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)

Arbor View at Las Vegas highlights
 
Arbor View at Las Vegas highlights

Here are five highlights from the Arbor View and Las Vegas football game Friday night. (Gabriella Benavidez/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)

Hawaiian luau at Doolittle Senior Center
 
Hawaiian luau at Doolittle Senior Center

Over 70 senior citizens attended a Hawaiian luau at the Doolittle Senior Center in Las Vegas. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas morning update for Monday, August 21st
 
Las Vegas morning update for Monday, August 21st

1. Entertainer Jerry Lewis died Sunday at the age of 91. Lewis performed alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin among others and was the national chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Lewis family confirmed that Jerry died in his Las Vegas home.

2. A geographical shift on Earth’s magnetic poles has prompted the FAA to redesignate two runways at McCarran International Airport. It might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but pilots and air traffic control rely on navigational aids based on magnetic headings. The FAA re-evaluates shifts every five years.

3. Cloud cover in the Las Vegas valley could block today’s view of the solar eclipse. Cloud coverage will range from 75 to 95 percent through the valley. The eclipse is expected to peak just before 10:30 a.m. today, with the moon covering just over 70 percent of the sun.

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)

How to safely watch the eclipse
 
How to safely watch the eclipse

Astrophotographer John Mowbray shares his advice on how you can safely watch the eclipse Aug. 21. (Gabriella Benavidez/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.

Powerball hopefuls at Primm Lotto Store
 
Powerball hopefuls at Primm Lotto Store

Dozens of people drove to the lottery store in Primm, Nevada with the hopes of winning the $430 million Powerball prize. (Gabriella Benavidez/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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)

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)