LAS VEGAS — The first week of December 2025 brought a mix of milestone celebrations, development updates, and serious public safety incidents across the Las Vegas Valley. As major projects advanced and new hospitality ventures emerged, officials also confronted sobering traffic tragedies, tourism fluctuations, and evolving community needs.

Hospitality: Rebrands, Openings and an Unsteady Tourism Picture

The Las Vegas hospitality sector saw significant movement this week, led by MGM Resorts International’s decision to rebrand NoMad Las Vegas as The Reserve at Park MGM. The transformation of the 293-room hotel — including the reimagining of the NoMad Bar and NoMad Pool — is scheduled for completion by Dec. 17. MGM officials say the refreshed concept will preserve the property’s luxury-gone-relaxed atmosphere while updating its identity for modern Strip visitors.

At Harry Reid International Airport, travelers now have access to the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, which opened Dec. 3 in Terminal 1 Concourse C. The two-story, 4,590-square-foot space includes a champagne parlor, curated dining and locally inspired amenities, reflecting the airport’s continued rise as one of the top destinations for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders.

Downtown, Fremont Street Experience launched its 30th anniversary celebration, marking three decades since the debut of its pedestrian mall and canopy. The milestone highlights the venue’s evolution from a revitalization project into an enduring entertainment landmark.

Looking ahead, Forty Deuce, Ivan Kane’s signature burlesque nightclub, is preparing for its return to the Strip. The venue will reopen at Mandalay Bay on Dec. 31, 16 years after it last operated in Las Vegas. Another highly anticipated debut — Chubby World, a four-story Japanese-themed complex — is expected to bring new dining, retail and entertainment energy to Chinatown in 2026.

Yet even with new attractions and rebrands, Las Vegas tourism numbers dipped in September and October. Visitor volume, hotel occupancy and revenue per available room fell slightly from the previous year. Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority are responding with aggressive hotel packages and dining credits to bolster demand. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, noting that 2024 marked exceptional highs and 2025 remains on track to be one of the strongest tourism years in recent history.

Development: Stadium Work Advances, F1 Teardown Continues and Road Safety Expands

Several high-profile development and infrastructure projects saw movement this week. Officials confirmed that the A’s $2 billion ballpark, planned for a site along the southern Strip, is progressing as scheduled toward a 2028 opening. End-of-year construction targets have been met, with cranes installed and concrete work underway.

Elsewhere on the Strip, crews continue dismantling infrastructure from the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which has resulted in intermittent traffic delays. The process is expected to continue through December.

Meanwhile, transportation officials are rolling out an expanded system of wrong-way driver alert installations on I-15, integrating sensors, cameras and flashing signs linked to regional traffic command centers.

The Boring Company announced that the Vegas Loop’s airport service is expected to begin in early 2026, with the University Center station becoming the first access point serving Harry Reid International Airport. The update comes as the company faces nearly $500,000 in fines tied to improper disposal of drilling fluid into the Clark County sewer system.

Public Safety: Crashes, Criminal Cases and New Safety Initiatives

The week included several serious traffic incidents. A pedestrian was critically injured Friday morning after being hit while outside a crosswalk near Tropicana Avenue and Wynn Road. In a separate case, a third victim died from injuries in a November 12-vehicle crash, prompting prosecutors to consider additional murder charges against the alleged driver, 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez. Early Thursday, a motorist in northwest Las Vegas was killed in a single-car crash after striking a light pole.

Law enforcement also made headlines when a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer was arrested on domestic violence-related charges, including felony strangulation and coercion. The alleged incidents involved his live-in girlfriend, who is also a Metro officer.

The Clark County School District received a $10,000 grant intended to improve student travel safety following more than 180 student-involved traffic incidents this school year, including four fatalities. CCSD also announced a collaboration with UNLV to address special-education staffing shortages through a tuition-supported teacher training initiative.

Community: Honoring Service and Supporting Local Families

Las Vegas issued a proclamation naming Dec. 3 “Maxx Crosby Foundation Day,” recognizing the Raiders star’s mental health advocacy and community impact. Crosby was also announced as the team’s nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

NASCAR driver Josh Berry was in Las Vegas this week for off-season appearances and joined The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, helping provide holiday gifts for local children.

And to mark World AIDS Day, the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign was illuminated red, continuing a long-standing effort to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS.

As the week closes, Las Vegas remains a city in motion — celebrating new milestones, advancing billion-dollar developments and confronting urgent public safety issues — all while navigating the complexities of a shifting tourism landscape.

Looking for more? Explore our latest coverage of Las Vegas entertainment, local news, upcoming Sphere Las Vegas events, and the week’s Top Stories. For more concerts, residencies, and event updates, visit our full Las Vegas concerts & shows guide.