🔥 Will wildfire smoke come to Vegas?

🧑‍🚒 Nevada Responds To SoCal Fires

While Las Vegas marvels at the latest AI-powered toothbrush at CES, more than 70,000 people are under evacuation orders in Southern California. Our thoughts are with those (including City Cast team members and family) affected by the Los Angeles-area fires. [Associated Press]

• Clark County firefighters are joining the effort to get the flames under control in difficult Santa Ana winds. [KVVU]
• Smoke from the fires is more likely to drift over the Pacific Ocean than the Las Vegas area. [KLAS]

🐈 Cat Community

The vacant Paradise Spas apartment complex will be demolished by the end of the month. The only problem — it’s been taken over by hundreds of cats. [KTNV]

🍳 Egg Prices Break the Bank

Thanks to the bird flu, egg prices have jumped for food businesses in Southern Nevada — in at least one case, by 226% 😳 [KVVU]

• Maybe it's time to just raise your own backyard chickens. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

😋 New Las Vegas Restaurants

Hard to believe, but we’re already nine days into 2025. Egg prices aside, it’s promising to be a great year for dining. With that in mind, John Curtas of Eating Las Vegas joins City Cast Las Vegas co-host Sarah Lohman to discuss the most anticipated restaurant openings of the year, chefs changing the game, and trends we’re ready to leave behind in 2024. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

I want to give a huge word of thanks to those who responded so positively to our joint investigative piece with ProPublica about Elon Musk’s Boring Company and its underground activities in Las Vegas.

Here’s one example.

The topic is important. The public should push for accountability and safe operations. This is not a fair discussion. No mention of potential value in the system. No investigation if … portions of the Vegas Loop reduce foot traffic and vehicle traffic near the Convention Center. All cons not pros. The definition of poor evaluation.

— Chris L.

We also want to thank other publications who shared the story, including the Nevada Independent, accompanied by these words in the Daily Indy.

(It’s) an important story about the lack of oversight on the Vegas Loop underground transportation project being built by Elon Musk's Boring Company. Not only does it shine a spotlight on the situation in Southern Nevada, it offers insight into how Musk, who has close ties to President-elect Donald Trump and has been tapped to head a new department on government efficiency, operates.

— John Ralston, CEO, the Nevada Independent

In other news, let’s shift the spotlight back to the Virgin Hotel workers who remain on strike since November.

On a lighter note, we appreciate that today’s podcast guest, John Curtas, listed us as runner-up for Best Podcast in the year-end Eating Las Vegas Major Awards — after his own, of course 😉

City Cast Las Vegas — the newsy, trendy, gossipy, informative-yet-fun podcast you need to be listening to daily.

— John Curtas, Eating Las Vegas

Thank you for the kind words John! We also earned a silver medal from the Funk Buddhist. Whoever you are, thanks!

We’ll take it! 🥈

Don’t forget to keep an eye on our Events section in the daily newsletter. You never know what you’ll find.

I just moved to Vegas for three months and often find myself lonely. But I learned about the harp-guitar concert at Summerlin Library from your newsletter and went. I enjoyed it a lot and finally found something I like here. Keep up the good work. Thank you and happy new year!

— Cynthia X.

And if you’re still craving pie after the holidays, we have more recommendations.

I feel like this list just can't be complete without two great local bakeries. Sugar Bee's is an amazing little shop with a weekly croissant special … Chef Flemming's Bakeshop benefits from the joy of a European-trained, Danish-born immigrant chef to serve up authentic Old World flavors, including a traditional Danish Kringle, which I haven't found anywhere else.

— John S.

Have thoughts to share? Send us an email 📧

🥱 Press Releases We Barely Read

• Las Vegas Is 2025’s 4th Best City for an Active Lifestyle (Honolulu was #1)
• Nevada Ranks 10th among the States with the Most Credit Cards (Alaska was #1)
• Las Vegas Is 2024’s 4th Best City for Christmas (Atlanta was #1)
• Las Vegas Is 2024’s 4th Best City for New Year’s Eve Celebrations (New York was #1)