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City Cast Las Vegas

You may have noticed: It’s November. And while we’re excited about the 

, the month also brings big decisions on health care enrollment and what a new service means for Nevada.

People who live in Nevada can browse and purchase from among 140 health care plans through eight private carriers on 

 between now and Jan. 15, 2026. You must 

 to have coverage effective Jan. 1, 2026. Otherwise, coverage starts Feb. 1, 2026.

This is separate from any insurance offered by your employer.

 offering a public option to compete with private insurance. 

 meet the criteria for a “qualified” health plan, covering all 10 essential health benefits recognized by the Affordable Care Act, including hospitalization, doctor visits, emergency care, lab work, and prescription drugs.

Sorry, it’s not free. But the Battle Born State Plans, established by lawmakers in 2021, requires premiums to reduce by 15 percent over the next four years. That’s comparable to other Nevada Health Link plans that 

The plans are a more affordable option for Nevadans who don’t have access to insurance through an employer or qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. This may include those who are self-employed, contract workers, or small business owners.

The health care industry resisted the idea from the beginning, especially brokers, who face lower fees and commissions. Some are even 

 the Battle Born plan altogether. (For the record, you don’t need a broker to sign up for a plan and you can ask questions to Insurance Navigators on Nevada Health Link who are not paid by commission.)

Gov. Lombardo isn’t a fan either, although he 

proposed and ushered in a reinsurance program

 (which is like insurance for insurance companies) that will ease the burden of high-cost claims and make the program more sustainable.

Like all plans under the Affordable Care Act umbrella, those offered by Nevada Health Link qualify for federal subsidies. Sounds great, but — some of those expire this year, prompting a 

 that’s led to the current government shutdown and confusion over exactly how much Washington will cover in 2026.

 health care is confusing and complicated. So 

 to break down what Battle Born State Plans are all about. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Health Care is complicated, expensive, and inefficient. Can Nevada's new health plan make things better?

Nevada’s New Public Option for Health Care Explained

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

Las Vegas, Explained

Two federal judges ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to 

 with contingency funds, although uncertainty lingers on the Trump administration’s response to the ruling and if debit cards used by beneficiaries could be reloaded by tomorrow’s expiration date on financing the program.

This comes as the federal government shutdown reaches 31 days. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps, is used by 500,000 people in our state — or one in six Nevadans.

State lawmakers have pulled together $8.6 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan and $30.2 million from contingency funds to 

 with the assistance of the National Guard, supported by an additional $200,000. [Associated Press/Nevada Independent]

, the largest resource in Southern Nevada for combating food insecurity, has four emergency drive-thru food distributions tomorrow, 

 (5101 N. Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89130) 7-9 a.m.

 – Hope for the City Distribution Center (1001 New Beginnings Dr, Henderson, NV 89011) 7-9 a.m.

, North Las Vegas (3200 E. Cheyenne Ave, North Las Vegas, NV 89030) 9 a.m. - noon

 – Thomas & Mack Center (4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154) 9 a.m. - noon

The following drive-thru food distributions are 

 (8625 S. Spencer St., Las Vegas, NV 89123) 3 - 4 p.m.

 - The Just One Project (1737 Hunkins Dr., North Las Vegas, NV 89030) 4 - 7 p.m.

Catholic Charities Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry

 (1501 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101: Vehicles; 1504 N Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101: Pedestrians) is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. and the last Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. - noon.

 (401 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89101) serves the local LGBTQ+ community with 

 has plant-based grocery pickups at 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month at United Movement Organized Kindness (1010 N. Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89101). 

 is open Sundays and Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Thursdays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Call 702-955-5932 or 

Make a monetary donation or inquire about volunteering at the following links. You can also forward this email to someone you know who needs help — or is willing to help. If you're considering donating food directly, make sure to follow the organization's guidelines. We've got more tips in our 

These are just some of the community organizations and nonprofits feeding those in need. If you’d like to spread the word on other groups and/or events, please 

 will have more as the crisis plays out next week in our newsletter, website, and podcast episodes. (

The community mobilizes with emergency food assistance as uncertainty lingers over the status of SNAP benefits.

Judges Order Funding as SNAP Benefits Threaten to Expire

Nevada state regulators have accused Elon Musk’s Boring Co. of violating environmental regulations nearly 800 times in the last two years as it digs a sprawling tunnel network beneath Las Vegas for its Tesla-powered “people mover.” The company’s alleged violations include starting to dig without approval, releasing untreated water onto city streets and spilling muck from its trucks, according to a new document obtained by City Cast Las Vegas and ProPublica.

 from the state Bureau of Water Pollution Control alleged repeated violations of a settlement agreement that the company had entered into after being fined five years ago for discharging groundwater into storm drains without a permit. That agreement, signed by a Boring executive in 2022, was intended to compel the company to comply with state water pollution laws.

