Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Welcome to Happening in Henderson, the weekly show where hosts Mark and Joleen serve up Henderson’s news with equal parts insight, cynicism, and sharp-edged humor. From local headlines and community events to crime updates, school district drama, weather forecasts, sports highlights, and brutally honest restaurant reviews, nothing is off limits.
Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the 890xx life, this is the place to stay informed… without falling asleep.
MARK: Welcome to Happening in Henderson for Monday, September 21, 2026. Today we're looking at the Raiders' surprising 2-0 start, the school district's latest budget headache, and a new fire-focused restaurant on Horizon Ridge. I'm Mark.
JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. The Aces are also making history, but we've got some heavy local news to get through first. Let's get into it.
MARK: It's Monday, so naturally, we're all recovering from the Raiders game, and for once, the recovery doesn't involve questioning our life choices. They actually beat the Chargers yesterday, 26 to 14. I'm still trying to process a world where the Raiders are 2 and 0. It feels statistically improbable, like finding a parking spot at the District on a Saturday night.
JOLEEN: Oh, stop it. They looked great! Maxx Crosby was basically living in the Chargers' backfield. I think he should probably just start paying rent at SoFi Stadium at this point. And did you see Tre Tucker? That touchdown in the first half was electric. It's the first time since 2021 that they've started the season this strong. It's actually fun to be a fan right now, Mark. Don't ruin this for me with your cold, dead logic.
MARK: I'm not ruining it, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's the Raiders. Usually, the shoe doesn't just drop, it falls off a cliff and takes the whole season with it. But sure, credit where it's due. The defense forced those late turnovers and actually finished the job. Malcolm Koonce getting that sack on Herbert was a highlight. It's just... 2 and 0 feels dangerous. It gives people hope, and hope is how they get you.
JOLEEN: Well, if you want something more reliable, look at the Aces. They crushed the Seattle Storm 98 to 77 last night. A'ja Wilson is literally a goddess walking among us. She scored 30 points and eclipsed 1,000 points for the season. Again. She's the only player in WNBA history to do that in multiple seasons. We're witnessing greatness, and you're over here worried about Tre Tucker's hamstrings.
MARK: A'ja Wilson is the only thing in this state that works exactly as advertised every single time. It's impressive. 67 consecutive sellouts at Michelob ULTRA Arena, too. It's a shame the team isn't actually in Henderson, but we'll claim the glory anyway. Jackie Young had 23 points, too. They're heading into the playoffs with a five-game win streak. It's almost boring how good they are.
JOLEEN: Boring? It's spectacular! They have a one-game lead over Atlanta for that third-place spot, which means home-court advantage. That's huge. Plus, seeing Mai Yamamoto and the rest of the bench get some solid minutes yesterday shows how deep this roster is. They play the Sparks tomorrow night. I'm telling you, another ring is coming.
MARK: Maybe. But since we're talking about things that aren't working, let's pivot to the Clark County School District. They're back in the news for the usual reasons. Budget cuts. Apparently, we're looking at another cycle of 'where did the money go?' while the state says we need nearly two billion dollars over the next decade just to hit the national average for per-pupil funding.
JOLEEN: It's so frustrating. Trustee Ramona Esparza-Stoffregan has been vocal about it, but it feels like we're just puttin' Band-Aids on a dam that's already burst. They're talking about more cuts while also celebrating schools that are actually succeeding. Like Rex Bell Elementary--they just went from a one-star to a five-star rating in only two years. It shows the teachers can do it if they're actually supported, but then the district turns around and trims the fat from the wrong places.
MARK: It's the classic CCSD shuffle. One step forward, two budget reports back. And it's not just the money. Cimarron-Memorial High had to move their homecoming game this past weekend because of a critical water systems leak. Nothing says 'welcome home' like a burst pipe and a relocated dance. It's hard to focus on five-star ratings when the ceilings are literally dripping on the students.
JOLEEN: That water leak was a mess. It just highlights how old some of these buildings are. But hey, at least the board approved those eight new dual enrollment courses. High school kids can get college credit now for things like advanced health sciences. It's a good move, assuming the schools stay dry enough for the kids to actually attend the classes.
