Episodes

  • Vegas Goes All in on K-Pop and Korean Culture

    Vegas Goes All in on K-Pop and Korean Culture
    May 20 2026
    Las Vegas has quietly emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing hubs for Korean culture — and starting today, K-pop juggernaut BTS is putting that status to the test with a city takeover for the rest of the month. Host Jesse Merrick speaks with Haya Wang, founder of Koreative Events, and executive producer Layla Muhammad to explore why Las Vegas is betting on K-culture to help boost tourism numbers, from large-scale official activations to intimate local fan events, plus where to find the best Korean food when the BTS Army arrives. If you enjoyed this interview with IS LUXURY's, Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Holly Erker learn more here. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    30 mins
  • Another 10 Years of Formula 1 in Vegas? Plus, Destructive Winds and a Report Card on All-Inclusive Hotel Deals

    Another 10 Years of Formula 1 in Vegas? Plus, Destructive Winds and a Report Card on All-Inclusive Hotel Deals
    May 19 2026
    Formula 1 could be calling Las Vegas home through 2037, but is a decade-long commitment actually good for locals and small businesses? Plus, 69-mph winds knocked out power across the valley and forced EDC stages to shut down — raising questions about whether these extreme windstorms are becoming the new normal. And The Plaza Hotel is betting big on all-inclusive packages. Could that model reshape how Vegas does hospitality? Host Jesse Merrick is joined by creative producer Jacob Solis. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    34 mins
  • Does Las Vegas Need a Second Arts District?

    Does Las Vegas Need a Second Arts District?
    May 18 2026
    The Arts District is thriving — maybe too much. Parking headaches, noise complaints and a valley that keeps growing have us asking: does Las Vegas need a second arts hub? Host Jesse Merrick, executive producer Layla Muhammad, and newsletter editor Rob Kachelriess make their cases for Henderson's walkable Water Street, the booming southwest corridor around The Bend and Uncommons, and the history-rich Huntridge neighborhood — then vote. Spoiler: food wins. For a deeper dive into Henderson’s history, check out our episode with the Nevada Preservation Foundation. Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    29 mins
  • 'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas

    'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas
    May 17 2026
    Would Las Vegas be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital? Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) 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.
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    30 mins
  • A Grocery Store Shooting Stuns the City, a Gas Tax Holiday for No One, and Vegas Spends $25K on Influencers

    A Grocery Store Shooting Stuns the City, a Gas Tax Holiday for No One, and Vegas Spends $25K on Influencers
    May 15 2026
    The suburban southeast of Las Vegas was stunned early this week after a gunman shot and killed his ex-wife and her husband at an area grocery store before being subdued by bystanders. Nevada Current reporter Michael “MJ” Lyle and Executive Producer Layla Muhammad join host Jesse Merrick to discuss not only why the shooting broke through the news cycle, but whether or not it could spur action for domestic violence survivors in the Las Vegas Valley. Plus, the team breaks down why a potential gas tax holiday won’t be all it’s cracked up to be, and a Gen Z internship opportunity trying to put Las Vegas directly onto your For You Page. And in this week’s members-only bonus segment, we break down the long-awaited return of Lotus of Siam’s original location (and add some of our favorite local Thai food recommendations, too). Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 15th episode: The Neon Museum Zen Leaf Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    33 mins
  • Drug Use at EDC and What's Being Done to Solve It

    Drug Use at EDC and What's Being Done to Solve It
    May 14 2026
    Thousands upon thousands of lightly-dressed partiers will descend on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for EDC. But as they head to a weekend of debauchery and – for many, substance use – some revelers are opting to take advantage of free Naloxone (also known as Narcan), which can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The drug has existed for decades, but only recently became the linchpin in nationwide efforts to staunch the opioid epidemic. So what changed? Host Jesse Merrick sits down with Leah Shepherd, executive director of the nonprofit Victoria’s Voice, to discuss what EDC-goers can tell us about how regular people are helping end the opioid crisis. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, May 13th episode: The Neon Museum Zen Leaf Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    21 mins
  • Grassroots Gubernatorial Candidate Alexis Hill’s Vision for Nevada

    Grassroots Gubernatorial Candidate Alexis Hill’s Vision for Nevada
    May 13 2026
    Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill is running for Nevada governor as a self-described grassroots candidate challenging the Democratic establishments. She tells host Jesse Merrick her proposals for overhauling the state’s tax structure — targeting corporations, hedge funds, and billionaires — while addressing Nevada’s housing crisis, underfunded schools, and unreliable gaming-dependent revenue. She also calls out her primary opponent Attorney General Ford for declining to debate her. Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, May 13th episode: The Neon Museum Zen Leaf Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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.
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    26 mins
  • Teens Shut Down Foodie Fest, an Immersive Filipino Feast, and Is Vegas Good For Jobseekers?

    Teens Shut Down Foodie Fest, an Immersive Filipino Feast, and Is Vegas Good For Jobseekers?
    May 12 2026
    Teens shut down the Great American Foodie Fest after brawls forced organizers to close early for the first time in 14 years — so what went wrong and how should Vegas rethink event design? Plus, Las Vegas ranked 19th best city to start a career but does that match the reality on the ground? Host Jesse Merrick and creative producer Jacob Solis are joined by Istorya co-founder Walbert Castillo to break down the headlines and preview Isang Kusina, an immersive Filipino-American dining experience coming May 22nd to the Keep Memory Alive Event Center. It’s not too late to become a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor! Sign up by today, March 12th, to enter into our raffle for a pair of tickets to Istorya’s Isang Kusina experience. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, May 12th episode: The Neon Museum Zen Leaf Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. 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. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
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    38 mins