The Bishop Gorman graduate carried his power to the University of Minnesota, where the freshman infielder is turning heads. Wilk helped lead Gorman to this year’s 5A state championship, earning the playoff nickname “Mr. May” for his consistent impact at the plate before winning the school’s prestigious Mr. Gael Award. 

This fall, Wilk hit two home runs with exit velocities of 104 and 106 mph; one traveled 412 feet to dead center at a 23-degree launch angle. Named Freshman of the Fall by the Gopher Baseball Manager Association, he led Minnesota freshmen with a 1.072 OPS, batting .308 with a .457 on-base percentage. He ranked third on the team in home runs per at-bat and had the second-lowest strikeout rate at 14.3%.

“Chase has shown some encouraging signs as a freshman. His maturity and plate presence are above his age,” head coach Ty McDevitt said. “He will need to continue to produce at the plate and develop defensively.”

D1Baseball co-owner and writer Kendall Rogers noted Wilk’s first college game included “three hits and a home run 104 mph off the bat.”

Wilk’s father continues to celebrate the work behind the breakout.  His Instagram comments say it all:  “Kid’s been putting in the work since he was six years old, and now it’s showing up where it counts. More than the numbers, I’m just happy he loves where he is. The right coaches, the best teammates, and a program that feels like home.  So proud of the young man he’s becoming.”

Chase Wilk joins a Gopher lineup featuring returning power-hitting seniors Ty Allen, Michael Lippe and Jack Bello, plus fall standouts Tanner Recchio, Kobe Eikmeier, Brock Bearden, Blake Eckerle and USC transfer Jarrett Sabol. Freshmen Noah Asuma, Bennett Skinner and Maddux Lessard are also showing strong potential as the fall season ends. 

Minnesota’s latest “hardest hits” video on their Instagram page is a statement piece. Nine Gophers registered exit velocities between 104.4 and 112.6 mph, a stretch of raw, loud contact that jumps off the screen. Lippe, Bello and Sabol owned the top of the list, separating themselves with the hardest swings of the group. Wilk’s 106 mph, 412-foot home run dead center stood out as one of the clearest displays of power, while Akin, Asuma, Allen, Bearden, and Lessard filled out a lineup full of legitimate thunder. This is the kind of offensive strength that travels and the kind of group that forces pitchers to stay honest.

After a program-record nine Gophers were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, Minnesota must replace significant innings. McDevitt said losing draft picks creates opportunities and that the staff believes players can step into those roles. 

Judging from the fall season, right-handers to watch include returners Adam Urban and Luke Ryerse; transfers Tanner Foertsch and Mason Butash; sophomore Ethan Felling; and freshmen Ryan Christiansen and Hudson Ohm, who have reached 93–97 mph and 94 mph, respectively.  McDevitt sees “a good mix of returning players, young talent, and newcomers who can make an immediate impact.” On the pitching transition, he said, “We believe we have players capable of stepping into those roles.”

With Wilk’s promising start, strong talent across the roster, and an experienced coaching staff, Minnesota has plenty to build on as it looks ahead to 2027 in the Big Ten.

The post Las Vegas’ Chase Wilk Makes His Mark at Minnesota appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Trey Zuhn III Earns Praise After First NFL Start

The Raiders defeated the Jets 38-33 on Sunday, November 1, ending a four-game losing streak. Zuhn started at right guard and played every offensive snap, giving the team a new option at a position that has experienced considerable turnover this season.

Jackson Powers-Johnson opened the season as the Raiders’ starting right guard. However, Caleb Rogers eventually replaced him. After continued struggles at the position, Kubiak turned to Zuhn for the Week 8 matchup.

Speaking during his Monday press conference, Kubiak praised the rookie’s preparation and composure. “I thought Trey was calm in there. I thought he was well prepared,” Kubiak said. “That was not a surprise, but I thought he played well.”

The coach also acknowledged that Zuhn still has areas to improve. However, he expressed satisfaction with the rookie’s performance and what he could bring to the team moving forward.

When asked whether Zuhn would continue receiving opportunities, Kubiak offered a brief but encouraging response: “I believe so. Yes.” The comments did not confirm that Zuhn would retain the starting role for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, they gave the rookie a clear vote of confidence following his first appearance in the starting lineup.

Raiders’ Right Guard Position Gets Much-Needed Stability

Zuhn’s performance came at an important time for the Raiders’ offensive line. The team had struggled to establish consistency at right guard through its first eight games. As a result, the coaching staff had already turned to three different players at the position.

The rookie’s Week 8 performance provided some encouraging signs. According to Sumer Sports, Zuhn recorded three impact plays against the Jets. That total ranked third among the Raiders’ offensive linemen, tying him with other contributors and placing him two behind center Tyler Linderbaum.

The offensive line also helped the Raiders produce 95 rushing yards against New York. That marked the team’s highest rushing total since its Week 3 victory. Meanwhile, quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked just once during the game.

Those numbers offered additional context for Kubiak’s positive assessment. The Raiders had struggled to establish their running game during their four-game losing streak. Therefore, the improved production against New York gave the coaching staff another reason to evaluate the offensive line’s performance before making further changes.

Las Vegas now faces the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9. Zuhn’s role will be worth watching as the team prepares for that matchup.

Kubiak Addresses Other Raiders Personnel Decisions

Zuhn was not the only player discussed during Kubiak’s Monday press conference. The coach also addressed the running back workload following rookie Mike Washington Jr.’s involvement against the Jets.

Washington received 25 carries, while Ashton Jeanty recorded just two. Kubiak said the distribution could change from week to week, depending on which player performs best.

The coach also discussed cornerback Darien Porter, who left the Jets game after one play with a groin injury. His availability for Week 9 remained uncertain as the team monitored his progress.

Additionally, Kubiak explained that rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy would continue receiving opportunities after replacing Porter. He also praised the contributions of Hezekiah “Zeke” Masses, noting that the coaching staff planned to rotate the players.

For Zuhn, however, the immediate takeaway was Kubiak’s approval of his first NFL start. The rookie now has an opportunity to build on that performance as the Raiders prepare for their next game.

The post Raiders Rookie Trey Zuhn III Wins Klint Kubiak’s Confidence After Week 8 appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Make a Rare Las Vegas Appearance

Beyoncé and Jay-Z turned heads during their appearance at the Las Vegas nightclub. In footage shared on Instagram by @jpasc24, Beyoncé wore a flowing green gown with an ostrich-feather boa. She completed the outfit with dangling diamond earrings, a glittering pink purse, and a half-up hairstyle.

Jay-Z chose an all-black outfit for the occasion. The rapper accessorized with black sunglasses and a large diamond-encrusted necklace. At one point during the evening, Beyoncé was also seen wearing his sunglasses.

According to TMZ, video from the event showed the couple moving through the crowded venue with security nearby. They later spent time in the VIP area, where Beyoncé danced as Jay-Z stood close by.

Their Las Vegas outing followed another notable family moment in California. On Friday, October 23, Jay-Z performed at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood as part of concerts marking anniversaries associated with his albums “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint.” Beyoncé attended the show, where she reunited with her former Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

The concert also featured a surprise appearance by the couple’s 14-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. She joined her father onstage and played piano during performances of “The Story of O.J.” and “Dead Presidents.”

Ace of Spades 20th Anniversary Draws A-List Crowd

The Las Vegas celebration rang in two decades since the launch of Armand de Brignac, the champagne brand commonly identified by its gold bottle and Ace of Spades logo. Jay-Z has played a significant role in the brand’s public profile, linking his business ventures with his wider influence in music and entertainment.

Beyoncé joined her husband at the anniversary event alongside Rowland and Williams. Other guests included DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Remy Ma, Memphis Bleek, and Jaz-O, according to coverage of the celebration.

The guest list also included figures from sports and entertainment. Among those reported in attendance were Rich Paul, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Floyd Mayweather, Nakobe Dean, Braden Montgomery, Michael Eric Dyson, and Corey Gamble.

Their presence brought together musicians, athletes, and other public figures for the brand’s anniversary. The event also reflected Jay-Z’s long-running connections across the music industry and beyond.

DJ Khaled Performs at OMNIA Nightclub Celebration

Music took center stage at the event at OMNIA Nightclub, located inside Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. DJ Khaled performed, and Chase B also provided music during the celebration.

The evening included a theatrical display featuring acrobatic dancers descending from the ceiling with a bottle of Armand de Brignac. A procession featuring 60 bottles then moved through the nightclub, as reported by The Hype Magazine.

Launched in 2006, Armand de Brignac became closely associated with hip-hop culture and luxury branding. Jay-Z helped bring the label into the spotlight and later expanded his involvement in the business. In 2021, luxury group LVMH acquired a 50% stake in the brand.

The anniversary celebration gave the rapper an opportunity to mark the milestone alongside his wife and an extensive group of industry peers. Their Las Vegas appearance also followed a busy weekend for the Carter family, with Jay-Z’s Los Angeles performances drawing attention to both his musical legacy and his family’s presence at the shows.

The post Beyoncé and Jay-Z Celebrate 20 Years of Ace of Spades With Las Vegas Night Out appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Inside the Golden Nugget’s intimate, iconic showroom, Steve Wynn took the audience back to the big idea behind The Mirage: create a resort that felt like a destination all on its own. His conversation, “Reflections of The Mirage,” invited guests to hear how that vision became one of the projects that changed the scale and the imagination of the Las Vegas Strip.

When The Mirage opened in 1989, it was the Strip’s first new resort in more than 15 years and, at the time, the world’s largest hotel. Its South Pacific setting, tropical lagoon, and erupting volcano offered visitors something beyond a casino floor: a place built around spectacle, escape, and the promise that something extraordinary could happen just around the corner. The resort helped set the stage for the megaresort era that followed.

