City Cast Las Vegas
🚧 High-speed rail to build WHEN?
October 24, 2025 · — Rob Kachelriess
🌎 It’s time for a slice of Pi on the Sphere 👀
Students from the Clark County School District and UNLV are invited to submit their most creative art for the Third Annual Sphere XO Student Design Challenge — this time with a Pi Day theme.
The winning art will be displayed on the Exosphere — a fancy word for the outside of the Sphere — just days ahead of March 14, also known as 3.14 or Pi Day 🥧
What's CITY Talking About
⛔ Lombardo to Congress: End the Shutdown
The fingerpointing that defines Washington is carrying over to Nevada politics too. Gov. Joe Lombardo issued a statement urging Congress to reopen the federal government. The Republican addressed Nevada’s Democratic senators directly, praising Catherine Cortez-Masto for crossing party lines and asking Jacky Rosen to get on board. Rosen’s response: Take it up with President Trump. [Nevada Current]
- Meanwhile, Nevada risks losing unspent funds allocated during the Biden administration. City Cast Las Vegas explains it all during the latest Friday news roundup, along with the growth of local government lobbying and a push to bring the Super Bowl back to Vegas ASAP. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
🏀 The NBA, Mafia & Vegas Tied to Illegal Betting Bust
Former NBA star Damon Jones was arrested in Las Vegas as part of a sweeping FBI probe into illegal betting. Dozens were taken into custody, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Accusations range from rigged poker games to bets based on leaked information regarding NBA players. [RealGM/Associated Press]
👷 Brightline Ready to Lay Track?
More than a year after an “official” ceremonial groundbreaking, Brightline says it will start construction in 2026 on the California side of the high-speed railway that the company swears will connect to Las Vegas 🤞 [Victorville Daily Press]
🎰 Historians Stumped on Statues’ Role in Casino Lore
Three statues purchased in an estate sale may have been part of the old MGM Grand before it was damaged in a deadly 1980 fire. The pieces depict two women and a cherub, possibly part of a fountain display near the entrance. The previous owner worked for Bally’s, which took over the casino property in 1986. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
🐶 $200 Incentive to Foster Dogs
Two-hundred bucks plus doggie snuggles? Sign me up ✔️ ️To clear the shelters, the Animal Foundation is bringing back a program that pays $200 to foster medium to large size dogs for at least four weeks. [KSNV]
Sponsored Content
HallOVeen is open through Nov. 2
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Your Las Vegas News Quiz
😃 Hey, news junkies!
It’s time for the latest Hey Las Vegas news quiz. The questions are based on stories featured in the newsletter over the past week. Have you been paying attention?
Here’s the first question to get you started:
What is the name of country singer Luke Combs’ upcoming bar and restaurant at the Flamingo?
Sponsored Content
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Neighborhood Shoutouts
Once again, our City Cast Las Vegas Neighbors get to shout out their favorite local people, places, and things.
- 📣 Chiara A. loves Pollos Culiacan food trucks. “The one at Rancho and Vegas in front of the tire store is the best,” she says. “The staff is so sweet. Great value for the prices.”
- 📣 Amber K. says “the Sin City Writers Group is a haven for authors of every level. They're so supportive, I love them!”
Share your own shoutout in our newsletter and podcast.
What To Do
Friday, Oct. 24
- 🥕 Army Street Farmers Market at the Water Street District | 4 - 8 p.m. | Free entry | Henderson
- 🥃 Mezcal Tasting with Fosforo at DB Wine & Spirits | 4:30 - 7 p.m. | Free | Hualapai & Desert Inn
- 🎨 Annual UNLV Art Walk at the East Mall | 5 - 8 p.m. | Free | UNLV
- 👻 Skellington's Spooktacular at Tivoli Village | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Free | Rampart & Alta
- 🎃 Asteroid M Halloween Block Party at Goodman Plaza | 6 - 10 p.m. | Free | Downtown
- 🕯️ Guitar by Candlelight: Benise & Pavlo at The Space | 7 p.m. | $65+ | Polaris & Harmon
- 🎻 Henderson Symphony: Mozart & More at the Lake Las Vegas Sports Club | 7 p.m. | Free | Henderson
- 🎭 A Public Fit: What the Constitution Means to Me at the Super Summer Theatre Studios (through Oct. 27) | 7 | $25+ | Valley View & Harmon
- 🎹 Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Myron’s | 7 p.m. | $44.90+ | Smith Center
- 🪩 One Last Kiss Halloween Party at Copa Room | 9 p.m. | Free | Tuscany Suites
Saturday, Oct. 25
- 🧹 Park Cleanup at Glicrease Brothers Park | 9 a.m. - noon | Free | Hulalapai & Farm
- 🐕 Pet Trick-or-Treat One-Mile Walk at Heritage Park | 10 a.m. - noon | Free | Henderson
- 🚘 BMW Ride & Drive Experience at The Lawn | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free registration | Downtown Summerlin
- 🌳 Discover Nevada Kids Wild Art Exhibit at Henderson Multigenerational Center | Noon - 3 p.m. | Free | Henderson
- 🐷 Las Vegas BBQ Festival & Car Show at Red Rock Harley-Davidson | Noon - 4 p.m. | $23.18+ | Rainbow & Sahara
- 🎨 Sugar Skull Workshop at Charleston Heights Arts Center | 1 - 3 p.m. | $20 advance registration | Brush & Evergreen
- 🎉 Elder’s Day Celebration at West Las Vegas Library | 2 - 4 p.m. | Free | Historic Westside
- 🌱 Garden Farms Annual Fall Festival & Junior Farmers Market at Pumpkin Park | 2 - 8 p.m. | Free entry | Henderson
- 🎵 Ghosts Of Us Fest at Grey Witch | 2:30 - 10 p.m. | $18.53 | Henderson
- 🛍️ Night Market at Aliante Casino | 4 - 9 p.m. | Free entry | North Las Vegas
- 🎞️ Halloween Dive-In Movie: The Adams Family at Pavilion Center Pool | 5 p.m. | $4 | Centennial Hills
- 🍺 Bark for Brews at Evolve Brewing | 6 - 10 p.m. | $20+ | Sunset & Decatur
- 🍣 Spooky Sushi Class at F The Bar | 7 p.m. | $49.87 | Fergusons Downtown
- 📚 Finding Nevada Wild Reading & Presentation at the Writer’s Block | 7 -8 p.m. | Free | Downtown
🎨 Tonight is the annual UNLV Art Walk, free and open to the public on campus 5-8 p.m.
Check it out, enjoy the fresh air, and have a great weekend!
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