

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

May 14, 2025 • 22min
Salt Lake’s Best Hidden Gems
Where are Salt Lake’s hidden gems? Local explorer Darienne Debrule tells host Ali Vallarta about tucked away shops, restaurants and experiences you need to check out.
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:
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off

May 13, 2025 • 36min
Utah’s Take on DOGE, Great Salt Lake Fatigue, Lesbian Smashburgers
Gov. Spencer Cox is taking cues from Elon Musk and rolling out Utah’s version of DOGE. Socio-pop anthropologist Cassie Bingham and executive producer Emily Means break down what government efficiency actually means. Plus, a lesbian burger joint, the Great Salt Lake hits national news (again), and a hot seat on the Salt Lake County council.
Resources and references:
Gov. Cox, ‘so excited’ about DOGE, just announced a similar initiative for Utah [Salt Lake Tribune]
The Great Salt Lake is drying. Has Utah lost the will to save it? [Salt Lake Tribune and New York Times]
Corporations Have Rights. Should the Great 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:
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

May 12, 2025 • 23min
How Can SLC Make More Neighborhoods Like Central 9th?
The Central Ninth neighborhood is popping off while downtown SLC fights off chains. Host Ali Vallarta asks Darin Mano, the chair of Salt Lake’s Community Reinvestment Agency, what the city is doing about it.
We reference the episode “How to Keep Main Street Bars From Closing.”
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:
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off

May 9, 2025 • 40min
Is SLC Mayor Trolling the Legislature? More $$ for Police, Sauna Lake City
It was a big week for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, from making national headlines over new pride flags to releasing her proposed $512 million budget. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the highlights and lowlights. Plus, touring the Walker Center, a great sauna place, and tusks up for the Utah Mammoth.
Resources and references:
Book a tour for the Walker Center.
Check out the SLC Mayor’s budget breakdown. [Hey Salt Lake]
Download PDFs of SLC's new flag designs.
Buy Project Rainbow’s “Not A Flag” merch.
Attend Sweet Street’s 9-Line bike ride.
Try the PLUNJ bathhouse.
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
Red Butte Garden
Asher Adams
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

May 8, 2025 • 24min
Salt Lake Patios for This Gorgeous Weather
It’s patio season! Deck enthusiast Diana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to count down the best bars, restaurants, and cafes for working remotely in the sun, happy hour, or a long brunch.
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
Red Butte Garden
Asher Adams

May 7, 2025 • 30min
SLC Flag Loophole, Where To Get Fluoride, Baby Bison
Utah’s flag and fluoride bans go into effect today, but host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore some sneaky workarounds. Plus, where to see baby bison, a local savant, and Benson Boone in SLC.
Resources and references:
As Utah’s fluoride ban begins, health officials urge Utahns to protect their teeth [Utah News Dispatch]
Here are 5 ways Utahns can get fluoride after tap water ban takes effect [Salt Lake Tribune]
Baby bison at Antelope Island [KUTV 2]
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
Red Butte Garden
Asher Adams

May 6, 2025 • 28min
Need Medicaid? Utah Wants You To Apply for 48 Jobs.
Utah's Medicaid program has been fully expanded for five years, with no work requirements since COVID hit. But now the state's Dept. of Health and Human Services wants to add them. Host Ali Vallarta asks Stephanie Burdick, a consumer representative on Utah's Medicaid advisory committee, what's on the table and how it could impact all of us.
Resources and references:
Dental care resources for Medicaid patients
ProtectMedicaidUtah.org
The next public hearing for Medicaid expansion work requirements is Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 4-6 pm.
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
Red Butte Garden
Asher Adams
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.

May 5, 2025 • 17min
Disaster Prepping Tips From a Pro
Did you blink and miss the 3.9-magnitude earthquake last week? It’s a gentle reminder to get ready for "the big one” scientists expect to hit Salt Lake one of these days. Host Ali Vallarta chatted with Taylorsville prepper Emily Cottam about her tips for putting together a 72-hour kit and preparing for hard times.
This episode first aired March 27, 2023.
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake City Government
Red Butte Garden
Asher Adams

May 2, 2025 • 42min
Horse Gambling in Utah? Crumbl Gets Sued, Hockey Club Leak
The Kentucky Derby is this weekend, and our money is on Journalism! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore Utah’s horseracing scene and why, according to Utah’s Supreme Court, horses are an exemption to gambling. Plus, SLC enforces a ban on astroturf, the leaked Hockey Club name, local May Day, and Crumbl v. Warner Music Group.
Resources and references:
Utah Gov. Cox issues drought executive order, urges Utahns to conserve water [Utah News Dispatch]
Weekly lawn watering guide
The May Day party at Jordan Park
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:
Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety
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.

May 1, 2025 • 34min
Your Guide to May 2025 in Salt Lake
It's May in Salt Lake, when the sunshine — or lack thereof — can make or break your patio experience. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, 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 cheap margaritas to a mobile book shop to a killer zipline deal. Plus, if you take advantage of the plant sales this month, don’t miss our episode on gardening advice for plant killers and renters.
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.
For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.
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.
City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsors, the Salt Lake City Arts Council, Aura Frames, and Salt Lake Sewciety. 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.


