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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, Monday, August 31, 2026. I'm Mark.
JOLEEN: And I'm Joleen. Today we're looking at a massive rescue of some very wrinkly cats and the Raiders cutting a huge check for a local hospital. Let's get to the news.
MARK: If you walked through Henderson last week and thought you saw a collection of animated raw chicken breasts, you weren't hallucinating. Henderson Animal Care and Control seized twenty-one Sphynx cats from a local breeder after a welfare probe. Apparently, being hairless and expensive doesn't exempt you from needing actual care.
JOLEEN: It's honestly heartbreaking, Mark. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, but those poor naked babies were living in some pretty rough conditions. One buyer actually spoke out after their kitten died shortly after they brought it home. That's what triggered the whole investigation. Animal control took all twenty-one of them into custody, and they're being evaluated by vets right now.
MARK: I just don't get the appeal. Why would you pay thousands of dollars for a pet that looks like a thumb with ears? And now the city's gotta figure out what to do with a small army of them. It's not like you can just release them into the wild; they'd sunburn in six minutes in this Henderson heat. They're basically high-maintenance skin-bags.
JOLEEN: Oh, stop it, you asshole. They're unique! And they're affectionate. They have to stay warm, so they're always looking for a lap. But you're right about the maintenance. They need baths because their skin gets oily without fur to soak it up. The breeder was clearly in over their head. Twenty-one cats is a lot of oil to manage. It sounds like a biohazard waiting to happen.
MARK: The city says the investigation is ongoing, so the breeder might be facing more than just a stern look. Meanwhile, in the world of people who have too much money, the Las Vegas Raiders just announced a record twenty-five million dollar donation. It's going toward Nevada's first standalone children's hospital. It's a billion-dollar project, so the Raiders just covered the furniture and maybe a few vending machines.
JOLEEN: Don't be such a cynical prick. Twenty-five million is the largest gift they've ever given. This hospital is going to be a huge deal for local families who usually have to travel to California or Utah for specialized pediatric care. It's about time we had a standalone facility here. The Raiders are really stepping up their community game lately.
MARK: I'm sure the tax write-off feels great. Look, it's a good cause, but let's be real. They built that stadium with seven hundred and fifty million in public money. Giving twenty-five back is like me borrowing fifty bucks from you and then buying you a single taco as a 'thank you' gesture. It's nice, but the math is still skewed in their favor.
JOLEEN: At least the taco is for sick kids, Mark! Honestly, you can't just let them have a win. The hospital is projected to be a state-of-the-art facility. It's something this valley has needed since before the Raiders even knew what a desert was. If it takes an NFL team to get the ball rolling, I'll take it.
MARK: Speaking of people who don't know when to quit, the Henderson City Council is gearing up for a vote on health insurance changes for retired first responders. They're looking at shifting how benefits are managed for the people who used to run toward the fires while we were running away from them. It's a touchy subject, especially with the budget talks we've been hearing.
JOLEEN: It's always the retirees who get the short end of the stick when the city wants to 'streamline' costs. These guys put in decades of service. The meeting is coming up soon, and you can bet the union reps are going to be there in force. Nobody likes it when you mess with their medical coverage after they've already hung up the uniform.
MARK: Well, if you're looking for someone who definitely isn't retired in the traditional sense, how about our seventy-three-year-old friend who got caught vandalizing political signs? Police say this guy trashed at least sixty signs across Clark County. When they asked him why, he reportedly said he just really 'hates Gavin Newsom'. Which is weird, because last I checked, Newsom isn't running for dog catcher in Henderson.
JOLEEN: I saw that! He was caught on camera. Imagine being seventy-three and having that much energy for a governor in a completely different state. That's a lot of walking and a lot of spray paint. I can barely muster the energy to change the channel when a political ad comes on, let alone go on a midnight sign-slashing spree.
MARK: It's the ultimate 'old man yells at cloud' moment, except the cloud is a piece of corrugated plastic on the side of the road. He's facing a mountain of charges now. It's proof that retirement is a hell of a drug if you don't have a hobby. Maybe he should've just taken up pickleball like every other person over sixty in this town.
