City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

Here's What 13 US Cities Are Talking About This Summer | A City Cast Salt Lake Special Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Ali Vallarta and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes.

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:

Utah Arts Festival

Stein Eriksen Lodge

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

2 Shootings in Salt Lake, Juneteenth Events, Draper Food Rec Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

It's been a tough week in Salt Lake County, with two shootings at public events resulting in the deaths of four community members. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means sort through the details of both incidents and the questions that remain. Plus, ways to celebrate Juneteenth.

Resources and references:

In the Wake of Local Shootings, Here’s How To Help [Hey Salt Lake]
Submit evidence from the “No Kings” protest to SLC Police Department
Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth in Salt Lake [Hey Salt Lake]
Juneteenth Celebration at The Gateway
Sauce Boss Southern Kitchen
Utah Black Birthworkers Collective
Juneteenth 5K at Mountain View Park
Black Physicians of Utah

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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

If you enjoyed today's interview with Utah Arts Festival executive director Aimee Dunsmore and ONE image creator Mason Fetzer, learn more here.

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:

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Can Utah Cities Kick ICE Out? Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Protesters gathered on Saturday in Salt Lake City to chant, “No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” What can local leaders do to answer that call? Host Ali Vallarta asks Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini how he's thinking about his role in protecting his community from harmful policies.

For more discussions about ICE & Mayor Silvestrini:

What ICE Can and Can’t Do (Legally) in Utah [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek Deportation Orders, Another Teacher Union Win, TIME100 Influential Utahn [City Cast Salt Lake]
Millcreek Mayor Takes On ICE, Sugar House Pub’s Fate, One Good Bill [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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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
Stein Eriksen Lodge
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.

Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC

Shooting at SLC’s ‘No Kings’ Protest. Here’s What We Know. Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

A shooting at the "No Kings" protest on Saturday in downtown Salt Lake City left one person dead. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means assemble the facts and most pressing questions around this horrific end to an otherwise peaceful day.

Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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

New SLCo Council Member, Bees Struggle in the ’Burbs, Soapbox Race Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Salt Lake City has a new county council member. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen connect the dots between your local electeds and controversial federal policies. Plus, Bees baseball struggles in the ‘burbs, $1 book deals, and soapbox racing.

Resources and references:

With eye on LA protests, Gov. Cox warns Utah will be ‘overprepared,’ won’t tolerate violence [Utah News Dispatch]
The Salt Lake Bees’ attendance is lagging at their new ballpark. Here’s what the team is doing about it. [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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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 Shop
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.

The Four Best Summer 2025 Festivals in Salt Lake Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

It’s summer festival season, and there's a lot to choose from! TikTok’s Queen of SLC Kendall Rodriguez and host Ali Vallarta winnow it down to four events you shouldn’t miss, from strawberries to extreme sports. Plus, tips and tricks to save money and make the most of festival going.

Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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:

How Growth Imploded Utah's Biggest School District Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In two years, Utah's largest school district won't even exist. Host Ali Vallarta asks Dr. Rich Stowell, Alpine School District communications director, why things imploded and the lessons for Salt Lake City as we face similar challenges.

For more on the Glendale high school debate.

Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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:

Restaurants for Dads, Why Utah Loves Chains, New Sandwich Truck Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

From chains to Father’s Day ideas, it’s our food news roundup! Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria and host Ali Vallarta deconstruct Salt Lake’s obsession with fast food chains, make recommendations for dad’s weekend, and reveal a new foodie paradise.

For more hidden gems, check out our collab with Salt Lake Sideways.

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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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

If you enjoyed the interview with Brooklynn Kohler, the Director of Alice by Heart, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

The Shop
Utah Arts Festival
Canyon View Credit Union
Red Butte Garden
Cozy Earth - Go to cozyearth.com and use code COZYSALTLAKE for 40% off all men's apparel and more
Workshopslc.com - use code CITYCAST for 20% off.
Live Crude - Get $10 off your first CRUDE purchase with promo code CITYCASTSLC.

Getting SLC to a Perfect Score on LGBTQ+ Policy Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

What policies should be in place to get Salt Lake City to 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index? Salt Lake City Council Chair Chris Wharton joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about where there is room for improvement.

Interested in learning more? Find out how queer Salt Lake really is.

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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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:

Supreme Court Win for Utah Oil, Nuclear Startups, Deadly Kittens Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled on a Utah project — to mixed reviews. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg share knee-jerk reactions and discuss the potential impacts of the ruling. Plus, what to do when elected officials disappoint you, dangerously cute kittens, and sailing on the Great Salt Lake.

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 Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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: