
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.
Latest episodes

Dec 20, 2024 • 37min
What’s ‘The Point’? Sundance Celebs, a Local Vinyl Legend
The Point development in southern Salt Lake County is finally seeing some action after Gov. Spencer Cox and legislators broke ground this week. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss what’s in store for the state’s 600-acre project. Plus, possible celebrity sightings at Sundance, a volunteer opportunity, and honoring a legendary Salt Laker. Resources and references:
Utah’s old prison now gone, leaders break ground on ‘The Point,’ a huge state-run development [Utah News Dispatch]
Here are the 87 movies (and 57 shorts) set to screen at Sundance 2025 — and the stars they will feature [Salt Lake Tribune]
Randy Stinson, the face of record stores in Utah, dies at age 83 [Salt Lake Tribune]
Volunteer for the Point-In-Time Count
Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
ICO
Sugar House Chamber
Embodied Patience
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Dec 19, 2024 • 26min
Did We Visit All 511 Parks in Salt Lake County?
Host Ali Vallarta made a resolution this year to visit every park in Salt Lake County. As we approach the end of 2024, we have to ask: Did she do it? Ali joins executive producer Emily Means to share insights from her quest, including picks for the best dog parks, date spots, and public bathrooms.Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
Utah Arts Alliance
Sugar House Chamber
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Dec 18, 2024 • 28min
How Utah Women Dominate Reality TV
The Washington Post called 2024 “the year of Mormon women,” and we could credit our local reality TV stars for that. KUER politics reporter Saige Miller joins host Ali Vallarta to analyze Salt Lake’s big year on the small screen, from reality unions to what the future brings. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
Sugar House Chamber
The Utah Investigative Journalism project
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Dec 17, 2024 • 30min
Salt Lake’s Biggest Viral Moments of 2024
What do Utah’s most viral moments say about us? Salt Lake Tribune reporter Anastasia Hufham joins host Ali Vallarta to break down some of the biggest and most memorable local stories to hit the zeitgeist in 2024. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
ICO
Sugar House Chamber
Embodied Patience
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Dec 16, 2024 • 25min
SLC Restaurants Open During the Holidays
Tired of cooking for the holidays? Hey Salt Lake Newsletter editor Terina Ria joins host Ali Vallarta to drum up cheap and swanky recommendations for restaurants that are open on Christmas and New Years Day, as well as ideas to impress out of towners.Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
ICO
Sugar House Chamber
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Dec 13, 2024 • 32min
3 Plans for Ballpark, Winter Markets This Weekend, Dangerous Pretzels
We finally have plans for the Smith’s Ballpark! Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss what options are on the table and how they could change the vibe of the neighborhood. Plus, several winter markets to check out this weekend, SLC’s soft pretzel joint, and train depot turned hotel bar. Resources and references:
Salt Lake City narrows down 3 options for future of Smith's Ballpark [KSL.com]
Salt Lake’s 2024 Naughty and Nice List [City Cast Salt Lake]
Last-Minute Local Gift Guide 2024 [City Cast Salt Lake]
Restaurants
Markets to check out this weekend:
Ace Holiday Market
Granary Music Market
Win Win Holiday Market
Downtown Winter Farmers Market
Safe Shopping Pop Up
Art Adoption at Signed and Numbered
Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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:
Harmons
Embodied Patience
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Dec 12, 2024 • 33min
Salt Lake’s 2024 Naughty and Nice List
Who’s on Salt Lake’s naughty and nice lists for 2024? TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss who’s been good and who’s been especially bad, from Gatorade tables to hot maestros. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 2024 • 39min
Last-Minute Local Gift Guide 2024
‘Tis the season for gift giving! If you’re seeking inspiration, Deseret News columnist Meg Walter joins host Ali Vallarta to assemble a thoughtful, hyper-local gift guide — from $0 to $200 an item. Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2024 • 32min
Mitt Romney’s Contradictions, TikTok’s Fake Girlfriend Story, Cheapest SLC Beers
Sen. Mitt Romney gave his final speech in Congress last week. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss why we’re so obsessed with this man and what his departure says about the state of politics. Plus, a local Hallmark love story and where to find the cheapest beer in the valley. Resources and references:
Salt Lake Political Nepo Babies You Should Know [City Cast Salt Lake]
‘What would Mitt Romney do?’: Senators praise outgoing colleague’s character, wit [Deseret News]
Longtime Utah GOP senator, who has bucked his party on key votes, loses a chairmanship and an office [Salt Lake Tribune]
Fake Girlfriend for Friendsgiving [TikTok]
Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re 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 the interview with Jacob Wilson, the general manager of Snider Bro Meats, 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:
Harmons
Embodied Patience
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Dec 9, 2024 • 27min
The Best Flight Deals From Salt Lake City
Holiday travel season is about to put Salt Lake City’s shiny new airport to the test. Going founder Scott Keyes joins host Ali Vallarta to share the best flight deals coming out of Salt Lake and his hacks for a smooth journey.Join the waitlist for the SLC Airport holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5-9 p.m.Related listening: The Future of SLC Airport, From B Gates to Korean Air [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’re 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices