After the Raiders fell to 2-2 with a home loss against Buffalo on Sunday, Derek Carr expressed growing frustration with the mounting losses the team has suffered since he became quarterback.

The 29-year-old understands the challenge now is to find a way to turn that frustration into positive development.

Carr said a team meeting Monday started that process. Several players not only took ownership of the mistakes they were making, but outlined plans to fix them.

When you do that, at least it gives you a chance to do things the right way, Carr said. Ive been on some teams here in the past where there was none of that and it just went haywire.

The seventh-year pro credited coach Jon Gruden with setting a high standard. He said players feel they must own up to what they need to do better individually to help the team improve.

Coach does a really good job with accountability, Carr said. I think thats the word that it comes down to for everybody. Holding yourself to a certain standard. And when you dont meet that standard, just owning it. Saying Hey man I didnt meet that standard.

The words will be put to the test on Sunday when the Raiders go to Kansas City to face the defending Super Bowl champion and undefeated Chiefs.

Sticking to the routine

While there are many moving pieces in regard to the rash of positive COVID-19 cases around the league, Carr is trying to block out the possibility of games being postponed or rescheduled.

I have my weekly process, he said. Im very much into my schedule. Im going to do my process. Im going to do my weekly routine how I would normally do it. Then if things change, Ill adapt.

Youve got to make sure you stay with your process and whats helped you have success.

The Raiders had one positive case this week. as Maurice Hurst went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Kansas City also had a positive test from a practice squad player. The Chiefs also are awaiting any potential fallout from playing a Patriots team that has had multiple positives.

Tennessees outbreak has its game against Buffalo in question for this week.

Injury report

Maliek Collins did not practice Wednesday due to a shoulder he injured in Sundays loss to the Bills. He also has an undisclosed illness.

Wide receiver Bryan Edwards remained out Wednesday with foot and ankle injuries. Veterans Rodney Hudson and Jason Witten both had rest days.

Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins was limited by an eye issue and receiver Rico Gafford returned to practice, but was limited as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Tight end Darren Waller was limited with a knee injury.

Flag on the play

The Raiders came away from Sundays loss to Buffalo lamenting several key penalties that cost them in critical portions of the game.

Las Vegas was flagged seven times for 66 yards during a week where flags were uncommonly rare.

Week 4 in the NFL saw 10.26 accepted penalties per game, the second-fewest in any week since 2010.

The only week with fewer penalties per game over that span was Week 17 of 2013 when there were 9.63 penalties per game.

Penalties are down overall this season. Through the first three weeks of the season, NFL games averaged 13.65 penalties. Thats down from 18.54 per game last season.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.

Continue reading here:

Derek Carr hoping to turn frustration into progess - Las Vegas Review-Journal

His name is Bronson Burgoon, and the hope among Shriners Hospitals for Children Open officials is that he becomes the answer to a one-time trivia question.

When Tony Finau, the worlds 16th-ranked player who finished eighth at the U.S. Open, tested positive for COVID-19 under PGA protocols this week, it opened a spot for Burgoon, whose previous claim to golfing fame was hitting a wedge shot within 2 inches of the final hole to clinch the 2009 NCAA championship for Texas A&M.

Finau was the 13th player or caddie to test positive since play resumed in June after shutting down in March.

It also showed why it still isnt totally safe to allow even a small percentage of spectators to roam TPC Summerlin despite Gov. Steve Sisolak recently having eased restrictions on allowing them at Nevada sporting events.

The PGA Tour has yet to permit fans to attend tournaments. Tournament director Patrick Lindsey said through a spokesperson that the governors announcement had no impact on tournament planning but that COVID-19 would affect its bottom line.

Our expenses have decreased, but in turn, so has our revenue, Lindsey said. In previous years, we have welcomed over 70,000 fans, which would benefit the amazing work of Shriners Hospitals for Children through ticket and concession sales, corporate sponsorships and more.

Missing Alec

Las Vegas resident Kevin Na, the defending champion, said he is going to miss spectators flanking the hills around the closing holes at this years tournament, and one spectator in particular.

Na said he met Alec Cabacungan, a national Shriners spokesman who lives near Chicago, last year on the practice green, where the teenager described Na holing a long putt.

to take the lead from l-o-n-n-g range. Oooh oooh there it goes! the teenager exclaimed in a voice-over that would have done Jim Nantz proud.

Hes a great guy, and I know his dream is to become a sports announcer, Na said during a videoconference call Wednesday about writing a $50,000 check to Shriners Hospitals after winning last year. I hope his dream comes true.

Whats up Doc?

Rickie Fowler, the former wunderkind still seeking his first major championship, said he was looking forward to playing exclusive Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas next week after the CJ Cup was moved from South Korea amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Its a special place; Ive only actually played it twice, Fowler, 31, said Wednesday. One of the times I played was (with) Doc Rivers.

The former Oklahoma State phenom said hitting the links with the longtime NBA star and coach was a memorable experience.

He was awesome; hes like, Man, Im a big fan I was kind of shocked, Fowler said. It was cool to see someone who is big in another sport who is a lot taller and bigger than me complimenting me about my game and stuff like that.

19th hole

Two former UNLV stars worth keeping an eye on at TPC this weekend are Charley Hoffman (three top-10 finishes in 14 starts) and Ryan Moore (2012 champion with a record-tying 72-hole winning score of 260). Sergio Garcia, winner of last weeks Sanderson Farms Championship, missed the cut in his only prior Shriners Open start in 2003 and has never won back-to-back PGA Tour events. The recent Safeway Open at Napa, California, was delayed by fog, which wont be a problem at TPC Summerlin. Sunny skies and high temperatures of 95, 91, 90 and 84 degrees are forecast Thursday through Sunday, though it could get breezy for the final two rounds.

Contact Ron Kantowski at rkantowski@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0352. Follow @ronkantowski on Twitter.

Go here to see the original:

Shriners Open never considered allowing fans to attend - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart went to the bench with three fouls early in the second quarter of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday.

It was the opportunity the Aces had been looking for the entire series, but they couldnt take advantage.

The Storm outscored the Aces 16-9 the rest of the quarter with Stewart watching. She returned in the third quarter and finished with 26 points to lead Seattle to a 92-59 victory and a three-game sweep of the Aces at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Stewart won her second finals MVP award for the Storm, who claimed their second championship in three years. They have won a record 11 straight finals games and joined Houston and Minnesota as the only franchises with four titles.

Jewell Loyd added 19 points for the Storm. Sue Bird, who has been with Seattle for all four titles dating to 2004, had seven assists and finished with 33 for the series.

The Storms average margin of victory in the three games was almost 20 points.

I just want to say congratulations to Seattle, Aces guard Kayla McBride said. Theyre a great team. They have a lot of experience winning together. Stewart was on a mission, and Sue was Sue.

Stewart, also the finals MVP in 2018, has scored 20 or more points in a record six straight finals games. She averaged 28.3 points and 7.7 rebounds against Las Vegas and shot 62.7 percent from the field, including 65 percent (13 of 20) from 3-point range.

Aces star Aja Wilson scored 14 of her 18 points in the first quarter and added six rebounds and four assists. She was the only Aces player to reach double-figure scoring until the fourth quarter, when Jackie Young joined her with 11. Carolyn Swords had 10 rebounds.

Angel McCoughtry, the Aces second-leading scorer, finished with seven points. She was making her fourth finals appearance but is 0-12 in those games.

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

1. Turnovers doom Aces

One reason Stewarts absence in the second quarter didnt hurt the Storm was a rash of Las Vegas turnovers.

The Aces had five in the final 2:31 of the first half and six during the 7:13 that Stewart was on the bench in the quarter.

That was basically the end point of the game, Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said. We didnt take advantage of our opportunity. Like Angel said in one of the huddles, it just sucks the life out of you when you keep turning the ball over.

The Aces, the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, finished with 18 turnovers, their second straight game with at least 15.

2. Closing out quarters

Wilson has talked all season about the importance of closing out quarters.

The Aces had leads of 7-0, 11-2 and 13-4, but the Storm went on an 11-2 run in the final 3:58 of the first quarter, then scored the first four points of the second.

That was a huge deal, Wilson said. That can switch up a game.We knew we were going to have to close out quarters, but its not easy to do.

The Storm, the No. 2 seed, put the game away by outscoring the Aces 32-14 in the third quarter for a 75-48 lead.

3. Let the confetti hit you

The Aces roster was full of players making their first finals experience, and they vowed to learn from it and come back stronger.

The biggest thing I learned from this is sometimes you have to let the confetti hit you, Wilson said. Ive been in a lot of situations where the confetti fell on me, and it was in my favor. The confetti hit me, and Im like, OK, thats not for us. Were going to try it again. Sometimes you have to feel that to know its not easy.