MARK: It's a bold assumption. I also noticed the police have been busy with some 'decoy' operations lately. They hit a crosswalk in Henderson after a kid got clipped, and they handed out 29 citations in just two hours. I'm torn on this. On one hand, people drive like they're in a Mad Max reboot. On the other, a 'decoy' operation always feels a bit like a thirst trap for minivans.
JOLEEN: If it keeps kids from getting hit, I'm all for it. Drivers around here treat stop signs like suggestions and crosswalks like finish lines. 29 citations in two hours is insane. That's one every four minutes. It just proves that we can't be trusted to act like adults behind the wheel without a badge hovering nearby. And speaking of badges, did you see that Metro officer who got arrested earlier this month? Not a great look for the home team.
MARK: Yeah, an LVMPD officer was picked up on the ninth. It's been a rough week for local law enforcement's PR. We also had a string of fatal pedestrian accidents across the valley in the last few days. One 80-year-old was killed on the 18th. It's becoming a grim routine. I'm starting to think the safest way to cross the street in Henderson is to just buy a tank and hope for the best.
JOLEEN: Or just stay home and look at real estate listings you can't afford. That's my hobby. Though, interestingly, the market's doing something weird. The median single-family home price in Henderson is sitting around 525,000 dollars, but 44 percent of the listings have actually cut their prices. It's like a staring contest between buyers and sellers where everyone's eyes are starting to bleed.
MARK: It's about time. These sellers have been living in a fantasy land where a three-bedroom in a gated community is worth its weight in gold. 44 percent price cuts tell me the 'luxury upgrade' pitch isn't landing like it used to. Although, the report says people from California and Washington are still flocking to places like Ascaya and MacDonald Highlands. They're coming for the tax benefits and the views, and they've got the cash to ignore the interest rates.
JOLEEN: Exactly. If you're selling a mansion with a view of the Strip, you're fine. It's the rest of us in the 89052 zip code who are watching the clock. 38 days is the median time on market right now. That's an eternity compared to a couple of years ago when you could sell a house in the time it took to finish a latte at Starbucks. Buyers are being more cautious, and honestly, they should be.
MARK: Cautious is good. Broke is bad. And with the monthly cost of owning a median home right now, most people are veering toward the latter. But hey, if you can't afford a house, you can at least afford a very expensive dinner. I looked into Hayworth on Horizon Ridge. It's chef Alex Reznik's new spot. He's the guy from Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay.
JOLEEN: I've heard people are obsessed with that place! Everything's cooked over a live fire, right? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen in this wind, but the food looks incredible. Fire-roasted branzino, cavatelli pasta, even charred cabbage. It's definitely more upscale than the usual suburban fare we get out that way.
MARK: It's definitely trying to be 'the' spot. Reznik is also opening a SMKD BBQ cart at T-Mobile Arena, so he's basically taking over the valley's wood-fired needs. I checked some reviews for Hayworth, and people are raving about the sweet potato with toasted marshmallows and the sticky plum pudding. It sounds like the kind of place where you spend a lot of money to eat things your grandmother used to make, but with better lighting and a cocktail program run by the guy who invented the Trinidad Sour.
JOLEEN: Hey, don't knock the nostalgia. If I can get sticky plum pudding and a world-class cocktail without leaving Henderson, I'm in. It beats driving to the Strip and paying forty bucks for parking. Though, I did see some mixed reviews for the new First Watch near the Trader Joe's on Horizon Ridge. People are saying they're running out of things--like champagne. For a brunch place. That's a bold strategy.
MARK: Running out of champagne at brunch is a cardinal sin. It's like a gas station running out of gas. How do you mess that up? There's literally a Trader Joe's in the same parking lot. If I'm the manager, I'm sending a busboy over there with a corporate card and a dream. You can't have people sitting around sober at 11 AM on a Sunday. That's how fights start.
JOLEEN: Right? Hopefully they get the 'opening glitches' sorted out soon. In the meantime, we've got the I-215 construction to keep us entertained. They're working on the stretch from Pecos to Stephanie. Speed limits are down to 55, and they're doing all the heavy lifting at night. Asphalt, concrete, and those new LED light shields. Apparently, the neighbors don't like the feeling of living in a stadium, so they're putting up shields to keep the glow down.
