🍂 10 sure signs autumn is here

⚖️ Gov. Challenges Ethics Board

You’ll recall that the state ethics commission recently dinged Gov. Joe Lombardo $20,000 for using his badge and uniform during the 2022 campaign. Lombardo’s now appealing that decision, and on novel grounds — he’s challenging the commission’s constitutional right to exist. [Nevada Independent]

🌭 Vender Bender

Clark County yesterday approved regulations for street vendors, banning them from peddling their wares near resorts or venues that seat 20,000 people. By that definition, it wouldn’t prohibit vending near the famous welcome sign, site of a confrontation between a cop and a vendor that went viral online. Next step: create a licensing process. [Review-Journal]

• Context: Our podcast has covered this issue from both the vendors’ perspective and from the regulators’. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🤔💭 Where Does Sam Brown Stand?

With abortion looking like a keynote issue in next year’s election, GOP Senate hopeful Sam Brown is facing scrutiny about his stance. While broadly against abortion access, he’s mostly dodged questions about the issue as it plays out in Nevada, as well as his feelings about a nationwide abortion ban. Brown is among several candidates seeking to unseat Sen. Jacky Rosen. [Nevada Current]

10 Signs Fall Has Arrived

🗡️ Time for the annual orange cone carving contest!

🚚 You see the pumpkin spice trucks backing up to the Bellagio fountains.

🏃 People are out biking and jogging past 7 a.m.

🍂 You hear people say, “Autumn was better when the mob ran it.”

🦩 Flamingos at the Flamingo break out new leggings.

🚜 Time for hayrides and corn mazes at Bellagio Conservatory!

🧟 Halloween means kids buy more Wayne Newton costumes than usual.

🍎 In Pahrump, it’s time for families to shoot apples from the trees!

🍂 Fall molting means politicians shed old conflicts of interest and sprout new ones.

🧥 Women in offices swap summertime sweaters for autumn parkas.

Dropping my new traffic-construction theory: We have so much roadwork because NDOT has a secret vat of starter asphalt, much like a sourdough starter, that dates back to the first road project, and they must keep it going. Prove me wrong!

🤨 In response to a recent survey that indicated Nevada is the nation’s second pettiest state, reader Christy C. had a sly observation:

“The survey results seem based on which states admitted to petty behavior as opposed to judging actual pettiness. By that standard it’s more of a self-awareness gauge. Not surprised D.C. and California scored low on that scale.” 😂

🤷 Sarah W. has a question — anyone have an answer?

“I wondered if you knew anything about the huge piles of dirt taking up a large space on the east side of Commercial Center (between the businesses and LVAC gym)? It's been like that for literally years. Originally we thought it was excavation for construction, but now it seems to be just a dumping ground. Is that even legal?”

🏜️ Reader David Turner doesn’t like development encroaching on Red Rock Canyon:

“I've lived here since 1960, when Red Rock used to be a beautiful, pristine place — unlike the zoo that it is now. I do not agree with letting anybody build within the sight line from Red Rock Canyon, and they're already doing it and I'm opposed to all of this.”

📐 ‘Duck, Duck, Shed’ | Today-Saturday | Various times

A four-day, multi-venue celebration of Las Vegas architecture and design, featuring panel talks, lectures, and guided tours. [Downtown Las Vegas; various prices]

📷 Reception for ‘Nuestra Gente/Our People’ | Thursday | 6-8 p.m.

The work of local photographer Rick RL celebrates “the vibrant spirit of the Black, Brown, and Native/Indigenous members found in our Las Vegas communities.” [Pearson Community Center, MLK and Carey; free]

🥁 Rick Arroyo and the Latin Percussion Ensemble | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

Bilingual performance of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, salsa, mambo and more. [Windmill Library, Rainbow and Windmill; free]

🤖 ‘How Will the New AI Technology Affect Our Lives?’ | Friday | 3 p.m.

The notice is very clear: Though it will be led by UNLV philosophy prof Todd Jones, this will be a talk, not a lecture — bring your thoughts on how artificial intelligence might make our lives better and worse. [UNLV; free]

🚘 Henderson Hot Rod Days | Friday-Saturday | Various times

Some 500 classic, custom, and muscle cars, plus other vehicles, not to mention live entertainment and vendors. [Water Street, free admission]

We’ll Drive You Cozy!

You can tell autumn has come to Las Vegas by the skin that’s still on your hands after you grab the steering wheel. Still, since we don’t enjoy the flagrant leaf action that other biomes use to mark the season change, how can Las Vegans imbibe some of those cozy fall vibes? Tune in as podcast host Dayvid Figler, lead producer Sonja Cho Swanson, and producer Layla Muhammad drop some pumpkin-spiced knowledge.