MGM Resorts International plans to raise their resort fees at some properties. The timing or size of the fee increase wasn’t given, but hinted they might soon push them up to Caesars’ level. Caesars raised resort fees at their eight Las Vegas Strip properties on Feb. 1. The rise in resort and other fees, like parking, will help offset inevitably higher labor costs, executives said. MGM spokeswoman Mary Hynes says the market “has experienced recent increases, and we subsequently anticipate making adjustments in the near future.” In January, MGM announced it would increase parking fees at 11 of its 12 Strip properties.
1. A Las Vegas doctor convicted of murder in the 2007 Hepatitis C outbreak has died in prison. Dipak Desai was serving life in prison with the possibility of parole on 27 counts, including second-degree murder. Desai’s lawyer Richard Wright argued that Desai was unfit to stand trial after suffering multiple strokes. The Washoe County coroner’s office is expected to determine Desai’s cause of death.
2. A 9-vehicle crash has closed down southbound traffic on I-15 near Moapa. Clark County Fire Department says five semitrailers and four passenger cars were involved in the wreck at about 2:50 a.m. No injuries were reported but lanes were still closed as of 7:30 a.m.
3. MGM Resorts valets fear for a decrease in income after an announcement that parking rates will rise again. One valet that spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal said his income decreased by $20,000 a year due to parking rates rising, and another said he had to take a second job to pay his bills. Parking rates at MGM Resorts will increase by up to $25 starting Wednesday.