City Cast Salt Lake

Housing affordability is the talk of the town, but home prices could get more expensive if deportation efforts grow. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss how state leaders' goals could be hindered by their own actions. Plus, warm temps in the valley, Point-In-Time Count takeaways, and a competitive game night.  Resources and references: Will deportations affect the housing...

Local reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers — A.K.A. ICE — in Salt Lake are causing confusion and fear among community members. Aaron Welcher with the ACLU of Utah tells host Ali Vallarta what you should do if you see or are detained by ICE, and how their power differs from local police. Visit ACLU of Utah’s resource hub for more information about your rights and guidance for ins...

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave her State of the City address this week, and she said to expect more policing and a plan for the Ballpark. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give the highlights and their analysis. Plus, living at Trolley Square, your lawmaker’s star sign, and breaking pizza news. Resources and references: SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall's 2025 State of the Ci...

February is a month for love, surviving the winter doldrums, and … bull riding? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, 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 coffee shop DJs to unleashing your inner cowboy. Plus, listen to this episode to learn more about skijoring, Utah’s hottest sport. If you're...

Senate President Stuart Adams said Utah needs to be “the nation’s nuclear hub.” Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Danielle Endres, director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Utah, what it would mean to have a nuclear power plant in our state. Learn about geothermal energy, another resource Utah is exploring.  We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grate...

Lawmakers have labor unions in their crosshairs this legislative session. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means connect dots up at the Capitol. Plus, the vibes at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, new public art on State Street, and an all-time comedy at the Broadway. Resources and references: ‘No better than working at 7-Eleven’: Unions oppose bill to end collective bargaining fo...

The Republican National Party has a big agenda for schools: closing the Department of Education and sending it back to the states. Meanwhile, the Utah legislature is slowly chipping away at public school funding. Utah State Board of Education member Sarah Reale joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about what’s in store for teachers, students and public education in this year’s legislative session. We’r...

President Trump’s deportation policies are hitting Salt Lake, just as residents report immigration enforcement sightings. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss what local officials, like the SLC School District, have said they will and won’t do. Plus, the Utah Hockey Club keeps searching for a name, a neighborhood org gets the documentary treatment, and a $25 Star Wars date...

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival starts today, and if you don’t have tickets or tons of money to spend, we’ve got you. Former staffers Emily Samore and host Ali Vallarta share insider tips for accessing screenings, spotting celebs, and taking advantage of the fest as a local. Resources and references: Local Lens Beyond Film Films discussed: “Omaha," “The Wedding Banquet,” “The Dating Game," and “SL...

Freezing temps, inversion, and ski pass prices make it hard to get off the couch this winter. But there are lots of ways to move your body and lift your spirits while we wait for spring to arrive. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria share a few ideas for beating the winter blues, from cheap class deals to local social clubs and indoor pickleball. Do the “Whale to Wales” 5K, and chec...

Utah’s sex education syllabus was given a D- grade by a national sexual health council. So, what does good sex ed look like? Ocean Candler, a Colorado-based sexual health expert, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about ways to discuss sexual health at home or at school, from porn to pleasure and everything in between.  Here are some resources for parents and adults:  Sex Positive Families  Amaze  Pl...

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled a 50-page public safety plan responding to the state’s threat of intervention. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means breakdown the highlights and their big takeaways. Plus, Crumbl deodorant, a clean slate opportunity, and National Popcorn Day.  Resources and references: Read the mayor’s public safety plan and catch up on the letter that...

It’s host Ali Vallarta’s birthday! In the spirit of celebrating, executive producer Emily Means and Ali assembled a guide to the free stuff you can get around town on your birthday. Plus, creative ideas for affordable celebrations at all ages and stages. Enjoy Ali’s friend Renee’s spreadsheet of Salt Lake Birthday Freebies. This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for...

The Upper Avenues are well-known for their expensive views, but did you know they’re also hunting grounds? Perry Hall, chair of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Utah Chapter, joins host Ali Vallarta to tell us how hunters, hikers, and dogs can safely coexist in our city’s backyard. This episode originally aired on Jan. 3, 2024. Learn more about the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ hunting m...

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Utah’s public lands lawsuit. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means make sense of the surprising decision and what’s next for the state’s fight against the feds. Plus, Salt Lake’s 2034 Olympics could be at risk, a pet volunteer opportunity, and goodbye to the state’s superintendent. Resources and references: SCOTUS won’t hear Utah’s public lands lawsui...

Utah lawmakers have continued to prop up coal in our state, but now Gov. Spencer Cox is eyeing another energy option: geothermal. So … what the heck is it? And can it cause earthquakes?? Dr. Joseph Moore, principal researcher at Utah FORGE, joins host Ali Vallarta to demystify this renewable resource. Resources and references: What's in Cox's $30.6B Budget? MLB District Deadline Nears, Holiday Tra...

The Park City ski patrol strike is finally over, so what’s in their contract? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss the union’s wins and Vail’s losses. Plus, a slew of immigration bills just dropped, hut-to-hut hiking, and an important public notice.  Resources and references: Skiers file class action lawsuit against Vail Resorts over Park City strike [KPCW] New SLC garbage...

We may think of extremism as a national issue (think Jan. 6 insurrection), but new reporting from ProPublica shows how right-wing militias are operating in Utah. Chase Thomas, senior policy advisor at Better Utah Institute, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about a new tool that tracks these groups and the next steps for addressing it. Resources and references: The Militia and the Mole [ProPublica]...

Homelessness is at a record high across the country, and Utah leaders have eyes on how Salt Lake City is handling the issue. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, discuss local headlines and set expectations for homeless-related bills this upcoming legislation session. Resources and references: After prolonged delays, long-promised SLC tiny-home village...

Where’s the best coffee in Salt Lake City? Rose Park resident Andy Moray visited every coffee shop in town last year — more than 70 of them. Today, he joins host Ali Vallarta to share his favorites and lessons learned from his quest.  Check out Andy’s spreadsheet to discover new coffee shops. This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the...

Senators and representatives from around Utah will convene at the Capitol from Jan. 21 to March 7 for the annual legislative session. What new laws or programs will come of it? Fox 13 politics reporter Ben Winslow sets expectations for host Ali Vallarta about everything from the Great Salt Lake to revenge on Sugar House Pub and the Utah Supreme Court. This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift ca...

Why did hundreds of Park City ski patrollers go on strike? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about their demands and the impacts. Plus, local “ins and outs” for 2025, ancient bones, and become the next South Salt Lake city council member. Resources and references: Park City ski patrol ‘disappointed’ in Vail counter offer as strike continues [KPCW] Apply for the open seat on...

New year, new rendezvous! This is your guide to January in Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta, Hey Salt Lake editor Terina Ria, and producer Ivana Martinez assemble a lineup of restaurants to try, local spectacles, and ideas for getting outside (without a thousand-dollar ski pass). And if you are headed to the movies this month, don’t miss our episode on the fate of the Sundance Film Festival. If y...

Which of Salt Lake City’s tourist attractions are worth bringing your family to this holiday season? From Temple Square to Park City Main Street, TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez and host Ali Vallarta separate the must-sees from the avoid-at-all-costs. Plus, what’s in it for locals? This episode originally aired on July 25, 2024. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best w...

There’s nothing more fabulously Salt Lake than a Tan France sighting. The Queer Eye star has called Utah home for almost two decades — so we decided to test him on his local credentials. Tan joins host Ali Vallarta to dish on the best and worst our town has to offer and the most Salt Lake thing about him. This episode originally aired on June 10, 2024. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today!...