The Raiders wrapped up the first week of OTAs on Thursday. After taking the weekend off, they will return to Henderson for another slew of workouts at the clubs practice facility.

As the offseason program continues to unfold and training camp creeps closer, Raiders fans have plenty of questions about the development and progress of the team.

Here is a sampling of the questions that arrived in this weeks mailbag:

elliot edelstein (@elliot_elraid66): How does the tandem of Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards look?

Vincent Bonsignore: Obviously, its very, very early. But both looked to be in great shape. Ruggs was noticeably bigger, in a good way. The Raiders stressed nutrition and weight room work for Ruggs this offseason, and he clearly took it to heart.

The next step is making the necessary refinements to enhance his route running, coming down cleanly with the ball including getting both feet down and playing with more confidence and explosiveness.

Edwards has looked the part of an NFL receiver from Day One of training camp last year, and he looked polished and effective throughout his first camp. An ankle injury in Week 3 last season set him back, but he finished the season strong. He looked good last week during OTAs.

The Raiders would like nothing more than for both young wide receivers to earn bigger roles.

Jesus Jimenez (@86Chuy68): If Johnathan Abram doesnt take the next step, do you see any of the recent drafts picks pushing him out?

VB: This is a big season for the Raiders third-year safety for several reasons. As a first-round pick in 2019, his fifth-year option season is closer than you think. The Raiders need assurances he is worthy of picking up that option. Delivering a big season this year would go a long way toward creating that comfort level.

The Raiders, cognizant of that looming decision, added safeties Trevon Moehrig and Tyler Gillespie via the draft. Moehrig is expected to be the Day One starter at free safety, with Abram playing the box safety position in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradleys system. So Moehrig actually complements Abram rather than threatens him.

On the other hand, Gillespie projects as a box safety as well. While the initial plan will be to slowly bring him along in the hope he can contribute situationally, it isnt far-fetched to assume he could be the replacement for Abram if Abram doesnt turn things around.

Ideally, Abram takes a decisive step forward and solidifies his long-range spot on the team, and Gillespie, Moehrig, and veteran Karl Joseph complete a deep and versatile safety room.

But first and foremost, Abram has to show he can be counted on.

Zud (@LLAMA12345666): If you could pick one of our young players to break out and be a Pro Bowler this season, who would it be?

VB: This is a great question. Predicting a Pro Bowl candidate is tough because so much of that vote is predicated on reputation based on past or most recent production. Aside from Darren Waller, Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs, the recent resumes of all other current players dont rise to that level.

More pertinently, the Raiders just need some of these young guys to show they can be counted on as reliable, consistent players.

Abram will be given every chance to tap into his skills in his new position as a physical presence operating in much smaller spaces while also getting dialed up in blitz packages. That could add up to the type of big plays the Raiders need.

Cory Littleton isnt so much a breakout candidate as he is a candidate to get back on track and be the player he was with the Rams. If so, hell garner plenty of attention from voters.

Jos Abraham Pia (@jabrahampina_1): How is Trevon Moehrig looking at practice?

VB: Definitely looks and acts the part of a highly touted prospect. Looking forward to seeing him when the lights get turned on a little brighter during the preseason.

TheRealOliverBeans (@oliver_beans): Is there going to be a concerted effort to get Henry Ruggs involved this year? His involvement last year was very disappointing and concerning.

VB: Yes, although its a two-way street. No doubt Jon Gruden and his staff need to figure out more ways to get him involved. Hes too good of an athlete not to put the ball in his hands seven to 10 times per game, if not more.

However, he has some responsibility in showing Gruden and Derek Carr he can deliver when called upon. The more he delivers, the more confidence the coaches and Carr will have in him.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.

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Henry Ruggs and Johnathan Abram on the mind of Raiders fans - Las Vegas Review-Journal

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue across the U.S. and all eyes turn to the reopening of sectors that have been battered by the pandemic, investors may want to place a bet on Las Vegas.

Strategists at KeyBanc Capital Markets say strong revenue in April and accelerating May foot traffic in Sin City and other U.S. gambling centers have made them upbeat on the gaming and leisure sector.

In a report published on Wednesday, a team led by Brett Andress at KeyBanc said the strategists continue to see signals of an accelerated recovery taking place this spring/summer.

Also read:The World Is Reopening. Retailer Earnings Show Some Shoppers Still Like Stay at Home.

The comeback is accelerating in Las Vegas, they said, with data showing an encouraging pickup in the number of visitors from the lows of the pandemic. The number of people passing through the Vegas strip rose to 67% of 2019 levels in April 2021 from 57% in March.

So far in May, the number of visitors in Vegas is still picking up rising to 68% of 2019 levels, with traffic on the weekend continuing to make fresh highs. While the number of weekday visitors a better measure of normal, in the strategists view has fallen back from highs reached in March due to spring break and March Madness, it continues to remain above initial reopening levels.

The strategists said that while gross revenue from in-person gambling was strong in March, it grew again in April. In-person gross gaming revenues in 18 states, as a percentage of 2019 levels, grew an average of 16 percentage points from March to April. And data show May remains elevated, they said.

Plus:Time to Get Dressed for the Reopening. These Stocks Will Benefit.

The team at KeyBanc said that the continuing recovery, and the sustainability of margins in the gambling business, could lead to upgrades across the sector. The group is bullish on seven stocks.

In particular, the strategists highlightedBallys BALY, -0.43%, Boyd BYD, -1.50%, andChurchill Downs CHDN, -1.71%, with target prices on the stocks suggesting that shares in all three companies could climb 23%. The valuations of the three dont reflect strong opportunities in interactive gaming and other areas where the companies could benefit in the future, they said.

KeyBanc is also positive onCaesars CZR, -0.44%, MGM Resorts MGM, -2.10%, Penn National Gaming PENN, -1.55%, andRed Rock Resorts RRR, -0.97%. A risk across the whole sector remains a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that could lead to restrictions or curtail travel and in-person gambling.

