

City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 18, 2025 • 21min
How To Tip in Salt Lake These Days
The cost of living has gone up, and boy, have our wallets felt it. But in a world where tipping is a standard practice, how much should we be adding to the tab? Alexi Fisher, owner of the Hammered Copper bar service and Cocktail Collective, joins host Ali Vallarta to guide us through the do’s and don’ts of tipping and explain what it would take to get rid of it completely. 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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Inn at 500
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Salt Lake Sewciety

Feb 14, 2025 • 37min
State Police Takeover? X Games in SLC, Crazy Rents in Sugar House
Big cop news in Salt Lake City this week: Police Chief Mike Brown is stepping down, and the Legislature wants to send in state police to tackle crime and homelessness. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means connect the dots and question why the state is so obsessed with the city. Plus, the X-Games are coming to town, viral FrontRunner video, and luxury rents in Sugar House.Resources and references:
Bill would force SLC to partner with state to police camping, drugs — or else risk losing funds [Utah News Dispatch]
Utah landlords took part in rent-setting scheme the DOJ says was illegal [Building Salt Lake]
New video shows FrontRunner hit SUV stopped on tracks in Layton [KSL.com]
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
Harmons
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Feb 13, 2025 • 27min
Your Small Lake City Dating Stories
If you’ve ever been single in this town, you’ve likely had some memorable Small Lake City dating experiences. So, this Valentine’s Day we honor our Salt Lake neighbors who have put themselves out there by accidentally dating their friend’s therapist or a literal clown. Doug Fabrizio, host of KUER’s RadioWest, joins host Ali Vallarta for a dramatic reading of your best dating stories.Want even more awkward dating stories? Listen to this episode from Valentine’s Day 2023.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:
ICO
Harmons

Feb 12, 2025 • 22min
SLC Restaurants Arriving in 2025
It’s another year of good eating in Salt Lake City, and our food scene is only getting bigger and better, baby! Stuart Melling of Gastronomic SLC joins host Ali Vallarta to dish about hot new restaurants and food trends we should expect.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:
ICO
Harmons

Feb 11, 2025 • 22min
The $30M SLC Schools Lost to Developers
Salt Lakers have been side-eyeing the Salt Lake School Board after closing four local elementary schools, and then asking for $730 million on our November ballots. But is there more to the story? SLC school board member Ashley Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why some education funding is being redirected for development projects. 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:
ICO
Harmons
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Feb 10, 2025 • 20min
Utah’s Big Anti-Union Bill, Explained
Despite opposition from, well, just about everyone, Utah lawmakers passed a bill that bans collective bargaining for public sector labor unions. Salt Lake City Fire Dept. union president Zach Jeppson tells host Ali Vallarta about its impacts and why he thinks the Legislature dug their heels in.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:
ICO
Harmons

Feb 7, 2025 • 33min
Millcreek Mayor Takes On ICE, Sugar House Pub’s Fate, One Good Bill
A local ICE interaction is under scrutiny, and now local politicians are addressing the elephant in the room. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down highlights from Mayor Jenny Wilson’s State of the County address. Plus, Sugar House Pub’s tentative comeback, a business opportunity, and a good bill. Resources and references:
Read Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s State of the County.
Utah’s liquor commission decides the future of SugarHouse Pub [Salt Lake Tribune]
Buy the By the Bucket sign for a cool $1,000.
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:
The Shop
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Feb 6, 2025 • 22min
Where To Run in SLC
So, you’re thinking about signing up for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Or maybe just the half marathon. OK, maybe the 5K is all you’ve got in you. No problem! Seasoned runners Shireen Ghorbani and Bryant Heath join host and newbie runner Ali Vallarta to share great local routes, plus some tips and tricks for hitting the pavement.This episode originally aired Feb. 15, 2024. Sign up for the 2025 Salt Lake City Marathon.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: The Shop

Feb 5, 2025 • 21min
Next Steps for Saving the Great Salt Lake
The only way to save the Great Salt Lake is by growing less alfalfa, according to a new report. But how helpful is that message in bringing farmers to the table? Stewardship Utah Great Salt Lake policy associate Chandler Rosenberg makes the case to host Ali Vallarta for why we should cool it on villainizing our most water-intensive crop.Resources and references:
Opinion: Supporting the lake and the land [Desert News]
Reducing alfalfa production essential to saving the Great Salt Lake, study finds [Utah News Dispatch]
RSVP for the Living Soils Summit
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:The Shop

Feb 4, 2025 • 34min
Deportation Claims & Housing, Counting Unhoused Utahns, Competitive Puzzling
Housing affordability is the talk of the town, but home prices could get more expensive if deportation efforts grow. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss how state leaders' goals could be hindered by their own actions. Plus, warm temps in the valley, Point-In-Time Count takeaways, and a competitive game night. Resources and references:
Will deportations affect the housing supply in Utah? [Deseret News]
What To Expect Around Homelessness in 2025 [City Cast Salt Lake]
Virtual Naloxone training on Feb. 5, 2025
Why Good Neighbors Carry Naloxone [City Cast Salt Lake]
Puzzle Buzz competitions at 2 Row Brewing and Beer Bar
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:
Live Crude - Get $10 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
The Shop