Your Daily Guide

⚖️ Decades-Old Abortion Law Unconstitutional

The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously overruled a lower court’s decision to revive a long-dormant law that required parental notification for those under 18 to undergo an abortion. The 40-year-old law was described as "unconstitutionally vague” in a state where voters chose to legalize abortion within the first 24 months of a pregnancy in 1990. [Nevada Independent]

🚘 Lombardo Challenges “Cover Up” Allegations

Nevada Democrats claim Gov. Lombardo was involved in a “cover up” after OSHA records on Vegas Loop workplace fines were deleted, echoing Rep. Dina Titus’ demands for more transparency on the Vegas Tesla tunnels under construction. Lombardo’s campaign says evidence of the records, which detail firefighter burn injuries during a safety drill, are missing due to last year’s Nevada cyberattack — and accuses Democrats of participating in a “shameful political stunt.” [KLAS]

• Elon Musk’s Boring Co. has been operating with minimal oversight, while building the Vegas Loop — and faces hundreds of environmental violations. [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]

🇺🇲 Problem Flagged at Hoover Dam

The American flag currently on display at the Hoover Dam to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, is the largest on display in the nation — measuring 300 by 150 feet. But there’s a downside: our notorious desert wind, which caused crews to close the dam early to visitors while untangling it last week. [Visit Las Vegas/KVVU]

• The Hoover Dam had an even larger flag on display back in 1996. [Snopes]

💰We haven’t seen a lot of Nevada politicians weigh in on Tilman Fertitta’s purchase of Caesars Entertainment — with one notable exception:

Billionaires like Tilman Fertitta and their giant corporations must start paying their fair share in taxes so everyday Nevadans aren’t picking up the tab. Casino and hospitality workers across the state already work in unsafe conditions, have their hours cut, don't make a living wage and can't find childcare. Having one friend of Donald Trump control even more of this industry is bad for Nevada and bad for working families.

— Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill (who shared more thoughts with City Cast Las Vegas during her campaign to become governor)

🚘 Some thoughts on our dangerous roads …

I served as an Army MP in Germany, where pictures were taken and fines were imposed from cameras at intersections. I personally wouldn’t mind surrendering that small amount of privacy to help with the possibility of saving lives.

— Joseph A.

Las Vegas should have better-designed crosswalks to address its high rate of pedestrian fatalities and improve overall road safety. There should be speed-reduction features and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to increase driver awareness.

— Rick

🎨 Here are the results of our poll on where a new Arts District could emerge in Las Vegas, which we posted after our City Cast Las Vegas episode on the idea.

Water Street is definitely the place to be … There is already a co-op art gallery steps away on Army Street. City Lights Art Gallery has many talented artists, classes, and events all the time. Plus, it’s a nonprofit supporting scholarships for art students!

— Kimberly

Food and drink is a great prerequisite for an arts district, but that's hardly enough. I go to Water Street two or three times a week. But after I eat — then what? This is the layer that's missing and is apparently hard to gestate after the fact. The actual Arts District has theater (shoutout to Troy Heard!), vintage shopping, and some galleries. Most of that happened organically, which is not going to be the case on Water Street or in the Southwest. There's a small art house just off of Water St., but it's nowhere near enough. Also, costs are outta control, just like in a real Arts District!

— Former newsletter editor Scott Dickensheets

💧 We also received a few questions about water usage at the data centers operated by Switch. We’ve updated our story with details on the company’s recycling system, which claims to restore and replenish double its annual use for net-positive results.

• Have thoughts to share? Email us! 📬