City Cast Salt Lake

This July was the earth’s hottest month ever recorded, and Salt Lake broke a few temperature records of its own. What does high heat mean for our unsheltered neighbors? Lead producer Emily Means talks with Ron, who has been unhoused in Salt Lake for years. Plus, host Ali Vallarta connects with Wendy Garvin, executive director of Unsheltered Utah, about how we can help keep Salt Lakers cool. Find a...

Happy 801 Day Salt Lake City! With a recent proclamation from SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall, 8/01 is officially a holiday celebrating our city’s original area code. But what makes the 801 so great in the first place? And why do we choose to stay even when we feel embattled? Alleyways Amplified founder and creative optimist Vishwa Srinivasan finds light in the literal dark corners of our city, and tell...

Utah’s childcare gap is approximately 99,000 kids, which leaves a lot of working parents (mothers) holding the bag. So, while we wait for legislative action, how are local businesses stepping up to keep parents at work? Utah Business editor Mekenna Malan joins host Ali Vallarta to analyze the options. Read about Utah’s OB-GYN shortage in Utah Business. And if you haven’t already, grab your $5 tick...

The Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board dropped some hot commentary on how Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall is responding to homelessness. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break it down. Plus, is Utah the best place to get married?  Get your $5 ticket to City Cast Salt Lake’s 8/01 Day celebration! Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCa...

We picked a fight with City Cast Denver and we’re finally hashing it out. Can “mile high” Denver really eschew us when our mountains are closer? And if we are better, then why did we get more Crumbl Cookies and not a Union Station? Host Ali Vallarta is joined by lead producer Emily Means plus a couple of special guests — City Cast Denver’s host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi — to determine...

Sugar House has fresh representation on the Salt Lake City Council. Sarah Young is District 7’s new councilmember, appointed after former Councilmember Amy Fowler vacated the seat. Councilmember Young joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about how she’s thinking about her new constituents’ concerns, like transportation and affordable housing. Get your $5 ticket to City Cast Salt Lake’s 8/01 Day celebra...

At the end of last year, host Ali Vallarta and lead producer Emily Means threw down eight predictions for Salt Lake City in 2023. Today, we’re checking in to see how their educated guesses are faring in the realms of politics, food and drink, the Great Salt Lake, and sports. Are they clairvoyants? Or should they go back to the crystal ball for another look? Get your $5 ticket to City Cast Salt Lak...

Lifelong Salt Lakers know the way of the Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix. But today we are all getting on board, because Deseret News features writer Meg Walter has visited maybe the last one on planet earth — and she has some notes from her experience to share with host Ali Vallarta. Plus, why did this restaurant chain disappear in the first place? Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find...

The Salt Lake City Council is reviewing a number of proposals, from new pickleball courts to the end of Sugar House drive-thrus. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the council’s current workload. Plus, Salt Lakers can’t stop driving into local businesses, and Sen. Mitt Romney can’t stop with the hot dog bit. Join the Capital Improvements Project Advisory Board. U.S. Se...

Happy 50th birthday to the Endangered Species Act of 1973! The landmark legislation demands we do everything in our power to protect imperiled plants and animals in the United States. In celebration, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recovery program chief Sarah Seegert tells host Ali Vallarta about a local water monster whose life is on the line –– and steps we can take to keep it around. Explo...

Have you ever stared down a vacant building in downtown Salt Lake City and thought, “Why isn’t this housing?” Host Ali Vallarta is obsessed with a few particular structures that would make great apartments or shelters, and she asks SLC Planning Director Nick Norris what it would take to make it happen. This episode originally aired Feb. 15, 2023. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can...

Homelessness is one of Salt Lake’s most critical issues, and in recent years, camp abatements have become a controversial public-facing response to it. Multiple levels of government are involved in the process, including the Salt Lake County Public Health Department. Dr. Angela Dunn, the department’s executive director, joins host Ali Vallarta to answer our questions about abatements and examine h...

