City Cast Las Vegas

If you follow any kind of Vegas news online, the algorithms will inevitably surface “gambling influencers” on your social media feeds. These are typically accounts that livestream hours and hours of slot play — with millions and millions of views. It’s a new phenomenon, casino industry expert Scott Roeben (AKA Vital Vegas) tells co-host Dayvid Figler. And casinos aren’t quite sure what to do with them — are they helping casinos? What about the influencers dabbling in illegal betting practices, or other questionable legal gray areas? And then there’s the dark side of it all: Are they making problem gambling worse?What’s your take on gambling influencers? Got a favorite gambling influencer? Let us know, and tell us why! Tag us on social media (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram).And hey, we’ve got another question for you: Have you seen any tourists getting swindled in Vegas? What do you think are the biggest tourist scams in town? Leave us a message at 702-514-0719 — we may play it on a future episode.For more Vegas news, events and commentary (it’ll make you laugh, we promise), sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Should animal abusers be put on a publicly-available registry, much like sex offenders are? That’s what one bill recently proposed in the legislature wants to do — but as always, we’ve got some hot takes on that proposal. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with producer Layla Muhammad and Nevada Current reporter April Corbin to talk about the week of news. After discussing the animal abuse bill, we tackle another tough topic: A bill that would legalize physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients — and all the complications involved. Last but not least, anyone who attempted to hit the highways on Wednesday knows that President Biden came to town. So why did he discuss healthcare… and not Avi Kwa Ame?What are your thoughts on the proposed registry of animal abusers? Let us know by leaving a voicemail or sending us a text message at 702-514-0719. You can also comment on social media — we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.Want to stay even more in the know on Las Vegas news, events, and more? Make sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.

As Vegas creeps towards warmer weather, we find ourselves in the perfect season for brunch. But this is the entertainment capital of the world, so we can’t just brunch — in this city we turn every occasion into a party. The Review Journal’s restaurant reporter Johnathan Wright and co-host Vogue Robinson share their thoughts on the “party brunch,” how brunch culture has taken a turn, and their favorite spots in Vegas.Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in a voicemail at 702-514-0719. Or let us know your best party brunch experience on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.For more food news and recs, be sure to sign up here for our deliciously curated morning newsletter. 

On the heels of the February closure of Village Square, the one movie theater in town that would regularly play indie films, a new theater opened its doors: The Beverly is a glamorous, brand-new construction with top-of-the-line tech. It’s also privately-funded by noted Vegas philanthropist Bev Rogers. So where Village Square failed, can the Beverly succeed? Founding creative director Kip Kelly thinks so. He tells co-host Dayvid Figler how “event-izing,” quirky curatorial picks like “Leprechaun 3,” and catering to our 2.3 million locals (and not our 42 million visitors) is all part of the plan.What do you want to see at the Beverly? Got an indie film or cult favorite that you’re hoping they’ll screen? Comment on socials (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram) or leave us a voicemail at 702-514-0719.To stay in the loop on all things Vegas, sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here. You’ll get a delightfully-curated selection of news, events, and musings about our city, fresh in your inbox every day at 6 a.m.

Yes, Las Vegas lights are visible from space and yes, you aren’t going to see much of the night sky from the middle of town. But, as David Blanchette, vice president of special events at the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, tells co-host Dayvid Figler, the open desert just beyond the light dome of our city is a fantastic place to view the night sky. He spills the beans on some great out-of-the-way spots to stargaze, and explains how humidity in the air and proteins in the human eye can change your viewing experience. David and Dayvid also touch on the new development out at Red Rock Canyon, and how a simple change in light fixtures could help cut back on light pollution.Don’t miss the LV Astronomical Society’s next community event on March 25th.Do you have a special spot to go look up at the stars? More tips for getting a good night sky show? Let us know on socials (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram), or leave us a voicemail or a text at 702-514-0719. We love getting your feedback, so fire away!For more on the latest, greatest, and sometimes irate-est goings-on in Las Vegas, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here. It’s the best thing in your inbox at 6 a.m. daily!

Mojave Max is Las Vegas’s most elusive celebrity… literally. Like all desert tortoises, he spends 95% of his life underground. But as every Vegas schoolchild knows, the day that Mojave Max emerges from his winter brumation (that’s the reptilian version of hibernation), spring officially begins. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, as we await Mojave Max’s return, we’re bringing back a favorite conversation from last spring: Co-host Dayvid Figler sits down with Audrie Locke from the Clark County Desert Conservation Program to talk about how Mojave Max came to be, why you should never pick up a tortoise (spoiler: they’ll pee on you), and why these hard-shelled friends are surprisingly fragile, much like our desert ecosystem.Have you ever guessed Mojave Max’s emergence correctly? You’ve got bragging rights: Let us know by calling us at 702-514-0719, or commenting on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.For more on the latest and greatest in Vegas news, arts, and culture, be sure to sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter, right here.

