Wynn, MGM Grand move ahead

Monday, June 26, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

Steve Wynn plans to take the airwaves tonight to discuss his plans for the future of the Desert Inn.

Gene Ross, news director for KLAS-TV Channel 8, said Wynn will have a half-hour interview with political columnist Jon Ralston and KLAS anchor Paula Francis. Ross said the interview will air today at 6:30 p.m. in place of KLAS' regularly scheduled news broadcast.

"He had an agreement with Jon Ralston that he'd sit down (and discuss the DI)," Ross said.

The taped interview will cover Wynn's decision to close the Desert Inn, the future of the property and how his development plans will affect the north end of the Strip.

"I think this is the last (interview) he'll be doing for awhile," Ross said.

In addition to his work as an "I-Team" reporter for Channel 8, Ralston produces the Ralston Report, a newsletter published by the Greenspun Media Group, which includes the Las Vegas Sun. Ralston also writes a column for the Sun, has an e-mail news alert service with the Greenspun Media Group's vegas.com Internet operation and a show on cable channel Las Vegas ONE, a joint venture between the Sun, Cox Communications and Channel 8.

Las Vegas ONE simulcasts Channel 8's news programs, and will do so with the Wynn interview, Ross said.

Ralston said he plans to use material from the interview for his other media ventures.

"I would like to get something for Las Vegas ONE, definitely," Ralston said. "We're going to try to talk Wynn into giving us more stuff for Las Vegas ONE. I would like to milk this for as much as I can.

"He told me the day after he sold Mirage (Resorts Inc.) ... that he'd do an on-camera interview after the deal's done. He made good on it."