‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas cover art

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas

21 minOct 11, 2026

Another Las Vegas school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form . Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Strip Selfie Crackdown, Clark County vs. Street Vendors, and a New Breakfast Burrito Spot cover art

Strip Selfie Crackdown, Clark County vs. Street Vendors, and a New Breakfast Burrito Spot

31 minOct 9, 2026

A selfie on a Strip bridge could land you in jail for six months — and that's just the start of what host Jesse Merrick and local filmmaker Jason Harris are untangling this week. Together with executive producer Layla Muhammad, they dig into why Clark County has barely 17 licensed street vendors, and close out the week with some genuinely good news, from a Pow Wow at the Palms to a breakfast burrito spot worth knowing about. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Neon Museum Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

The Mayoral Races to Watch, AG Ford Recruits Influencers, and the Best Festivals This Weekend cover art

The Mayoral Races to Watch, AG Ford Recruits Influencers, and the Best Festivals This Weekend

35 minOct 8, 2026

Henderson and North Las Vegas both have mayoral runoffs on the ballot, so we break down the races and explain how the mayors of our metro's smaller cities interact with and influence the broader Las Vegas area. Aaron Ford is leaning into an influencer strategy in the final stretch of the governor's race, launching "Creators for Aaron" to reach voters through left-leaning content creators. We dig into whether it's a smart move or a sign of desperation given the massive spending gap between Ford and Lombardo. We also look ahead to the weekend and highlight some events and happenings around town that caught our eye. Host Jesse Merrick dives into it all with NPR Mountain West News Bureau regional reporter Yvette Fernandez and Nevada Current reporter Michael "MJ" Lyle. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

The Most Vegas Lawsuit Ever, Durango Loses Local Restaurants, and Our Vegas Obsessions! cover art

The Most Vegas Lawsuit Ever, Durango Loses Local Restaurants, and Our Vegas Obsessions!

39 minOct 7, 2026

A tourist is suing The Nerd bar in Fremont after getting injured when she was thrown off their giant mechanical p*nis , a wild headline that got us thinking about the state of Fremont and its nightlife scene. With Vesta and Yu-Or-Mi Sushi among the latest local spots at a Station Casinos property to close, we dig into the challenges local restaurants face when trying to make it work inside a casino. Plus, in another round of Vegas Obsessions, we hit on a Halloween pop-up bar in the Arts District, the return of Justin's Latinos Who Lunch podcast, and the sale of Las Vegas' famed underground mansion. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with local artists Vogue Robinson and Justin Favela. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Water Lantern Festival Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

First Friday's Future After a Deadly Shooting in the Arts District cover art

First Friday's Future After a Deadly Shooting in the Arts District

33 minOct 6, 2026

A fight between teenagers at the 24th anniversary of First Friday in the Arts District ended in tragedy when a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed , and two others were injured. So we sit down to process what happened, what the response from city officials has looked like, and what this means for the future of First Friday . Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Executive Producer Layla Muhammad and Spotlight Poetry founder Elle Hope. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 6th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Water Lantern Festival Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

The Best Places to Hike in Las Vegas  cover art

The Best Places to Hike in Las Vegas

34 minOct 5, 2026

The temps are dropping in the valley, so that means it's time to get back outside. Today on City Cast Las Vegas, we're getting you geared up for hiking season. Local outdoor enthusiast and real estate agent Austin Williams, one half of the team behind "The Other Las Vegas" on Instagram, helps us dive into the best beginner, intermediate and advanced hikes in and around the Las Vegas area. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, October 5th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas cover art

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas

20 minOct 4, 2026

When Las Vegas looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball court. David talks with Katy Burgio from NYCHA and Runit Chhaya of Grain Collective, one of the involved design firms, about the larger infrastructure the court is a part of and how it’s setting up NYC for climate resilience. Mentioned on the show: Water Square and its creative facilitators: https://www.dezeen.com/2025/11/25/grain-collective-basketball-courts-flood-prevention/   Rotterdam’s own “water square”: https://landezine.com/water-square-benthemplein-by-de-urbanisten/   Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Controversy Rocks the Governor's Race, Illegal Rat Dumping, and Good News Friday cover art

