City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

SLC Library Staff Are Getting Paid To Quit. Why? Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

When news broke that hundreds of Salt Lake City Public Library were being incentivized to leave their jobs, questions quickly followed. Are layoffs coming? Is the library OK? Executive producer Emily Means talks with SLC Public Library CEO Noah Baskett about the decision and what it means for the library’s future.

Listen to our episode where we first discussed the SLC public library staff buyouts. [City Cast Salt Lake]

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 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:

Data Center Outcry Is Working, Ex-Mormons Vote Republican, Fancy Cocktail Rec Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Public outcry over the Box Elder County data center seems to be working. Executive producer Emily Means, social media manager Molly Miloscia, and Stewardship Utah co-director David Garbett break down state leaders' latest response and updates. Plus, ex-Mormons are getting more Republican and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Check out our City Cast Salt Lake voter guide for the CD1 Democratic primary.
‘Rejected’: Voters won’t get a say on Box Elder data center, county attorney says [Salt Lake Tribune]
Cox orders ‘higher bar’ for data centers, says public input ‘absolutely matters’ [Utah News Dispatch]
Ex-Mormons have gotten more Republican over the last decade [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. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

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:

Utah Arts Festival
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Red Butte Garden
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Your Guide to June 2026 in Salt Lake Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

June is here, and it's summertime in Salt Lake City. Executive producer Emily Means, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss bring you a guide on how to make the most of this gorgeous month, from the downtown farmers market to the best spot for cheap, cold beer, to some feel-good volunteer opportunities. For more patio inspo, listen to this episode.

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

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsor, the Utah Arts Festival. 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake May 31, 2026

Show notes

Where would Salt Lake City be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana?

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.

Trump’s Great Salt Lake Plan, Progressives vs. McAdams, Ogden Croissants May 29, 2026

Show notes

How does Trump want to spend $1 billion to save the Great Salt Lake? Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Chandler Rosenberg and Kate Groetzinger break down what "saving" the lake actually looks like. Plus, takeaways from the Congressional District 1 debate, picks of the week, and in our members-only segment: Do three Utah communities hold the secret to long life?

Resources and references:

Here is what’s in Donald Trump’s $1B plan to save the Great Salt Lake [Salt Lake Tribune]
Nate Blouin vows to exit Utah’s CD1 primary if progressive rivals poll higher [KUER]
Democratic candidates spar in 1st Congressional District primary debate [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 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:

Canyon View Credit Union

Tips for Befriending Your Neighbors May 28, 2026

Show notes

How can we beat the loneliness epidemic? Try embracing the awkwardness and actually saying "hi" to your neighbor. Dr. Maria Blevins of Utah Valley University gives executive producer Emily Means tips on being a better neighbor.

This episode first aired on May 15, 2025.

Having a conflict with your neighbor? Learn how to disagree better.

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.

SLC Library Staff Buyouts, Drought Emergency, Baby Moose May 27, 2026

Show notes

Gov. Spencer Cox declared Utah is in a drought emergency. Executive producer Emily Means, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen talk about what's working and what's not to save water. Plus, the Salt Lake City Public Library offered buyout deals to its staff to preempt layoffs, and we share local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Utah Gov. Cox issues emergency order as drought covers the entire state [Deseret News]
Can low-flow toilets and smart sprinklers solve Utah’s drought? Here’s the problem with the state’s recommendations. [Salt Lake Tribune]
SLC library system offers buyouts to its staff citywide [Salt Lake Tribune]
Welcome to the world, baby moose! [Instagram]

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 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.

If you enjoyed our interview with Eric Haymond of Taskrabbit, learn more here.

Hate the Data Center? Watch Utah’s Courts. May 26, 2026

Show notes

The Utah Legislature has been flexing some muscle over the judicial branch. Executive producer Emily Means talks to Teneille Brown, founding member of Co-Equal Utah, about the biggest threat to the courts' independence and how it impacts you.

Listen to our conversation with Republican Sen. Todd Weiler about his perspective on the courts.

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:

Canyon View Credit Union
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 30% off
Water Lantern Festival

Officer Charged in Shooting, Data Center Vision, Cushy Seats at the Broadway May 22, 2026

Show notes

What could the Box Elder County data center look like? Executive producer Emily Means and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Jack Stauss and Cassie Bingham talk about new renderings and what's next in the process. Plus, Salt Lake County's district attorney charged a police officer in a shooting for the first time in more than 10 years, picks for your weekend, and in our members-only segment: why Tan France is leaving Salt Lake City and selling his $7.5 million home.

Resources and references:

⁠Renderings show vision for massive data center proposed in Utah, but permits could take years⁠ [Utah News Dispatch]
⁠Utahns will have more chances to weigh in on Kevin O’Leary’s data center project. Here’s how.⁠ [Salt Lake Tribune]
⁠Salt Lake County D.A. Sim Gill has charged a police officer in a fatal shooting for the first time in more than a decade⁠ [Salt Lake Tribune]

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 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:

Who Wins Summer in the USA? Salt Lake Makes Its Case May 21, 2026

Show notes

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Ali beat out her competitors from Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, and the Twin Cities?

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: