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City Cast Las Vegas

Rob Kachelriess

Welcome to the City Cast Las Vegas news quiz. These questions are based on stories in the newsletter over the past week. Up to the challenge? Answer the following questions to see how well you’ve been paying attention — and how well you know Las Vegas.

Looking for a previous Hey Las Vegas news quiz? Find it here.

Ready for a challenge? Take our weekly quiz, based on the news and stories of this past week in Las Vegas. 

Test Your Knowledge on Las Vegas News

Take This Week's Las Vegas News Trivia Quiz

What Las Vegans have been wondering. We break down why things in Las Vegas are the way they are and how they work.

Las Vegas, Explained

When reacting to the breaking news of Dolly Parton’s passing on 

, we referenced the singer’s commitment to childhood literacy with her 

, a program that’s brought books to more than 3 million youngsters under five years old since 1995. A local affiliate, 

, was forced to take a 10-month pause last October after the Nevada legislature 

 a grant to help fund it, but the situation is turning around. 

"We have spent the last year applying for grants at the local and state level and were able to resume the program last month on a much smaller scale, thanks to private donations, grants from the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, Speedway Children’s Charities, and others," said Meredith Helmick of Storied Kids. "We are still working towards funding on a state-wide level and hope to be involved in the next legislative session."

. Lawmakers in Indiana, Missouri, and other states have 

: One in seven children in the U.S. under the age of 5 

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District hasn't participated in Dolly Parton's literacy programs, but shares a common mission of making books available to young readers. 

"Dolly's fans already know her passion for inspiring the love of reading, and what better way to continue her legacy than by supporting your neighborhood public libraries," Executive Director Kelvin Watson said. "Take advantage of free resources and events that promote literacy, from programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Kickoff to Kindergarten, Winter Reading Challenge and Summer Challenge, tutoring programs, storytimes and much more. We also offer programs to improve skills for teens and adults."

If you need more incentive, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time when your library card number could be a ticket to win prizes.

There's new hope for a local chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which lost funding when a vital grant expired.

Dolly Parton’s Literary Legacy Unfunded by Nevada

Las Vegas has three dining destinations (and 

!) in the queendom of Lisa Vanderpump, but it doesn’t have 

, an all-new concept by the restaurateur and reality TV star in Lake Tahoe.

My wife described the design as “fairytale goth.” I went with “concrete jungle.” Either way, you get to enjoy goat cheese balls (made famous on “Vanderpump Rules”) and other bites to match the Instagram-ready cocktails. Wolf is definitely a change of pace for Stateline — Nevada’s casino-friendly corner of the lake — and one of the signature attractions at 

, a 1,250-room property formerly known as Harvey’s.

, Caesars Entertainment has given the hotel a top-to-bottom refresh with a busy and bright casino floor that wouldn’t look out of place in Vegas, especially at the slot machines next to the hotel’s other big restaurant, 

. There’s no digital screen of the celebrity chef to greet visitors at this version, but you can still get imported Piedmont truffles shaved over your lobster risotto.

Another Vegas staple, Clique Hospitality, was enlisted to spruce up the nightlife with 

, a cocktail lounge with a wall of amber lightbulbs to illuminate a stage for local musicians and occasionally 

. (As Ms. Vanderpump might say, “bravo” 👏)

“Tahoe has never seen anything like it,” according to Captain Zach of 

, who raved about Tessie’s while cruising around the coves near Emerald Bay during a daytime cruise. (True story: On the way back, Zach spotted an abandoned jet ski on the horizon and rescued the driver who fell overboard. Zach is the best!)

You can see the Vegas influence elsewhere in Tahoe, including 

, which wisely kept the Oyster Bar after taking over what used to be a Hard Rock 👍

But what really seals the deal is the walkability of the pine-lined sidewalks in a way that’s different from trekking down the Vegas Strip. Caesars Republic is just steps from the beach, 

 (with a gondola carrying guests to ski runs during winter), and charming independent businesses, including 

 — a bistro opened by three friends who met in New Orleans.

And no matter where you go, everything is noticeably clean. Both tourists and locals alike make a point to pick up after themselves. If Lake Tahoe can keep the small town charm alongside the celebrity chefs and slot machines, I see plenty of return trips to this evolving Vegas alternative in my future.

Slot machines, celebrity chefs, and bottle service ... with lakeside views.  

Is Lake Tahoe the New Las Vegas?

The July 4th holiday is coming up and celebrating America’s independence in Las Vegas can be, well, confusing. Fireworks are best left to the professionals, but that doesn't stop people from shooting off their own explosives in parks and backyards throughout the valley. Are they legal? The answer is complicated.

 fireworks go on sale Sunday, June 28 and are available until Saturday, July 4. These are the only fireworks approved for the general public by Clark County, sold at pop-up booths in the parking lots of grocery stores, shopping centers, and other businesses throughout the valley to benefit nonprofits. The products are limited to sparklers, snakes, smokeballs, or to put it simply, stuff that doesn’t leave the ground.

More dangerous fireworks like Roman Candles, Cherry Bombs, and Bottle Rockets are legally sold outside Clark County in some of our favorite Nye County destinations (like 

) as well as tribal territory (most notably, the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza near Valley of Fire). However, it’s illegal to set them off back in Vegas, even though you can’t ignore the sight of them illuminating the sky. In an odd twist, it’s even against the law to set fireworks off in Pahrump, except for a single 

If this all sounds confusing, you’re probably right. So, take the easy route and enjoy professional fireworks presentations throughout Southern Nevada — which are already underway to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

 | After dark | $15 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 (coinciding with Station Casinos’ 50-year anniversary) | 9 p.m. | Free | Off the Strip

 at Green Valley Ranch | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 for kids | Henderson

 at Durango Casino & Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 for kids | Southwest

 at Veterans Memorial Park | After dark | Free (with possible parking charge) | Boulder City

 at The M Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $15 kids | Henderson

 at Red Rock Resort | 9 p.m. | $35, $10 kids | Summerlin

 | After the Aviators game | $22+ | Downtown Summerlin

Your guide to fireworks shows and the legalities of setting off your own in Clark County. Spoiler: It's complicated. 

Las Vegas Guide to Independence Day Fireworks 2026

Where to Watch July 4 Fireworks in Las Vegas 2026

 comes to North America this month as 48 teams compete in 16 stadiums. No, Allegiant Stadium isn’t on the list, but Las Vegas has plenty of viewing parties to catch the action. Whether you call it football or soccer, fans will watch the best in the world take the field June 11-19.

Formerly known as Crown and Anchor, this pub on Tropicana has a new name (and nationality? 🤔) as The Irish Spot. Doors will open early for select games and stay open late as needed while serving Gran Centenario specials, including $7 reposado shots and $10 margaritas, plus $5 Stella Artois pints (or $20 buckets). Yes, you can still get fish n’ chips.

The Bavarian beer hall takes pride in cranking up the volume while showing every World Cup game inside its temperature-controlled biergarten. I can vouch for the food too, 

. Expect some extra-loud cheers for Germany.

The Daylight pool party has a new name and image, recently transforming into Tailgate Beach Club with a new emphasis on sports. The venue, which has its own dedicated parking lot outside Mandalay Bay, is hosting viewing parties throughout the World Cup, beginning with a block party on June 11. The event includes an EA Sports FC 26 tournament after the Mexico vs. South Africa match with Los Angeles World Cup tickets as the grand prize.

Located west of the Strip in Spring Valley, the Jackpot Bar & Grill is 

 during the NFL season, but is also a favorite of the 

, a Vegas group that loves to cheer on the British Premier League’s Arsenal FC — and will see loyalty divided as their favorite team’s players represent different countries during the World Cup. Jackpot’s menu is surprisingly diverse with Filipino favorites like lumpia and longaniza alongside burgers and wings.

Any Vegas sportsbook will be a fun place to watch the World Cup and 

 win big on a bet. The one at the Resort at Summerlin (formerly the JW Marriott) has a big viewing party at 5 p.m. on June 12 as the USA faces Paraguay. Guests will receive mini soccer balls and a chance to win raffle prizes. Plus, the first 100 people who bet $25 on the World Cup get the same amount back into their mobile account.

Just outside the Orleans casino, McMullan’s draws a rowdy crowd that takes its football (and rugby) seriously. The Irish pub is open around the clock and plans to show every World Cup game — but is 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is June 11-19. So we've narrowed down the best places to watch soccer in Las Vegas.

Where to Watch Soccer in Las Vegas 2026

Where to Watch FIFA World Cup Soccer in Las Vegas

Inspired by the centuries-old tradition of decorating graves with flowers, Memorial Day had its beginnings in the aftermath of the Civil War. Today, the observance takes place on the last Monday in May to honor those who have died during military service.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army Republic (an organization of Union veterans) issued 

, designating May 30 as a day “of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves” of soldiers who were killed during the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, the date was chosen to ensure the availability of “the choicest flowers of springtime.”

New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a holiday in 1873. All Union states followed suit by 1890. Congress passed the 

 in 1968 to designate the last Monday in May as Memorial Day, calling on the people of the United States to remember fallen soldiers and pray for permanent peace. It officially went into effect in 1971.

 at Police Memorial Park | 7 p.m. | Lone Mountain

 at Woodlawn Cemetery | 7-11 a.m. | Las Vegas Blvd. & Owens

 at Skye Canyon Park | 9 a.m. | Skye Canyon

 at Boulder City Municipal Cemetery | 9 a.m. | Boulder City

 at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery | 10 - 11 a.m. | Henderson

 at Cornerstone Park | 9 a.m. | Henderson

 at Lake Sahara South Park | 9:30 a.m. | The Lakes

 at Woodlawn Cemetery | 9:30 a.m. | Las Vegas Blvd. & Owens

 at Olympia Sports Park | 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Southern Highlands

Memorial Day began in the aftermath of the Civil War and is now observed on the last Monday in May.


Why We Observe Memorial Day in May

It’s hard to miss the ever-growing campus of 

 alongside the 215 in the Southwest Valley. The buildings make an eye-catching impression with bright pops of red against pale shades of grey — almost like an Air Jordan reimagined as architecture. Business must be good, right? But what’s it all about?

Self-described as the "Fort Knox of data,” Switch designs and operates data centers in not only Las Vegas, but Reno, Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Austin, and Houston. The business is all about the storage and protection of high-volume digital data, but has branched further out into AI infrastructure and high-density computing over the years. 

 like Google, ebay, FedEx, and on a local level, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and even the City of Henderson.

reputation for being a high-security compound

 with rumours of military-style protection, including drones and even the recruitment of former Navy Seals to hold the digital fort down. However, the company keeps tight-lipped on security details, preferring to neither confirm or deny the gossip.

 (yes … real name) in 2000, based on his own patented tech innovations. The company 

, raising $531 million in an IPO, but went private again when it was 

 for $11 billion in 2022. There has been talk about offering another IPO with a 

 in 2024. The figure would surely be higher today as stocks related to AI are booming — but are 

. Switch could easily cash in now, but might be better off in the long run by waiting for things to settle down first.

 is growing across the country. (Boulder City is 

.) But Switch isn’t quite the resource-sucker others are. The headquarters and “The Core” Las Vegas campus add up to more than 2 million square feet — and it’s all powered by the company’s own solar power operation in North Las Vegas. The panels alone 

. Switch also uses 100% recycled water in its data centers while claiming to 

 up to two times more water than it uses for a net-positive result. 

Can the "Fort Knox of data” show Las Vegas that data centers aren't something to fear?

So What Does Switch Do Anyway?

 last week, so let’s zero in on the races getting the most attention on a local level in Southern Nevada. The primary is June 9 with early voting May 23-June 5.

 is running for reelection with a strong prognosis since she won her first term with 

 in the 2022 primary. (In the nonpartisan race, the top two face off in November if a candidate doesn’t exceed 50% of the vote.) The closest challenger, 

Term limits keep Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown from running for reelection during a period when North Las Vegas is on the upswing. While the office is nonpartisan, the 

, who identifies as Republican, and Democratic assemblymember 

, who's also chair of the Nevada Democratic Party. (Like Henderson, the 50% threshold will determine if a runoff is needed in the fall.) There’s been a legal challenge over Black potentially violating term limits if he wins, since the mayor is a voting member of City Council.

Democratic incumbent Justin Jones declined to run for reelection over a 

, leaving the door wide open for his District F seat, which includes the Southwest Valley. If a Republican can flip the seat, it will either be Assemblymember 

 (endorsed by Gov. Lombardo) and former Democrat 

 (endorsed by Sheriff Kevin McMahill, and whose family name is the “Mack” in Thomas & Mack) in a race that’s described as the 

The Democratic side is a little more crowded. Former Republican and founder of the Bamboo Bridges nonprofit 

 appears to be the frontrunner with endorsements from Jones and County Commissioner Tick Segerblom. She faces spirited campaigns by Armenian advocate and attorney 

, a former adjunct professor at UNLV involved in Chinatown’s redevelopment plans.

 will overcome some rough headlines, including confrontations with coworkers and a 

 for allegations of secretly recording one, to win election. Her opponents are 

endorsements by the mayor and other city council members

 is hoping to win back her seat as Pahrump Justice of the Peace following a suspension for fraud involving misuse of funds for a police memorial. She’ll face the person appointed to fill her position, businessman Michael Foley, who doesn’t appear to have a campaign website 🤔

A few primary races have caught our attention in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas ... and yes, even Pahrump. 

Primary Races to Watch in Southern Nevada 2026

Local Primary Races to Watch in Southern Nevada

For an “off-year” election, there’s a lot going on, especially in Nevada. Our state’s primary is coming up on June 9 with early voting May 23-June 5. So study up before casting your ballot.

 is running for reelection. Technically, he’s not unopposed (there are 

 for the Republican nomination), but he might as well be. Nevada Attorney General 

 is the leading Democrat to face him in November, but is facing a spirited challenge from Washoe County Commissioner 

Nevada mixes to mix things up, by electing governor and lieutenant governor separately, instead of having candidates running together as a ticket. So yes, you could end up with the top two offices represented by different parties. Incumbent 

 is running unopposed. Nevada Assembly majority leader 

With Ford moving on to seek higher office, the Democrats are left with a choice of Nevada Treasurer 

 — and based on frequent ads, both are trying to outdo each other in the “stand up to Trump” lane. Vying for the GOP nomination are Lombardo-backed lawyer 

, an attorney who’s turned a famous last name into a career of perpetually losing elections.

, including Deputy State Treasurer Tya Mathis-Coleman, who can claim the understudy role. 

 are fighting it out on the Republican side, with the latter accusing the former of 

Secretary of State is usually a ho-hum office to worry about, but takes on greater significance with President Trump 

 on the election process. Democratic incumbent 

 will breeze through the primary to face one of four Republicans. 

 seems to have the edge with a Gov. Lombardo endorsement. Her contenders include famous Harry Reid foil 

, who’s leaning more heavily into Trump-style election denialism.

Southern Nevada has three Democratic incumbents defending their districts with little opposition within the party. So the main intrigue involves the Republicans challenging them.

 to overcome before facing one of five Republican contenders to represent District 1, which includes southeast Vegas and Henderson. 

 is the favorite to win the nomination after endorsements from President Trump and Gov. Lombardo.

 has possibly the most moderate district in Nevada — District 3 (Southwest Vegas, and then some). 

, a video game music composer and former Trump critic has the edge in the Republican field after making nice with the president and earning his endorsement, along with one from Gov. Lombardo.

, whose District 4 covers the north half of Vegas and a big chunk of rural Nevada, is unopposed in the primary. He’ll face rancher 

 in April, Republicans still have a slight lead on Democrats in the state, but both fall far short of independents, who command the plurality at more than 38% (!) of all registered voters. [Las Vegas Sun]

how the primary races are shaping up in Nevada

, plus the role of independents, who are mostly left out of this early voting process. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Nevada's Primary is Messy: What Las Vegas Voters Need to Know

Your guide to the 2026 primary races that matter to voters in Nevada.

2026 Primary Races to Watch in Nevada

As the war in the Middle East enters a fourth week, an Iranian general warns that “parks, recreational areas, and tourist destinations” around the world could be 

. Specific locations weren’t mentioned, but Las Vegas is a high-profile travel market and Gov. Lombardo 

discussed the possibility of a strengthened police presence

 after the U.S. attacked Iran. [Associated Press/KVVU]

 warned California authorities before the war of an Iranian plot to 

, but the agency backtracked on what it later called unverified information. [ABC News]

 of retaliation in Las Vegas could be a cyberattack. Here’s a clue — it’s happened before. Iran 

 in 2014, wiping out hard drives while interfering with computers, loyalty rewards, data storage, and even phones at the Venetian and Palazzo. [Bloomberg]

a majority of Americans believe President Trump will order troops into a large-scale ground war in Iran, although just 7% 

 and how it resonates on a local level. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

"No Kings" rallies are planned this week in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and other parts of Southern Nevada.