Wynn reflected on the conception and construction of The Mirage, sharing the ambition behind a project that asked Las Vegas to think bigger. It was a fitting setting for the conversation: the Golden Nugget is another important chapter in Wynn’s Las Vegas story, while the Neon Museum’s program brought the city’s past into the room through the voice of one of its most influential builders.

Then came the moment that turned an evening about Vegas history into a story of its own.

After the show, Wynn stepped offstage for a quick meet-and-greet. Derek Stevens approached and humbly began introducing himself. Before he could finish, Wynn’s face lit up.

“You’re Derek Stevens! You’ve brought this place back to life!”

The line landed with the warmth of recognition, and a little downtown electricity. Stevens has built his own chapter of the city’s story through Circa Las Vegas, a major addition to Downtown that reflects a different era of ambition while embracing the neighborhood’s character.

For Stevens, meeting Wynn was more than a handshake with a celebrated casino developer. Wynn’s work had helped inspire his own journey in Las Vegas. And for Wynn to recognize Stevens in return made the exchange feel less like a formal introduction and more like a passing of the city’s spirit between generations.

One visionary helped reshape the Las Vegas Strip. Another is helping bring new energy to Downtown Las Vegas. On Thursday night, in a Golden Nugget showroom steeped in Las Vegas history, the two finally met, and the city got a full-circle moment worthy of the neon.

The post A Full-Circle Vegas Moment: Steve Wynn and Derek Stevens Meet Downtown appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

The Las Vegas lineup includes the High Roller Wheel, Shark Reef Aquarium, the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck, Fly LINQ Zipline and Big Bus Las Vegas. It also includes a new pass built around one of the city’s most talked-about productions, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.

One pass, straight to the gate

FunPass keeps Vegas trip planning in one place. Tickets are saved to the traveler’s mobile wallet, so there is no juggling of booking confirmations or reservation emails. At each attraction, a quick QR code scan gets guests in, letting them head straight to the gate when they arrive.

“Vacation time is valuable, and no one wants to spend it researching attractions or juggling multiple reservation emails,” said Allison Click, vice president and business unit leader of pass products and packaged solutions at EBG. “FunPass makes it easy to experience the best of a destination with one simple pass, giving travelers the flexibility, convenience, and value to focus on enjoying their trip and creating unforgettable memories.”

From the High Roller to The Wizard of Oz at Sphere

FunPass offers several ways to build a Vegas trip. Travelers can choose a two- or three-attraction pass. Passes start at $69 for adults and go up to $159.

The newest option is The Wizard of Oz at Sphere pass, which pairs the film experience with two more Las Vegas attractions. The Wizard of Oz at Sphere remasters the classic film for the venue’s wraparound screen, with spectacular visuals, sounds and effects. The pass is priced at $159 for adults and $154 for children ages 3 to 12, which FunPass says saves up to $139 compared with buying the tickets separately.

For visitors who want to spend an evening at a show, the Las Vegas Show pass pairs one headline show with two Las Vegas attractions for $154 for adults, with savings of up to $170. Shows in FunPass’s Las Vegas lineup include Mystère by Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, VEGAS! The Show and V – The Ultimate Variety Show.

Where to get it

The Las Vegas FunPass is sold at funpass.com. Las Vegas was among FunPass’s first markets when the attractions pass launched this summer, alongside New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oahu. The company recently added an Atlanta pass and plans to expand to other cities in the coming months.

The post FunPass Lands in Las Vegas: One Digital Pass for the Strip’s Top Attractions appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Carrot Top’s Las Vegas Stage Comeback Set for October 19

Carrot Top shared his message on Instagram on October 17, alongside a photograph of himself smiling onstage. The 61-year-old comedian expressed gratitude for the messages, prayers, and well-wishes he received during his recovery. “Every message, text, and kind thought has meant more to me than you know,” the star comedian shared.

He acknowledged that he couldn’t respond to everyone individually. However, he said the support had made a meaningful difference and thanked followers for standing by him during the difficult period.

The post also confirmed his planned return to performing. Carrot Top has headlined a comedy residency at the Luxor for more than two decades, making him a longtime fixture of the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

His scheduled October 19 performance represents his return following the hospitalization, which led to the cancellation of September shows. His representatives previously said he was receiving medical care and improving, while his family requested privacy.

According to reports, the comedian was released from the hospital in late September and continued his recovery at home after an alleged suicide attempt. His latest Instagram message provided fans with a direct update after weeks of concern about his health.

Luxor and Fans Show Support for Carrot Top

The Luxor Hotel & Casino also expressed support for Carrot Top following news of his hospitalization. In a statement to KLAS, the resort described Thompson as a valued member of the Luxor and MGM Resorts family and said it was relieved to hear that he was recovering.

The resort also shared its wishes for his continued strength as he received care and support. The statement reflected the long-standing relationship between the comedian and the venue where he has built his Las Vegas residency.

His public statement followed earlier updates from his representatives, who confirmed that he was recovering with support from family and loved ones. They had offered limited details about his condition and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy.

Carrot Top’s Comedy Career Spans Nearly Four Decades

Carrot Top rose to prominence in the 1990s after appearing on the television talent competition “Star Search.” His appearance on “The Tonight Show” in 1995 helped introduce his prop-based comedy to a wider audience.

Known for combining physical comedy with inventive props, Thompson went on to build a career across live performance and television. He has also made appearances in scripted productions, including the comedy series “Hacks” in 2024.

His Las Vegas residency at the Luxor began in 2005. Over the years, the show has remained a central part of his professional career, drawing audiences to see his distinctive approach to stand-up comedy.

In a 2023 appearance on the “Whiskey Ginger” podcast, Carrot Top discussed his interest in writing material and testing new jokes during performances. He explained that experimenting onstage helped him continue developing his craft.

The post Carrot Top Breaks Silence, Thanks Fans Ahead of Las Vegas Stage Comeback appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Slide Dealing at Iconic Strip Resort Aims to Prevent Cheating

The Venetian’s poker room has introduced slide dealing, replacing the traditional practice of tossing cards through the air toward players. The change aims to strengthen game security amid growing concerns about increasingly compact camera technology.

With traditional card pitching, a dealer throws each card face down toward a player’s seat. However, a card can briefly lift or turn during the movement. That moment may expose its face to someone positioned to capture the image.

Slide dealing changes that process. Instead of throwing cards through the air, dealers push them across the table’s felt while keeping them close to the surface. This reduces opportunities for players or concealed cameras to capture a glimpse of cards that should remain private.

Tommy LaRosa, the resort’s director of poker operations, told PokerNews that the method reduces the possibility of cards becoming exposed during the deal. He also described it as an additional layer of security intended to protect the integrity of games.

Dealers Received Training Before The New Method

The transition required more than changing how cards move across the table. LaRosa said the poker room began evaluating slide dealing earlier in 2026 as part of its efforts to strengthen game protection. “As technology continues to evolve, we felt it was important to be proactive and adopt a dealing method that helps safeguard the player experience,” he added.

Before introducing the procedure on the floor, management trained dealers and gave them time to practise the technique. The aim was to make the adjustment manageable for employees and players while maintaining consistent dealing procedures.

LaRosa acknowledged that both groups would need time to adapt. However, he told the publication that initial feedback had been positive. The poker room boss added, “Ultimately, anything that helps strengthen game integrity is something many players appreciate,” noting that protecting the integrity of games remained a priority for the room.

The Venetian’s decision follows a similar move at South Point, a Las Vegas property located south of the Strip. South Point began training dealers in slide dealing earlier, bringing the method into discussion among local poker players and industry observers.

The Venetian’s adoption shows a notable change for Strip poker operations. However, it remains unclear whether other major Las Vegas poker rooms will introduce the same procedure.

Poker Community Divided Over Slide Dealing

Reaction to the change has included support from professional players, alongside questions about how the method could affect the pace of games. Poker professional Matt Berkey publicly acknowledged the transition, describing the resort as the first major poker room on the Strip to fully adopt slide dealing.

Berkey shared his thoughts on social media, lauding the strategy and acknowledging how well it was doing. His comments reflected a wider discussion about whether the technique could become more common in American poker rooms.

Per Poker News, poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu has also supported the approach. He said the method would make cheating more difficult, reducing the appeal for anyone attempting to gain an unfair advantage.

Some players, meanwhile, have raised concerns that slide dealing could initially slow the number of hands dealt per hour. Dealers must adjust their movements, and the technique may take time to become routine.

The change comes amid broader industry discussion about protecting private card information during live games. By keeping cards closer to the table, slide dealing aims to limit accidental exposure without relying solely on detecting suspicious devices.

The post Iconic Strip Resort Ditches Traditional Poker Dealing To Combat High-Tech Cheating appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Keffe D Sentenced for Tupac Shakur Murder

Judge Carli Kierny sentenced Davis, 63, after a jury convicted him in August of first-degree murder involving the use of a deadly weapon. The sentence carries credit for time he has already served, according to CBS News.

Prosecutors had charged Davis with murder involving a deadly weapon, with an allegation that the crime promoted, furthered, or assisted a criminal gang. They later said the state would dismiss the gang-related portion of the charge.

During the sentencing hearing, Davis briefly addressed the court. He asked for some belongings seized by police from his home, including photographs, to be returned. He told the judge he had nothing further to say.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said the sentence brought a measure of justice for Shakur and his loved ones. He also acknowledged that prison time could not bring the rapper back, while expressing hope that the outcome would offer some peace to his family after nearly three decades.

How Prosecutors Connected Davis to Tupac Shakur’s Death

Shakur was shot while sitting in a vehicle at a Las Vegas intersection on September 7, 1996. He died six days later at age 25. Music executive Marion “Suge” Knight, who was in the vehicle with him, also suffered injuries but survived.

