City Cast Salt Lake

Salt Lakers often hear from local officials that all roads lead to the Utah Legislature — and that’s largely true. But there are creative ways that local government can flex its muscles against unpopular ideas from Capitol Hill. Former Salt Lake County Council member Shireen Ghorbani joins host Ali Vallarta to offer a post-Legislature pep talk and break down what cities and counties could do to pu...

It’s back to (local) business for the City Cast team. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means comb through what happened in Salt Lake City this week, including the SLC Council’s new public comment policy and construction in Sugar House. Plus, they share their picks of the week and learn a new word. Resources and references: Housing is Coming. Where Will State Street’s Beloved Restaura...

Salt Lake City Public Lands has released three different design concepts to reimagine the Jordan River corridor, which flows straight into the shrinking Great Salt Lake. Park Ranger Owen Carroll joins host Ali Vallarta to mythbust nasty rumors about SLC’s “Emerald Ribbon” before you vote on your favorite.  Take the online survey, or attend an open house on Wednesday, March 13 from 4-8 p.m. at Sore...

In just 45 days, Utah lawmakers passed nearly 600 bills. It’s a lot to take in. Fortunately, FOX 13 Capitol Hill reporter Ben Winslow was paying close attention. Ben joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what legislators did about the issues Salt Lakers care about most — from housing and homelessness to the air we breathe. Related: What Lawmakers Did About SLC Stadiums, Great Salt Lake, and Calend...

The Utah Legislature passed a record 591 bills during its 45-day general session. What the heck happened up on Capitol Hill, and how will it impact Salt Lakers? Fox 13 reporter Ben Winslow joins host Ali Vallarta to break down where the MLB and NHL stadium bills landed, what legislators did for the Great Salt Lake, and how they made their day-to-day actions more opaque to the public. Consider beco...

We’re springing into March in full force, so executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to settle some debts for the Ides of March. They break down how to make the most of the month, from where to eat escargot, to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and taking advantage of community resources for tax season. Plus, where to get free gardening supplies for those with green thumbs.  Resources,...

The Utah Legislature’s 45-day general session ends today, and all we got was a Futurama rendering of a proposed sports complex in downtown Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means unpack billionaire Ryan Smith’s vision for a brand new NHL/NBA arena. Plus, who was in the right during the altercation between a gun-toting Brighton resident and backcountry snowboarder? Cons...

Salt Lake City police are asking for an extra $1.8 million from the City Council to keep cracking down on illegal camps. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that since October, officers have made 60 arrests and written up 152 citations. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will soon decide whether cities can punish people for sleeping outside when there’s no shelter available. But when folks have nowhere to go,...

Salt Lake City brings the hammer down on a longstanding yard party in the 15th and 15th neighborhood, after a neighbor complained about noise and traffic. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means muse on what the story says about the need for more community connection in Salt Lake. Plus, funding is available for neighborhood projects, and Ali and Emily share local shoutouts. Consider b...

State Street in Salt Lake City is getting an extreme makeover. Picture high-density housing where strip malls and motels have stood for decades and an urban hospital to anchor it all. But what do we gain and lose in the facelift? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the future of life on State Street. Related: What’s Your Vision For State Street? [City Ca...

Utah has a shiny, new strategic plan for outdoor recreation; the first of its kind. What does it mean for the places visitors and residents “love to death”? Draper Republican Rep. Jeff Stenquist, the chair of Utah’s Outdoor Adventure Commission, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the strategy for delivering on “the nation’s most well-funded and well-managed outdoor recreation system in the coun...

A Salt Lake County lawmaker wants more transit in the south valley — so do we! — but what’s the tradeoff in her current proposal? Plus, the Larry H. Miller Company and legislators’ plans for an MLB stadium in Fairpark are starting to feel Inland Port-esque. Will Westside electeds regret calling it a home run? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss two very wonky proposals and...

From Holladay to downtown Salt Lake City, we’re getting used to seeing our favorite haunts toppled by a wrecking ball, listed for sale, or mysteriously shuttered. Which is why the entire City Cast Salt Lake team — newsletter editor Terina Ria, host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and executive producer Emily Means — have gathered in a conference room to eulogize the iconic institutions left...

The $3.5 billion vision for reinventing Salt Lake City’s Westside neighborhoods into a mixed-use Major League Baseball district is eye-popping. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means take a look at the details and how much public financing Utah leaders could be willing to invest in the project. Plus, a story about coincidental (read: suspicious) donations has us cocking our eyebrows,...

Utah leaders often tout us as a family-friendly state. But with declining fertility and marriage rates, it seems Utahns are more hesitant than ever to start their own families. Salt Lake City-based birthworker Ashley Finley joins host Ali Vallarta for a candid conversation about what goes into deciding for ourselves whether to have kids in Salt Lake. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cas...

From potty training to liquor laws, what’s the Utah Legislature been up to? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the bills that caught their attention. Plus, we’ve got an update on the response to Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline’s bullying of a high school athlete, and Ali and Emily share their picks of the week. Bills discussed: HCR 18 House Concurren...

So, you’re thinking about signing up for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Or maybe just the half marathon. OK, maybe the 5K is all you’ve got in you. No problem! Seasoned runners Shireen Ghorbani and Bryant Heath join host and newbie runner Ali Vallarta to share great local routes, plus some tips and tricks for hitting the pavement. Sign up for the SLC marathon, half marathon, 5K, or 10K. Deseret News...

Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline bullied a student on social media, and the backlash has been swift. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore what could happen to Cline and who is to blame for this mess. Plus, a Salt Lake coffee shop eliminated tipping, and Ali and Emily share shoutouts.  Consider becoming a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best w...

If local billionaires get their way, Utah could soon become home to even more professional sports teams. Ryan Smith is bidding for a National Hockey League team, and Gail Miller is trying to recruit Major League Baseball — including the Oakland Athletics, while they wait for their Las Vegas stadium to open. Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler how becoming a sports city ha...

Who funds SLC International Airport? How will the new central tunnel work? And what would it take to make it a world-class airport? We’ve got questions, and Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Airports, joins host Ali Vallarta to answer them. 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...

It’s the “glass-halfway” point of the Legislature’s general session, and host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means sum up the labor and environmental bills they’re watching. Plus, they highlight our neighbors in Millcreek and a cute reason to donate blood with their picks of the week. Bills mentioned: HB 285 Labor Union Amendments HB 368 Apprenticeship on Public Works Requirements SB 17...

Raise your hand if you’ve been the victim of a truly awkward date. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we stand in solidarity with our Salt Lake neighbors who have survived family reunions, monster hunters, and people who look nothing like their dating app profile. Doug Fabrizio, host of KUER’s RadioWest, joins host Ali Vallarta to relive the cringe of your most memorably strange dates. This episode or...

Salt Lake City released new crime data and a corresponding dashboard. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the trends. Plus, some Avenues residents are up in arms about density, and Ali and Emily share some shoutouts. This episode mentions rape and other violent crimes. Take care while listening. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the...

Grand plans for Salt Lake City’s downtown could bring big changes, from the skyline to the way we access city streets. What does the neighborhood’s new representative make of it all? District 4 Council Member Eva López Chávez joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about housing, safety, and what she believes is downtown’s biggest opportunity. “Engage with Eva” to talk about District 4 on Feb. 22.   Consi...

February is one of the shortest months of the year, but we’re making the most of it! Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez make the ultimate local’s guide to celebrate your Valentines and Galentines, plus what to do on Leap Day, and more to try in February. Here are some of the events and places discussed: Take a Heels Class with Caroline Kane  Rent a free pasta making kit from the SLCo Li...