A passion for the opera
 
A passion for the opera

17-year-old Arianna Perroots is pursuing her dreams of becoming an opera singer. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Cocktail demo: X-Rated Passion
 
Cocktail demo: X-Rated Passion

A grapefruit flavored cocktail with a lemon twist. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

NHP dunks troopers for good cause
 
NHP dunks troopers for good cause

“Dunk a Trooper” event helps raise awareness on the importance of organ donation. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV welcomes safety upgrades for first day of school
 
UNLV welcomes safety upgrades for first day of school

Samantha Bivins, UNLV student government senator, explains the features of new emergency phones that have been installed on the university’s campus ahead of the first day of school. (Natalie Bruzda/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Project Neon opens to public in Fun Walk Saturday
 
Project Neon opens to public in Fun Walk Saturday

A quarter-mile stretch of Martin Luther King Boulevard was open to walkers Saturday morning ahead of its Labor Day weekend debut. The street redesign is part of a billion-dollar reconstruction project of Interstate 15 from Sahara Avenue to the Spaghetti Bowl. (Jessie Bekker/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The mermaids of Las Vegas
 
The mermaids of Las Vegas

The mermaids swim among the fish and interact with kids watching from the outside at the Silverton aquarium. These mermaids also twirl, flip, dance and do other fun stunts. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nurse call pilot program
 
Nurse call pilot program

A new nurse call line pilot program Las Vegas Fire & Rescue started last month for low-level medical calls. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 23rd
 
Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 23rd

1. 2 men were acquitted of all charges in the Bunkerville standoff case yesterday, avoiding decades in federal prison. Ricky Lovelien and Steven Stewart were acquitted of all 10 counts they faced, while jurors reached a split decision for 2 others. Jurors deliberated for a little more than three days before reaching the decision.

2. Ever wondered why you can’t play the Powerball in Nevada? The answer is simple: the gaming industry in Nevada doesn’t want the competition. A prohibition on the state lottery was placed in Nevada’s constitution at statehood in 1864. So, if you’re looking to cash in on the $700 million up for grabs with the Powerball, you’ll have to continue driving to California.

3. Good news burger fans. In-N-Out and Shake Shack have both announced additional locations in the Las Vegas Valley. In-N-Out will open a location on Sahara and Hualapai, and Flamingo and Sandhill. Shake Shack will be opening its fifth location in Southern Nevada at Las Vegas Premium Outlets North near downtown. Both franchises are expected to open their new locations next year. (Rochelle Richards/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The lovesong of Lee Mallory
 
The lovesong of Lee Mallory

Lee Mallory, a Las Vegas poet, joins musician Lisa Mac for a fundraising performance called Love Wins Again, which benefits Opportunity Village. Part of his performance will be dedicated to his late daughter, who was also a poet. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Sanchez wraps up UNLV scrimmage
 
Sanchez wraps up UNLV scrimmage

UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez talks about Saturday’s scrimmage at Rebel Park. Video by Mark Anderson/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas morning update for Thursday, August 17th
 
Las Vegas morning update for Thursday, August 17th

1. A Las Vegas police officer arrested last year on child pornography charges had died. Ruben Delgadillo was booked last August on five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Delgadillo’s lawyer confirmed this his client had died, but did not provide any further details.

2. University of Nevada, Reno is sticking by it’s decision to not fire or expel student Peter Cvjetanovic after participating in white nationalist rallies over the weekend in Charlottesville. A petition on charge.org has reached over 32,000 signatures and states, “The decision to keep Peter sends an important message to the rest of the non-white-male student body: at the University of Nevada, Reno, none of you matter.” Chairman of the state of Board of Regents Kevin Page said UNR’s decision will not be affected no matter how many people sign the petition.

3. A California woman will go home $1.6 million dollars richer. Sandra A. placed a $5 bet at McCarran International Airport and won the jackpot on IGT’s “Wheel of Fortune Pink Diamonds Game”. The jackpot comes just days after a California man won $11.8 million in downtown Las Vegas.

Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 16
 
Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 16

1. Lake Mead is safe from shortage for another year. According to projections released by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the reservoir east of Las Vegas will have enough water in it on Jan. 1 to stave off a first-ever federal shortage declaration. The lake is also on track to avoid a shortage in 2019, and the extra water from Lake Powell is expected to raise Lake Mead’s surface by more than five feet by the end of the year.

2. Shade Tree’s transitional housing shelter will close its doors by the end of the month due to funding cuts. The program allows homeless women and those leaving abusive relationships to stay, find a job and save money before moving into a permanent home of their own. Roughly a dozen woman still remain in the program, and will be placed in permanent housing before doors close.

3. Looking for a job? Multiple places in the Valley are hiring. Clark County is hiring for 94 positions including positions in the fire department, attorneys, construction workers and corrections officers. CarMax is also looking to fill 100 jobs at its new store on N. Rancho Drive. The company is looking to fill both full- and part-time positions.

Discount carriers gaining popularity
 
Discount carriers gaining popularity

Ultra, low-cost carriers such as Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant are becoming popular with travelers due to their low prices on tickets and other services. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

New level projections for Lake Mead
 
New level projections for Lake Mead

Rest easy, Nevada. Lake Mead is safe from a shortage this year, and is on track to avoid another shortage in 2019. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A ‘huge need’ in Nevada for cybersecurity training programs
 
A ‘huge need’ in Nevada for cybersecurity training programs

Debbie Banko, CEO of Las Vegas-based Link Technologies, an information technology consulting firm, said hiring has been “very, very difficult.” It recently took a team of eight people on her staff of 20 to find one hire over the course of two days. (Nicole Raz/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Gallery celebrates 25th Anniversary of Beauty and the Beast
 
Gallery celebrates 25th Anniversary of Beauty and the Beast

Original “Beauty and the Beast” voice cast members Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson and Richard White attended the media preview of New Magical Memories Fine Art Gallery inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Thursday. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 9th
 
Las Vegas morning update for Wednesday, August 9th

1. A 25-year-old man was shot and killed overnight after checking his mail. The man got into a confrontation with four other men, before he was shot three times. (video) Police didn’t know a motive and were investigating what the group of four was doing nearby.
2. Footage released of the officer shooting an armed naked man Saturday show the man complied with police before turning around and running back toawrd his gun. Police say Jason David Funke suffered a gun shot wound in his upper shoulder, and faces gross misdemeanor charges of possession of a dangerous weapon at a school or child-care property and indecent exposure.
3. And developing this morning, police are investigating an incident on the Strip near Treasure Island. No further details are known at this time, but be sure to check back with reviewjournal.com for all the updates.

CEO of LVCVA receives major bonus
 
CEO of LVCVA receives major bonus

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board of directors has unanimously approved a substantial bonus for its president and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

LVCVA begins investigation into spending policy
 
LVCVA begins investigation into spending policy

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority hired an accounting firm Tuesday to evaluate its spending policies after a Review-Journal investigation uncovered questionable expenses. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Obon Festival Highlights
 
Obon Festival Highlights

Ed W. Clark High School hosted the Japanese Obon Buddhist Festival, a holiday where people celebrate their ancestors. Attendees watched and joined in the various dances, ate traditional Japanese food such as fried octopus ball (takoyaki), and mochi, and perused crafts for sale. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Reorganization at McCaw Academy
 
Reorganization at McCaw Academy

As the much-anticipated Clark County School District reorganization gets underway, parents are still unsure of what concrete change they’ll actually see. Jennifer Furman-Born, principal at McCaw STEAM Academy, talks about reorganization and what her school has done to move toward the school empowerment model. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Back to School Fair at Clark High School
 
Back to School Fair at Clark High School

Over 5,000 children and families attended the Back to School Fair, hosted by Mariana’s Supermarket at Clark High School Thursday. Proceeds from the benefit will go to Vegas PBS’ Ready To Learn Program and Described and Captioned Media Center, a free-loan educational media library for those with special needs. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)