🤖 Vegas hotel uses A.I. to lie

In an attempt to overcome bad reviews and a bad reputation, the off-Strip OYO hotel has been advertising rooms on third-party booking sites under the names “Palette” and “Collection O” — and using AI-generated graphics to alter the appearance of the property’s signage. [Vital Vegas]

• Unknowing tourists book the rooms and get the surprise of showing up at OYO. [VegasStarfish]
• To add to the deception, the phony hotels are listed under the non-existent addresses of 117 E. Tropicana and 119 E. Tropicana. The official OYO address is 115 E. Tropicana. [Las Vegas Locally]
• Booking.com and Expedia are now investigating the listings on their sites. Bookings appear to be suspended in the meantime. [Las Vegas Review-Journal/VegasStarfish]
• OYO was famously the Hooters Hotel & Casino, before it was sold to Indian investors and rebranded in 2019 🦉 The property first opened as a Howard Johnson in 1973 and has been known by nine different names over the years. At one point, it briefly catered to gay clientele as the Pacifica before abruptly shifting direction and becoming the Polynesian Hotel. [Vintage Las Vegas]

You’re reading this on a Monday, but City Cast Las Vegas Neighbors already heard us talk about the controversy during a bonus members-only segment on Friday’s podcast episode.

🚔 Fallen Officer Remembered

Officer Austin Abdelnabi was honored by Metro police with a procession through Las Vegas before a funeral Friday at Central Church. He was shot and killed in the line of duty on Aug. 4. [KSNV]

• Two police vehicles were involved in a crash during the procession. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

🗳️ Fake Electors Case Tossed (Again)

For the second time, a Clark County judge dismissed a case against GOP electors who signed documents awarding Nevada’s electoral votes to President Trump in 2020, despite losing the state to Joe Biden by more than 30,000 votes in the popular count. At issue — whether the case should be contested in Clark County or Carson City and if the act was nothing more than a protest and political theater. Worth noting: the documents were mailed to both state and federal officials. [Nevada Independent]

• Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who’s prosecuting the case, is accused of using old video by a police union head to suggest an endorsement in his campaign for governor. The Las Vegas Police Protective Association is backing Gov. Lombardo in the race. [KTNV]

⚖️ Tupac Shakur Murder Trial Continues

The jury is set. Opening statements begin today. [CNN]

🏴‍☠️ Casino Deal Walks the Plank at Treasure Island

It was too good to last. Treasure Island’s $200 casino play giveaway was supposed to continue until Labor Day, but the plug was pulled already due to overwhelming demand. [KVVU]

• According to online reports, people waiting in line for the promotion described the experience as not so fun. [Reddit/Las Vegas]

🤳 Restaurants Under the Influence

Did your latest meal even really happen if you didn’t pull out your cellphone to document it? City Cast Las Vegas welcomes back foodie influencer Philip Tzeng (@LasVegasFill) to discuss how social media has changed the local dining scene, the secrets behind paid partnerships, and how restaurant owners are responding with new marketing strategies. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

I see heavy machinery. But it’s not for road work — for once. It’s part of an outdoor display.

Where is it?

A. Bonnie Springs

B. Boulder City

C. Kiel Ranch Historic Site

D. Blue Diamond

Click here to play along and find out where the photo was taken.