The investigation remained unresolved for years. Davis later spoke publicly about his presence in the white Cadillac that investigators linked to the shooting. He also discussed his involvement in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend.”

Prosecutors argued that Davis helped orchestrate the attack as retaliation for an earlier altercation involving his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, and Shakur’s associates. Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told jurors that Davis and others sought revenge after the confrontation.

According to the prosecution, four men were inside the Cadillac. Davis was the only surviving occupant by the time authorities arrested him in 2023. Anderson, whom prosecutors linked to the earlier altercation, died in 1998.

Defense Challenged Evidence in the Decades-Long Case

Davis pleaded not guilty and challenged the prosecution’s account throughout the trial. His attorney, Michael Sanft, argued that Davis’ statements were not supported by tangible evidence placing him in Las Vegas on the night of the shooting.

The defense also challenged the use of Davis’ memoir as evidence. Prosecutors, however, relied on his public accounts and other statements to support their case.

The jury found Davis guilty in August, making the verdict a turning point in one of hip-hop’s most closely followed murder investigations. The sentencing now establishes the prison term following that conviction.

Shakur remains an influential figure in hip-hop, known for music that addressed social issues, street life, and personal struggles. His killing became one of the most widely discussed cases in music history, with questions surrounding the shooting persisting for nearly 30 years.

The post Tupac Shakur Murder: Keffe D Sentenced to 40 Years to Life in Las Vegas appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Nevada’s Modified Comparative Negligence Standard

Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence system under Nevada Revised Statutes Section 41.141, allowing an injured party to recover damages as long as their own fault does not exceed 50 percent, with any award reduced proportionally by their percentage of responsibility. A plaintiff found 51 percent or more at fault for an accident is barred from recovery entirely, making the threshold question of fault allocation a central strategic consideration in contested Las Vegas personal injury cases.

This framework places significant weight on how thoroughly evidence is developed following an incident, since insurance carriers routinely investigate potential comparative fault theories that could push a claimant’s assigned responsibility toward or past the critical 51 percent threshold. Given Las Vegas’s high volume of tourism-related incidents, cases frequently involve visitors unfamiliar with local traffic patterns or property layouts, a factor that defense counsel sometimes attempts to characterize as contributory negligence on the injured party’s part.

Tourism-Related Premises Liability Claims

Las Vegas’s hospitality industry, encompassing dozens of major resort properties along the Strip and throughout the valley, generates a substantial volume of premises liability claims involving slip and falls, inadequate security, swimming pool incidents, and similar hazards arising at hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues. Nevada premises liability law generally requires establishing that a property owner knew or reasonably should have known about a hazardous condition before an injury occurred, a standard that applies with particular relevance given the scale and complexity of Las Vegas resort properties.

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the resort corridor welcomes tens of millions of visitors each year, a volume that inherently produces a meaningful number of premises liability incidents given the sheer scale of foot traffic across casino floors, pool decks, and hotel common areas throughout the valley.

Rideshare and Pedestrian Accidents Along the Strip

Las Vegas Boulevard and the surrounding resort corridor present a distinctive traffic environment, combining heavy pedestrian volume with substantial rideshare and taxi activity serving visitors moving between properties. This combination has produced a recurring pattern of pedestrian accidents and rideshare-related collisions that require navigating both standard motor vehicle liability principles and the specific insurance frameworks that govern rideshare platforms operating in Nevada.

Rideshare accident claims involve particular complexity around insurance coverage, since the applicable policy and coverage limits can vary significantly depending on whether a driver was actively transporting a passenger, en route to a pickup, or simply logged into the app awaiting a ride request at the time of an incident.

Sweet James Las Vegas personal injury represents injured clients across Las Vegas, handling matters spanning premises liability at resort properties, pedestrian and rideshare accidents along the Strip corridor, and traditional motor vehicle collisions throughout the valley. A firm representative noted that visitor cases present distinctive challenges: “A lot of our Las Vegas clients aren’t from here, and they often don’t know what to do immediately after an accident, especially with a flight home already booked. We work to make sure evidence gets preserved and documented properly even when the client themselves isn’t going to be in town to help gather it personally.”

Practical Steps Following a Las Vegas Accident

Documenting the scene of any accident thoroughly, including photographs of the specific conditions involved, whether that’s a hazardous walkway, an intersection, or vehicle damage, creates a factual record that proves valuable regardless of whether a claimant remains in Las Vegas or returns home shortly after an incident. Obtaining a copy of any police report, and identifying witnesses who may have limited time in the city themselves before departing, similarly strengthens a claim’s foundation.

Nevada’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the incident, providing a workable window even for visitors who may need time after returning home to fully understand the scope of their injuries and evaluate their legal options.

Understanding Nevada’s Insurance Requirements

Nevada requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, though as in most states, these minimums often prove insufficient to fully compensate victims of serious collisions. Given the substantial volume of out-of-state and rental vehicle traffic in Las Vegas, understanding how insurance coverage actually applies, including any rental car company coverage, personal auto policy provisions that may extend to rental vehicles, and available uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, becomes particularly important for visitors involved in serious accidents far from home. Many visitors are also unaware that their home state auto policy may follow them to Nevada and provide coverage even when driving a rental vehicle, a detail worth confirming with an insurance provider before any trip involving driving.

For both Las Vegas residents and the millions of visitors who pass through the city each year, understanding Nevada’s specific legal framework, from its comparative negligence standard to the particular dynamics of resort corridor premises liability and rideshare accidents, provides an essential foundation for protecting a personal injury claim’s full value in one of the country’s most heavily visited entertainment destinations.

The post Las Vegas Personal Injury Claims: A Local Legal Guide appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Las Vegas Best Foodie Cities Ranking Puts It at No. 8

WalletHub gave Las Vegas an overall score of 68.30. The city ranked No. 8 for its cuisine and No. 9 nationally for diversity, accessibility, and quality. It placed No. 77 for affordability.

The study considered factors such as grocery costs, access to highly rated restaurants, food festivals, and the number of food-related businesses available to residents. As a result, the ranking measured more than the number of upscale restaurants in each city.

Las Vegas performed particularly well in several individual categories. The city tied for the highest number of restaurants per capita among the 182 cities studied. It also tied for the highest number of ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita.

Those results helped Las Vegas stand out in a ranking that considers both dining options and the broader food culture of a city.

Vegas Food Scene Competes With Top Culinary Cities

For Las Vegas, the No. 8 ranking places the city ahead of Sacramento and Denver, which finished ninth and 10th. WalletHub said its study was designed to capture the different ways people experience food. That includes dining at restaurants, discovering local flavors, and buying ingredients to prepare meals at home.

On the contrary, Sin City placed behind Miami, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Orlando, and Tampa in the overall rankings. Miami claimed the No. 1 position with a score of 74.62. Portland followed at No. 2, while San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin rounded out the top five. Orlando and Tampa took sixth and seventh place, respectively.

The approach gives cities with broad food options an opportunity to score well even when restaurant prices are not among the lowest in the country. Regardless, it is safe to say locals, tourists, and food lovers are guaranteed to get their money’s worth.

WalletHub Ranking Highlights Las Vegas Dining Variety

The latest recognition comes as Las Vegas continues to draw attention for the breadth of its culinary offerings. According to Yahoo Travel,  the city combines high-end dining with a wide selection of other food options, giving residents and visitors choices across different styles and budgets.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the strongest foodie cities offer experiences that extend beyond traditional fine dining. The study therefore included food trucks, specialty-food stores and other measures of culinary variety.

The 2026 top 10 are Miami, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas, Sacramento and Denver. With its No. 8 finish, Las Vegas joins a group of cities recognized for offering a broad range of food experiences. The result also gives the city another national ranking that highlights its position as a major destination for culinary tourism and dining.

The post Las Vegas Lands Among America’s Best Food Cities in New 2026 Ranking appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Las Vegas Police Arrest Teen After Arts District Shooting

Police said the suspect fled the area before officers arrived. Detectives later identified a 17-year-old as the person believed to be responsible.

Per FOX5, authorities booked the suspect into Clark County Juvenile Hall on charges of murder with a deadly weapon and two counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon. Because the suspect is a juvenile, authorities have not publicly identified him.

According to LVMPD, officers were in the area at about 10:17 p.m. when they heard gunfire. Officers moved into the crowd and found two people with apparent gunshot wounds. Additional officers then located a third injured person.

Medical personnel transported all three victims to a nearby hospital. One person was pronounced dead. The victim was later identified by his stepmother, Tara Rodgers, as Jacobs-Rodgers, a 15-year-old student at Desert Pines High School.

The LVMPD Homicide Section responded after the shooting. Detectives determined that a physical altercation involving several people had taken place before the gunfire.

Surveillance Video Captures First Friday Chaos

New surveillance footage obtained by 8 News Now showed the disruption that followed the shooting. The video came from a camera outside a tattoo business near Main Street and Charleston Boulevard.

The footage showed people running through the area after the gunfire. Some people entered the nearby business and sought shelter inside. A tattoo artist who witnessed the incident described the scene as frightening. The witness asked not to be identified while speaking with the publication.

The shooting also affected nearby businesses. Jimi Mastronardi, who owns Star Las Vegas with his wife, told the station that they were returning to their store when they heard the gunfire. Mastronardi also recalled seeing emergency personnel treating Jacobs-Rodgers.

He later learned that a bullet had damaged the upper portion of his store window. The incident has prompted renewed discussion among some Arts District business owners about how First Friday events could be organized in the future.

First Friday Organizers Review Safety Plans

First Friday organizers said they planned to meet with city officials and police to review the incident and determine how to move forward. The organization previously expressed its condolences after the shooting and said it was committed to developing an appropriate response before planning or announcing future events.

