City Cast Las Vegas

Computer systems have been down for almost two weeks at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. What the company called a cybersecurity issue was later revealed to be a ransomware attack by hackers who accessed their systems from a phone call. Guests have reported everything from online booking services to the lights in hotel rooms not working. In the midst of this meltdown, Caesars Entertainment revealed that they were also hacked less than a week earlier. Scott Roeben aka Vital Vegas shares his inside knowledge of what is happening and what this means for the future of our city with host Dayvid Figler. Were you affected by the MGM computers shutting down? Tell us your story in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re on also social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest Vegas news by signing up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas, here.

Oddly enough, there are a lot of specially designated highways in Nevada, and with this perfect road trip weather, we are taking a look at “a dose of pure Nevadan oddity” — U.S. Route 95 to Tonopah. It has been dubbed the Bizarro Desert Highway, and travel influencer Terri Galura-Chiong has driven the route to know exactly how bizarre it really is. Join Terri and host Dayvid Figler as they map out the weirdest day trip ever, from the Alien Research Center to the notorious Clown Motel.You can find more from Terri on Instagram @savorsincity.Have you stopped along the Bizarro Desert Highway? Share your pics with us on social media! @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us with your best travel story from the route at 702-514-0719.Looking for more things to do in (and around) Las Vegas? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Concert crowds in Las Vegas vary with each tourist passing through our city. We’d love to blame them for the bad behavior we see at shows (like throwing drinks onstage or trying to run through security), but at some point, the locals have to take some responsibility for our collective concert experience. So since a bunch of festivals are coming up like Life is Beautiful, iHeartRadio, and When We Were Young, host Dayvid Figler sits down with his fellow concert-obsessed City Caster Layla Muhammad to reflect on Vegas concert behavior and share their tips on how to safely enjoy a show.What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a Las Vegas concert? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Stay up to date on all the latest Vegas chaos with our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas! Sign up here. 

In the wake of a massive cyber attack, the state’s largest employer is dealing with chaos at all of its international properties: For days, MGM guests were being checked in by clipboard, and elevators, room key cards, slots, and even lights wouldn’t work. Today on the roundup, host Dayvid Figler is joined by producer Layla Muhammad and contributor Michael Lyle to discuss the implications of this massive breach. Plus, we get an update on a new ruling from a District Court judge that puts the kibosh on teacher sick-outs — but should they be allowed to strike anyhow? And finally, Las Vegans everywhere are puzzled by the appearance of odd bug bites — which come from the mysterious insect known as the mosquito in other parts of the country. With all the weird weather we’re having, are mosquitoes in our future, too?Have you seen anything related to the cyber attack at an MGM or Caesars property? Let us know! We’re @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 amazing morning newsletter here.

Transient is everyone’s favorite word in Las Vegas. It means that nothing and no one lasts long in this city. However, in the midst of imploding casinos and closing businesses, there are some restaurants that have withstood the test of time and have managed to continue serving the community for over 25 years (which is a long time in Vegas!). We are bringing back a conversation with former co-host Vogue Robinson and food contributor Brent Holmes where they list the most essential older restaurants for Las Vegans to try and discuss what has kept them open for so long. Plus, some newer spots that seem to have promising futures.Restaurants mentioned:Bob Taylor’sOscar’s SteakhouseBenny BinionsLotus of SiamRonnie’sMintDonna Maria’s TamalesTacos El GordoGrit’s CafeMario’s MarketChicago Joe’sWe’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. 

Vogue Robinson, former co-host and advocate for local healthcare, joins Scott Dickensheets, newsletter editor focusing on arts and culture, to vent about Las Vegas. They share funny pet peeves like the absence of ceiling fans and dive into serious gripes regarding the healthcare system's inefficiency. The duo critiques the decline in architectural creativity on the Strip and discusses how a new guitar installation reflects broader community challenges. They emphasize the importance of voicing complaints to spark change in this vibrant yet frustrating city.

It’s been a big year for roads in Las Vegas, from “Dropicana” to F1 ensuring there is no shortage of orange cones on Las Vegas Blvd. Drivers have had to be more cautious than ever, which isn’t something we do well in our car-dependent city. Last year we were ranked #8 in the most dangerous states for pedestrians by Smart Growth Nevada. But is it our drivers’ fault or the roads? We are revisiting our conversation with plangineer Ray Delahanty, aka CityNerd on YouTube, to better understand why our streets are so deadly and if there’s any way to fix them. You’ll also hear why Ray chooses to live car-free in Las Vegas! What do you think the worst intersection in Las Vegas is? Let us know on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Don’t let a road closure catch you off guard! For more traffic news and complaints, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. 

Life is Beautiful is a spectacular party — the three-day arts, music and culture festival takes over downtown, and in a couple of weeks, Life is Beautiful will celebrate its 10th year. So today, host Dayvid Figler sits down with Craig Asher Nyman, director of music, programming and development, who’s been with the festival since it began. We get his behind-the-scenes insight into how they curate the lineup, reflect on a decade of highlights, and pin Craig down on a big rumor: is this the last Life is Beautiful?Do you have any favorite LiB memories? Who’s an act you’d love to see on a LiB stage? Tag us on Instagram, or call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want some more Las Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our amazing morning newsletter here.

The embattled Animal Foundation faces yet a new challenge this week, after a local rescue filed a lawsuit against the shelter. The group claims the foundation has been negligent in its duties, forcing rescues to pick up the slack. So today on the roundup, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson sits down with newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets and contributor April Corbin Girnus to untangle the troubles at TAF. Meanwhile, a Nevada teachers union has launched the “Schools Before Stadiums” campaign, which wants to put a referendum on the books to block funding for the A’s stadium. And last (but most deliciously), a new ranking puts Las Vegas 3rd in its list of best taco cities. Hey, a list we’re actually at the top of? We’ll take it! (And we’ll share a few of our favorite taco spots in town, too.)What are your favorite taco spots in town? Or are you heading to one of the spots we’ve recommended? Tag us in a pic on Instagram, or leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719.If you love to stay up on the latest (and greatest!) in Las Vegas, then make sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

What happens to a city like Las Vegas when supermarket competition goes away? Grocery store giants Kroger (which owns Smith’s) wants to buy Albertson’s (which owns Safeway and Vons). Last month, NV Treasurer Zach Conine signed a letter with six other state treasurers criticizing the merger — so today, host Dayvid Figler, food writer Kim Foster, and contributor April Corbin Girnus, who‘s been covering this story, sit down to discuss the implications, good and bad, of supermarket consolidation.You can take part in this conversation, too: While NV Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office hasn’t settled on a stance yet, Ford has organized a “listening tour” which could impact Nevada’s position on opposing the merger — you can attend the next sessions on September 13th or take their online survey here.Where you shop for groceries, and are you concerned about the impact of the merger? Let us know: We’re @CityCastVegas on Instagram and you can also call or text us at 702-514-0719.Want more Vegas news? Then make sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.