City Cast Salt Lake

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The LDS-Mom-to-Influencer Pipeline May 20, 2026

Show notes

From MomTok to Ballerina Farm, LDS moms over-represent on the internet. Executive producer Emily Means asks Fortesa Latifi, journalist and author of ⁠"Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online,"⁠ why the religion produces such successful influencers and the appeal and consequences of putting your family life online.

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Data Center Ripple Effect, Ideal Salt Lake Day, DadTok’s Demise May 19, 2026

Show notes

The conversation around the Box Elder County data center is having ripple effects throughout Utah. Executive producer Emily Means and social media manager Molly Miloscia break down the latest headlines. Plus, crafting an ideal day in Salt Lake and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

‘They asked us to come,’ Kevin O’Leary tells Tucker Carlson of massive Utah data center plan [Salt Lake Tribune]
‘I do not want this in my community’: Southern Utahns confront proposed data center [Salt Lake Tribune]
Utah House speaker says Box Elder hyperscale project is bad ‘personally, and for my ranch’ [Salt Lake Tribune]
Apply for Salt Lake City's Love Your Block program.

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

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If you enjoyed our interview with Laura Allred Hurtado, executive director of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

TaskRabbit
The Shop
Salt Lake Sewciety
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 30% off

Will SLC Be Awesome When You’re 65? May 18, 2026

Show notes

By 2060, Utahns older than 65 are estimated to be 23% of the state's population. Are our cities ready for that? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Foundation ⁠research analyst Ashley Marshall-Cantor⁠ about the gaps and bright spots in local aging plans.

⁠Anxious About Aging? Retire on a College Campus.⁠ [City Cast Salt Lake]

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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'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake May 17, 2026

Show notes

Would Salt Lake City be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?

Mentioned on the show:

"The deadliest road in America" (Vox)

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

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SLC Council Member Booted, Data Center Referendum, Free Trib! May 15, 2026

Show notes

Salt Lake City Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez got booted from her seat, after it was determined she didn’t live in her district. Executive producer Emily Means, former Salt Lake City Council Member Darin Mano, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke talk about what happens next. Plus, updates on the mega data center, picks for your weekend, and in our members-only segment: Billboard icon Julia Reagan is back.

Resources and references:

Embattled SLC Council member Eva Lopez Chavez forced from seat [Salt Lake Tribune]
‘There needed to be a fight here’: How Box Elder County residents plan to stop a massive data center [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

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How To Survive Kilby Block Party and Other Concerts May 14, 2026

Show notes

According to the Trib, there are more than 170 concerts to look forward to this summer at major venues in the Wasatch. Host Ali Vallarta asked avid concert goer Reuben Hoyos how to be Salt Lake’s best concert goer, no matter your age or earplug collection.

This episode first aired on March 17, 2025.

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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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Is It Time To Stop Saving Lake Powell? May 13, 2026

Show notes

Northern Utah has begun sending up to 1 million acre feet of water to help fill Lake Powell on the Arizona border. How should Salt Lakers feel about this? Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake Tribune reporter Brooke Larsen for the scoop as Utah tries to negotiate water with six other states and Mexico.

Listen to Why 'Drain Lake Powell' Is Catching On, our interview with Zak Podmore about forcing dead pool.

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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Supreme Court Justice Quits, Helpful Fires, Epic Ice Cream Collab May 12, 2026

Show notes

Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen has resigned, after legislative leaders pushed to investigate her. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez talk about the response and impact. Plus, some good news for your Tuesday and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns from bench after questions on relationships [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:

Woodward PC
Canyon View Credit Union
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art⁠⁠
Project Rainbow
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Utah Forever

How SLC Wants To Spend $499M May 11, 2026

Show notes

What’s in SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s proposed $498.8 million budget? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the new programs (and tax increases) to expect in our city and how you can weigh in on them.

Read the city's proposed budget and find ways to participate.

Listen to our episode on participatory budgeting.

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:

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake May 10, 2026

Show notes

Salt Lakers, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary without feeling like you’re serving a Trump narrative.

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

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