Instead, state inspectors documented nearly 100 alleged new violations of the agreement. The letter also accuses the company of failing to hire an independent environmental manager to regularly inspect its construction sites. State regulators counted 689 missed inspections.

The Boring Co. is disputing the violation letter, a state spokesperson said.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection could have fined the company more than $3 million 

, which allowed for daily penalties to be assessed. But regulators knocked down the total penalty to $242,800. For example, the bulk of the total possible fine was linked to the alleged missed inspections, but the agency chose to levy just a $10,000 penalty for each of the company’s 11 permits.

“Given the extraordinary number of violations, NDEP has decided to exercise its discretion to reduce the penalty to two $5,000 violations per permit, which it believes offers a reasonable penalty that will still serve to deter future non-compliance conduct,” regulators wrote in the letter.

Payment of the penalty isn’t required until after the dispute resolution process is complete, a state spokesperson said. In the letter, the agency reminded the company that it “reserves the right to direct TBC to cease and desist construction activities” under the agreement.

In the past, Musk has espoused paying penalties rather than waiting for approvals as a way of doing business.

​​“Environmental regulations are, in my view, largely terrible,” he said at 

an event with the libertarian Cato Institute last year

. “You have to get permission in advance, as opposed to, say, paying a penalty if you do something wrong, which I think would be much more effective.”

Neither Musk nor Boring responded to requests for comment for this story.

 documents the latest in a string of alleged violations of state and local regulations by The Boring Co. since it began construction in 2019 of the Loop project, which uses driver-operated Teslas to move people through the tunnels. The project, initially a 0.8-mile underground route connecting the sections of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority campus to each other, has grown to a planned 68 miles of tunnels and 104 stations across the Las Vegas Valley. It’s carried out in partnership with the LVCVA, the tourism board best known for the “What Happens Here, Stays Here” slogan.

Boring uses a machine known as Prufrock to dig the 12-foot-diameter tunnels, applying chemical accelerants as part of the process. For each foot the company bores, it removes about 6 cubic yards of soil along with any groundwater, according to a company document prepared for state environmental officials.

Because it is privately funded and receives no federal money, the project is exempt from many exhaustive governmental vetting and environmental analysis requirements. But it is required to obtain state permits to ensure the waste does not contaminate the environment or local water sources.

A January story by ProPublica and City Cast Las Vegas documented how the 

company worked to escape county and state oversight requirements

 by arguing its project didn’t fit under existing regulations and promising to hold itself accountable through independent audits — all while being cited for permitting and water pollution violations in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Last year, the company successfully lobbied to be 

exempted from holding a county “amusement and transportation system” permit

, arguing instead for an oversight plan that removed multiple layers of inspection.

Workers have complained of chemical burns from the waste material generated by the tunneling process, and firefighters must decontaminate their equipment after conducting rescues from the project sites. The company was fined more than $112,000 by Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration in late 2023 after workers complained of “ankle-deep” water in the tunnels, muck spills and burns. The Boring Co. has contested the violations. Just last month, a construction worker suffered a “crush injury” after being pinned between two 4,000-foot pipes, according to police records. Firefighters used a crane to extract him from the tunnel opening.

After ProPublica and City Cast Las Vegas published their January story, both the CEO and the chairman of the LVCVA board criticized the reporting, arguing the project is well-regulated. As an example, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill cited the delayed opening of a Loop station by local officials who were concerned that fire safety requirements weren’t adequate. Board chair Jim Gibson, who is also a Clark County commissioner, agreed the project is appropriately regulated.

“We wouldn’t have given approvals if we determined things weren’t the way they ought to be and what it needs to be for public safety reasons,” Gibson said, according to 

. “Our sense is we’ve done what we need to do to protect the public.”

Asked for a response to the new proposed fines, an LVCVA spokesperson said, “We won’t be participating in this story.”

The repeated allegations that the company is violating regulations — including the bespoke regulatory arrangement agreed to by the company — indicates that officials aren’t keeping the public safe, said Ben Leffel, an assistant public policy professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“Not if they’re recommitting almost the exact violation,” Leffel said.

Leffel questioned whether a $250,000 penalty would be significant enough to change operations at The Boring Co., which was 

 that fines that don’t put a significant dent in a company’s profit don’t deter companies from future violations, Leffel said.

A state spokesperson disagreed that regulators aren’t keeping the public safe and said the agency believes its penalties will deter “future non-compliance.”

“NDEP is actively monitoring and inspecting the projects,” the spokesperson said.

Nevada could’ve fined the company more than $3 million, but regulators are seeking a reduced penalty of $242,800, citing an “extraordinary number of violations.”

Elon Musk’s Boring Co. Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas Project

Ever see a car with a dark cloud of air pollution puffing out of the exhaust pipe? Well, the Nevada DMV wants you to report your fellow filthy neighbors to the proper authorities. We all want a cleaner community, but what’s more important — loyalty among Nevadans or the environment? 🤔

🌤️ Why Smog Is Such a Big Deal in Nevada

In the United States, air quality tends to be 

 due to high temperatures (which exacerbate smog), congested driving, and the interference of smoke from wildfires. The Las Vegas Valley currently ranks 12th on the list of 

If you think things are bad now, air quality used to be much worse. Beginning with the 

 of 1970, regulations have evolved over time to improve emissions by factories, plants, construction equipment, and vehicles. Today, electric vehicles account for roughly 

 and traditional gas-powered cars have made 

Cars in Nevada’s two largest counties — Clark and Washoe — require a 

 before annual registration renewals. There are some exceptions, including brand-new cars (up to the first four years), and hybrids (up to the first five years). Some older cars qualify for a 

The DMV encourages the general public to report (or in colloquial terms, “tattle on”) drivers who appear to be emitting excessive pollutants. The program has been around for decades — formerly known as Smoking Vehicles (which actually sounds like a compliment) before it was 

It’s pretty simple. Take note of the suspected violator's license plate number and 

 or by calling 844-END-SMOG (844-363-7664) with any additional information — like make and model of the car, where it was seen, the date, etc. The DMV Compliance Enforcement Division sends an advisory letter to the owner of the suspect vehicle, who may be required to make repairs or bring the vehicle in for a lab inspection.

Smoking cars are an unhealthy nuisance, but isn’t it a police officer’s job to look out for this stuff? And in theory, the vehicle in question is within a year of facing a smog test to solve the problem anyway. Then again, emissions fraud is a real problem in Nevada, although new technology is making it easier to 

. It’s also worth noting that emissions standards are mandated by the EPA, making false tests a federal crime.

Between smog testing and registration fees, 

the cost of owning a car adds up fast in Nevada. Another big factor: the 

 looks at why rates are so high in Nevada and what can be done to minimize your bill. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

We all want a cleaner community, but what’s more important — loyalty among Nevadans or the environment?

The Consequences of Flunking a Smog Check in Las Vegas

Citizen Smog Enforcers: Nevada Wants You to Snitch on Dirty Drivers

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called out Nevada’s “weak gun laws” after a Nevada man was identified as the suspect in a 

 in late July, but the state does have a number of so-called "red flag" laws that allows law enforcement to remove guns from people who are at risk of harming themselves or others. Here’s how Nevada’s red flag laws work and how the state is pushing for better education.

Prior to 2020, the Nevada Department of Public Safety processed background checks for gun sales through authorized dealers in the state to verify that the buyer was not prohibited from owning a firearm — Nevada residents can be prohibited from possessing a firearm for a number of reasons, including a felony conviction, a history of mental health issues, or use of a controlled substance. Background checks were not required for private sellers or private transfers until recently.

, expanding background checks to some private sales and transfers, with exceptions for law enforcement officers and immediate family members, 

. It was sponsored by Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui, who is a survivor of the 

 in 2017 and has become an advocate for gun safety. The law went into effect in 2020.

AB291 also created an avenue to temporarily revoke an individual’s right to possess any firearm if they pose a risk to themselves or others. A High Risk Protection Order 

 by anyone — including law enforcement — with knowledge of an individual who owns a gun and displays any of the following behavior:

An act or communication of imminent violence towards themselves or others

Violation of a protection order for domestic violence or sexual assault

Once a protection order is filed, a judge will hold a hearing within one day to determine if an individual in possession of a gun is indeed a danger. The court can then revoke the individual’s firearms for a short term of up to seven days, or 

Despite the new law, filings for High Risk Protection Orders in Nevada have rarely been used — the state received as many as 28 filings in 2024, only a fraction of the 5,370 filed in New York the same year. Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui thinks one of the reasons Nevada is seeing so few high-risk protection orders is simply because residents and law enforcement officers don’t know that is an option.

When we talked to Assemblymember Jauregui earlier this month, she told us that there have been positive results after trainings with law enforcement and wants to 

expand those education efforts to the general public

Here’s how Nevada’s red flag laws work and why the state is pushing for better education.

How Nevada’s 'Red Flag' Gun Laws Work

Summer officially begins on Friday, but it feels like the season hit us weeks ago. Las Vegas is getting hotter every year — perhaps not 

, but still harder and faster than ever. Last year, Clark County recorded a 

 and little has been done to fix the issues that caused them. So be prepared as we face the summer heat.

And no, that doesn’t mean adding a second ice cube to your Old Fashioned. Vegas is known for drinking, but balance out that alcohol with a glass of water in between. Dehydration can 

 unexpectedly. Carry water on the regular.

A good air conditioning is something we take for granted, until something goes wrong — and summer is the worst possible time for a breakdown. Experts recommend getting an A/C tune-up at least once a year, which typically includes a cleaning and parts inspection. A lot of services are offering tune-up specials this time of year (and you may get a nice discount through a 

). They’re relatively inexpensive and can help extend the life of your unit.

We’re not talking about our membership program, although that’s 

 👍 We’re asking you to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with medical conditions.

It doesn’t hurt to keep some extra bags of ice in the freezer. My electricity went out a couple years ago, and having a few bags of ice with us and our pets on the couch made a world of difference until the power came back on.

, increasing the risk of a crack or blowout. Get your tire pressure checked regularly throughout the summer. It doesn’t hurt to have the tires rotated too. And of course, park in the shade whenever possible. This is also a good time to get your car inspected for any lingering issues.

The guesswork is over. Don’t even think about leaving pets or children in a parked car right now. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the shade or if the window is cracked. For the record, it’s 

legal to break someone's car window to save a child, but not an animal

. If you see the latter in distress, call police and/or animal control and wait until help arrives.

I’m not recommending you hit the slots and other games of chance, but you don’t want to gamble with your health. Casinos have fat-ass air conditioners. Take advantage of them when you’re out and about. The same is true for 

, and indoor shopping malls (if you can find any left).

We all want to enjoy the outdoors during summer, but remember — elevation is your friend. 

 is open for summer activities on Mt. Charleston. For more elevated fun, check out the summer pig roasts at the 

 in Blue Diamond, and performances by the 

I’m a firm believer in the benefits of real Vitamin D from the sun, but a good thing can turn dangerous in a hurry — especially if you have the skin of a Dayvid Figler. With that in mind, the 

 co-host talked to a health expert about the benefits of sunscreen and 

 this time of year. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

The Dark Realities of Sun Exposure

Summer officially begins Friday, but it feels like the season hit us weeks ago. Here are the rules to survive the heat in Las Vegas. 

How to Survive the Las Vegas Weather in Summer

The Rules of Summer in Las Vegas

City Cast Las Vegas co-host Dayvid Figler shares some thoughts on the Aging Wellness Expo and his interview with Marla Letizia.

 returns to the South Point casino on March 15. Hosted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the annual event showcases health, medical, financial, and recreational services with the over-50 crowd in mind.

My mom used to love it. I remember she would pair up with a friend (and occasionally drag me along) to go booth to booth. She loved all the little freebies — the swag — and meeting new people who were her age or younger who, in her opinion, didn’t look or act as “youthful” as she envisioned herself. It was a mindset — a positive attitude affirming you’re only as old as you think, although titanium knee replacements aren’t to be ignored when the doctor says it’s time!

Marla Letizia knows this approach well. You wouldn’t believe it if you met her — 

she’s way more sparkly and energized than this City Cast Las Vegas host

 — but she just turned 72. A media professional and a lifelong Las Vegan, Marla is the driving force behind 

 at the expo on how to live a longer and better life. Here’s a preview.

What are the pros and cons of getting older in Las Vegas?

“The pros are easy. The weather’s good, there’s a lot of outdoor activity. There isn't the greatest public transportation, but people can Uber or taxi to the casinos where there's a lot of activity. But that’s also a problem with retiring in Las Vegas … There are a lot of people who've never been face-to-face with gaming like we have right here. It's ubiquitous. A lot of people come to town, have a wonderful nest egg, buy a house in Sun City, and suddenly they get hooked and they lose it all. It's a very dangerous thing for people.”

How do we reduce ageism in the Las Vegas community?

“We can start by talking about it openly. My husband had a bit of a heart issue. The doctor came in, looked at us and out of nowhere, started to talk to us like we were children. Like we had lost 25 IQ points since we were 45. I just thought to myself, ‘What the heck is going on here?’ I tried to assert myself as a mature, intelligent individual that understood what he was talking about, but it just didn't hit … Our doctors in their 40s and 50s — what they don’t realize is that in 10, 20 years, they’re going to be us.”