Controversy Rocks the Governor's Race, Illegal Rat Dumping, and Good News Friday

26 minOct 2, 2026

There's some new drama in the governor's race after allegations surfaced that Attorney General Aaron Ford sought to pardon a pregnant woman's killer, but there's more to the story than that. We unpack what actually happened and how it could impact Ford’s chances in the race for governor. In some off-the-wall news, somebody illegally dumped rats near a Boulder City park this week, which got us wondering: does Las Vegas have a dumping problem? Good News Friday returns with reasons to visit Lee Canyon, a nod to Las Vegas' literary moment, and the Arts District standing up for its artists. And in our members-only bonus segment, we explain why Henderson might actually be cool now . Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler and Executive Producer Layla Muhammad. Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, October 2nd episode: Opportunity Village SNWA Watering Restrictions Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

Henderson Says No to ICE, What the School Board Actually Does, and What to Do this Weekend cover art

Henderson Says No to ICE, What the School Board Actually Does, and What to Do this Weekend

33 minOct 1, 2026

Henderson's police chief just rejected ICE's request to expand its presence in Southern Nevada, but will that squash ICE's attempts at gaining a larger footprint in the valley? A listener fired up about the CCSD school board inspired us to break down what the board actually does, what decisions it has made this year, and what's at stake with three seats up for reelection. Plus, in our Weekend Lookahead, we share where to catch a great ballet show, a spot in the Arts District perfect for meeting new people, and our love for First Friday. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with Nevada Current Deputy Editor April Corbin Girnus and NPR Mountain West News Bureau regional reporter Yvette Fernandez. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, October 1st episode: Opportunity Village SNWA Watering Restrictions Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise . Photo credit: Public Domain

Your Guide to October 2026 in Las Vegas cover art

Your Guide to October 2026 in Las Vegas

27 minSep 30, 2026

Spooky season is here! So where are the best places around town to get in on the Halloween Spirit and enjoy all that fall has to offer in Vegas? From haunted houses, to horror movie marathons, and a Filipino food festival, we’ve got you covered. Host Jesse Merrick, Nevada Current Reporter Michael “MJ” Lyle, and "Keep It Local" writer Melinda Sheckells dish on all the things you need to do, buy, eat and see in Las Vegas this October. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, September 30th episode: Opportunity Village SNWA Watering Restrictions Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

Emergency School Funding, the Battle for an NBA Arena, and Vegas' Vibiest Coffee Shop cover art

Emergency School Funding, the Battle for an NBA Arena, and Vegas' Vibiest Coffee Shop

35 minSep 29, 2026

CCSD was staring down $51 million in budget cuts, but Gov. Joe Lombardo just approved emergency funding to give school districts temporary relief. What's the long-term fix for CCSD, though? We also dive into the pros and cons of Las Vegas' potential NBA team calling T-Mobile Arena home compared to some other proposed sites on the north end of the Strip. Then we dish on our latest Las Vegas obsessions, including one of the vibiest coffee shops in the valley, the best movie theaters to catch a flick, and some plant shops to check out around the valley. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with artist Vogue Robinson and Creative Producer Jacob Solis. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, September 29th episode: Opportunity Village SNWA Watering Restrictions Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

Your Guide to the Nevada Governor's Race cover art

Your Guide to the Nevada Governor's Race

31 minSep 28, 2026

The Nevada governor's race is heating up with less than two months to go, and there's a lot to unpack. We sat down with Nevada Independent Capital Bureau Chief Tabitha Mueller and criminal defense attorney Dayvid Figler to lay out everything you need to know heading into Election Day. We dive into how Lombardo is running on his economic record, Ford's strategy of tying the governor to Trump at every turn, what recent polls actually tell us about how close this race really is, and whether these two will ever actually debate each other. Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, September 28th episode: Opportunity Village SNWA Watering Restrictions Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .