🌱 Mariah Carey Headlines Festival + Off-Strip Cannabis-Friendly Hotel

Hey, friends! It's Wednesday in Las Vegas and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Cool with sunshine. High: 53 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories today in Las Vegas:

1. The second Las Vegas Lovers & Friends Festival is coming to the city. Mariah Carey and Missy Elliot will be two of the headliners at the massive hip-hop and R&B festival. The event will feature 45 artists and is scheduled for May 6 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. (Fox 5 Las Vegas)
2. A spot off the Vegas strip intends to become Las Vegas' first cannabis-friendly hotel. The Artisan Hotel Boutique will be renovated and transformed into The Lexi. The new hotel will have 64 rooms and offer "cannabis-friendly hospitality." The entire fourth floor of the Lexi will be a cannabis-friendly area. (Fox 5 Las Vegas)
3. Interstate 15 is about to experience a lot of traffic. Transportation officials have announced an 18-month-long construction project that will have crews raising and widening a key interchange. The $305 million project promises to make the roads wider for traffic and safer for pedestrians. The project will require several closures of the highway that will stretch over several days. (US News)

Today in Las Vegas:

• Experience Magic Up Close! At Candlelight Magic Show By Las Vegas Magic Theater (4:00 PM)
• America's Got Talent At Luxor Hotel & Casino (6:00 PM)
• The Beatles LOVE By Cirque du Soleil At The Mirage (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Jan. 18, stop by Priscilla Fowler's Fine Arts Gallery for the latest Art District meeting! Don't miss out. (The Las Vegas Arts District via Facebook)
• The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada marched in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on Monday, despite the bad weather! Check out their amazing float at the link. (Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada via Facebook)
• Want to learn how the new water rates could impact your bill? The Water Smarts Podcast can answer your questions! (Las Vegas Valley Water District via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Sahara West Library (January 24)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.