Your Daily Guide

⚡ Data Center Blocked Near Boulder City

A federal administrative judge halted construction of a contentious data center on BLM land near Boulder City while appeals from the city and environmental groups play out. The judge didn’t buy the argument that the project was on equal footing as a previously approved solar power project. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

⏳ Days Numbered for Grand Bazaar Shops?

Caesars Entertainment quietly bought out JGB Vegas Retail’s controlling interest in the Grand Bazaar Shops for $66 million back in May. This could be the first sign of impending doom for the sprawling outdoor plaza, which checks all the boxes on “ugly” and “unnavigatable” while sitting on two precious acres of center-Strip real estate. [Vital Vegas]

🌍 Revamped ‘Wizard of Oz’ Revamped

Updated special effects on the Sphere’s enhanced version of “The Wizard of Oz” will debut on Sept. 25. According to the official announcement, they include:

• Animatronic winged monkeys. (Note: The show already has animatronic winged monkeys.)
• Themed scents, including the smell of apples when stuffed ones fall on the audience.
• “Glinda Glitter,” which sounds awful if this has anything to do with real glitter.
• Pyrotechnic fireworks. Now we’re talking 👍 [KLAS]

🫠 Does Las Vegas Have an A/C Problem?

According to new data, about 6,700 households in the Las Vegas area don't have working air conditioning. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

• City Cast Las Vegas looks into how this could happen on the heels of yet another brutal summer in Las Vegas. Do A/C service companies take advantage of those in need — and should lawmakers take further action in protecting the rights of homeowners and renters alike? It’s all part of today’s news roundup, which also discusses the latest legal battle over prediction markets and thoughts on a quickie verdict in the Tupac Shakur murder trial. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

For the second year in a row, City Cast Las Vegas was named the Best Vegas Podcast by Las Vegas Weekly readers in the annual Best of Vegas awards. We’re incredibly grateful for this honor and thank everyone who took the time to cast a vote. Seriously, thank you! 🙏

We also want to shine a spotlight on some of the other winners who’ve been featured in our podcast or newsletter.

Best Queen: Frank Marino … who generously offered tickets for a special City Cast Las Vegas Neighbors prize giveaway earlier this year.

Best Movie Theater: The Beverly Theater … and general manager Kip Kelly who always brings the fun when appearing on our podcast.

Best Art Gallery: Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum … which hosted a live recording of City Cast Las Vegas to discuss our city’s hidden art.

Best New Strip Bite: Maroon by Kwame Onwuachi … singled out as the best new restaurants of the year (so far) on our podcast.

Best French Twist: Braseria by EDO … which wasn’t far behind, and had been building anticipation for a while.

Best Wine Bar: Crush Pad Wine Bar … another repeat winner! And where City Cast Las Vegas hosted a winter holiday party for Neighbors in our membership program 🎄

Best Meatless Menu: Tacotarian … a top pick on our best vegan restaurants list.

Best Local Chef: Alex Reznik … a “Top Chef” alum, who opened SMKD BBQ and Hayworth within months of each other. Read about both on our running list of best new restaurants.

Best Arts District Lounge: Cornish Pasty Co. … where Rob was first welcomed into the City Cast fam ♥️

Best Industry Hangout: Hard Hat Lounge … a dive bar with great burgers that’s owned by a rock star.

Best Dive Bar: Double Down Saloon … owned and operated by musician, author, and jack of all trades P Moss.

Best Live Sports Venue: T-Mobile Arena … where City Cast Las Vegas cranked the siren during a Vegas Golden Knights game 🚨

Best Antique Shop: Charleston Antique Mall … a staple of the Charleston Heights neighborhood.

Best Attraction: AREA15 … which saw lots of changes over the past year, and told City Cast Las Vegas all about ‘em.

Best Passport to Free Fun: The Las Vegas-Clark County Library Card … and we couldn’t agree more.

• See how some of last year’s winners stacked up. [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]