

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 six months or six generations. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at saltlake.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 12, 2025 • 47min
Anti-Union Law Repealed, 14% Tax Increase, Seasonal Cookies
Tuesday was a busy night in Salt Lake! The Utah Legislature, Salt Lake County Council and Salt Lake City Council all met to make big decisions. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down what happened and where we go from here.
Sign up to volunteer with Ali to create ICE-free zones in SLC this Saturday at 10 a.m.
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:
Harmons
Cyprus Credit Union
Aura Frames - Use code CITYCAST for $35 off
Live Crude - Use code CITYCASTSLC to try CRUDE's Oil Cleansing Starter kit for Free
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Salt Lake City Council

Dec 11, 2025 • 33min
Best Local Feuds of 2025
The people of Salt Lake got into it this year. Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake social media manager Molly Miloscia dive into the juiciest beefs of 2025 and declare the winners and losers.
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:
Harmons
Cyprus Credit Union
Aura Frames - Use code CITYCAST for $35 off
Salt Lake City Council

Dec 10, 2025 • 33min
ICE Is Escalating Operations. Here’s What Lawyers Know.
Dozens of people protested Monday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a man attending his green card interview at the federal immigration office in Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta asks attorney Nicholle Pitt White for practical advice if you encounter ICE at your business, home, or as a bystander.
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:
Harmons
Cyprus Credit Union
Aura Frames - Use code CITYCAST for $35 off
Salt Lake City Council

Dec 8, 2025 • 32min
MICHELIN Is Trying SLC Restaurants. Who Could Get Stars?
Big food news: MICHELIN Guide is coming to Utah, which opens the door to a local restaurant earning a coveted star. Host Ali Vallarta asks Visit Salt Lake CEO Kaitlin Eskelson and Salt Lake Area Restaurant Association executive director Michele Corigliano how MICHELIN landed in Utah and what restaurants could be awards contenders.
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:
Harmons
Cyprus Credit Union
Aura Frames - Use code CITYCAST for $35 off
Live Crude - Use code CITYCASTSLC to try CRUDE's Oil Cleansing Starter kit for Free
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Salt Lake City Council

Dec 8, 2025 • 32min
A Utahn’s Guide To Pooping Outdoors
We've all been there — enjoying a gorgeous hike when the urge to use the bathroom hits. What do you do?? Host Ali Vallarta asks Angelique Fish, cofounder of the Women's Wine Hiking Society, what to know when you've gotta go and how to keep our trails clean for everyone to enjoy.
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:
Harmons
Cyprus Credit Union
Aura Frames - Use code CITYCAST for $35 off

Dec 5, 2025 • 42min
‘No Kings’ Shooter Charged, Police Spending Way Up, Knitting SOS
The biggest news of the week is money — specifically, how the city and state are spending your hard-earned cash! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger share their biggest takeaways. Plus, joyful picks of the week.
Resources and references:
Manslaughter charge filed against ‘peacekeeper’ in No Kings protest killing [KSL]
In Salt Lake City, record spending boosts police budgets. What has Utah’s capital gotten for it? [Salt Lake Tribune]
Read. Gov. Spencer Cox’s 2027 budget recommendations.
Get tickets to One Small Miracle fundraiser at Fisher Brewing.
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:
Harmons
Red Butte Garden
Ken Garff University Club
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Dec 4, 2025 • 36min
Gifts To Buy a Salt Laker Right Now
Gift giving is the perfect excuse to support Salt Lake businesses and nonprofits! Host Ali Vallarta and Hive Mind podcast host Meg Walter made a beautiful 2025 gift guide for all ages, with plenty of ideas under $20.
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:
Harmons
Red Butte Garden
Ken Garff University Club
Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Dec 3, 2025 • 25min
Nuclear is Coming to Utah. What Questions Still Need Answers?
Gov. Spencer Cox just announced a whole nuclear "ecosystem" is coming to Brigham City — think power plants, manufacturing, and more. But there's a lot we still don't know. Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Danielle Endres, director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Utah, what questions we should be asking before Utah becomes a nuclear hub.
Learn about geothermal energy, another resource Utah is exploring.
This episode first aired Jan. 29, 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 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:
Harmons
Red Butte Garden
Ken Garff University Club
Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Dec 2, 2025 • 37min
Is ‘Direct Democracy’ Bad? Naughty National Parks, Women in Trades
Utah Republicans take another swing at ballot initiatives and the new congressional map. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what they have up their sleeves. Plus, the Trumpification of our national parks, Giving Tuesday recs, and joyful shoutouts.
Resources and references:
National Parks Pass
Learn more about the Utah Women in Trades program.
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:
Harmons
Red Butte Garden
Ken Garff University Club
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Dec 1, 2025 • 29min
Your Guide to December 2025 in Salt Lake
We made it to December (against all odds), and the holidays are in full swing. 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 kimchi popups to strolling down Christmas Street and ways to give back. Plus, it's avalanche season — listen to this episode on why avalanche safety isn't just for skiers.
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community.
For even more tips on how to make the most of December in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.
City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsors: Harmons, Red Butte Garden, Oak View Group, and Utah Museum of Fine Arts. We’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Salt Lake.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Check out our options.
Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.


