

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 15, 2025 • 33min
RedWest Fest Disaster, New Ballot Deadline, Public Bathroom PSA
What the heck happened at the RedWest Music Festival this weekend? Executive producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez dive into the mess. Plus, what to know about new voting laws this election and local shoutouts.
Resources and references:
Woman injured from debris while leaving Salt Lake City music festival has died [KSL.com]
What To Know About Utah’s 2025 General Election [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:
Red Butte Garden
The Shop
Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Salt Lake Sewciety
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 14, 2025 • 23min
What’s the Next Coolest Thing To Come out of Utah?
Utah leaders love touting our innovative spirit and entrepreneurship. We are the Beehive State, after all — industrious! Executive producer Emily Means asks Desert News business reporter Art Raymond what's behind that reputation? Plus, what are the coolest things made in Utah?
Resources and references:
What’s the coolest thing made in Utah? Time for you to be the judge [Desert News]
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

Oct 10, 2025 • 39min
Salt Lake Street Projects, Ticketmaster Scams, Alt Oktoberfests
What's next for Salt Lake City streets? Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen dig into the good, the bad, and the ugly of some new projects. Plus, how Ticketmaster is scamming Utahns and some joyful picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
Give feedback on potential, future SLC transportation projects.
Andy Larsen: These are the sneaky ways Ticketmaster and Live Nation squeeze fans for billions [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:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 9, 2025 • 28min
Could More SLC Restaurants Unionize? Vegas Can Be a Model.
Could The SunTrapp bar's union effort have a ripple effect across Salt Lake's food and drink scene? If the power of Las Vegas's culinary union is any indication … maybe. Host Ali Vallarta asks City Cast Las Vegas host Dayvid Figler what lessons the Trapp could take from organized labor in Sin City.
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:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.

Oct 8, 2025 • 25min
Does SLC Need a 'Night Mayor'?
There’s been an uproar about Salt Lake City’s proposal to ban middle-of-the-night drinking at after-hours parties. But could a ‘night mayor’ have smoothed this over? Host Ali Vallarta asks Lutz Leichsenring of VibeLab why cities need a "night advocate" and what's behind creating a vibrant nightlife.
This episode first aired April 16, 2025.
Related listening: How To Keep Main Street Bars From Closing
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:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.

Oct 7, 2025 • 34min
Legislature Picks New Map, Mayor Vs. Council, Fall Lattes
There's just one step left in finalizing Utah’s new congressional map. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down what your district could look like. Plus, which local political gig is better and joyful shoutouts. Resources and references:
Republican lawmakers picked their preferred congressional redistricting map. See what district you’d be in. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Lawmakers Meet Today To Pick a New Voting Map. Here’s What To Expect. [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:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2pm late checkout.
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 6, 2025 • 30min
Lawmakers Meet Today To Pick a New Voting Map. Here’s What To Expect.
What will Utah's new congressional boundaries look like? A judge will soon decide, but today, the Legislature will have its say during a special session. Host Ali Vallarta asks Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, to set some expectations and defend his favorite map.
Background listening: Utah’s Congressional Maps Need To Be Redrawn. Now What? [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.
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:
Cache Valley Creamery
Canyon View Credit Union
Black Rock Resort - use promo CITYCAST for 20% off, a $50 resort credit, and 2 p.m. late checkout.

Oct 3, 2025 • 45min
Is Downtown Just For Tourists? 1-Star Utah Park Reviews, Runaway Pigs
The hotel scene downtown is thriving. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani discuss whether that's a sign locals should turn it over to tourists and hang out elsewhere. Plus, one-star reviews of Utah's national parks and picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
Downtown SLC Marriott gets multimillion-dollar remodel as hotel sector thrives. Take a look inside. [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:
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Oct 2, 2025 • 36min
What a New LDS President Means for All of Us
The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, died Saturday at age 101. Host Ali Vallarta asks Claremont Graduate University professor Matthew Bowman about Nelson's successor and how the LDS prophet impacts our lives as Salt Lakers — even if you're not Mormon.
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 Museum of Fine Arts
Sugar House
Downtown Alliance
PLUNJ

Oct 1, 2025 • 39min
Your Guide to October 2025 in Salt Lake
October is here, and we're gearing up for cozy season in Salt Lake. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from touring exhibits to stargazing, new restaurants and free ski passes. Plus, planning to visit state parks this fall? Try these national park lookalikes instead.
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 October in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.
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.
City Cast Salt Lake is also made possible by our awesome sponsors: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Alliance, and PLUNJ.
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.


