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

Our city gets merry and bright in December. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from DIY Christmas trees to festive food and drink. Plus, if you missed Ali’s quest to drink at every bar in Salt Lake, listen to her takeaways.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 December in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month. 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. City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsors, Harmons Grocery, and Better Help. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Check out our options.Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One in three westerners are ready to live without Lake Powell, the gorgeous and glamorous boating destination on the Utah/Arizona border. Journalist and author Zak Podmore joins host Ali Vallarta to explore why this radical idea is gaining traction and what it could mean for life in the West.  Buy Zak Podmore’s book, “Life After Dead Pool,” through local publisher Torrey House Press or from a local bookseller, like The King’s English.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 Solitude Mountain Resort’s VP of Marketing and Guest Experiences, Jeff Carroll, 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:  Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!) Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are people still obsessed with the Nutty Putty Cave accident 15 years later? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta revisit the story. Plus, ski-town drama, four holiday pop-up bars to check out, and a new downtown bike lane.  Resources and references: 15 years after a man died in the Nutty Putty Cave, his family and rescuers still struggle to escape the darkness [Salt Lake Tribune] 6 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Salt Lake [Hey Salt Lake] Miracle on First at Varley, Miracle on Second at Hotel Monaco, Flanker Holiday Pop-Up, Season’s Drinking at the Ruin 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 Brandon Hill, co-chair and board member of the Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, 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:  Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!) Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anxious about getting into a heated debate at Thanksgiving dinner? You can stop worrying! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and journalist Lindsay Aerts are bringing you local stories that are apolitical but still juicy — perfect for sharing with friends and family over turkey.Read our picks: Let there be lingerie: West Valley City must allow retailer to sell intimate apparel [Salt Lake Tribune] Black Bear removed from tree in SLC neighborhood near downtown [KSL TV] Utah cat with a fondness for cardboard takes surprise trip to California in an Amazon box [Associated Press] 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 Jennifer Carleton, one of Mountain West Cider's owners/founders, 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:  Dr. Alexis Chiropractor - enjoy your first visit for just $60 (normally $210!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Salt Lake water has shrunk again. Will water get more expensive!? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss the state’s next steps. Plus, the housing-to-food crisis, a hot new maestro, and your birthday party invite. Resources and references: Great Salt Lake drops back down to 2021 levels [FOX 13] Utah’s food banks still see high demand. Housing costs are a contributing factor [KUER] Donate to the Utah Food Bank. Volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Fill a Salt Lake community fridge. [Hey Salt Lake] 'The Soundtrack of Tomorrow': Utah Symphony announces new music director [KSL] Buy tickets to KRCL’s 45th Anniversary Party. 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. Today's Gift Guide sponsor is Cozy Earth. If you enjoyed the interview with McKoy Molyneaux, the head of strategic partnerships for Cozy Earth, check out cozyearth.com to learn more and use the code CE-City Cast at checkoutLooking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Embodied Patience= Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Spencer Cox has asked Utahns to “Disagree Better” in an effort to cool down our politics. But what if conflict is actually the good stuff? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Valley University professor and conflict specialist Dr. Maria Blevins what the Governor’s campaign gets right and what it’s missing. Plus, tips for when Salt Lakers are feeling feisty — whether with a state legislator or a friend.This episode originally aired on April 22, 2024. Resources and references:Gov. Cox’s Disagree Better Initiative 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.Today's Gift Guide sponsor is Aroma Retail. If you enjoyed the interview with Jim Reding, the CEO of Aroma Retail, check out their products 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: Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What worked well for local Democrats who pulled off slim victories in red Utah? Natalie Pinkney, incoming at-large Salt Lake County Council member, joins host Ali Vallarta to share lessons from her Democratic campaign and what she thinks voters really want.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.Today's Gift Guide sponsor is Red Butte Gardens. If you enjoyed the interview with Preston Summers, the Gift Shop Supervisor of Red Butte Gardens, check out their Holiday Open Market and Art Fair that is happening on December 7th and 8th!Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney General Sean Reyes’ calendar was finally released, revealing how he’s spent his time these last five years. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about what the documents reveal. Plus Midvale’s mayor affair and an out-of-the-box gift idea. Resources and references: Utah A.G. Sean Reyes fought to keep his calendar private. Here’s what it shows. [Salt Lake Tribune] Wife cites ‘substantial evidence’ of former Utah mayor’s alleged affair [Salt Lake Tribune] Continuing education classes at University 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’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.Today's gift guide sponsor is Snider Bros. Meats. If you enjoyed the interview with Jacob Wilson, Snider Bros. Meats general manager, check out their offerings.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salt Lake City is on the verge of some enormous construction projects: a downtown sports and entertainment district, a new hospital, and a potential MLB stadium. But why haven’t unions been at the table for these city-negotiated projects? Brandon Dew, president of the Central Utah Federation of Labor, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down how labor organizing could affect local development and benefit the broader community.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: Sugar House Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices