• Some Las Vegas casinos are donating food and care items to local TSA agents working without pay.
• An MGM Resorts International executive said its critical TSA staff work to keep tourists flowing.
• Las Vegas has already seen a decline in visitors and revenue amid economic uncertainty.

As a government shutdown snarls air travel and stretches security lines, Las Vegas's biggest industry is stepping in to show its support for unpaid TSA agents.

MGM Resorts International — the largest casino company on the Las Vegas Strip with a large portfolio of hotels, including the Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Excalibur — sent meals and care packages to its local TSA agents who have been working without pay for five weeks.

MGM Senior Vice President of Global Security and Aviation John Flynn said the company has so far delivered 1,400 lunches to Harry Reid International Airport, with more planned in the next week. There are more than 1,000 TSA employees at LAS.

Flynn said it's critical that TSA agents are supported so they continue to show up for work to keep Las Vegas' travel industry moving. If travelers worry about long security lines getting home, they may think twice about booking a trip in the first place — potentially leaving hotel rooms empty and casino floors quieter.

"We're a city built on hospitality; we depend on travel and tourism," Flynn said in a recorded message shared with Business Insider. "To be able to keep the lines low and to be able to keep that tourism engine thriving, it all happens here at the airport. Without [TSA agents], we wouldn't have a seamless experience for our guests."

It appears the donations are helping. I flew through Las Vegas on Monday around 8 p.m. and saw virtually no line in either the general or TSA PreCheck queue. I also cleared PreCheck in less than 2 minutes.

Luke Nimmo, a Las Vegas airport spokesperson, told Business Insider that donations from MGM and community members "make a difference," and that wait times have been normal since the shutdown began over a month ago.

This is in stark contrast to some cities across the US, where lines have snaked around buildings and into parking garages for up to 3 hours. Airlines have had to delay flights to accommodate the lines; some passengers waited so long that they missed their plane altogether.

The chaos has popped up at seemingly random airports; it's unclear why, though spring break travel has exacerbated the problems at some of them. Hot spots like Houston Hobby, New York-JFK, and New Orleans airports have seen the worst waits.

Nimmo said Las Vegas also saw short lines during last year's shutdown thanks to "generous donations." Among them was MGM, which sent 700 meals and personal items like soap and mouthwash to TSA agents in November 2025.

Las Vegas airport has opened a "food and essentials" pantry stocked with non-perishable snacks, ingredients, toiletries, and baby and paper products for TSA and customs agents affected by the shutdown.

But Nimmo said inventory is low and has asked the community for more donations. Stocking non-food products helps agents save money on other basic necessities.

TSA agents received their first $0 paycheck over the weekend and won't be paid until Congress reaches a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security. DHS funding lapsed on February 14 amid a political fight over the Trump administration's immigration tactics.

It's unclear if any other casino companies have participated in TSA donations. The Wynn Las Vegas declined to comment; Caesars Entertainment did not immediately respond.

The timing of the shutdown and its subsequent chaos is especially sensitive for a tourism-driven city already navigating economic uncertainty and shifting travel demand.

Gaming revenue is up, but restaurants, retailers, and bars are suffering from declining visitor numbers. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority says the area saw a 7.5% decline in tourists — roughly 3 million people — in 2025, the city's largest drop outside the pandemic.

Analysts attribute the decline in part to budget-conscious travelers feeling the pinch amid inflation and the city's growing nickel-and-dime fees and surcharges. The city is also hosting fewer Canadians who have canceled their travel plans due to political tensions with the US.

Several airports are asking for TSA donations

Airports across the US have called on the community to help TSA agents working without pay. Denver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have set up donation boxes for gift cards and household essentials.

Many smaller airports like John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, and North Central West Virginia Airport near Clarksburg have similarly posted on social media asking for donations.

Denver and Columbus airports suggested gift cards for gas and grocery stores, but asked that they be no more than $20 and specified that they cannot accept Visa gift cards.

The gestures of goodwill are reminiscent of when airline pilots, flight attendants, and their respective unions sent pizza and other goodies to air traffic controllers working without pay during the 43-day-long shutdown in October and November last year.

This shutdown has not affected the pay of air traffic controllers, who work for the Federal Aviation Administration under the Department of Transportation, which is funded and open.

• Oil climbed on Sunday as the US and Israel's war with Iran entered its third week.
• The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt the global oil supply chain.
• Higher oil prices mean higher prices for Americans at the pump and in other goods.

Oil futures climbed in early trading on Sunday as the US and Israel's war with Iran entered its third week, disrupting the global supply chain.

Brent oil reached $106.33, up nearly $3 from when the market closed on Friday. West Texas Intermediate hit $101.19 on Sunday.

For Americans, surging oil prices mean spending more at the pump. The national average price for gasoline hit $3.69 on Sunday. Gas prices have surpassed $3 in all 50 US states for the first time since 2023.

The International Energy Agency said last week the war has caused the largest oil market disruption in history, and that global oil supply will drop by 8 million barrels per day in March.

Kevin Hassett, the US director of the National Economic Council and a top aide to President Donald Trump, said Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation" that the US is working to minimize the fallout for American consumers.

"The big problem right now would be energy prices, and we're watching and monitoring closely," Hassett said.

Much of the instability in the oil market stems from the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran controls and through which about 20% of the world's petroleum passes. Trump has called on other nations to help secure the strait, but has so far received either lukewarm replies or none at all.