Contact Jason Orts at jorts@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2936. Follow @SportsWithOrts on Twitter.

View original post here:

Aces cant weather Storm, swept in WNBA Finals - Las Vegas Review-Journal

The city of Las Vegas will allow people to pay for some parking tickets by donating childrens toys ahead of the holiday season.

The Toys for Tickets program will cover non-public safety parking tickets issued between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, the city said in a statement Wednesday morning. Tickets may be resolved by donating a new, unwrapped toy of equal or greater value than the fine through Dec. 15.

Drivers must bring the parking ticket and a receipt for the toy to the Parking Services Office, 350 S. City Parkway, within 30 days of the ticket date. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Parking tickets for public safety and handicap-related violations such as parking on a red curb, double parking and blocking traffic are excluded from the program.

The toys will benefit the nonprofit HELP of Southern Nevada.

Contact Jannelle Calderon at jcalderon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @NewsyJan on Twitter.

Read the original post:

Toys for Tickets offers alternative to paying parking tickets - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Some Las Vegas businesses are thriving during the pandemic. Because people are home more, they are tackling home improvement projects that they had let slide for too long. Christopher Sterles company, Acoustic Design Systems, is one of those that have gotten even busier.

Mostly, the pandemic created an increased demand for home network, home entertainment and home management equipment, said Sterle, CEO and owner of Acoustic, a home automation company. The pandemic created a sense of urgency for customers to make updates since they are staying home, concerned with safety and security, and have time to spend on home improvements.

But even before the pandemic, our industry had been experiencing tremendous growth. Last year was the largest year-over-year increase in households owning a smart device since 2017, and despite the pandemic, the U.S. smart home industry is predicted to grow by 25% and reach $246 billion in the next five years.

What is your background and how did you land in the commercial/home automation business?

My career began in Mentor, Ohio, in 1995, when I started selling and installing home electronics for a big box retail store. I had just graduated high school and knew college wasnt for me, but I was fascinated with audiovisual (AV). I attended training classes for various AV manufacturers, learning all aspects of their products and capabilities.

After realizing my passion for the industry, I decided to pursue home electronic installations full time and joined a local company that specialized in home AV and custom installs. A few years later, I relocated to Nevada to become a field manager for a Las Vegas residential AV company. For two years I worked closely with customers and delved deeper into the custom AV field, learning more about designing tailored systems for residential clients.

In 2000, I joined the production show EFX at MGM Grand to learn more about professional AV gear and installations within commercial environments. One year later, I left the show to begin planning and laying the foundation to start my own company, and in 2003 we launched Acoustic Design Systems.

What specific adaptations did you make as a result of the pandemic?

When the quarantine began, we launched virtual sales appointments for home-based businesses or homeowners interested in upgrading their technology. Our clients can connect with our team to schedule repairs, troubleshoot or talk about upgrading their existing wireless network, security systems and audio video systems while practicing social distancing. Then in May, we debuted a monthly service plan for remotely maintaining smart home technology systems.

Operationally, we changed our company practices to follow new guidelines face masks and social distancing, masks, gloves, and took additional steps to make sure our customers remain safe while we are in their homes.

We stopped conducting company meetings in our conference room and moved them into our warehouse, where we can be well spread out. We stopped allowing employees to ride with each other in our service vans and required everyone to travel in their own company vehicles. We are also having our employees work in separate offices instead of in clusters.

Financially, we put a limit on inventory to eliminate high overhead. We now wait to order the product well need for upcoming jobs to maximize cash flow, and were asking vendors to allow 60-day terms instead of 30 for a longer payout on bills. We also took advantage of business grants and payroll protection programs that were offered by government.

How did the pandemic change your outlook on business?

The pandemic reminded me of 2008, and I had to make sure we werent doing any wasteful spending because these types of situations can come up any time. Since then, we make sure we always have plenty of money in reserves.

What is the best business advice youve received?

My first business coach, Steve First, taught me that its OK to say no to a customer. Its very empowering to feel and know you can turn down a project. As popular as the business phrase the customer is always right is, its simply not always the case. If you get into a situation where you are asked to do something outside of your comfort zone, its better to say no than to say yes and ruin a relationship or experience for a customer.

What has been your most exciting professional project to date?

Overall, our long-term exclusive relationship with Toll Brothers has been one of the most fulfilling partnerships weve had, and is one that continues to grow stronger after seven years of working together. We approached them about partnering after discovering a potential revenue stream that we thought could turn into an amazing opportunity for us, and it really paid off.

As the housing market was bouncing back, we recognized there werent many other integrators working with production homebuilders. Before the recession, home automation was mainly seen as a luxury that only homeowners of custom builds could afford. Because of this, we saw a niche that could be developed to offer smart home technology to median-priced homeowners, leading us to shift from mostly designing home theaters to specializing in smart home automation integration.

Even as demand for smart home tech continues to flourish, there are still only a handful of homebuilders that are seeing the value in offering smart home technology as buyer options in new production builds. Most still just use electrical contractors for basic wiring, and are missing a golden opportunity, as a homes value can increase by up to 5% with home automation. In fact, we receive a ton of business from buyers whose builders dont offer smart home tech, requesting installation as their homes are in the process of being built.

Have you gone out to other businesses since the city began reopening?

Yes, I went to both the Cosmopolitan and the Shops at Crystals. It was an eerie and awkward experience with our wonderful town being so slow right now. I love our city and visit the Strip a lot, and I cant wait for it to get back to normal and filled with both locals and tourists.

What are you reading right now? Or binge-watching?

Im binge watching Formula 1 and trying to avoid political ads by watching as much Netflix as possible.

How do you wind down after a long day or busy week?

I work out after being in the office for the day because it clears my mind, and a little bit of bourbon always helps me go to bed. I have a collection of some of the rarest bourbons in the world, and I enjoy seeking out the newest and rarest distillers I can find.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

I would live full-time on the beach in Southern California, where I could ride bikes and skateboard every single day.

What is something that people might not know about you?

I started electric skateboarding at 40 years old.

Visit link:

Quarantine has led to spike in business for some Las Vegas industries - Las Vegas Sun

Las Vegas buffets may be down these days, but experts say theyre not out.

As resorts began to gradually reopen after the COVID-19 shutdown, buffets remained shuttered, the health risks inherent and obvious. The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas was the first to return, with a modified format, on June 18, followed by Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and the Garden Buffet at South Point. And then Wynn announced last week that its buffet would close indefinitely at the end of service Monday.

So was that it the death knell for the buffet?

Absolutely not, said Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter and website, whos been following the citys buffets for decades. Its part of the firmament of what makes Las Vegas Las Vegas.

I dont think its going to go away, agreed Christine Bergman, a professor of food science and nutrition at UNLV.

Curtis said the Wynns version just wasnt what the Wynns guests wanted.

They gave it a shot, he said. I commend them for that. It sounds to me that it wasnt the right experience.

Under the Wynn model, guests ordered from a server who brought the food to the table. But Curtis said the appeal of a buffet is the experience of getting your own.

You cant make it perfect unless you do it yourself, he said. If you want to get two slices of tomato, you get two slices of tomato. If you just want a teaspoon of peas, you get a teaspoon of peas. You cant tell a server you want a teaspoon of peas.

Curtis said he thinks buffets at Cosmopolitan and South Point will continue to succeed in their current formats because they deliver what their particular guests are seeking something thats echoed by the two resorts executives.

We wanted to make sure we were still offering the Cosmopolitan experience, said executive chef Bryan Fyler.

Patrick Nichols, general manager and chief strategy officer, noted that from the time Wicked Spoon opened with the Cosmopolitan in 2010, nearly all foods on the buffet were individually plated, as opposed to being scooped out of large pans by guests.

That made the transition to our new approach pretty simple, Nichols said. And they ensured that that approach wasnt changed too radically.

We thought it was very important with our approach that our guests have the experience of going up to the buffet, he said. To see whats available, get the lay of the land.

The only real change is that instead of the guest grabbing the dish, a server at each station hands it to them. The additional servers also can explain dishes to guests, and they and roaming personnel ensure that social distancing is enforced and masks are worn. An employee at the entrance explains how the buffet has changed and reminds about safety protocols.

Wicked Spoon currently serves only brunch, Thursdays through Sundays, because thats the highest demand from guests, and because virtually all of the resorts restaurants are open at other times. Brunch is $39 for adults, $20 for children 4-10.

Similarly, the South Point reopened its buffet to respond to guest demand. Michael Kennedy, director of food operations, said owner Michael Gaughan told his staff that the buffet was the No. 1 request among the resorts slot players.

