

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

Jan 17, 2025 • 35min
More Policing in SLC, Lock the Clock, Crumbl Deodorant
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled a 50-page public safety plan responding to the state’s threat of intervention. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means breakdown the highlights and their big takeaways. Plus, Crumbl deodorant, a clean slate opportunity, and National Popcorn Day. Resources and references:
Read the mayor’s public safety plan and catch up on the letter that prompted it.
Will Utahns stop changing their clocks twice a year? Legislature may explore the idea this session [Utah News Dispatch]
Pre-register for Expungement Day at the Delta Center, Wednesday, Jan. 22, doors at 2 p.m.
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
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Jan 16, 2025 • 28min
Birthday Freebies in Salt Lake
It’s host Ali Vallarta’s birthday! In the spirit of celebrating, executive producer Emily Means and Ali assembled a guide to the free stuff you can get around town on your birthday. Plus, creative ideas for affordable celebrations at all ages and stages.Enjoy Ali’s friend Renee’s spreadsheet of Salt Lake Birthday Freebies.This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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

Jan 15, 2025 • 22min
How Hunters and Hikers Can Coexist in the Avenues
The Upper Avenues are well-known for their expensive views, but did you know they’re also hunting grounds? Perry Hall, chair of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Utah Chapter, joins host Ali Vallarta to tell us how hunters, hikers, and dogs can safely coexist in our city’s backyard.This episode originally aired on Jan. 3, 2024.Learn more about the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ hunting mentorship program and about the BHA’s Hunting for Sustainability course.This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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

Jan 14, 2025 • 30min
Public Lands Lawsuit Rejected, 2034 Olympics at Risk, Pet Adoptions
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Utah’s public lands lawsuit. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means make sense of the surprising decision and what’s next for the state’s fight against the feds. Plus, Salt Lake’s 2034 Olympics could be at risk, a pet volunteer opportunity, and goodbye to the state’s superintendent.Resources and references:
SCOTUS won’t hear Utah’s public lands lawsuit [Salt Lake Tribune]
U.S. funding dispute with world anti-doping agency boils over; Salt Lake Olympics at risk [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah superintendent Sydnee Dickson to step down in June [Deseret News]
This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Jan 13, 2025 • 26min
Utah Wants Geothermal Energy. What the Heck Is It?
Utah lawmakers have continued to prop up coal in our state, but now Gov. Spencer Cox is eyeing another energy option: geothermal. So … what the heck is it? And can it cause earthquakes?? Dr. Joseph Moore, principal researcher at Utah FORGE, joins host Ali Vallarta to demystify this renewable resource.Resources and references:
What's in Cox's $30.6B Budget? MLB District Deadline Nears, Holiday Transit Plans [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: ICO

Jan 10, 2025 • 35min
Skiers Sue Vail, Immigration Crackdown, New SLC Trash Day
The Park City ski patrol strike is finally over, so what’s in their contract? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss the union’s wins and Vail’s losses. Plus, a slew of immigration bills just dropped, hut-to-hut hiking, and an important public notice. Resources and references:
Skiers file class action lawsuit against Vail Resorts over Park City strike [KPCW]
New SLC garbage collection schedule starts Feb. 3, 2025
The Western Uinta Hut System
This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Central Wasatch Symposium
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Elizabeth Academy
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Jan 9, 2025 • 21min
You’ve Heard of Utah Militias. What Other Extremist Groups Are Here?
We may think of extremism as a national issue (think Jan. 6 insurrection), but new reporting from ProPublica shows how right-wing militias are operating in Utah. Chase Thomas, senior policy advisor at Better Utah Institute, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about a new tool that tracks these groups and the next steps for addressing it.Resources and references:
The Militia and the Mole [ProPublica]
Extremism Watch Utah [Better Utah Institute]
This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Central Wasatch Symposium
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Elizabeth Academy

Jan 8, 2025 • 36min
What To Expect Around Homelessness in 2025
Homelessness is at a record high across the country, and Utah leaders have eyes on how Salt Lake City is handling the issue. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, discuss local headlines and set expectations for homeless-related bills this upcoming legislation session.Resources and references:
After prolonged delays, long-promised SLC tiny-home village for homeless Utahns finally gets its first residents [Salt Lake Tribune]
State leaders slam SLC police in letter to Mendenhall, ask city to submit plan to ‘restore public safety’ [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah lawmaker proposes 'Homeless Bill of Rights' [FOX 13]
Operation Jordan River? Sounds Familiar. [City Cast Salt Lake]
This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Central Wasatch Symposium
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Elizabeth Academy

Jan 7, 2025 • 20min
The Best Coffee in Salt Lake City
Where’s the best coffee in Salt Lake City? Rose Park resident Andy Moray visited every coffee shop in town last year — more than 70 of them. Today, he joins host Ali Vallarta to share his favorites and lessons learned from his quest. Check out Andy’s spreadsheet to discover new coffee shops.This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Central Wasatch Symposium
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Elizabeth Academy
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Jan 6, 2025 • 30min
How Utah Lawmakers Could Change Your Life in 2025
Senators and representatives from around Utah will convene at the Capitol from Jan. 21 to March 7 for the annual legislative session. What new laws or programs will come of it? Fox 13 politics reporter Ben Winslow sets expectations for host Ali Vallarta about everything from the Great Salt Lake to revenge on Sugar House Pub and the Utah Supreme Court.This year we’re giving $1,500 worth of gift cards to one lucky winner for the chance to enjoy some of the best SLC eats in every month of 2025. Follow the steps on this Instagram post to enter to win a year’s worth of City Cast Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.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
Central Wasatch Symposium
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Elizabeth Academy