Smarter travel las vegas

Updated 5:04 pm CDT, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 LAS VEGAS (AP) — The government agency that promotes Las Vegas tourism is banning members from accepting gifts and tightening restrictions on travel. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board voted Tuesday to tighten ethics rules following the arrest of three former agency executives, including its retired chief executive, Rossi Ralenkotter. Ralenkotter and the executives are accused of theft of $90,000 in airline gift cards purchased with tax dollars between 2012 and 2017. The board includes eight local elected officials and six business and casino executives. It oversees an agency with a $251 million annual operating budget, funded mostly with hotel room taxes. Board Chairman Larry Brown says that from now on, the board and the agency executive have to sign off on agency travel spending. ___ Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com … [Read more...] about Las Vegas tourist agency adopts new rules on gifts, travel

Brides party for free in Las Vegas with a bachelorette party offered by VegasGirlsNightOut. The single evening out includes a limo tour of the Strip, free bottle of Champagne, a stop at the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign for selfies and seats at the male strip show Thunder From Down Under.The deal: The Queen B package also includes 10 Jell-O shots, a shoutout for the bride from the “Thunder” stage, and dinner and drinks at Buca di Beppo. You may book this package for any occasion. Prices start at $125 per person. Parties must include at least six people, including the bride.When: The offer is good through Feb. 1.Details: You may customize this package for the “Thunder” show; if you choose more expensive seats, the price goes up. Also, the limo ride is one way. Info: Vegas Girls Night Out … [Read more...] about How to give the bride a free party night in Las Vegas

A Las Vegas hospital has become the second medical facility in the region to open a burn treatment center.Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center says the unit opened Oct. 1. It’s affiliated with Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, a network of 11 centers in eight states.The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the Sunrise center is headed by trauma and burn surgeon Dr. Jay Coates.He was the medical director of the Lions Burn Care Center across town at University Medical Center. UMC operates Nevada’s only top-tier Level 1 trauma center.Sunrise Hospital is one of several facilities with a Level 2 trauma center.The two serve a region that extends into Arizona, California and Utah.The closest other burn centers are in Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.___Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com … [Read more...] about Las Vegas hospital opens burn and reconstructive care center

The NFL Raiders franchise is partnering with a tribal casino on its still under-construction football stadium in Las Vegas.The Raiders announced in a news release Monday that the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will become a partner of the still-under construction Allegiant Stadium.The tribe of Serrano people runs the San Manuel Casino in Highland, California.They already support nine other professional sports teams in football, hockey, soccer and baseball. The $2 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2020 season. … [Read more...] about Tribe enters partnership with Raiders on Las Vegas stadium

Welcome to the new look of the still-new Vegas Escapes newsletter. I’m Catharine Hamm, the travel editor for the Los Angeles Times, and in the interest of full disclosure, I love Las Vegas.Even when it’s hot. Maybe especially when it is.We SoCal folks know hot, right? Of course we do, and we don’t much like it. So I say to escape the heat, go to Vegas.Sure, it’s expected to be 15 degrees warmer there this weekend, but air conditioning is a way of life for this Mojave Desert city. Heat’s just not an issue as long as you enjoy the great indoors. And it is great. No wonder Elvis is said to have uttered, “Man, I really like Las Vegas.” We have some stories this week that will show you why 42 million people a year, more than a quarter of them from Southern California, like it too. Especially on Sundays. Even though National Tequila Day has passed. And often when Sasquatch is involved.—Catharine HammTEQUILA!Think of caramel, chocolate, citrus, … [Read more...] about Newsletter: Vegas Escapes: You can chill in Vegas