City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast Salt Lake is Salt Lake City’s daily news podcast. Host Ali Vallarta and a bevy of smart and entertaining locals will bring you conversations about the issues that matter most to SLC. Some days City Cast will make you proud; other days it’ll make you angry. It will celebrate Salt Lake’s triumphs, (try to) solve its mysteries, and explore its history. City Cast will help you feel more connected to the Wasatch Front – whether you’ve lived here for 6 months or 6 generations.
Episodes
May 14, 2024 • 33 mins
The University of Utah will shutter its Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to comply with a new state law. Producer Ivana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what’s at stake for employees. Plus, Utah families are $2.8 million in debt for school lunches. And, we shout out some bagel news in Holladay and a neighborhood resource for free stuff.
Resources and references:
University of Utah EDI Director Breaks Cult...
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May 13, 2024 • 32 mins
The Salt Lake City Council is weighing everything from raising sales tax to razing city blocks; Big, controversial decisions that could change the look and feel of our city for decades. Council Chair Victoria Petro tells host Ali Vallarta how she’s making choices on our behalf with “cautious skepticism” — from the mayor’s $475 million budget proposal to the future of downtown.
Resources and references:
How to participate in the Ma...
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May 11, 2024 • 2 mins
Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out:
You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled President Biden during his State of the U...
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May 10, 2024 • 39 mins
SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed a $475 million budget to the city council this week. So how will the city use our tax dollars this year? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the most interesting projects and themes — from the meaning of a “family-friendly” downtown to Sports Lake City. Plus, the wrecking ball is coming for 300 S., the NHL team survey is live, and Ali’s dream job just po...
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May 9, 2024 • 22 mins
Spring has arrived in Salt Lake City, so it’s time to say “good morning” to our black bear neighbors. Oh, you didn’t know we have bears in Utah? Join the cub. Wes and Jeff Larson of the Tooth and Claw Podcast join host Ali Vallarta to share their tips for handling an encounter with a black bear and their personal stories about their research run-ins.
This episode originally aired May 2, 2023.
Resources and references:
Tips for Tak...
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May 8, 2024 • 28 mins
News of the Sundance Film Festival taking bids to leave Utah caused a stir –– but has the writing been on the wall for years? Host and former Sundance staffer Ali Vallarta talks producer Ivana Martinez through the institution’s existential threats and opportunities. And, whether Salt Lake City could convince the festival to stick around.
Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support...
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May 7, 2024 • 35 mins
Smith Entertainment Group is asking SLC taxpayers for $54 million a year, three city blocks, a heliport, and so much more at tonight’s Salt Lake City Council meeting. Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what we already know about the sports and entertainment district proposal. Plus, Ali mourns the potential loss of an iconic Salt Laker and Andy finds two new favorite karaoke bars.
Resources...
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May 6, 2024 • 19 mins
A brand new, unelected board will oversee the development of a big project near the Utah State Fairpark, hypothetically anchored by a Major League Baseball stadium. Westside Coalition President Dan Strong, the community representative on the board, joins host Ali Vallarta to talk through the best-case scenario for this neighborhood-altering proposal.
Resources and references:
What Can Taxpayers Get for $2B in Stadiums? [City Cast ...
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May 3, 2024 • 34 mins
Police broke up pro-Palestine encampments and protests at the University of Utah this week. How does this jibe with the university’s legacy of campus activism? Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss how a generational moment is playing out in Salt Lake City and share picks of the week, from a local cat’s 500-mile journey to the bee Census.
Resources and references:
Police end University of Utah student pro-P...
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May 2, 2024 • 19 mins
It’s graduation season for Salt Lake’s high schools and colleges; let the commencement advice commence! Olympic speedskater Erin Jackson is the keynote speaker for Salt Lake Community College’s ceremony, so host Ali Vallarta asked the gold medalist for guidance, from changing careers to overcoming your fears.
Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure ...
