

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

Jun 27, 2025 • 40min
ICE Targets U of U Nursing Student, SLC Construction Woes, Summer Ice Skating
A University of Utah student spent 15 days in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Colorado. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham deconstruct the story. Plus, the construction nightmare in Sugar House and some picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
University of Utah student arrested by ICE says 15 days in detention were ‘hardest of my life’ [Salt Lake Tribune]
Bruges' reel about construction in Sugar House [Instagram]
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 June 27th episode:
ICO
Visit Walla Walla
Cache Valley Creamery
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Jun 26, 2025 • 23min
What Utah Lands Are at Risk Under Mike Lee’s Newest Bill?
Did Sen. Mike Lee solve the nation's partisan divide by sponsoring a bill everyone hates? Kate Groetzinger, City Cast contributor and Center for Western Priorities communications manager, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why even conservatives dislike Lee's proposal to sell up to 1.2 million acres of public lands in the West.
For more on Utah’s public land battles, listen to Does Utah’s Public Lands Story Hold Up?
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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode:
ICO
Visit Walla Walla
Cache Valley Creamery

Jun 25, 2025 • 23min
5 Long-Weekend Getaways From SLC
Now that it's officially summer, you might be wondering how to swing a weekend getaway. So say hello to your unofficial travel agent: Host Ali Vallarta joins executive producer Emily Means to recommend hops to some of our favorite locations less than a three-hour flight away — plus, what to do when you touch down.
Want to hit up the Oregon Coast for a quick trip? Check out this guide from City Cast Portland.
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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode:
ICO
Visit Walla Walla
Cache Valley Creamery

Jun 24, 2025 • 34min
‘No Kings’ Shooting Update, Provo vs. SLC, Local HIV Research
The man arrested after the "No Kings" protest shooting in Salt Lake City has been released from jail. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss that and other updates from the recent public shootings in SLC and West Valley. Plus, the best-run city in the country is in Utah, and local shoutouts.
Resources and references:
Suspect in West Valley City shooting facing 4 aggravated murder charges [FOX 13]
Man arrested in connection with shooting during ‘No Kings’ protest released from jail [Utah News Dispatch]
New video of Salt Lake City protest shooting appears to contradict police [FOX 13]
Why isn’t a ‘peacekeeper’ who allegedly shot a protester being detained? It’s ‘really, really complicated.’ [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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode:
ICO
Visit Walla Walla
Cache Valley Creamery
Stein Eriksen
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Jun 23, 2025 • 28min
Know Your Rights When It Comes to ICE
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has an office for Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada right here in West Valley. So what should you do if you or your neighbor is stopped by them? Host Ali Vallarta asks Aaron Welcher with the ACLU of Utah what your rights are when it comes to ICE and how their power differs from local police.
Visit ACLU of Utah’s resource hub for more information about your rights and guidance for institutions.
This episode first aired Feb. 3, 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.
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 Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jun 20, 2025 • 60min
Here's What 13 US Cities Are Talking About This Summer | A City Cast Salt Lake Special
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 Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
2 Shootings in Salt Lake, Juneteenth Events, Draper Food Rec
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” protest to SLC Police Department
Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth in Salt Lake [Hey Salt Lake]
Juneteenth Celebration at The Gateway
Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen
Utah Black Birthworkers Collective
Juneteenth 5K at Mountain View Park
Black Physicians of Utah
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.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Utah Arts Festival executive director Aimee Dunsmore and ONE image creator Mason Fetzer, learn more here.
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 Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jun 17, 2025 • 26min
Can Utah Cities Kick ICE Out?
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 Deportation Orders, Another Teacher Union Win, TIME100 Influential Utahn [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek Mayor Takes On ICE, Sugar House Pub’s Fate, One Good Bill [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.
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 Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Jun 16, 2025 • 16min
Shooting at SLC’s ‘No Kings’ Protest. Here’s What We Know.
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.
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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jun 13, 2025 • 37min
New SLCo Council Member, Bees Struggle in the ’Burbs, Soapbox Race
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 [Utah News Dispatch]
The Salt Lake Bees’ attendance is lagging at their new ballpark. Here’s what the team is doing about it. [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.
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:
The Shop
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.


