

City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast
City Cast Salt Lake is SLC’s daily news podcast. Join host Ali Vallarta and a bevy of smart and entertaining locals for conversations about the issues that matter most. City Cast Salt Lake will celebrate the city’s triumphs, explore its history, (try to) solve its mysteries, and it’ll help you feel more connected to the Wasatch Front – whether you’ve lived here for 6 months or 6 generations. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at saltlake.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2025 • 38min
SLC Races to Watch, Fall Crafting, Redford Moviethon
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]
SLC Council District 3 election: Incumbent Chris Wharton faces 4 challengers [Salt Lake Tribune]
Salt Lake City Council District 5 election: Erika Carlsen, Amy Hawkins and Vance Hansen vie for open seat [Salt Lake Tribune]
ABC4 District 3 debate and District 5 debate
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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 20, 2025 • 30min
Should SLC Be More Like Chicago?
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.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 17, 2025 • 34min
GOP Redistricting Tricks, 'No Kings' Protest Returns, Pumpkin Custard
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 referendum on map C and initiative to ask legislature to repeal Prop 4 [ABC 4]
Here’s the safety plan for No Kings protest in SLC this weekend after June event ended in deadly gunfire [Salt Lake Tribune]
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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 16, 2025 • 20min
The People’s Guide to Park City
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 members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety

Oct 15, 2025 • 33min
RedWest Fest Disaster, New Ballot Deadline, Public Bathroom PSA
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 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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more

Oct 14, 2025 • 23min
What’s the Next Coolest Thing To Come out of Utah?
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 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.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety

Oct 10, 2025 • 39min
Salt Lake Street Projects, Ticketmaster Scams, Alt Oktoberfests
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 are the sneaky ways Ticketmaster and Live Nation squeeze fans for billions [Salt Lake Tribune]
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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 9, 2025 • 28min
Could More SLC Restaurants Unionize? Vegas Can Be a Model.
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 like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.

Oct 8, 2025 • 25min
Does SLC Need a 'Night Mayor'?
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 Closing
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.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.

Oct 7, 2025 • 34min
Legislature Picks New Map, Mayor Vs. Council, Fall Lattes
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 Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Lawmakers Meet Today To Pick a New Voting Map. Here’s What To Expect. [City Cast 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 all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more