
City Cast Salt Lake
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.
Latest episodes

Feb 7, 2025 • 35min
Millcreek Mayor Takes On ICE, Sugar House Pub’s Fate, One Good Bill
A local ICE interaction is under scrutiny, and now local politicians are addressing the elephant in the room. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down highlights from Mayor Jenny Wilson’s State of the County address. Plus, Sugar House Pub’s tentative comeback, a business opportunity, and a good bill. Resources and references:
Read Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s State of the County.
Utah’s liquor commission decides the future of SugarHouse Pub [Salt Lake Tribune]
Buy the By the Bucket sign for a cool $1,000.
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:
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Feb 6, 2025 • 23min
Where To Run in SLC
So, you’re thinking about signing up for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Or maybe just the half marathon. OK, maybe the 5K is all you’ve got in you. No problem! Seasoned runners Shireen Ghorbani and Bryant Heath join host and newbie runner Ali Vallarta to share great local routes, plus some tips and tricks for hitting the pavement.This episode originally aired Feb. 15, 2024. Sign up for the 2025 Salt Lake City Marathon.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: The Shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2025 • 22min
Next Steps for Saving the Great Salt Lake
The only way to save the Great Salt Lake is by growing less alfalfa, according to a new report. But how helpful is that message in bringing farmers to the table? Stewardship Utah Great Salt Lake policy associate Chandler Rosenberg makes the case to host Ali Vallarta for why we should cool it on villainizing our most water-intensive crop.Resources and references:
Opinion: Supporting the lake and the land [Desert News]
Reducing alfalfa production essential to saving the Great Salt Lake, study finds [Utah News Dispatch]
RSVP for the Living Soils Summit
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:The Shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 4, 2025 • 36min
Deportation Claims & Housing, Counting Unhoused Utahns, Competitive Puzzling
Housing affordability is the talk of the town, but home prices could get more expensive if deportation efforts grow. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss how state leaders' goals could be hindered by their own actions. Plus, warm temps in the valley, Point-In-Time Count takeaways, and a competitive game night. Resources and references:
Will deportations affect the housing supply in Utah? [Deseret News]
What To Expect Around Homelessness in 2025 [City Cast Salt Lake]
Virtual Naloxone training on Feb. 5, 2025
Why Good Neighbors Carry Naloxone [City Cast Salt Lake]
Puzzle Buzz competitions at 2 Row Brewing and Beer Bar
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:
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The Shop
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Feb 3, 2025 • 29min
What ICE Can and Can’t Do (Legally) in Utah
Local reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers — A.K.A. ICE — in Salt Lake are causing confusion and fear among community members. Aaron Welcher with the ACLU of Utah tells host Ali Vallarta what you should do if you see or are detained by ICE, and how their power differs from local police.Visit ACLU of Utah’s resource hub for more information about your rights and guidance for institutions.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: The Shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 31, 2025 • 35min
‘State of the City’ Takeaways, Live at Trolley Square? New Shake Shack
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave her State of the City address this week, and she said to expect more policing and a plan for the Ballpark. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means give the highlights and their analysis. Plus, living at Trolley Square, your lawmaker’s star sign, and breaking pizza news.Resources and references:
SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall's 2025 State of the City Address
Hundreds of new homes may go up near historic Trolley Square [Salt Lake Tribune]
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. 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 City swag.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:
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Jan 30, 2025 • 29min
Your Guide to February 2025 in Salt Lake
February is a month for love, surviving the winter doldrums, and … bull riding? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, 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 coffee shop DJs to unleashing your inner cowboy. Plus, listen to this episode to learn more about skijoring, Utah’s hottest sport.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. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. 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 City swag.For even more tips on how to make the most of February in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsor, Ebb & Flow movement studio. We’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Salt Lake.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

Jan 29, 2025 • 25min
Will Utah Be the ‘Nation’s Nuclear Hub’?
Senate President Stuart Adams said Utah needs to be “the nation’s nuclear hub.” Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Danielle Endres, director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Utah, what it would mean to have a nuclear power plant in our state.Learn about geothermal energy, another resource Utah is exploring. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. 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 City swag.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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 2025 • 32min
Legislature vs. Labor Unions, Sundance Vibes, New Art on State
Lawmakers have labor unions in their crosshairs this legislative session. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means connect dots up at the Capitol. Plus, the vibes at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, new public art on State Street, and an all-time comedy at the Broadway.Resources and references:
‘No better than working at 7-Eleven’: Unions oppose bill to end collective bargaining for Utah public employees [Salt Lake Tribune]
Sundance 2025 Films Sold So Far [IndieWire]
Sundance Tips and Tricks for Locals [City Cast Salt Lake]
Get tickets to Salt Lake Film Society February comedy screenings.
We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only seven minutes long. 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 City swag.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:
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Jan 27, 2025 • 26min
Funding Public School or Home School?
The Republican National Party has a big agenda for schools: closing the Department of Education and sending it back to the states. Meanwhile, the Utah legislature is slowly chipping away at public school funding. Utah State Board of Education member Sarah Reale joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about what’s in store for teachers, students and public education in this year’s legislative session.We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. 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 City swag.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:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices