🔥 Why the Cybertruck explosion appears intentional

🚨 Cybertruck Explosion at Trump Hotel … Wtf?

I was planning to ease into 2025 with a quiet news week — but the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel squashed that idea. Here’s what we know:

• Matthew Livelsberger, a Green Beret on leave from the Army, rented the vehicle from Turo in Colorado Springs, drove it to Vegas, and according to police and the coroner, shot himself in the head while somehow detonating the explosion at the same time. He was the only person killed. The death was officially ruled a suicide by the coroner. [Associated Press]
• Despite “strange similarities” noted by police and pushed by online conspiracy theorists (you know who you are), there is no evidence of a connection to the New Year’s Eve terror attack in New Orleans. [Nevada Current]
• Seven people were hurt, but the design of the Cybertruck’s exterior minimized injuries and damage to the hotel. [KSNV]
• Resorts World was a good neighbor, taking in hotel guests while the Trump International was evacuated 👏 [KVVU]

There’s a lot going on with this story. So I joined City Cast Las Vegas co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler to discuss the latest details on today’s Friday news roundup. We also talked about Gov. Lombardo’s tense relationship with the Clark County School District, ongoing Downtown development, and what we’re looking forward to in 2025. (Spoiler: I might’ve said something about Wrestlemania.) [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🚘 Another Reason Not to Steal Cars

While you were planning how to celebrate New Year’s Eve, the City of Las Vegas unveiled 11 new Downtown cameras to read license plates, track suspected criminals, and cut down on auto thefts. In an exercise of trust, the city promises the cameras won’t be used to go after drivers who speed or run red lights. [KTNV]

🏈 Super Bowl Festival Coming to Vegas

Allegiant Stadium is one of the 30 venues around the country hosting an official Super Bowl FanFest on February 9. Free tickets are first come, first serve for Verizon customers, offering access to on-field activities, meet-and-greets with Jakobi Meyers and other NFL stars, entertainment, and tailgate food from local chefs. It’ll be so much fun, you won’t even notice the Raiders didn’t make the Super Bowl. [Verizon Super Bowl FanFest]

• There’s even more cool new stuff coming to Vegas in 2025. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]