Read: Bitcoin, GameStop and NIO bets turned this flight attendant into a millionaire: Now hes wagering it all in one final push to $3 million.

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Place a bet on Las Vegas and the economic recovery with these gaming stock picks - MarketWatch

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A pop-up vaccination clinic is scheduled on Saturday, June 5, at the Las Vegas Ballpark from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone 12 and older can make an appointment for a shot at the Southern Nevada Health Districts website at http://www.SNHD.info/covid. The Pfizer vaccine, which is the only one approved for children age 12 and older to date, will be available in addition to Johnson & Johnsons Janssen one-shot vaccine. Those who receive a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at this clinic will be referred to other local resources to schedule their second dose appointments in three weeks.

Walk-up vaccinations also will be available while supplies last.

The stadium is located at 1650 S. Pavilion Center Drive in Summerlin. Vaccinations will be offered on the stadium concourse.

In addition to COVID-19 vaccinations, the event will feature raffle prizes, including Aviators game tickets, and on-field activities offered by members of the local baseball community. The event is a team effort by Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, the Las Vegas Aviators, Howard Hughes Corp., the Southern Nevada Health District, the Clark County Fire Department and other partners.

The county also announced pop-up clinics for June 1 and June 3:

Tuesday, June 1, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, 89117Thursday, June 3, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Parkdale Recreation & Senior Center, 3200 Ferndale St., 89121

Make an appointment for a shot at the Southern Nevada Health Districts website at http://www.SNHD.info/covid.

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Las Vegas Ballpark hosting pop-up vaccination clinic and more on June 5 - KLAS - 8 News Now

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) Were just a week away from a fully reopened Las Vegas with no restrictions on businesses or activities, but what exactly will change when we hit that June 1 date?

A fully reopened Las Vegas coming soon to a business near you. The valley gearing up for a pre-pandemic normal starting June 1. This means having all the chairs and tables available at Pho Thanh in Chinatown.

its a big difference. Before it was kind of slow. After two more weeks, a lot of business is coming. Even like the traveling people and the residential people coming in," Julie Huang said.

Huang is a manager at Pho Thanh restaurant. She says employees are still wearing masks as a precaution and she feels safer with vaccinations widely available.

RELATED STORY: Clark County Commissioners pass COVID-19 mitigation plan revision, sets full reopening date

Everybody got the second shot and the whole state is more stable and people come more often, she said.

But dont expect more people at certain government agencies like the DMV, at least for the time being. The agency said it will be adding more chairs in the waiting area inside but wont be able to expand appointments. The pandemic creating staffing issues at the agency.

Well, were holding 64 positions open throughout the department for possible budget cuts as well. Due to the state's improved budget picture, the legislature was able to restore those cuts, so now were hiring and training people, said Kevin Malone, Nevada DMV public information officer.

The DMV says those new employees will be working by mid-August. For now, people are being asked to book online appointments; so, they will be able to conduct their business. The goal? Making the DMV an appointment-based agency.

So, please go on our website and make an appointment early in the morning. It will be 90 days out. If you have an appointment, youre not going to be able to keep, please go back on the website and cancel it, he said.

RELATED STORY: Free live music returns to Fremont Street Experience June 1

For those hoping to get their unemployment claim issues resolved in person, theyll have to wait. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said it doesnt have a timetable to reopen its career centers for in-person services. It says any claimants can continue to access services online, meaning no change for now.

But change is coming to Pho Thanh. Huang says the restaurant will still keep the orders rolling in. Shes optimistic about a post-pandemic future.

I hope more people come over and try my food and I hope for more business in Las Vegas. I hope Las Vegas is more incredible, she said.

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What to expect on June 1 full reopening in Las Vegas amid pandemic - KTNV Las Vegas

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Las Vegas-based Broadway in the Hood auditioning for 'Annie' - FOX5 Las Vegas

SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday participated with local leaders in celebrating the completion of an important state roadway infrastructure project in the heart of Las Vegas and visited with local public school elementary students at schools that are participating in well-rounded extended learning time programs this summer.

Alongside area state legislators and local elected officials, Gov. Lujan Grisham cut the ceremonial ribbon on a two-year, $15 million state revitalization of U.S. 85 South Grand Avenue, a thoroughfare leading into the heart of historic Las Vegas, encompassing the Old Plaza and various nationally recognized historical places. Construction of the 1.7-mile stretch included new lighting fixtures, new drainage system, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pedestrian amenities, new asphalt and street signs as well as a rehabilitation of the bridge over the Gallinas River.

The state Department of Transportation has put $1.6 billion into state roadway infrastructure since the beginning of the Lujan Grisham administration in 2019.

This kind of infrastructure investment can set the stage for revitalizing the local and area economy, said Gov. Lujan Grisham. High-quality infrastructure is a must for any community, and we will continue to invest statewide in building and rebuilding New Mexico.

The governor on Wednesday also visited with the students, staff and leadership of Sierra Vista Elementary School, one of two schools in the northeast region of the state currently participating in the K-5 Plus program this summer, through which schools provide additional instructional time to elementary students as a means of closing the achievement gap, particularly with respect to reading at grade level, before transitioning to middle school. Almost 30,000 students across the state are scheduled to participate in K-5 Plus next year, more than double the number who took part in the 2020-2021 school year.

The governor also visited with students from nearby Los Ninos Elementary, the other northeast region school participating in K-5 Plus this summer, who presented her with garden plants.

Im incredibly grateful to the local school leaders, including Superintendent Archuleta and of course the tireless educators of Sierra Vista, who are going the extra mile this summer to provide additional in-class time for students who need it, said Gov. Lujan Grisham. We owe our children every single opportunity. And Im proud of New Mexico districts that are stepping up in this way, even after this most challenging and exhausting school year.

