City Cast Salt Lake

Sweetgreen plans to open a location in Sugar House! Host Ali Vallarta asks salad enthusiast and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani to make her case for crunchy greens, and the local options Sweetgreen can’t beat. This episode originally aired on Dec. 6, 2022. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, i...

Did you get a letter in the mail notifying you that your voter information is about to become public? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez talk about a controversial new law. Plus, Salt Lake City School District cancels a 54-year-old program and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Private voter info to become public, but some Utahns, including polic...

Murals are taking over South Salt Lake, but are they always a good thing? Executive producer Emily Means asks South Salt Lake Arts Council executive director Britney Helmers about the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly when it comes to public art in our neighborhoods.  Visit South Salt Lake's Mural Fest on May 9. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor....

While both Salt Lake and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Royals!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has...

A new law that requires third graders to study the Bible has Salt Lakers talking. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen discuss the controversy. Plus, diving into a Westminster University mystery and picks of the week.  Resources and references: As early as third grade, Utah students will need to study Bible passages in social studies le...

It’s spring break season, but gas prices are killing the vibe! Host Ali Vallarta, Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani suggest six different staycations within an hour of Salt Lake City. Check out these neighborhood guides for even more staycation ideas: Springville Helper Midway  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lak...

This confusing mix of sleet and heat means it’s spring in Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and producer Ivana Martinez assembled a guide to making the most of April, for pets, gardeners, artists, and everyone in between. And, if you do hit up the last farmer’s market, use our guide to maximizing $50 there. For even more tips on how to make the most of April in Salt...

Rep. Celeste Maloy is coming for a beloved Utah monument. Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger, and newsletter editor Terina Ria break down a confusing bill. Plus, Ali reports out from a seized assets auction and we shout out some local badasses.  Resources and references: Rep. Celeste Maloy introduces resolution to reject Biden-era management plan of Grand Staircase...

The state has launched a new homelessness program called Project Bridge. Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah News Dispatch senior reporter Katie McKellar and the Road Home executive director Michelle Flynn about the plan to move Utahns out of the shelter system. 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 membe...

More affordable housing is needed in places like Salt Lake City. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower...

The Salt Lake City Council approved more construction in Sugar House. Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss, and producer Ivana Martinez recap. Plus, dogs on trails and picks of the week.  Resources and references: Help us make a list of the 1,000 things we love about Salt Lake. Apply to be our audience development manager.  S-Line streetcar extension construction to begin...

Allergy season has arrived early in the valley. Dr. Adriana Andreae, an allergist with University of Utah Health, tells host Ali Vallarta why allergies hit harder in Salt Lake, and shares distinctly local solutions.  This episode originally aired March 13, 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, invitations...

Gen Z makes up nearly a quarter of Utah’s registered voters. Will they hit the polls? Host Ali Vallarta asks Ignite Utah executive director Jenessa Jimoh what’s shaping Gen Z’s political behavior in Utah. 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. Join now at membership.ci...

What’s most Utah about Taylor Frankie Paul’s situation? Host Ali Vallarta, social media manager Molly Miloscia, and producer Ivana Martinez talk through the Bachelorette cancellation. Plus, our favorite amenities in the Fleet Block proposal and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Take the Fleet Block survey. Request a free tree if you live in South Salt Lake. Become a member of City Cast Sa...

Why is Las Vegas so damn good at conserving water, and what can we learn from them? Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg and City Cast Las Vegas producer Jacob Solis about Utah’s plan to fight a long, hot summer as we face a record low snowpack. Why ‘Drain Lake Powell’ Is Catching On [City Cast Salt Lake] Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City...

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in Salt Lake City. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figl...

Do some cities want to leave Salt Lake County? A recent bill made it seem so. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani dig into what's behind the Salt Lake County "divorce" proposal. Plus, summer camp ideas and joyful picks of the week. Resources and references: Help us make a list of the 1,000 things we love about Salt Lake. ICE Buys...

Utah ranked 41 out of 50 among the best states for women — what gives? Host Ali Vallarta asks founding director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project Dr. Susan Madsen what employers and policymakers could do tomorrow to boost our ranking. This episode originally aired Sept. 10, 2025. Resources and references: Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality (2025) [WalletHub] Susan R. Madsen: Helping t...

Expect record-breaking temps in Salt Lake this week — 80 degrees in March?! Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria share their recommendations for making the most of this gorgeous yet disturbing weather, from best patios to outdoor activities.  Resources and references: Why Utah Has the Highest Rate of Skin Cancer [City Cast Salt Lake] Rattlesnake Safety Tips...

Huge news from late last week: The federal government has bought a warehouse in Salt Lake City to use as an ICE detention center. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria talk about the details and the response. Plus, good news for your Tuesday and local shoutouts. Resources and references: SLC mayor vows to oppose ‘inhumane’ ICE detention center after ag...

Is Park City headed for its next bust era after the Sundance Film Festival's move to Boulder, Colorado? Host Ali Vallarta asks Park City Mayor Ryan Dickey what's next for the mountain town. 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. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.  Sub...

Salt Lakers are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local polic...

Utah’s congressional races are heating up. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg discuss which candidates are making waves and if you need to change your voter registration. Plus, Trump’s involvement with the Great Salt Lake and picks of the week.   Resources and references: Court-drawn map upends Utah primary elections, forces GO...

Can astrology help us make sense of Salt Lake City’s past, present and future? Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake Tribune reporter and astrologer Addy Baird what’s in the stars for the city, and she contextualizes recent events using this ancient practice.   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 mem...

Utah’s 2026 legislative session went up to midnight Friday, and today is part two of our recap. Host Ali Vallarta asks FOX 13 Capitol Hill reporter Ben Winslow what lawmakers did to your life — from gas prices to Salt Lake’s streets and LGBTQ+ healthcare. Listen to part one: What Lawmakers Did About Liquor Laws, Voting, and Great Salt Lake Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City C...