Let’s play word association. If I said entertainers and Las Vegas, what combinations come to mind? A lot of them, I’m sure. Liberace, certainly. Siegfried and Roy, of course. Wayne Newton? Sure. You might think of other entertainers, or symbols like the showgirl, the production show, or the Cirque show. But you can’t talk about entertainment in Las Vegas without talking about the Rat Pack. And you can’t talk about the Rat Pack without talking about its leader, Frank Sinatra. December 12th marked the centennial of the birth of the chairman of the board.

Whooping cough or pertussis is showing signs of re-emergence around the world, and more so in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reported that whooping cough levels have returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and were six times higher in 2024 than in 2023, and the levels in 2025 are also elevated.

New research sheds light on why some individuals choose to remain in romantic relationships characterized by high levels of conflict. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, suggests that benevolent sexism and anxious attachment styles may lead people to base their self-worth on their relationship status, prompting them to utilize maladaptive strategies to maintain the partnership.

Professor Michael Kagan is a noted scholar of international refugee law and immigrant rights in the United States. Before coming to the Boyd School of Law in 2011, Professor Kagan spent 10 years building legal aid programs for refugees throughout the Middle East and Asia. In addition to directing the UNLV Immigration Clinic, he has consulted on hundreds of criminal cases involving non-citizens with the Clark County Public Defender. We selected Professor Kagan as one of the City Cast 7 in 2025 because of his tireless work advocating for immigrant rights in a year when those rights are under steady and increasing attack. His research, public speaking, and role as a mentor and teacher to the next generation of immigration lawyers has created a space for clarity and hope in a time of fear and confusion.

Another worthy addition to the gambling bookshelf is David G. Schwartz’s Something for Your Money: A History of Las Vegas Casinos. It takes the reader from the sawdust floor of the earliest gambling parlors to the high-roller salons of the new Strip. The Las Vegas story is a well-worn subject, and many tales have been told. But Schwartz brings much new material and the academic rigor that reflects his expertise and stature as UNLV’s ombuds and a history professor. It’s the latest in his growing body of work on a subject that continues to fascinate writers and readers alike.

As e-scooters and e-bikes have become more popular around the Las Vegas Valley and across the country, the increase in ridership has also helped lead to some grim statistics.

UNLV discusses the Judging the Judges survey, what to do with the information, and the judge who scored the worst.

The Fremont Street Experience is marking a major milestone this weekend, celebrating 30 years since the unveiling of "The Canopy" — what was once the largest LED screen in the world. But the history of Fremont Street runs far deeper than its famous light show. The street has served as the heart of Las Vegas since the city's earliest days.