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Gov. Lujan Grisham touts key road project, meets with students in Las Vegas | Office of the Governor - Michelle Lujan Grisham - Office of the Governor

The Strats 108 Drinks and 108 Eats in SkyPod have two-for-one SkyPod admission access and two-for-one cocktails at 108 Drinks. Beverages include the Big Shot, made with Patrn Aejo tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour, lime juice, and a Grand Marnier float; The Jump made with Absolut vodka, Sammys Beach Bar Rum, Bombay gin, Santo Blanco tequila, triple sec, blue Curaao, and Sierra Mist; frozen Miami Vice, blended with Bacardi Superior rum, frozen strawberry daquiri mix, and pia colada mix; draft and bottled beer; and wine. Happy hour bite selections include an artisan cheese plate with local honey, fresh fruit, artisan cheeses, and lavosh; house-made hummus served with taro root and sweet potato chips; baked mozzarella cheese served with crostini and tomato sauce; and bacon-wrapped dates served with Boursin cheese, bacon and spiced jelly. Available from 3 to 7p.m. Monday through Thursday.

2000 S Las Vegas BlvdLas Vegas, NV 89104

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Where to find the best happy hours in Las Vegas - Eater Vegas

Elon Musks Boring Company started shuttling passengers through the twin tunnels it built underneath the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) this week, as part of a test to get the system ready for its full debut in June.

Videos, images, and accounts shared around the internet by the people who showed up for the test offer the most coherent glimpse yet at Musks solution for traversing the LVCC campus. It is quite literally just Teslas being driven through two 0.8-mile tunnels a far cry from the autonomous sled-and-shuttle ideas that Musk once proposed for The Boring Company.

There are three stops to the LVCC Loop system. The stations at either end are above ground, while the one in the middle is at the same 30-foot depth as the tunnels. The Boring Company used a few dozen Tesla vehicles including Model 3 sedans, and Model Y and Model X SUVs during the test. While the company has talked about making riders call for cars using an app, the test only required them to walk up to the next available car. Test riders then hopped in, went to one of the other two stations, and repeated. It appears most riders got between seven or eight to a dozen rides during the test.

Schlepping from one end of the LVCC campus is no quick feat on foot, especially after the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) recently added a whole new wing. Taxi lines and ride-hailing wait times are notoriously long, too. So any solution that makes it easier to get around the grounds will likely appeal to convention-goers, even if the amenity cost the LVCVA $52.5 million ($48.6 million of which went to The Boring Company).

The Boring Company says the Loop will ultimately turn a 45-minute walk into a two-minute ride, though its not down to that level of efficiency yet (hence the test). In one video, one of the test riders said they had to wait about three to five minutes for a few of the rides, though even with a top speed of around 40 miles per hour, trips between stations appear to have taken about a minute to a minute-and-a-half.

One of the things increasing that total travel time was the underground station. There were times when test riders pulled into the station only to run into some congestion. The drivers have to maneuver around other parked Teslas, people getting in and out, and cars queueing up to reenter the tunnels. Its a tight fit.

There was also just some general confusion as people got used to how the system worked. Passengers were being constantly reminded to leave the doors open when exiting the vehicle to speed up the transition to the next ride. One person got bonked on the head by one of the Model Xs Falcon Wing doors.

The big question with The Boring Companys efforts in Las Vegas is pretty much the same as it always is with Musks ideas: how will it scale? The company says it wants to eventually transport 4,400 people per hour through the LVCC Loops tunnels, though TechCrunch discovered documents late last year that seem to show it will only be able to transport 1,200. Beyond the LVCC Loop, The Boring Company wants to build a massive tunnel system that runs under the whole city, including the Las Vegas Strip and the airport. It claims this massively scaled-up version of its underground highway will be able to handle a little more than 50,000 passengers per hour.

The Boring Company has claimed it plans to allow a max speed of 150 miles per hour in these tunnels but has limited speeds during the tests so far. And while the goal is to ultimately have the Teslas drive themselves, the system will rely on human drivers for the foreseeable future.

Reaching that top speed is one of the key things The Boring Company says sets its Teslas in Tunnels idea apart from, say, a subway system. (Another is cost, which weve seen the company tout in its most recent proposal in Miami.) It likely wont be attainable unless the company is able to automate the driving, as the tunnels are too tight for a human driver to continuously (and carefully) navigate at such high speeds another thing that was obvious from videos of the test.

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The Boring Company tests its Teslas in Tunnels system in Las Vegas - The Verge

Each year, the iconic Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens changes out its fall display for a winter theme and, despite the challenges faced this year, has done it again for this season, bringing visitors into the magical world of Queen Bellissima with four beds of floral-inspired fantasia in its new Hopeful Holidays exhibit. Its a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Visitors start by checking out the frolicking of the Coca-Cola polar bears amid huge spire and ball ornaments near the entrance. They then move on to the main bed, where spire and starburst ornaments hang overhead and surround the 42-foot silver-tipped fir tree from Northern California. Its decorated with 2,500 red and gold ornaments and 7,000 white lights. A five-car toy train races around its track below.

Near the tree is the lovely queen in a white Dior-inspired dress with red accents. Upon her hand perches a bright red cardinal, an element that designer Ed Libby drew over from the fall exhibit. It represents a kind of message from the heavens that things were going to be OK, says Libby. Its actually the first time that a design element has been used from one exhibit to the next.

That design continues in the next area of the display, where massive pine cones and huge floral poinsettias, fir trees adorned in white lights, and masses of live green plants and poinsettias set off a huge jewel-encrusted egg, which is open to reveal a pair of cardinals perched inside. Says Libby, Weve chosen poinsettias to represent a story in Mexican culture where little children went into the church and they ... didnt have any gift to lay by the manger and they laid weeds. And then the next day the (weeds were) beautiful, spectacular, colorful flowers, and thats kind of the background story of poinsettias. I think theres something really special about flowers made out of flowers, and that really is something that I love. Im an event designer in my outside world. I love bringing that component to my role here at Bellagio and doing these floral sculptures.

