

City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast
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.
Episodes
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Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
2 Shootings in Salt Lake, Juneteenth Events, Draper Food Rec
It's been a tough week in Salt Lake County, with two shootings at public events resulting in the deaths of four community members. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means sort through the details of both incidents and the questions that remain. Plus, ways to celebrate Juneteenth.
Resources and references:
In the Wake of Local Shootings, Here’s How To Help [Hey Salt Lake]
Submit evidence from the “No Kings” protest to SLC Police Department
Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth in Salt Lake [Hey Salt Lake]
Juneteenth Celebration at The Gateway
Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen
Utah Black Birthworkers Collective
Juneteenth 5K at Mountain View Park
Black Physicians of Utah
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.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Utah Arts Festival executive director Aimee Dunsmore and ONE image creator Mason Fetzer, learn more here.
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 Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Jun 17, 2025 • 26min
Can Utah Cities Kick ICE Out?
Protesters gathered on Saturday in Salt Lake City to chant, “No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” What can local leaders do to answer that call? Host Ali Vallarta asks Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini how he's thinking about his role in protecting his community from harmful policies.
For more discussions about ICE & Mayor Silvestrini:
What ICE Can and Can’t Do (Legally) in Utah [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek Deportation Orders, Another Teacher Union Win, TIME100 Influential Utahn [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek Mayor Takes On ICE, Sugar House Pub’s Fate, One Good Bill [City Cast Salt Lake]
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.
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 Arts Festival
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Jun 16, 2025 • 16min
Shooting at SLC’s ‘No Kings’ Protest. Here’s What We Know.
A shooting at the "No Kings" protest on Saturday in downtown Salt Lake City left one person dead. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means assemble the facts and most pressing questions around this horrific end to an otherwise peaceful day.
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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jun 13, 2025 • 37min
New SLCo Council Member, Bees Struggle in the ’Burbs, Soapbox Race
Salt Lake City has a new county council member. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen connect the dots between your local electeds and controversial federal policies. Plus, Bees baseball struggles in the ‘burbs, $1 book deals, and soapbox racing.
Resources and references:
With eye on LA protests, Gov. Cox warns Utah will be ‘overprepared,’ won’t tolerate violence [Utah News Dispatch]
The Salt Lake Bees’ attendance is lagging at their new ballpark. Here’s what the team is doing about it. [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.
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
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.

Jun 12, 2025 • 24min
The Four Best Summer 2025 Festivals in Salt Lake
It’s summer festival season, and there's a lot to choose from! TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez and host Ali Vallarta winnow it down to four events you shouldn’t miss, from strawberries to extreme sports. Plus, tips and tricks to save money and make the most of festival going.
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.
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
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden

Jun 11, 2025 • 23min
How Growth Imploded Utah's Biggest School District
In two years, Utah's largest school district won't even exist. Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Rich Stowell, Alpine School District communications director, why things imploded and the lessons for Salt Lake City as we face similar challenges.
For more on the Glendale high school debate.
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.
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
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden

Jun 10, 2025 • 36min
Restaurants for Dads, Why Utah Loves Chains, New Sandwich Truck
From chains to Father’s Day ideas, it’s our food news roundup! Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria and host Ali Vallarta deconstruct Salt Lake’s obsession with fast food chains, make recommendations for dad’s weekend, and reveal a new foodie paradise.
For more hidden gems, check out our collab with Salt Lake Sideways.
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.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
If you enjoyed the interview with Brooklynn Kohler, the Director of Alice by Heart, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
The Shop
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden
Cozy Earth - Go to cozyearth.com and use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off all men's apparel and more
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.

Jun 9, 2025 • 26min
Getting SLC to a Perfect Score on LGBTQ+ Policy
What policies should be in place to get Salt Lake City to 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index? Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about where there is room for improvement.
Interested in learning more? Find out how queer Salt Lake really is.
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.
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
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden

Jun 6, 2025 • 32min
Supreme Court Win for Utah Oil, Nuclear Startups, Deadly Kittens
The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled on a Utah project — to mixed reviews. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg share knee-jerk reactions and discuss the potential impacts of the ruling. Plus, what to do when elected officials disappoint you, dangerously cute kittens, and sailing on the Great Salt Lake.
Resources and references:
Uinta Basin Railway gets green light as Supreme Court narrows scope of environmental law [FOX 13]
Utah’s agreement with nuclear startup allows for more than just a test reactor. Here’s what it says. [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.
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 Arts Festival
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte Garden
West Valley Arts
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Jun 5, 2025 • 20min
A Utah Drag Queen’s Guide To Pride Month 2025
Host Ali Vallarta asks local drag queen Tara Lipsyncki how to spend Pride Month in Utah, from parties to family friendly shows and cheap ways to celebrate.
Resources and references:
The New Normal for All-Ages Drag Shows [City Cast Salt Lake]
The Rallying Cry for Utah Gay Rodeo [City Cast Salt Lake]
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.
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 Arts Festival
Salt Lake Sewciety
Red Butte Garden
West Valley Arts