
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

Nov 20, 2024 • 29min
Do Local Democrats Know What Voters Want?
What worked well for local Democrats who pulled off slim victories in red Utah? Natalie Pinkney, incoming at-large Salt Lake County Council member, joins host Ali Vallarta to share lessons from her Democratic campaign and what she thinks voters really want.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.Today's Gift Guide sponsor is Red Butte Gardens. If you enjoyed the interview with Preston Summers, the Gift Shop Supervisor of Red Butte Gardens, check out their Holiday Open Market and Art Fair that is happening on December 7th and 8th!Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 19, 2024 • 35min
Midvale Mayor’s Affair, the AG’s Weird Calendar, Fun Winter Classes
Attorney General Sean Reyes’ calendar was finally released, revealing how he’s spent his time these last five years. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what the documents reveal. Plus Midvale’s mayor affair and an out-of-the-box gift idea. Resources and references:
Utah A.G. Sean Reyes fought to keep his calendar private. Here’s what it shows. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Wife cites ‘substantial evidence’ of former Utah mayor’s alleged affair [Salt Lake Tribune]
Continuing education classes at University 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’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.Today's gift guide sponsor is Snider Bros. Meats. If you enjoyed the interview with Jacob Wilson, Snider Bros. Meats general manager, check out their offerings.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Sugar House Chamber of Commerce
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 2024 • 21min
The Union Wishlist for SLC’s Downtown Sports District
Salt Lake City is on the verge of some enormous construction projects: a downtown sports and entertainment district, a new hospital, and a potential MLB stadium. But why haven’t unions been at the table for these city-negotiated projects? Brandon Dew, president of the Central Utah Federation of Labor, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down how labor organizing could affect local development and benefit the broader community.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: Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2024 • 32min
Local Media Too Woke? UTA’s Downtown Hub Design, Ice Rinks Open
KSL laid off reporters and other staff this week. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what we know so far and what to make of this moment. Plus, Mayor Erin Mendenhall really doesn’t like the Utah Transit Authority’s downtown hub design, Crumbl cereal in stores, and local recs for ice skating rinks. 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
University of Utah
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 2024 • 24min
Is SLC Ready for ‘The Big One’?
Utah’s massive earthquake, aka “the Big One,” could happen any day now, but the legislature dissolved the state’s earthquake preparedness commission earlier this year. Keith Koper, director of the seismological observatory at the University of Utah, joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss how prepared Salt Lake is and what could help mitigate the impacts. 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’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
University of Utah
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 2024 • 30min
What Trump 2.0 Means in Utah
What does another Trump term mean for a still-red Utah? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Policy editor Holly Richardson what to expect locally and statewide, from air quality to immigration and more. 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
University of Utah
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2024 • 28min
Will Utah Get Its Train to Vegas? Shelter Plans Spiked, New Cidery
Temps are dropping while residents just north of Salt Lake push back against a state-mandated warming shelter. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the latest drama in Davis County amid their effort to house unsheltered neighbors. Plus, the likelihood of a weekend train to Vegas, a fantasy-themed tavern, and songs of the SLC Airport.Resources and references:
Fruit Heights church pulls offer to host homeless shelter on cold nights after backlash [KSL.com]
What could another Trump presidency mean for passenger rail in Utah? [OPINION]
SLC Airport River Tunnel playlist
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
University of Utah
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 11, 2024 • 21min
How To Avoid Ski Traffic While We Wait for the Gondola
Ski season has officially begun, and with the trek to the mountains comes the dreaded “red snake” of canyon traffic. Salt Lake Tribune outdoors reporter Julie Jag tells host Ali Vallarta what transportation solutions we can expect and when, from the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola to the ski bus.Sign up for the Cottonwood Canyons sticker program.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
University of Utah
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8, 2024 • 33min
Local Democratic Victories, a Likely Legislative Flip, Pizza Pop-Up
Election results are still rolling in and we’ve got some good news. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss wins in Salt Lake County and where the future of the Democratic party is headed. Plus, a Native-majority school board, a pizza pop up, and legislative surprises. 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 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 Alliance
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2024 • 31min
The Nepo Baby Running Salt Lake County
Election Day is over, and all eyes are now on the political power players who will shape our lives. Today, we’re looking at local “nepo babies” — shorthand for the children of famous or well-connected people who have benefited from nepotism — whose family business is politics. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore the family trees of four Salt Lake-area politicians and the parents or spouses who helped pave their way.This episode originally aired on Nov. 21, 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:
The Shop
Utah Arts Alliance
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices