

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 6, 2025 • 30min
Lawmakers Meet Today To Pick a New Voting Map. Here’s What To Expect.
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 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 2 p.m. late checkout.

Oct 3, 2025 • 45min
Is Downtown Just For Tourists? 1-Star Utah Park Reviews, Runaway Pigs
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 sector thrives. Take a look inside. [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:
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 2, 2025 • 36min
What a New LDS President Means for All of Us
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 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:
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ

Oct 1, 2025 • 39min
Your Guide to October 2025 in Salt Lake
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, 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 October in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.
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.
City Cast Salt Lake is also made possible by our awesome sponsors: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Alliance, and PLUNJ.
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.

Sep 30, 2025 • 47min
The Suntrapp Bar Union, ‘Charlie Kirk Blvd’, Lessons From Policy Kings
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+ bar says it’s ‘too small’ to unionize as workers announce intent [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah GOP lawmaker wants to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard to honor Charlie Kirk [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:
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ
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

Sep 29, 2025 • 37min
Weird Crimes You Can Go to Jail For in Utah
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
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:
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ

Sep 26, 2025 • 40min
Save Great Salt Lake by 2034? Sugar House Construction Payoff, Leaf Peeping
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 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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center
City Cast Neighbors - Now through Oct. 3 when you sign up you get this awesome tote that says Neighbors Make Salt Lake
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Sep 25, 2025 • 27min
SLC Cocktails You Gotta Try This Weekend
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 to try as many as possible.
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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center

Sep 24, 2025 • 21min
Banish AIDS Patients to Antelope Island? A Legislator Proposed It.
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 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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center

Sep 23, 2025 • 32min
‘Fake’ Pizza Allegation, Redistricting Rodeo, Downtown Construction Timeline
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 timeline for the massive overhaul of Abravanel Hall, UMOCA and the Salt Palace [Salt Lake Tribune]
Study Finds Melanoma Less Common in Individuals with Several Tattoos [Huntsman Cancer Institute]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.
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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center
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
Spencer's Steaks and Chops