City Cast Salt Lake

Utah is officially planning to build a massive data center, despite fierce community pushback. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss break down everything you need to know. Plus, Mother's Day park ideas, picks of the week, and a members-only bonus segment: how to hack a local house giveaway. Resources and references: At contentious meeti...

The city has been working on a new vision for Liberty Park, and last night they finally shared it with the world. Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez talk through the highlights of the plan and their hopes and dreams for Salt Lake's oldest park. Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor...

Fifteen mature trees were recently cut down at Trolley Square, but there’s more to the story. Host Ali Vallarta talks with Trolley Square owner Taymour Semnani and Salt Lake City Urban Forester Tony Gliot about the decision and if more trees are in danger of being lost. Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Sal...

The King's English took heat over the weekend for promoting Gov. Spencer Cox's new book. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss the backlash. Plus, finding our perfect park and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Utah bookstore cancels Gov. Cox promo after community backlash [Salt Lake Tribune] Find your perfect park using the City Cast S...

For two years, host Ali Vallarta has been visiting every park in Salt Lake County — around 500 of them. Now, she's officially done and has a totally unique resource to share. Ali chats with social media manager Molly Miloscia about her journey, the cool things she found, and how our parks could be even better. Check out our Salt Lake parks map!  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a...

A massive data center is moving forward at lightning speed in northern Utah. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen discuss the forces behind it. Plus, the beloved 400 South Chili's is closing, picks for your weekend, and a members-only bonus segment: What should go in SLC's time capsule? Resources and references: Amid questions and conce...

May in Salt Lake — is it spring? Is it summer? Why not both! Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from sheepdog racing to dinner parties. Plus, listen to this episode for even more coffee recs. For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Salt Lake, check out our daily newsletter.  City Cast Salt La...

Utahns love to get outside, but when you gotta go … you gotta go. Host Ali Vallarta asks Angelique Fish, cofounder of the Women's Wine Hiking Society, how to poop outdoors tactfully and keep our trails clean all summer long. This episode first aired on Dec. 12, 2025.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invita...

A bunch of candidates will be on your ballot for the Congressional District One Democratic primary. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria break down the results from this weekend's nominating conventions. Plus, a new clean energy program in SLC and shout outs.   Resources and references:  Liban Mohamed is the Utah Democratic convention pick in the new...

What do you actually know about composting? Host Ali Vallarta talks with Momentum Recycling’s marketing specialist Hyrum Wendel about what Salt Lakers get wrong, and how to get started without the stink. Resources and references: How To Compost in Salt Lake City [City Cast Salt Lake] Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free l...

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Salt Lake? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from...

Multiple women have accused Salt Lake City Council member and congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez of unwanted "sexual" advances. Executive producer Emily Means, Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down the story and its impacts. Plus, the book everyone is talking about takes inspo from Utah, and a members-only segment about ways t...

The number one question we get asked is how to make friends in Utah. Your wish is our command! Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and social media manager Molly Miloscia brainstorm some ways to meet new people in Salt Lake, whether you're a DINK, a SINK, or … a DILDO? Here are even more ideas for making friends in Salt Lake City. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a Ci...

Salt Lake, we need to talk about naughty dogs. Professional canine coach Mo Lynch Vashel trains host Ali Vallarta on what dog owners can do to protect their pets and neighbors from undue stress on trails, sidewalks, and breweries.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more...

Utah Republican leaders are investigating a Supreme Court justice for alleged misconduct, after she was already cleared by a bipartisan commission. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez discuss the politics of the situation. Plus, Utahns' "broke behaviors" and local shoutouts. Resources and references: ‘Very little credibility’: Claims against Supreme Court...

Could Utah become the country's next data center hub? Host Ali Vallarta tells executive producer Emily Means what she learned from experts at a recent roundtable and what questions remain. Resources and references: Data centers on the way to Utah, but how fast and at what cost? [Desert News]  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like...

Could public financing get more Salt Lakers involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact o...

Scandal hits the Congressional District 1 race with the surfacing of offensive online posts by Sen. Nate Blouin. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg discuss the response and the impacts. Plus, Salt Lake City wants to update its no-camping ordinance, picks of the week, and a special bonus segment for City Cast Neighbors: Are Cali...

A years-long saga in Salt Lake City's foothills is finally coming to an end. Host Ali Vallarta asks Tyler Fonarow, SLC trails and natural lands director, how the city resolved the drama and what improvements are on the horizon.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. J...

Unpredictable weather has us asking: When should we start gardening this year? Host Ali Vallarta talks with Yardfarmer founder and principal designer Daryl Lindsey about sustainable landscaping and how to save water this summer. Resources and references: Check out Salt Lake City’s resource for xeriscaping with native plants.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake...

Utah is now the epicenter of the U.S. measles outbreak. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss how we got here and how to stay safe. Plus, local gripes and shoutouts.  Resources and references: Utah now ‘epicenter’ of U.S. measles outbreak [Utah News Dispatch] Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work an...

Utah's population is getting older, but there aren't many options for aging in place. Maybe going back to school could be an option! Host Ali Vallarta talks to Salt Laker Joanne Slotnik about her pitch to University of Utah President Taylor Randall for building a retirement community on campus. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks lik...

Salt Lakers, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That’s why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic...

The Salt Lake City Council has officially rejected the Sugar House Park hotel proposal. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss what happens next. Plus, the Forest Service is moving to Utah, joyful picks of the week, and a new members-only segment. Resources and references: SLC Council seals fate of hotel plans at Sugar House...

The University of Utah is hosting a symposium called “How We Watch The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham, and social media manager Molly Miloscia play along and give their presentations if they were to speak at this conference.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks li...