

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 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

Sep 9, 2025 • 35min
Love Club Fiasco, ICE Partner City, Cat Rescue
SLC suburb Riverton just became the first city in Utah to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means dive into the decision making. Plus, lessons from the Love Club singles event and local shoutouts.
Resources and references:
A suburb becomes Utah’s first city to sign pact with ICE, giving officers immigration enforcement powers [Salt Lake Tribune]
The Streak at Salt Lake Film SocietyBecome 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
SaltLake 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
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more

Sep 8, 2025 • 24min
Unpopular Solutions to SLC’s Housing Market
The average home price Salt Lakers can afford is … $260,000, according to local realtor Rod Moser. Host Ali Vallarta asks him about popular and unpopular solutions to get prices closer to that number.
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

Sep 5, 2025 • 35min
Huge Homeless Campus in SLC, New Wilderness Fight, Greek Food Fair
A 1,300-bed homeless campus is coming to Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss the unusual location. Plus, weigh in on a rule impacting our canyons, and ideas for a fun weekend.
Resources and references:
Utah officials unveil site for 1,300-bed homeless campus after long, secretive search [Utah State Dispatch]
Save Our Canyons' Roadless Rule impact map and how to give public comment
SLC Schnauzer Meetup
Salt Lake Greek Festival
The American Southwest at Jordan Landing
For more of our reporting on the new homeless campus, look here and here.
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:
Utah State Fair
Harmons
Venture Out
Nature and Human Health
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Sep 4, 2025 • 23min
How High Is Your Great Salt Lake Panic?
Scientists warn of toxic dust storms; wind blowing arsenic from the exposed bed of the shrinking Great Salt Lake into the Salt Lake Valley. Host Ali Vallarta and Great Salt Lake organizer for Stewardship Utah Chandler Rosenberg dive into the latest update and do some mythbusting.
Attend a Water Talk to contribute to the state’s 2026 Water Plan.
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:
Utah State Fair
Harmons
Venture Out
Nature and Human Health

Sep 3, 2025 • 32min
No Friday Execution, U of U Parking Idea, Library Card Discounts
The Utah Supreme Court called off the execution of Ralph Menzies, which was scheduled for Friday. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what's next for the death penalty in Utah. Plus, the University of Utah gets skewered over parking, local discounts with your library card, and rooftop theater.
Resources and references:
Ralph Menzies’ execution called off by Utah Supreme Court days before he was set to die by firing squad [Salt Lake Tribune]
Listen to our show on the last execution Utah carried out [City Cast Salt Lake]
U of U sparks controversy with new policy designed to fix parking issue [ABC 4]
SLC Library Card discounts
Curbside Theater
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) 203-0137Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
If you enjoyed the interview with Jared Maish, the executive chef of Spencer's Steaks and Chops, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Utah State Fair
Harmons
Venture Out
Nature and Human Health

Sep 2, 2025 • 35min
Your Guide to September 2025 in Salt Lake
With Labor Day behind us, we are on our way to fall. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez and Hey Salt Lake editor Terina Ria made you a guide to making the most of September in Salt Lake, from witnessing a global wildlife phenomenon, to picking up free birth control, and perfect tomatoes. If you can’t make it to the ICE awareness training, check out our guide on what to do if you see ICE in SLC.
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 September in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.
City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our sponsors, Canyon View Credit Union, Utah State Fair, Harmons, Venture Out, Nature and Human Health, Cozy Earth, and Live Crude. 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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Check out our options.
Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.

Aug 29, 2025 • 37min
No More I-15 Expansion, LDS Women Go Sleeveless, Thai Tea Custard
The I-15 expansion in Salt Lake City is canceled — kinda. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham talk about the good news for Rose Park residents. Plus, LDS women can go sleeveless now, a new ice cream spot, and flu shots are here.
Resources and references:
Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake]
UDOT scales back plans to widen I-15 in SLC but aims to add lanes to Legacy Parkway [Salt Lake Tribune]
Dozens of Provo residents face relocation as UDOT plans eminent domain for rail project [FOX 13]
Mormon women can wear new sacred undergarments. Some wonder: Why now? [NPR]
What’s Next for Unions After Legislative Attacks? [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:
Harmons
Salt Lake City Government
Downtown Alliance
Utah State Fair
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Aug 28, 2025 • 23min
Where Salt Lakers Are Lining Up to Shop
What is Aritzia, and why is there fanfare for the store’s opening today at Fashion Place Mall? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger riff on the best places in Salt Lake to find a new fit, considering price, quality, and style.
This episode first aired on April 23, 2025.
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:
Harmons
Salt Lake City Government
Downtown Alliance
Utah State Fair

Aug 27, 2025 • 25min
Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What?
A judge has ruled the Utah Legislature must redraw the boundaries of its four congressional districts. Host Ali Vallarta asks former congressman Ben McAdams, a lawyer and the last Democrat to hold federal office in Utah, what comes next and who might run for new seats.
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) 203-0137Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Harmons
Salt Lake City Government
Downtown Alliance
Utah State Fair


