News

Casinos gearing up for another new year

Benjamin Spillman

January 23, 2009 - 10:36 am

Casinos are gearing up for what they hope will be a successful Chinese New Year.

The mood was subdued on the Strip early Thursday night, but clearly the casinos are hoping to capitalize on what has become one of the biggest annual events in Las Vegas.

Here are some shots from Bellagio and Caesars Palace. Turn to the Review-Journal this weekend for more Chinese New Year coverage, including questions about whether the recession will suck some of the air out of the festivities.

Chinese figure in the Bellagio conservatory

Plants and decor in the Bellagio conservatory

Decorations at the Las Vegas Boulevard entry to Caesars Palace

The casino at Caesars is heavily decked out

The value of precious metals has surged in recent months as investors sought relatively safe pl ...

Gold resumes its climb; prices for precious metals soaring

The Associated Press

January 27, 2026 - 12:14 am

Investors are looking for safer places to park their money amid threats of tariffs, still-high inflation and mountains of debt for governments worldwide.

Jon Gruden leaves court after appearing at a hearing for oral arguments in a legal fight betwee ...

Attorneys for NFL again filing appeal in Jon Gruden lawsuit

By Noble Brigham / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 4:36 pm

The former Raiders coach sued the league in 2021, arguing that leaked emails written by him had pushed the Raiders to fire him.

Passengers line up based on boarding group numbers to board a Southwest Airlines flight at Oakl ...

What travelers can expect as Southwest Airlines introduces assigned seats

By Rio Yamat The Associated Press

January 26, 2026 - 12:51 pm

Southwest Airlines passengers made their final boarding-time scrambles for seats on Monday as the carrier prepared to end the open-seating system that distinguished it from other airlines for more than a half‑century.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, alleges that a Krispy Kreme delivery driv ...

Lawsuit says Krispy Kreme driver, other motorist hit and killed cyclist

By Noble Brigham / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 11:59 am

Marlon Page was thrown into the road by the first driver and hit again by a van delivering doughnuts, according to the suit.

Videos of deadly Minneapolis shooting contradict government statements

By Jim Mustain and Michael Biesecker Associated Press

January 26, 2026 - 10:52 am

Leaders of law enforcement organizations expressed alarm Sunday over the latest deadly shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis while use-of-force experts criticized the Trump administration’s justification of the killing, saying bystander footage contradicted its narrative of what prompted it.

A federal agent points a weapon at a person outside a hotel during a noise demonstration protes ...

Trump softens tone on Minnesota immigration crackdown as some federal agents prepare to leave

By Steve Karnowski and Mike Balsamo The Associated Press

January 26, 2026 - 3:53 pm

Criticism increased around senior Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in the last few days after his public defense of the Alex Pretti shooting and disputed claims about the confrontation that led to his death.

Two women embrace next to a banner with a photo of Ran Gvili after the announcement that the ho ...

Israel recovers the last hostage’s remains in Gaza. Ceasefire moves into tricky new phase

By Julia Frankel and Samy Magdy The Associated Press

January 26, 2026 - 10:40 am

The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, has been a key part of the Gaza ceasefire’s first phase.

A TSA agent scans a passport as travelers wait in a long security line at John Wayne Airport in ...

You’ll soon have to pay a fee to fly without a Real ID. Here’s what to know

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times

January 26, 2026 - 9:07 am

Starting next month, travelers who want to board a domestic flight without a Real ID will have to pay a fee to have their identity verified through the TSA’s new security screening program.

A train departs the Brightline MiamiCentral Station on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Miami. (L.E. ...

Brightline’s Florida operation gives glimpse toward Vegas to SoCal high-speed rail service

By Mick Akers / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 11:00 am

As work continues toward getting Brightline West’s Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail line built and running, the company’s east coast operation is transporting passengers daily.

A student takes a test in Las Vegas Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Jou ...

CCSD to add more tests for middle schoolers in 2026-2027 school year

By Spencer Levering / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 6:00 am

CCSD says middle schoolers will take semester exams in four subjects starting next school year. The tests aim to monitor and improve student academic performance.