City Cast Salt Lake

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.  August ushers in the dog days of summer, with hot temps that have us dreaming of fall. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from...

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill is in Republican legislators’ crosshairs after a controversial tweet. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means ask if a new law is being repurposed to punish him. Plus, bartenders’ 2034 Olympic dreams, exercises in trailhead patience, and Park City’s best mountain biker. Resources and references: Utah GOP leaders call for Salt Lake DA’s resig...

Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed has been leading the response to Utah’s biggest environmental crisis for more than a year. Is he OK? Host Ali Vallarta asks the commissioner about the best and worst ideas to save the lake, what he’s doing about the toxic dust, and how he juggles competing interests. For more context, listen to “Utah Made a Plan to Save the Great Salt Lake!” and “Corporatio...

Salt Lake City is officially hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics, but there’s one big catch. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to dig into the unsavory details of the Olympic deal. Plus, SLC killed 200 trees, Mexican baseball is here, and come celebrate 801 Day with the City Cast gang.   Resources and references: IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah and pushes state officials to...

Every city has its share of tourist traps, but does Salt Lake have any worth visiting? From Temple Square to Park City Main Street, Kendall Rodriguez, TikTok’s Queen of SLC, and host Ali Vallarta separate the must-sees from the avoid-at-all-costs. Plus, what’s in it for locals? Get a $5 ticket to 801 Day on Thursday, August 1 from 7-9 p.m. at Second Summit Cider in Millcreek. Consider becoming a f...

Sure, Pioneer Day is our state’s BIG holiday. But is Utah becoming more Pie and Beer Day? KUER politics reporters and State Street co-hosts Saige Miller and Sean Higgins join host Ali Vallarta to debunk some of the biggest Utah stereotypes and dig into how we’re pushing back against them.  This episode originally aired Oct. 25, 2023. Get a $5 ticket to 801 Day on Thursday, August 1 from 7-9 p.m. a...

Mitt Romney for president? Maybe in out-of-touch Democrats’ wildest dreams. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means localize the big political news from the weekend: Utah Republicans respond to Biden backing out and Gov. Spencer Cox endorses Trump. Plus, Proper Brewing’s for-sale sign, Salt Lake Tribune reporters unionize, and Utah drops a new lawn. Resources and references: ‘Feels li...

Sometimes lovers need a little help planning the perfect proposal — and we’re here to serve. Executive producer Emily Means and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria join host Ali Vallarta to brainstorm engagements for every kind of Salt Laker, from where to get down on one knee to how to pop the question. Plus, a surprise ending that will make you believe in love.  Liked this episode? Try “S...

The Front is beefing with USA Climbing, and the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency is being nosy about it. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down whether the drama outweighs the community benefits. Plus, the Training Table’s big tease, a crazy estate sale, and our next 9 Line-esque project. Get a $5 ticket to 801 Day at Second Summit Cider (21+). Resources and refere...

Utahns get mocked mercilessly for our taste — from dirty sodas to our unusual baby names — but they almost always become a national trend. What gives? Deseret News features writer Meg Walter joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why our cultural identity is misunderstood and explore Utah’s next trend export. Get a $5 ticket to 801 Day at Second Summit Cider (21+). Resources and references: How Stanle...

Salt Lake City is expected to officially — finally! — be granted the 2034 Winter Olympics. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means parse through economic data to figure out the gains and consider attending SLC’s 3 a.m. pajama party to celebrate. Plus, a Westside snub in Fairpark’s stadium development, a call-out for coffee vendors, and galaxy happy hour. Resources and references: Will...

Just 32% of Americans have even “a fair amount” of trust in news reporting. Bet you have feelings about this as a local media consumer! University of Utah journalism professor Jacob Nelson tells host Ali Vallarta how reporters misunderstand their own audiences’ distrust and why local news hits different. Resources and references: “Imagined Audiences, How Journalists Perceive and Pursue the Public,...

Utah’s Supreme Court just ruled that legislators overstepped when they altered a citizen-led ballot initiative related to redistricting. Who dares put the Utah Legislature in check? KSL-TV reporter Lindsay Aerts tells host Ali Vallarta why this signals a political power shift in Utah, and what it could mean for ever-frustrated Salt Lake voters. Resources and references: No Ballot Initiatives, Less...

Salt Lake City opened an e-bike lottery! But are our streets ready? Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to explain how people can apply and debate whether e-bikes are really bicycles. Plus, the Utah Supreme Court empowered voters, poop prevention in local pools, and a controversial purple horse. Resources and references: Apply for an e-bike. Submit your event to Hey Salt Lake. C...

Holy heck it’s hot in Salt Lake, with much of Utah under an excessive heat warning through Saturday, July 13. National Weather Service meteorologist Jon Wilson explains to host Ali Vallarta why temps are so high, how to stay safe, and what to expect for the rest of the summer. Read “How to protect yourself from the Salt Lake heat” for more tips and a link to Salt Lake County’s “Cool Zones.” Consid...

Salt Lake County has a brand new homelessness plan, and we want to know: What’s in it? Katherine Fife, Salt Lake County’s associate deputy mayor, joins executive producer Emily Means to explain what the county is doing to address this statewide humanitarian crisis, in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to criminalize homelessness. Listen to some of our previous reporting abou...

The Salt Lake City Council plans to take its first big vote on the downtown sports and entertainment district Tuesday. Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez examine the proposal and how residents could still get involved in the process. Plus, alternative venues for the Utah Symphony, a heatwave volunteer opportunity, and a fun (if you can believe it) government Instagram accou...

In a state where an eviction attorney proudly claims to have written Utah’s landlord-tenant laws, what rights do renters really have? Executive producer Emily Means talks to paralegal practitioner Denise George about what tenants should know before signing a lease and what tools they have to protect themselves. Resources and references: Denise George’s podcast “Two-Minute Tenant” Is Your Legislato...

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how host Ali Vallarta's story stacks up against the rest. 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 aroun...

We finally know what the proposed sports and entertainment district in downtown Salt Lake City could offer Salt Lakers. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen joins executive producer Emily Means to parse through the details. Plus our Rocky Mountain Power wants to raise our electric bills, a shout out to database nerds, and our SLC summer bucket list. Resources and references: Deal would keep Utah...

There are few people in this world who feel a fiery passion for salads: Michelle Obama, rabbits, and our very own Shireen Ghorbani. Shireen, a greens enthusiast, joins host Ali Vallarta to make her defense about why salads are sexy meals and the best spots in Salt Lake to grab a bite — or a fistful. This episode originally aired on Dec. 6, 2022. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Sal...

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.  Are those fireworks or a fire-prevention drone show? Must be July in Salt Lake! Host Ali Vallarta and Kendall Rodriguez, TikTok’s Queen of SLC, bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from a new dinosaur to free...

Utah’s primary election results are in — what do they say about what voters want? KUER politics reporter Saige Miller joins executive producer Emily Means to analyze the juiciest political drama, from the Salt Lake County Council all the way up to the U.S. Senate. Plus, Hugh Grant is terrorizing sister missionaries, and join Salt Lake’s hottest reading challenge.  Resources and references: Turns o...

What does it take to be a true Salt Laker? There’s gotta be a turning point sometime after you first see the Salt Lake City wizard but before you throw down about where to get the best fry sauce. Executive producer Emily Means sits down with producer Ivana Martinez and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria to help finish this sentence: You’re not a Salt Laker until … Liked this episode? Then...

Host Ali Vallarta is on a quest to visit all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, and she just hit her quarter mark! How are taxpayer dollars being put to use in these spaces? Producer Ivana Martinez asks Ali to debrief on trends she’s noticed, from the quirkiest playgrounds to a “water fountain crisis.” Plus, two cities get a special shoutout — do their parks merit a visit?  Want to follow along with A...