Kennedy said before the shutdown, the Garden Buffet had already been converted to a staff-served model, so it was easy to carry on with that upon reopening.

We put extra cooks behind the line to serve the guests, so the guests never touch any utensils, Kennedy said. Guests are frequently reminded of anti-COVID protocols, he said.

We have signage that tells you to wear your mask unless youre actively eating, he said. If, by chance, you get up and you dont have your mask, we have masks at each of our food lines, and the cooks will not serve you any food if you dont have a mask.

Kennedy said the Garden Buffet is serving its full menu on a full schedule of breakfast and lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends and dinner nightly.

Our guests love prime rib, he said. We do it every night, and twice on the weekends.

Curtis said he thinks a big draw for the Garden Buffet is value; the Las Vegas Advisor recently labeled it the No. 2 overall value in Las Vegas. Prices range from $12.95 for breakfast to $32.95 for the Friday night seafood and prime rib buffet, which includes two glasses of wine or beer. Children 4-8 are charged half price, and all prices are lower for rewards club members.

He said he doesnt see demand for the buffet diminishing.

Theyre all waiting anxiously for their return, Curtis said of his readers. When people schedule a vacation, theyre thinking about what buffets theyre going to go to. Buffets will start to creep back.

The creative folks on the Strip are going to come up with more ways to manage it, Bergman said. Just this kind of tapas version, thats not what customers go to a buffet for. Its an indulgence, hedonistic, Im going to have a good time and eat what I want with no judgment.

I think its going to be reimagined again. If you think about it, thats whats been happening all along with the quality of the food changing, prices changing. The history is that this product changes. And in light of COVID, I think its going to continue.

Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.

Link:

Las Vegas buffet will survive the COVID pandemic, experts say - Las Vegas Review-Journal

WASHINGTON Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and President Donald Trump didnt exactly get off to a great start and recent events suggest theyre not heading for a buddy movie ending.

The relationship started with the Democratic governor snubbing the Republican president. Now as the nations states are working to get their share of federal coronavirus funds, the president is snubbing back the man to whom he has given the nickname, clubhouse governor.

What does clubhouse governor mean? The President is referring to how the partisan Nevada Governor is doing this only because of politics, an aide told the Review Journal last month.

In February 2019 when he attended his first National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington, the newly elected Sisolak boycotted association functions held at the White House to protest the Department of Energys secret shipment of weapons grade plutonium to the Nevada National Security Site northwest of Las Vegas the year before.

At the time, Sisolak told the Review Journal, To go to a fancy White House dinner when Ive got this hanging over Nevada, I didnt think it was appropriate.

At the time White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told the Review-Journal, The Trump administration is open to discussions with the governor on this topic as well as others. Gov. Sisolak has been invited to the White House twice in the last two months and turned down the invitation both times that partisan approach is disappointing.

Sisolaks decision did not inspire copycats. A month later, Attorney General Aaron Ford skipped a White House event, but he told the Review-Journal a scheduling conflict was the reason and definitely not a boycott.

Shortly thereafter Nevada Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall, also a Democrat, attended a workforce development roundtable at the White House. Its important that Nevada has a seat at the table, and I look forward to continuing the conversation with stakeholders back home, she said in a statement.

In early February as a nod to political reality, Trump announced he was reversing his prior moves to fund re-licensing for a nuclear waste facility at Yucca Mountain.

Nevada, I hear you on Yucca Mountain and my Administration will RESPECT you! Congress and previous Administrations have long failed to find lasting solutions my Administration is committed to exploring innovative approaches Im confident we can get it done! Trump tweeted.

Then the coronavirus gave the two executives common ground.

Coronavirus fallout

In April, when the Review-Journal asked Trump if he supported Sisolaks decision to shut down nonessential businesses to slow the spread of the pandemic, or if he agreed with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodmans view that the shutdown was total insanity, Trump took Sisolaks side.

Noting that the order adversely affected his eponymous Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, Trump responded, Its a very severe step he took. Im okay with it. Im okay with it. But, you know I mean, you could call that one either way.

In recent months, coronavirus has presented new areas of conflict.

In May, Trump protested against Nevadas decision to allow universal mail-in ballots which he called illegal and fraud friendly, as he suggested that he could hold up funds to the State. There was no follow-up.

On Aug. 3 when Sisolak signed a measure to send mail-in ballots to active registered voters that allowed so-called ballot harvesting in November, Trump called it an illegal late night coup that was using COVID to steal the state and make it impossible for Republicans to win. The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee filed a lawsuit that challenged the measures constitutionality.

Also on Aug. 3, Trump directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reduce states reimbursement allocation for National Guard troops deployed to help with their COVID-19 response from 100 percent to 75 percent. The White House made it known that governors could call Trump to appeal for full reimbursement, which Trump did for Texas, Florida, California, Connecticut and Louisiana.

Sisolak has requested a phone call with Trump, but a call has yet to be scheduled.

On Aug. 8 Trump signed a memorandum that created an additional $300 of weekly unemployment insurance benefits for which states would have to apply. On Wednesday, Nevada became the last state to apply for those benefits.

While the President wished the Governor moved faster to leverage the unemployment benefits made possible through his executive action, the President is pleased that Governor Sisolak finally took his own action to support the hardworking people of Nevada, a White House official told the Review-Journal in an email.

Fraught relationship

Asked about relations between the Nevada Governor and U.S. president, the official responded, The Trump Administration remains committed to working with governors on both sides of the aisle in every state across the country to help the American people. In Nevada, the presidents policy on Yucca Mountain reflects the reverence he gives to the voices of the people.

I dont know if there is a relationship, Nevada GOP chairman Michael J. McDonald offered, before adding that he thinks Trump cares about Nevadans.

In May, the Trump Department of Justice warned Sisolak that his ban on in-person gatherings of 50 or more in churches and other places of worship could violate the First Amendment.

The Review-Journal reported, Sisolaks office called Metro to learn why police hadnt shut down an Evangelicals for Trump event held on Aug. 6 at the Ahern Hotel.

At this time, no call has been scheduled in regards to the Nevada National Guard reimbursement, Sisolak spokeswoman Meghin Delaney told the Review-Journal. The Governors Office followed up with the Administration as recently as this week with a request to schedule a call and emphasized the critical role the Guard has played in the states ongoing effort to combat COVID-19.

Contact Debra J. Saunders at dsaunders@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7391. Follow @DebraJSaunders on Twitter.

Excerpt from:

Sisolak, Trump at odds from the very beginning - Las Vegas Review-Journal

'); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append(""+val.title+""); // if (window.location.hostname == "www.kmov.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.kctv5.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.azfamily.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.kptv.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.fox5vegas.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.wfsb.com") { if (val.poly != "" && val.polyimg != "") { $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append('"+val.ihtml+""); $("#expandable-weather-block .weather-index-alerts").show(); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body h2").css({"font-family":"'Fira Sans', sans-serif", "font-weight":"500", "padding-bottom":"10px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body p").css({"font-size":"14px", "line-height":"24px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body span.wxalertnum").css({"float":"left", "width":"40px", "height":"40px", "color":"#ffffff", "line-height":"40px", "background-color":"#888888", "border-radius":"40px", "text-align":"center", "margin-right":"12px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body b").css("font-size", "18px"); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body li").css({"font-size":"14px", "line-height":"18px", "margin-bottom":"10px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body ul").css({"margin-bottom":"24px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body pre").css({"margin-bottom":"24px"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body img").css({"width":"100%", "margin-bottom":"20px", "borderWidth":"1px", "border-style":"solid", "border-color":"#aaaaaa"}); $("#expandable-weather-block .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).css({"borderWidth":"0", "border-bottom-width":"1px", "border-style":"dashed", "border-color":"#aaaaaa", "padding-bottom":"10px", "margin-bottom":"40px"}); }); } function parseAlertJSON(json) { console.log(json); alertCount = 0; if (Object.keys(json.alerts).length > 0) { $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body ").empty(); } $.each(json.alerts, function(key, val) { alertCount++; $("#mrd-wx-alerts .alert_count").text(alertCount); $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body ").append(''); $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append(""+val.title+""); // if (window.location.hostname == "www.kmov.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.kctv5.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.azfamily.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.kptv.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.fox5vegas.com" || window.location.hostname == "www.wfsb.com") { if (val.poly != "" && val.polyimg != "") { $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append(''); } else if (val.fips != "" && val.fipsimg != "") { // $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append(''); } // } //val.instr = val.instr.replace(/[W_]+/g," "); $("#mrd-wx-alerts .modal-body #mrd-alert"+ alertCount).append(val.dhtml+"

Instruction

Read the original here:

2 men arrested by Child Exploitation Task Force in Las Vegas after decoy ad - FOX5 Las Vegas

The legalization of marijuana in Nevada changed everything. There are now dispensaries popping up all over the Las Vegas Valley, offering a wide variety of cannabis products. One of the most popular destinations in Las Vegas for both tourists and locals is Planet 13, which features not only a large and accommodating dispensary, but an entire entertainment complex. A huge part of this complex is the restaurant Trece, and its already made a huge splash in a very short amount of time. One meal here and youll understand why.

