The Daily Rundown - January 21, 2026
🥃 The Wynn has hired an outside law firm to investigate its nightlife operations following an alleged kickback scheme involving an alcohol distributor. As described to Casino.org, the scheme involved slush funds created by alcohol distributors that a group of Las Vegas nightlife staff and liquor companies could draw from.
In a statement, the casino disputed some of the behaviors alleged by the whistleblower. Because of the nature of alcohol industry regulations in the U.S., the allegations could lead to felony charges for those involved in the scheme.
⛽ State officials are pushing for more fuel pipelines. The Nevada Fuel Resiliency Committee met for the first time last week to discuss diversifying the state's fuel supply. The Nevada Current reports that the group discussed building several new pipelines to improve Nevada's fuel supply resiliency.
Existing Sinclair and Kinder Morgan pipeline projects are estimated to be completed near the end of the decade. Gov. Joe Lombardo, who formed the committee earlier this month, has previously pointed to Nevada's reliance on California fuel as a driving force behind high gas prices.
📞 The Clark County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a new fee for all county telephone customers. The money will go toward upgrading 911 services with cloud-based phone systems. Starting April 1, the county will assess a 50-cent fee per phone line. The commission also voted to establish a 911 Emergency Response Advisory Committee to develop, maintain and annually review the county's Five-Year Master Plan for 911 services. It will include representatives from all of the region's local governments.
🎨 The City of Las Vegas is looking to help artists stay in the Arts District. The city has issued a request for proposals for the development of what it calls new affordable artist housing. The housing unit must be at least three stories tall and include at least 100 units, with the first floor dedicated to retail space.
City officials say they will be able to tap $40 million in federally funded New Markets Tax Credits to offset development costs. The money, which will flow through the Las Vegas Community Investment Corp., is meant for investment in low-income and underserved communities in Southern Nevada. Developers can submit proposals until March 25.
🏫 School will start a little later in the Clark County School District next year. District officials announced the change to next school year's bell schedule Tuesday afternoon. Starting in August, middle schools will generally start at 7:30 a.m. High school will begin at 8:30 a.m., and elementary school start times will be pushed back to 9:15 a.m.
Research has shown later school start times are linked to better sleep quality in students, improved academic performance and lower rates of negative mental health outcomes. District officials say a survey with more than 48,000 responses from parents, students and staff members showed many have expressed support for later start times. The district last changed the bell schedule in 2022.
🏔️ Construction on a new lodge at Mount Charleston is officially underway. Plans include outdoor decks, a restaurant, multiple bars and a private area for weddings and events. No date is listed yet for the reopening, but as the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, officials say "it's full steam ahead as weather allows." An accidental fire destroyed the structure four years ago.
Part of these stories are taken from KNPR's daily newscast segment. To hear more daily updates like these, tune in to 88.9 KNPR FM.
