

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 6 months or 6 generations. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at saltlake.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 23, 2025 • 32min
‘Fake’ Pizza Allegation, Redistricting Rodeo, Downtown Construction Timeline
The process of drawing Utah’s new congressional maps has begun! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means jump into the timeline. Plus, the alleged “fake” Pie pizza, a construction date for downtown SLC’s new sports and entertainment district, and a health case for tattoos.
Resources and references:
Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Here’s the timeline for the massive overhaul of Abravanel Hall, UMOCA and the Salt Palace [Salt Lake Tribune]
Study Finds Melanoma Less Common in Individuals with Several Tattoos [Huntsman Cancer Institute]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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more
Spencer's Steaks and Chops

Sep 22, 2025 • 26min
Have an Idea for Your Neighborhood? SLC Has $$ for That.
Got an idea for making your neighborhood better? Salt Lake City has money for that! Host Ali Vallarta asks KRCL DJ and Glendale Neighborhood Council member Ebay Hamilton for tips on pitching a project to the city.
Resources and references:
SLC Capital Improvement Program grants
SLC Arts Council Project Support Grants
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte
Stewardship Utah
Walker Center

Sep 19, 2025 • 40min
UVU After Charlie Kirk, SLC Liquor Crackdown, Baby Flamingos
Utah Valley University reopened this week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means ask UVU staffer and City Cast contributor Cassie Bingham about the return to campus. Plus, Salt Lake City considers middle-of-the-night prohibition and local picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
After Kirk’s Death, Students Return to Campus and Learn ‘How To Be Adults’ [New York Times]
Salt Lake City to consider new ordinance cracking down on after-hours booze [KSL]
The Gala artists’ space
Baby flamingos at the Aviary
Star Party at Snowpine Lodge
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Visit Walla Walla
Salt Lake City Corp
Red Butte
ICO
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Sep 18, 2025 • 20min
Utah & Robert Redford: A Love Story
Beloved Utahn and Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford died Tuesday at his home in Provo Canyon. Host Ali Vallarta and Salt Lake Tribune deputy enterprise editor Sean P. Means discuss Redford's local legacy and share their favorite stories of the last great movie star.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Visit Walla Walla
Salt Lake City Corp
Red Butte
ICO

Sep 17, 2025 • 25min
Best Local Hikes for Early Fall Foliage
If it feels like fall came early this year, that’s because it did! Cooler nights are making leaves blush on the Wasatch Front, and the race is on to peep fall colors. Ashley Brown, author of Urban Trails: Salt Lake City, tells host Ali Vallarta where to catch brilliant foliage on an easy walk or more challenging hike, whether you’re bringing your dog, the kids, or just need a scenic lunch-break lap.
This episode first aired Sept. 26, 2024.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
MOMU
Visit Walla Walla
Salt Lake City Corp
Red Butte
ICO

Sep 16, 2025 • 42min
Cox's 'Praying It Wouldn't Be One of Us' Speech, Parking Drama, Library Cafe
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s speech following the assassination of Charlie Kirk has captured the nation’s attention and has us raising our eyebrows. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give their analysis and the latest update on the case. Plus, parking drama in Big Cottonwood Canyon and joyful shoutouts.
Resources and references:
Brighton planning meeting agenda and link
Trump Has a Warning for Spencer Cox [The Atlantic]
Less Than Half the Water for a Whole Peach [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 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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Visit Walla Walla
Salt Lake City Corp
Red Butte
ICO
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more

Sep 15, 2025 • 28min
Gotta Pee in SLC? More Public Bathrooms Are Coming.
Are more public bathrooms on the horizon in Salt Lake City? Host Ali Vallarta asks Tyler Murdock, deputy director of Salt Lake City Public Lands, when it will get easier to find clean, unlocked bathrooms city-wide.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Visit Walla Walla
Salt Lake City Corp
Red Butte
ICO
Salt Lake City Co Arts

Sep 12, 2025 • 40min
How Utah Feels After Charlie Kirk, COVID Vaccines, Mormon Bachelorette
How's Salt Lake feeling after the Charlie Kirk assassination? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen talk about the aftermath. Plus, COVID vaccines and picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
Charlie Kirk Killed in Utah. Where Do We Go From Here? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Charlie Kirk shooting: Is our nation ‘broken’? Political violence is on the rise. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Over 2,000 Utahns potentially exposed to measles at high school event [Fox 13]
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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
Salt Lake City Co
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Gov
Avenue Street Fair
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Sep 11, 2025 • 25min
Charlie Kirk Killed in Utah. Where Do We Go From Here?
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast CEO David Plotz analyze what the assassination means for Utah and national politics.
Resources and references:
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah university [Associated Press]
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Sep 10, 2025 • 30min
How to Actually Make Utah Better for Women
Utah is 2025’s worst state for women’s equality. Host Ali Vallarta asks founding director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project Dr. Susan Madsen for practical solutions employers and lawmakers could implement tomorrow if we want to boost our score.
Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality (2025) [WalletHub]
Susan R. Madsen: Helping those at a disadvantage doesn’t cost anything [Salt Lake Tribune]
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Gov
Avenue Street Fair