Tired of cooking for the holidays? Hey Salt Lake Newsletter editor Terina Ria joins host Ali Vallarta to drum up cheap and swanky recommendations for restaurants that are open on Christmas and New Years Day, as well as ideas to impress out of towners.Become 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 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:  Harmons ICO Sugar House Chamber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We finally have plans for the Smith’s Ballpark! Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss what options are on the table and how they could change the vibe of the neighborhood. Plus, several winter markets to check out this weekend, SLC’s soft pretzel joint, and train depot turned hotel bar. Resources and references: Salt Lake City narrows down 3 options for future of Smith's Ballpark [KSL.com] Salt Lake’s 2024 Naughty and Nice List [City Cast Salt Lake]  Last-Minute Local Gift Guide 2024 [City Cast Salt Lake] Restaurants  Markets to check out this weekend: Ace Holiday Market  Granary Music Market  Win Win Holiday Market Downtown Winter Farmers Market Safe Shopping Pop Up Art Adoption at Signed and Numbered Become 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 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:  Harmons Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who’s on Salt Lake’s naughty and nice lists for 2024? TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez joins host Ali Vallarta to discuss who’s been good and who’s been especially bad, from Gatorade tables to hot maestros. Become 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 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘Tis the season for gift giving! If you’re seeking inspiration, Deseret News columnist Meg Walter joins host Ali Vallarta to assemble a thoughtful, hyper-local gift guide — from $0 to $200 an item. Become 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 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Mitt Romney gave his final speech in Congress last week. Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss why we’re so obsessed with this man and what his departure says about the state of politics. Plus, a local Hallmark love story and where to find the cheapest beer in the valley.  Resources and references: Salt Lake Political Nepo Babies You Should Know [City Cast Salt Lake]  ‘What would Mitt Romney do?’: Senators praise outgoing colleague’s character, wit [Deseret News] Longtime Utah GOP senator, who has bucked his party on key votes, loses a chairmanship and an office [Salt Lake Tribune] Fake Girlfriend for Friendsgiving [TikTok]  Become 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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.If you enjoyed the interview with Jacob Wilson, the general manager of Snider Bro Meats, 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:  Harmons Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holiday travel season is about to put Salt Lake City’s shiny new airport to the test. Going founder Scott Keyes joins host Ali Vallarta to share the best flight deals coming out of Salt Lake and his hacks for a smooth journey.Join the waitlist for the SLC Airport holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5-9 p.m.Related listening: The Future of SLC Airport, From B Gates to Korean Air [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’re 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: Harmons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Gov. Spencer Cox prioritizing in his new budget proposal? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta make sense of the highlights. Plus, time is ticking for Salt Lake City to approve the Major League Baseball stadium deal, Festival of Trees transit options, and glowing reviews for local businesses. Resources and references: SLC negotiates with Fairpark District to avoid unintended city-wide tax increases [Utah News Dispatch]   Gov. Cox’s FY26 Budget Recommendations  Download the Transit App By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Salt Lake bridges gaps and connects the dots in Salt Lake. Become a member to support local journalism that connects. 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:  Harmons BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the election you might be wondering, “What’s up with Utah’s gerrymandering lawsuit?” Good question, and we’ve got answers. Salt Lake Tribune news columnist Robert Gehrke joins host Ali Vallarta to catch us up on the case and preview what lawmakers might do to ballot initiatives during the upcoming general session.By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Salt Lake bridges gaps and connects the dots in Salt Lake. Become a member to support local journalism that connects. 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:  Harmons BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 2024 election Salt Lakers overwhelmingly voted against Trump. But his policies will land at our doorsteps. Ivan Luevanos-Elms, executive director of Local Progress, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain how local governments can step in to protect immigrants, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ rights. Related listening: What Trump 2.0 Means in Utah [City Cast Salt Lake]By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Salt Lake bridges gaps and connects the dots in Salt Lake. Become a member to support local journalism that connects. 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:  Harmons BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Utah spending so much of our money on PR? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta ask who is winning the public lands lawsuit? Plus, the Salt Lake County Council argues over staff cuts, cute clothes in Central City, and a new housing initiative. Resources and references: How much is Utah’s public lands lawsuit and PR campaign costing taxpayers? [Utah News Dispatch]  Salt Lake County Council member says top aide — a high-ranking GOP official — was targeted by fellow council member [Salt Lake Tribune] Revive Boutique By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Salt Lake bridges gaps and connects the dots in Salt Lake. Become a member to support local journalism that connects. 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:  Harmons BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices