City Cast Las Vegas
🥊 Strip sites battle for NBA arena
September 25, 2026 · - Jacob Solis
♥️ A heartfelt apology from the Corrections Department:
Wayne Newton did NOT die, contrary to the implication of yesterday’s newsletter. We regret the error (and please don’t shoot today’s newsletter writer, that one was all Rob! Send your emails to him!)
What's CITY Talking About
🏀 Where, Oh Where, Will the NBA Arena Go?
New reports suggest T-Mobile Arena remains the front-runner for a rapidly-approaching NBA expansion team. But with hundreds of millions in expected upgrades attached to T-Mobile (not to mention a looming $10 billion expansion fee), two sites near Resorts World and the Wynn have emerged as serious competitors. [The Nevada Independent]
🎰 Diller Balks on MGM Mega-Deal
After months of negotiations, billionaire Barry Diller walked away from a multi-billion dollar deal that would have bought out MGM Resorts International and taken the company private. Diller’s company, People Inc, already owns about 26 percent of MGM. Still, Diller left the door open for a future deal as the casino giant’s stock price tumbled on Thursday. [Wall Street Journal]
⚖️ Could Conflict of Interest Taint Slaughter Re-Trial?
After a judge vacated the conviction of Rickie Slaughter — who spent decades in prison for a crime he says he didn’t commit — District Attorney Steve Wolfson’s office moved to re-try Slaughter. Now, his lawyers are crying foul, pointing to the fact that it was Wolfson’s law office that had defended Slaughter in 2009, back when Wolfson was a criminal defense attorney. [Nevada Current]
🗳️ Remember Nevada’s Alleged ‘15,000 Non-citizen Voters’?
You may recall the Department of Homeland Security revised that number to 185. Now, after an investigation, the real number might be closer to zero, according to state election officials who say their records indicate those individuals are actually citizens. [The Nevada Independent]
🎤 Speaking of Mr. Las Vegas…
The City Cast team dove into the implications of this week’s news that the former Wayne Newton compound could turn into modernist luxury housing — and what that says about Las Vegas’ housing crunch. [Review-Journal]
- Also, we take a look at what mixed employment numbers can tell us about Vegas’ wonky job market, and whether politics are putting the squeeze on state parks.
Sponsored Content
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month & Win!
Your library card is your ticket to win cool prizes during Library Card Sign-Up Month in September. Use your library card number to enter our drawing Sept. 1–30, 2026, and you could win tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights or Las Vegas Raiders home game, a pass to Glittering Lights, or exclusive Library District swag. To enter and learn more details, please visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/Giveaway
It’s so easy and FREE to sign up for a library card! Just stop by your nearest library branch with a photo I.D., or sign up online for an Instant eCard.
Your Las Vegas News Quiz
🤓 Good tidings, news fiends! The City Cast Las Vegas news quiz is back. As always, 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:
1. Which obscure resort was demolished near the Las Vegas Strip last week?
D. The Embassy
Sponsored Content
Where Neon Meets the Need for Speed
Rev your engines for an unforgettable night at The Neon Museum! Celebrate the unveiling and lighting of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix sign, first seen at the inaugural 2023 race. Enjoy a celebratory toast, get up close to an F1 replica car, and watch history light up the Neon Boneyard.
What To Do
Friday, Sep. 25
- 🍹 Elements of Agave: A Cocktail Lunch at Amaya, Noon–2pm (From $275) | The Cosmopolitan
- 🇬🇷 Las Vegas Greek Food Festival at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 3-11pm ($10 entry, through Sept. 27) | Spring Valley
- 🌾 Henderson Farmers Market at Army Street, 4–8pm (Free) | Henderson
- 🍸 Mixology Workshop: Punch & Pour Featuring El Cristiano Tequila at F The Bar, 5pm (21+, $45) | Fremont East
- 🥃 Consumer Tasting: The Macklowe Gold Label at Ada's, 5–7pm (Free) | Arts District
- 😋 Las Vegas Foodie Fest at Galleria at Sunset, 5-11pm ($10 entry, through Sept. 27) | Henderson
- 🎸 Monk & The Po Boys at SoulBelly BBQ, 6pm (Free) | Arts District
- 🎵 Rainbow Company: Disney's High School Musical at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 6pm ($10) | Charleston Heights
- 🎬 Movies on the Square: The Sheep Detectives at Town Square, sundown (All Ages, Free) | Las Vegas Blvd. & Sunset
- 🦎 Critters of the Night at Floyd Lamb Park, 6–7:30pm (Free) | Tule Springs
- 🎶 UP in Concert at Water Street Plaza, 7pm (Free) | Henderson
- 📚 Krista Diamond: Close Relationships with Strangers at The Writer's Block, 7pm (Free) | Fremont East
- 🎭 You Will Get Sick at Clark County Library, 7–8:30pm (Free) | Flamingo & Maryland
- 🎤 Art Garfunkel at Reynolds Hall, 7:30pm (From $65) | Smith Center
- 🎼 Desert Rose Festival: Argenta & Desert Singers Las Vegas at UNLV Recital Hall, 7:30pm ($10–$13) | UNLV
- 🎭 NCT: Big Love at UNLV Black Box Theatre, 7:30pm ($30–$34, through Sept 27) | UNLV
- 👻 Scream'd: The Final Encore at Majestic Repertory Theatre, 8pm (From $50, through Nov. 21) | Arts District
- 🎧 In the Mix: Music Meets Mixology at On the Record, 10pm–1am (From $125) | Park MGM
Saturday, Sep. 26
- 🐕 Doggie Paddle & Play Day at Black Mountain Aquatic Complex, 8am–2pm ($10/dog) | Henderson
- ☕ Baddies Love Coffee: Pilates & Coffee at Ferguson's Downtown, 9am ($30) | Fremont East
- 🌾 Henderson Farmers Market at Cornerstone Park, 9am–2pm (Free) | Henderson
- 🏓 Skye Canyon Pickleball Social at Skye Canyon Park, 9am–1pm ($20) | Centennial Hills
- 🛍️ Market in the Alley at The Green at The District at GVR, 10am–3pm | Henderson
- ☢️ Atomic Stories – Miss Atomic Bomb at The Atomic Museum, 11am ($29) | Flamingo & Paradise
- 🍷 Rated 100: An Exceptional Wine Tasting at Westoria, 11am–12:30pm (All ages, from $250) | The Cosmopolitan
- 🎵 Rainbow Company: Disney's High School Musical at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 1pm & 6pm ($10) | Charleston Heights
- 🎬 American Agitators w Q&A at The Beverly Theater, 1pm (All Ages, $12) | Arts District
- 🎭 A Public Fit Theatre Company: You Will Get Sick at Clark County Library, 2pm (Free) | Flamingo & Maryland
- 🥃 The Best of Rip Van Winkle at The Vault, 2:30pm–3:30pm (From $350) | Bellagio
- 🍷 South America Wine History & a Little Mystery at Crush Pad Wine Bar, 3pm & 6pm ($40) | Spring Valley
- 💩 Life Is Shit Festival at The Dive Bar, 4:20pm (Free) | Maryland & Flamingo
- 🎨 Crouching Tiger & Beyond: Cinematic Soundscapes at Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, 5pm ($95 GA / $125 VIP) | Tee Pee & El Campo Grande
- 🥃 Singular Sensations: Getting to Know Single Malt at Total Wine & More, 5–6:30pm ($20) | Henderson
- 🎼 Desert Rose Festival: Mirabai & Festival Chorus at UNLV Ham Concert Hall, 5:30pm ($12–$14) | UNLV
- 🎸 The Day Players at The Space, 6pm ($60–$225) | Polaris & Harmon
- 🌕 Full Moon Sound Bath Under the Stars at Cactus Joe's Blue Diamond Nursery, 6pm ($35) | Blue Diamond
- 🍷 New Vista Wine Walk at Downtown Summerlin at Downtown Summerlin, 7pm (21+, $50) | Downtown Summerlin
- 🎤 "The Good Life": A Tribute to Tony Bennett at Centennial Hills Park Amphitheatre, 7pm (Free) | Centennial Hills
- 👻 Ghostbusters in Concert at Reynolds Hall, 7:30pm (From $40) | Smith Center
- 🎵 90's Rewind: All-4-One with Color Me Badd at Veil Pavilion, 8pm (All Ages, $65) | Silverton
- 💀 Horror Prom! at Millennium Fandom Bar, 8pm–3am (21+, Free) | Arts District
🌧️ Did somebody say rain? I need it to be real this time. I can’t handle another fake rainstorm. Real ones only from here on out, please and thank you.
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