The greenhouse dining area of Trece is expansive, allowing for easy social distancing while you dine. Its bright, colorful and theres plenty of people watching to be had. Executive chef Manny Sanchez keeps his menu lively and fresh, focusing mostly on Mexican cuisine, but branching out to other fun, flavorful areas. Dont forget to accompany your meal with a beer from the restaurants 24 available taps.

Whether youre vegetarian or carnivore, theres something for everyone at Trece. Starters are so much funeveryone will enjoy the hummus plate, which does not skimp on the creamy, house-made chickpea dip. Its served with some truly attractively presented seasonal veggies and garlic flatbread. Theres so much here its practically a meal. Speaking of which the perfectly crispy carne asada fries are irresistible, liberally ladled with cheese sauce, guacamole, sour cream and ribeye cut. Theyre listed under shareables, but you may want this all to yourself. Cant say we blame you.

The signature Mexican dishes include Flaming Fajitas, arriving at your table while still sizzling with sauted bell peppers and onions, accompanied with corn tortillas, pico de gallo and red sauce. Wait until you see the steamed corn masa house tamaleits unlike any youve ever seen, served round and thick and smothered with green or red salsa, Oaxaca cheese, Mexican sour cream and queso fresco. Stuff it with the meat of your choice and enjoy!

Not in the mood for Mexican food? Try ricotta cheese ravioli filled with kale and fresh herbs, served with cherry tomatoes, sweet peas and cauliflower florets in a white wine sauce; pan-seared Parmesan chicken served with roasted tomatoes, squash ribbons and peppery greens in a lemon butter sauce; or grilled salmon, accompanied by a corn meal cake and wilted greens in a lemon caper sauce.

Theres even a selection of great pizzas, from a classic margherita with mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh basil, to a keto pie with a cauliflower crust and topped with peppadew peppers, crispy bacon bits, black olives, wild arugula and a fig reduction drizzle. So good!

Round out your experience with dessert. The gram matcha cheesecake topped with raspberry sauce is rich and decadent, while the house flan is a lighter, but still flavorful, option, topped with fresh seasonal berries and whipped cream. You could also go a little unconventional and get a smoothiethere are plenty of options available here, from strawberry peach to mango berry. There are no wrong choices at Trece; let your appetite guide you.

2548 W. Desert Inn Road, No. 105-110, 702.665.6701

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.

Go here to read the rest:

Enjoy cuisine without borders at Trece in Las Vegas - Lasvegasmagazine

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas judge has been formally accused of improper conduct and using her power on the bench inappropriately.

This is a story the I-Team has been following.

Judge Melanie Tobiasson is accused of abusing her power, letting family issues influence her conduct and judgment, and failing to disqualify herself when there may have been a conflict of interest on the bench.

She faces eight counts from the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline in this formal statement of charges. While charges from the commission wont land her in jail, they could get the judge kicked off the bench.

In 2018, Judge Tobiasson shared her story with the I-Team.

I would lose my job over this. I would lose my freedom over this.I would lose my life over this, Judge Tobiasson said.

She said she was trying to save her teenaged daughter from sex trafficking.

In 2015, her daughter started working at a now closed store in Chinatown. According to the commission, Judge Tobiasson believed Shane Valentine, a violent felon, was running a prostitution ring out of the place and she staked it out.

I spent hours, Judge Tobiasson said. I mean I would go, I would watch, I would get license plate numbers, I would get makes and models of cars, I would follow people, I would get information about where they would go, where they lived, where they you know, I never used inappropriate means to get information. I did it all myself.

In 2016, Sydney Land and Nehemian Kauffman were murdered.

According to the commission, Judge Tobiasson stated she believed Valentine committed the murders and she connected with Sydney Lands mother with burner phones.

Her code name: Master of Puppets

The commission states Tobiasson also connected with a woman she believed was involved in the murder.

Once Metro believed the judge was interfering with the investigation, Metro started tracking her phones.

According to the department, police learned she had more than 1,000 communications over five months with organized crime figure, Anthony Danna, who she had previously dismissed charges against in her courtroom. Police say she also later communicated with him while he was a fugitive.

During her interview with the I-Team, Judge Tobiasson admitted, at times, she turned to pimps and prostitutes for information instead of police.

The problem is I dont think were in danger from the pimps anymore, Judge Tobiasson said. Im more afraid of the vice detectives and those who are trying to cover this up.Thats what Im afraid of now.

Attorney Dominic Gentile says he is representing Judge Tobiasson and declined to provide a statement.

The next step is a public hearing with the commission.

After that initial interview with Judge Tobiasson in 2018, Metro Police responded with a statement. One of the judges concerns was the Vice Unit protecting pimps, which was investigated by the FBI.

Sheriff Joe Lombardo has insisted the Vice Unit has been cleaned up.

See the original post:

I-TEAM: Las Vegas judge formally accused of abusing her power, improper conduct - KLAS - 8 News Now

Misconduct complaints filed

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Earlier in the week the I-Team reported that Las Vegas Judge Melanie Tobiasson had been formally accused of improper conduct as well as using her power on the bench inappropriately.8 News Now has learned two other judges are facing misconduct accusations; District Court Judges William S. Potter and Kerry Earley are also facing formal complaints before the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline.

In the documents obtained by 8 News Now, state the allegations against District Judge William S. Potter in the following count:

The complaint notes that the depiction on the patch is commonly associated with sexual bondage, domination, fetish and fantasy and that gags also have connotations of punishment, control, humiliation and helplessness. According to the complaint, the judge and other employees Potter gave this patch to found it offensive and inappropriate behavior for the workplace.

Potter was previously found in violation of codes in a complaint in 2017.

The complaint against District Court Judge Kerry Earley accuses her of misconduct on the following 5 counts:

The complaints on Earley and Potter accuse them of misconduct and violating several Codes of the Judicial Canon including Judicial Canon 1, Rule 1.1 (failing to comply with the law, including the Code of Judicial Conduct, in not being patient, dignified and courteous and by harassing others) among other Canon violations.

Judge Melanie Tobiasson is accused of abusing her power, letting family issues influence her conduct and judgment, and failing to disqualify herself when there may have been a conflict of interest on the bench.

The commission is set to hold public hearings on the complaints, if they find the violations to be true, the commission will proceed with sanctions and disciplinary actions.

To read the complaints on the above judges you may click here to be directed to the Commission on Judicial Discipline web page.

See the rest here:

Misconduct complaints filed against two Las Vegas judges, accusations range from improper to abusive behavior - KLAS - 8 News Now

The return of big Las Vegas entertainment at arenas, showrooms, theaters and clubs is still a ways off. But theres plenty of smaller-scale live entertainmentmostly musicprogrammed every week in the tourism corridor along Las Vegas Boulevard. Heres a resort-by-resort breakdown of all the live entertainment currently scheduled on or near the Strip.

Keep in mind that anything and everything is subject to changeand reservations are strongly encouraged, if not requiredso get in the habit of calling ahead.

Aria has one of the most dramatic lobby areas on the Strip and its modern Lobby Bar (702-590-8638), open around the clock, welcomes Vegas visitors with a pianist Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m.

Ever the center Strip titan, Bellagio emerged as one of the most entertaining destinations upon Junes reopening, thanks to the iconic fountain show and the equally magnetic conservatory. And the incredible musicians, singers and dancers that make the show go at Mayfair Supper Club (702-693-8876) have created plenty of buzz, too. Take it all in along with dinner and drinks Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Bellagio also has live DJs at Lily Bar & Lounge (702-692-5615) and the legendary pianists at the recently renovated Petrossian Bar (702-693-7111).

Circus Circus recently extended its summer discounts for locals (20 percent off) at the Adventuredome theme park through September 7, but theres family-friendly live entertainment available as well in the form of the classic and free circus acts on the second-level Midway (702-734-0410), beginning every day at 11:30 a.m.

One of the Cosmopolitans newest venues, the Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (702-698-7434) is serving up live bands from its intimate stage at 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Thats been a bit of a Strip secret because of the places speakeasy-style of operations, but less under-the-radar is the modern supper club experience at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. (877-893-2001), which offers a variety of acts during dinner and operates Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. You can also catch DJ performances at the casino-level Clique Lounge, Friday through Sunday at 9 p.m.