JOLEEN: Maybe he thinks Newsom is hiding in the bushes near the I-11. It's just wild. And speaking of weird arrests, that guy from Philadelphia who was terrorizing people in a Chucky mask just appeared in a Las Vegas court. He was picked up here after being on the run. Why is it always the guys in masks who think Henderson is a great place to lay low?
MARK: Because in this town, wearing a mask and acting like a maniac usually just means you're a tourist on the Strip. He probably blended right in until he started trying to stab people with a plastic knife. It's a weird crossover episode no one asked for. Philadelphia's finest meets the Clark County Detention Center.
JOLEEN: It's creepy as hell. If I see a three-foot-tall redhead in overalls walking down Water Street, I'm moving to Pahrump. But let's talk about something actually useful for once. The Clark County School District is pausing its use of those Flock surveillance cameras. Apparently, there were some concerns about how the data was being used and whether they were even allowed to have them running.
MARK: Privacy concerns in a school district? I'm shocked. Truly. It turns out that tracking every license plate that enters a school parking lot might've been a bit over-reaching for a system that can't even get the bus schedules right. They're 'pausing' it to review the policies, which is bureaucratic speak for 'we got caught and need to hide the evidence'.
JOLEEN: You're so cynical, but you're not wrong. Parents were split on it. Some liked the extra security, others felt like they were being tracked just for dropping off a lunchbox. It's a tough balance. Meanwhile, the city of Las Vegas actually did something sensible for once. They rescinded those parking rate hikes in the Arts District. Employee permits are staying at ten bucks after the local businesses threw a fit.
MARK: The Arts District is already a nightmare to park in. If they'd raised the prices, the only people left down there would be the ghosts of failed breweries and people who enjoy walking three miles for a mediocre taco. It's a rare win for the little guy. Ten dollars for a permit is basically free in this economy.
JOLEEN: I'm glad they listened. That area is finally starting to thrive, and the last thing we need is more empty storefronts because nobody can afford to park there. Let's shift gears to the real estate market, because things are getting weird in Henderson. The median price for a single-family home held at five hundred and twenty-three thousand in July, but nearly half of the listings are cutting their prices.
MARK: It's a bizarre experiment. Sellers are holding onto these high prices like their life depends on it, but the buyers aren't biting. Homes are sitting on the market for an average of sixty days now. It's like a standoff at the OK Corral, except the cowboys are realtors and the guns are overpriced granite countertops.
JOLEEN: The report calls it the 'strangest experiment' in Southern Nevada. You've got high inventory and serious price cuts, yet the median refuses to budge. It tells me that the people who *have* to sell are panicking, but the people who *want* to sell are just stubborn. If you're looking to buy, you've actually got some leverage for the first time in three years.
MARK: Good luck with those mortgage rates, though. Even if the price drops, the bank is still going to take your firstborn as interest. And if you're looking for something new, there's a twenty-home development going up near Sunrise Mountain. It's on the east side, right on the edge of Henderson. It's a sign that the sprawl is continuing, even if the market is having a midlife crisis.
JOLEEN: I like that area, but man, the traffic is going to be a shit-show. Speaking of which, the 'Reimagine Boulder Highway' project is still eating everyone's soul. They're working on the segment from Wagon Wheel to Greenway right now. Night work is happening on the Green Valley Parkway pedestrian bridge too. Expect closures and a lot of orange cones between eight p.m. and five a.m.
MARK: Reimagine Boulder Highway? I've reimagined it plenty of times, usually as a road that doesn't take forty-five minutes to move three blocks. They're putting in those fancy bus stations in the median. It's going to be great in 2027 when it's finished, assuming we're all still alive and haven't been replaced by those robot cats I mentioned earlier.
JOLEEN: Don't forget the I-515 and I-11 work. It's like the entire southeast valley is one giant construction zone. If you have to drive anywhere this week, just leave now. You'll probably make it by Thursday.
MARK: Let's talk about food before I get too depressed about the commute. A new spot called Mama Tess's Artisan Kitchen just opened in Southern Highlands. It's from the owners of the Pioneer Saloon out in Goodsprings. You know, that place where you go to drink beer and pretend you're in a western until you realize there's no air conditioning?
JOLEEN: I love the Pioneer Saloon! Mama Tess is a legend. The new spot is much closer to home and it's got a grand opening celebration going on. They're doing free samples of their signature dishes. It's a lot of comfort food--burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes. It's basically the exact opposite of a diet, and I am here for it.
MARK: It's a smart move. People love the 'old Nevada' vibe but they don't always want to drive forty miles into the scrub to get it. They also opened Rangoli Indian restaurant over on Tropicana recently, replacing the old Metro Pizza. It's in the soft opening phase, but they're doing some southern Indian specialties like benne dosa. It's a nice change of pace from the endless sea of chain restaurants we usually get.
JOLEEN: Indian food is having a huge moment in Vegas right now. We've even got spots getting James Beard nods. I'll take a dosa over a Big Mac any day. Now, let's check in on the Aces. They're currently twenty-six and thirteen, sitting in third place in the West. They had a nice win over Toronto recently, eighty-eight to seventy-eight.
MARK: The Aces are the only team in this town that consistently knows how to win without breaking my heart. They've got a break coming up for the FIBA World Cup in early September, so if you want to see them at Michelob Ultra Arena, you better check the schedule fast. Becky Hammon has them playing some solid ball, even with the target on their backs.
JOLEEN: They're just so fun to watch. And the Raiders? Well, the preseason is wrapping up. They lost to the Cardinals, beat the Texans, and just played the Niners. The regular season opener is September thirteenth against the Dolphins. No primetime games this year, which is a bit of a slap in the face from the NFL scheduling gods.
MARK: Zero primetime games? That's the league's way of saying, 'we've seen your film and we'd rather show a documentary about paint drying'. It's brutal. But hey, it means more one p.m. starts, which is better for my sleep schedule. And if you're a racing fan, the Kyle Busch Classic is debuting at the Bullring during NASCAR weekend. It's nice to see a local boy putting his name on something that isn't a lawsuit.
JOLEEN: You are so mean! Kyle Busch is a legend. That race is going to be a huge draw for local short-track fans. Alright, let's talk weather, because it's actually not a total furnace for once. Today we're looking at a high of ninety-seven with some south winds around fifteen miles per hour. There's a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, so don't be surprised if you see some lightning over the mountains.
MARK: Ninety-seven? I'll break out my parka. It's practically autumn. The rest of the week stays in the high nineties, but Saturday and Sunday are looking a bit dicey. We've got a thirty-five to forty percent chance of showers and thunderstorms for the Labor Day weekend. Highs will drop to around ninety on Sunday. It's that classic monsoon moisture trying to ruin your barbecue.
JOLEEN: I'll take ninety degrees and some rain over one hundred and ten and a breeze that feels like a hair dryer. It's Labor Day weekend, so there's plenty to do if you're not hunkered down. The Lake Las Vegas Golf and Food Festival is back. Sunday is 'The Feast' with Chef Scott Commings and Zowie Bowie performing. It's seventy-five bucks for general admission, which isn't bad for all that food and music.
MARK: Zowie Bowie? I think it's a city ordinance that they have to perform at every local event or the city loses its charter. If you're more into sports, the Hoops 24/7 Labor Day Kick Off is happening at Supreme Courtz in Henderson. It's a huge national tournament with teams from all over the West Coast. Expect a lot of tall teenagers and parents yelling at refs.
JOLEEN: And there's a Reggae Night Swim at the M Resort on Sunday night. Nothing says Labor Day like bobbing in a pool with a drink while listening to Bob Marley covers. Just watch out for those thunderstorms. Swimming during a lightning strike is a great way to end your summer permanently.
MARK: It's certainly one way to go out with a bang. Most of the libraries and city offices will be closed on Monday for the holiday, so don't go trying to pay your water bill or return your books on the seventh. Just stay home, drink something cold, and try not to think about the fact that school's already been back for weeks.
JOLEEN: It's been a busy week in Henderson. From naked cats to billion-dollar hospitals, we've got it all. Make sure you follow us so you don't miss any of the local chaos. If you've got a story or just want to tell Mark he's a dick, you can email us at henderson@thehappeningnetwork.com.
MARK: I look forward to the hate mail. It fuels me. We'll be back next week with more news that probably involves a roundabout or a construction cone.
JOLEEN: See you next week!