MARK: The light shields are a nice touch. I'm sure the five people who actually live right against the freeway are thrilled. For the rest of us, it just means lane reductions and more orange cones. And don't forget the Horizon Ridge improvements near Carnegie. They're putting in a signalized intersection and banning parking. Because what Henderson really needs is fewer places to park and more reasons to stop.
JOLEEN: The traffic is getting worse, Mark. We need the signals. And that 'Reimagine Boulder Highway' project is still chugging along. They're saying it'll be done by August 2027. So only another year and a change of misery before that's a beautiful, functional corridor. I'm sure the residents are thrilled to have construction as a permanent personality trait for the next twelve months.
MARK: August 2027. That's just far enough away that I can comfortably ignore it and then be surprised when it's still not done. But look, if you want to avoid the roads entirely this weekend, the Henderson Symphony Orchestra is doing their 'Movie and Symphony' night this Friday, the 25th. They're playing the score to the movie 'UP' at the Water Street Plaza. It's free.
JOLEEN: Oh, I love that! 'UP' is such a tear-jerker, though. Imagine a few hundred people sitting on Water Street, crying into their craft beers while the violins swell. It's a vibe. It starts at 7 PM. And if you're not into animated movies about elderly men and balloons, there's also 'The Last Sundress Party' at Viva Tequila on Friday night. It sounds like a final farewell to summer before we pretend it's actually fall.
MARK: A sundress party. At a tequila bar. That sounds like a recipe for a very specific type of Saturday morning headache. But it's local, so I support it. Speaking of fall, the weather is finally starting to behave. Well, mostly. Today we're looking at a high of 93 with some scattered rain showers and a chance of thunderstorms. We've got 23 mile-per-hour gusts, too. So, if you see a trampoline flying down the street, it's just the wind saying hello.
JOLEEN: I'll take 93 and rain over 110 and a hair dryer any day. Tonight it'll drop to 73. Then Tuesday is going to be perfect--sunny and 90. It stays in the low 90s through Wednesday, and then we start creeping back up. By Thursday and Friday, we're at 95. It's not exactly sweater weather, but at least your steering wheel won't give you third-degree burns.
MARK: Saturday is the real test. We're hitting 98. It's like the desert can't quite commit to letting summer go. It's that awkward phase where you don't know whether to wear a jacket or a swimsuit. Sunday cools back down to 95, so if you're planning anything outdoors, Tuesday through Thursday is your sweet spot. After that, it's back to the oven, just a slightly lower setting.
JOLEEN: I'm just happy the triple digits aren't on the forecast. We've earned this. Even if it's still mid-90s, the humidity's low and the nights are cooling off. It's the best time of year in Henderson, hands down. You can actually sit on a patio without feeling like a rotisserie chicken.
MARK: Unless you're at Hayworth, where you're sitting next to a live fire. Then you're definitely a chicken. But seriously, it's a solid week. Raiders win, Aces make history, and the schools are at least attempting to expand Pre-K and college credit courses. It's not all bad news.
JOLEEN: Exactly! We have to celebrate the wins when they come. Even if they come with a side of road construction and budget cuts. It's part of the charm.
MARK: If by 'charm' you mean 'reasons to drink that tequila I mentioned earlier,' then yes. But we should probably wrap this up before I start complaining about the price of gas again.
JOLEEN: Good call. We've covered the basics. Sports are up, houses are... sitting there, and the music is playing on Water Street. What more do you want?
MARK: A parking spot. But we've already established that's a bridge too far. Anyway, that's our look at the week. Be careful out there with those thunderstorms today. 30 percent chance means it'll probably only rain on your car right after you wash it.
JOLEEN: Every time. It's a law of nature. Thanks for hanging with us today. Make sure you're keeping an eye on those nighttime lane closures on the 215 if you're commuting late. It's a mess out there near Pecos.
MARK: And stay off the sidewalks in crosswalks if you're a driver--unless you want to be citation number 30 for the Henderson PD. They're watching.
JOLEEN: They really are. We'll be back next week with more of whatever this city decides to throw at us. Enjoy the 'UP' symphony, and try not to cry too loud in public.
MARK: I make no promises. If the violins hit right, I'm a mess. See you next time.
JOLEEN: Don't forget to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. We'd love to hear from you, so reach out at henderson at the happening network dot com with your local tips or complaints. Happening in Henderson will return next week. Take care out there!