

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

Aug 21, 2025 • 18min
Did Utahns Pioneer Supplement Culture?
Utah is the nation’s dietary supplement capital, with over 300 nutraceutical companies headquartered here, raking in over $16 billion. Host Ali Vallarta asks Danielle Masterson, editor of the NutraIngredients news site, how the heck that happened.
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:
Stewardship Utah
Visit Walla Walla
Harmons
Utah State Fair

Aug 20, 2025 • 33min
4 Ideas To Fund Instead of More Jails Beds
Local and state leaders want to expand the Salt Lake County Jail as a way to improve public safety and keep offenders off the streets. But is that the best use of our money? Executive producer Emily Means asks public defender and Democratic Rep. Grant Miller what's on his funding wishlist instead of more jail beds.
Check out the Salt Lake County jail dashboard.
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:
Stewardship Utah
Visit Walla Walla
Harmons
Utah State Fair

Aug 19, 2025 • 35min
Celeb Support for Main Street, New Bars, Shoe Repair Speakeasy
Salt Lakers have raised over $430,000 for workers affected by the Main Street fire. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria cover all the Salt Lake food news that’s fit to print, from the plan to rebuild Main to a cute weekend speakeasy in a shoe repair store.
Resources and references:
SLC bar owner says firefighters cleared his building to reopen after grease fire — then the roof went up in flames [Salt Lake Tribune]
Speakeasy nights at Lucky Sole Shoe Repair
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favo r. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Stewardship Utah
Visit Walla Walla
Harmons
Utah State Fair
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
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

Aug 18, 2025 • 29min
How Will Utah Transit Change Before the 2034 Olympics?
Could we get a train to Park City? Will fare-free transit ever happen? How do the 'burbs get bus stops? With the 2034 Olympics on the horizon, some big transit investments are coming down the track. Executive producer Emily Means asks Utah Transit Authority executive director Jay Fox what's on the horizon for the Salt Lake Valley's public transportation system.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Stewardship Utah
Visit Walla Walla
Harmons
Utah State Fair

Aug 15, 2025 • 41min
Homelessness Blame Game, LDS Chatbot, Tiny Art Show
Homelessness is up across the state, and local and state electeds are beefing over it. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down the data and discuss the showdown. Plus, an LDS chatbot for your existential questions, queer bachata, and a tiny art show.
Resources and references:
Donate to the Main Street fire employee assistance fund.
Vote for us in the Best of Utah
It’s no human bishop, but LDSBot is here to chat about faith [KUER]
Are Salt Lakers Using AI Responsibly? [City Cast Salt Lake]
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
ICO
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Venture Out
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Aug 14, 2025 • 22min
LDS Dating Culture, According to an Insider
What's it like to date as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? A new dating show on YouTube pulls back the curtain. Executive producer Emily Means asks culture writer and Hivemind podcast host Meg Walter what "The Altar" and “Provo’s Most Eligible” get right about LDS dating culture.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
ICO
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Venture Out

Aug 13, 2025 • 19min
What’s Next for Downtown SLC After Main Street Fire?
A fire damaged at least four businesses on Salt Lake City's Main Street Monday night. It was a scary scene, with video showing big flames and thick, black smoke. Producer Ivana Martinez and executive producer Emily Means talk through what happened and what's next for downtown.
Resources and references:
$5 million in damages as investigation begins into downtown Salt Lake City fire [FOX 13]
How To Keep Main Street Bars From Closing [City Cast Salt Lake]
Main Street Fire Employee Assistance Fund [Downtown Alliance]
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
ICO
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Venture Out

Aug 12, 2025 • 34min
Are You Voting Today? Gas Station Petting Zoo, Peach Season
It’s Primary Election Day! Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake Contributor Chandler Rosenberg assess the vibes and round up everything you need to know. Plus, Reddit’s burning questions about the 801, a new farmers market, and a delicious seasonal treat.
Resources and references:
3 key primary races to watch in Salt Lake County [Axios Salt Lake City]
Utah’s local primary elections are coming soon and, with new laws, have tight deadlines [Utah News Dispatch]
Check out our Primary Election Day Explainer [Hey 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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
ICO
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Venture Out
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
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

Aug 11, 2025 • 26min
AI in Utah Schools, Parents' Rights Movement, Lunch Debt
The kids are back to school next week, and we cram a year’s worth of learning into one episode! Host Ali Vallarta asks Jordan School District superintendent Anthony Godfrey the plan for Chat GPT, the cell phone ban, school lunch debt, and so much more.
We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners, and we’d be grateful if you took it at citycast.fm/survey. It only takes seven minutes, and you’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Salt Lake swag.
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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
ICO
Canyon View Credit Union
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Venture Out

Aug 8, 2025 • 37min
Senate Leader Abuse of Power? Utah Lake Ads, New Dinner Spot
The story about Utah Senate President Stuart Adams initiating a change to a law to protect his own relative accused of rape has gone national. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke break down his explosive reporting. Plus, wacky ads for Utah Lake, a hometown hero returns, and BYU’s new immigration course.
Vote for us for best local podcast in Best of Utah!
Resources and references:
Utah’s Senate president prompted law change that helped a teen charged with child rape [Salt Lake Tribune]
Irreverent campaign highlights why 'Utah Lake is My Lake' [Fox 13]
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
Stein Eriksen
Salt Lake Sewciety
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC


