
City Cast Salt Lake
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.
Latest episodes

May 17, 2024 • 34min
GOP Bathroom Wars, Rating SLC's Quality of Life, and Drive-in Movies
Utah Auditor John Dougall is picking a fight with the legislature after they made him the state’s new bathroom monitor. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the political implications and bathroom design ideas stemming from this ongoing showdown. Plus, Salt Lakers give their quality of life a C-minus, free bike workshops, and a cheap date idea.Resources and references:
State Auditor John Dougall’s bathroom video
Why Are We So Obsessed With Bathrooms [City Cast Salt Lake]
Glendale Library drop-in bike workshop
Redwood Drive-in
Consider becoming a founding 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 find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC.Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 2024 • 21min
Can a MILF Save Utah’s Reputation?
Salt Lake can claim another reality TV star now that season two of TLC’s “MILF Manor” has dropped. Businesswoman and certified hot mom Barby Garcia talks to host Ali Vallarta about busting Utah stereotypes and where she absolutely would not take her costars in SLC.Resources and references:
Bethenny Frankel’s reality TV union is easier said than done [Vox]
Utahns’ Quiet Obsession With Med Spas [City Cast Salt Lake]
Consider becoming a founding 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 2024 • 27min
Who Gets To Exist in SLC Parks?
The U.S Supreme Court is poised to make a big decision around cities’ policing of homelessness in public spaces. University of Utah parks and recreation professor Jeff Rose joins host Ali Vallarta to break down how this court case could impact access to Salt Lake’s parks and have a chilling effect on our First Amendment rights. Resources and references:
Salt Lake City Homeless Services Dashboard
How Salt Lake Criminalizes Homelessness? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Raising Sales Tax, Juicy Texts, and More Sanctioned Camping? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Consider becoming a founding 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 14, 2024 • 34min
Utah’s Big Debt, DEI Office Chaos, and Neighborhood Free Stuff
The University of Utah will shutter its Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to comply with a new state law. Producer Ivana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what’s at stake for employees. Plus, Utah families are $2.8 million in debt for school lunches. And, we shout out some bagel news in Holladay and a neighborhood resource for free stuff. Resources and references:
University of Utah EDI Director Breaks Culture of Silence To Advocate For Students [SLUG Magazine]
Utah families plagued by $2.8 million in school meal debt, data shows [FOX 13]
SLC Community Fridges
Utah Food Bank volunteer needs
Consider becoming a founding 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 find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @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:
Embodied Patience
Living Traditions
Ogden Music Festival
ICO Fort Union
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 2024 • 33min
Raising Sales Tax, Juicy Texts, and More Sanctioned Camping?
The Salt Lake City Council is weighing everything from raising sales tax to razing city blocks; Big, controversial decisions that could change the look and feel of our city for decades. Council Chair Victoria Petro tells host Ali Vallarta how she’s making choices on our behalf with “cautious skepticism” — from the mayor’s $475 million budget proposal to the future of downtown.Resources and references:
How to participate in the May 21 Capital City Revitalization Zone hearing.
Weigh in on the SLC budget via online comment, by calling 801-535-7654, or attending a public hearing on May 21 or June 4 at 7 p.m.
Consider becoming a founding 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:
Embodied Patience
Living Traditions
Ogden Music Festival
ICO Fort Union
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 11, 2024 • 2min
From City Cast Denver: Introducing ‘Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose’
Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out:You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled President Biden during his State of the Union address. Throughout it all, she keeps winning elections and amassing followers, so it’s hard not to watch her meteoric rise and wonder: What does it mean for the future of American Politics?Host Bree Davies and Executive Producer Paul Karolyi have been covering Boebert’s wildest moments on City Cast Denver for years. And with only a month until her make-or-break primary on June 25, they’re talking to former friends and rivals, supporters and detractors, real people throughout Colorado who have been affected by her work in Congress, and hopefully Lauren herself. It’s a new limited series from City Cast, because no matter how you feel about her, you have to admit, it feels like Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose.Subscribe to Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose wherever you get your podcasts. Our first episode drops on May 15. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 2024 • 40min
SLC’s $475 Million Budget, Wrecking 300 S., and a Dream Job
SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a $475 million budget to the city council this week. So how will the city use our tax dollars this year? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the most interesting projects and themes — from the meaning of a “family-friendly” downtown to Sports Lake City. Plus, the wrecking ball is coming for 300 S., the NHL team survey is live, and Ali’s dream job just posted — you should apply!Resources and references:
Review the mayor’s proposed $475 million budget.
Weigh in on the SLC budget via online comment, by calling 801-535-7654, or attending a public hearing on May 21 or June 4 at 7 p.m.
The 60% rug sale!
Take the NHL team name survey.
Apply to be the Gallivan Center Director before May 15.
Consider becoming a founding 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 find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @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 Community College
Epic Brewing
Living Traditions
Ogden Music Festival
Harmons Grocery
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 9, 2024 • 23min
Mythbusting Utah’s “No Bears” Claim
Spring has arrived in Salt Lake City, so it’s time to say “good morning” to our black bear neighbors. Oh, you didn’t know we have bears in Utah? Join the cub. Wes and Jeff Larson of the Tooth and Claw Podcast join host Ali Vallarta to share their tips for handling an encounter with a black bear and their personal stories about their research run-ins.This episode originally aired May 2, 2023.Resources and references:
Tips for Taking On a Mountain Lion (if You Have To) [City Cast Salt Lake]Consider becoming a founding 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:
Salt Lake Community College
Epic Brewing
Living Traditions
Ogden Music Festival
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 8, 2024 • 28min
Is Sundance OK?
News of the Sundance Film Festival taking bids to leave Utah caused a stir –– but has the writing been on the wall for years? Host and former Sundance staffer Ali Vallarta talks producer Ivana Martinez through the institution’s existential threats and opportunities. And, whether Salt Lake City could convince the festival to stick around.Consider becoming a founding 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:
Salt Lake Community College
Epic Brewing
Living Traditions
Ogden Music Festival
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2024 • 36min
Ryan Smith v. Abravanel Hall, an Iconic Salt Laker, and Karaoke Recs
Smith Entertainment Group is asking SLC taxpayers for $54 million a year, three city blocks, a heliport, and so much more at tonight’s Salt Lake City Council meeting. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what we already know about the sports and entertainment district proposal. Plus, Ali mourns the potential loss of an iconic Salt Laker and Andy finds two new favorite karaoke bars. Resources and references:
Ryan Smith wants control of 3 city blocks — and a whole lot of public money — for his proposed SLC entertainment district [Salt Lake Tribune]
Petition to Save Abravanel Hall
Jordan Clarkson, unsure if he’ll be with the Jazz next season, considers his Utah legacy [Salt Lake Tribune]
Consider becoming a founding 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 find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @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 Community College
Epic Brewing
Ogden Music Festival
Living Traditions
Harmons Grocery
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices