

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

Oct 18, 2024 • 27min
I-15 Officially Expanding, Election Security Qs, and Award-Winning Toilets
It’s official: I-15 from Farmington to SLC is getting bigger. Executive producer Emily Means and KUER assistant news director Caroline Ballard break down the plan and its impacts to residents. Plus, ballots hit mailboxes this week, election pub trivia, and an outstanding restroom experience in SLC.Resources and references:
Check out voter information breakdown and election coverage
Audit finds errors with nomination signatures but candidates still qualify [KUER]
KUER Connects: 2024 Ballot Trivia Night
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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Embodied Patience
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Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!)

Oct 17, 2024 • 42min
The Local Stories About To Be National
Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Salt Lake's own Ali Vallarta along with hosts from our daily local shows in Austin, Boise, Chicago, D.C., and Pittsburgh.City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member community is the best way to support what we do. Get all the details and sign up here.Looking to advertise on City Cast? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!)

Oct 16, 2024 • 36min
The Biggest ‘Huh?’ Moments From Our Candidate Interviews
Salt Lake voters have a stacked ballot this year, but two races representing 1.2 million people have our attention. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down our interviews with the Salt Lake County mayoral candidates and at-large council contenders, and share the moments that made us go, “huh?”Find all of our candidate interviews — with transcripts! — on our elections page. 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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!)

Oct 15, 2024 • 24min
SLC’s Jordan River Problem and How We Got Here
The section of the Jordan River Trail in Salt Lake City is more of a liability than an asset these days, especially for Westside residents. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Jose Davila IV tells host Ali Vallarta how we got here and what solutions are on the table. This is the first installment in a three-part series on the Jordan River, a partnership between City Cast Salt Lake and the Salt Lake Tribune.Read the first story in Jose’s reporting series.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 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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210)

Oct 11, 2024 • 30min
30-Acre Homeless Campus, ‘A’ Votes Don’t Count, Blanket Company Wars?
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. Another thing on your ballot is void! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down Amendment A’s journey to the trash. Plus, a 1,200-bed homeless campus, new roundabout at the capitol, and potential “blanket war.” Resources and references:
Amendment A voided by court so votes on it won't count [Fox 13]
Utah bucks homeless resource center model, will build a new centralized shelter [Salt Lake Tribune]
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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Oct 10, 2024 • 22min
On Your Ballot: Natalie Pinkney’s Bid for SLCo Council
The race is on for an open seat on the Salt Lake County Council! Host Ali Vallarta asks Democratic candidate Natalie Pinkney about her plans for homelessness, affordable housing, and criminal justice. Listen to our interview with Natalie’s opponent, Republican candidate Rachelle Morris.Scroll down to read the transcript of our interview with Natalie Pinkney.Learn more about Salt Lake County’s new homelessness plan.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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th

Oct 9, 2024 • 36min
On Your Ballot: Rachelle Morris' Bid for SLCo Council
The race is on for an open, at-large seat on the Salt Lake County Council! Host Ali Vallarta asks Republican candidate Rachelle Morris how she would approach this big role in homelessness, affordable housing, and criminal justice. Tomorrow, you’ll hear from her opponent, Democratic candidate Natalie Pinkney.Scroll down to read the transcript of our interview with Rachelle Morris.Learn more about Salt Lake County’s new homelessness plan.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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th

Oct 8, 2024 • 27min
Films You Didn’t Know Were Shot in Salt Lake
Salt Lake City businesses, houses, and landmarks are all over some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Utah Film Commission director Virginia Pearce helps host Ali Vallarta plan an impressive tour de famous scenes, from “Midsommar” to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and a shortlist of essential watches for any SLC resident.Resources and references:
Utah Film Locations Map
Get To Know Salt Lake's Scary Movie Locations [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 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.If you enjoyed the sponsored interview with Jordan Menzel, the founder and general manager of Maple Grove, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Oct 7, 2024 • 19min
Why SLC Can’t Stop Airbnbs
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute is preparing an updated report on the state of short term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) in Utah. In particular, where they are washing out housing opportunities for locals. Senior research fellow Dejan Eskic tells host Ali Vallarta how to make sense of this data, and whether you’ll be able to list your house when SLC hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics.Resources and references:“We Need Designers to Fight Utah’s Housing Crisis” at Fisher Brewing, Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. 21+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:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Vote.utah.gov
Nightmare on 13th

Oct 4, 2024 • 40min
Sales Tax Going Up, Ballot Amendment Breakdown, State Street Hospital
The Salt Lake City Council has ok’d a 0.5% sales tax increase and given Intermountain Healthcare the go-ahead to build a new hospital on State Street. Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke and host Ali Vallarta break down this week’s biggest Salt Lake news, simplify the four tricky amendments on your ballot, and share picks of the week.Resources and references:
SLC clears the way for a new hospital, taller buildings at the old Sears site — with strings attached [Salt Lake Tribune]
What Constitutional Amendment D Actually Does [City Cast Salt Lake]
Béisbol en Salt Lake
Malialole
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.If you enjoyed the sponsored interview with Jordan Menzel, the founder and general manager of Maple Grove, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.