Attacks on major oil hubs are also likely driving up prices. Trump said late Friday that the US had "totally obliterated" military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, where refineries process almost all of the nation's oil exports.

The president threatened to target oil infrastructure on the island if Iran continued to prevent ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. An attack on the key Iranian oil center would further destabilize the global oil market.

In response, Iran said that ports, docks, and "American hideouts" in the United Arab Emirates could be targeted. Fire later broke out near the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the only multipurpose maritime facility on the UAE's east coast and a major oil depot, on Saturday. The local government said an intercepted drone caused the fire.

Any end to the conflict, meanwhile, appears to be a long way off. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that there has been no discussion of a ceasefire.

"We are only defending our people from this act of aggression," Araghchi said on "Face the Nation."We don't see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time."

• Las Vegas is a popular destination in Nevada, but other areas in the state have a lot to offer.
• Spots like Lake Tahoe or the Ruby Mountains are beautiful. Virginia City is great for history buffs.
• If you do visit Vegas, go beyond The Strip and see Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam.

When I first moved to Nevada about seven years ago, I knew little about the state aside from the Las Vegas Strip.

Tens of millions of tourists visit Las Vegas each year, spending billions of dollars in the city's casinos, entertainment venues, and attractions.

Yet my move brought me to Reno, a seven-hour drive from the desert of Las Vegas. Although Reno still has its fair share of casinos, the city feels like a world apart.

In Reno, Vegas' palm trees are traded for pine trees, and the Sierra Nevada mountains are unlike anything found within a reasonable distance from the Sphere.

After moving to Reno, I was intrigued by the diversity of the state. I set a goal to travel around Nevada. Since then, I've visited otherworldly deserts, stunning mountain lakes, and historic mining towns.

Nevada has so much more to offer than just casinos, but most tourists flee to the slot machines without considering other options.

Las Vegas has its appeal, but if you're feeling adventurous, consider visiting these destinations instead.

First, Lake Tahoe makes for a perfect summer (or winter) getaway.

Nevada may be famous for its desert landscapes, but to me, Lake Tahoe is the crown jewel of the state.

The almost 200-square-mile lake marks the border between Nevada and California, with about a third of the lake's shoreline in Nevada.

Lake Tahoe offers year-round recreation. In summer, tourists head to the beaches to swim in crystal-clear water. The region also has hundreds of trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and backpacking.

In winter, the lake is a true winter wonderland. Skiers and snowboarders flock to resorts and backcountry trails. If that's not your thing, you can snowshoe through Tahoe's forests or simply walk along a snowy beach with a hot chocolate in hand.

Both the California and Nevada sides of Lake Tahoe are spectacular, but I find the East Shore in Nevada to be more laid-back.

It's got places like Secret Cove and Chimney Beach that are only accessible by foot (or perhaps by kayak), making them quieter than other areas of the lake.

A trip to Virginia City should be on your list if you're a history buff.

Long before Nevada was known for casinos, the state was a hot spot for mining. The 19th century's gold and silver rush led to rapid growth throughout the American West, including in Nevada.

Virginia City is one of the country's most well-preserved mining towns. It's located just 35 minutes from downtown Reno.

The town rose to fame following the discovery of silver ore in 1859. Soon enough, 25,000 residents called the area home, and the town boomed with saloons, theaters, mansions, and mines.

Today, a visit to Nevada City transports you to the Wild West. You can head underground to walk through old mine shafts, tour the (supposedly) haunted Mackay Mansion, or grab a drink in the notorious Bucket of Blood Saloon.

The town has its fair share of cheesy tourist attractions, but it's all part of the fun.

The Ruby Mountains offer scenery akin to the Swiss Alps.

I'm not sure what I expected to see when I took my first road trip to northeastern Nevada, but it certainly wasn't scenery akin to Switzerland.

Nevada's Ruby Mountains are often nicknamed "The Swiss Alps of Nevada." The massive mountain range features peaks towering over 11,000 feet, and the region offers a surprising amount of greenery.

Springtime brings blooming wildflowers and serene waterfalls, and after the snow melts, the region becomes a hiking paradise.

Backpackers can challenge themselves to the Ruby Crest Trail, which traverses more than 40 miles through isolated ridgelines and strikingly blue alpine lakes.

Aside from hiking, the region offers tranquil fishing opportunities in the Ruby Marsh wetlands. Throughout the winter, the mountains are popular among heli-skiers.

If that all sounds too active, it's easy to explore the Ruby Mountains without breaking a sweat. The 12-mile-long Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway travels through the largest valley in the range, offering unbeatable scenery around every curve.

However, if you do insist on going to Las Vegas, try seeing more than just the inside of a casino.

If you're set on visiting Las Vegas, don't limit yourself to just the Las Vegas Strip.

Red Rock Canyon is just about a 30-minute drive away from the flashy lights of Las Vegas Boulevard. Here you'll find hiking trails, cycling routes, and a 13-mile scenic drive through the canyon.

Places like Mount Charleston and the Hoover Dam are also easy ways to escape the casinos and explore Nevada's natural and engineering marvels.

After living in Nevada for almost a decade, I've come to appreciate each and every corner of the state. Las Vegas seems to get all the attention — and for good reason. There are few places in the country with such a non-stop, bustling energy.

If you're willing to dig just a little deeper, though, I think the real treasures of Nevada lie far from the slot machines and table games.