Its a poor substitute, but you can get a taste of what the Flamingos new RuPauls Drag Race Live show was like by watching TV spinoff Vegas Revue on VH1 Friday nights. Back in real life, Jimmy Buffetts Margaritaville (702-733-3302) offers music from a live soloist Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.relaxing tunes to go with your margarita and cheeseburger in paradise.

Closing and opening, opening and closing, casino bars have been going around and around for months. But two popular Strip spots for free, live music are back to life at Harrahs: the Piano Bar (702-369-5000), which has indoor and outdoor seating and hosts Big Elvis Pete Vallee and other lounge acts, keeps it rolling Friday and Saturday nights; and the open-air Carnaval Court (702-693-6138) between Harrahs and the Linq brings bands and DJs to its stage those same weekend nights.

With DJs spinning nightly at 10 p.m. on the 63rd floor Foundation Room lounge (702-632-7631) and regular live music in the restaurant space at the House of Blues (702-632-7600), Mandalay Bay has one of the busiest entertainment programs on the reopened Strip. Bonus pick: The rollicking Irish pub R R (702-632-7771) at the Shoppes at Mandalay Place continues to host beloved Celtic rock duo the Black Donnellys Thursday through Monday at 7 p.m.

Sitting at the gateway from the casino to MGM Grands restaurant row is country-themed watering hole the Losers Bar (702-891-3003), and it continues to offer live music nightly at 6 p.m. in its cozy saloon environment.

Sadly, the beloved dueling pianos act at the Bar at Times Square at New York-New York was re-shuttered when the governor directed bars to close again in July, but until its return, you can find live bands rocking out Thursday through Monday at 9 p.m. at another long-standing Strip music bar, Nine Fine Irishmen (702-740-3311).

The Orleans brought live tunes back to its music haven, restaurant and bar Bailiwick (702-365-7111) on July 31. Bands and solo acts perform Friday through Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.

You have to hunt around Paris a bit to find it, but the piano bar Napoleons Lounge (near the parking garage between the Paris and Ballys walkway) and casino bar Le Cabaret (both venues can be reached at 702-946-7000) are offering live music on weekends.

Gilleys Las Vegas (702-894-7111) has been back in action serving barbecue and brews since Treasure Island reopened in June, but more recently, the saloon relaunched live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The dancefloor is closed, but if you get up and dance at your table, no ones gonna bother you.

Just a few blocks east on Flamingo Road lies one of the liveliest lounges in Las Vegas. The staff and musicians at Tuscanys Piazza Lounge (702-893-8933) have been working hard to maintain a robust weekly schedule of music that currently includes Laura Shaffer on Mondays, Ashley Fuller on Tuesdays, Kelly Clinton on Wednesdays, Michael Grimm on Thursdays, Kenny Davidsen on Fridays, Rita Lim on Sundays and a slate of rotating performers on Saturday nights.

Over at the Venetian and Palazzo, there are singers and musicians entertaining during the day at St. Marks Square inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, and the twin luxury resorts are amping up the atmosphere with live DJs at nightlife spots the Dorsey (702-414-1945) and Electra Cocktail Club (702-607-1950) during weekend evening hours.

Here is the original post:

Where to find live entertainment on or near the Las Vegas Strip right now - Las Vegas Weekly

John Locher/AP

Performers cheer as they watch fireworks during a Las Vegas event to raise awareness for entertainers and live event workers who have been out of work since the start of the pandemic, Tuesday, Sept. 1,2020.

By Brock Radke (contact)

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Michelle Johnsons career in Las Vegas is a paragon of what the entertainment and events industry here is all about. Shes an exceptional and accomplished vocalist often referred to as the citys first lady of jazz, but she also produces varied entertainment events and runs a backline and production company with her husband.

Like so many other local professionals, Johnson does a lot of different things in order to make the Vegas magic happen. Thats why she was talking to media at the Smith Center on Tuesday night, a perfect representation of what the Red Alert Restart awareness event was all about.

Las Vegas organizers and venues participated in the national event on the evening of Sept. 1 assembled by brand-new industry organization We Make Events North America. Venues like the Fremont Street Experience, the Space, the Thomas & Mack Center, Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Ballpark were lit in red to show support for the displaced workers in the live events industry, and downtowns Plaza Hotel & Casino hosted a performance from some of those entertainers and a fireworks display at its Core Arena.

But Johnson spent her evening at the Smith Center, where a symbolic road case push circled the Symphony Park lawn to start the events, because the downtown performing arts center holds a special place in her heart.

Ive played here a lot, I love this building and I feel like when this was built, it shifted the way Las Vegas was perceived, she said. I always call this the Lincoln Center of Nevada. Before this it was the Strip and the production shows but now we have true arts here. For all of that to happen in what feels like a short period of time, and then one day its all done [because of the pandemic], thats one thing.

The other thing, and the reason I got emotional when I came out here, is seeing all these stagehands here. Even I dont realize how many people have lost their gigs, and Im in the business. Every show, every property, every hotel has AV [technicians]. And it feels a little like were invisible, the little magic behind the wall no one sees. They just see the performers.

Red Alert Restart was a bit different from other local events and fundraisers benefitting those in the performing arts because the focus is on everyone in the industry an estimated 12 million people across the country, according to organizers.

From performers to technicians to designers to legal staff to the guy working the hot dog stand to the parking attendant, every person involved in making live events happen, said Brad Nelms, a new Las Vegas resident and the national director for We Make Events. We as an industry contribute about a trillion dollars a year in economic impact, plus the tertiary effects on other industries like travel, hospitality and restaurants.

Without audiences we dont exist and thats our challenge right now. We cant have an audience. There is a massive community behind these [events] that has made a living by being out of the picture, behind the scenes, and they now have a big problem, so thats why were doing this.

The North America group formed quickly after the campaign started in Europe with an Aug. 11 Light it Red event that saw the participation of 1,750 buildings. Tuesdays event was organized by regional teams in 58 cities with approximately 2,000 buildings illuminated in red across the country, Nelms said, thanks to the efforts of more than 5,000 volunteers.

Some local industry workers have been attempting to persuade state government and the Nevada Gaming Control Board to create and release guidelines that would allow smaller Las Vegas shows and live entertainment events to get back onstage as soon as possible. But this national campaigns goals are focused on getting more assistance for workers everywhere though two pieces of legislation that Congress could add to the next relief bill.

The Restart Act is small-business legislation thats not exclusive to our industry, but it would be helpful relative to other bills because it provides the loosest restrictions on the amounts of time and money it provides, and that gives us enough runway to get to March, which is the earliest time we believe we can be back, Nelms said. And on the people side, many people in this industry are freelance workers or own their own businesses and theyre not necessarily covered by the Payroll Protection Program. So we need pandemic unemployment assistance and federal pandemic unemployment compensation, the vehicles that were previously giving people that additional $600 per week to make an actual livable wage on unemployment, and allow independent contractors access to that money.

We Make Events also held a livestream on Facebook during this weeks demonstrations and the group encourages supporters to visit wemakeevents.org to find ways to help.

It seems sadly ironic that the entertainment industry, always in the spotlight in Las Vegas and in other cities where showbiz is deeply entrenched in the communitys culture, appears to be misunderstood, overlooked or even ignored in the era of coronavirus.

It feels like this is the epicenter of it, Johnson said. Im from New York and my friends back home are saying the same thing, but the difference is [New York] is not the entertainment capital of the world. Its Wall Street, and its all these other industries that are all affected, but here, this is the jewel in the crown of what we do. This is it.

Especially when something tragic like this is going on, entertainment is always the thing that pulls people through. Think about the movies that came out of the 40s after the war, or the music that came out of the 60s. Anytime theres turbulence, art is what has bridged us and gotten us through, and people have forgotten about us. I really believe were the healers and well help people pull through, and I dont think were the only ones, but we need to be taken more seriously as part of this city, for all that we give.

See the rest here:

The entertainment industry lights up Las Vegas for Red Alert Restart - Las Vegas Sun

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) A 24-year-old Las Vegas woman has been arrested for sexually assaulting a child she met several years ago outside of a local school.

Yuliza Ambriz was booked on Aug. 27 in the Clark County Detention Center under the charges of 2 counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 14 and child abuse and/or neglect.

Las Vegas police discovered the alleged abuse after responding to a domestic disturbance in downtown Las Vegas on July 20.

The juvenile girl was transported to a local hospital where she told a nurse that she was in a relationship with Ambriz.

The girl told police that she met Ambriz outside a school and that Ambriz had a puppy with her at the time. Ambriz reportedly invited the girl and her sister back to her home to play with her other dogs.

