
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

Feb 26, 2024 • 25min
Will A New Strategy Change Where We Recreate?
Utah has a shiny, new strategic plan for outdoor recreation; the first of its kind. What does it mean for the places visitors and residents “love to death”? Draper Republican Rep. Jeff Stenquist, the chair of Utah’s Outdoor Adventure Commission, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the strategy for delivering on “the nation’s most well-funded and well-managed outdoor recreation system in the country.”Apply for a Utah Search and Rescue Assistance Card.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:
The Shop Workspace
Women’s Work: neighborhood caucus night on March 5, 2024.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts: “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo” exhibition open now to June 30, 2024.
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Feb 23, 2024 • 30min
Fairpark’s ‘Slap in the Face,’ ’Burbs Bus Service, and a Good Cry
A Salt Lake County lawmaker wants more transit in the south valley — so do we! — but what’s the tradeoff in her current proposal? Plus, the Larry H. Miller Company and legislators’ plans for an MLB stadium in Fairpark are starting to feel Inland Port-esque. Will Westside electeds regret calling it a home run? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss two very wonky proposals and share picks of the week from two local beacons.Bills mentioned:
HB 430 Local Government Transportation Services Amendments
HB 562 Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District
SB 272 Capital City Reinvestment Zone Amendments
Our take on the MLB stadium proposal.See “You Will Get Sick” at Salt Lake Acting Company through March 3.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 2024 • 25min
A Funeral For Salt Lake’s Late Restaurants
From Holladay to downtown Salt Lake City, we’re getting used to seeing our favorite haunts toppled by a wrecking ball, listed for sale, or mysteriously shuttered. Which is why the entire City Cast Salt Lake team — newsletter editor Terina Ria, host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and executive producer Emily Means — have gathered in a conference room to eulogize the iconic institutions left behind in the construction dust.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:
The Shop Workspace
Lux Floral: terrarium and planter classes in March
Mattress Warehouse Utah
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Feb 21, 2024 • 30min
$1B for a Billionaire? Air Polluter’s Big Donations, and ‘Gwyneth’ Returns
The $3.5 billion vision for reinventing Salt Lake City’s Westside neighborhoods into a mixed-use Major League Baseball district is eye-popping. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means take a look at the details and how much public financing Utah leaders could be willing to invest in the project. Plus, a story about coincidental (read: suspicious) donations has us cocking our eyebrows, and “Gwyneth Paltrow” is back in Park City. Listen to our conversation with City Cast Las Vegas about public/private sports models.The Secret Sauce [The Utah Investigative Journalism Project and City Weekly].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

Feb 20, 2024 • 29min
Two Salt Lakers Weigh Having Kids
Utah leaders often tout us as a family-friendly state. But with declining fertility and marriage rates, it seems Utahns are more hesitant than ever to start their own families. Salt Lake City-based birthworker Ashley Finley joins host Ali Vallarta for a candid conversation about what goes into deciding for ourselves whether to have kids in 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:
The Shop Workspace
Lux Floral: terrarium and planter classes in March
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16, 2024 • 39min
Will Cline Resign? Potty Policy, and Free Local Stuff
From potty training to liquor laws, what’s the Utah Legislature been up to? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the bills that caught their attention. Plus, we’ve got an update on the response to Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline’s bullying of a high school athlete, and Ali and Emily share their picks of the week.Bills discussed:
HCR 18 House Concurrent Resolution Condemning and Censuring State School Board Member Natalie Cline
SB 211 Generational Water Infrastructure Amendments
HB 548 Alcohol Amendments
HB 331 School and Classroom Amendments
Get tested for chlamydia at the Salt Lake County STD Clinic.Free services to know about in 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 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:Mattress Warehouse UtahWomen’s Work Utah: Attend Neighborhood Caucus Night on Tuesday, March 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 2024 • 23min
How To Start Running in Salt Lake
So, you’re thinking about signing up for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Or maybe just the half marathon. OK, maybe the 5K is all you’ve got in you. No problem! Seasoned runners Shireen Ghorbani and Bryant Heath join host and newbie runner Ali Vallarta to share great local routes, plus some tips and tricks for hitting the pavement.Sign up for the SLC marathon, half marathon, 5K, or 10K.Deseret News columnist Meg Walter on running the St. George Marathon.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:
Mattress Warehouse Utah
Women’s Work Utah: Attend Neighborhood Caucus Night on Tuesday, March 5
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 14, 2024 • 32min
Natalie Cline’s Fate, Abolish Tipping? And a Big Promotion
Utah State Board of Education member Natalie Cline bullied a student on social media, and the backlash has been swift. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explore what could happen to Cline and who is to blame for this mess. Plus, a Salt Lake coffee shop eliminated tipping, and Ali and Emily share shoutouts. Consider becoming 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 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:Women’s Work Utah: Attend Neighborhood Caucus Night on Tuesday, March 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 13, 2024 • 24min
Should SLC Copy Las Vegas’ Sports Model?
If local billionaires get their way, Utah could soon become home to even more professional sports teams. Ryan Smith is bidding for a National Hockey League team, and Gail Miller is trying to recruit Major League Baseball — including the Oakland Athletics, while they wait for their Las Vegas stadium to open. Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler how becoming a sports city has and hasn’t penciled out for the community. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen on public financing of stadiums.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:Women’s Work Utah: Attend Neighborhood Caucus Night on Tuesday, March 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 12, 2024 • 30min
The Future of SLC Airport, From B Gates to Korean Air
Who funds SLC International Airport? How will the new central tunnel work? And what would it take to make it a world-class airport? We’ve got questions, and Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Airports, joins host Ali Vallarta to answer them.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:
Women’s Work Utah: Attend Neighborhood Caucus Night on Tuesday, March 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices