City Cast Salt Lake

The race is on for an open seat on the Salt Lake County Council! Host Ali Vallarta asks Democratic candidate Natalie Pinkney about her plans for homelessness, affordable housing, and criminal justice.  Listen to our interview with Natalie’s opponent, Republican candidate Rachelle Morris. Scroll down to read the transcript of our interview with Natalie Pinkney. Learn more about Salt Lake County’s n...

The race is on for an open, at-large seat on the Salt Lake County Council! Host Ali Vallarta asks Republican candidate Rachelle Morris how she would approach this big role in homelessness, affordable housing, and criminal justice. Tomorrow, you’ll hear from her opponent, Democratic candidate Natalie Pinkney. Scroll down to read the transcript of our interview with Rachelle Morris. Learn more about...

Salt Lake City businesses, houses, and landmarks are all over some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Utah Film Commission director Virginia Pearce helps host Ali Vallarta plan an impressive tour de famous scenes, from “Midsommar” to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and a shortlist of essential watches for any SLC resident. Resources and references: Utah Film Locations Map  Get To Know Salt La...

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute is preparing an updated report on the state of short term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) in Utah. In particular, where they are washing out housing opportunities for locals. Senior research fellow Dejan Eskic tells host Ali Vallarta how to make sense of this data, and whether you’ll be able to list your house when SLC hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics. Resources and refere...

The Salt Lake City Council has ok’d a 0.5% sales tax increase and given Intermountain Healthcare the go-ahead to build a new hospital on State Street. Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke and host Ali Vallarta break down this week’s biggest Salt Lake news, simplify the four tricky amendments on your ballot, and share picks of the week. Resources and references: SLC clears the way for a new ho...

Fall leaves are hitting the ground throughout the valley and we are asking you to step away from the rake. Wasatch Community Gardens farm director James Loomis tells host Ali Vallarta why we should work smarter not harder, for the ecosystem's sake. This episode originally aired on October 27, 2022. Resources and references: Adopt a Storm Drain Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the...

Salt Lake City is officially a hockey town! How will it change the city’s culture? COMMONS podcast host and journalist Arshy Mann joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what opportunities and baggage the NHL is bringing to town — like bare knuckle boxing on ice.  Resources and references: Listen to COMMONS: Hockey from Canadaland. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It...

Who are “wandering cops?” Officers fired or investigated for misconduct who hop to a new department instead of leaving the police force. A new database is tracking police employment history in Utah, and journalist Sam Stecklow tells host Ali Vallarta how it might offer a solution to this problem. Resources and references: The National Police Index is now available for 17 states, including Utah. Ne...

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.  It’s October in Salt Lake City and we’ve got big ideas for how to spend it, whether you want to indulge Halloween terror or stargaze through expensive telescopes for free! Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor and producer Ivana Martinez join host Ali V...

A suspicious text survey about Smith Entertainment Group’s proposal for a sports, entertainment, culture, and convention district in downtown SLC is raising flags — red ones! Former Salt Lake County councilmember Shireen Ghorbani joins host Ali Vallarta to break down why Salt Lakers are mad about the questions. Plus, Amendment D is DOA, local restaurant closures and openings, and a must-see drag s...

The leaves are changing and the race is on to catch them during this short fall window. Ashley Brown, author of Urban Trails: Salt Lake City, tells host Ali Vallarta where to catch brilliant foliage on an easy walk or more challenging hike, whether you’re bringing your dog, the kids, or just need a scenic lunch- break lap. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support...

Taxes are supposed to be unpopular, but Salt Lake County voters keep re-upping the Zoo Arts, and Parks aka ZAP tax with more than 75% of the vote. Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake County’s Arts and Culture Division director Matt Castillo why this particular tax is so … popular and how it impacts residents' lives. Resources and references: Learn more about joining one of the ZAP advisory boards Con...