The girl and Ambriz became friends and started dating years later. The girl told police that she and Ambriz had several sexual encounters. She repeatedly referred to Ambriz as her girlfriend.

Ambriz confessed to having sex with the girl after she was arrested. She told police that she had feelings for the girl that she could not let go and she knew that the girl felt the same about her.

Ambrizs husband is currently serving time for sexual assault of a child, according to court records.

The domestic disturbance was a result of the girls sister going to Ambrizs home to pick the girl up.

According to the arrest report, the girls mother and sister were aware of the relationship and had made attempts to put an end to it.

Ambriz is due in court Oct. 1.

Original post:

Las Vegas woman arrested for sexually assaulting girl she had met several years ago - KTNV Las Vegas

Hundreds of Las Vegans who normally spend their time and talents entertaining millions of visitors every year returned to the Strip on August 19 to remind everyone that theyre still here and waiting to get back to work. They drove along Las Vegas Boulevard in their own cars and marched along the Strips sidewalks, wearing masks and holding signs that read We are stagehands, We are performers, We are live music, We make events and We need help.

Matt and Angela Stabile were there. The couples Stabile Productions company created and produces three successful, long-running late-night revuesX Burlesque, X Rocks and X Countryat three different Caesars Entertainment casino properties, along with Piff the Magic Dragon at the Flamingo. They also recently launched Change.org petition The Show Must Go On, calling on Gov. Steve Sisolak to release guidelines allowing shows like theirs to resume operations. At press time, it had more than 4,000 signatures.

It was good to see so many people come out to bring awareness to the fact that nothing is being done, says Angela Stabile, a former showgirl and dancer who performed in Lido de Paris at the Stardust and Crazy Girls at the Riviera. The governor is not addressing anything having to do with ticketed entertainment coming back when almost everything else is.

Adds Matt Stabile, I just dont understand why entertainment has been put so much on the back burner, because no one is going to continue to come to this town without entertainment.

Vegas shows big and small on and off the Strip, along with other events and large gatherings, have been shut down since mid-March as part of the states coronavirus response plan. Theres widespread recognition that the large-scale shows, entertainment and sports events with audiences of thousands cannot safely return at this time, but theres rising frustration in the local entertainment community that events in smaller theaters and showrooms arent getting a fair shake.

Producers of Strip shows like Opium at the Cosmopolitan and Thunder From Down Under at Excaliburheld in venues that seat hundreds, not thousandshave been preparing for months to restart with smaller, socially distanced audiences, modifying productions for any anticipated restrictions. The economics still need to be worked out with the hotels but we can run at 50 percent [capacity], Matt Stabile says. We have an advantage in smaller theaters. Those huge Cirque [du Soleil] shows have it a lot tougher.

Spiegelworld announced in early August that it had deep-cleaned and reconfigured the tent at Caesars Palace that hosts its award-winning show Absinthe, installing a new bipolar ionization air purification system to reduce airborne contaminants and replacing rows of seats with a cabaret-style system allowing a properly distanced audience of 220.

We have a full-time infection mitigation manager onboard who has been consulting with health experts and our casino partners to create a comprehensive handbook and set of protocols for how we will operate once Governor Sisolak and the Nevada Gaming Control Board agree it is appropriate for live entertainment to resume, Spiegelworld founder Ross Mollison said in an announcement. With many enhanced precautions and procedures in place, we believe we are uniquely positioned to present our same raunchy and hilarious shows in a way that should make everybody involved comfortable.

Movie theaters across the Vegas Valley have reopened, including some in casino complexes, leaving entertainers and show workers to watch as crowds gather in similar venues while they cant go back to work in the same fashion. Sophisticated live entertainment is allowed at the Cosmopolitans Rose. Rabbit. Lie. and Bellagios Mayfair Supper Club because those venues are categorized as restaurants, and off the Strip, large church services often include live performance from a full band.

A statement sent from the governors office to the Weekly didnt specifically address that apparent disparity, reiterating that the virus and its impact on the state sets the timeline for any reopening:

The Governor created the COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force, and [it is] responsible for assessing transmission risk levels for each county based on state criteria, and working with local governments to implement targeted mitigation measures that go beyond the current statewide baseline standards. These statewide standards include limits on public and private gathering size, along with capacity limits for businesses. Restrictions and mitigation measures related to live events and performances are also part of the existing statewide baseline standards. Any changes would only occur after an assessment by health officials and other experts and confidence that trends in cases, hospitalizations and community spread are in a safe position, along with appropriate response measures in place.

The August 19 Strip demonstration was organized by an informal group called We the Entertainment Community of Las Vegas (WE/EC), which linked up with new national organization We Make Events North America for a September 1 Red Alert Restart event. Several entertainment and event venues, including Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Ballpark and the Smith Center, were lit in red, with a performance and fireworks display at the Plaza among the happenings designed to raise awareness for at-risk live events industry workers. Similar demonstrations took place in dozens of cities across the country.

The Stabiles have been communicating with Congresswoman Susie Lee and hoping that connection plus their petition will get the attention of the governor. Angela Stabile says she believes everyone is on the same page and wants to get entertainment going as soon as possible.

Caesars Entertainment is a great partner to us. We love working with them and weve been in touch the entire time, she says. Their priority, obviously, is safety, as is ours. The bottom line is we just want some guidelines.

Follow this link:

What will it take to bring back Las Vegas shows? - Las Vegas Weekly

By Andrew Woods

Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders from Las Vegas to London to Beijing have resulted in fewer cars on roads and a plummet in public transit ridership. The nosedive in daily commuters has left large swaths of cities around the world nothing but a sea of deserted asphalt in the middle of the day. Among those who did venture out, many opted for a form of transit most of us learned to use as children bicycles.

According to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), use of the bicycle share program in downtown Las Vegas skyrocketed 97% the past few months compared with the same time last year. In May, the e-bike share program saw an average of a 1,000 rides a day, an increase of 843% compared with May 2019.

Venturing out, one couldnt help but notice the throngs of bicyclists on some of what used to be our busiest roads, such Sahara Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard. The jumps in ridership in Las Vegas follow similar trends in other major cities.

Eco-Counter a Montreal engineering company that measures pedestrian traffic found a 21% increase in overall U.S. urban ridership thus far this year, compared with 2019. In New York City, the bike-share service Citi Bike saw an increase of 67% at the beginning of March, which continued through June, the latest data available. Counters on bridges measured significant increases in bicycle crossings at the start of the pandemic before stay-at-home orders were issued. Rails-to-Trails reported a 110% increase over 2019 in ridership on rail-trails such as sections of the Great American Rail Trail that connects Washington, D.C., to Seattle.

The upward trend is not just in metropolises with robust ridership, but also in car-dependent western cities like Los Angeles and Oakland, where ridership and bicycle sales in the wake of coronavirus skyrocketed. Data provided by PeopleForBikes showed bicycle sales up 65% this year over 2019. In many cities, there is a shortage of new bicycles because suppliers have not been able to keep up with demand.

Ridership has increased for several reasons. For one, during the pandemic people feel safer on their bicycle than on public transit. It is deemed relatively safe when riders maintain 6 feet of distance from each another, and research suggests that coronavirus transmission is more difficult in outdoor settings and when people are moving at variable speeds. Cycling has been deemed so safe and economically necessary that the U.K. government included bicycle repair vouchers in its economic recovery plan.

Second, with more people spending time at home, families are looking for something to do together that keeps the kids entertained and gets them out of the house. According to Eric Bjorling, director of brand at Trek Bicycles, this has led to not only a shortage of childrens bicycles, but all kinds of bicycles, from electric-powered to mountain bikes, for adults who are eager to get outside.

Cities are taking notice. Local governments in New York, Milan, Paris, Mexico City, Bogota and, yes, Las Vegas are accelerating plans for new bicycle lanes. They are meant to be temporary or pop-up to adjust for the significant change in urban commuter habits, but city planners and bicycle advocates are thinking longer term. Some dream of what they call the 15-minute city, where food, parks and schools are within a 15-minute walking distance, and the current crisis has allowed city leaders to fast-track those plans.

Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, a cycling advocate, notes that already several new bicycle lane projects in the valley have been fast-tracked, including a multiuse trail from Hualapai Way to Durango Drive that will extend the future Red Rock Legacy Trail, as well as additional miles of bike lanes on Fort Apache Road and restriping of new lanes on Torrey Pines Drive.

Prior to COVID, Clark County was making slow, steady progress to add more bicycle lanes, Jones said. COVID proved that if people feel safe, they will get out and ride a bike on our roadways. Now, more of these projects that make cycling more accessible are moving forward with greater emphasis.

