City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

What Lawmakers Did About Liquor Laws, Voting, and Great Salt Lake Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

After passing a $31 billion budget and more than 500 bills, the Utah Legislature's 2026 session is finally over. Host Ali Vallarta asks FOX 13 Capitol Hill reporter Ben Winslow what lawmakers did to your life — from how we vote, to the booze we drink, to the air we breathe.

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The Shop
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Project Rainbow
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Why Kouri Richins’ Murder Trial Has Everyone Watching Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

People are camping outside the courthouse for Kouri Richins’ murder trial — a Utah mom accused of killing her husband, who wrote a book to help her family grieve. Host Ali Vallarta asks KCPW reporter Connor Thomas and KSL podcast executive producer Amy Donaldson to lay out the facts and make sense of the cultural implications of the case.

Follow along with Connor's reporting of the case.

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'Your City Could Be Better': Utah's Controversial Plan for a 'Homeless Campus' Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

With homelessness on the rise in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah, the state is moving forward with a divisive idea to try to solve the crisis. The plan is to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.

Mentioned on the show:

Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake)

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Homicides Shock Southern Utah, $130M Prison Expansion, Know Your Neighbor Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

As we head into International Women’s Day, a shocking homicide case in southern Utah has our attention. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss what we know so far. Plus, the final day at the Legislature and some picks of the week to restore your faith.

Resources and references:

Help us make a list of the 1,000 things we love about Salt Lake.
How to Actually Make Utah Better for Women [City Cast Salt Lake]
4 Ideas To Fund Instead of More Jails Beds [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.

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Perfect SLC Day Under $50 Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

We’re all trying to save money right now, without stunting our social lives. So can we have a fun day in Salt Lake for under $50? Host Ali Vallarta, Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez, and Salt Lake mom and Salon Pèttine owner Liz Farnsworth accept the challenge.

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The New vs. Old Utah Accent Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Do Utahns still say "dill" instead of "deal"? Host Ali Vallarta asks Lisa Morgan Johnson, professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, how the Utah accent has changed and why.

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Utah's New AI Sundance, Mysterious Billboards, Home Cafe Trend Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Utah quietly spent $2 million on a new film "ecosystem" to replace Sundance. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the plan and who's behind it. Plus, the origins of a mysterious new billboard and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Utah Grants $2 Million to an AI-Driven ‘Film Ecosystem’: Inside the State’s First Big Film Move After Sundance [Variety]

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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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

ICO
Brickyard Boxing
Questionable Productions
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Questionable Productions

Your Guide to March 2026 in Salt Lake Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

It’s March, the time for madness. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and social media manager Molly Milosica bring you a guide to making the most of this month in Salt Lake, from pizza deals to curing Olympic withdrawals and garden workshops. And, check out our episode on Title X money before you make that gyno appointment.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community.

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

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our sponsor, Rocky Mountain Power. 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.

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Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.

'Your City Could Be Better': What Salt Lake Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

A lot of cities, including Salt Lake City, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works.

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

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Abortion Ban May Go to New Court, 'Bachelorette' Politics, Cheap Meal Prep Service Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Utah's new constitutional court doesn't even have judges yet, and it's already facing a lawsuit — yikes! Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune politics reporter Robert Gehrke talk about what's on tap for the controversial court. Plus, would the men of "The Bachelorette" make good politicians? And joyful picks for your weekend.

Resources and references:

Utah A.G. sends first cases to state’s new constitutional court — and already the panel faces a lawsuit [Salt Lake Tribune]
Listen to our conversation with Sen. Todd Weiler about the Constitutional Court.

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:

Rocky Mountain Power

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