In the center bed is the queens fairytale-like carriage being drawn by a team of four magnificent white horses. Inside, the plush area makes a good spot to capture an Instagram pic (or two), and windows and entrances let you glimpse the other beds.

And in the south bed, a quick look reveals a team of elves decorating away, an homage to the hard-working team of gardeners, florists, designers, engineers and electricians who make the exhibit come to life each season. It takes six months to plan, and then it takes six days (to assemble), says Libby. Around the clock, 75 people, 24 hours a day for six days. Theres a team thats worked so hard to stay together this year to produce the show So thats our kind of tribute to the camaraderie of the team.

Each little detail has a meaning, says Libby, from the tiaras on the polar bears, which match the queens, to the authentically painted ornaments. Its a much deeper dive than weve done before and a lot more detail that weve done in the past.

Bellagio, 702.693.7111

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.

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It's a winter's wonderland in Las Vegas - Lasvegasmagazine

A 57-year-old man who was critically injured in a car crash in the western Las Vegas Valley last month has died, Las Vegas police said Monday.

Police did not release the identity of the man.

On the morning of Nov. 30, the man was driving a Nissan Pathfinder east on Flamingo Road toward Sandalwood Drive. Another man was driving a Kia Forte traveling west on Flamingo when the Nissan turned left into its path.

The Kia hit the Nissan, sending both cars off the road and into a concrete wall. Impairment was not suspected in the crash, according to police.

The 22-year-old driver of the Kia and a 12-year-old passenger in the Nissan were hospitalized with minor injuries.

The 57-year-old driver of the Nissan was critically injured. On Dec. 16, the Clark County coroners office notified Las Vegas police of his death.

His death marked the 99th traffic fatality in the Metropolitan Police Departments jurisdiction this year, according to police.

Contact Blake Apgar at bapgar @reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5298. Follow @blakeapgar on Twitter.

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Motorist dies of injuries from November car crash in west Las Vegas - Las Vegas Review-Journal

If the Las Vegas Raiders want to stay alive in the AFC Playoff race in Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season, they are going to need a miracle or two.

Incredibly, despite losing four of their last five games, the Las Vegas Raiders are not technically eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season. They will need a lot of help the rest of the way, including from some teams that have been terrible this season, but let us dive in none the less.

For the Raiders, this is another disappointing season, their second in a row that has seen them get out to a hot start against tough opponents, only to fade down the stretch in games they likely should have won. On Thursday night, the Raiders season may have hit a low, as they had plenty of chances to beat the Los Angeles Chargers at home, but lost in overtime to the Bolts and their rookie quarterbacks.

Looking ahead, Josh Jacobs and company will need to take care of their own business in Week 16, and they take a look at the scoreboard.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts all with double-digit wins, they will likely all join the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs this season. The seventh spot is still up for grabs, as the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens have nine wins, and will look to get to ten and make some waves, possibly eliminating some of the above teams outside of Buffalo, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh, all of which have clinched a spot.

For the 7-7 Raiders, the only other AFC team still alive in the playoff race, they will need two things to happen this weekend. First, they have to beat the Dolphins, who are fresh off a victory against New England. Then, the Baltimore Ravens must lose to the New York Giants, which, with how well the Ravens are playing right now, seems like the biggest longshot.

The Giants looked downright terrible on Sunday night, as they were shredded by Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. Even if the Ravens lose to the Giants, they will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, and while the Bengals shocked the world on Monday night, could they really beat a Lamar Jackson-led team looking to clinch a playoff spot?

The chances of the Silver and Black making the playoffs are slim to none heading into Week 16, but not zero.

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Las Vegas Raiders will need a miracle or two in Week 16 to stay alive - Just Blog Baby

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) will close the south and northbound Interstate 15 offramps at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 at Tropicana Avenue/Frank Sinatra Drive and Flamingo Road. However, motorists can still enter and exit I-15 at Spring Mountain and Russell roads. Vehicle access will also be restricted at the following locations:

Tropicana Avenue eastbound at Industrial Road/Dean Martin Drive

Flamingo Road eastbound at Valley View Boulevard

The event will stop on the southside of Spring Mountain Road. (However, Spring Mountain Road will remain open to both east and westbound traffic).

Although the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to impact the scale and scope of New Years celebrations, several additional visitors are still expected in Southern Nevada, with many of them welcoming 2021 on the Las Vegas Strip, said NDOT spokesman Tony Illia. As such, we are making several temporary road and highway ramp closures, thereby ensuring a safe and successful event for both motorists and revelers.

RELATED: New Years Eve celebrations in Las Vegas | 2020

Ramp restrictions will be lifted between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Jan. 1, 2021, or at the discretion of the Joint Operations Center. NDOT works with Waze to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but unscheduled construction changes, closures and restrictions are possible due to weather or other factors. For the latest state highway conditions, visit nvroads.com or call 511 before driving.

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NDOT New Years Eve Freeway restrictions announced for Las Vegas - KTNV Las Vegas

If the cavernous, energetic sportsbook and rooftop pool are the centerpieces of the new Circa Resort and Casino, its Legacy Club, set to debut on December 28, is an elevated escape from all the action.

Perched atop the 458-foot hotel tower that also opens for the first time this week, the luxurious lounge marks a completely different direction for Downtown nightlife while fitting neatly into the newly established Circa brand.

I think its hard to compare, because there definitely is nothing like this Downtown, says Alice OKeefe, Circas director of design and architecture. When we developed the concept, we looked around Las Vegasbut also outside Las Vegas, because it was important to create a destination. You cant say its like the Foundation Room [at Mandalay Bay] or the other bar rooftop experiences. Thats not to take away from whats already been done, but really its about creating something new, because people in Las Vegas and visiting Las Vegas are hungry for something new.

Like Circa, Legacy Club aims to attract Vegas visitors from all over, not just the Downtown customer. And its striking features should create that kind of excitement in no time.

