City Cast Salt Lake

Even if you’re new to the state, you’ve probably noticed what one scholar calls “the defining feature of Utah cultural life” — the divide between members and non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake Tribune religion reporter Tamarra Kemsley talks to host Ali Vallarta about how the divide creates riffs in Salt Lake neighborhoods. Check out Tamarra’s series on the LD...

Salt Lake City has big plans for getting Japantown back, but what about Greek Town? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta dive into the drama and opportunities around a proposal to redevelop the area. Plus, here’s how much your energy bill could go up, and local tips for ghost town explorers and moviegoers. Resources and references: As SLC looks to revitalize Japantown, the question...

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.  September marks Salt Lake’s first taste of fall, and we’re diving right in. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez bring you a guide to making the most of the month, from maximizing your time outdoors, to tr...

The temps are cooling down, but city leaders are getting heated about plans to house unsheltered Utahns this winter. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta break down what’s on (and who is at) the table. Plus, more e-bike credits on the way, fermenting at the farmers market, and Salt Lake events struggle with revenue.  Resources and references: As winter looms and homeless shelter ca...

College football kicks off this weekend, with the Utah Utes’ home opener on Thursday. Whether you’re a superfan or a casual observer, you may be wondering: Where the heck can I have the most fun watching sports in this city? Salt Lake Tribune sports reporter Andy Larsen and host Ali Vallarta name the best sports bars and restaurants, speculate on what’s missing from the scene, and share stadium re...

It’s no secret that Utah Republican leaders take issue with the federal government’s ownership of nearly 70% of land in our state. Now, they’re making it the U.S. Supreme Court’s problem, with a lawsuit to gain control of “unappropriated” public lands. Kate Groetzinger, communications manager for the Center for Western Priorities, joins host Ali Vallarta to give important context for the case and...

Will the Salt Lake City Council and Intermountain Health finally reach a deal on the Sears Lake hospital? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss what Salt Lakers could lose and gain from the proposal. Plus, Utah students are falling behind, Westside pickleball, and a City Hall legend is retiring. Resources and references: City Council nears vote on upzone of Sears Block for I...

The Sundance Institute finally released a shortlist of cities that could host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. News of the fest taking bids to leave Utah caused a stir — but has the writing been on the wall for years? Host and former Sundance staffer Ali Vallarta talks producer Ivana Martinez through the institution’s existential threats and opportunities. And, whether Salt Lake City...

The Utah Legislature used their emergency powers this week to put a constitutional amendment on our ballots. KSL TV reporter Lindsay Aerts joins host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means to break down what exactly we’ll be voting on in November and why. Plus, the Real Housewives of SLC are back, CatVideoFest, and a Parrot Head reunion. Resources and references: Watch the RHOSLC season f...

The Salt Lake Bees are in the home stretch at the Smith’s Ballpark; their final scheduled game before moving to Daybreak is on Sept. 22. And yet, we still don’t know what will fill the hole the team leaves behind. Erika Carlsen, co-chair of the Ballpark Action Team, tells host Ali Vallarta what the community wants from city leaders as the future of the neighborhood hangs in limbo. Resources and re...

The developer C.W. Urban just presented plans for a 16-story condominium in downtown SLC. Why are apartments you can own such a victory in Utah? Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain the past and present barriers to building condos here and where they fit in our affordable housing crisis. This episode originally aired on Apri...

The Utah Legislature might call themselves into special session to push back on recent losses handed down by the Supreme Court. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the odds that lawmakers will put another constitutional amendment on our ballots. Plus, the state’s earthquake commission gets canned, treasure hunting in KRCL’s record collection, and apply to be an SLC plannin...

As Salt Lake kids head back to school this week, we can’t get this number out of our heads: Utah students owe nearly $3 million in school lunch debt. But one Republican legislator from Provo is making it his problem. Host Ali Vallarta asks Rep. Tyler Clancy for his solutions and how he plans to sell his conservative colleagues on them. Resources and references: Constitutional amendment on November...

Salt Lakers will vote on more than $1 billion in bonds this November. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta break down what that money buys us and how it’d impact our wallets. Plus, one insane campaign ad, SLC baby Olympics, and “Life After Deadpool.”  Resources and references: A First Look at Salt Lake County’s Homelessness Plan [City Cast Salt Lake] Utah’s oldest public high schoo...

Abravanel Hall is staring down either a remodel or a complete rebuild as it’s wrangled into the new downtown sports and entertainment district. But if it ain’t broke, why fix it? David Porter, violinist and spokesperson for the Musicians of the Utah Symphony, joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss why the math isn’t adding up and what the future holds for the symphony if they lose their home.  Resourc...

The proximity of Salt Lake’s mountain inspires awe on the daily. But what if that feeling is making us smarter, more generous people? Dr. Megan Call, assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of Utah, joins host Ali Vallarta to share the psychological and physical impacts of being in awe and how it’s changing lives on the Wasatch Front. Consider becoming a founding member of Cit...

The Utah Supreme Court’s latest ruling on sexual assault and medical malpractice hints at a continued vibe shift among the justices. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means consider the impacts for the 94 women who brought the case and the public going forward. Plus, last chance (for now) to weigh in on SLC’s downtown sports district, props to Provo’s cheap airport, and Jazz fans plac...

Last Thursday, just after midnight, the state of Utah executed Taberon Honie by lethal injection. It was the state’s first execution in 14 years, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Jessica Miller witnessed it. She joins host Ali Vallarta to reflect on this “monumental moment,” explain what led to it, and consider what’s next for the death penalty in Utah. Read Jessica Miller’s reporting on the Honie e...

The Rio Grande Plan to bury rail lines in Salt Lake City finds surprising support in the Salt Lake County Council. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss what it would take to make this dream a reality. Plus, University of Utah students are back to school with nowhere to sleep, bug recipes, and where to watch 40 meteors an hour this weekend.  Resources and references: A...

The Salt Lake City Council approved a 26% raise for themselves and the mayor just a couple months ago. Now, Council Member Darin Mano tells us he and his colleagues will consider giving themselves an even bigger salary. Host Ali Vallarta presses Mano on what residents get out of it and whether the council should be a full-time job.  Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today!...

The Salt Lake City Council has $58 million to spend on some big community improvement projects. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means sort through their favorites and share how you can weigh in. Plus, Utah prepares for an execution, 13 books banned in public schools, and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Utah Gov. Cox says he won’t delay Taberon Honie’s execution [Salt Lake...

Many Utahns are known for their faith, but should they also be known for being Disney adults? Jodi Eichler-Levine, religion and culture professor at Lehigh University, joins host Ali Vallarta to analyze why Utahns relate so strongly to the Walt Disney experience and how it became its own sort of religion.  Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to suppo...

People are starting to move into the Astra Tower this month, the luxury apartment building that’s the newest addition to the Salt Lake skyline. But aside from being the tallest building in the state, what does it mean for regular people? Host Ali Vallarta spoke with local realtor Mitch Finlinson last fall about how the Astra is already changing Salt Lake City’s downtown — for better or for worse....

The Utah Supreme Court just ruled that abortion remains legal in Utah. What will be the legislature’s next move? Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to lay out possibilities and explain why this decision is hitting national news. Plus, the state explores new rules for heat emergencies, SLC adds direct flights, and the Pope’s table throws in the towel. Resources and references: S...

Salt Lake City is full of big dreams, from sports stadiums to citywide bike trails to building a new regional park. But what inspiration can we take from our neighbors? In honor of 801 Day — celebrating Utah’s original area code — Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini joins host Ali Vallarta to share three game-changing ideas for his town that other cities in the 801 should steal. Get a $5 ticket to 80...