

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

Sep 20, 2024 • 33min
Redwood Drive-In’s Fate, Armed Guards in Schools, Get $$ for Vaccinations
The Redwood Drive-In Theater & Swap Meet’s fate has been decided. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means analyze what went right and what went wrong in the process. Plus, armed guards in public schools, $$ for vaccinations, and Salt Lake County mayoral candidates on the record. Resources and references:
What’s on the Table With SLC’s Downtown Sports District? [Hey Salt Lake]
West Valley City Council votes on controversial rezoning of Redwood Drive-In Theatre & Swap Meet [Fox 13]
Utah says armed school guardians will need to pass a mental health screening [KUER]
Thriving in Place [Salt Lake City Government)
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:
ICO
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Hip & Humble
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Sep 19, 2024 • 34min
Why Erin Rider Wants To Be County Mayor
The Salt Lake County mayor represents a third of Utah’s population, and the race is on your ballot this fall! Host Ali Vallarta talked to Republican candidate Erin Rider about the $507 million public safety bond, homelessness, and public transit.Listen to our conversation with Democratic candidate and incumbent Salt Lake County mayor Jenny Wilson.Learn more about Salt Lake County’s new homelessness plan.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:
ICO
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Hip & Humble

Sep 18, 2024 • 39min
Why Jenny Wilson Wants To Be County Mayor
The race is on for Salt Lake County mayor! Even though they represent a third of Utah’s population, we’d bet you don’t think about how the job impacts your life. Host Ali Vallarta talked to Democratic candidate and incumbent mayor Jenny Wilson about her approach to homelessness, affordable housing, and Abravanel Hall. Tomorrow, you’ll hear from her opponent, Republican candidate Erin Rider.Learn more about Salt Lake County’s new homelessness plan.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:
ICO
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Hip & Humble

Sep 17, 2024 • 35min
2020 Murals Demolition, Kum & Go Rule Change, Sunnyside Ballpark
The Salt Lake City Council will hear some big proposals this week, from new gas station standards to funding the future of Fleet Block. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the news and how residents can get involved. Plus, what’s in store for Sunnyside Park. Resources and references:
Can the Kum & Go in Sugar House Be Stopped? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Take the Sunnyside Park survey.
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:
ICO
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Hip & Humble
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Sep 16, 2024 • 27min
Does ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Represent Mormons?
Mormon Mania is hitting fall TV; the hottest new release is “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” highlighting the soft-swinging Utah moms of TikTok. But are these women telling Mormon stories or generating Mormon intrigue? City Cast Boise host Lindsay Van Allen joins host Ali Vallarta to give perspective as a former member of the faith and figure out what locals can make of all this.Check out our show on How LDS Suspicion Carves Our NeighborhoodsConsider 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:
Hip and Humble
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
ICO
Hale Centre Theatre

Sep 13, 2024 • 34min
Amendment D Gets Dunked, Governor Debate, Cash for Scenic Pics
A judge rules votes for and against Amendment D won’t count, but it’ll still appear on your November ballot. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means make sense of the chaos and dig into the potential consequences for the courts. Plus, takeaways from the governor debate, a scenic photo contest, and canoeing down the Jordan River. Find all our 2024 local election coverage in one place.Resources and references in this episode:
Judge rules Amendment D is 'void' but will remain on the ballot [Fox 13]
What Constitutional Amendment D Actually Does [City Cast Salt Lake]
Did You Blink and Miss This Change to How We Choose Judges? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Get to the River Festival at the Jordan River through September.
Enter the Scenic Utah photo contest before Oct. 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 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 Corporation
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Avenue Street Fair
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

Sep 12, 2024 • 20min
Fall Restaurants To Eat at Now
Are you stuck in a restaurant routine? Salt Lake has a ton of delicious places to try besides your usual haunts. Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria joins host Ali Vallarta to share where to find cheap eats, food experiences, and cafe creations dethroning the PSL.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 City Corporation
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Avenue Street Fair

Sep 11, 2024 • 30min
Hospital Beds Lag, New Liquor Lobbyists, Redwood Road Glow-Up
One side effect of Utah’s growth? Not enough hospital beds. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss the problem and possible solutions. Plus, a new drinking group wants a seat at the legislature’s table, a delicious cocktail competition, and Redwood Road gets a safety glow-up. Resources and references:
Utah has the third lowest rate of hospital beds in the nation. Here’s why. [Salt Lake Tribune]
New group seeks to advocate for 'everyday, responsible Utah drinkers' on Capitol Hill [Fox 13]
Take the SAFER Utah survey
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 City Corporation
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Avenue Street Fair

Sep 10, 2024 • 23min
What Constitutional Amendment D Actually Does
The November election is two months out, and we just got language for a big question on our ballots. Are Utah’s Republican leaders trying to mislead voters on Constitutional Amendment D? Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke joins host Ali Vallarta to separate fact from fiction.For more background on how we got here, listen to “Fall Ballots Just Got Juicier, SLC Housewives Return, and Local Jimmy Buffett” by 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:
Embodied Patience
Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.
Salt Lake City Corporation
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Avenue Street Fair

Sep 9, 2024 • 27min
What Should a City Be Responsible For?
There’s a lot to learn from the 23 cities and towns in Salt Lake County; what ideas are worth stealing? Today, host Ali Vallarta asks Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs how he’s tackling the needs of his fast-growing community in the southwest corner of the valley.Plus, what ideas does Millcreek have to offer?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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake City Corporation
Hale Centre Theatre
Zoo, Arts, and Parks Reauthorization and Preservation Committee
Avenues Street Fair


