City Cast Salt Lake

Utah’s massive earthquake, aka “the Big One,” could happen any day now, but the legislature dissolved the state’s earthquake preparedness commission earlier this year. Keith Koper, director of the seismological observatory at the University of Utah, joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss how prepared Salt Lake is and what could help mitigate the impacts.  Resource and references: Apply to Salt Lake Ci...

What does another Trump term mean for a still-red Utah? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Policy editor Holly Richardson what to expect locally and statewide, from air quality to immigration and more.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe...

Temps are dropping while residents just north of Salt Lake push back against a state-mandated warming shelter. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the latest drama in Davis County amid their effort to house unsheltered neighbors. Plus, the likelihood of a weekend train to Vegas, a fantasy-themed tavern, and songs of the SLC Airport. Resources and references: Fruit Heights...

Ski season has officially begun, and with the trek to the mountains comes the dreaded “red snake” of canyon traffic. Salt Lake Tribune outdoors reporter Julie Jag tells host Ali Vallarta what transportation solutions we can expect and when, from the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola to the ski bus. Sign up for the Cottonwood Canyons sticker program. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’...

Election results are still rolling in and we’ve got some good news. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss wins in Salt Lake County and where the future of the Democratic party is headed. Plus, a Native-majority school board, a pizza pop up, and legislative surprises.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re...

Election Day is over, and all eyes are now on the political power players who will shape our lives. Today, we’re looking at local “nepo babies” — shorthand for the children of famous or well-connected people who have benefited from nepotism — whose family business is politics. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore the family trees of four Salt Lake-area politicians and the p...

Early election results are in. Salt Lake Tribune news columnist Robert Gehrke joins host Ali Vallarta to break down how Utahns voted, from the governor’s race to Salt Lake County candidates and big ballot questions. Plus, our biggest takeaways from this election cycle.  Check out the most up-to-date election results.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our w...

It’s Election Day! Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta have everything you need to know, from voting options to when to expect local results. Plus, the Utah Homelessness Services chair threatens SLC’s funding, local non-alcoholic spirits, and the candidates who wouldn’t go on the record.   Wait till the last minute to vote? Check out our guide on everything you need to know. Becom...

For the first time in years, Republicans are having to court Latter-day Saints, trying to sell them on voting for former President Donald Trump. McKay Coppins, staff writer for The Atlantic, joins executive producer Emily Means to discuss if the Trump campaign’s tactics are working and whether LDS voters will turn Utah purple.   Read McKay’s reporting, “The Comically Terrible Rollout of Latter-day...

This week we’ll be sharing results from our local elections and discussing what they mean for Salt Lake. But we can’t help but wonder… what’s going on with our City Cast colleagues in swing states? As America white-knuckles its way into one of the closest presidential elections in modern history, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with the hosts of our shows in swing state cities: Madison, Philly...

The election is next week, and the vibes in SLC are … intense. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give a rundown of how local officials are securing your vote amid recent ballot box fires in other states. Plus, SLC’s Vision Zero progress, cuddling emo cows, and local sparkling sake.  Check out our guide to November in Salt Lake.  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s...

More than half of Salt Lake City households rent, which means most of us are at the whim of our landlords. Scary! Ruedi Matthes, policy manager for SLC’s Community and Neighborhoods Department, joins executive producer Emily Means to talk about new resources to help tenants and how we’ll know if the city’s anti-displacement plan is working.  What else should renters know? Listen to our show about...

November is a great month to lean into comfort as we brace for winter. 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 late-night hot pot to painting workshops. Plus, if you’re looking for more cozy food recs, don’t miss our episode on fall restaurants to eat at now. If you'r...

Utah just launched a new task force to tackle the headline-grabbing fentanyl crisis. Mackenzie Bray, Salt Lake Harm Reduction Project executive director, joins executive producer Emily Means to set the record straight on common misconceptions and suggest other tools for curbing the problem. Be a good neighbor, and learn how to identify and reverse an overdose using naloxone.  Become a member of Ci...

What will it take for the Jordan River corridor to reach its potential in Salt Lake City and beyond? In the final installment of our partnership with the Salt Lake Tribune, Westside reporter Jose Davila IV joins executive producer Emily Means to talk about how new projects could shape the future of the Jordan River and those who use it.  Read the final story in Jose’s reporting series, and listen...

The Major League Baseball development on SLC’s Westside just passed its first hurdle, but what are the odds the city actually gets a team? Executive producer Emily Means and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen talk about what’s in store for the new district. Plus, a quarter of legislative House races have already been decided, a classic burger joint, and Ally the Airport Allosaurus. Resources a...

South Salt Lake is trying to create a vibrant downtown, but at this point, you might just know it for its drive-thrus. Host Ali Vallarta asks South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood about how the city is growing up and what ideas she has worth stealing. Listen to our previous conversations with Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs about their big ideas.  Become a member of Ci...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when our famously mild-mannered and street-swept suburbs absolutely rock out for Halloween. Twelve-foot-tall skeletons grace Sugar House neighborhoods, Daybreak is a haunting wonderland, and Utahns are hyped for scary season. Deseret News features writer Meg Walter joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why Utah goes so hard for Halloween. This episode origina...

The Salt Lake City Council tries to explain their vote to increase our sales tax in support of the new downtown sports district, but did they convince anyone? Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez analyze their defense and ask if they’re rewriting history. Plus, we answer your ballot questions, an Election Day movie deal, and Real Salt Lake tailgating.  Resources and reference...

The Jordan River Trail has a bad reputation in Salt Lake City, but in the suburbs it’s an oasis for recreation. Salt Lake Tribune Westside reporter Jose Davila IV joins executive producer Emily Means to talk about how the river serves as a refuge for residents and what it would take to align SLC’s experience with the rest of Salt Lake County. Read the second story in Jose’s reporting series, and l...

It’s official: I-15 from Farmington to SLC is getting bigger. Executive producer Emily Means and KUER assistant news director Caroline Ballard break down the plan and its impacts to residents. Plus, ballots hit mailboxes this week, election pub trivia, and an outstanding restroom experience in SLC. Resources and references: Check out voter information breakdown and election coverage  Audit finds e...

Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Salt Lake's own Ali Vallarta along with hosts from our daily local shows in Austin, Boise, Chicago, D.C., and Pittsburgh. City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member comm...

Salt Lake voters have a stacked ballot this year, but two races representing 1.2 million people have our attention. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down our interviews with the Salt Lake County mayoral candidates and at-large council contenders, and share the moments that made us go, “huh?” Find all of our candidate interviews — with transcripts! — on our elections page....

The section of the Jordan River Trail in Salt Lake City is more of a liability than an asset these days, especially for Westside residents. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Jose Davila IV tells host Ali Vallarta how we got here and what solutions are on the table. This is the first installment in a three-part series on the Jordan River, a partnership between City Cast Salt Lake and the Salt Lake Tribune...

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community.  Another thing on your ballot is void! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down Amendment A’s journey to the trash. Plus, a 1,200-bed homeless campus, new roundabout at the capitol, and potential “blanket war.”  Resources and...