City Cast Salt Lake

SLC suburb Riverton just became the first city in Utah to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the decision making. Plus, lessons from the Love Club singles event and local shoutouts. Resources and references: A suburb becomes Utah’s first city to sign pact with ICE, giving officers immigration enforcement powers [Salt Lake Tribune] The S...

The average home price Salt Lakers can afford is … $260,000, according to local realtor Rod Moser. Host Ali Vallarta asks him about popular and unpopular solutions to get prices closer to that number. 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.cityca...

A 1,300-bed homeless campus is coming to Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss the unusual location. Plus, weigh in on a rule impacting our canyons, and ideas for a fun weekend.  Resources and references: Utah officials unveil site for 1,300-bed homeless campus after long, secretive search [Utah State Dispatc...

Scientists warn of toxic dust storms; wind blowing arsenic from the exposed bed of the shrinking Great Salt Lake into the Salt Lake Valley. Host Ali Vallarta and Great Salt Lake organizer for Stewardship Utah Chandler Rosenberg dive into the latest update and do some mythbusting. Attend a Water Talk to contribute to the state’s 2026 Water Plan. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a C...

The Utah Supreme Court called off the execution of Ralph Menzies, which was scheduled for Friday. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what's next for the death penalty in Utah. Plus, the University of Utah gets skewered over parking, local discounts with your library card, and rooftop theater.  Resources and references: Ralph Menzies’ execution called off by Utah Suprem...

With Labor Day behind us, we are on our way to fall. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez and Hey Salt Lake editor Terina Ria made you a guide to making the most of September in Salt Lake, from witnessing a global wildlife phenomenon, to picking up free birth control, and perfect tomatoes. If you can’t make it to the ICE awareness training, check out our guide on what to do if you see ICE in...

The I-15 expansion in Salt Lake City is canceled — kinda. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham talk about the good news for Rose Park residents. Plus, LDS women can go sleeveless now, a new ice cream spot, and flu shots are here. Resources and references: Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake] U...

What is Aritzia, and why is there fanfare for the store’s opening today at Fashion Place Mall? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger riff on the best places in Salt Lake to find a new fit, considering price, quality, and style. This episode first aired on April 23, 2025. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy...

A judge has ruled the Utah Legislature must redraw the boundaries of its four congressional districts. Host Ali Vallarta asks former congressman Ben McAdams, a lawyer and the last Democrat to hold federal office in Utah, what comes next and who might run for new seats. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invit...

It’s your furry news roundup! Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez investigate Salt Lake’s best dog parks, dog-friendly patios, and four pups you should adopt tomorrow. Plus, a local block comes back to life and the year’s best symphony is Sept. 23. Resources and references: Follow Ali’s every park journey. The full list of dog-friendly patios. Adopt Cash, Ace Bailey, Magnus, and Platter....

Homelessness in Utah is up 18% over the past year. But 10 years ago, our state made national news for solving chronic homelessness. Executive producer Emily Means asks Michelle Flynn, executive director of The Road Home, what changed and whether we ever actually earned that headline. Dig into Utah's new homeless report with us. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lak...

Live Nation is tightening its grip on Salt Lake City. Is it a bellwether for the new Sports & Entertainment District downtown? Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah Shireen Ghrobani dive into it. Plus, Utah ranks worst for women, a party to reduce food waste, and what Trisha Paytas and West Valley Arts have in common.  Vote for City Cast Salt...

Utah is the nation’s dietary supplement capital, with over 300 nutraceutical companies headquartered here, raking in over $16 billion. Host Ali Vallarta asks Danielle Masterson, editor of the NutraIngredients news site, how the heck that happened. 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...

Local and state leaders want to expand the Salt Lake County Jail as a way to improve public safety and keep offenders off the streets. But is that the best use of our money? Executive producer Emily Means asks public defender and Democratic Rep. Grant Miller what's on his funding wishlist instead of more jail beds. Check out the Salt Lake County jail dashboard. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake wh...

Salt Lakers have raised over $430,000 for workers affected by the Main Street fire. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria cover all the Salt Lake food news that’s fit to print, from the plan to rebuild Main to a cute weekend speakeasy in a shoe repair store. Resources and references: SLC bar owner says firefighters cleared his building to reopen after grease fire — then the roof went...

Could we get a train to Park City? Will fare-free transit ever happen? How do the 'burbs get bus stops? With the 2034 Olympics on the horizon, some big transit investments are coming down the track. Executive producer Emily Means asks Utah Transit Authority executive director Jay Fox what's on the horizon for the Salt Lake Valley's public transportation system.  We’re doing our annual survey to le...

Homelessness is up across the state, and local and state electeds are beefing over it. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down the data and discuss the showdown. Plus, an LDS chatbot for your existential questions, queer bachata, and a tiny art show. Resources and references: Donate to the Main Street fire employee assi...

What's it like to date as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? A new dating show on YouTube pulls back the curtain. Executive producer Emily Means asks culture writer and Hivemind podcast host Meg Walter what "The Altar" and “Provo’s Most Eligible” get right about LDS dating culture.   We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if...

A fire damaged at least four businesses on Salt Lake City's Main Street Monday night. It was a scary scene, with video showing big flames and thick, black smoke. Producer Ivana Martinez and executive producer Emily Means talk through what happened and what's next for downtown. Resources and references: $5 million in damages as investigation begins into downtown Salt Lake City fire [FOX 13] How To...

It’s Primary Election Day! Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake Contributor Chandler Rosenberg assess the vibes and round up everything you need to know. Plus, Reddit’s burning questions about the 801, a new farmers market, and a delicious seasonal treat.  Resources and references: 3 key primary races to watch in Salt Lake County [Axios Salt Lake City]  Utah’s local primary elect...

The kids are back to school next week, and we cram a year’s worth of learning into one episode! Host Ali Vallarta asks Jordan School District superintendent Anthony Godfrey the plan for Chat GPT, the cell phone ban, school lunch debt, and so much more. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven min...

The story about Utah Senate President Stuart Adams initiating a change to a law to protect his own relative accused of rape has gone national. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke break down his explosive reporting. Plus, wacky ads for Utah Lake, a hometown hero returns, and BYU’s new immigration course. ⁠Vote for us⁠ for best local podcas...

If someone asked you to describe St. George, Utah, what would you say? A sunny land of retirement villas? A golf course haven with limited water? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Contributor Shireen Ghorbani explore a different moniker: the Florida of Utah. 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...

Utah leaders want to turn the state into an AI powerhouse. But do they know what AI really is? Host Ali Vallarta asks technology anthropologist Bree Jones what we get wrong about artificial intelligence and how we could use it to solve real Salt Lake problems. 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...

The Utah Supreme Court just ruled on homelessness in our city. What does that mean for you? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the concerns. Plus, what people get wrong about SLC, a new mural on the 9th and 9th whale, and some discount shoutouts. Resources and references: Take the 9th & 9th whale mural survey. Utah Supreme Court backs dismissal of case claiming Salt Lake...