For the first time in its 90-year history, the Culinary Workers Union has unionized all major casinos on the Las Vegas Strip following deals with the Venetian and the Fontainebleau. These contracts mark a significant victory for the union, as it bucks the national trend of declining union membership. The recent agreements provide workers with substantial pay increases, improved benefits, and better working conditions, transforming their daily lives. However, the union still faces resistance from some workers and has historically encountered opposition despite its success.
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Early Monday morning, a gunman opened fire at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, injuring multiple people. The suspect, who had been pacing the parking lot, was taken into custody after an officer-involved shooting. While initial reports varied, authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties, and the gunman’s motive remains unknown as investigations continue. The resort’s emergency department received several patients with gunshot wounds, and guests were alerted to the active law enforcement situation.
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A recent FinCEN report details how the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels launder billions of dollars through U.S. casinos and other financial institutions, primarily using proceeds from fentanyl trafficking. Nearly 1,300 suspicious activity reports were filed in 2024, with a significant portion involving depository institutions and money services businesses. The cartels utilize various methods, including wire transfers, cash smuggling, and complex international trade schemes involving Chinese businesses to obscure the origins of their illicit funds. These schemes often leverage front companies, money mules, and U.S.-based intermediaries to facilitate the laundering process.
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John Q. Hosedrinker