An incredibly rapid elevator ride from the first-floor casino to the 60th floor opens into a lobby decorated with busts of Las Vegas founding fathers, including Steve Wynn, Bob Stupak, Howard Hughes, Jay Sarno, Benny Binion and Jackie Gaughan. Commissioned portraits of the same figures line the hall leading into the indoor-outdoor venue, which provides a first glimpse of the stunning panoramic views of our Valley.

Fire pits and cozy seating arrangements line the expansive outdoor space, and the plan is to adjust operating hours so sunset viewing is always available. Indoors, high ceilings add drama surrounding the 12-seat bar with a build-your-own Old Fashioned program, and intimate lounge seating areas offer flexibility. A photo-worthy display of more than 60 pounds of gold bars centers the space near a dancefloor.

It might be serene in the late afternoon hours or even rowdy into the night, but Legacy Club showcases Circas diversity. The few seats at the bar provide an interesting juxtaposition to the 165-foot-long Mega Bar in the casino downstairs. And there will be a dress code at the sky-high lounge.

Were not encouraging people to come right out of the pool up here, OKeefe says. The idea is to go back to your room, get presentable and come up. There are a lot of different zones and more intimate areas at Legacy Club, and to have this size and scale, I dont think theres anything else like it. Its not just a Downtown attraction. People are going to be coming from the Strip, and thats really what we wanted.

LEGACY CLUBOpening December 28. Sunday-Wednesday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m.-4 a.m. Circa, 702-247-2258.

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Circa's Legacy Club offers homage, along with cocktails and atmosphere - Las Vegas Weekly

If Derek Carr has his way, hell be the starting quarterback on Saturday when the Raiders play host to the Miami Dolphins.

Thats despite injuring his groin in Thursdays 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that all but eliminated the 7-7 Raiders from the playoffs.

Carr was injured while legging out a third-down scramble late in the first quarter. He immediately left the game and was unable to return. On Friday, coach Jon Gruden pegged Carrs availability for Saturdays game against the Dolphins at 50/50.

Carr, though, is a known gamer who has missed just two regular-season games in his seven-year career and figures to fight as hard as possible to play on Saturday.

A particular motivation for Carr, who has not spoken to the media since his injury, is the importance of the Raiders finishing the season strong. Even if they are not able punch a ticket to the postseason, he knows its important to build momentum heading into next season.

Given all the upheaval caused by COVID-19 and the slew of injuries that have struck the Raiders, a 9-7 record would be considered an achievement and a building block.

To get there, the Raiders need to sweep their last two games against the Dolphins and Denver Broncos.

While it is Grudens job to protect his quarterback, Carr will make a big push to be on the field with his teammates when they return to practice on Tuesday. His goal will be to convince the coaching staff that he is physically able to perform come Saturday.

If he cant play, the Raiders will turn to Marcus Mariota, who played well in relief of Carr against the Chargers, completing 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards and rushing for 88 on nine carries.

Carr has had one of his best seasons, throwing for 3,396 yards. He has completed 68 percent of his pass attempts while throwing 24 TD passes and only seven interceptions. He also has scrambled effectively, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Carr has fought through injuries in the past.

In his rookie season in 2014, he injured his knee against the Dolphins in London but was able to play two weeks later after the Raiders returned from their bye week. In 2017, Carr missed just one game after suffering a back injury against the Denver Broncos.

The only significant time Carr has missed in his career was when he broke his leg in the second-to-last regular-season game of the 2016 season and could not play in the regular-season finale or the wild-card playoff game. The Raiders lost both.

Carrs determination to finish the season strong is shared by Gruden.

Were going to continue to fight, continue to develop and continue to work hard and try and get our eighth victory and see if somehow we can get a winning season, which would be a great accomplishment, Gruden said.

Doing so would halt the frustrating late-season swoon that has seen the Raiders lose four of their last five games.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.

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Derek Carr expected to make a big push to play on Saturday - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Next years CES may not be in Las Vegas, but organizers are keeping ties to the city strong by partnering with the Review-Journal.

The newspapers partnership with the Consumer Technology Association which produces, manages and owns CES will allow the Review-Journal to broadcast CESs anchor desk, media day press conferences and keynotes throughout the virtual convention, which runs Jan. 11-14.

It should bring your readers more insight and more stories, Jean Foster, CTAs senior vice president of marketing and communications, said. Las Vegas is so important, and we want to keep those ties because were going to be in Las Vegas (in 2022). Its our home from home.

The trade show is typically an economic boon to the city, but CTA shifted it to a virtual format in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last in-person CES in January 2020 was estimated to bring in roughly $291 million to the city based on 180,000 attendees, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Our readers know theyll find the best coverage of CES in the Review-Journal and at reviewjournal.com, Executive Editor Glenn Cook said. Were excited to continue providing CES content for our audience, and we look forward to covering the 2022 event in person.

Media partnerships are nothing new for CES, but this will be the first time the trade show is partnering with a local media outlet.

We thought it really made sense for us to partner with somebody in Las Vegas to help get our voice out there, Foster said. Las Vegas is such an important home for CES, and we have such a strong tie to the community. We really wanted to keep that connection.

Foster said CTA is set to partner with up to 12 media organization, although some have not yet been finalized. Other partners include USA Today, Future plc, Protocol, Digital Trends and Reviewed.com.

Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.

Originally posted here:

Review-Journal partnering with CTA on virtual CES show - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Published Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 | 3:10 p.m.

Updated 52 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP) For the past decade, the Hallmark Channel has been a reliable destination for holiday programming. And in a year when many Americans are homebound because of the COVID-19 pandemic, network executives say there's been a craving for the feel-good movies.

Hallmark's ratings are up 2% over 2019's holiday season, the Nielsen company said. That may not seem like much, but year-to-year increases are the exception rather than the rule in modern television.

The network turned its programming over to holiday fare on Oct. 23 and has been the top-rated entertainment cable channel, excluding news and sports, for the fourth quarter, Nielsen said.

What we have seen is just how much our movies mean to our viewers, said Michelle Vicary, programming chief.

When coronavirus-related closures began in March, Hallmark tried to calm anxieties by airing a series of its holiday movies then.

But this season, COVID-19 did not affect the type of movies Hallmark made or how they were scheduled, Vicary said. Of the 40 new movies planned for this season, only one had to be canceled because filming couldn't be done because of the pandemic.

We made a choice not to let COVID affect us thematically, she said. There are a lot of places you can find information about COVID. What we provided was a respite from that.

This season's most popular movie has been If I Only Had Christmas, about a perky publicist who teams with a cynical executive to help a charity. It stars Candace Cameron Bure, probably the most reliable draw among a collection of actors who often return to Hallmark each holiday season.

Hallmark says it has also been pleased with the reception for The Christmas House, the first time the conservative programmer has prominently featured gay characters in a holiday film.

CBS was the top-rated broadcast network last week, averaging 4.4 million viewers in prime time. NBC had 3.8 million, Fox had 2.9 million, ABC had 2.7 million, Univision had 870,000, Ion Television had 830,000 and Telemundo had 620,000.

Fox News Channel was the most popular cable network, watched by an average of 2.38 million people in prime time. ESPN had 2.07 million, MSNBC had 2 million, Hallmark had 1.72 million and CNN had 1.68 million. The only non-news or sports programs among cable's 40 most popular last week were two Hallmark movies.

ABC's World News Tonight won the evening news ratings race, averaging 9.7 million viewers. NBC's Nightly News had 7.9 million and the CBS Evening News had 5.9 million.

For the week of Dec. 14-20, the 20 most popular prime-time programs, their networks and viewerships:

1. NFL Football: Cleveland at N.Y. Giants, NBC, 15.61 million.

2. NFL Football: L.A. Chargers at Las Vegas, Fox, 12.96 million.

3. NFL Football: Baltimore at Cleveland, ESPN, 12.42 million.

4. 60 Minutes, CBS, 11.59 million.

5. NFL Pregame," NBC, 11.31 million.

6. NFL Postgame, Fox, 10.96 million.

7. College Football: Alabama vs. Florida, CBS, 8.92 million.

8. The Masked Singer, Fox, 7.41 million.

9. NFL Pregame, Fox, 7.34 million.

10. The Voice (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), NBC, 7.27 million.

11. The Voice (Monday), NBC, 7.09 million.

12. Football Night in America, NBC, 6.92 million.

13. Young Sheldon, CBS, 6.86 million.

14. Blue Bloods, CBS, 6.38 million.

15. Monday Night Kickoff, ESPN, 6 million.

16. The Voice (Tuesday, 8 p.m.), NBC, 5.89 million.

17. Garth & Trisha Live! CBS, 5.82 million.

18. Grey's Anatomy, ABC, 5.66 million.

19. Station 19, ABC, 5.63 million.

20. Magnum, P.I.," CBS, 5.48 million.

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Hallmark holiday movies offer viewers balm in tough year - Las Vegas Sun

Published Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 | 3:23 p.m.

Updated 36 minutes ago

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) President-elect Joe Biden says it will take months to roll back some of President Donald Trumps actions on immigration, offering a slower timeline than he promised on the campaign trail and one that may rile advocates pushing for speedy action on the issue.

His Tuesday comments echo those made by two of his top foreign policy advisers in an interview with Spanish wire service EFE on Monday hitting the brakes on rolling back Trumps restrictive asylum policies. Susan Rice, Bidens incoming domestic policy adviser, and Jake Sullivan, his pick for national security adviser, as well as Biden himself, warned that moving too quickly could create a new crisis at the border.

Speaking to reporters in Wilmington, Delaware Wednesday, Biden said hes already started discussing the issues with the Mexican president and our friends in Latin America and that the timeline is to do it so that we in fact make it better not worse.

The last thing we need is to say were going to stop immediately, the access to asylum, the way its being run now, and then end up with 2 million people on our border, Biden said.

He noted that more funding is needed for more asylum judges to process claims, and promised that while he will work to loosen Trumps asylum restrictions, its going to take probably the next six months to put that in place.

His comments come as interceptions along the border have increased in recent months. According to data from Customs and Border Patrol, detentions in October increased by 30 percent from September, and remained at that rate in November. Some experts predict the surge could increase in the early months of Bidens presidency, as a response to the damage wrought by the two hurricanes that have pummeled Central America and the economic fallout from the pandemic, as well as expectations of a more humane approach to immigration from the Biden Administration.

Sullivan and Rice both said in their interview with EFE that Biden will take executive action where possible to address issues with the immigration system, and emphasized plans to provide humanitarian aid and help bolster Latin American economies to try to address the root cause of the influx of immigrants to the U.S.

Biden will work to promptly undo Trumps deals with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador that let the U.S. transfer asylum seekers to those countries, and will follow through on his commitment to end a Trump-era program that returns undocumented border crossers to Mexico to await their legal proceedings, Sullivan said. On his campaign website, Biden promised to end the agreement with Mexico, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, within the first 100 days of his presidency.

But Sullivan emphasized that many of those reforms will take time.

He cautioned that increasing processing capacity and changing policy at the border will take time, and warned those considering fleeing for the U.S. to wait, predicting it will take months for the Biden Administration to fully implement their plans with respect to Latin America.

Given the pandemic and the large number of migrants already waiting in northern Mexico, now is not the time to undertake the dangerous trip to the United States, he said. It will take months until we are able to fully implement our plans.

Rice said that processing capacity at the border is not like a light that you can just switch on and off.

Our priority is to reopen asylum processing at the border consistent with the capacity to do so safely and to protect public health, especially in the context of COVID-19. This effort will begin immediately but it will take months to develop the capacity that we will need to reopen fully,she said.

