

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

Oct 29, 2025 • 21min
Utah’s Ode to Halloween
No one gets more hyped for Halloween than Utahns. But where does our love for the holiday come from? Host Ali Vallarta asks Deseret News features writer Meg Walter to explain Utah's Halloween obsession.
This episode first aired Oct. 26, 2023.
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 City Gov

Oct 28, 2025 • 41min
Hall-O-Week in SLC, Two Elections Canceled, Last Chance Donuts
It’s Halloweek in Salt Lake! Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means round up their best ideas to celebrate, whether you’re a scaredy cat or thrill seeker. Plus, which elections got canceled and local shoutouts.
Resources and references:
Banish AIDS Patients to Antelope Island? A Legislator Proposed It. [City Cast Salt Lake]
The Most Salt Lake Halloween Costumes [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:
PLUNJ
Salt Lake City Gov
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

Oct 27, 2025 • 24min
How Hard Is It To Get a Job in Salt Lake Right Now?
How hard is it to get a job in Salt Lake right now? Host Ali Vallarta asks Zions Bank senior economist Robert Spendlove about the health of our local labor market and AI bots fighting each other for jobs.
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 City Gov

Oct 24, 2025 • 38min
Almost 20% Tax Increase! Squabbling With RHOSLC, Milk Block Party
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson proposed a nearly 20% property tax increase in her 2026 budget. Holy shit! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and social media manager Molly Miloscia break down the mayor's pitch. Plus, fact checking the Real Housewives on Utah's richest ZIP codes and helpful and celebratory picks of the week.
Resources and references:
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson proposes tax increase, criminal justice focus [FOX 13]
Find a food pantry to support during the government shutdown.
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:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 23, 2025 • 22min
Is 900 South Too Cool To Fail?
We are co-hosting the grand opening of the Milk Block this Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2-5 p.m. on 900 South in Salt Lake City — another beautiful new hub on the 9-Line. Host Ali Vallarta asks Maven co-founder Rocky Donati if 900 South is simply too cool to fail.
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:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 22, 2025 • 18min
Visiting Every Coffee Shop in Salt Lake City
It’s finally latte season, so where can you get the best cuppa in town? Rose Park resident Andy Moray visited every coffee shop in Salt Lake City last year. Host Ali Vallarta asks Andy to share his favorites and lessons learned from his quest.
This episode first aired on January 7, 2025.
Check out Andy’s spreadsheet to discover new coffee shops.
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:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 21, 2025 • 38min
SLC Races to Watch, Fall Crafting, Redford Moviethon
Four Salt Lake City Council seats are up for election this year. Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez talk about who's running and what the biggest issues are in each district. Plus, local events and small business shoutouts.
Resources and references:
Salt Lake City Council District 1 election: Victoria Petro running against Stephen Otterstrom, Yussuf Abdi [Salt Lake Tribune]
SLC Council District 3 election: Incumbent Chris Wharton faces 4 challengers [Salt Lake Tribune]
Salt Lake City Council District 5 election: Erika Carlsen, Amy Hawkins and Vance Hansen vie for open seat [Salt Lake Tribune]
ABC4 District 3 debate and District 5 debate
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:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 20, 2025 • 30min
Should SLC Be More Like Chicago?
Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson has been living in Chicago for the past 20 months, and he’s got some notes for host Ali Vallarta. What can SLC learn from the Windy City (and vice versa)?
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:
ICO
Red Butte
Visit Walla Walla
PLUNJ
Project Rainbow

Oct 17, 2025 • 34min
GOP Redistricting Tricks, 'No Kings' Protest Returns, Pumpkin Custard
The Utah Republican Party changed their stance on redistricting, and announced two new efforts. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger break down what the initiative means before you’re asked to sign it. Plus, the “No Kings” protest returns and joyful picks of the week.
Resources and references:
Utah Republican party launches referendum on map C and initiative to ask legislature to repeal Prop 4 [ABC 4]
Here’s the safety plan for No Kings protest in SLC this weekend after June event ended in deadly gunfire [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 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:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 16, 2025 • 20min
The People’s Guide to Park City
Do you know the real Park City? Executive producer Emily Means asks Michael O'Malley, author of "Attitude at Altitude: The People's Guide to Park City and Summit County," about his local tips and takes, and the history that make this mountain town tick.
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:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety


