City Cast Las Vegas

City Cast
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Feb 9, 2026 • 22min

The Secret History of Black Cowboys in Las Vegas

As a place that still gets referred to as the Wild West, Las Vegas needs to reckon with its myth of the cowboy. After all, there is a long legacy of Black cowboys who helped shape the history of the American Southwest. So, we're bringing back former co-host Sarah Lohman's conversation with artist and writer Brent Holmes about the erased history of Black cowboys in 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.
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Feb 6, 2026 • 32min

Airbnb Biolab? Plus, Big Game Betting Bust and Running the Length of the Colorado River

A suspected biolab was discovered in an Eastside home, prompting a federal investigation that is still underway. What exactly was found in the home, and who are the major players here? Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by filmmaker Shahab Zargari and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess to talk about the latest developments. Plus, they also get into the judicial decision to ban prediction markets from Super Bowl speculation in Nevada, and why an ultra-marathon runner will be running the length of the Colorado River this summer.  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.
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Feb 5, 2026 • 23min

The Best Burgers in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is buzzing ahead of the largest In-N-Out and Five Guys openings on the Strip, so we dig into where locals are actually finding the city’s best burgers right now. Food influencers break down what makes a real smash burger, where pub-style classics still shine, and which low-key spots and fancy kitchens are worth the drive. Jeremy “Bullet Head” Johnson and Giselle D’souza of NothingToDoLVEats join host Sonja Cho Swanson to shout out neighborhood burger gems. 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.
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Feb 4, 2026 • 20min

Could These Two Moves Save the Raiders?

After a brutal season, the Raiders finally have something fans can feel cautiously optimistic about. With a top coaching prospect headed to the Super Bowl this weekend and big decisions looming, we ask if this could be the moment things start to turn around. Las Vegas Review-Journal sports anchor Heidi Fang joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to break down what went wrong, what a new coach and No. 1 draft pick could change, and whether the Raiders will ever make Las Vegas proud. 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.
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Feb 3, 2026 • 23min

Federal Funding Whiplash Hits Las Vegas Nonprofits

The federal funding whiplash has left Nevada’s nonprofit sector bracing for impact, with cut programs, lost staff, and unanswered questions about what comes next. We zoom out on why uncertainty can be just as damaging as outright cuts, and how shaky federal dollars ripple through healthcare, housing, and food access across Southern Nevada. Miles Dickson, founder of Nevada GrantLab, joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to break down the overall state of nonprofits in Las Vegas and what locals can do to help. 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.
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Feb 2, 2026 • 35min

Your Guide to February 2026 in Las Vegas

It's officially February, which means we are full of love for our city and all it has to offer! Between the Death Valley superbloom, a new Elvis doc, and the James Beard semi-finalists announcement, there's plenty of reasons to be out and about this month. Host Sonja Cho Swanson is joined by newsletter editor Rob Kachelreiss and Nevada Current reporter Michael MJ Lyle to share the events they can't miss and businesses they're crushing on during this month of love. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a ⁠starter pack for you⁠ with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Las Vegas community.  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.
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Jan 30, 2026 • 34min

Is a Downtown Concert Venue Worth Saving? Plus, a Charter School’s Questionable Finances and the Galleria Mall’s Rebrand

Nevada Prep Charter School was already planning a closure after reports emerged about hundreds of disciplinary issues — but now it's facing calls for the Attorney General's office to investigate possible financial misdoings. What's going on here, and what does this incident say about the state of charter schools in our state? Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with Channel 8 morning anchor John Langeler and City Cast Las Vegas executive producer Layla Muhammad to discuss. Plus, they also get into the uncertain fate of the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, and the Galleria Mall's rebrand — could this be the salvation of our aging shopping malls? 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.
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Jan 29, 2026 • 29min

What Las Vegans Should Know About ICE Encounters

Across the country, concerns about immigration enforcement are mounting. Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nevada, to break down the practical realities of encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement here in Las Vegas — what the law actually allows and what every resident should know. With community fears rising and ongoing debates about cooperation with federal agencies, this episode cuts through the headlines to help listeners understand their rights. 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.
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Jan 28, 2026 • 23min

Vegas' Food Scene Finally Gets National Attention — Here's Why

Las Vegas just notched a record-breaking 14 James Beard Award semifinalist nominations, and the city’s food scene is feeling the heat — in a good way. Host Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with Eric Gladstone, founder of restaurant PR group Feast of Friends, to unpack what this moment means for chefs, restaurants, and Vegas’ national reputation. From surprise nominees to long-overdue recognition, they dig into why this year feels different. Finalists for the James Beard Awards will be announced on March 31st. 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.
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Jan 27, 2026 • 25min

Are Prediction Markets a Threat to Gambling in Las Vegas?

While Las Vegas is known as the gambling capital of the country, newer online vices are popping up that could be competition for our city's biggest offer – casinos. Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to "trade real-world events" by predicting anything from the outcome of a sporting event to the weather in New York City. It sounds a lot like gambling, but is it? Rick Velotta, assistant business editor at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins host Sonja Cho Swanson to discuss the legalities of prediction markets and the threat they pose to gaming companies.  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.

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