City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

How Should Utah Grow? I-15 Expansion, and the OG X Wifes Place Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Survey says: We’re done griping about our growth and want to find smart ways to guide it instead. The Governor’s Office released results from the Guiding Our Growth survey this week. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the findings on housing, transportation, water, and open space. Plus, they share their picks of the week.

Public comment for the I-15 expansion is open now through Nov. 13. You can also attend a series of open houses on the proposal. The next one is virtual on Monday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

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A Utah Astronomer’s Guide to the Annular Eclipse Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Are you ready for the annular eclipse? On Saturday, Oct. 14, the sun will appear in the sky like a “ring of fire,” and southern Utah will be right in its path. The cosmic event will surely draw huge crowds, and Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright says his town is gearing up for a massive wave of visitors. Mayor Wright — who is also an astronomer — joins host Ali Vallarta to give us an astronomy lesson and share tips for safely enjoying the eclipse.

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Why Do Neighborhood Boundaries Matter? Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Salt Lake City’s neighborhoods are far from identical — just ask the staunch defenders of their boundaries. But is it a real problem, or a realtor’s problem? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why we should care where our neighborhood starts and ends.

This episode originally aired Feb. 8, 2023.

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How New Incentives Could Help SLC’s Housing Crisis Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

According to Salt Lake City’s housing dashboard, we’re currently short about 18,000 affordable housing units. So the City Council is exploring a slate of code changes and incentives to encourage affordable housing developments in every part of our city — not just the west side. From skyscrapers to density and fourplexes, SLC Council Chair Darin Mano tells host Ali Vallarta how these ideas could translate to results and whether he thinks they will.

A public hearing for the affordable housing incentives is scheduled for the City Council’s formal meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Learn more about what’s being proposed.

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Who Can Afford Salt Lake, In-N-Out vs. the Vision, and a $7.9 Million Roof Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Salt Lake Tribune data reporter Andy Larsen is exploring how Salt Lake County incomes stack up against available rental units — and, just in time for Halloween, it’s frightening! He and host Ali Vallarta discuss how it all relates to an inflammatory text from one Salt Lake City Council candidate. Plus, producer Ivana Martinez lends ears to Ali’s big feelings™ about South Salt Lake’s proposed In-N-Out and to share picks of the week.

Get tickets to Las Espookys Hispanic Heritage Month drag show at Metro Music Hall.

Do you want to be a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake? We’ve been publishing a daily podcast and newsletter for almost two years, bringing you useful interviews with mayoral candidates and deep dives into important subjects like how to save the Great Salt Lake and the best bars for unwinding. Consider joining to support our work, plus get an ad-free version of the podcast for as little as $8 per month. Learn more and sign up today at membership.citycast.fm.

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Why Utah Restaurants Aren’t Getting Michelin Stars Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

In 2018, the state of Utah was awarded three Michelin Stars. But the prestigious travel award is often associated with culinary excellence, and, on that front, Utah restaurants have not been awarded a single star! Host Ali Vallarta asks food writer and Gastronomic SLC founder Stuart Melling why we haven’t received the blessing, and what area restaurants should be on Michelin’s short list.

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One Unexpected Reason the Tim Ballard Scandal Matters Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

There are a lot of layers to the bombshell news surrounding Utahn Tim Ballard and his anti-human trafficking organization, Operation Underground Railroad. There’s the public rebuke by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; allegations of sexual misconduct against Ballard; a psychic providing intel for rescue missions; and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes’ connections to Ballard.

But beneath all the juicy details, there’s a lesson about doing good in our communities. Cassie Bingham, assistant director of the Center for Social Impact at Utah Valley University, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about hero worship and how we can all be more thoughtful about social causes.

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SLC School District Answers Our Questions About School Closures Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

The Salt Lake City School District is looking at closing a handful of elementary schools and changing boundaries for the remainder as it faces nearly a decade of declining enrollment. As Salt Lake reels over this decision making process, host Ali Vallarta asks SLC Schools Communications Director Yándary Chatwin some of our most burning questions. Like, whose opinion matters most in this process?

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The Big Idea to Drain Lake Powell Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Lake Powell is a favorite summer destination for Salt Lakers, but the Colorado River water crisis is begging the question: Do we need to drain Lake Powell and decommission Glen Canyon Dam? Luke Runyon, co-director of The Water Desk at the University of Colorado, joins host Ali Vallarta to explain the proposal and make the case for why Salt Lakers should be invested in the fate of the Colorado River.

Listen to Thirst Gap: Learning to live with less on the Colorado River.

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Bomb Threats, a Gondola Lawsuit? And an Obvious Senate Candidate Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

A Salt Lake City bookstore received bomb threats this week over an all-ages drag storytime event. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about it — because we think more people should be. Plus, we break down a potentially interesting development in the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola saga as well as what’s going on with the ski bus this winter.

Listen to our conversation with Tara Lipsyncki about “the new normal” for drag shows.

Attend the next Central Wasatch Commission meeting.

Comment on the Utah Transit Authority’s long-range transit plan by Sept. 30.

Need to talk to someone? Check out Westminster University’s community clinic.

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

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