What are the keys to aging well in a place like Las Vegas?

“Finding a connection to community. Whatever church or synagogue that’s familiar to you is an easy entry. Get involved in any activities that have ever interested you.

“In the Long-Life Era community, it can be our five-day exercise challenge or anything that gets you moving — from e-bikes to weightlifting or ballroom dancing. Zumba, treadmills, walking dogs. If all else fails, join a pickleball team. In a place like Las Vegas, it’s easy to be isolated, and that’s the biggest barrier to having that healthy mindset. Finding a vibrant community in our city is the key to thriving as you age.”

Vegas is a great place for a lot of things. Is growing old one of them?

Growing Old in Las Vegas

Marla Letizia on Growing Old in Vegas

What Las Vegas celebrities, public figures and key citizens have to say about living here.

3 Questions With Las Vegas Public Figures

3 Questions With

Elon Musk’s Boring Company spent years pitching cities on a novel solution to traffic, an underground transportation system to whisk passengers through tunnels in electric vehicles. Proposals in Illinois and California fizzled after officials and the public began scrutinizing details of the plans and seeking environmental reviews.

But in Las Vegas, the tunneling company is building Musk’s vision beneath the city’s urban core thanks to an unlikely partner: the tourism marketing organization best known for selling the image that “What Happens Here, Stays Here.”

The powerful Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority greenlit the idea and funded an 0.8-mile route at its convention center. As that small “people mover” opened in 2021, the authority was already urging the county and city to approve plans for 104 stations across 68 miles of tunnels.

The project is also realizing Musk’s notion of how government officials should deal with entrepreneurs: avoid lengthy reviews before building and instead impose fines later if anything goes awry. Musk’s views on regulatory power have taken on new significance in light of his close ties to President-elect Donald Trump and his role in a new effort to slash rules in the name of improving efficiency. The Las Vegas project, now well under way, is a case study of the regulatory climate Musk favors.

Because the project, now known as the Vegas Loop, is privately operated and receives no federal funding, it is exempt from the kinds of exhaustive governmental vetting and environmental analyses demanded by the other cities that Boring pitched. Such reviews assess whether a proposal is the best option and inform the public of potential impacts to traffic and the environment.

The head of the convention authority has called the project the only viable way to ease traffic on the Las Vegas Strip and in the surrounding area — a claim that was never publicly debated as the Clark County Commission and Las Vegas City Council granted Boring permission to build and operate the system beneath city streets. The approvals allow the company to build and operate close to homes and businesses without the checks and balances that typically apply to major public transit projects.

Meanwhile, Boring has skirted building, environmental and labor regulations, according to records obtained by ProPublica and City Cast Las Vegas under public records laws.

It twice installed tunnels without permits to work on county property. State and local environmental regulators documented it dumping untreated water into storm drains and the sewer system. And, as local politicians were approving an extension of the system, Boring workers were filing complaints with the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration about “ankle-deep” water in the tunnels, muck spills and severe chemical burns. After an investigation, 

“The Boring company is at it again,” an employee of the Clark County Water Reclamation District wrote to the agency’s general manager and legal counsel in June, after video showed water spilling from a company-owned property into the street near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Tyler Fairbanks, a Boring Company manager, emailed the county official, saying “we take this very seriously and we are working to correct what is going on.” In August, a Las Vegas Valley Water District staffer documented a similar issue. On both occasions, the county issued cease-and-desist letters but did not fine Boring.

Financial penalties wouldn’t put a dent in the company’s bottom line, John Solvie, a Clark County water quality compliance manager, told county Public Works Director Denis Cederburg in an email. Still, the concerns were significant enough that Solvie asked if the department would “consider revoking permits (essentially shutting down their operations until they resolve these issues).”

A county spokesperson declined to answer how the incidents were resolved, or whether the Public Works Department had ever revoked any of Boring’s permits. Solvie and Cederburg declined to comment.

Boring did not respond to repeated requests to comment for this story.

As Boring begins hauling passengers beyond the convention center in the first-ever test of an underground road network using driver-operated Teslas, it has successfully removed yet another layer of county oversight. Last year, 

Given Musk’s role advising President-elect Trump on slashing regulations and oversight, the Vegas Loop might be a harbinger for the country.

public health

Nevada’s New Public Option for Health Care Explained

Judges Order Funding as SNAP Benefits Threaten to Expire

Elon Musk’s Boring Co. Accused of Nearly 800 Environmental Violations on Las Vegas Project

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