City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

Why You Can’t Buy Your Downtown Apartment Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Everywhere you turn in SLC an apartment complex is sprouting from the ground, with “for-rent” banners begging you to sign a lease. But where the heck are all the for-own condos? Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what barriers are standing in the way of our condominium daydreams and where they fit into our affordable housing crisis.

Resources and references:

Register for “Barriers to Condo Development in Utah” on Friday, April 12 from 3-5 p.m. at the SLC Main Library.
It’s Officially Cheaper To Rent Than Buy. What Now? [City Cast Salt Lake]

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Demolition Plot Twist, Dems Strategize, and Caitlin Clark in SLC Bars Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

After the illegal demolition of the Fifth Ward Meetinghouse on Easter Sunday comes a juicy plot twist we didn’t see coming. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means share the latest update and ask: Can we trust developers? Plus, winners and losers from the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention and a hot job for City Cast listeners.

Correction: Rep. Brett Garner, D-West Valley, did pursue the signature path to the primary ballot, as did his opponent, Verona Mauga. However, neither candidate certified enough signatures to qualify.

Resources and references:

Apply to be Salt Lake City’s Public Affairs Manager [slco.gov]
Developer planned the demolition of the historic Fifth Ward Meetinghouse [Building Salt Lake]
Guess Which of These Vacant Buildings Will Be Housing [City Cast Salt Lake]
2024 Salt Lake County Democrats Convention Results
When a Tattoo Is More Than Body Art [City Cast Salt Lake]
Skyline Update, Ranking Utah's Problems, and Bunny Hop Resurrected [City Cast Salt Lake]
Video: Jazz Fans Demand the Car [X, formerly Twitter]
Legends (all ages), Locker Room (21+), and Fisher Brewing (21+) for NCAAW games

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Why 1,000s of LDS Women Are Big Mad Online Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

What would happen if women left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? This weekend is General Conference for the Salt Lake City-based, global religion, and a recent Instagram post elicited thousands of comments by frustrated women members. Cynthia Winward, co-host of the At Last She Said It Podcast, joins host Ali Vallarta to give an on-the-ground analysis of how women in the church are feeling and where this sentiment could lead Utah.

Resources and references:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Instagram post in question [Instagram]
Opinion: LDS Women should join me in skipping church on Sunday [Salt Lake Tribune]
Exhibit A—Reactions to the Relief Society Broadcast [At Last She Said It Podcast]
LDS women’s leader whose ‘priesthood’ speech ignited an Instagram debate responds [Salt Lake Tribune]

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Is TikTok Your Kid’s Biggest Bully? Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants kids to spend less time on social media, and the state has enacted laws to restrict access for minors. But out of all the issues impacting Utah children — homelessness, food insecurity, environmental crises — why focus on how much time teens spend on their phones? Aimee Winder Newton, director of Utah’s Office of Families, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why this is a priority for her office and what the state is doing about it.

Resources and references:

Learn more about Utah’s social harms campaign, including resources for parents.
Hunting Utah’s biggest bully — social media [Deseret News]
Utah governor replaces social media laws for youth as state faces lawsuits [AP]

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At the end of the episode, we have a short conversation with Joyce Wambuyi, a Salt Lake Community College student who will graduate this spring. Learn more about SLCC’s PACE Scholarship Program.

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Juicy Political Texts, Illegal Demolition, and Free Renter Resources Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Juicy text messages reveal Salt Lake City Council members’ knee-jerk reactions to a bill paving the way for Major League Baseball and a stadium entertainment district on the Westside. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means share key takeaways from the digital skirmish. Plus, a historic building took a hit on Easter Sunday, and Ali and Emily share local shoutouts.

Correction: The Fairpark District Board will still exist even if the Larry H. Miller Company doesn’t secure a Major League Baseball team.

Resources and references:

SLC Council members shared scathing text messages about Utah MLB ballpark deal [Salt Lake Tribune]
SLC Council Duo on Setting the Westside Agenda [City Cast Salt Lake]
Renter Resource Fair on Wednesday, April 3 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sneaky Clauses in Your Utah Lease Agreement [City Cast Salt Lake]
Housing is Coming. Where Will State Street’s Beloved Restaurants Go? [City Cast Salt Lake]

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Your Guide to April in Salt Lake Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but what else is April bringing? Deseret News columnist Meg Walter joins host Ali Vallarta to celebrate the return of outdoor dining, share tips for deer-proofing your garden and allergy-proofing your house, and highlight cool local events.

Resources and references:

Utah Baseball v. UVU, Monday, April 1 at Smith’s Ballpark
Salt Lake County’s list of dog-friendly outdoor patios
Prepare Your Salt Lake Home for Allergy Season [Hey Salt Lake]
Pollen.com map of Utah
Jordan River Earth Day Cleanups
Arbor Day at Red Butte Garden, free admission & free trees
Utah ski season closing dates [Salt Lake Tribune]
Don’t Trip! Wine Walkaround

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Skyline Update, Ranking Utah's Problems, and Bunny Hop Resurrected Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

Salt Lake City’s skyline is reaching new heights, but down below our sidewalks are disappearing. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means go on a tour-de-construction around the city and dig into who’s responsible when the sidewalk ends. Plus, Utahns’ top priorities as perceived by lawmakers, and picks of the week for cooking, dancing, and stretching.

Resources and references:

Downtown Rising: Updated looks at the skyline-changing developments in Salt Lake City [Building Salt Lake]
Urban planner Jeff Speck on “Righting SLC’s Walkability Wrongs in a New City” [City Cast Salt Lake]
Report sidewalk problems to Salt Lake City
Utah voters and leaders agree cheaper housing should be the state’s No. 1 policy priority [Deseret News]
Deseret News reporter Brigham Tomco’s thread on policy priorities
Bunny Hop moved to T.F. Brewing, Sunday, March 31
Yoga at Mountain West Cider, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
A delicious biscuit recipe for Easter brunch and beyond

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Can a Little Bird Save Great Salt Lake? Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Could protecting one little bird save Great Salt Lake? Maybe! That’s what environmental advocates are betting on with a petition to list the Wilson’s phalarope under the Endangered Species Act. Deeda Seed, senior campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain how federal regulations around the species could get more water into the lake.

Resources and references:

Utah Made a Plan to Save the Great Salt Lake! [City Cast Salt Lake]

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CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

‘America First’ Controversy, Traction Rules, and Plan B Vending Machines Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Complaints from Utah Royals opponents have America First Credit Union playing defense. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the controversy and a rattling history. Plus, will more funding to enforce canyon traction laws lead to better outcomes, or more hype for the proposed gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon? This and more in a midweek news roundup chock-full of local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

Millcreek Common climbing wall opens
Soccer fans debate meaning of 'America First' on Royals team jersey; Gov. Cox weighs in [KUTV]
America First, Invoked by Trump, has a complicated history [NPR]
A Short History of ‘America First’ [The Atlantic]
Are traction laws enforced in the Cottonwood Canyons? It’s complicated. [Salt Lake Tribune]
Crashes strand Alta, Snowbird skiers in Little Cottonwood Canyon [Salt Lake Tribune]
Plan B Vending Machine at the University of Utah
Crossroads Urban Center food pantry foods of the month

Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

Gardening Advice for Plant Killers and Renters Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

It’s time to start planting your garden, Salt Lake. No green thumb? No problem! Experimental gardener Madison Boerner joins host Ali Vallarta to share tips for renters, basement dwellers, and plant killers on how we can all grow something beautiful — even in the sidewalk cracks.

This episode originally aired May 10, 2023.

Resources and references: