

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 3, 2025 • 28min
What ICE Can and Can’t Do (Legally) in Utah
Local reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers — A.K.A. ICE — in Salt Lake are causing confusion and fear among community members. Aaron Welcher with the ACLU of Utah tells host Ali Vallarta what you should do if you see or are detained by 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.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

Jan 31, 2025 • 33min
‘State of the City’ Takeaways, Live at Trolley Square? New Shake Shack
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave her State of the City address this week, and she said to expect more policing and a plan for the Ballpark. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give the highlights and their analysis. Plus, living at Trolley Square, your lawmaker’s star sign, and breaking pizza news.Resources and references:
SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall's 2025 State of the City Address
Hundreds of new homes may go up near historic Trolley Square [Salt Lake Tribune]
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.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:
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Jan 30, 2025 • 28min
Your Guide to February 2025 in Salt Lake
February is a month for love, surviving the winter doldrums, and … bull riding? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from coffee shop DJs to unleashing your inner cowboy. Plus, listen to this episode to learn more about skijoring, Utah’s hottest sport.If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.For even more tips on how to make the most of February in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsor, Ebb & Flow movement studio. We’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Salt Lake.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Check out our options.Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.

Jan 29, 2025 • 24min
Will Utah Be the ‘Nation’s Nuclear Hub’?
Senate President Stuart Adams said Utah needs to be “the nation’s nuclear hub.” Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Danielle Endres, director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Utah, what it would mean to have a nuclear power plant in our state.Learn about geothermal energy, another resource Utah is exploring. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.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.

Jan 28, 2025 • 30min
Legislature vs. Labor Unions, Sundance Vibes, New Art on State
Lawmakers have labor unions in their crosshairs this legislative session. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means connect dots up at the Capitol. Plus, the vibes at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, new public art on State Street, and an all-time comedy at the Broadway.Resources and references:
‘No better than working at 7-Eleven’: Unions oppose bill to end collective bargaining for Utah public employees [Salt Lake Tribune]
Sundance 2025 Films Sold So Far [IndieWire]
Sundance Tips and Tricks for Locals [City Cast Salt Lake]
Get tickets to Salt Lake Film Society February comedy screenings.
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.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.

Jan 27, 2025 • 25min
Funding Public School or Home School?
The Republican National Party has a big agenda for schools: closing the Department of Education and sending it back to the states. Meanwhile, the Utah legislature is slowly chipping away at public school funding. Utah State Board of Education member Sarah Reale joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about what’s in store for teachers, students and public education in this year’s legislative session.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jan 24, 2025 • 30min
ICE in SLC? No Name Hockey Club, One-Man Star Wars
President Trump’s deportation policies are hitting Salt Lake, just as residents report immigration enforcement sightings. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss what local officials, like the SLC School District, have said they will and won’t do. Plus, the Utah Hockey Club keeps searching for a name, a neighborhood org gets the documentary treatment, and a $25 Star Wars date night.Resources and references:
Local Solutions to Trump Policies [City Cast Salt Lake]
What to do if ICE is at your home or workplace [ACLU Utah]
Utah Hockey Club facing trademark hurdles in finding permanent name [KSL.com]
The Best Things To Do in Ogden [Hey Salt Lake]
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag.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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $10 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Jan 23, 2025 • 28min
Sundance Tips and Tricks for Locals
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival starts today, and if you don’t have tickets or tons of money to spend, we’ve got you. Former staffers Emily Samore and host Ali Vallarta share insider tips for accessing screenings, spotting celebs, and taking advantage of the fest as a local.Resources and references:
Local Lens
Beyond Film
Films discussed: “Omaha," “The Wedding Banquet,” “The Dating Game," and “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)”
Plus, check out Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria’s 2025 film picks.
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jan 22, 2025 • 28min
How To Stay Active When It’s So Cold Outside
Freezing temps, inversion, and ski pass prices make it hard to get off the couch this winter. But there are lots of ways to move your body and lift your spirits while we wait for spring to arrive. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria share a few ideas for beating the winter blues, from cheap class deals to local social clubs and indoor pickleball.Do the “Whale to Wales” 5K, and check out local runners’ tips for hitting the pavement.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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jan 21, 2025 • 30min
How To Have Better Sex Ed in Utah
Utah’s sex education syllabus was given a D- grade by a national sexual health council. So, what does good sex ed look like? Ocean Candler, a Colorado-based sexual health expert, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about ways to discuss sexual health at home or at school, from porn to pleasure and everything in between. Here are some resources for parents and adults:
Sex Positive Families
Amaze
Planned Parenthood
National Sex Education Standards
The Porn Conversation
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.