City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

Utah Is the Measles Epicenter, Local Gripes, Goodbye Grizzlies Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Utah is now the epicenter of the U.S. measles outbreak. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss how we got here and how to stay safe. Plus, local gripes and shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Utah now ‘epicenter’ of U.S. measles outbreak [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. 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.

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Red Butte Garden
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKEBOGO for an exclusive Buy One, Give One offer running from April 12th to April 18th

Anxious About Aging? Retire on a College Campus. Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Utah's population is getting older, but there aren't many options for aging in place. Maybe going back to school could be an option! Host Ali Vallarta talks to Salt Laker Joanne Slotnik about her pitch to University of Utah President Taylor Randall for building a retirement community on campus.

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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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Red Butte Garden

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Portland’s Considering Hiring a Night Mayor — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Salt Lakers, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That’s why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic’s enduring negative impact on walkability, small businesses, and nightlife in cities everywhere. Plus, should your city be weirder?

Mentioned on the show:

"Can a Night Mayor Revive Downtown Portland?" (City Cast Portland)

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

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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Sugar House Hotel Blocked, Forest Service Endgame, Big Snake Rescue Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

The Salt Lake City Council has officially rejected the Sugar House Park hotel proposal. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss what happens next. Plus, the Forest Service is moving to Utah, joyful picks of the week, and a new members-only segment.

Resources and references:

SLC Council seals fate of hotel plans at Sugar House Park [Salt Lake Tribune]
The Uproar Over the Sugar House Park Hotel [City Cast Salt Lake]
Trump plans to move Forest Service headquarters to Utah and shutter research sites [AP]

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:

‘The Mormon Multiverse’: Lessons From the Real Housewives of SLC Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

The University of Utah is hosting a symposium called “How We Watch The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City." Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham, and social media manager Molly Miloscia play along and give their presentations if they were to speak at this conference.

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Local Salads Sweetgreen Can't Beat Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Sweetgreen plans to open a location in Sugar House! Host Ali Vallarta asks salad enthusiast and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Shireen Ghorbani to make her case for crunchy greens, and the local options Sweetgreen can’t beat.

This episode originally aired on Dec. 6, 2022.

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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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Voter Info Goes Public, SLC Schools Cut Adult Classes, Vito’s Cheesesteaks Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Did you get a letter in the mail notifying you that your voter information is about to become public? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez talk about a controversial new law. Plus, Salt Lake City School District cancels a 54-year-old program and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

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 Museum of Fine Arts
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Are Murals a Sign of Gentrification? Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Murals are taking over South Salt Lake, but are they always a good thing? Executive producer Emily Means asks South Salt Lake Arts Council executive director Britney Helmers about the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly when it comes to public art in our neighborhoods.

Visit South Salt Lake's Mural Fest on May 9.

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': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake City Apr 05, 2026

Show notes

While both Salt Lake and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Royals!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office?

Mentioned on the show:

The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [⁠⁠⁠⁠The Denver Post⁠⁠⁠⁠]

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.

Bibles in Utah Schools, Westminster Mystery, Pothole Palooza Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

A new law that requires third graders to study the Bible has Salt Lakers talking. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen discuss the controversy. Plus, diving into a Westminster University mystery and picks of the week.

Resources and references:

As early as third grade, Utah students will need to study Bible passages in social studies lessons under new law [Salt Lake Tribune]
Report a pothole for SLC's Pothole Palooza.
Apply for the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program by April 15.
Westminster University's community programs: mental health clinic and free tax clinic

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:

Harmons

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