

City Cast Salt Lake
City Cast
City Cast Salt Lake is SLC’s daily news podcast. Join host Ali Vallarta and a bevy of smart and entertaining locals for conversations about the issues that matter most. City Cast Salt Lake will celebrate the city’s triumphs, explore its history, (try to) solve its mysteries, and it’ll help you feel more connected to the Wasatch Front – whether you’ve lived here for six months or six generations. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at saltlake.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2026 • 26min
How Vail Ruined Skiing
Now that host Ali Vallarta is learning to ski, she asks More Perfect Union reporter Jordan Zakarin why Vail and Alterra had to ruin all the fun. And, if city-owned ski resorts are the future?
Listen more on how we could save Park City.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Salt Lake Sewciety

Jan 23, 2026 • 37min
Bills We're Watching, Burrito Popup, Clever Protesting
Four days of the Utah legislative session under our belts — just 41 more to go, but who's counting? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham talk about the highs and lows from the first week. Plus, joyful picks for your weekend.
Resources and references:
Anti-transgender bill among ‘most harmful and outrageous’ Utah LGBTQ+ advocates have seen [Utah News Dispatch]
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Salt Lake Sewciety

Jan 22, 2026 • 27min
A Big Idea to Lower Our Electric Bills … Maybe
Our Rocky Mountain Power electric bills went up last year, and they could go up again this year! But some cities are actually powering their own electricity. Host Ali Vallarta asks Mike Squires of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems if it's cheaper and what it would take for Salt Lake City to make the switch.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Salt Lake Sewciety

Jan 21, 2026 • 35min
ICE Detention Center in SLC, 1,000 Things to Love, Science Cabaret
The feds are allegedly looking to build an ICE detention center on Salt Lake City’s west side. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the response from local electeds. Plus, a fun surprise to celebrate our 1,000th episode and shoutouts!
Mentioned on today's episode:
Help us make a list of the 1,000 things we love about Salt Lake.
Cabaret for public media
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Salt Lake Sewciety

Jan 20, 2026 • 42min
How Will the Legislature Make Life More Affordable?
Utah’s legislative session kicks off today! Senators and reps from around the state could pass more than 500 new laws over the next 45 days. Host Ali Vallarta asks Rep. Calvin Roberts, R-Draper, and Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, which ones will tackle the cost of living in Utah.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Salt Lake Sewciety
Cozy Earth — use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Jan 16, 2026 • 41min
Inversion Getaways, SLC vs. ICE, Cities Buying Ski Resorts
What can Salt Lake City government do about ICE? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss the city's response to our very pointed question. Plus, how to escape the inversion and picks of the week.
Some ICE-related resources:
Sign up for the business canvass this Saturday.
FICE is selling shirts to benefit La Red de Solidaridad.
Volunteer or donate to the Wasatch Immigration Project.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Brickyard Boxing
Canyon View Credit Union
ICO

Jan 15, 2026 • 29min
A Plan To Save Us From Toxic Lake Dust?
As gross air encircles the city, anxiety is high about the shrinking Great Salt Lake and its toxic dust. Host Ali Vallarta asks Save Our Great Salt Lake co-founder Chandler Rosenberg what phase of saving the Great Salt Lake (and ourselves) we are in right now, from upcoming legislation to a new report on water use.
Read the Great Salt Lake Strike Team’s 2026 report.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Brickyard Boxing
Canyon View Credit Union
ICO

Jan 14, 2026 • 23min
Can Utah Kids Read?
The Kem C. Gardner Institute published research claiming that “nearly half of Utah’s current young children do not read at grade level.” Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake City School Board member Ashley Anderson about this shocking new data.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Brickyard Boxing
Canyon View Credit Union
ICO

Jan 13, 2026 • 38min
Sundance Tix We’d Buy, Our Festival Awards, Kirk Blvd?
Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning for Utah’s last-ever Sundance Film Festival! Host Ali Vallarta and Hey Salt Lake newsletter editor Terina Ria have tips for making the most of it as a local. Plus, we give our own ‘Best of Sundance Awards’ and shout out great places.
You might also like ‘Sundance Tips From Former Staffers’ [City Cast Salt Lake]
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Brickyard Boxing
Canyon View Credit Union
ICO
Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Jan 12, 2026 • 22min
‘The Pitt’ Is Back! Here’s How a Local ER Compares.
Everyone's favorite medical drama, "The Pitt," is back for season 2 tonight! Each season is an intense depiction of one 15-hour shift in a downtown emergency room. Salt Lake emergency medicine Dr. Aly Smith tells host Ali Vallarta how the cases and the institutional issues compare to a real local ER.
This episode first aired April 30, 2025.
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.
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137
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:
Brickyard Boxing
Canyon View Credit Union
ICO


