City Cast Salt Lake

As Salt Lakers, we love winter — but how much do we have left? It’s Groundhog Day, and every Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil sits on his stump in Pennsylvania and predicts the weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring. Today we’re passing the mic to our colleagues at City Cast Philly and City Cast Pittsburgh to find out if Phil is a scammer or if there’s some truth to the traditi...

There’s much talk about how Utah is well-poised for a recession, but how can that be true when veteran tech companies are laying our friends off and some of our favorite local businesses have had to close? Host Ali Vallarta asks Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, for some clarity. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC a...

There’s a wave of “school choice” bills hitting red states across the country, and Gov. Spencer Cox has just signed Utah’s very own. Public education advocate and 6th grade teacher John Arthur joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what it means for the future of public schools and why everyone should care — even if you don’t have kids.  Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on In...

In 2011, Salt Lakers got some new neighbors: Eastern Fox Squirrels. Now, the Natural History Museum of Utah and a City Cast Salt Lake listener are asking if they can actually thrive here! We got answers from NHMU’s Citizen Science Manager Ellen Eiriksson. Submit your fox squirrel and firefly sightings. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter...

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall graded the city’s performance this week. Would lead producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta also give it an “A?” Plus, Sundance rages on despite a setback from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, and we announce the nominees for the “Oscars of Food.” Here is our episode on the Rio Grande Plan [16-min listen]. Subscribe to our daily morning newslet...

This winter’s snow storms have made for some great pow days. But getting to resorts up the Cottonwoods via public transit has been painful — just ask the dozens of skiers getting left behind at the ski bus stop. Kyle Holland from The Red Line Podcast joins host Ali Vallarta to explain where buses are at and where they are headed. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instag...

What has a straw, a handle, and a matte pastel finish? Why, it’s the Stanley Adventure Quencher 40 oz. Tumbler, of course. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, don’t worry, because Meg Walter, features editor at the Deseret News, is here to explain the phenomenon. This episode first aired on July 19, 2022. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC...

What drew Planned Parenthood Association of Utah CEO Karrie Galloway to the organization in the 1980s? Her belief in responsible, safe, and good sex. More than 40 years (and many legislative fights) later, Galloway is retiring. She talks with host Ali Vallarta about how conversations around sex have changed in deep red Utah. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @...

Finding a new place to live in Salt Lake's housing market is tough. City Cast Salt Lake producer Ivana Martinez knows that apartment hunting can be exhausting and expensive because she just went through it! Ivana joins host Ali Vallarta to share tips and tricks for renters — from A to Zillow. Listen to this episode before you sign a lease. If it would help, apply for rent relief. Here’s that lower...

Big news week for Salt Lake! Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down local stories, including the start of the legislative session, changes to our sports institutions, and some small (but good!) news for the Great Salt Lake.  Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt...

Snow sports don’t always make for great spectator sports, but skijoring sure does! Ahead of next weekend’s Ski Joring Utah competition, we revisit host Ali Vallarta’s declaration that the sport is Utah’s “next big thing.” This episode first aired on Feb. 27, 2022. Get tickets to the 2023 Ski Joring Utah competition, Jan. 27-28 in Heber. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on...

Salt Lake cinemas are in the fight of their lives to get people off the couch and into the theater. But how, exactly, do you entice audiences to break their pandemic habits? Salt Lake Film Society Executive Director Tori A. Baker shares some ideas. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt L...

Utah lawmakers from across the state are making their way downtown and walking fast through the halls of the Capitol, ready to pass hundreds of bills that might change our lives. KUER politics reporter Saige Miller joins host Ali Vallarta to tease what to expect during the 45-day General Session. Plus, Saige (a former debate coach) shares some advice for legislators when debating their bills. Book...

Happy Friday! Host Ali Vallarta and lead producer Emily Means round up the headlines you might have missed this week — from the end of a COVID-19 State of Emergency to Salt Lake’s “Vision Zero” plan, and the swearing-in of 36-year old Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren. Watch Rian Johnson bristle at Knives Out Utah. Attend the Save Our Great Salt Lake rally. Drop off new socks, pads, and tampo...

Locals love to roll their eyes at the Sundance Film Festival, but host Ali Vallarta and former staffer Daniela Weinreich beg to differ. It’s possible to have a fun, affordable, stress-free festival experience — and this is your guide. The two alums make a list of do’s and don’ts, Daniela shares her top five movie picks, and Ali explains how to see the award-winning movies for free. Register for th...

Can you truly live car-free in Salt Lake? That’s the question host Ali Vallarta is trying to answer after her beloved old clunker took its last breaths. Now, she has a choice to make — buy a new car or find other ways to move about town. Lead Producer Emily Means joins her to weigh the pros and cons of going car-free. Learn more about Hive Pass for SLC residents. Get NBA Celebrity All-Star Game ti...

The Utah Legislature’s annual general session can be tough for anyone who is nervous about what our state lawmakers can do in the span of 45 days. But you’re in good company, because freshman Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake City, is right there with you. The newly elected senator joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about managing his first-day jitters, what’s on his agenda, and how he plans to follow th...

All snow is good snow when you’re in a megadrought, but how it layers up can have big implications for backcountry recreators. Craig Gordon, a forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center (and absolute legend) talks with host Ali Vallarta about why not all snow is made equal, what has him worried, and why his job might be getting harder every year. The Outdoor Retailer Snow Show is Jan. 10-12 at the...

New year, new news. Welcome to 2023! Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the top stories of the week, including mysterious devices in Salt Lake’s foothills, girding our loins for the Legislature’s General Session, and what to do about 2100 South. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to adv...

When civil engineer Christian Lenhart and designer Cameron Blakely teamed up to create the Rio Grande Plan, they never dreamed it would garner so much traction and public support — but here we are! City officials are entertaining a citizen-led design project to return the historic Rio Grande Station to its glory days as a bustling transit hub. Host Ali Vallarta asks Cameron Blakely how feasible th...

If you’ve spent a winter in Salt Lake, you’ve probably found yourself staring at the brown film on the horizon while wondering if you should pack it all up and leave for fresher air. It’s a fair question — and besides air quality, there are lots of reasons people leave the Wasatch Front. But really, we hope you’ll stay. Community organizers Ashley Finley and Chandler Rosenberg join host Ali Vallar...

Happy New Year! Let’s set some goals — but the cool, fun kind. Lead producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta share their plans for SLC 2023, along with some very resolute callers. Take Care Utah can help you enroll in a healthcare plan, online or in-person, before January 15, 2023. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Look...

Legendary socialite Princess Kennedy tells host Ali Vallarta why she is getting out of the bar scene, after hosting the city’s largest Pride party for a decade. PK thinks she owes Salt Lake an apology, and is ready to move on. This episode first aired on June 22, 2022. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertis...

Utah's ongoing drought has us interrogating our summer fruit: How much precious water was used to grow this juicy peach? Host Ali Vallarta and lead producer Emily Means head north to talk with Thayne Tagge of Tagge's Famous Fruit and Vegetable Farm about saving water while growing the delicious produce we buy at the farmers market. This episode first aired on Aug. 22, 2022. Subscribe to our daily...

If you’ve seen a movie that was filmed in Salt Lake, then you’ve probably seen prop master Scott Arneman’s work in action. From creating rivers of blood to finding human look-alike appendages, he’s seen it all. Host Ali Vallarta spends a morning with Scott to hear his best stories and learn how the local film industry has changed. This episode first aired on Sept. 15, 2022. Subscribe to our daily...