City Cast Salt Lake

Development is booming as our population grows, but our minimum wage hasn't budged in years. Could that change soon, at least for some workers? Host Ali Vallarta asks Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, about his new proposal to set an area standard wage for Utah construction projects. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listeni...

Journalists and internet sleuths, we have some scoops for you! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss local stories worth investigating. Plus, joyful shoutouts.   Resources and references: How To Save a Life With Naloxone [Hey Salt Lake]  Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get...

Every ski resort wanted to open this weekend. But what percentage of Utahns are actually going up there? Host Ali Vallarta asks ⁠Salt Lake Tribune reporter Julie Jag⁠ what to expect this ski season and how you could ski for free. If you enjoyed the interview with Gretchen Dietrich, executive director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, ⁠learn more here⁠. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you bec...

Democratic candidates are officially lining up for Salt Lake’s new congressional district. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani discuss who's running and how you can get involved. Plus, the owners of Water Witch stare down a lawsuit and picks of the week.  Resources and references: State Sen. Kathleen Riebe launches campaign for ne...

Utahns are everywhere these days, whether they’re foxtrotting on national TV or doing backflips. Host Ali Vallarta asks Meg Walter, culture writer and host of the Hive Mind podcast when we hit critical mass and why we’re natural performers.  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 event...

Utahns have new congressional districts, after a drawn-out redistricting saga. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down what the boundaries are, who’s running for office, and what's the Legislature's next move.  Resources and references: Judge picks a new congressional map in redistricting [FOX 13] Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake]...

Salt Lake City Police has released body cam footage from an officer-involved shooting that resulted in a man's death. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk through what the video shows. Plus, the Salt Lake County Council extends daycare closing a senior center and local shoutouts. Resources and references: Salt Lake County Council extends daycare operations on chopping block th...

It's flu season, and we're all sniffling and miserable. But research from the University of Utah explains why we feel like trash when we're sick. Host Ali Vallarta asks neuroscientist Dr. Jessica Osterhout if flu symptoms are all in our head and how our Salt Lake environment might make them worse. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks...

Even in little ol’ Salt Lake City, Zohran Mamdani fever is hitting the streets. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means and City Cast contributor Cassie Bingham, break down some local election results and what to make of them. Plus, joyful picks of the week. Check out Edison Street Silent Movies. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help...

Iconic haunts closing, costs increasing — is the Salt Lake City we once knew over? Host Ali Vallarta asks local comedian Pete Souvall about when the city he grew up in changed for him and what's the next iteration of Salt Lake's identity. 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 a...

A proposed hotel above Sugar House Park has caused an uproar in the neighborhood. But it’s the third pitch that’s gotten pushback from residents. Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake City planning commissioner Amy Barry what’s next for the lot and what public benefits could be negotiated. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free...

It’s Election Day! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means roundup last-minute information you should know and the 411 on special service districts. Plus, Utah's vision for homelessness contradicts service providers and some joyful local shoutouts.    Resources and references: Utah Voter Guide 2025: How To Prepare for Election Day [City Cast Salt Lake] In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Home...

Utah is already hauling out Christmas decor because it’s November! Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide on how to make the most of this month, from free food programs and volunteer opportunities to local artisan markets. And, if you do go to Southern Utah, try these national park lookalikes to avoid crowds. If you're new here, welcome! We’v...

Happy Halloween! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg make sense of some scary news headlines, from a 10,000-person ICE detention center to cutting funding for child care. Plus, joyful picks of the week.   Resources and references: Salt Lake County Council votes to cut parks and recreation child care program funding [KSL] Utah Go...

Salt Lake’s pop-up food scene is getting so exclusive, the County Health Department is reminding people about permits. Host Ali Vallarta and Salt Lake Tribune business reporter Paighten Harkins over-analyze the pizza pop-ups taking the city by storm.  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...

No one gets more hyped for Halloween than Utahns. But where does our love for the holiday come from? Host Ali Vallarta asks Deseret News features writer Meg Walter to explain Utah's Halloween obsession. This episode first aired Oct. 26, 2023. 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 even...

It’s Halloweek in Salt Lake! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means round up their best ideas to celebrate, whether you’re a scaredy cat or thrill seeker. Plus, which elections got canceled and local shoutouts. Resources and references:  Banish AIDS Patients to Antelope Island? A Legislator Proposed It. [City Cast Salt Lake] The Most Salt Lake Halloween Costumes [City Cast Salt Lake]...

How hard is it to get a job in Salt Lake right now? Host Ali Vallarta asks Zions Bank senior economist Robert Spendlove about the health of our local labor market and AI bots fighting each other for jobs. 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...

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson proposed a nearly 20% property tax increase in her 2026 budget. Holy shit! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and social media manager Molly Miloscia break down the mayor's pitch. Plus, fact checking the Real Housewives on Utah's richest ZIP codes and helpful and celebratory picks of the week. Resources and references: Salt Lake County Mayor Jenn...

We are co-hosting the grand opening of the Milk Block this Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2-5 p.m. on 900 South in Salt Lake City — another beautiful new hub on the 9-Line. Host Ali Vallarta asks Maven co-founder Rocky Donati if 900 South is simply too cool to fail. 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...

It’s finally latte season, so where can you get the best cuppa in town? Rose Park resident Andy Moray visited every coffee shop in Salt Lake City last year. Host Ali Vallarta asks Andy to share his favorites and lessons learned from his quest.  This episode first aired on January 7, 2025. Check out Andy’s spreadsheet to discover new coffee shops. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a...

Four Salt Lake City Council seats are up for election this year. Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez talk about who's running and what the biggest issues are in each district. Plus, local events and small business shoutouts. Resources and references: Salt Lake City Council District 1 election: Victoria Petro running against Stephen Otterstrom, Yussuf Abdi [Salt Lake Tribune]...

Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson has been living in Chicago for the past 20 months, and he’s got some notes for host Ali Vallarta. What can SLC learn from the Windy City (and vice versa)? 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.f...

The Utah Republican Party changed their stance on redistricting, and announced two new efforts. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger break down what the initiative means before you’re asked to sign it. Plus, the “No Kings” protest returns and joyful picks of the week.  Resources and references: Utah Republican party launches referen...

Do you know the real Park City? Executive producer Emily Means asks Michael O'Malley, author of "Attitude at Altitude: The People's Guide to Park City and Summit County," about his local tips and takes, and the history that make this mountain town tick. 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 member...