In The News: Department of History

As Nevada continues through the second week of early voting, one out of three of the state's registered voters has already cast a ballot. More than 697,000 people have voted in the election either in person, through a mail ballot or through the EASE system, according to the Nevada Secretary of State's latest figures released Monday night.

As the story goes, the iconic 40-foot Vegas Vic neon sign on Fremont Street was getting lonely, so it was only natural that he have a partner. Michael Green, UNLV professor and chair of the history department said Vickie, a 25-foot neon kicking cowgirl was erected in 1980 for obvious reasons. Vegas Vic was first erected in 1951 outside of The Pioneer Club and Vickie was partially created to offer Vic a lady friend.

Vegas Vic, the iconic 40-foot-tall cowboy sign on Fremont Street is a nod to Las Vegas’ original vision, according to local historian Michael Green. Green, who is also a UNLV professor and chair of the history department, said before Las Vegas became synonymous with things like gambling, casinos and mobsters, the city had a serious frontier connection and — gasp — connection to California.

Early voting is off to a running start in Clark County, but just how many people are taking advantage of this convenience? Saturday was the first day of early voting in Nevada, and Clark County said 29,943 people voted in person at polling places. On Sunday, that number was 17,567.
For the first time since 1995, a member of the flamboyant Goodman family won’t be on the ballot in Las Vegas. Mayor Carolyn Goodman is term-limited. But the race to succeed her is roiled by issues about the city’s future, not its past.

Las Vegas is one of the top international destinations in the world these days. A city full of diversity, but its roots come from Hispanic influence.

Las Vegas is one of the top international destinations in the world these days. A city full of diversity, but its roots come from Hispanic influence.

Las Vegas is leaning into sports. There’s a shiny new NFL stadium, which in February hosted the Super Bowl. Annual Formula 1 races across the Strip. UFC fights in the Las Vegas Sphere. Arenas hosting NHL and WNBA teams.

Las Vegas is leaning into sports. There’s a shiny new NFL stadium, which in February hosted the Super Bowl. Annual Formula 1 races across the Strip. UFC fights in the Las Vegas Sphere. Arenas hosting NHL and WNBA teams.

Las Vegas is leaning into sports. There’s a shiny new NFL stadium, which in February hosted the Super Bowl. Annual Formula 1 races across the Strip. UFC fights in the Las Vegas Sphere. Arenas hosting NHL and WNBA teams.

Las Vegas is leaning into sports. There’s a shiny new NFL stadium, which in February hosted the Super Bowl. Annual Formula 1 races across the Strip. UFC fights in the Las Vegas Sphere. Arenas hosting NHL and WNBA teams.

The Tropicana will be no more by the time you wake up on Wednesday. The implosion of what was once called the "Tiffany of the Strip" is scheduled for 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. There will be no public viewing areas, but local TV news stations will air live coverage beginning at 1 and 2 a.m. on Oct. 9. (If you won't be awake then, check back here in the morning.)