City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast Salt Lake is Salt Lake City’s daily news podcast. Host Ali Vallarta and a bevy of smart and entertaining locals will bring you conversations about the issues that matter most to SLC. Some days City Cast will make you proud; other days it’ll make you angry. It will celebrate Salt Lake’s triumphs, (try to) solve its mysteries, and explore its history. City Cast will help you feel more connected to the Wasatch Front – whether you’ve lived here for 6 months or 6 generations.
Episodes
June 20, 2025 • 61 mins
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Ali Vallarta and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:
Utah Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen...
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June 18, 2025 • 38 mins
It's been a tough week in Salt Lake County, with two shootings at public events resulting in the deaths of four community members. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means sort through the details of both incidents and the questions that remain. Plus, ways to celebrate Juneteenth.
Resources and references:
In the Wake of Local Shootings, Here’s How To Help [Hey Salt Lake]
Submit evidence from the “No Kings” pr...
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June 17, 2025 • 27 mins
Protesters gathered on Saturday in Salt Lake City to chant, “No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” What can local leaders do to answer that call? Host Ali Vallarta asks Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini how he's thinking about his role in protecting his community from harmful policies.
For more discussions about ICE & Mayor Silvestrini:
What ICE Can and Can’t Do (Legally) in Utah [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek De...
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June 16, 2025 • 16 mins
A shooting at the "No Kings" protest on Saturday in downtown Salt Lake City left one person dead. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means assemble the facts and most pressing questions around this horrific end to an otherwise peaceful day.
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June 13, 2025 • 40 mins
Salt Lake City has a new county council member. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen connect the dots between your local electeds and controversial federal policies. Plus, Bees baseball struggles in the ‘burbs, $1 book deals, and soapbox racing.
Resources and references:
With eye on LA protests, Gov. Cox warns Utah will be ‘overprepared,’ won’t tolerate violence [Uta...
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June 12, 2025 • 24 mins
It’s summer festival season, and there's a lot to choose from! TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez and host Ali Vallarta winnow it down to four events you shouldn’t miss, from strawberries to extreme sports. Plus, tips and tricks to save money and make the most of festival going.
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 o...
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June 11, 2025 • 24 mins
In two years, Utah's largest school district won't even exist. Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Rich Stowell, Alpine School District communications director, why things imploded and the lessons for Salt Lake City as we face similar challenges.
For more on the Glendale high school debate.
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 on...
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June 10, 2025 • 38 mins
From chains to Father’s Day ideas, it’s our food news roundup! Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria and host Ali Vallarta deconstruct Salt Lake’s obsession with fast food chains, make recommendations for dad’s weekend, and reveal a new foodie paradise.
For more hidden gems, check out our collab with Salt Lake Sideways.
Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure...
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June 9, 2025 • 27 mins
What policies should be in place to get Salt Lake City to 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index? Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about where there is room for improvement.
Interested in learning more? Find out how queer Salt Lake really is.
Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listeni...
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June 6, 2025 • 35 mins
The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled on a Utah project — to mixed reviews. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg share knee-jerk reactions and discuss the potential impacts of the ruling. Plus, what to do when elected officials disappoint you, dangerously cute kittens, and sailing on the Great Salt Lake.
Resources and references:
Uinta Basin Railway gets green l...
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June 5, 2025 • 22 mins
Host Ali Vallarta asks local drag queen Tara Lipsyncki how to spend Pride Month in Utah, from parties to family friendly shows and cheap ways to celebrate.
Resources and references:
The New Normal for All-Ages Drag Shows [City Cast Salt Lake]
The Rallying Cry for Utah Gay Rodeo [City Cast Salt Lake]
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June 4, 2025 • 16 mins
Many Salt Lakers are getting ripped off when it comes to buying concert tickets. Venue professional and avid concert goer Aja Vogelman joins Ali Vallarta to break down how you can avoid getting scammed and go through ticketing basics everyone should know.
Head to shows often? Listen to the best tips and tricks for concert going.
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June 3, 2025 • 38 mins
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants 35,000 new starter homes; could some of them be condos? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give the latest update on the housing market. Plus, "Mountainhead" movie hilarity, and shoutouts.Resources and references:
‘We desperately need to do more’: Utah Gov. Cox convenes mayors to urge more action on housing [Utah News Dispatch]
Where Condos Fit in Salt Lake’s Housing Crisis [Ci...
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June 2, 2025 • 20 mins
Anti-government zealot Ammon Bundy is hiding in plain sight in southern Utah, dodging a warrant for his arrest. Host Ali Vallarta asks former journalist turned environmental advocate Kate Groetzinger why local police won't bring him in and how Bundy's extremism intersects with Utah's stance on public lands.
Read: the Salt Lake Tribune's reporting and Q&A with Ammon Bundy
Related listening: Does Utah’s Public Lands Story Hold Up? ...
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May 30, 2025 • 38 mins
It's been five years since Salt Lakers hit the streets to protest police violence, and footage of a recent SLCPD shooting was released just this week. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and UVU Center for Social Impact director Cassie Bingham break down the short and long-term changes since summer 2020. Plus, we rate the city’s latest tourist attraction, great boba, and the new HBO movie filmed in Park City.
Resour...
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May 29, 2025 • 27 mins
June is the official start of summer in Salt Lake City, and things are heating up. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from flower markets to frozen treats to a can't-miss skyline tour. Plus, if you're looking for ways to use your new state parks pass, don't miss our episode on alternatives to Utah's na...
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May 28, 2025 • 19 mins
The good news: We saved the honeybees. The bad news: It may have come at the expense of Utah's native pollinators. Host Ali Vallarta asks researcher Jesse Margolies to make the economic case for saving local bees and to explain how Salt Lakers can help.
This episode first aired May 20, 2024.
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 ...
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May 27, 2025 • 29 mins
Need a pothole fixed or want extra signage in your neighborhood, but don’t know where to start? Weston Clark, community outreach director for the Salt Lake City Mayor’s office, and executive producer Emily Means create a practical how-to guide to getting things done in your city.
Resources and references:
Check out the mySLC App.
Plus, who to call for even more problems in your neighborhood. [Hey Salt Lake]
Is H...
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May 23, 2025 • 32 mins
You’ve seen her billboards, but do you know her story? Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen, socio-pop anthropologist Cassie Bingham, and executive producer Emily Means dive into Julia Reagan’s lore. Plus, a year-round farmers market, a MomTok parody, and a cinematic summer showdown.
Resources and references:
How Julia Reagan's memorial billboards became an internet sensation [Axios]
Become a member of City Cast Salt Lak...
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May 22, 2025 • 31 mins
Salt Lake City was the fastest growing city in Utah over the past year, according to new data from the U.S. Census. So, how is it that in a city with so much life, we have dozens of vacant and boarded-up buildings? Hey Salt Lake Newsletter editor Terina Ria, producer Ivana Martinez, and executive producer Emily Means dream big about what could go in these spots instead.
Resources and references:
Why Aren’t These Vacant SLC B...
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