City Cast Salt Lake

The cops are chasing down the 999 ride and getting a liquor license has never been easier. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means and our new audience development manager, Angie Treasure, break down the news of the week. Plus, shoutouts and a sponsored chat to get you up to date on the Utah Arts Festival. Resources and references: Relatively quiet DABS meeting bookends May [Gastronomic...

Can Josh Romney save the Great Salt Lake? The son of former U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney says his new organization, Great Salt Lake Rising, is getting the whole state on board. Host Ali Vallarta asks Josh about raising $3.5 billion to actually move the needle on this source of panic for Salt Lakers. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like...

Salt Lake City recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Veg...

Primary ballots are out, and four Democrats are gunning for Utah’s Congressional District 1 seat. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham analyze the candidates’ responses to our voter guide. Plus, ideas to celebrate Pride Month, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: Why do Salt Lakers simp hard for chain restaurants? Reso...

Hot temps have us looking toward the mountains for a cool escape this summer. Executive producer Emily Means talks with Urban Trails author Ashley Brown and local hiker Brandon Miller about ideas for your next hiking adventure. Plus, safety tips for when you run into wildlife on the trail. Check out Wild Aware Utah for more info before heading into the great outdoors.  Get more from City Cast Salt...

When news broke that hundreds of Salt Lake City Public Library were being incentivized to leave their jobs, questions quickly followed. Are layoffs coming? Is the library OK? Executive producer Emily Means talks with SLC Public Library CEO Noah Baskett about the decision and what it means for the library’s future.   Listen to our episode where we first discussed the SLC public library staff buyout...

Public outcry over the Box Elder County data center seems to be working. Executive producer Emily Means, social media manager Molly Miloscia, and Stewardship Utah co-director David Garbett break down state leaders' latest response and updates. Plus, ex-Mormons are getting more Republican and local shoutouts.   Resources and references: Check out our City Cast Salt Lake voter guide for the CD1 Demo...

June is here, and it's summertime in Salt Lake City. Executive producer Emily Means, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss bring you a guide on how to make the most of this gorgeous month, from the downtown farmers market to the best spot for cheap, cold beer, to some feel-good volunteer opportunities. For more patio inspo, listen to this episode. For even m...

Where would Salt Lake City be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry...

How does Trump want to spend $1 billion to save the Great Salt Lake? Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Chandler Rosenberg and Kate Groetzinger break down what "saving" the lake actually looks like. Plus, takeaways from the Congressional District 1 debate, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: Do three Utah communities hold the secret to long life? Re...

How can we beat the loneliness epidemic? Try embracing the awkwardness and actually saying "hi" to your neighbor. Dr. Maria Blevins of Utah Valley University gives executive producer Emily Means tips on being a better neighbor. This episode first aired on May 15, 2025. Having a conflict with your neighbor? Learn how to disagree better. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast...

Gov. Spencer Cox declared Utah is in a drought emergency. Executive producer Emily Means, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen talk about what's working and what's not to save water. Plus, the Salt Lake City Public Library offered buyout deals to its staff to preempt layoffs, and we share local shoutouts. Resources and references: Utah Gov. Cox issues emerg...

The Utah Legislature has been flexing some muscle over the judicial branch. Executive producer Emily Means talks to Teneille Brown, founding member of Co-Equal Utah, about the biggest threat to the courts' independence and how it impacts you. Listen to our conversation with Republican Sen. Todd Weiler about his perspective on the courts. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cas...

What could the Box Elder County data center look like? Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Jack Stauss and Cassie Bingham talk about new renderings and what's next in the process. Plus, Salt Lake County's district attorney charged a police officer in a shooting for the first time in more than 10 years, picks for your weekend, and in our members-only segment: why Tan...

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Ali beat out...

From MomTok to Ballerina Farm, LDS moms over-represent on the internet. Executive producer Emily Means asks Fortesa Latifi, journalist and author of ⁠"Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online,"⁠ why the religion produces such successful influencers and the appeal and consequences of putting your family life online. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you becom...

The conversation around the Box Elder County data center is having ripple effects throughout Utah. Executive producer Emily Means and social media manager Molly Miloscia break down the latest headlines. Plus, crafting an ideal day in Salt Lake and local shoutouts. Resources and references: ‘They asked us to come,’ Kevin O’Leary tells Tucker Carlson of massive Utah data center plan [Salt Lake Tribu...

By 2060, Utahns older than 65 are estimated to be 23% of the state's population. Are our cities ready for that? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Foundation ⁠research analyst Ashley Marshall-Cantor⁠ about the gaps and bright spots in local aging plans. ⁠Anxious About Aging? Retire on a College Campus.⁠ [City Cast Salt Lake] Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor...

Would Salt Lake City be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been...

Salt Lake City Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez got booted from her seat, after it was determined she didn’t live in her district. Executive producer Emily Means, former Salt Lake City Council Member Darin Mano, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke talk about what happens next. Plus, updates on the mega data center, picks for your weekend, and in our members-only segment: Billboard icon Jul...

According to the Trib, there are more than 170 concerts to look forward to this summer at major venues in the Wasatch. Host Ali Vallarta asked avid concert goer Reuben Hoyos how to be Salt Lake’s best concert goer, no matter your age or earplug collection. This episode first aired on March 17, 2025. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perk...

Northern Utah has begun sending up to 1 million acre feet of water to help fill Lake Powell on the Arizona border. How should Salt Lakers feel about this? Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake Tribune reporter Brooke Larsen for the scoop as Utah tries to negotiate water with six other states and Mexico. Listen to Why 'Drain Lake Powell' Is Catching On, our interview with Zak Podmore about forcing dead...

Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen has resigned, after legislative leaders pushed to investigate her. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez talk about the response and impact. Plus, some good news for your Tuesday and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns from bench after questions on relationships [FO...

What’s in SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s proposed $498.8 million budget? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the new programs (and tax increases) to expect in our city and how you can weigh in on them. Read the city's proposed budget and find ways to participate. Listen to our episode on participatory budgeting. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best w...

Salt Lakers, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s...