City Cast Salt Lake

Salt Lake’s east bench is ripe with historic districts — and just got another — but the Westside still has zero. Executive producer Emily Means asks historic preservation expert Chris Jensen about the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to preserving historic buildings, and how to get that coveted local historic district designation.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City C...

Olympic organizers are hosting a listening tour across Utah, and they want to hear from you … kind of. Executive producer Emily Means and journalist-turned-environmental advocate Kate Groetzinger talk about their wishlists for the 2034 Winter Games. Plus, the hottest gossip from the Republican convention, volunteer camping, and an easy way to weigh in on Salt Lake City's budget. Resources and refe...

Did you spend your weekend binge watching season two of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"? The women of Utah MomTok are back to start drama and challenge our ideas about what being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint is actually like. Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Boise host Lindsay Van Allen, a former member of the faith, who gets to decide what it means to be a modern...

The state wants to put a 1,200-bed homeless campus somewhere in Salt Lake City, and City Cast has the scoop on one possible location. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and community organizer Chandler Rosenberg discuss the site and its potential impacts. Plus, a psychedelic mushroom church, a new death club, and airport mice. Resources and references: State Eyes SLC's Westsi...

One of the most commonly asked questions we get is, "How do you make friends here?" Our neighbors seem like the perfect place to start — if we could just work up the courage to say, "hi." Dr. Maria Blevins, associate professor of communications at Utah Valley University, joins executive producer Emily Means to share ways to cut through the awkwardness and be better neighbors.  Having a conflict wi...

Where are Salt Lake’s hidden gems? Local explorer Darienne Debrule tells host Ali Vallarta about tucked away shops, restaurants and experiences you need to check out. 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 Hey Salt Lake...

Gov. Spencer Cox is taking cues from Elon Musk and rolling out Utah’s version of DOGE. Socio-pop anthropologist Cassie Bingham and executive producer Emily Means break down what government efficiency actually means. Plus, a lesbian burger joint, the Great Salt Lake hits national news (again), and a hot seat on the Salt Lake County council.  Resources and references: Gov. Cox, ‘so excited’ about DO...

The Central Ninth neighborhood is popping off while downtown SLC fights off chains. Host Ali Vallarta asks Darin Mano, the chair of Salt Lake’s Community Reinvestment Agency, what the city is doing about it. We reference the episode “How to Keep Main Street Bars From Closing.” Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listenin...

It was a big week for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, from making national headlines over new pride flags to releasing her proposed $512 million budget. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the highlights and lowlights. Plus, touring the Walker Center, a great sauna place, and tusks up for the Utah Mammoth.    Resources and references: Book a tour for the Walker Ce...

It’s patio season! Deck enthusiast Diana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to count down the best bars, restaurants, and cafes for working remotely in the sun, happy hour, or a long brunch. 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.  Subs...

Utah’s flag and fluoride bans go into effect today, but host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore some sneaky workarounds. Plus, where to see baby bison, a local  savant, and Benson Boone in SLC.  Resources and references: As Utah’s fluoride ban begins, health officials urge Utahns to protect their teeth [Utah News Dispatch] Here are 5 ways Utahns can get fluoride after tap wate...

Utah's Medicaid program has been fully expanded for five years, with no work requirements since COVID hit. But now the state's Dept. of Health and Human Services wants to add them. Host Ali Vallarta asks Stephanie Burdick, a consumer representative on Utah's Medicaid advisory committee, what's on the table and how it could impact all of us. Resources and references: Dental care resources for Medic...

Did you blink and miss the 3.9-magnitude earthquake last week? It’s a gentle reminder to get ready for "the big one” scientists expect to hit Salt Lake one of these days. Host Ali Vallarta chatted with Taylorsville prepper Emily Cottam about her tips for putting together a 72-hour kit and preparing for hard times. This episode first aired March 27, 2023. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you...

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, and our money is on Journalism! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore Utah’s horseracing scene and why, according to Utah’s Supreme Court, horses are an exemption to gambling. Plus, SLC enforces a ban on astroturf, the leaked Hockey Club name, local May Day, and Crumbl v. Warner Music Group. Resources and references: Utah Gov. Cox issues d...

It's May in Salt Lake, when the sunshine — or lack thereof — can make or break your patio experience. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from cheap margaritas to a mobile book shop to a killer zipline deal. Plus, if you take advantage of the plant sales this month, do...

Host Ali Vallarta is obsessed with "The Pitt," a new medical drama that chronicles one 15-hour shift in a downtown Pittsburgh emergency room. But how closely does it mirror Salt Lake ERs? Local emergency medicine Dr. Aly Smith shares how the cases and the institutional issues stack up. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free...

A law that neuters Utah's public sector labor unions is getting a second chance at death. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give the latest update on the Protect Utah Workers referendum. Plus, a huge weekend for scammers, an early Mother’s Day event, and the origins of SLC’s sticker machines.  Resources and references: State auditor: Employee stole more than $100,000 from a Salt...

An idea to bury the train tracks dividing the east and west sides of SLC could bring $12 billion of economic impact to Salt Lake County. But that doesn't mean the Rio Grande Plan has the greenlight. Host Ali Vallarta asks Taylor Larsen, one of the project's organizers, where it fits with other big developments on the horizon and what's next. Required listening: how the Rio Grande Plan came to be....

Utah's environmental organizations were in a frenzy this week due to President Trump’s rumor mill. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the administration's latest impacts on local nonprofits. Plus, a Navajo Nation community in Utah finally gets running water, The Beach Boys' Salt Lake ties, and a Met Gala fundraiser for teachers.  Resources and references: Planned Parentho...

A new opportunity to audit your sidewalk could lead to better walking experiences across the Salt Lake valley. HEAL Utah policy analyst Katie Balakir tells host Ali Vallarta what makes a great sidewalk and how to participate in this grassroots data project. Start with HEAL Utah’s walk audit toolkit. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perk...

Time to bury your puffy coat and refresh the wardrobe. Host Ali Vallarta and her friend Kate Groetzinger riff on the best places in Salt Lake to find a new fit, considering price, quality, and style. 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.citycas...

Utah's school voucher program — a core tenant of Republicans' education strategy — has been ruled unconstitutional. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the case and what happens next. Plus, Millcreek's mayor pushes back (again) on the Trump administration's deportation agenda, recognition for an influential local researcher, and good neighbors in Kanab. Resources and refer...

Beginning in July, about 40,000 Utah kids will be eligible for free lunch — good news in a state where one in eight of us experience food insecurity. But there's still more work to do. Host Ali Vallarta asks Gina Cornia, executive director of Utahns Against Hunger, what it would take to eradicate hunger in Utah. Learn more about one Republican legislator's plan to feed students.  Get more from Cit...

Utah has boasted the number one economic outlook in the nation for 18 years, but according to who? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the data and compare it to support for Utah's labor movement. Plus, chickens in theaters, two new neighborhood murals, and ideas for Easter weekend.  Resources and references: For 18th year, Utah ranks No. 1 for best economic outlook. Wha...

It’s the Utah ShakeOut, which means you might have a friend or a kid in an earthquake drill right now. Host Ali Vallarta asks Keith Koper, director of the seismological observatory at the University of Utah, how prepared Salt Lake is for "The Big One." This episode first aired Nov. 14, 2024.  Resource and references: Apply to Salt Lake City’s Fix the Bricks program. How to Prepare for “The Big One...