But Michelle Heisler, medical director of Physicians for Human Rights, expressed concerns about the pace of change during a conference call with reporters Tuesday and said there should be no public-health rationale to maintain extraordinary powers to immediately expel people from the United States without an opportunity to seek asylum.

Rice was noncommittal about when Biden would withdraw that authority, which Trump introduced in March on grounds that it would contain the coronavirus even though reporting by The Associated Press and others has found that government scientists saw no evidence for it.

Still, other pro-immigrant advocates said Tuesday that while they understood it would take time to untangle some of Trumps changes at the border, they underscored a sense of urgency. They hailed Bidens emphasis on working with Mexico and Central America on joint solutions.

The Biden administrations work to end cruelty must start immediately, said Linda Rivas, executive director and managing attorney of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Texas. Human rights and dignity must take center stage.

Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said it was a matter of life and death, with many asylum-seekers waiting in extremely violent Mexican border cities for their cases to be heard in the United States.

She said in a conference call with reporters that she was concerned about how many asylum-seekers will be allowed in by Biden but we are here, ready, determined that the process works for all those that are impacted.

-

AP writer Elliot Spagat contributed reporting.

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Biden: Reversing Trump immigration policies will take months - Las Vegas Sun

By Kyle Rahn

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 | 2 a.m.

When I got the call that United Way of Southern Nevada would be receiving its largest gift in our 63-year history, a thousand emotions hit me at once. Joy, shock and pride were among them.

But most of all, I was filled with gratitude that with her donation of $10 million, philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott had sent a clear message that the work we do, and the community in which we do it, matters.

This support of our work shows that Scott believes in United Way of Southern Nevada. She believes in the vision of our board of directors. She believes in the meaningful work of our staff, partners and volunteers. She believes in the generosity and commitment of our donors and is adding her support to stand with them and encourage others to join them.

Over the past nine months, need in our community increased dramatically, and we stepped up to help Southern Nevada respond and recover. We raised $2.4 million to help 127,000 individuals struggling through the pandemic to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads and the lights on. We helped coordinate efforts for more than 200 nonprofits to provide resources to those in need. Our Volunteer Connect platform was up and running in a matter of days, when we were told it would take months. We distributed 274,000 face coverings and 6,780 bottles of hand sanitizer to keep local businesses and nonprofits safe and open.

Through this, we continued our work to break the cycle of poverty. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, we remained committed to helping children start school ready to learn, ensuring students can graduate, helping people pursue college, and assisting individuals in getting back to work. Our community entrusted us with $1.7 million in CARES Act funding to provide childcare so parents could return to work, and children could get the education they deserve. Our investment in education, workforce development and community support ensured that Southern Nevadans could continue the path to success.

It is said a crisis does not build character; it reveals it. If thats true, then Las Vegas can rest assured in the strength of its character. Scotts donation is not just a validation of United Way of Southern Nevadas efforts, but in the way all of our partner nonprofits rallied when the community needed us most.

While we are honored and humbled to receive such a gift to support this essential work, this is only the beginning. Many more people are losing their jobs, facing eviction and wondering how to put food on the table. The needs of our community are escalating every day, and we depend on local and national support to meet them. Just as Scott invested in us, we are hopeful our entire community will continue to invest in a stronger future for Southern Nevada.

Every donation you make to United Way of Southern Nevada is a step closer to Southern Nevadas long-term recovery. It will take all of us working together to help our community recover and rebuild. Please join us at uwsn.org.

Kyle Rahn is president of the United Way of Southern Nevada.

Originally posted here:

Efforts big and small needed to fight poverty - Las Vegas Sun

Chris Pizzello / AP

Comedian Daphnique Springs performs to an empty room during a Laughter is Healing stand-up comedy livestream event at the Laugh Factory comedy club, Monday, April 20, 2020, in LosAngeles.

By Jake Coyle, Associated Press

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 | 12:23 p.m.

NEW YORK A good way to hear what weve missed this year is to listen to Sam Cookes landmark live album, Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963. On a warm January night in downtown Miami, Cooke was well into his torrid set when, in the middle ofBring it on Home to Me,he asks the audience to join in.

Let me hear you say yeah, coos Cooke.

The Yeah! that follows instant, exuberant, loud is one of the great call-and-responses in music, a euphoria of performer and audience as one.

Anything like that blissful moment has been painfully out of reach in 2020. Music halls have been closed since March. Broadway is shuttered. Comedy clubs empty. Live studio audiences mostly sent home. Cinemas with only Wash your hands on the marquee. The entertainment world has trudged on, by live-streaming, zooming and improvising. But its in-person soul was nearly snuffed out, and with it a lifeblood of human connection.

The pandemic has upended entertainment industries, driving thousands out of work, reshaping time-tested institutions and accelerating digital transformations. For the arts, which are predicated on bringing people closer together if only for a song or a few acts, a year of isolation and social distancing goes against nature. Yet despite gathering being nearly impossible in 2020, many have found ways to connect nevertheless even if applause is on mute, and standing ovations are sounded by car honks.

The show isnt the same, but it goes on.

After a month of practicing and playing inside, Los Angeles Philharmonic membersCathy and Jonathan Karolydecided they had had enough. Cathy, a flutist, and Jonathan, a cellist, began playing on the porch of their Pasadena, California, home. At first, they didnt tell anyone but their neighbors. Friends came and sat on the lawn. Passersbys inquired. And before they knew it, the Karolys had played 25 concerts, through heat and (until recently) virus spikes. They got adept at printing programs and putting out folding chairs. A steam of Philharmonic colleagues joined them. Some wept.

We take it very seriously, Jonathan says, speaking with his wife. The fact that its on our porch is irrelevant. We never wanted to sacrifice the quality. People come and theyre going to hear a first-rate concert. We challenged ourselves.

As if were playing Carnegie Hall, says Cathy.

