City Cast Salt Lake

What the heck happened at the RedWest Music Festival this weekend? Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez dive into the mess. Plus, what to know about new voting laws this election and local shoutouts.  Resources and references: Woman injured from debris while leaving Salt Lake City music festival has died [KSL.com] What To Know About Utah’s 2025 General Election [City Cast Sal...

Utah leaders love touting our innovative spirit and entrepreneurship. We are the Beehive State, after all — industrious! Executive producer Emily Means asks Desert News business reporter Art Raymond what's behind that reputation? Plus, what are the coolest things made in Utah? Resources and references: What’s the coolest thing made in Utah? Time for you to be the judge [Desert News]  Get more from...

What's next for Salt Lake City streets? Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen dig into the good, the bad, and the ugly of some new projects. Plus, how Ticketmaster is scamming Utahns and some joyful picks for your weekend. Resources and references: Give feedback on potential, future SLC transportation projects.  Andy Larsen: These...

Could The SunTrapp bar's union effort have a ripple effect across Salt Lake's food and drink scene? If the power of Las Vegas's culinary union is any indication … maybe. Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler what lessons the Trapp could take from organized labor in Sin City. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks...

There’s been an uproar about Salt Lake City’s proposal to ban middle-of-the-night drinking at after-hours parties. But could a ‘night mayor’ have smoothed this over? Host Ali Vallarta asks Lutz Leichsenring of VibeLab why cities need a "night advocate" and what's behind creating a vibrant nightlife. This episode first aired April 16, 2025. Related listening: How To Keep Main Street Bars From Closi...

There's just one step left in finalizing Utah’s new congressional map. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down what your district could look like. Plus, which local political gig is better and joyful shoutouts. Resources and references: Republican lawmakers picked their preferred congressional redistricting map. See what district you’d be in. [Salt Lake Tribune] Utah’s Cong...

What will Utah's new congressional boundaries look like? A judge will soon decide, but today, the Legislature will have its say during a special session. Host Ali Vallarta asks Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, to set some expectations and defend his favorite map. Background listening: Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake] Get more from City Cast Salt Lake wh...

The hotel scene downtown is thriving. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani discuss whether that's a sign locals should turn it over to tourists and hang out elsewhere. Plus, one-star reviews of Utah's national parks and picks for your weekend. Resources and references: Downtown SLC Marriott gets multimillion-dollar remodel as hotel...

The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, died Saturday at age 101. Host Ali Vallarta asks Claremont Graduate University professor Matthew Bowman about Nelson's successor and how the LDS prophet impacts our lives as Salt Lakers — even if you're not Mormon. Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks...

October is here, and we're gearing up for cozy season in Salt Lake. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from touring exhibits to stargazing, new restaurants and free ski passes. Plus, planning to visit state parks this fall? Try these national park lookalikes instead.  If you're new here, wel...

The Suntrapp unionization effort and Policy Kings closure are the big foodie headlines this week. Host Ali Vallarta and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria connect the dots to the state’s economy. Plus, taking Rep. Trevor Lee at his word to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard and the latest bar and restaurant openings and closures. Resources and references: Owner of iconic Salt Lake City LGBTQ+ ba...

Did you know there are over 50 pages of weird crimes you can go to jail for in Utah? Democratic Rep. Grant Amjad Miller, a public defender joins host Ali Vallarta to go through the oddities of the justice system and some of the most bizarre cases he’s seen.  Resources and references: 4 Ideas To Fund Instead of More Jails Beds [City Cast Salt Lake] For the nerds: Utah’s 2025 Uniform Fine Schedule G...

Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah's wealthiest people announced a 2034 goal for saving the Great Salt Lake. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means ask City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg what's next. Plus, construction ends in Sugar House and local picks for your weekend. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we...

For a liquor-averse state, Salt Lake City's cocktail scene is pretty spectacular, and Salt Lake Magazine's Farm-to-Glass Cocktail Contest is highlighting the best of the best. Host Ali Vallarta is judging the contest and tells executive producer Emily Means about the standout sips to try this weekend and lessons learned. It's the last weekend of the contest! Check out Ali’s neighborhood bar crawls...

Did you know: In the 1980s, a Utah legislator proposed banishing the state’s AIDS patients to Antelope Island? Really. Host Ali Vallarta asks Banished! organizer Kyle Treasure about reclaiming this dark history. 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 member...

The process of drawing Utah’s new congressional maps has begun! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means jump into the timeline. Plus, the alleged “fake” Pie pizza, a construction date for downtown SLC’s new sports and entertainment district, and a health case for tattoos. Resources and references: Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake] Here’s the...

Got an idea for making your neighborhood better? Salt Lake City has money for that! Host Ali Vallarta asks KRCL DJ and Glendale Neighborhood Council member Ebay Hamilton for tips on pitching a project to the city.  Resources and references: SLC Capital Improvement Program grants SLC Arts Council Project Support Grants Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor...

Utah Valley University reopened this week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means ask UVU staffer and City Cast contributor Cassie Bingham about the return to campus. Plus, Salt Lake City considers middle-of-the-night prohibition and local picks for your weekend. Resources and references: After Kirk’s Death, Students Return to Campus and Learn...

Beloved Utahn and Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford died Tuesday at his home in Provo Canyon. Host Ali Vallarta and Salt Lake Tribune deputy enterprise editor Sean P. Means discuss Redford's local legacy and share their favorite stories of the last great movie star.  Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening,...

If it feels like fall came early this year, that’s because it did! Cooler nights are making leaves blush on the Wasatch Front, and the race is on to peep fall colors. Ashley Brown, author of Urban Trails: Salt Lake City, tells host Ali Vallarta where to catch brilliant foliage on an easy walk or more challenging hike, whether you’re bringing your dog, the kids, or just need a scenic lunch-break la...

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s speech following the assassination of Charlie Kirk has captured the nation’s attention and has us raising our eyebrows. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give their analysis and the latest update on the case. Plus, parking drama in Big Cottonwood Canyon and joyful shoutouts.   Resources and references: Brighton planning meeting agenda and link Trump Has a...

Are more public bathrooms on the horizon in Salt Lake City? Host Ali Vallarta asks Tyler Murdock, deputy director of Salt Lake City Public Lands, when it will get easier to find clean, unlocked bathrooms city-wide. 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 mem...

How's Salt Lake feeling after the Charlie Kirk assassination? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen talk about the aftermath. Plus, COVID vaccines and picks for your weekend. Resources and references: Charlie Kirk Killed in Utah. Where Do We Go From Here? [City Cast Salt Lake] Charlie Kirk shooting: Is our nation ‘broken’? Political violence...

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast CEO David Plotz analyze what the assassination means for Utah and national politics. Resources and references: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university [Associated Press] Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! I...

Utah is 2025’s worst state for women’s equality. Host Ali Vallarta asks founding director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project Dr. Susan Madsen for practical solutions employers and lawmakers could implement tomorrow if we want to boost our score. Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality (2025) [WalletHub] Susan R. Madsen: Helping those at a disadvantage doesn’t cost anything [Salt Lake Tribune]...