In the summer of 2011, Amy Raymer stood outside the Sahara Las Vegas, waiting for a chance to own a piece of history. It was an end of an era. The Sahara, one of the oldest properties on the Strip, was closing its doors. Raymer, a Las Vegas resident, was one of the hundreds to show up for its liquidation sale – despite the 100-plus-degree heat.

The beginning came at the end. The grand porte cochère became one of the last major renovation projects at the new Sahara Las Vegas, the iconic Strip casino resort that reclaimed its original name three years ago. And although the gaming floor, hotel lobby, pool, main lounge and several restaurant spaces had been entirely refreshed, the striking new entrance reframed the entire property upon completion in July.

Reports of a deal reached after 20 hours of negotiations Wednesday between railroad unions and federal labor officials relieved fears of a nationwide strike for a country already weary of supply chain problems. The strike would have cost an estimated $2 billion a day.

You’re no doubt familiar with Circus Circus. Amusement park. Inexplicably good steakhouse. Giant neon clown out front. It’s been a family favorite for the past 48 years.

Extreme heat this year has triggered wildfires, drought and melting glaciers. Less expectedly, it’s also revealed some weird and dark things about our past-shipwrecks, corpses, ghost villages, ornamental gardens and ancient cities. Here’s a look at some of those discoveries.

As the nation’s largest reservoir has dipped to record low levels amid a worsening drought, Lake Mead’s receding waters have revealed a grim series of discoveries — several sets of human remains.

In an eerie twist, volatile weather and heat-induced drought are unearthing glimpses of lost archaeological treasures and forgotten history.

The infamous connections between Saratoga and Las Vegas might be getting further cred as the Saratoga County History Center teams up with Sin City’s Mob Museum. The partnership between the Mob Museum and the SCHC will begin when museum trustee and University of Nevada Las Vegas history professor, Michael Green, speaks at SCHC’s “Experts Next Door” event on September 21. Green will be talking about the links between Saratoga and Las Vegas.