Vegas icons Siegfried and Roy’s massive jungle-theme palace has been put up for sale for $3 million. Does this signify the end to the over the top, kitschy Vegas era that the late performers made their mark on? Also, CCSD takes on the fight against vaping in a lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul and a new proposed bill sparks debate between craft beer breweries and distributors. Co-hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler discuss with newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets for this week’s Friday news roundup.What do you think of the new Vegas design trends? Missing the OTT era or loving the lean towards minimalism? Let us know on social media @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. And if you have some really strong feelings go ahead and rant it in a voicemail at 702-514-0719!Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here for more Dickensheetsian wit and humor in your inbox. 

We’re “Mariana Trench” deep when it comes to the state of mental health in Nevada, Dr. Jim Jobin, psychotherapist and co-host of PodTherapy, tells CCLV co-host Dayvid Figler. That might sound like hyperbole, but it’s backed up with data: Nevada ranks 51st in the nation for access to mental health. But why? Why is it so hard for us keep providers in the state, and how do our current insurance laws make it harder to get care? Can any of the bills currently being debated in our legislature do anything about it?We take notes so you don’t have to! Here are the bills that Dr. Jim mentions:SB 119 - Allows for continuing coverage of telehealthAB 138 - Provides Medicaid coverage for integrated behavioral healthcareSB 177 - Allows Medicaid to cover stronger meds for psychiatric medication, like antipsychoticsAB 69 - Expands student loan forgiveness to increase the number of mental health providersSB 146 - As initially proposed: An “any willing provider” law, basically to require insurance companies to accept otherwise qualified healthcare providers into their system.What other proposals are you curious about this legislative session? Let us know in a text or voicemail at 702-514-0719. We’re also on social media! Follow us @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram.Keep up with all the happenings in Carson City by signing up for our morning newsletter here. 

Las Vegas is one of the most well-known destinations in the world, yet the best known works about the city are mainly from visitors who don’t always get things right. Co-Hosts Vogue Robinson and Dayvid Figler are both accomplished writers living in Las Vegas who struggle with biases and expectations about how Las Vegas can or should be depicted. At this very special live taping at the brand new Beverly Theater, Vogue and Dayvid sit down with accomplished Las Vegas-based writers Kim Foster and Veeda Bybee in front of an engaged, live audience, to discuss the balance between being protective of your home town but also writing true, intriguing accounts of a city as unique as Las Vegas. Kim and Veeda also discuss pushback in presenting Las Vegas stories to editors and publishers and making sure Las Vegas is given its fair due.Want to hear the full panel plus audience Q&A? Find that on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyfahv7ApjAVGufMbFlHP5ALet us know what you’d like to hear at a live City Cast Las Vegas panel! Send us a message @CityCastVegas on Twitterand Instagram. You can also send us a voicemail or text at 702-514-0719.Make sure to sign up for our always entertaining morning newsletter here for more Vegas insights and hot takes. 

Did y’all know that the four-time national goatee championship winner lives in Las Vegas? Patrick Dawson settled in Vegas and co-founded the Sin City Beard Coalition with his wife, Lori Fries — and as it turns out, Lori is a bit of a beard aficionado herself. In beard and mustache competitions, “whiskerinas” are an entire category of creative beard-ing for the biologically whiskerless (Lori once made a beard out of Barbie heads). Today on City Cast Las Vegas, co-host Dayvid Figler dives into the world of competitive facial hair, the charity causes they support, and what it takes to care for an award-winning beard in our hot, dry desert climate.Interested in seeing more, or even competing yourself? You’re in luck! The Sin City Beard Coalition is hosting the Battle Born Beard and Mustache Competition on Saturday, March 25th. All proceeds will go to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Extreme Couture, a veterans’ organization. Learn more at beard.vegas.Do you have a niche hobby you’d like to tell us about? Or a beard-grooming tip for Vegas? Post a pic of your hobby (or magnificent facial hair) and tag us on socials: We’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us a voicemail or text us at 702-514-0719.Looking for even more in-the-know Vegas chatter, news, and events? Sign up for our brilliant morning newsletter here.