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Author

Ralph Stewart

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A lifelong Las Vegas resident, Ralph Stewart is the senior Vegas Valley reporter for Times Media Service. Stewart covers local news across the Vegas Valley, including casino resorts and tourism, local government and politics, schools, public safety, development and community life. Stewart holds a master's degree in journalism and media studies.

Stories by Ralph Stewart

13 explainers

  1. August 2026

    4 stories: 4 explainers

  2. Sun

    Explainer · Business and Finance · United States

    How California Pizza Kitchen rose, stumbled and found a new owner

    California Pizza Kitchen was acquired by Consortium Brand Partners for $300 million in 2025 following a 2020 bankruptcy and years of decline.

  3. Thu

    Explainer · Business and Finance · United States

    2027 Social Security COLA estimates range from 3.2% to 3.6% after July inflation data

  4. Mon

    Explainer · Environment · United States

    Big Bear bald eagle Jackie dies after more than three weeks of intensive care

  5. Fri

    Explainer · Environment · United States

    Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle remains critically ill as anemia worsens at Ojai Raptor Center

    The Ojai Raptor Center recently reported that Big Bear bald eagle Jackie remains critically ill as her packed cell volume fell from 16% to 13%.

  6. July 2026

    7 stories: 7 explainers

  7. Wed

    Explainer · Business and Finance · Washington DC

    What a flat-rate Social Security COLA could mean for retirees and the program’s finances

  8. Wed

    Explainer · Travel · Vegas Valley, Nevada

    What travelers should know about Hoover Dam’s visitor closure during emergency road repairs

  9. Thu

    Explainer · Food and Dining · Florida

    Burger King adds new manager role and Whopper remake promise after customer feedback campaign

    Burger King in Florida announced a new Your Way Champion manager role and a Whopper Guarantee following a recent customer feedback campaign.

  10. Wed

    Explainer · Arts and Entertainment · Las Vegas

    Terrible’s reopens Primm Valley Casino with no resort fees: what changed in the border-town reboot

  11. Tue

    Explainer · Education · United States

    Education Department finalizes rule linking federal aid to graduates’ earnings

  12. Sun

    Explainer · Business and Finance · United States

    Why KFC stopped calling itself Kentucky Fried Chicken — and why the myths still won’t die

    Fast-food giant KFC rebranded from Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1991 to modernize its image, debunking persistent myths about the name change.

  13. Sat

    Explainer · Transportation · World

    Why airlines say a daylight saving time change would ripple through schedules

  14. June 2026

    2 stories: 2 explainers

  15. Sat

    Explainer · Crime and Justice · United States

    Got an unexpected envelope in the mail? Do not scan the QR code

  16. Thu

    Explainer · Travel · United States

    How a high school project from Ohio became the 50-star flag travelers still see at state capitols

    Discover how Bob Heft's 1959 high school project became the 50-star flag flown at U.S. state capitols from Ohio to Texas.