City Cast Salt Lake

Utah Auditor John Dougall is picking a fight with the legislature after they made him the state’s new bathroom monitor. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the political implications and bathroom design ideas stemming from this ongoing showdown. Plus, Salt Lakers give their quality of life a C-minus, free bike workshops, and a cheap date idea. Resources and references:...

Salt Lake can claim another reality TV star now that season two of TLC’s “MILF Manor” has dropped. Businesswoman and certified hot mom Barby Garcia talks to host Ali Vallarta about busting Utah stereotypes and where she absolutely would not take her costars in SLC. Resources and references: Bethenny Frankel’s reality TV union is easier said than done [Vox] Utahns’ Quiet Obsession With Med Spas [Ci...

The U.S Supreme Court is poised to make a big decision around cities’ policing of homelessness in public spaces. University of Utah parks and recreation professor Jeff Rose joins host Ali Vallarta to break down how this court case could impact access to Salt Lake’s parks and have a chilling effect on our First Amendment rights.  Resources and references: Salt Lake City Homeless Services Dashboard...

The University of Utah will shutter its Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to comply with a new state law. Producer Ivana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what’s at stake for employees. Plus, Utah families are $2.8 million in debt for school lunches. And, we shout out some bagel news in Holladay and a neighborhood resource for free stuff.  Resources and references: University...

The Salt Lake City Council is weighing everything from raising sales tax to razing city blocks; Big, controversial decisions that could change the look and feel of our city for decades. Council Chair Victoria Petro tells host Ali Vallarta how she’s making choices on our behalf with “cautious skepticism” — from the mayor’s $475 million budget proposal to the future of downtown. Resources and refere...

Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out: You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled Preside...

SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a $475 million budget to the city council this week. So how will the city use our tax dollars this year? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the most interesting projects and themes — from the meaning of a “family-friendly” downtown to Sports Lake City. Plus, the wrecking ball is coming for 300 S., the NHL team survey i...

Spring has arrived in Salt Lake City, so it’s time to say “good morning” to our black bear neighbors. Oh, you didn’t know we have bears in Utah? Join the cub. Wes and Jeff Larson of the Tooth and Claw Podcast join host Ali Vallarta to share their tips for handling an encounter with a black bear and their personal stories about their research run-ins. This episode originally aired May 2, 2023. Reso...

News of the Sundance Film Festival 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 could convince the festival to stick around. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake t...

Smith Entertainment Group is asking SLC taxpayers for $54 million a year, three city blocks, a heliport, and so much more at tonight’s Salt Lake City Council meeting. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what we already know about the sports and entertainment district proposal. Plus, Ali mourns the potential loss of an iconic Salt Laker and Andy finds two ne...

A brand new, unelected board will oversee the development of a big project near the Utah State Fairpark, hypothetically anchored by a Major League Baseball stadium. Westside Coalition President Dan Strong, the community representative on the board, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk through the best-case scenario for this neighborhood-altering proposal. Resources and references: What Can Taxpayers Ge...

Police broke up pro-Palestine encampments and protests at the University of Utah this week. How does this jibe with the university’s legacy of campus activism? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss how a generational moment is playing out in Salt Lake City and share picks of the week, from a local cat’s 500-mile journey to the bee Census. Resources and references: Police end...

It’s graduation season for Salt Lake’s high schools and colleges; let the commencement advice commence! Olympic speedskater Erin Jackson is the keynote speaker for Salt Lake Community College’s ceremony, so host Ali Vallarta asked the gold medalist for guidance, from changing careers to overcoming your fears.  Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to s...

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.  May is the ultimate transition month in our city, where it’s not quite spring but not yet summer. Host Ali Vallarta and Deseret News columnist Meg Walter bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from the end of s...

Salt Lake City made a new plan to heal its east-west divide and guide how we get around. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explain SLC’s transportation goals and how you can weigh in on May 7. Plus, a long-awaited bar reopening, Parleys diesel fuel spill, and the Great Salt Lake’s emotional toll. Resources and references: ACLU’s Bathroom Law Impact Assessment Survey How Salt Lak...

Salt Lake City’s microshelter community — the state’s first ever legal camp for unhoused people — was set to close this week, but that’s no longer the plan. Host Ali Vallarta asks Switchpoint executive director Carol Hollowell what the future holds for the temporary site and its 50 residents and what lessons will carry over to the next version of the project. Resources and references: SLC’s FAQ ab...

Hockey is here, and Salt Lake turned out bigtime to welcome the team. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means noodle on names for our newest sports franchise. Plus, Salt Lake schools tackle some sticky topics, a neighborhood tradition will go on, and consider rattlesnake training your dog. Resources and references: ‘My best day in the NHL so far’: Salt Lake shows up for new hockey clu...

Behind every sweeping decision affecting our day-to-day lives is a table full of unfamiliar yet influential faces. In the last episode of a two-part series, host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means introduce four more powerful individuals and organizations you’ve probably never heard of and explore their impact in our communities. Listen to Part 1: Salt Lake’s Unknown Power Players. Re...

Salt Lakers tend to think of our city’s battle with air quality as recent history — but that’s not really true. In fact, this might be the cleanest our air has been in a while. Dr. Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist and analyst with Utah Clean Energy, helps host Ali Vallarta understand some of the myths around the air you can chew, where we go from here, and how to keep our lungs safe. This episo...

Spring in our canyons brings mountain bikers, dog walkers, and heavy machinery together. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means set your expectations for canyon construction, from Millcreek Canyon to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Plus, air quality is a top-10 issue for Utahns, so why would Gov. Spencer Cox sign a letter asking the Environmental Protection Agency to back off? Start...

Gov. Spencer Cox is asking Utahns to “Disagree Better” in an effort to cool down our politics. But what if conflict is actually the good stuff? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Valley University professor and conflict specialist Dr. Maria Blevins what the Governor’s campaign gets right and what it’s missing. Plus, tips for when Salt Lakers are feeling feisty — whether with a state legislator or a frien...

The Salt Lake City Council explored some big ideas this week, from reimagining a historic train station to dissecting a new sports hub downtown. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means weigh how the proposals could shape the city’s future. Plus, beware of the marathon traffic this weekend, and add these good-weather events to your calendar.  Resources and references: Video of Arizona...

Behind every sweeping decision affecting our day-to-day lives is a table full of unfamiliar yet influential faces. In part one of a two-part series, host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means introduce four powerful Salt Lakers you’ve probably never heard of and explore their impact in our communities. Resources and references: Did You Blink and Miss This Change to How We Choose Judges?...

Controversial Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline got the boot at the Salt Lake County GOP convention last weekend. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means analyze what the outcome says about Salt Lake Republican delegates. Plus, the Arizona Coyotes NHL team is Utah-bound, U of U basketball star Alissa Pili heads to the WNBA, and SLC is busy patching potholes. Resources...

The just-announced lineup for the Twilight Concert Series heralds the return of outdoor music season in Salt Lake. Will the same sad boys take the stage this year? Will Sartain, co-founder of S&S Presents, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain how his team selects artists, clarify the profit situation, and entertain the future of the Kilby Block Party. Resources and references: Get tickets to the Twi...