Fed up with Democrats and Republicans, 13 Independent candidates are running for office in Utah this year. Could they unseat veteran legislators? Former Salt Lake County Councilmember Shireen Ghorbani joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the odds. Plus, the University of Utah released its 2023 on-campus crime data, a career-change opportunity for women, and pre-Election Day must do’s. Resources a...

Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks are so overcrowded, Gov. Spencer Cox is asking the federal government for help. Host Ali Vallarta tells executive producer Emily Means her tips and tricks for fall getaways in the shadow of Utah’s national parks — same magnificence, fewer tourist traps. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and he...

The Redwood Drive-In Theater & Swap Meet’s fate has been decided. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means analyze what went right and what went wrong in the process. Plus, armed guards in public schools, $$ for vaccinations, and Salt Lake County mayoral candidates on the record.  Resources and references: What’s on the Table With SLC’s Downtown Sports District? [Hey Salt Lake] West Va...

The Salt Lake County mayor represents a third of Utah’s population, and the race is on your ballot this fall! Host Ali Vallarta talked to Republican candidate Erin Rider about the $507 million public safety bond, homelessness, and public transit. Listen to our conversation with Democratic candidate and incumbent Salt Lake County mayor Jenny Wilson. Learn more about Salt Lake County’s new homelessn...

The race is on for Salt Lake County mayor! Even though they represent a third of Utah’s population, we’d bet you don’t think about how the job impacts your life. Host Ali Vallarta talked to Democratic candidate and incumbent mayor Jenny Wilson about her approach to homelessness, affordable housing, and Abravanel Hall. Tomorrow, you’ll hear from her opponent, Republican candidate Erin Rider. Learn...

The Salt Lake City Council will hear some big proposals this week, from new gas station standards to funding the future of Fleet Block. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the news and how residents can get involved. Plus, what’s in store for Sunnyside Park.   Resources and references: Can the Kum & Go in Sugar House Be Stopped? [City Cast Salt Lake]  Take the Sunnyside...

Mormon Mania is hitting fall TV; the hottest new release is “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” highlighting the soft-swinging Utah moms of TikTok. But are these women telling Mormon stories or generating Mormon intrigue? City Cast Boise host Lindsay Van Allen joins host Ali Vallarta to give perspective as a former member of the faith and figure out what locals can make of all this. Check out our...

A judge rules votes for and against Amendment D won’t count, but it’ll still appear on your November ballot. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means make sense of the chaos and dig into the potential consequences for the courts. Plus, takeaways from the governor debate, a scenic photo contest, and canoeing down the Jordan River.  Find all our 2024 local election coverage in one place....

Are you stuck in a restaurant routine? Salt Lake has a ton of delicious places to try besides your usual haunts. Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria joins host Ali Vallarta to share where to find cheap eats, food experiences, and cafe creations dethroning the PSL. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re...

One side effect of Utah’s growth? Not enough hospital beds. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss the problem and possible solutions. Plus, a new drinking group wants a seat at the legislature’s table, a delicious cocktail competition, and Redwood Road gets a safety glow-up.  Resources and references: Utah has the third lowest rate of hospital beds in the nation. Here’s why....

The November election is two months out, and we just got language for a big question on our ballots. Are Utah’s Republican leaders trying to mislead voters on Constitutional Amendment D? Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke joins host Ali Vallarta to separate fact from fiction. For more background on how we got here, listen to “Fall Ballots Just Got Juicier, SLC Housewives Return, and Local J...

There’s a lot to learn from the 23 cities and towns in Salt Lake County; what ideas are worth stealing? Today, host Ali Vallarta asks Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs how he’s tackling the needs of his fast-growing community in the southwest corner of the valley. Plus, what ideas does Millcreek have to offer? Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support...

The Utah State Fairpark has fenced off a part of the Jordan River Trail in Salt Lake City, as the State Fair opens this week. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dig into the closure and the tense response by SLC Council members. Plus, the Great Salt Lake gets a major donation, Halloween costume gems, and dinosaurs in concert.   Resources and references: Could Utah Republicans Fix...