With famed concert halls and neighborhood joints alike closed around the world by COVID-19, new venues took their place.The drive-in, a barely surviving remnant of the 50s, proliferated, filling everywhere from box-store parking lots to deserted high-school ball fields. Playingnot just movies but concerts, graduations and church services,the drive-in was reborn as the pandemics unlikely ark.

Much of the years entertainment was left to the streaming services,an ever-expanding array of subscription optionsthat offerednew oceans of content, and potentiallya vision of Hollywoods future. Not everything worked.Remember Quibi?But media goliathsincreasingly reoriented their operationsfor the unfolding streaming wars. Warner Bros., the studio of Casablanca, detoured dramatically, sending "Woman Woman 1984," straight into homes and potentially forever downsizing the movie business.

Digital was both a lifeline and an imperfect stopgap. Zoom performances, virtual cinemas, filmed theater even when done really well, as inHamiltonorDavid Byrnes American Utopia were all inevitably insufficient imitations of the genuine article. But they made weathering the storm possible. Some pandemic-fueled creations zoom reunion shows, podcasts stitched together people otherwise quarantined from one another. Artists like Taylor Swift and Fleet Foxes used time shut in to create arguably their most bracingly intimate work.

One moment of grace came in late April withthe virtual 90th birthday concert for Stephen Sondheim. The theater community, settling in for a dark year, was beleaguered and lonesome.

Were dealing with so much grief that it feels kind of petty to be concerned about whether we can perform, says Ral Esparza, who hosted the concert. Yet theres something about the intimacy of live performance that you feel bereft without it. Like emptiness the world over. Its not a small thing. Its how we live.

Technical troubles plagued the concerts start. Eventually it began, with Merrily We Roll Along.

Part of what made it so special was the mess, says Esparza. The fact that things went so wrong made it seem like things couldnt possibly go right.

Yet they did, andEsparzas rendition of Take Me to the World Take me to the world/ Out where I can push through crowds took on a new poignancy in lockdown. Later, Esparza would watch a Twitter map of the shows hashtag lighting up around the globe as the performance went on. At one point, probably during Ladies Who Lunch, New York starts to glow, says Esparza.

Performers like Esparza have moved on to other virtual productions, TV and film work. But reopening for Broadway remainsat least months away, part of the endless, indefinite postponements of the pandemic. A summers worth of a blockbusterspulled up stakesand now waits in the wings, while theaters await financial relief from Congress to stave off bankruptcy.

But 2020 also brought with it a sense of urgency. Protests and uprisings following the death of George Floyd werefelt acutely in entertainment, where diversity still lags in many meaningful areas. Many of the years most vital works spoke directly to the moment, even if they were created long before it.

Steve McQueen dedicatedhis Small Axe anthologyto Floyd, and one of its stars,John Boyega, memorably joined throngs of protesters. Other films delved into deep and painful roots of racism, including Garrett Bradleys documentaryTime, Spike Lees Vietnam veteran dramaDa 5 Bloodsand the August Wilson adaptation,Ma Raineys Black Bottom,starring Viola Davis.

I feel now that its up to us now that its really out there in the open to challenge each other in every facet our lives, says Davis. If we want that change, then we have to face some really undeniable truths about ourselves and about our country. We have to challenge that in our personal and professional spaces. This is not a time to be silent. This is not a time to question. This is not a time to make people feel comfortable. I think were over that. And that translates into art.

Maybe the years greatest music act was the 7 p.m. pots-and-pans clatter for hospital and essential workers that echoed through New York, and many other places as the pandemic surged around the country. Death was always close at hand, and the drumbeat of losses in the arts, whether from COVID-19 or other causes, was constant.John Prine.Chadwick Boseman.Alex Trebek.Bill Withers.Sean Connery.Little Richard.Carl Reiner.Eddie Van Halen.Charley Pride.

In June, the comedian and Conan writer Laurie Kilmartin lost her mom, JoAnn, to complications from COVID-19. While her mother was in the hospital, Kilmartin tweeted with heartache and humor through her moms agonizingly quick descent. One example: She is barely breathing but it would be great if she could awaken from all this and tell me to wash my robe.

It always helps me to write jokes about a real situation, says Kilmartin. Then I can take whatever emotion it is grief and make it useful.

Like most stand-ups, Kilmartin, believes getting in front of an audience for her, five times a week since 1987 is necessary to stay sharp. Zoom sets have helped, but living without the thing she does best has been disorienting. On stage, Kilmartin knows shes good. She knows shes in control.

Its brain to brain, says Kilmartin. When youre on stage, youre actively finding common ground with a whole bunch of strangers for 30 minutes or an hour. And its super intense. When youre in the audience, its also super intense. Its someone changing the temperature of your body for an hour.

The outlook for live performance in 2021 is, of course, uncertain. Vaccines are rolling out, but daily cases are extremely high and global deaths exceed 1.7 million. Nobody knows how soon it will be before movie theaters are again packed, Broadway is bustling and concert stages are booming. But whenever it is, something innate and beautiful about us will be restored.

Let me hear you say yeah.

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Performing in the pandemic, by zoom, drive-in and doorstep - Las Vegas Sun

A 3-year-old boy was fatally shot in northeast Las Vegas on Wednesday evening.

Officers were called at 7:06 p.m. to the Pacific Legends Apartments after a woman called to report the toddler had been shot, according to Metropolitan Police Department Lt. David Valenta.

Investigators believe a group of adults, including the childs father, were standing in the parking lot of the apartment complex, and one of the men was manipulating a firearm when it went off, Valenta said.

We go on too many of these each year, he said. People need to take much better care of their firearms.

The boy was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center where he died. No one has been arrested in connection with the childs death yet, but officers were still investigating as of 11 p.m., Valenta said.

Any shooting is tragic but to look in the face of a 3-year-old as I just did, it doesnt get much worse than that, he said.

Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Follow @sabrina_schnur on Twitter.

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3-year-old boy shot, killed in northeast Las Vegas - Las Vegas Review-Journal