Jones and others are looking to take advantage of the enthusiasm in bicycling with an annual event starting this fall and a possible future event on the Strip once restrictions on social gatherings are lifted.

In downtown Las Vegas, RTC partnered with NV Energy to build six more e-bike sharing systems after demand skyrocketed during the state-mandated shutdown. RTC notes that its e-bike program has remained popular even after the shutdown and in the midst of extreme heat. It predicts that by the end of the year, the number of e-bike share rides will double what they were 2019.

Will it last? While advocates are bullish that the pandemic will change commuters habits for the long term, others are more skeptical over whether habits have actually changed in car-heavy communities. Part of the skepticism is that planners have rushed through new projects that normally take several years to put together. In New York, residents in Central Park West sued the city last year over the construction of the bicycle lanes. City planners worry that even if habits shift to using less public transit and more bicycling, other commuters will still choose cars, causing further congestion and smog on narrower roads.

One thing is clear though: Whether or not COVID-19 has changed the habits of urban commuters, cities are pedaling forward.

Andrew Woods is the CEO of WS Nevada a policy, elections and analysis firm based in Southern Nevada. He is finishing up his masters at the University of Chicago with a focus on infrastructure and transportation.

Excerpt from:

How long will the rise of bicycling last? - Las Vegas Sun

If youre in the mood to go old school, hit up Carbone. This restaurant channels the Italian joints New York is famous for. Youll dig its plush, high-backed booths and velvet curtains around the dining area, as well as the eclectic playlist.

Start with a classic cocktail like the Negroni, simply concocted with London gin, vermouth and Campari, or a fancy one like the White Lady, with gin, orange liqueur, vanilla and egg white. Num-num. Add an appetizer, such as the carpaccio Piemontese, which Carbone is known forthin slices of lean beef, with a truffle emulsion, mushrooms and arugula.

Another Carbone classic, the rigatoni in spicy vodka sauce, lives up to its name. Youll probably suss out Calabrian chili, as well as plenty of onion. And a medium-rare ribeye Diana with a cacciatore-style sauce may float your boat as well.

Aria, 877.230.2742

Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.

More here:

Carbone in Las Vegas is rich in flavor and tradition - Lasvegasmagazine

Saturday is cut-down day, when the Raiders will have to narrow their roster to the 53 players they intend to take into their Week 1 matchup against Carolina, and Jon Grudens philosophy toward building the roster is simple.

When asked about his cornerback group in the wake of releasing veteran Prince Amukamara, the coach gave an answer that covers just about everything.

Keeping the best guys is all were doing, Gruden said. Were going to keep the best players and try to continue to develop them.

With that guiding principle, lets run through the roster and try to project Las Vegas 53-man allotment.

(And for the sake of fun, lets also look back at my colleague Case Keefers first 53-man projection, which was done immediately following the draft but still holds up reasonably well.)

QUARTERBACKS (3): Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman

Carr calmed some nerves around the franchise by playing well enough in camp to extinguish any talk of a quarterback controversy before it got started. Mariota, by the virtue of his high salary and not necessarily his performance in camp, will be the No. 2 QB. Some teams only carry two passers, but with COVID-19 complicating things the safe play would seem to be three quarterbacks. Peterson gets the last spot.

Cases early projection: Carr, Mariota, DeShone Kizer. Kizer didnt last long. There must be something about Peterson that Jon Gruden finds endearing.

RUNNING BACKS (4): Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Lynn Bowden, Alec Ingold

Jacobs is a stud and should handle the vast majority of the workload on first and second down. Richard and Bowden are pass-catchers at this point, and Ingold is a fullback. If theres one thing this group is missing its a hard-charging power back for short-yardage situations, but Ingold can theoretically lead the way in heavy formations.

Cases early projection: Jacobs, Richard, Bowden, Ingold. Nailed it. Maybe I can take the rest of the night off

WIDE RECEIVERS (5): Henry Ruggs, Hunter Renfrow, Bryan Edwards, Nelson Agholor, Zay Jones

The Raiders probably would have carried six receivers if Tyrell Williams hadnt gone on injured reserve, but he did and now the team is a bit short-handed at the position. I dont think there was another wideout in camp who could step up into the sixth spot, so I project the Raiders to roll with five WRs to start the year. Agholor and Jones are now key pieces.

Cases early projection: Williams, Ruggs, Renfrow, Edwards, Agholor, Jones. This is likely dead on if Williams had made it through the summer healthy.

TIGHT ENDS (4): Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Jason Witten, Derek Carrier

Carrier wouldnt have made the imaginary cut a week ago, but with Williams situation trimming the number of receivers on the roster Gruden now gets to carry a fourth tight end. For those of you keeping score at home, thats four tight ends and a fullback on a 2020 roster.

Cases early projection: Waller, Witten, Moreau. This could still end up being the way things shake out on Saturday. The skill sets of Waller, Witten and Moreau are varied enough that they could handle just about every conceivable situation.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Richie Incognito, Kolton Miller, Trent Brown, Denzelle Good, Sam Young, John Simpson, Brandon Parker, Andre James

The top five are locked in, and Simpson was a fourth-round draft pick so his spot is secure. Good gives the team a veteran guard, and Parker is still developing on the outside. One point of concern is Browns absence for most of camp; if hes unable to get up to speed in time for Week 1, Young would probably get the call to step in at right tackle. Hudson has played 100 percent of the teams offensive snaps in three of the last four seasons, but James has shown enough to warrant a spot as the backup center.

Cases early projection: Hudson, Jackson, Incognito, Miller, Brown, Jordan Devey, Eric Kush, Simpson, Good, David Sharpe. The second-string picture has changed since the draft. Devey was released this week, Sharpe was traded to Washington for a late-round pick and Young was a relatively late addition.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Arden Key, Carl Nassib, Maliek Collins, Johnathan Hankins, Daniel Ross, Maurice Hurst

Ferrell and Crosby will start on the outside and Collins will line up as the three-technique DT. The other tackle spot will probably end up being a rotation depending on the situation. Key showed out during training camp, so it will be interesting to see if he can carry it over to the regular season.

Cases early projection: Ferrell, Crosby, Nassib, Key, Collins, Hankins, Hurst, Ross, P.J. Hall. Hall didnt make it through camp, but the rest of the eight remain the same.

LINEBACKERS (6): Nick Kwiatkoski, Cory Littleton, Raekwon McMillan, Nicholas Morrow, Javin White, Tanner Muse

McMillan gives the team a third starting-caliber linebacker, but only in run situations. Morrow makes the team as a sub-package LB, with undrafted White pushing him for playing time. Muse is a linebacker in name only, as hell see most of his snaps on special teams.

Cases early projection: Kwiatkoski, Littleton, Morrow, Muse, Marquel Lee. White was the biggest riser during training camp, so its understandable that Case left him off of the early 53-man roster.

CORNERBACKS (6): Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, Lamarcus Joyner, Amik Robertson, Isaiah Johnson, Keisean Nixon

This position group is an indication of the franchises youth movement. Arnette and Robertson are rookies, while Mullen, Johnson and Nixon are second-year players. Joyner is the only certified veteran in the room. Nevin Lawson is serving a suspension in Week 1 but hes another experienced hand.

Cases early projection: Mullen, Arnette, Joyner, Robertson, Nixon, Lawson. As mentioned, Lawson will be eligible to rejoin the team in Week 2, so this could end up being the true composition at cornerback.

SAFETIES (4): Johnathan Abram, Damarious Randall, Jeff Heath, Erik Harris

One of the most spoken-for position groups, this has looked like the foursome throughout the entire offseason. The team is expecting big things from Abram, while Randall, Heath and Harris should combine to provide steady play on the back end. Probably the only way this changes is if Gruden moves Lamarcus Joyner to safety.

Cases early projection: Abram, Randall, Heath, Harris. No fuss, no muss.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Daniel Carlson (kicker), A.J. Cole (punter), Trent Sieg (long snapper)

Carlson hasnt been rock-solid during his time with the Raiders, but if theres a last-second kick to win the game in Week 1 hell be the one lining it up.

Cases early projection: Dominik Eberle (kicker), Cole, Sieg. Eberle was an interesting undrafted free agent, but he ended up being one of the first camp cuts.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [emailprotected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

Back to top

Continued here:

Projecting the Raiders' 53-man roster - Las Vegas Sun

Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP

In this Dec. 26, 2019, file photo, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks to the media in front of a security officer standing guard at the Foundation for Fighting Corruption office in Moscow, Russia. Navalny has been poisoned and hospitalized on Thursday morning, Aug. 20, 2020. His spokeswoman said on Twitter that Navalny felt unwell on a flight back to Moscow from Tomsk, a city inSiberia.

