City Cast Salt Lake

It’s been nearly a week of hearings in the Charlie Kirk case. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen break down the biggest developments. Plus, what locals are buying at the liquor store (and what it says about us), and in our members-only segment: Are Utahns actually rude? Resources and references: Read Salt Lake Tribune reporter Jessica...

Salt Lake temps are hitting triple digits this weekend. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss ways to stay cool and ideas for having fun in this heatwave.  Find a Salt Lake County cooling zone near you.   Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come.  Subscribe to our...

We know fox squirrels are taunting Salt Lake dogs, but are they taking over our city? Natural History Museum of Utah Citizen Science Manager Ellen Eiriksson tells host Ali Vallarta why these critters are worth studying. Submit your fox squirrel and firefly sightings. This episode first aired on Jan 30, 2023.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. Yo...

Poplar Grove’s neighborhood peacocks are turning up dead. Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez talk about a distressing local situation. Plus, some feel good news bits and shoutouts. Resources and references: Salt Lake City police investigate deaths of peafowl, as residents push for charges [KSL] Find out about free mariachi classes in Ogden.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today!...

A weeklong court hearing in the killing of Charlie Kirk starts today in Provo. Host Ali Vallarta and Salt Lake Tribune politics reporter and astrologer Addy Baird talk about what to expect. Plus, an astrological reading for Salt Lake while Mercury is back in retrograde. Resources and references: Charlie Kirk’s widow, parents to attend first Utah court hearing since his killing [Salt Lake Tribune]...

See if your Salt Lake knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of...

Salt Lake City is changing the rule around who gets to live together. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss the neighborhood chatter around the change. Plus, things to do over the long weekend and in our members-only segment: gamifying Katherine Heigl’s Utah home listing. Resources and references: SLC may tweak its definitio...

July has us fine-tuning our Salt Lake summer bucket list. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from gelato bikes to running with shelter dogs to patriotic symphonies. Plus, if you're donating blood this month, listen to our episode with ARUP. Sign up to volunteer for Pie and Beer Day. For even more tips on...

Wildfires are burning across Utah, from the Wasatch Front to the southern corners of the state. Host Ali Vallarta talks to state forester Jamie Barnes about reactions to the fireworks ban and the response to this dangerously unprecedented moment.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only...

For the first time in eight years, Utah is almost certainly sending a Democrat to the U.S. Congress: former Congressman Ben McAdams. Host Ali Vallarta asks him about key issues impacting the state.   ICYMI: Listen to our primary election results breakdown. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to mem...

Just how good are the sidewalks in Salt Lake City? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver po...

Have you heard of  “alpine divorce?” A reopened murder case in Utah has host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia connecting the dots to a disturbing trend happening in the great outdoors. Plus, the feds back off SLC’s ICE detention center, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: summer travel hacks.  Resources and references: A...

St. George, Utah is having a moment, earning national praise as a must-visit destination. But some Salt Lakers know it as the “Florida of Utah.” Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani unpack the reputation of one of Utah’s fastest-growing cities. This episode first aired on Aug. 7, 2025  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbo...

Yesterday was the 2026 primary election in Utah, and we’ve got all the big results for you. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means offer some analysis on how your neighbors voted, and a sense of where we go from here. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up...

Fire season in Salt Lake is off to a scary start. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and audience development manager Angie Treasure talk about the blazes burning close to home and some precautions worth taking. Plus, Crumbl's new dirty soda and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Still haven't filled out your ballot? Use our Congressional District 1 voter guide, and turn in your b...

Two different outlets published stories about The Other Side Academy, an organization that’s getting taxpayer money to work on homelessness and addiction in our community. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk with Salt Lake Tribune reporter Jose Davila IV about the big takeaways.  Resources and references: The Other Side Academy network keeps expanding, bolstered by Utah taxpa...

A pro-AI super PAC spent $450,000 on campaign ads for Ben McAdams. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss talk about how it could impact the primary election. Plus, Sandy City Council cut funding for the Wasatch mountains, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: ideas for Father's Day this weekend.  Resources and references: C...

Think you know all the best spots in Salt Lake? Host Ali Vallarta asks local explorer Darienne Debrule about the underrated experiences, shops, and restaurants to visit this summer. This episode first aired on May 14, 2025.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join...

We're a week out from the primary election; will Gen Z vote? Ignite Utah executive director Jenessa Jimoh tells host Ali Vallarta what’s shaping young voters' political habits. This episode first aired on March 25, 2026.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now...

The Salt Lake City Police Department wants $142 million this budget season. Host Ali Vallarta asks Police Chief Brian Redd how our money is being used, from the 999 ride to drones. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.  Subscribe to...

As residents of Salt Lake County, you may have wondered about your parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta cataloged them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map is a valuable tool, as yo...

Salt Lake City and County are joining forces to sue ICE. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen discuss the strategy. Plus, the best places to watch the World Cup, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: Why does Utah rank 6th in the nation for income? Resources and references: Former adviser to Spencer Cox picked to replace E...

School is out, the temperature's up — summer has hit Salt Lake. Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor Austin Whitehead made you a guide to nearby getaways, where to simulate a European vacation, and some volunteer opportunities. Resources and references: Sign up to volunteer to help the Pando Tree.  Public Lands Calendar Volunteer for Pie and Beer Day an...

Think you know how to keep your energy bill down this summer? Think again. In this bonus sponsored episode by Rocky Mountain Power, Executive producer Emily Means asks Bianca Velazquez, senior communications specialist at Rocky Mountain Power, to bust some of the most common energy myths out there. Plus, Emily and Bianca dig into Rocky Mountain Power's Wattsmart program, break down the case for sm...

For dog owners and swimmers, summer can be a trap: the algal bloom trap! Host Ali Vallarta asks Ben Holcomb from the Utah Division of Water Quality what's in the water this season, where it's dangerous, and how to stay safe. Check the map for algal bloom updates. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations...