🗳️ How tight is the governor’s race?

💣 Who’s Left at the Nevada National Security Site?

Nearly 70 federal employees at the Nevada National Security Site were furloughed due to the government shutdown. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright paid a visit and thanked Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto for being one of just two Democrats to cross party lines, voting with Republicans to refund the government. [Nevada Current]

• Tours of the site, which blew up atomic weapons during tests back when Vegas was fun, are few and far between — with signups closed for 2026. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

🗳️ Race Tight for Nevada Governor

A new poll shows that Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is favored by Nevada voters to retain his seat next year, but Democratic challenger Aaron Ford, the current attorney general, is just three points behind — within the margin of error. [KTNV]

🛬 Plane Makes Emergency Landing on I-15

A small plane used a stretch of Interstate 15 near Mesquite as an emergency runway (which may or may not be safer than landing at an airport with measles). The pilot’s okay and the whole thing was caught on video for our entertainment. After a few repairs, the plane took off — again using the Interstate — and appeared to be working just fine. [KSNV/NDOT]

🎸Music Festival Regroups and Returns

After the 2025 version was canceled (unable to make the numbers work with Metallica and Linkin Park as headliners), Sick New World is returning to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds with System of a Down back at the top of the bill. The event is also expanding to Dallas. [Consequence]

• System of a Down are the low-key founders of the fest, as revealed by their bass player to City Cast Las Vegas. [Hey Las Vegas ✍️]

🌱 Nom-Nom on Wild Foods in Southern Nevada

Did you know that mesquite isn’t just wood? You can eat it too 😋 City Cast Las Vegas explains how to find wild foods in and around Las Vegas — and eat ‘em without dying 👍 [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]