

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

Apr 25, 2025 • 37min
Utah Nonprofits Play Defense, 20+ Years for Running Water, SLC Marathon Closures
Utah's environmental organizations were in a frenzy this week due to President Trump’s rumor mill. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the administration's latest impacts on local nonprofits. Plus, a Navajo Nation community in Utah finally gets running water, The Beach Boys' Salt Lake ties, and a Met Gala fundraiser for teachers. Resources and references:
Planned Parenthood of Utah announces clinic closures [Instagram]
A Navajo Nation community has running water after waiting nearly 25 years [Colorado Sun Times]
IncludED United gala tickets
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling sheets,
towels, pajamas, and more.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Apr 24, 2025 • 22min
How You Can Make Salt Lake's Sidewalks Better
A new opportunity to audit your sidewalk could lead to better walking experiences across the Salt Lake valley. HEAL Utah policy analyst Katie Balakir tells host Ali Vallarta what makes a great sidewalk and how to participate in this grassroots data project.Start with HEAL Utah’s walk audit toolkit.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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Apr 23, 2025 • 24min
Where Hot Girls Shop in SLC
Time to bury your puffy coat and refresh the wardrobe. Host Ali Vallarta and her friend Kate Groetzinger riff on the best places in Salt Lake to find a new fit, considering price, quality, and style.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:
Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons

Apr 22, 2025 • 34min
Millcreek Deportation Orders, Another Teacher Union Win, TIME100 Influential Utahn
Utah's school voucher program — a core tenant of Republicans' education strategy — has been ruled unconstitutional. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the case and what happens next. Plus, Millcreek's mayor pushes back (again) on the Trump administration's deportation agenda, recognition for an influential local researcher, and good neighbors in Kanab.Resources and references:
Judge rules 'Utah Fits All' voucher program is unconstitutional [FOX 13]
‘That’s not American’: Millcreek mayor stands up for local Venezuelan family he says feds told to leave U.S. [Salt Lake Tribune]
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling sheets,
towels, pajamas, and more.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Apr 21, 2025 • 24min
How To Feed Every Utahn
Beginning in July, about 40,000 Utah kids will be eligible for free lunch — good news in a state where one in eight of us experience food insecurity. But there's still more work to do. Host Ali Vallarta asks Gina Cornia, executive director of Utahns Against Hunger, what it would take to eradicate hunger in Utah.Learn more about one Republican legislator's plan to feed students. 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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Apr 18, 2025 • 31min
320K Signatures vs. #1 Economy, 'Minecraft' Chicken Jockey, Bar Egg Hunt
Utah has boasted the number one economic outlook in the nation for 18 years, but according to who? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the data and compare it to support for Utah's labor movement. Plus, chickens in theaters, two new neighborhood murals, and ideas for Easter weekend. Resources and references:
For 18th year, Utah ranks No. 1 for best economic outlook. What could threaten its top spot? [Utah News Dispatch]
Adults required at ‘Minecraft’ movie after ‘chicken jockey’ trend hits Heber [KPCW]
Apply for SLC's Ballpark mural program through May 15, 2025.
Central 9th Beaster Egg Hunt
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:
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Apr 17, 2025 • 22min
Can SLC Ride Out the Next Massive Earthquake?
It’s the Utah ShakeOut, which means you might have a friend or a kid in an earthquake drill right now. Host Ali Vallarta asks Keith Koper, director of the seismological observatory at the University of Utah, how prepared Salt Lake is for "The Big One."This episode first aired Nov. 14, 2024. Resource and references:
Apply to Salt Lake City’s Fix the Bricks program.
How to Prepare for “The Big One” [Hey 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.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
Momentum Climbing
Harmons

Apr 16, 2025 • 25min
A Big Idea for Salt Lake’s Nightlife
With two bars closing on Main Street, how can Salt Lake City upgrade its nightlife? Lutz Leichsenring of VibeLab makes the case to host Ali Vallarta for a "night advocate" and explains the science behind creating a vibrant city after dark.Related listening: How To Keep Main Street Bars From ClosingBecome 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:
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons

Apr 15, 2025 • 42min
Why Four SLC Restaurants Closed, Gaga for COSMICA, New Union Hub
Four Salt Lake restaurants shut their doors this past week, which has us asking: What went wrong? Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria and host Ali Vallarta talk about the closures and new places they’re hyped about. Plus, a wishlist for SLC’s lesbian bar, the launch of a Utah workers’ hub, and a must-see bathroom. Resources and references:
Find out what $50 gets you at the Winter Farmers Market.
Check out the Utah Workers Center.
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.If you enjoyed the interview with Bryan Terzi, the CMO of AutoCamp, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling sheets,
towels, pajamas, and more.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Apr 14, 2025 • 18min
Hate Paying Taxes? Let’s Get Hyped.
Hate filing your taxes? Jenna Williams, tax and budget policy analyst at Voices For Utah Children, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what your taxes actually pay for and why you should be hyped. 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:
ICO
Momentum Climbing
Harmons


