversations. Vegas has survived plenty of wild nights — but how would it fare if the world actually ended? Dayvid Figler joins filmmaker Darlene Dalmaceda and movie podcaster David Rosen to revisit some of the most memorable apocalypse movies set in and around Sin City. From “Mars Attacks!” to “Blade Runner 2049” and the cult oddity “Six-String Samurai”, they dig into why Hollywood loves blowing up Las Vegas. 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Las Vegans are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email us now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR) is launching a new AI tool designed to speed up unemployment benefits claims — is this a promising development or the beginning of our robot apocalypse? Nevada Independent opinions editor Andrew Kiraly and Elle Hope, poet and founder of Spotlight Poetry, join host Sonja Cho Swanson today to discuss this and other news: Why visitors to Vegas are wealthier than ever and robotaxi company Zoox's new partnership with Uber. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Remember when ordering off a secret menu made you feel like a true Vegas insider? In the age of influencers, QR codes, and restaurants openly advertising their “secret” items, that once hush-hush dining flex may be disappearing. Food writer John Curtas joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to talk about how the internet killed the secret menu and why becoming a regular might be the last real insider move left in Las Vegas. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12th episode: Southern Nevada Water Authority 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 news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.