In January, host Ali Vallarta announced her New Year’s resolution was to have at least one drink at every bar in Salt Lake County before the end of 2023. Some called her crazy, some tried to call her bluff, but today — as she reaches the halfway point — lead producer Emily Means is calling her in for the gossip on where and when to have the most fun at Salt Lake bars. City Cast Salt Lake explores...

Buckle in, geeks, because the Utah Supreme Court is hearing a case that could have mega impacts for Salt Lake County voters. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break it down and get you hyped on redistricting. Plus, put this scorching-hot weekend to good use and help heat map Salt Lake City. And donate some blood, while you’re at it. Volunteer to heatmap with Salt Lake City one d...

It’s hiking season, which means more people are out on the trails and potentially interacting with wildlife. That has us thinking about last year’s mountain lion attack on the popular Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon. You’ve probably hiked there before, too! Host Ali Vallarta talks with Faith Heaton Jolley with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources about what to do if you’re ever face to face...

From 3D printing to passport services, the downtown Salt Lake City library offers so much more than books and air conditioning. Librarian assistant Matt Jaggi tells host Ali Vallarta everything you can explore or check off your to-do list with a library card. Plus, Ali shares an update on SLC Public Library employees’ unionization effort. The SLC Library board will meet on Monday, July 17, at 4 p....

The temperature’s rising, and everyone and their dog wants to hop into the nearest watering hole and cool off. But a fun day at the lake could take a dire turn if your pet swallows the wrong pond scum. Dr. Hannah Bonner, environmental scientist at the Utah Division of Water Quality, joins lead producer Emily Means to explain what’s in the water and how to keep the doggos safe. Check for harmful al...

Have you ever seen a Salt Lake City park ranger in the wild? We hadn’t. So we followed one around Fairmont Park in Sugar House. Ranger Nahuel Tulian joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the scope of his responsibilities and his advice for being a better park goer.  SLC Park Ranger program activity breakdown. Take the Liberty Park Playground survey. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You c...

Data from the annual point-in-time homelessness census shows homelessness is on the rise in Salt Lake County and across Utah. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to take a look at the results. Plus, who is Salt Lake’s rival city? Later, producer Ivana Martinez tags in to share her pick of the week. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC a...

It’s a couple days after a big holiday, and you have a tower of pizza boxes and beer cans ready to be tossed out. You’re confident about recycling the aluminum cans. But what about that greasy pizza box? McKenna Tupai, sustainability coordinator for Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District, talks with host Ali Vallarta about what you can and can’t recycle in Salt Lake. Subscribe to our daily mor...

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, a college admissions principle which for decades has sought to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of student populations in higher education. How does the decision impact Salt Lake’s colleges? Dr. Tamara Stevenson, Westminster University’s vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion, joins host Ali Vallarta to make the...

A proposal to build a women’s sports complex at the soon-to-be-vacant Smith’s Ballpark won over community members during Salt Lake City’s recent Ballpark NEXT competition. Utah Falconz football team president and defensive player Lacy Mile talks with host Ali Vallarta about what having a home field to play at could mean for her team and the trajectory of women’s sports. This episode originally air...

The special election for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District took a juicy turn this week. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to share some hot goss from the Republican nominating convention. Plus, Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria shares an eco-friendly love story for the ages, and Ali and Emily have delicious picks of the week. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You...

After being forced to move from her home in Salt Lake City’s Guadalupe neighborhood two years ago to make way for a new apartment development, Tina Holt Balderrama is back in her old neighborhood — but not without sacrifice. Host Ali Vallarta joins Tina at her new apartment, right across the street from a hole in the ground where her old house once stood, to talk about why she fought to make the j...

Something about summer really makes you want to pop some popcorn and take in a movie. Luckily, Salt Lake has oodles of indoor and outdoor options for your viewing pleasure. Host and resident film buff Ali Vallarta joins lead producer Emily Means to share her picks for the best places to catch a flick, hottest summer deals, and the origin story of the summer movie blockbuster. Utah Film Center scre...