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May 1, 2024 • 29 mins
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.
May is the ultimate transition month in our city, where it’s not quite spring but not yet summer. Host Ali Vallarta and Deseret News columnist Meg Walter bring you a guide to what to expect and how to make the most of this month, from the end of school to the start of festival seas...
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April 30, 2024 • 35 mins
Salt Lake City made a new plan to heal its east-west divide and guide how we get around. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means explain SLC’s transportation goals and how you can weigh in on May 7. Plus, a long-awaited bar reopening, Parleys diesel fuel spill, and the Great Salt Lake’s emotional toll.
Resources and references:
ACLU’s Bathroom Law Impact Assessment Survey
How Salt Lake City plans to heal its ‘singl...
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April 29, 2024 • 21 mins
Salt Lake City’s microshelter community — the state’s first ever legal camp for unhoused people — was set to close this week, but that’s no longer the plan. Host Ali Vallarta asks Switchpoint executive director Carol Hollowell what the future holds for the temporary site and its 50 residents and what lessons will carry over to the next version of the project.
Resources and references:
SLC’s FAQ about the Temporary Microshelter Com...
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April 26, 2024 • 35 mins
Hockey is here, and Salt Lake turned out bigtime to welcome the team. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means noodle on names for our newest sports franchise. Plus, Salt Lake schools tackle some sticky topics, a neighborhood tradition will go on, and consider rattlesnake training your dog.
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‘My best day in the NHL so far’: Salt Lake shows up for new hockey club [Deseret News]
Two New Tradem...
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April 25, 2024 • 37 mins
Behind every sweeping decision affecting our day-to-day lives is a table full of unfamiliar yet influential faces. In the last episode of a two-part series, host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means introduce four more powerful individuals and organizations you’ve probably never heard of and explore their impact in our communities.
Listen to Part 1: Salt Lake’s Unknown Power Players.
Resources and references:
Utah's 'u...
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April 24, 2024 • 21 mins
Salt Lakers tend to think of our city’s battle with air quality as recent history — but that’s not really true. In fact, this might be the cleanest our air has been in a while. Dr. Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist and analyst with Utah Clean Energy, helps host Ali Vallarta understand some of the myths around the air you can chew, where we go from here, and how to keep our lungs safe.
This episode originally aired April 10, 2023....
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April 23, 2024 • 33 mins
Spring in our canyons brings mountain bikers, dog walkers, and heavy machinery together. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means set your expectations for canyon construction, from Millcreek Canyon to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Plus, air quality is a top-10 issue for Utahns, so why would Gov. Spencer Cox sign a letter asking the Environmental Protection Agency to back off? Start your week with our SLC news roundup...
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April 22, 2024 • 25 mins
Gov. Spencer Cox is asking Utahns to “Disagree Better” in an effort to cool down our politics. But what if conflict is actually the good stuff? Host Ali Vallarta asks Utah Valley University professor and conflict specialist Dr. Maria Blevins what the Governor’s campaign gets right and what it’s missing. Plus, tips for when Salt Lakers are feeling feisty — whether with a state legislator or a friend.
Resources and references:
Gov. C...
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April 19, 2024 • 33 mins
The Salt Lake City Council explored some big ideas this week, from reimagining a historic train station to dissecting a new sports hub downtown. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means weigh how the proposals could shape the city’s future. Plus, beware of the marathon traffic this weekend, and add these good-weather events to your calendar.
Resources and references:
Video of Arizona Coyotes fans chanting [X, formerly...
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April 18, 2024 • 39 mins
Behind every sweeping decision affecting our day-to-day lives is a table full of unfamiliar yet influential faces. In part one of a two-part series, host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means introduce four powerful Salt Lakers you’ve probably never heard of and explore their impact in our communities.
Resources and references:
Did You Blink and Miss This Change to How We Choose Judges? [City Cast Salt Lake]
How Would...
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