💻 So, medical records aren’t hack-proof

⚖️ Medical Records Hacked

A lawsuit is shedding light on a scary new front in the local hacking wars: medical records. In a cybercrime that predates the more infamous Strip and school district hacks, criminals allegedly breached medical information at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates, then posted sensitive patient information, including nude photos. “I didn’t even want to leave my house,” says one victim. [KLAS]

• Extra: The LV surgeon who breaks men's legs to make them taller. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🌧️ Hello, El Niño!

Though its effects are hard to predict and unevenly distributed, the El Niño weather effect is likely to mean increased chances of rain in Southern Nevada this winter. Up to 40% higher than normal, according to the federal Climate Prediction Center. [KLAS]

👂 Listening to the Community

Redlining, racism, poor investment, and media responsibility: These were some of the heady topics of the first Nevada Democracy Project community gathering, held in West Las Vegas. The Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralson — whose news org teams up with Vegas PBS in this effort — gives host Dayvid Figler the full download. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🤔 Speaking of F1, this reader isn’t too upset about damage to the opaque film on Strip pedestrian walkways installed to block views of the course:

VerThib: “I’m sooooooo glad visitors/pedestrians are ripping holes in it. F1 doesn’t own the Strip. They should not be blocking views or impeding access to other attractions. Tourists/visitors spend a lot of money to come here, and they deserve a good experience.”

• Good point, and one I haven’t seen discussed enough: In the city’s rush to capitalize on high-end European racing fans for one weekend, how many other visitors — the kind more likely to return — have felt disenfranchised by the months of disruption?

🚎 In response to our podcast episode about the closing of a Walgreens at Charleston and Las Vegas Boulevard:

Pat Robertson: “One thing that would help the neighborhood is if we get the Deuce (bus) back at this intersection. … Our John S. Park neighborhood has over 50% renters, many senior citizens and disabled. … We have to walk to the Healing Garden or Arts District to catch the Deuce, through torn-up sidewalks, dark streets, no security at burnt-out buildings, and then up streets with homeless sleeping, drug deals, vomiting, being attacked, etc. Bring the Deuce to both sides of Walgreens’ dark corner, and many of those who voiced their concerns will have a solution.”

🚙 And about Nevada’s high car-insurance rates and other vehicular hassles:

James P. Reza: “Those who pay attention (and maybe watch too much ‘X-Files’) know that our state’s Automobile Bureaucracy Complex — from insurance rates to registration fees to forcing a static-date emissions-check requirement (1969, far more draconian, and profitable, than even California!) — is our reward for not having a state income tax.”

🎶 Nelson Terán | Today | 7:30 p.m.

The Mexican singer-songwriter celebrates his 55th birthday with a rooftop show. [Taverna Costera, Arts District; $55]

📋 Foster Care Information Session | Thursday | 5 p.m.

If you think you might have what it takes to provide temporary supportive care to foster children, this session will give you more information. [Windmill Library, Enterprise; free]

🖼️ Artist Talk: Jason Lazarus | Thursday | 7 p.m.

Lazarus, whose work addresses “vision and visibility” and who is a participant in “The Emotion Show” at UNLV’s Barrick Museum, talks about his work. [UNLV; free]

🎤 ‘Voices Raised for Vets’ | Thursday | 7 p.m.

Drawing on military-themed selections from Broadway and opera, Opera Las Vegas salutes those who have served. [Winchester Dondero Cultural Center, Desert Inn and McLeod; free]

What Do the People Want?

Jon Ralston, CEO of The Nevada Independent, talks about The Nevada Democracy Project, a partnership between his organization and Vegas PBS. It will stage community listening sessions around the valley during the run up to the 2024 election. One’s already been held in West Las Vegas: Community members raised issues about redlining, racism, and poor investment — but also asked what the media will do with this information. Dayvid Figler hosts.