In this powerful episode of The Middle Ground, host Tom Letizia sits down with Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on the critical issues shaping the city’s future.

Mayor Berkley addresses the ripple effect of declining gaming revenues and what it means for city services and working families. She opens up about the fears many immigrant residents are facing amid federal enforcement efforts—and how the city is working to maintain trust and safety.

The conversation also turns to the growing crisis at local animal shelters, with Mayor Berkley sharing how her administration is responding to a heartbreaking surge in pet abandonment tied to economic hardship. And in a city still struggling with high homelessness, the Mayor gives a frank update on where progress is being made—and where the road ahead remains challenging.

Whether you're a resident, policymaker, or business leader, this episode offers real talk from a mayor with decades of perspective and a front-row seat to Las Vegas’s transformation.