City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

The $4 Power Bill Charge, Are Malls Back? And, Underrated Pastries. Nov 10, 2026

Show notes

Did you get a letter from Rocky Mountain Power about a new $4 monthly charge? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger explain it! Plus, mall culture makes a huge comeback, and local shoutouts ranging from underrated pastries to delightful turkeys.

Resources and references:

Power customers in 16 Utah communities face fee hike for renewable energy program [KSL]
Take the Salt Lake Tribune’s survey on Utah malls.

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.

Subscribe to 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

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Powerful New Politician, A Sugar House Divided, Worst Driving Habits Nov 09, 2026

Show notes

Utah has a new most powerful politician. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Andy Larsen and Cassie Bingham answer the question, “Who is this guy?” Plus, Sugar House businesses are divided on a big idea, and our drivers’ lack of etiquette.

Resources and references:

Blue wave propels southern Utah leader to Senate’s most powerful role [Salt Lake Tribune]
Sugar House groups suddenly scrap plan for new assessment area 5 years in the making [KSL]
Take Tea Zaanti’s Sugar House Community Survey
Does anyone else feel like people in Utah are allergic to saying thank you on the road? [Reddit]
Canadian Thanksgiving 2026: How It Differs From U.S. Thanksgiving [Old Farmer's Almanac]

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.

Subscribe to 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

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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake Nov 08, 2026

Show notes

It’s fall in Salt Lake City, but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city government is realizing that rising temperatures deserve their attention and intervention year round — and they’re running a fun, generous program to help. David is joined by Elyse Belarge from the Somerville Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment to talk about the city’s pilot to de-pave and re-vegetate residential lots. Elyse shares the jaw-dropping impact of asphalt-free zones, as well as the joy of taking sledgehammers to driveways in your neighborhood.

Mentioned on the show:

Cooling East Somerville program and application for residents: https://voice.somervillema.gov/cooling-east-somerville
The Barr Foundation, which funds Somerville’s work as part of a cohort: https://www.barrfoundation.org/climate/initiative/community-heat-resilience/

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

‘Holy War’ Pancakes, Sunday Recs, Discount Groceries Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

The Holy War football game is this weekend. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast contributors Molly Milocisa and Scott Wessman talk about game-day recs and toxic sportsmanship. Plus, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: national election takeaways.

Resources and references:

Utah is still red, but an unaffiliated voter jump suggests some discontent [KUER]

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.

Subscribe to 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:

Places to Take Foodies in SLC, Anti-Algorithm Coffee Shops, Utah's Michelin Experience Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Salt Lake is officially a foodie destination. Today, we’re remixing some of our favorite culinary moments in the city. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors talk about Utah's first Michelin star restaurant, our quest for unique coffee shops, and the best things we’ve eaten recently.

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.

Subscribe to 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:

Blue Wave in Utah, Disgruntled Candidates, Politics of Revenge Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

Even Utah couldn’t escape the blue wave this midterm election. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down election night results and share their biggest takeaways.

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.

Subscribe to 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:

What Utah Voters Should Know Today, $17M Spaceship Mansion, Local Diner Food Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

It’s Election Day in Utah! Whether you’ve already voted or still need to cast your ballot, host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and audience development manager Angie Treasure break down what you need to know about voting today and when to expect results. Plus, a game of Salt Lake real estate roulette and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Track your ballot!

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.

Subscribe to 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:

How the Stratos Data Center Could Impact Your Health. Plus, Power Ranking Utah License Plates. Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

A new report estimates emissions from the proposed Stratos Data Center could cause up to 45 premature deaths. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger ask Utah Clean Energy climate scientist Logan Mitchell about how we should be thinking about air quality and health impacts as the state goes all in on data centers. Plus, we rank Utah's license plates.

Resources and references:

Report: Stratos Project’s emissions could cause up to 45 premature deaths, illnesses each year [Utah News Dispatch]

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.

Subscribe to 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:

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake Nov 01, 2026

Show notes

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Salt Lake City. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets.

Mentioned on the show:

City Cast Austin’s episode on AVs regulation: https://austin.citycast.fm/podcasts/are-texas-schools-using-ai-to-ban-books-plus-driverless-cars-in-austin-and-new-michelin-stars
Waymo blocking emergency response to Austin shooting: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting
The city of Austin’s public dashboard tracking incidents involving AVs: https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dbd59d9b20634de1afad32a8267b739b#

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Your Guide to November 2026 in Salt Lake Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

November brings the holiday season and all it entails: family gatherings, delicious food, and a bit of chaos. Host Ali Vallarta, creative producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from Friendsgiving table recs to hot springs with something for everyone. Plus, leave your leaves alone!

For even more tips on how to make the most of November in Salt Lake, check out our daily newsletter.

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our sponsors, Kiln, Goat Head, and Project Rainbow. 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.

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.

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