City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

Local Solutions to Utah’s Culture War Laws Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Salt Lakers often hear from local officials that all roads lead to the Utah Legislature — and that’s largely true. But there are creative ways that local government can flex its muscles against unpopular ideas from Capitol Hill. Former Salt Lake County Council member Shireen Ghorbani joins host Ali Vallarta to offer a post-Legislature pep talk and break down what cities and counties could do to push back against three “culture war” issues: banning abortion, policies that target transgender people, and rolling back diversity programs.

Resources and references:

What Lawmakers Did About SLC Stadiums, Great Salt Lake, and Calendars [City Cast Salt Lake]
What Lawmakers Did About Air Quality, Liquor, and Housing [City Cast Salt Lake]
ACLU of Utah’s explainer on the new bathroom law targeting trans people

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Less Public Comment, 2100 S. Construction, and Birthday Freebies Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

It’s back to (local) business for the City Cast team. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means comb through what happened in Salt Lake City this week, including the SLC Council’s new public comment policy and construction in Sugar House. Plus, they share their picks of the week and learn a new word.

Resources and references:

Housing is Coming. Where Will State Street’s Beloved Restaurants Go? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Apply for a small business construction mitigation grant.
Everything free you can get on your birthday.
This cute video of a funicular.

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Mythbusting the Jordan River Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Salt Lake City Public Lands has released three different design concepts to reimagine the Jordan River corridor, which flows straight into the shrinking Great Salt Lake. Park Ranger Owen Carroll joins host Ali Vallarta to mythbust nasty rumors about SLC’s “Emerald Ribbon” before you vote on your favorite.

Take the online survey, or attend an open house on Wednesday, March 13 from 4-8 p.m. at Sorenson Unity Center or Thursday, March 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Mestizo Coffee.

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What Lawmakers Did About Air Quality, Liquor, and Housing Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

In just 45 days, Utah lawmakers passed nearly 600 bills. It’s a lot to take in. Fortunately, FOX 13 Capitol Hill reporter Ben Winslow was paying close attention. Ben joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what legislators did about the issues Salt Lakers care about most — from housing and homelessness to the air we breathe.

What Lawmakers Did About SLC Stadiums, Great Salt Lake, and Calendars [City Cast Salt Lake]

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What Lawmakers Did About SLC Stadiums, Great Salt Lake, and Calendars Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

The Utah Legislature passed a record 591 bills during its 45-day general session. What the heck happened up on Capitol Hill, and how will it impact Salt Lakers? Fox 13 reporter Ben Winslow joins host Ali Vallarta to break down where the MLB and NHL stadium bills landed, what legislators did for the Great Salt Lake, and how they made their day-to-day actions more opaque to the public.

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Your Guide to March in Salt Lake Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

We’re springing into March in full force, so executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to settle some debts for the Ides of March. They break down how to make the most of the month, from where to eat escargot, to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and taking advantage of community resources for tax season. Plus, where to get free gardening supplies for those with green thumbs.

Resources, references, and events mentioned:

Salt Lake City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 16
The Leprechaun Inn bar
Antelope Island: e-bike tours, March 29 ultra marathon, and buffalo burgers at Island Buffalo Grill
What Happened to Even Steven’s Sandwiches? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Salt Lake City Public Library seed library
Effortless Gardening Tips for Renters and Plant Killers [City Cast Salt Lake]
Escargot at La Caille
Tax preparation and filing resources
Email utahfreetaxclinic@gmail.com or text June at (385) 237-4670
Westminster Tax Clinic
Easter Vigil mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 8:45 p.m. on March 30
Five-course Easter brunch at Franck’s, March 31
$21 tickets to the Utah Royals home opener, March 16

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Smith Enterprises Futurama, Who Broke Laws at Brighton? And GSL Plates Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

The Utah Legislature’s 45-day general session ends today, and all we got was a Futurama rendering of a proposed sports complex in downtown Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means unpack billionaire Ryan Smith’s vision for a brand new NHL/NBA arena. Plus, who was in the right during the altercation between a gun-toting Brighton resident and backcountry snowboarder?

Reporting and resources mentioned:

Ryan Smith’s vision for SLC’s downtown sports district.
Watch the video of a gun altercation at Brighton.
GOP lawmakers used misinformation about trans Utahns to rally support for bathroom ban [Salt Lake Tribune]
Sign up for the Great Salt Lake License Plate.

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Women’s Work: neighborhood caucus night on March 5, 2024.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts: “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo” exhibition open now to June 30, 2024.

How SLC Criminalizes Homelessness Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Salt Lake City police are asking for an extra $1.8 million from the City Council to keep cracking down on illegal camps. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that since October, officers have made 60 arrests and written up 152 citations. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will soon decide whether cities can punish people for sleeping outside when there’s no shelter available. But when folks have nowhere to go, what are their options? Taylor Hastings, an attorney with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, joins executive producer Emily Means to explain how the city criminalizes homelessness and what measures could keep folks out of the criminal justice system while trying to survive on the streets.

This show originally aired March 16, 2023

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Women’s Work: neighborhood caucus night on March 5, 2024.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts: “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo” exhibition open now to June 30, 2024.

Backyard Concert No More, $2K for Your Street, and Leap Day Hoops Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Salt Lake City brings the hammer down on a longstanding yard party in the 15th and 15th neighborhood, after a neighbor complained about noise and traffic. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means muse on what the story says about the need for more community connection in Salt Lake. Plus, funding is available for neighborhood projects, and Ali and Emily share local shoutouts.

Resources mentioned:

Learn more about the Love Your Block program at SLC’s Sip ‘N Share event.
Download Utah WBB head coach Lynn Roberts’ excuse note for Thursday, Feb. 29.

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

Women’s Work: neighborhood caucus night on March 5, 2024.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts: “Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo” exhibition open now to June 30, 2024.

Housing is Coming. Where Will State Street’s Beloved Restaurants Go? Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

State Street in Salt Lake City is getting an extreme makeover. Picture high-density housing where strip malls and motels have stood for decades and an urban hospital to anchor it all. But what do we gain and lose in the facelift? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about the future of life on State Street.