City Cast Salt Lake

A man will stand trial in the killing of Afa Ah Loo, who was shot at the No Kings rally in downtown Salt Lake City in June 2025. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake Contributor Cassie Bingham dive into the case. Plus, the sports and entertainment district comes into picture, and picks of the week. Resources and references: Man ordered to stand trial for shoot...

Are Utahns happy with our quality of life? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Andy Larsen and Chandler Rosenberg dive into the research. Plus, Utah City is facing some roadblocks, and we put together a list of cozy ideas for the back half of October. Resources and references: Read the Gardner Policy Institute's quality of life report. Can a walkable downtown thrive in the heart...

Anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard is back with a vengeance… against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Host Ali Vallarta and audience development manager Angie Treasure talk about his fall from grace and how we got here. Plus, spooky ideas for the back half of October in Salt Lake, and in our members-only segment: local food news. Resources and references: • Anti-trafficking acti...

Ballots are being mailed today, which means you’ll soon be voting on amendments A and B, both of which aim to change Utah’s constitution. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Kate Grotezinger and Chandler Rosenberg break down what they do. Plus, an update on the effort to save our shrinking Great Salt Lake, and local shoutouts. Resources and references: 2 amendments, 1 fight: Wha...

Another Salt Lake City school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the...

Local prisoner advocates are calling for a moratorium on the death penalty after a botched execution in Tennessee and a man was released from Utah's own death row. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake Cassie Bingham discuss what it would take for lawmakers to take capital punishment off the books. Plus, on a much lighter note, we play a fall game and share pic...

It’s Banned Books Week, and Utah just added seven more novels to its growing list. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia ask Bookish co-founder Amanda Warren what’s behind the outrage and whether reading is becoming performative. Plus, is Salt Lake behind on the bagel food trend?   Resources and references: Utah just banned 7 new books — at once — from all...

Do you know Salt Lake’s haunted history? Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen, and local folklore enthusiast Kyle Treasure dive into our city’s scariest stories. Plus, Glendale Regional Park’s pool gets canned, and in our members-only segment: We dream up apps for solving our niche Salt Lake problems. Resources and references: Salt Lake City’s mayor promised a new west-si...

Ballots are about to hit Utah mailboxes, but which races and issues should Salt Lakers be watching? Executive producer Emily Means and audience development manager Angie Treasure break down the congressional and county council races, a $128 million parks bond, and constitutional amendments. Plus, KSL Sports radio host Ben Anderson joins to talk about whether the Utah Jazz and Mammoth can actually...

Salt Lake City has an alleged scammer on the loose. Executive producer Emily Means talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Chandler Rosenberg and Cassie Bingham about why this story has the internet in a chokehold. Plus, a nuclear-powered data center on public lands and cheap lunch deals. Resources and references: People speak out on encounters with viral “SLC Scammer Guy” [ABC 4] A startup wa...

When Salt Lake City looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a bas...

Need a Halloween costume? Executive producer Emily Means, Keep It Local newsletter editor Shelby Hintze, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia have some very Utah ideas. Plus, what will become of the old Rowland Hall campus on 9th and 9th, and picks of the week. Resources and references: Utah’s oldest school is selling its 9th & 9th campus. Will the historic building remain? [Salt Lak...

The state lawmaker everyone loves to hate has resigned after he was charged with fraud. Executive producer Emily Means talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Andy Larsen about GOP Rep. Trevor Lee’s greatest hits. Plus, cybercabs have landed in Utah, and in our members-only segment: Do Salt Lakers underestimate our downtown? Resources and references: State Representative Tre...

Hello, scary season! October is here, and we’ve planned your month accordingly. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Scott Wessman bring you a guide to make the most of it, from diving into a corn pit to shopping Salt Lake’s freakiest decor. Plus, don’t miss our episode explaining why Utah goes so hard for Halloween. For even more tips on how...

Who wins in the battle for the Alpine Loop, cyclists or cars? Executive producer Emily Means, audience development manager Angie Treasure, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss talk about the fight over who gets the road and gatekeeping leaf peeping spots. Plus, the Delta Center got a makeover, and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Road Respect is a Two Way Street [Utah Departme...

Salt Lake City’s new housing proposal has people up in arms, but why? Executive producer Emily Means and newsletter editor Terina Ria are joined by former City Council Member Darin Mano to explain. Plus, unpaving paradise to get rid of a parking lot, and why the ‘burbs are so great.   Resources and references: Salt Lake City's contentious housing options proposal receives key endorsement...

What’s a seemingly small project in Salt Lake City that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and look...

The Governor's Office of Economic Development gave away millions of dollars without tracking how it was being used. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg give their takeaways. Plus, it's Fat Bird Week at the Great Salt Lake, and picks of the week. Resources and references: Can a Little Bird Save Great Salt Lake? [City Cast S...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is weighing in against abortion measures in Idaho and Nevada. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Scott Wessman discuss what the church’s involvement could foreshadow for Utah. Plus, Salt Lake County voters will decide whether to fund $128 million in parks and recreation projects, and a few things we think are co...

Utah’s fertility rate is declining. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen ask Emily Harris, a senior demographic analyst for the Gardner Policy Institute, about why it’s got lawmakers in a panic. Plus, we plan your next game day party, with local ideas for food and more. Resources and references: Utah’s Declining Fertility Rate [Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute]  An...

There are 23 cities in Salt Lake County — and we believe one of them is about to pop off: Midvale. Host Ali Vallarta, audience development manager Angie Treasure, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia make the case for visiting or living there. Plus, MomTok is falling apart and weekly shoutouts.   Resources and references: Mikayla Matthews quits ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ real estate empire is growing. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss how the church is changing whole regions of the U.S. Plus, culture writer Meg Walter tells us about the rise of old lady hobbies, and we make our Utah wishlist. Resources and references: The Mormon Church Is Quietly Expanding Its Real Estate...

Would Salt Lake City be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly priori...

Salt Lake City is struggling to pay for big public utilities projects, and the city’s clean water is at stake. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Strauss dig into the city’s debt woes. Plus, the TikTok controversy over Utah’s Lola Blankets, and weekend picks. Resources and references: SLC can’t cover debt on an $850M-plus project almost no o...

Emigration Canyon might finally get a bike lane. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Molly Miloscia and Chandler Rosenberg discuss why some homeowners are concerned. Plus, an update on when Salt Lake’s beloved Tower Theatre will finally reopen, and a few cozy food recs for early fall. Resources and references: Right-of-way fight brews over Emigration Canyon road project [FOX 13]...