City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

Who To Blame for the Data Center, Parks for Mother's Day, Two-Headed Calf May 08, 2026

Show notes

Utah is officially planning to build a massive data center, despite fierce community pushback. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss break down everything you need to know. Plus, Mother's Day park ideas, picks of the week, and a members-only bonus segment: how to hack a local house giveaway.

Resources and references:

At contentious meeting, Box Elder County OKs massive data center project backed by a celebrity investor [Salt Lake Tribune]
Stuart Adams' PAC raked in $135,000 from MIDA-connected donors days after approving controversial data center [Utah Political Watch]
Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map.

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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A New Plan for Liberty Park May 07, 2026

Show notes

The city has been working on a new vision for Liberty Park, and last night they finally shared it with the world. Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez talk through the highlights of the plan and their hopes and dreams for Salt Lake's oldest park.

Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map.

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

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Unraveling an SLC Tree Mystery May 06, 2026

Show notes

Fifteen mature trees were recently cut down at Trolley Square, but there’s more to the story. Host Ali Vallarta talks with Trolley Square owner Taymour Semnani and Salt Lake City Urban Forester Tony Gliot about the decision and if more trees are in danger of being lost.

Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map.

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:

King's English Backlash, Our Perfect Parks, Goodbye Quarters Sugar House May 05, 2026

Show notes

The King's English took heat over the weekend for promoting Gov. Spencer Cox's new book. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss the backlash. Plus, finding our perfect park and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Utah bookstore cancels Gov. Cox promo after community backlash [Salt Lake Tribune]
Find your perfect park using the City Cast Salt Lake parks map.

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.

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Red Butte Garden
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Harmons
Tracy Aviary
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

We Visited 500+ Salt Lake Parks. Here's What We Found. May 04, 2026

Show notes

For two years, host Ali Vallarta has been visiting every park in Salt Lake County — around 500 of them. Now, she's officially done and has a totally unique resource to share. Ali chats with social media manager Molly Miloscia about her journey, the cool things she found, and how our parks could be even better.

Check out our Salt Lake parks map!

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:

'World's Largest Data Center,' 400 South Chili's Closing, Great Glizzy Gauntlet May 01, 2026

Show notes

A massive data center is moving forward at lightning speed in northern Utah. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen discuss the forces behind it. Plus, the beloved 400 South Chili's is closing, picks for your weekend, and a members-only bonus segment: What should go in SLC's time capsule?

Resources and references:

Amid questions and concerns, Box Elder County leaders delay action on data center proposal [KSL]
Submit questions about the Stratos data center to the Box Elder County Commission
The Wasatch Front's Data Center Boom [City Cast Salt Lake]
Restaurant where ‘Queer Eye’ star Tan France famously decided to move to Utah is closing [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:

Red Butte Garden

Your Guide to May 2026 in Salt Lake Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

May in Salt Lake — is it spring? Is it summer? Why not both! Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to making the most of this month, from sheepdog racing to dinner parties. Plus, listen to this episode for even more coffee recs.

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

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsor, Red Butte Garden. 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.

Utah’s New Poo Guidelines Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Utahns love to get outside, but when you gotta go … you gotta go. Host Ali Vallarta asks Angelique Fish, cofounder of the Women's Wine Hiking Society, how to poop outdoors tactfully and keep our trails clean all summer long.

This episode first aired on Dec. 12, 2025.

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:

Red Butte Garden

Crowded Democratic Primary, $4/Month For Clean Energy, Harmon's Car Crash Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

A bunch of candidates will be on your ballot for the Congressional District One Democratic primary. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria break down the results from this weekend's nominating conventions. Plus, a new clean energy program in SLC and shout outs.

Resources and references:

Liban Mohamed is the Utah Democratic convention pick in the new 1st district [KUER]
Coming soon to your monthly power bill in SLC: a $4 clean energy fee [Salt Lake Tribune]
The Wasatch Front's Data Center Boom [City Cast 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 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:

Red Butte Garden
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Canyon View Credit Union

Food Waste Is Renewable Energy in SLC Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

What do you actually know about composting? Host Ali Vallarta talks with Momentum Recycling’s marketing specialist Hyrum Wendel about what Salt Lakers get wrong, and how to get started without the stink.

Resources and references:

How To Compost in Salt Lake City [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

Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

If you enjoyed this interview with Eric Haymond, the SVP of Business Development for Taskrabbit, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Red Butte Garden

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