🦗 Grasshoppers are back 🫣

🚨 Is the Desert Inn Overpass Too Dangerous?

Earlier this month, a motorcyclist plunged to his death after he crashed on the Desert Inn overpass and fell onto Interstate 15. His family believes it could have been prevented, since the barrier he hit was less than three feet tall, and is now campaigning for guardrails on the overpass. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

🎰 Vegas Reverses Tourism Trend

Is Vegas undead? Year-over-year visitation in February saw a gain for the first time in 13 months, drawing just over 3 million visitors — more than 2% higher than the same month last year. [CDC Gaming]

🦗 Grasshoppers Are Back In a Big Way

The unusually hot weather has an added consequence this year — the early arrival of grasshopper season. While nothing will (likely) top the invasion of 2019 and its delicious grasshopper pizza, activity is already high. The good news: grasshoppers only live 30-90 days. The bad news: scorpions love to eat ‘em, so you could see more of those too. [KTNV/USA Today]

👊 Is Two Years Too Much for WrestleMania?

We’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium, and the WWE is facing diminishing returns by bringing the annual event to Vegas for the second straight year. Despite recent discount deals, ticket sales continue to lag in comparison to last year. [Wrestling Inc.]

• City Cast Las Vegas wanted to learn more about the economics of pro wrestling, so we caught up with a local fan and entrepreneur who’s benefiting from the growing connection between the WWE and women. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

💧 Not everyone is on board with Nevada’s pitch for an emergency short-term plan to share the Colorado River.

This is quite an outrageous giveaway. Who is defending Nevada? … The lower basin gives up 2.5 million acre-feet over a two year period. The upper basin makes out like bandits and is let off the hook for not being more proactive in recycling.

—Laura M.

Short term fixes are a waste of time and energy … There are annual floods in the eastern part of the country, and the short-sighted goofs at the Boring Company won’t make machines for real transportation, but… the tunnels they make are about the right size for water tunnels. There are already massive pipelines across the country for oil and gas. What’s the difference?

— R.D.M.

🛍️ We received some love after our episode on the history of the Boulevard Mall.

The Boulevard Mall helped solidify my decision to move here! I was coming annually on vacation and one day, I wandered around and discovered the Boulevard Mall. A functioning mall in the city? With a decent amount of shops and a movie theater? I ended up catching a movie before going back to my hotel. It really made an impression as a fun part of the city I could experience. I’ve had a soft spot for the Boulevard Mall ever since.

— Chris

🏀 Feedback was overwhelming strong to the NBA’s vote to move forward with a Vegas team.

We need this expansion team to become the sports capital of the world, just as we are the entertainment capital of the world. Bring it on!

— Howard K.

Yes, yes, yes!

— Curtis F.

This second-generation Las Vegas native prefers expansion teams to relocated ones. #VEGASBORN. I just hope they won’t build the court on the Strip, it’s already too crowded.

— Tami B.

😆 We also got some fun suggestions for a team name …

The Las Vegas Rizz, as in charisma.

— H.

The Mint Bistro!

— Michael G.

The Desert Storms.

— Angel S.

Las Vegas Tarks.

— Gregory C.

🥱 Press Releases We Barely Read

• Nevada ranks #3 nationally with 2,144 knife assaults a year

• Nevada boating damage surged 483% over five years

• Nevada Drunk Boating: 57% Fatal Despite Desert Climate

• Las Vegas is voted 8th in the U.S. for happiest family vacations

Two of those seem related. At least the last one is good news 🫤

• Have some thoughts to share — on anything? Email us! 📬