The deadly incident occurred during the 24th anniversary celebration of First Friday, a recurring arts and culture event that brings artists, vendors, musicians, and attendees to the downtown Las Vegas area.

Meanwhile, the LVMPD investigation remains active. The arrest marks a significant development in the case after police initially searched for the person responsible for the shooting.

Jacobs-Rodgers’ family previously described him as a loved member of their family who enjoyed basketball, boxing, video games, and making people laugh. The two other people injured in the shooting survived their injuries, according to police reports.

The post Las Vegas Police Arrest Teen in Deadly First Friday Arts District Shooting appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

LVMPD Investigates First Friday Shooting Las Vegas Incident

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said officers were in the area at about 10:17 p.m. when they heard shots being fired. Officers immediately moved toward the crowd after hearing the gunfire. They found two people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Additional officers then arrived and located a third person who had also been injured.

Medical personnel transported all three victims to a nearby hospital. One person was later pronounced dead. Police said the other two victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The LVMPD Homicide Section responded to the scene and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Detectives determined that a physical altercation involving several people happened before the gunfire.

Police said an unknown male produced a firearm during the altercation and fired at multiple people. The suspect fled the area before officers arrived. The incident prompted a significant police response around the Arts District as investigators worked to establish what happened and identify the person responsible.

Family Identifies Teen Killed During First Friday

The person who died was later identified by his family as 15-year-old Carth Onasi Jacobs-Rodgers, a sophomore at Desert Pines High School. His family told FOX5 that Jacobs-Rodgers was the oldest of nine siblings. His stepmother described him as smart, brave, and strong-willed. She also said he loved his sisters and younger brother and enjoyed making people laugh.

According to his family, Jacobs-Rodgers also enjoyed boxing, basketball, and video games. His death brought renewed attention to the shooting and its impact on the young people and families who were attending First Friday. The two other people injured in the shooting were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.

First Friday Organizers Respond

First Friday Las Vegas issued a statement following the shooting, confirming that gunfire occurred in the vicinity of the event during its final minutes. Organizers said they were grateful for the swift response from Las Vegas police and expressed concern for everyone affected.

The organization also said it would take time to understand the circumstances before determining an appropriate response for future events. “As we navigate waiting for all the details so we can fully understand and process what happened, please know we are committed to doing everything we can in identifying the most thorough and appropriate response possible, which we will provide before the planning or announcement of any future events,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the LVMPD investigation continued as authorities worked to determine the events that led to the shooting. The Clark County Coroner’s Office is expected to release additional information about the victim’s death, including the official cause and manner of death.

The shooting occurred near one of downtown Las Vegas’ recurring arts and culture gatherings, which brings artists, vendors, musicians, and attendees to the Arts District on the first Friday of each month.

The post Heavy Police Presence Follows Deadly First Friday Shooting in Las Vegas Arts District appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

A’ja Wilson Receives Technical After Fever Fan Confrontation

The incident unfolded with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 2 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana led 90-79 when Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was called for a foul on Wilson.

As the players separated, a male spectator seated behind the baseline stood and pointed toward Wilson. Video showed Wilson turning toward the fan and approaching him. She appeared to tell him, “You don’t point at me,” as teammates moved in to separate them.

Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Kierstan Bell were among those who came over during the exchange. Officials assessed Wilson a technical foul after the confrontation. Aces coach Becky Hammon later said she understood the technical was issued because Wilson stepped off the court.

The incident briefly interrupted play during a tense fourth quarter. The Aces were trying to recover from a double-digit deficit, while Indiana sought to even the best-of-three first-round series.

Wilson Says She Felt Disrespected by the Spectator

Speaking to reporters after the game, Wilson explained why she approached the fan. The four-time WNBA MVP said she was walking away after the foul when she saw the spectator pointing and moving toward her.

“I don’t give a d*mn what you said. I don’t give a d*mn how you said it, the tone. That there is unacceptable,” Wilson said. She added that she would not accept someone stepping toward her and pointing at her.

Wilson also acknowledged the technical foul and said she apologized to her teammates. However, she maintained that the exchange crossed a line, regardless of the words or tone involved.

You don’t know me at all,” the three-time WNBA champion emphasized. To come and step toward me and point at me and say anything… You don’t have to like me, you don’t have to love me. You can hate me with all your heart. But you don’t know me. But I guarantee you will respect me.”

Hammon said she did not see the start of the incident but witnessed its aftermath. The coach described Wilson’s reaction as unusual and said the Aces star clearly “felt very disrespected.” Hammon also said she did not believe such conduct belonged in an arena.

The Indiana Fever issued a statement following the game. The team said arena security spoke with the spectator and witnesses after receiving a report about a comment directed toward a player. Security determined that the fan had not violated the Fan Code of Conduct and was not removed from the arena. This clarified earlier reporting that suggested the spectator had been escorted out.

Fever Even Playoff Series With 99-89 Victory

The confrontation came during Indiana’s 99-89 win, which tied the first-round series at one game apiece and forced a decisive Game 3 in Las Vegas. Caitlin Clark led the Fever with 27 points and 15 assists, helping Indiana stay ahead through the closing minutes. She fouled out with 2:45 remaining, but the Aces could not complete their comeback.

Wilson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds after recording 38 points and 16 rebounds in the series opener. Las Vegas cut the deficit to five points after Clark’s exit, but Indiana held on to secure the victory.

The game followed another tense meeting between the teams during the regular season. In an August 6 matchup, two courtside spectators voluntarily left after a disruption. The Fever said at the time that security found no official Fan Code of Conduct violation.

With the series tied, the Aces and Fever now head to Las Vegas for the deciding game. The winner will advance to the next round of the WNBA playoffs, while the losing team’s season will end.

The post A’ja Wilson Says Fever Fan ‘Disrespected’ Her After Heated Playoff Clash appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Among the familiar faces was Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the strength superstar known for playing Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane on Game of Thrones. Staying at Circa during Olympia week, Björnsson made time for a surprise visit to owner Derek Stevens’ office, where he popped into an executive meeting simply to say hello.

An ordinary meeting suddenly had a larger-than-life guest. Even Stevens, who stands six feet tall, looked small beside Björnsson. For a resort accustomed to hosting big personalities, the unexpected appearance still made for a memorable moment.

The championship energy continued at Barry’s, where Mr. Olympia winner Nick Walker stopped in following his big victory. Walker posed with his medal alongside chef Barry Dakake and Yassine Lyoubi, bringing some hardware to his celebratory dinner. After the demanding preparation that comes with stepping onto bodybuilding’s biggest stage, the evening offered a chance to refuel and savor the accomplishment.

Four-time Olympia 212 champion Keone Pearson also joined the steakhouse’s lineup of accomplished guests. Pearson dined with his fiancée, IFBB Pro powerlifter Amanda Kohatsu, adding a power-couple appearance to the festivities. With champions gathering around its tables, Barry’s had plenty of muscle behind its reputation as a destination for victory celebrations.

The Las Vegas Raiders brought their own winning spirit to the restaurant after a victory in New Orleans. The following night, Fernando Mendoza, Brock Bowers, Dylan Laube, Tyler Linderbaum, AJ Cole, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Tre Tucker and Michael Mayer gathered for dinner, taking their postgame celebration from the road back to Las Vegas.

The fun extended beyond the dining room. After their meals, the players headed into the kitchen for photos with Dakake and Lyoubi. Some of their wives and girlfriends joined in, making the visit a celebration shared with teammates, loved ones and the restaurant’s hosts.

From Olympia medals to a Raiders road win, the recent visits gave Barry’s a guest list worthy of its own highlight reel. The athletes compete in different arenas, but their celebrations led to the same downtown destination. At Circa, championship appetites found a fitting place to land, and Barry’s was ready to welcome them to the table.

The post Champions Take Their Celebrations to Barry’s Downtown Prime in Las Vegas appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Johnny Depp Bites Decorative Leaves at Drink Las Vegas

The 63-year-old actor attended the Las Vegas event on Saturday, September 26, and posed for photographers at Park MGM. Depp wore a black waistcoat, a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, and orange-tinted sunglasses. He also accessorized with a loosely tied bandana and several rings.

Video published by TMZ shows Depp holding a glass as he stands in front of a photo backdrop covered in artificial greenery. During the photo opportunity, he turns toward the decorative hedge and bites off a leaf with his teeth.

Depp then chews the foliage briefly before spitting it out. However, the moment does not end there. The actor returns to the backdrop and takes another bite, this time pulling away a larger stem with several leaves attached.

He then faces the cameras with the greenery hanging from his mouth and raises his glass. Photographers continue capturing the moment as Depp poses in front of the display. The footage does not establish whether he swallowed any of the decorative material.

The Actor’s Las Vegas Appearance Draws Attention

The video quickly made rounds across social media after Depp’s appearance at the four-day Drink Las Vegas festival, which ran from September 24 to 27. The event featured programming across MGM Resorts properties, including Park MGM, Bellagio, ARIA, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Depp’s unexpected interaction with the backdrop became a notable moment from the appearance. Reports described him as appearing to be in good spirits while posing for photographers and interacting with the decorative display. The footage shows him returning to the greenery after the first bite rather than immediately leaving the photo area.

The incident also drew attention because of Depp’s distinctive outfit and the unusual setting. Instead of simply standing in front of the step-and-repeat wall, he used its artificial foliage as part of the photo opportunity. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star also appeared to be in good spirits, indicating he was just having a goofy moment.

Johnny Depp Has Several Film Projects in the Works

The Las Vegas appearance comes as Depp prepares for the release of new screen projects. The actor stars in Day Drinker, a thriller directed by Marc Webb that also features Madelyn Cline and Penélope Cruz. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 26, 2027.

In July, Depp made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to promote Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. He appeared in character as Ebenezer Scrooge, wearing prosthetics, facial hair, and costume details that transformed his familiar appearance. The project offers a new take on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story.

Meanwhile, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said in August that he was speaking with Depp about a possible return to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Bruckheimer told Deadline that discussions were underway and that the team was working on a screenplay. However, no finalized casting announcement was included in the information provided.

The post Johnny Depp Turns Drink Las Vegas Photo Call Into Unexpected Leaf-Eating Moment appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Rosas Jr. Secures Fifth-Round TKO in UFC Vegas Main Event

Rosas Jr. (13-1 MMA) overcame a difficult start to defeat Barcelos (22-6) at the Meta APEX on September 26. The 21-year-old Mexican fighter secured the stoppage at 1:38 of the fifth round, extending his winning streak to six consecutive fights.

Barcelos had controlled much of the contest and led on all three judges’ scorecards heading into the final round. Rosas Jr. continued pressing, however, and brought the Brazilian down during a clinch near the cage. Barcelos’ head appeared to strike either the cage or the canvas during the takedown.

Referee Herb Dean immediately stopped the contest after Barcelos appeared to lose consciousness. Rosas Jr. then signaled for the referee’s attention as medical personnel entered the Octagon. Barcelos remained on the canvas before medical staff carried him out on a stretcher. The UFC’s official results confirmed Rosas Jr.’s fifth-round TKO victory by slam.

Raoni Barcelos Hospitalized After UFC Fight Night Loss

The UFC confirmed that Barcelos was transported to a Level 1 trauma center immediately after the fight. Hospital staff performed a CT scan and a comprehensive medical assessment before placing him under observation.

In a statement published Sunday, September 27, the promotion said Barcelos was “stable, alert, responsive, with full movement.” He remained under medical supervision, with the UFC promising further updates as they became available.

Barcelos’ coach, Davi Ramos, also shared a reassuring message on social media late Saturday. “Everything is fine, everyone can stay calm,” Ramos wrote in a post translated from Portuguese.

Rosas Jr. addressed the situation during his post-fight interview inside the Octagon. He asked the crowd to keep Barcelos in their prayers and praised his opponent’s toughness.

“I want everybody tonight to please pray for Raoni Barcelos,” Rosas Jr. said. “Man, he’s a warrior. It takes two to tango.” The fight also earned Fight of the Night honors, according to the UFC’s post-event announcement. The recognition followed four competitive rounds before the decisive fifth-round finish.

UFC Vegas 121 Features Several Notable Finishes

Per Reuters, Rosas Jr.’s victory headlined a card that also featured two The Ultimate Fighter Season 34 finales. In the women’s strawweight final, Brazil’s Tina Black defeated American Melissa Amaya by second-round TKO at 3:19. Black secured the stoppage with strikes to claim the tournament victory.

The bantamweight finale ended in a disqualification. Kyrgyzstan’s Ilimbek Akylbek was awarded the win after Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Osmanli landed an illegal knee while Akylbek was down. The referee stopped the contest at 2:19 of the opening round.

Elsewhere, Luis Hernandez submitted Sedriques Dumas with a guillotine choke early in their light heavyweight bout. Argentina’s Ailin Perez also defeated Brazil’s Norma Dumont by unanimous decision in the women’s bantamweight co-main event.

The post Raul Rosas Jr.’s UFC Vegas Victory Takes Scary Turn After Barcelos Hospitalized appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Vegas 5-Day Sale Brings 180+ Offers

The Vegas 5-Day Sale began Tuesday, September 22, and runs through Saturday, September 26. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) organized the promotion with participating resorts and businesses across the destination.

Travelers can find more than 180 offers through VisitLasVegas.com/5DaySale. The promotion covers resort stays, restaurants, headline entertainment, attractions, nightlife, and wedding packages. Individual offers have their own terms, travel dates, and availability.

“Vegas is where travelers come to trade the expected for the unforgettable,” LVCVA Chief Marketing Officer Kate Wik said. She added that the sale gives visitors more reasons to plan a Las Vegas trip, from resort stays to live entertainment and milestone celebrations.

The hotel offerings span the Strip, downtown, and other areas of Las Vegas. As a result, travelers have several options across different price points and resort categories.

Major Resort Deals Reach Up to 60% Off

Several major resort groups are offering reduced room rates during the promotion. Per KSNV, Caesars Entertainment has discounts of up to 60% at Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and The LINQ Hotel + Experience. Some offers also include food and beverage credits.

MGM Resorts International is offering 50% off room rates at properties including MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur. Meanwhile, ARIA, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Vdara are offering 25% off room rates with a daily food and beverage credit.

Other participating properties also have limited-time offers. SAHARA Las Vegas is offering up to 60% off stays, while Palms Casino Resort has discounts of up to 50% on rooms. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and The Palazzo are offering 33% off two-night stays.

Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas are offering up to 30% off resort rooms and up to 20% off tower suites. Fontainebleau Las Vegas has an offer of up to 20% off rooms with a daily resort credit and free parking.

Entertainment, Dining and Attractions Join Sale

The Vegas 5-Day Sale also extends beyond hotel rooms. Participating businesses are offering discounts on shows, attractions, restaurants, and other experiences.

Caesars Entertainment, for example, has added discounted tickets for select headline performances. The promotion also includes reduced prices on attractions such as the High Roller Observation Wheel and Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck.

Cirque du Soleil productions are also part of the wider entertainment promotion, with discounts available on select shows. Other participating attractions include Allegiant Stadium tours, AREA15 experiences, The Mob Museum and helicopter tours.

Boyd Gaming is offering multi-night packages at several properties, with packages that combine hotel stays with dining credits. Other participants include Resorts World Las Vegas, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, South Point and Station Casinos.

Travelers can review the full list of participating businesses, booking requirements, and individual terms through the official Visit Las Vegas sale page. The promotion ends Saturday, Sept. 26.

The post Las Vegas 5-Day Travel Sale Returns With Major 180+ Deals Across Resorts appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Oprah Winfrey’s AHA Comes to Sphere

“Oprah Winfrey’s AHA” will debut at Sphere in Las Vegas from April 2-4, 2027. The two-hour experience will run for one weekend, with four performances scheduled across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Winfrey will appear live on stage throughout the production. She will be joined by seven-time Grammy Award winner Jacob Collier, poet and author Ocean Vuong, musician Ajeet, and gospel singer Wintley Phipps. Additional guests are also expected.

According to the show’s official announcement, the production is designed as a visual and musical experience built around light, sound, music, storytelling, nature, and shared humanity. Sphere describes it as a new “visual, musically immersive symphony of senses.”

The project was inspired by Winfrey’s first experience at Sphere during U2’s 2023 opening performance at the venue. She said the technology and scale of the space made her consider how it could be used for an experience focused on awareness, connection, and self-discovery.

The High-Tech Vision Behind AHA

Winfrey has described her reaction to Sphere as a major “aha” moment. In an announcement video, she recalled being “blown away” by the venue’s combination of sound and images. “My first time at Sphere, I was blown away by this high-tech marvel of sound and images.” 

That experience led her to imagine using Sphere’s technology to create an immersive journey that moves between large-scale visuals and more personal themes. The production will use Sphere’s wraparound LED display and advanced audio system to place audiences inside the visual and musical environment.

The creative team brings together artists from music, film, theater, and visual design. Oscar-nominated composer Max Richter serves as musical director and provides original music. Grammy-winning musician and vocal director Jason White and Grammy-nominated electronic artist Jon Hopkins are also part of the project.

Oscar-winning Moonlight screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney is handling the writing. Artist Es Devlin will contribute original works, while Ethan Tobman directs and Baz Halpin produces. The production also includes work from the Plum Village Monks.

Four Shows Set for April 2027

Oprah Winfrey’s AHA is currently scheduled for four performances. The first will take place Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. A second show is scheduled for Saturday, April 3, at 8 p.m. Two performances will follow on Sunday, April 4, at noon and 6 p.m.

The production marks another expansion of Sphere’s programming beyond conventional concerts. The venue opened in 2023 with U2 and has since hosted major music acts and immersive productions, including “The Wizard of Oz.” Its programming has also expanded into sporting events.

Tickets for Oprah Winfrey’s AHA start at $145. General public sales are scheduled to begin Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, while presale registration is already available through the show’s official site.

For Winfrey, the project brings together themes that have featured throughout her career. She has described the production as a culmination of ideas she has explored for years, now presented through the technology and scale of Sphere.

The post Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Aha’ Brings Her High-Tech Vision to Las Vegas Sphere appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Illinois Tourist Wins Six-Figure Vegas Jackpot

According to Westgate Las Vegas, the visitor spent the afternoon at the property and was playing a two-cent Wizard of Oz slot machine. The guest placed a $4.80 wager and made several spins before triggering the statewide progressive jackpot.

The casino said the visitor had initially planned to stop playing after two unsuccessful spins. He was reportedly preparing to leave and visit Benihana instead. However, he decided to make one more spin.

That final spin produced the jackpot. The winning payout totaled $374,443.83, turning an ordinary afternoon at the property into a major Las Vegas casino win.

The winner chose not to disclose his name. Westgate said he celebrated the payout with fellow guests and members of the casino’s team on the gaming floor. The casino also shared a humorous description of the aftermath, saying the winner spent the rest of the evening pointing toward the machine and smiling.

Westgate Las Vegas Jackpot Follows Final Spin

Cami Christensen, president and general manager of Westgate Las Vegas, said the property’s team was pleased to see the Illinois visitor receive the payout. “Seeing a guest hit a jackpot like this never gets old,” Christensen said in a statement released by the resort. She added that the guest’s three spins had turned a $4.80 wager into more than $374,000.

The Wizard of Oz slot machine title belongs to a long-running series of casino games. WMS Gaming originally developed the franchise for casino floors. WMS later became part of Scientific Games, while its casino gaming business now operates as Light & Wonder.

Light & Wonder continues to release Wizard of Oz titles through the WMS gaming lineage. The company has developed several versions based on the classic story and its characters.

The Westgate jackpot came several months after another major Wizard of Oz payout at Hard Rock Atlantic City. In that case, a Florida woman reportedly won more than $1 million after playing a different Wizard of Oz machine.

Westgate Has Recorded Other Major Jackpots

The latest payout also follows another major jackpot at Westgate earlier this year. On June 16, the resort reported a $10,292,912.32 payout to a visitor from Atlanta who hit an IGT Megabucks Wolf Run Eclipse progressive slot jackpot.

Westgate said that the winner had been playing for roughly three minutes before the jackpot was awarded. The winning wager was reportedly $5. The property described that payout as one of the largest slot jackpots in its history. The September jackpot was considerably smaller, but it still placed the Illinois visitor among recent guests to receive a substantial progressive payout at the Las Vegas resort.

Progressive jackpots can vary based on the specific game and linked machines. The amount displayed on a progressive game can increase as qualifying wagers are made, although individual game rules determine how a jackpot is triggered.

The post Illinois Tourist Nearly Walked Away Before Six-Figure Vegas Jackpot appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

The Las Vegas litigator is back with his biggest philanthropic swing yet — $100,000 for Nevada charities, $100,000 for Arizona charities, and a public vote that puts the payout in the community’s hands

Steve Dimopoulos has built a career on taking on powerful defendants on behalf of everyday people. Now, for the fourth year running, he’s putting real money behind a different kind of fight — and letting the public call the shots.

Dimopoulos Law Firm has relaunched its $100K Charity Giveaway, committing $100,000 to Nevada nonprofits and $100,000 to Arizona nonprofits, a combined $200,000 in guaranteed donations. Six organizations are in the running, three per state, and every single one is walking away with a check. The only question public voters will decide is how big.

THE PEOPLE VOTE. DIMOPOULOS LAW DONATES.

The voting is currently live, allowing users to head to 100KGiveaway.com and cast a vote for their favorite charity in either state. Voting runs through October 31 at 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific, with results announced December 1 after votes are verified.

In Nevada, the field includes Make-A-Wish Nevada, GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas, and The Shade Tree, a shelter and support organization for women and children fleeing homelessness or domestic violence. In Arizona, voters will choose among Phoenix Children’s Foundation, GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, and the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children.

Each state’s charities are ranked separately, against only the other nonprofits in their own state. First place in each state takes home $50,000, second place gets $30,000, and third place still walks away with $20,000. If charities tie, they’ll split the combined prize money for their shared positions evenly. No matter how the votes shake out, the full $100,000 per state is guaranteed to be distributed.

Voting is free and open to any eligible U.S. resident 18 or older, one vote per person per day, with no purchase, payment, donation, survey, or marketing signup required anywhere in the process. Voters don’t receive a personal prize either — every dollar goes straight to the charities.

MORE THAN A CHECK: A SPOTLIGHT ON EVERY CHARITY

For Dimopoulos, the giveaway isn’t just about writing checks. It’s personal.

“No one should have to face their hardest days alone,” said Steve Dimopoulos, founder of Dimopoulos Law Firm. “Our message for this campaign is simple: Together We Win. These charities do extraordinary work, and we want more people to know about it. If this campaign helps a family find support, brings a charity a new volunteer, or inspires someone else to give, its impact can continue long after we’ve delivered the checks.”

That philosophy shows up in the fine print of the campaign, too. Beyond the $200,000 in donations, Dimopoulos Law is separately funding paid promotional campaigns for all six participating charities, covering social media advertising, radio spots, and sponsorships with local radio personalities, at no cost to any of the organizations. The idea is to give each nonprofit a bigger spotlight than a single donation check ever could, helping them reach new donors and volunteers long after the giveaway wraps.

A GROWING TRADITION

The $100K Charity Giveaway is now in its fourth year, and it’s become a defining piece of how Dimopoulos Law Firm shows up in the community — not just as legal representation, but as a firm willing to put real dollars and decision-making power directly into the public’s hands.

To learn more about the participating charities, cast a vote starting September 21, or review the official rules, visit 100KGiveaway.com.

The post Steve Dimopoulos Puts $200K In The Public’s Hands: Dimopoulos Law Firm Returns With Fourth Annual Charity Giveaway, And Voters Decide Who Gets Paid appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Carrot Top Awake And Continuing To Improve

Carrot Top, whose real name is Scott Thompson, remains hospitalized and under close medical care. However, his representative says the longtime Las Vegas comedian is now awake and breathing on his own.

Per Page Six, Jami Schlicher provided the latest update days after the heartbreaking news about the comedian. She said Thompson is continuing to improve and remains surrounded by his family and those closest to him.

Schlicher also said Carrot Top has maintained his sense of humor during his hospital stay. According to his representative, he has shared moments of humor with members of the medical staff caring for him.

“Humor has always been such an important part of who Scott is and how he connects with people,” Schlicher said in the statement. She added that the comedian has also received messages from fans during his recovery.

Fans Rally Behind the Las Vegas Comedian

Messages from fans have included personal stories about the impact of Carrot Top’s comedy. Schlicher said some people shared accounts of how his work helped them through difficult periods in their lives. “Hearing those stories and feeling that support has meant a great deal to him during his recovery,” she said.

Thompson has built a long career around prop comedy and live performances. His distinctive stage persona helped make him a familiar name in American comedy during the 1990s.

He later became closely associated with Las Vegas. In 2005, he began his long-running residency at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The show has since become a major part of his career. The comedian’s hospitalization has now affected his scheduled performances at the venue.

Extortion Allegations Come Amid News of Carrot Top’s Attempted Suicide

While the focus remains on the comedian’s recovery, newer updates on the heart-wrenching situation show that Carrot Top allegedly faced blackmail behind closed doors. According to court documents that the entertainer’s attorney filed, he faced extortion after being threatened with certain sexually explicit content.

Brian Evans, a former opener for Carrot Top, is reportedly at the center of the issue. According to Bitman’s filing in Broward County, Florida, Evans “demands immediate payment of significant sums and states that, absent immediate payment, a sexually explicit recording of Thompson will be filed in the public court file…”

The court filing also contained an email from Evans to Bitman demanding $500,000 “in exchange for resolution of all claims” against Carrot Top. However, Evans countered the claims in a statement to Page Six, revealing that the content of the court filings was “intended to be confidential.”

Regarding Carrot Top’s upcoming shows and recovery, several events have been canceled while he remains under medical care. Thompson has been a fixture of the Las Vegas entertainment scene for more than two decades.

The post Carrot Top Is ‘Awake’ and on the Mend Following Heartbreaking Hospitalization appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Lafuente recently made her way to the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa to sign up for the popular season-long contest, purchasing two entries and making her first selections before heading across the country for New York Fashion Week.

With a social media reach of more than 5 million followers, Lafuente has built a sizable audience around her lifestyle, modeling, and entertainment content. More recently, she has begun bringing fans into another part of her life: gambling.

Through her growing Mika Gambles channels on Instagram and YouTube, Lafuente takes followers along as she plays table games and slots at casinos around the country, including Station Casinos and Circa. The content offers her audience a look at the casino experience through the perspective of someone already well known in the social media and fashion worlds.

Her decision to enter Circa Survivor takes that interest in gaming into a new arena and gives her millions of followers a season-long storyline to follow.

Circa Survivor has become one of the signature football contests at Circa Sports, drawing participants to Las Vegas each year for a deceptively simple challenge: pick one winning pro football team each week. Contestants cannot select the same team twice during the season, and a single losing pick eliminates an entry.

For Lafuente, having two entries means two opportunities to navigate the season, but the pressure begins immediately. Every week requires another decision, with the pool of available teams shrinking as the season goes on.

And her Circa Survivor debut comes during an especially busy stretch in her career.

After locking in her first week of selections at Circa, Lafuente traveled to New York City for New York Fashion Week, where she returned to the runway after three years away. She walked with Runway 7 Fashion and appeared for Creators Inc. and CIS Swimwear, with clips and photos from her runway return generating attention across Instagram and TikTok.

The quick transition from making football picks in Las Vegas to walking a runway in New York highlights the increasingly varied world Lafuente has created for her online audience.

Now, football adds another element.

As the season progresses, followers of Mika Gambles will be able to see whether Lafuente can translate her enthusiasm for casino gaming into a deep run in one of Las Vegas’ most closely followed football contests.

Circa Survivor is known for creating dramatic moments throughout the season, particularly as major upsets eliminate large portions of the field in a single weekend. With no second chances after a losing selection, even heavily favored teams can bring an entry’s season to an abrupt end.

For an influencer accustomed to millions of eyes watching her next move, that pressure could make for compelling content.

Lafuente’s entry also represents another crossover between the traditional sports betting audience and a new generation of digital creators documenting their Las Vegas experiences for massive online followings.

One week, she may be walking a runway in New York. The next, she’ll be watching the scoreboard to see if her Circa Survivor selections keep her alive.

And with two entries now officially in the contest, Mika Lafuente has another reason to keep coming back to Las Vegas.

The post Social Media Star Mika Lafuente Enters Circa Survivor, Bringing Millions of Followers Along for the Ride appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Announced Wednesday, the multi-year agreement names Circa Resort & Casino and Circa Sports as the A’s first Founding Partner, as well as an Official Resort and Sportsbook of the Athletics and the future Las Vegas Athletics Ballpark. The partnership marks another major step toward the club’s planned 2028 debut in Las Vegas.