Associated Press

Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 | 12:30 a.m.

MOSCOW All the attempts over the years to stop the work of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny have failed so far.

Hes been jailed repeatedly and twice put on trial for embezzlement and fraud. He's been put under house arrest and splashed in the face with green antiseptic, damaging his sight. He was hospitalized last year for a suspected poisoning while in custody. His brother was jailed for over three years on fraud charges.

Now Navalny is in an induced coma in a Berlin hospital after suffering what German authorities say was a poisoning with achemical nerve agentwhile the opposition leader and corruption fighter was traveling from Siberia on Aug. 20. The Kremlin has denied involvement, and questioned whether he was poisoned at all.

Initially stunned by the attempt on his life, his supporters soon got back to work on their latest campaign against the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Weve got more anger and more motivation to work harder in order to, among other things, show the Kremlin that these methods of pressuring the opposition dont work, said Lyubov Sobol, one of Navalnys closest allies.

His top strategist Leonid Volkov said Navalny's team put all their regular work on hold as they arranged his transfer from a hospital in Omsk, where the plane carrying the unconscious activist had made an emergency landing. They publicized his plight for 48 hours, from the moment the plane landed in Omsk to the minute when the medevac plane carrying Navalny took off for Berlin.

Starting from Sunday, when he was already in Berlin, I firmly told everyone and everyone understood, of course that, Guys, Im sorry but we need to get back to our normal work,' Volkov said. Weve got to slog away at Smart Voting.

The Smart Voting project was launched in 2018 and is designed to oust the Kremlins dominant United Russia party which Navalny has dubbed the party of crooks and thieves from regional governments and legislatures.

The project aims to identify and campaign for candidates who are most likely to beat those backed by the Kremlin in various elections.

Last year, the Smart Voting project helped opposition candidates win 20 out of 45 seats on the Moscow city council. This year, Navalnys team hopes to use it in 31 Russian regions where elections on various levels are scheduled for Sept. 13. In some of those regions, the team put forward its own candidates.

Navalny, 44, has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side even though he is barred from running against Putin because of the 2017 conviction for embezzlement a charge he says was politically motivated. In public statements, Putin refuses to even speak Navalny's name.

Through his two popular YouTube channels detailing government corruption, Navalnys reach has spread across the vast country. In 2017, he set up a network of campaign offices in a bid to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election. Even though he was banned from running against Putin, Navalny kept the infrastructure in place.

These regional headquarters began their own investigations of graft by local officials and recruited activists, some of whom would later run for office. Navalny believes that ending the dominance of United Russia in regional parliaments and administrations will undermine the formal mechanism of Putins rule.

After Navalny was hospitalized in Germany, his team used the moment to promote Smart Voting, filling social media with calls to register on the projects online platform that tells voters which candidates to support in their area. Volkov said the appeals have increased registrations.

On Monday, they released a 40-minute expose of corruption in Novosibirsk, a large city in Siberia where a coalition of over 30 opposition candidates is running for the city council. The video, which has gotten over 4 million views on YouTube, was shot during Navalnys fateful trip to Siberia.

The foundation of Putins power is not the State Duma, as one would think. No," Navalny says in the video, stressing the importance of the local elections.

Their main power is in United Russia having a majority in every regional legislature and a majority in every big city council. If (United Russia) loses this majority, the power of the villains melts away immediately, he says.

From these regional roots, Navalnys team hopes to go all the way to the State Duma -- Russias lower house of parliament -- and deploy the Smart Voting strategy in the 2021 parliamentary election.

Its a dress rehearsal, a decisive test of strength before the elections to the State Duma, Volkov said.

Navalnys ability to mobilize voters next year poses a key challenge for the Kremlin, because those elections will determine who controls the State Duma in 2024. That's when Putins current term expires and he is expected to seek re-election, thanks to a reset of his term limits after lawmakers and voters approved changes to Russia's constitution this year. And Putin's approval ratings have fallen recently amid growing public frustration over the declining economy.

The Smart Voting strategy could indeed upend government plans for the new parliament, said Nikolai Petrov, a senior research fellow in Chatham Houses Russia and Eurasia Program, but he said Navalnys personal involvement is crucial.

Navalny is unique because no one but him has enough authority to consolidate votes for various non-Kremlin forces and ensure defeat of the Kremlins candidates, Petrov said.

Still, Navalny has built an organization that goes beyond the appeal of one man. With him jailed so often, his supporters are used to working on their own, as is his network of over 40 regional cells nationwide.

Navalny was imprisoned for 30 or 50 days last year, and the work didnt stop. Its the same now. Yes, of course, it was a shock for us, but we didnt stop our campaigns, said Ksenia Fadeyeva, who runs the regional headquarters in the Siberian city of Tomsk and is running for city council.

At the same time, his supporters admit that his charisma and popularity are an asset, even though his anti-corruption campaigns have angered many in power even outside the Kremlin.

Tomsk was one of Navalnys stops on his recent trip to Siberia. Fadeyeva says she was pleasantly surprised by how well he is known.

We walked around the city center, and a lot of people recognized him. To be honest, I didnt expect that many people to approach (Navalny), say hello, ask for a photo, want to talk, Fadeyeva said.

A 40-minute video exposing corruption in Tomsk was released Thursday by Navalny's team, and in five hours received over 850,000 views.

We dont hide that our political organization vast and sophisticated is built around a charismatic leader, which is both a strength and a weakness, Volkov said. A leaderless protest cant be beheaded, but it is much harder for a leaderless protest to succeed.

Volkov admits that hardly anyone on the team has as much political capital or could rally people like Navalny, who could come up with thoughts and ideas that were interesting to a lot of people, as well as effective forms of communication.

The Kremlin understands that, and it understands that with ... one horrific criminal act it can try and nullify a significant part of what weve done, he added.

In the meantime, theres no other option but to continue the work.

You do what you can. We campaign the way we can," Volkov said. "We invest all the resources that we have. And we do what we do.

See original here:

Attempts to halt Kremlin critic Navalny have failed so far - Las Vegas Sun

F

ollowing months of negotiations over worker safety and job protections which begun when casinos were closed in mid-March because of COVID-19, tens of thousands of working or furloughed employees at MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment will keep family health benefits until March 1.

An agreement was reached Monday between the two largest Las Vegas casino companies unions representing bartenders and culinary workers, officials said. The pact affects about 36,000 union workers at 22 Las Vegas Strip properties, the unions said.

As reported by FOX 5, the agreement came the same day casino giant MGM Resorts International laid off about 18,000 employees at locations around the U.S.

Behind every worker is a family, Culinary Union executive Geoconda Argello-Kline said in a statement describing the agreements with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment Inc. as historic.

Argello-Kline said they mean workers can keep health benefits until next year even if they are currently idled, and retain seniority benefits when they return to their jobs.

In the statement, Tom Reeg, Caesars CEO, called the agreement an important step in continuing to ensure our team members and their families are protected during these unpredictable times.

Our industry and communities are facing unprecedented challenges MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle added in the statement.

In a separate letter to company employees who went from furloughed to laid-off on Monday, Hornbuckle said MGM Resorts would extend their health benefits through Sept. 30; that they would remain on a recall list; and that those reinstated by the end of 2021 would retain seniority and resume benefits.

Most Las Vegas casinos have reopened since closure orders were lifted June 4.

The unions representing hotel housekeepers, cooks, bartenders, vehicle valets and others sued MGM Resorts and Caesars later that month, seeking to force the companies to tighten safety measures to protect employee health.

On June 24, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a mandatory face-covering policy for any generally publicly accessible space including casinos and other businesses.

The state Legislature later passed a law requiring enhanced hotel and casino cleaning and safety training; enforcement of social distance requirements; temperature checks to detect fever symptoms of illness; and detailed plans for when a worker contracts the virus.

The claims in the lawsuit were dismissed in August.

The culinary and bartenders unions said Mondays agreement affects 24,000 MGM Resorts workers and 12,000 Caesars employees. It said officials were trying to negotiate similar protections for 24,000 employees at other Las Vegas-area hotels and casinos.

The companies promised 10 paid days off for employees ordered to be quarantined by local health officials; no disciplinary action against workers isolated with COVID-19 symptoms; up to six weeks of unpaid leave; and a chance for employees to switch jobs if positions become open.

Tourists and travelers are beginning to return to Las Vegas, according to economic reports, but mostly by highway and well below pre-coronavirus levels.

With conventions canceled, the regions nearly 124,000 hotel rooms were less than half-full in July, and overall visitor volume was down 61%, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported last week.

Read more:

Las Vegas casinos-unions agree on health benefits extension into 2021 - Yogonet International