For Circa CEO Derek Stevens, a lifelong baseball fan and longtime advocate for bringing Major League Baseball to Las Vegas, the partnership represents an opportunity to help shape the fan experience surrounding the city’s newest professional sports franchise.

At the center of the collaboration will be the Circa Dugout Box, an exclusive premium hospitality experience connected directly to the A’s dugout.  Rather than a traditional suite, the space is designed to put guests alongside the action with an up-close view of the players, dugout, and game unfolding on the field.

Circa also plans to introduce “Time of Your Life” seats, available exclusively through Circa hotel packages.  The offering will combine a stay at the downtown Las Vegas resort with a night at the ballpark, creating a new way for visitors to build an A’s game into a Vegas getaway.  Additional details surrounding both experiences are expected ahead of the ballpark’s 2028 opening.  

The partnership brings together organizations led by owners known for taking a personal approach to the fan experience.  Stevens is regularly seen interacting with guests throughout Circa, while A’s owner John Fisher has similarly been known to mingle with fans in the stands during A’s games.  Both share a passion for baseball and a vision for creating an approachable, distinctly Las Vegas experience around the sport.

The deal also builds on Circa’s growing presence in the sports world.  Between its massive three-story sportsbook, Stadium Swim, and Circa Sports’ expanding operations, the downtown resort has positioned sports as a centerpiece of its identity.

With the A’s preparing to establish their permanent home in Las Vegas, the partnership gives Circa a prominent role from the beginning, connecting downtown Las Vegas hospitality with the city’s next major chapter in professional sports.

The post A’s and Circa Make It Official With Major Las Vegas Partnership appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Las Vegas Police Officer Faces Fraud Scheme Charges

According to an arrest report from the Las Vegas Metroplitan Police Department, investigators allege Chavez and his wife, Claudia Guzman-Marquez, took part in a “friendly fraud” chargeback scheme between May 25 and Aug. 3, 2026. The alleged operation involved purchases made in Las Vegas and California.

Investigators say the couple used their own credit cards to buy gift cards and luxury goods. The items allegedly included Louis Vuitton handbags, Apple electronics, and designer clothing. They then disputed the transactions with their banks while keeping the merchandise, according to the report.

The investigation reportedly began after store employees became suspicious of large gift card purchases. Investigators later compared credit card records with surveillance footage, photographs, witness accounts, and other information. The evidence allegedly placed Chavez and Guzman-Marquez near locations connected to transactions they later disputed.

Alleged Credit Card Fraud Involved False Reports

The arrest report also alleges that Chavez and Guzman-Marquez falsely claimed their wallets or cards had been stolen. In one reported incident, Chavez said a fanny pack containing his credit cards was stolen while he was eating lunch. Records cited by investigators showed a purchase of more than $8,000 on one of his cards that same day.

Investigators further allege that the couple signed sworn dispute affidavits through online notarization services. The documents were allegedly used to support claims that the disputed purchases were unauthorized. Chavez also allegedly filed a false theft report with the Henderson Police Department to support the claims made to a credit card company.

The case includes allegations involving a third person in California. Chavez faces one theft charge involving between $25,000 and $100,000, four counts of burglary of a business, and one count of perjury. The wife faces related allegations, according to court reporting.

Judge Orders Electronic Monitoring Instead of Cash Bail

During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutors requested $100,000 in cash bail, a hearing to verify the source of any bail money, and house arrest. They argued that Chavez posed a concern because he is a law enforcement officer who understands the law.

The defense opposed cash bail. Chavez’s attorney pointed to his age, lack of a criminal history, lack of previous failures to appear, and ties to Nevada. The defense also said he cooperated with investigators and stressed that he is presumed innocent.

Judge Rebecca Saxe declined to require monetary bail. She described the allegations as personally offensive but noted that the charges are nonviolent. Chavez was instead ordered to electronic monitoring and restricted to Clark County while the case proceeds.

Guzman-Marquez, who is six months pregnant, also received GPS monitoring. Both defendants are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. Chavez remains suspended without pay as the investigation continues.

The post Las Vegas Police Officer Arrested on Alleged Fraud Scheme, Burglary, and Perjury Charges appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Las Vegas Strip Buffet Altercation Leads to Arrest

The incident happened April 6 at Encore Las Vegas, where Misakyan and her family were visiting from Southern California. According to bodycam footage, the family stayed at Bellagio before deciding to dine at Wynn.

Wynn security contacted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after surveillance footage reportedly showed Misakyan slapping her husband, Karen Harutyunyan. The couple had been arguing over a phone, according to the arrest report. Harutyunyan, who spoke Russian, told officers they were dealing with family problems.

LVMPD officers arrived at Encore at about 7:37 p.m. The situation became tense as officers spoke with the family. Misakyan was later taken from the property on a stretcher after reporting high blood pressure and difficulty breathing. She was transported to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada before being taken into custody.

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office ultimately declined to pursue the domestic battery charge. However, the case still had immigration consequences for Misakyan.

Tourist’s Las Vegas Strip Tussle Brings ICE Involvement

Misakyan reportedly had a pending asylum case when she was arrested. ICE officials subsequently took custody of her while she was in detention.

An ICE spokesperson revealed to KLAS that ICE Salt Lake City officers arrested Misakyan, 28, at the Clark County Detention Center on April 8. She was later transferred to the Henderson Detention Center before moving to the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility in California.

According to ICE, Misakyan accepted voluntary departure and left the United States for Armenia on July 4. Therefore, while reports have described the outcome as deportation, the agency characterized the case as voluntary departure.

The immigration proceedings followed the local domestic battery arrest. LVMPD provided its policy regarding notifications to ICE. The policy says the department’s Detention Services Division notifies ICE when certain foreign-born individuals are arrested and charged with offenses that include domestic violence.

Misakyan also filed a federal habeas petition in May while detained, according to subsequent reporting. However, she later dropped the legal action before the court ruled on the merits.

Wynn Buffet Incident Ends With Departure to Armenia

The original incident began as a family dispute during a Las Vegas vacation. Bodycam footage showed officers questioning Harutyunyan after Wynn security contacted police.

Harutyunyan told officers that his wife had slapped him following an argument. Meanwhile, Misakyan’s daughter questioned officers during the arrest. Officers told the family that Misakyan was being held under Nevada’s domestic violence procedures.

Wynn Las Vegas declined to comment on the incident while referring to LVMPD for information. The police department also declined to comment specifically on Misakyan’s arrest but provided its policies concerning ICE notifications.

Misakyan ultimately spent about three months in immigration detention before leaving the country. ICE confirmed that she was removed to Armenia on July 4 after accepting voluntary departure.

The post Las Vegas Strip Buffet Altercation Ends With Tourist’s Deportation appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Allegiant Stadium Renovation Gets $75M Approval

The Stadium Authority approved the funding, advancing plans for a redesigned North Entry area at Allegiant Stadium. The project will address congestion around one of the venue’s busiest access points, particularly during major sporting events and concerts.

The approved money will come from the Waterfall Residual Fund. The fund is part of the stadium’s financing structure established under Nevada Senate Bill 1. It can support early stadium debt retirement, capital improvements, and infrastructure connected to the stadium. The approval does not create a new tax or require an additional allocation of general public dollars. The Raiders will cover the remaining project costs.

Raiders owner Mark Davis thanked the Stadium Authority for its partnership. He said the organization remains committed to keeping Allegiant Stadium a major destination for Las Vegas and Raider Nation.

Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan also highlighted the planned improvements. She said the changes will improve access to and from the venue, traffic flow and rideshare operations. The goal, she said, is to “ultimately create a better overall experience” for fans and the community.

North Entry Set for Major Overhaul

The North Entry has become an important pressure point as Allegiant Stadium has attracted increasingly large crowds. Many visitors approach the venue from the Las Vegas Strip using the Hacienda Bridge. During high-attendance events, that route can create heavy pedestrian congestion.

The proposed redesign, led by architecture firm Grimshaw, will add several new features. A raised pedestrian deck will connect the West Hacienda Avenue overpass with the stadium’s northern gate. The elevated walkway will give pedestrians a more direct route between the Strip and the stadium.

Below the pedestrian deck, the project will include transportation improvements. According to Fox5Vegas, a dedicated pickup and drop-off area is planned to improve vehicle circulation and rideshare operations. Plans also include a potential future station connecting with The Boring Company’s tunnel network.

Another major element will be a large canopy covering the entry plaza. The structure will provide shade for visitors waiting to enter the stadium. It could also accommodate smaller concerts, activations, and community events.

The project’s estimated price tag is approximately $158 million. The Stadium Authority’s approved contribution would cover up to $75 million, while the Raiders will fund the remaining amount.

The Upgrade Targets 2028 Completion

Allegiant Stadium has become a major sports and entertainment venue since opening. According to the Raiders, the stadium has hosted 151 major ticketed events and welcomed more than 7 million attendees during its first six years of operation. Those events have generated an estimated $10.6 billion in economic activity.

The venue has hosted major events including Super Bowl LVIII, WrestleMania, international soccer, championship boxing and concerts. It has also served community purposes, including hosting naturalization ceremonies, high school football championships and serving as an Election Day voting site in 2024.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill described Allegiant Stadium as a critical community asset. He also said maintaining the venue’s position among major stadiums remains a priority as other cities develop competing sports and entertainment facilities.

The post Allegiant Stadium Gets $75M Renovation Upgrade to Create “Better Overall Experience” appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

The question for any category’s first mover is therefore what, if anything, resists replication. In street interview advertising, the answer appears to be two things, neither of which is the format itself.

The first is visual consistency, and it functions differently from conventional brand building. Street Poller Media’s output follows a fixed pattern across every client: yellow subtitles, black font, a specific editing rhythm. Founder Shane Ginsberg has said audiences recognize that signature on sight, independent of which brand commissioned a given video, and that the agency has never deviated from it since inception.

The competitive consequence follows directly. A new entrant does not merely need to copy the format. It needs to displace an association audiences have already formed, and closely imitative creative tends to reinforce whoever established the convention rather than transfer credit to the imitator. Familiarity accrues to the original.

The second advantage is informational and probably more durable. Given the volume of brands the agency has served across crypto, fintech, GLP-1, consumer packaged goods, and political categories, Ginsberg has estimated roughly a ninety-nine percent likelihood that it has already run campaigns for a given prospective client’s direct competitor.

That history materially changes the starting position of a new engagement. The agency is generally not beginning from zero. It possesses a working sense of which hooks, questions, locations, and framings perform in that specific category, derived from campaigns already executed against comparable audiences. A new entrant has no equivalent and no path to acquiring one except through its own trial and error, financed by clients effectively paying for the learning curve.

The two advantages compound in a way worth spelling out. A distributed network of pollers generates new footage and performance data continuously, refining what the organization already understands. Better understanding produces better results, which attracts more clients across more categories, which generates more data. Meanwhile, visual consistency continues to accumulate recognition, and recognition appreciates rather than depreciates.

Neither would matter much alone. A distinctive visual identity without performance data behind it is a style rather than a business. Extensive performance data without recognizable creative produces results audiences do not associate with anything in particular.

The limits are worth stating. Visual consistency generates recognition but constrains creative range, and a format audiences identify instantly is also one they can learn to skip instantly. The data advantage assumes historical category performance predicts future performance, which holds until platform mechanics or audience behavior shift enough to invalidate the patterns.

There is also a scale dependency. Both advantages strengthen with volume and weaken if the operation fragments across multiple visual approaches or spreads too thin across categories to maintain depth in any of them.

The pattern is not unique to advertising. Categories built on unprotectable ideas tend to consolidate around whoever accumulated operational depth earliest, because the barrier is time rather than insight. A competitor can understand precisely what the leader is doing and still require several years of continuous production to arrive at equivalent capability, during which the leader continues accumulating.

That is a slower and less dramatic form of advantage than a proprietary technology or a protected mark, and it is frequently more durable, because there is no single asset a competitor can acquire, license, or design around.

What the case illustrates more generally is that in businesses where the core idea cannot be defended legally, the defensible position tends to be operational. Not the concept, which anyone can attempt, but the accumulated pattern recognition and performance history that only come from having executed it first, consistently, at sufficient scale to have learned things competitors have not yet had the opportunity to learn.

The post Shane Ginsberg, Street Poller Media Founder: In a Category Nobody Can Patent, Consistency Becomes the Asset appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Growing up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, just across the river from Canada, Stevens has many fond memories of visiting many places there and wanted to extend an invitation to welcome Canadians back to Las Vegas. In January, Stevens announced a promotion of “Vegas At Par” where $1 CAD was treated as $1 USD. Guests had the opportunity to book rooms at any of his three properties, the D Las Vegas, Circa Resort & Casino, or Golden Gate, at the At Par rate. This alone saw 8,000 hotel room nights booked during the 8-month-long promotion. In a video posted by Circa’s social media team, Stevens mentioned that there were nights on Fremont Street during this promotion where it felt like it was all Canadians, which makes sense since Vegas At Par welcomed over 120,000 Canadians. Guest numbers for these properties saw an 80% increase over last year, according to Stevens. 

Another component of Vegas At Par was guests being able to redeem up to $500 CAD in slot play. This led to a coin-in of over $20 million. All that was needed to redeem this, and any other part of the At Par offers, was a valid Canadian passport or government-issued ID. We heard a few guests really hit it big, utilizing this. 

Vegas At Par also extended to three bars across Stevens’ properties, where guests were able to purchase beverages At Par multiple times during their stay. Alongside this, Stevens even hosted a free open bar watch party at BarCanada at the D during the Canada vs Morocco World Cup match. He really knew how to cater to his audience and guests for this promotion. 

As if getting to experience these three properties in all of their glory wasn’t enough, we heard that Stevens and his team also extended a free meet-and-greet with Canadian rock band Finger Eleven to all At Par guests who were in town the weekend the band played as part of Fremont Street’s Downtown Rocks free concert series. Guests had the chance to meet the band as well as hang out at BarCanada with the whole Circa team after hearing their set live from the VIP box. Talk about a rocking vacation. 

While some might argue Vegas isn’t what it used to be, one thing is clear: Derek Stevens is working every day to change that and continues to show why Circa should be the go-to for anyone’s next trip to Sin City.

The post New Promotion Brings Elevated Travel Numbers to Downtown Las Vegas appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Kirk Cousins Is Raiders Starting Quarterback for Week 1

Kubiak made the announcement after Wednesday morning’s practice at the Raiders’ headquarters in Henderson. Cousins had remained the expected favorite throughout training camp, but the team waited until after the preseason to formally name its starter.

The 38-year-old quarterback will begin his 15th NFL season as the starter for his fourth franchise. He joined Las Vegas as a free agent in April after spending the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cousins appeared in two preseason games for the Raiders. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Meanwhile, Mendoza played in all three preseason games and finished with 240 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 25-of-45 passing.

“He’s played really good football,” Kubiak said of Cousins, per raiders.com. “Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp. He earned it.”

The decision followed weeks of Cousins taking most of the first-team snaps during training camp. Kubiak also used Cousins sparingly during the preseason, further signaling the team’s plans for the veteran quarterback.

Raiders Choose Veteran Over Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza entered the competition with considerable expectations. The Raiders selected the Indiana standout with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a national championship.

However, the Raiders have opted to give Mendoza additional time to develop behind an experienced starter. The decision means Mendoza will become the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall not to start his team’s season opener since Baker Mayfield in 2018.

Kubiak has previously emphasized the value of competition in developing young players. He also pointed to the benefits of having Mendoza watch and learn from a veteran quarterback.

“You can build in young-guy reps into your practices,” Kubiak said, as reported by the NY Times. “There are things you can do. It’s never as good as getting all the reps in practice, but you do the best you can with what you got.”

The coach did not say whether Mendoza will play during the regular season. Instead, Kubiak indicated that the team’s immediate focus remains on preparing for its opener against Miami.

Cousins Reunites With Kubiak in Las Vegas

Cousins’ familiarity with Kubiak also played a role in bringing the veteran to Las Vegas. The two previously worked together in Minnesota, where Kubiak served as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2021.

Cousins earned Pro Bowl selections during both seasons working with Kubiak. He also reunites with Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, who served as his quarterbacks coach in Minnesota during the 2021 season.

The veteran quarterback will now lead the Raiders into their first regular-season game under Kubiak. Las Vegas will host the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 13.

For Mendoza, the season will begin from the sideline as he continues adjusting to the NFL. General manager John Spytek has maintained that the rookie’s opportunity will come, but the Raiders want him to earn his playing time while developing behind Cousins.

The post Las Vegas Raiders Name Kirk Cousins Starting Quarterback for 2026 Opener appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.

Prince Jackson’s Rare Vegas Appearance Draws Fans

Prince Jackson stepped out in Las Vegas on Saturday to honor Michael Jackson’s birthday alongside fans of the late singer. The appearance took place during a special celebration connected to Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE” production at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Video footage from the event showed Prince greeting attendees and spending time with fans in the theater’s lobby. He also appeared to sign autographs as fans gathered around him.

At one point, Prince joined the crowd for a birthday tribute. He raised his arms as fans shouted, “Happy birthday, Michael!” The moment was captured on video and shared online following the celebration.

Prince kept his outfit casual for the occasion. He wore a black T-shirt with a matching black baseball cap turned backward. The appearance came 17 years after Michael Jackson died at age 50. Michael was born on August 29, 1958, meaning he would have turned 68 in 2026. He died on June 25, 2009.

Michael Jackson ONE Continues His Las Vegas Legacy

The birthday gathering was tied to “Michael Jackson ONE,” the long-running Cirque du Soleil production at Mandalay Bay. The show premiered at the Las Vegas resort in June 2013 and remains a resident production dedicated to Jackson’s music and creative legacy.

According to Cirque du Soleil’s official website, the production combines acrobatics, urban dance, and large-scale visual effects with Jackson’s music. The current show runs for 90 minutes without an intermission. It also uses a surround-sound environment and a cast of 63 performers, according to Cirque du Soleil.

The annual birthday celebration has become a recurring event for Jackson fans in Las Vegas. This year’s activities included fan events surrounding the “Michael Jackson ONE” performance. Prince’s appearance added a family connection to the celebration. As Michael’s eldest son, he has continued to appear at selected events connected to his father’s legacy.

Earlier in 2026, Prince also took part in promoting “Michael,” the biographical film about his father. He served as an executive producer on the movie, while his cousin Jaafar Jackson portrayed Michael.

Prince Jackson Continues to Honor His Father

The Las Vegas appearance came during another significant year for Michael Jackson’s legacy. The 2026 release of “Michael” brought the singer’s early career and rise to global fame back into the spotlight.

The film stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael and was directed by Antoine Fuqua. Prince was among the family members credited as an executive producer on the project.

Meanwhile, “Michael Jackson ONE” continues to present the singer’s music to audiences in Las Vegas. This comes amid Cirque du Soleil’s major production changes, which saw the company end an iconic Vegas strip show. Back in August, the showrunners announced the decision to bring their Mad Apple production to a halt.

For the August 29 celebration, however, the focus remained on Michael Jackson’s birthday. Prince spent time with fans before joining them in a public birthday tribute, giving attendees a rare opportunity to celebrate the singer’s life alongside his eldest son.

The post Michael Jackson’s Son Prince Makes Rare Vegas Appearance for His 68th Birthday appeared first on VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News.