You would think the NBA leaving town cooled things off in the city, but nope! There’s still plenty of news to go around. Lead producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta discuss legislation on doulas, break down three big lawsuits, and reminisce about the spring of 1983. Also –– text us at 801-203-013 or email us at saltlake@citycast.fm to share the Salt Lake natural events your parents talk about constantly. Listen to “Was Zhifan Dong’s Death Preventable?” by City Cast Salt Lake. Donate to the S...
Feb 24, 2023•29 min
Utah lawmakers keep pushing for more restrictions on abortion. Plus, with a shortage of OBGYNs in this big-family state and high maternal mortality rates in the U.S. — especially for Black women — access to good reproductive health care is becoming increasingly important. Host Ali Vallarta talks with Jeelan Fall, a Black midwife in Salt Lake, about how Utah’s abortion bills impact her colleagues and patients and why representation in her field matters. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. ...
Feb 23, 2023•17 min
NBA All-Star weekend has come and gone, and outside of the events, visitors saw a pretty quiet picture of the capital city. But if you look closely, you’ll find that there’s more to Salt Lake than its manicured streets. SLC poet RJ Walker explains why the magic of the city lies below the surface. This episode first aired Feb. 28, 2022. 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 ...
Feb 22, 2023•16 min
The 2023 Legislative Session has dropped some controversial bills in front of Utahns — and a slough of recent voting bills are no exception. Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke tells host Ali Vallarta why he’s calling these bills “anti-democratic” and why the people who always win would want to make it harder to vote. 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 opti...
Feb 21, 2023•22 min
We’re heading into a three-day weekend, but the Utah Legislature isn’t slowing down. Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down the newly released abortion bill and an effort to disband Salt Lake County’s Unified Police Department. Plus, Ali gives an update on her dual missions to go car free and have one drink at every bar in Salt Lake County. Ali’s “Every Bar in SLCo” tracker! Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter ...
Feb 17, 2023•25 min
NBA All-Star weekend is finally here, and billionaire Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith are selling a very particular vision of Utah to the hundred thousand fans visiting Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta asks Salt Lake Tribune Jazz beat reporter Andy Larsen if he thinks anyone will buy it. Plus, Andy gives some tips on enjoying the All Stars for under $50. Get your tickets to the NBA Celebrity Game. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter...
Feb 16, 2023•21 min
Have you ever stared down a vacant building in downtown Salt Lake City and thought, “Why isn’t this housing?” Host Ali Vallarta is obsessed with a few particular structures that would make great apartments or shelters, and she asks SLC Planning Director Nick Norris what it would take to make it happen. Take note of this map of NBA All Star Weekend road closures. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on ...
Feb 15, 2023•23 min
Raise your hand if you’ve been the victim of a truly awkward date. On this Valentine’s Day, we stand in solidarity with our Salt Lake neighbors who have survived family reunions, monster hunters and people who look nothing like their dating app profile. Doug Fabrizio, host of KUER’s RadioWest, joins Ali Vallarta to relive the cringe of your most memorably strange dates. Sick of dating apps? University of Utah gender researcher Lisa Diamond shares her tips for making a connection. Subscribe to ou...
Feb 14, 2023•23 min
The Brigham Young Virginity Club Instagram page claims to be a “Utah-based club dedicated to preserving and promoting Virginity on college campuses.” And they’re very clear that they have “no affiliation with Brigham Young University.” But is it satire? Host Ali Vallarta and two former BYU students, Cassie Bingham and Shelby Hintze, talk about if the page is a productive way of discussing purity culture and whether everyone is in on the joke. This episode first aired Aug. 8, 2022. Subscribe to o...
Feb 13, 2023•20 min
A big headline hit the streets of Salt Lake City this week: “Plan seeks to keep homeless off Salt Lake streets during NBA All-Star Weekend.” Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to unpack that story, plus some news about the Great Salt Lake. Volunteer for Project Homeless Connect on March 24. 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...
Feb 10, 2023•28 min
Lawmakers made passing bills that impact young transgender people an early priority this legislative session. Adults spoke out on both sides of the debate around health care and gender identity. But what are kids thinking? Oliver Sharp, a 17-year-old trans person, shares his story with host Ali Vallarta. 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 ...
Feb 09, 2023•20 min
A few weeks ago we published a neighborhood guide to Sugar House in our newsletter, and the feedback sparked a debate. Were those shops and restaurants really in Sugar House? Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to explain why neighborhood boundaries matter so much and why you should care. Listen to our episode explaining the proposed I-15 expansion. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking...
Feb 08, 2023•21 min
Last week was Water Week at the Utah Legislature. So, did lawmakers save the Great Salt Lake? Salt Lake Tribune water reporter Leia Larsen breaks down the proposals and explains what else is in store for our namesake. Learn about the EPA’s reconsideration of air quality standards and submit a Salt Lake air quality comment. 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 optio...
Feb 07, 2023•18 min
We all love our city, but nobody’s perfect! Host Ali Vallarta asks Kendall Rodriguez, a.k.a. @queenofslc, for the best Salt Lake spots to take your enemies. Buckle in, haters. 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 06, 2023•15 min
We love our neighbors in South Salt Lake. Sometimes, we even think about annexing them. But it’s a city in its own right, with big city problems and opportunities! South Salt Lake City Councilmember Natalie Pinkney joins host Ali Vallarta to talk about a development dilemma, building out a downtown and trying to make SoSaLa happen. 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 ...
Feb 03, 2023•27 min
As Salt Lakers, we love winter — but how much do we have left? It’s Groundhog Day, and every Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil sits on his stump in Pennsylvania and predicts the weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring. Today we’re passing the mic to our colleagues at City Cast Philly and City Cast Pittsburgh to find out if Phil is a scammer or if there’s some truth to the tradition. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter...
Feb 02, 2023•19 min
There’s much talk about how Utah is well-poised for a recession, but how can that be true when veteran tech companies are laying our friends off and some of our favorite local businesses have had to close? Host Ali Vallarta asks Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, for some clarity. 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 podc...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min
There’s a wave of “school choice” bills hitting red states across the country, and Gov. Spencer Cox has just signed Utah’s very own. Public education advocate and 6th grade teacher John Arthur joins host Ali Vallarta to explain what it means for the future of public schools and why everyone should care — even if you don’t have kids. 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...
Jan 31, 2023•23 min
In 2011, Salt Lakers got some new neighbors: Eastern Fox Squirrels. Now, the Natural History Museum of Utah and a City Cast Salt Lake listener are asking if they can actually thrive here! We got answers from NHMU’s Citizen Science Manager Ellen Eiriksson. Submit your fox squirrel and firefly sightings. 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 ne...
Jan 30, 2023•19 min
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall graded the city’s performance this week. Would lead producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta also give it an “A?” Plus, Sundance rages on despite a setback from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, and we announce the nominees for the “Oscars of Food.” Here is our episode on the Rio Grande Plan [16-min listen]. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Looking to advertise on Cit...
Jan 27, 2023•33 min
This winter’s snow storms have made for some great pow days. But getting to resorts up the Cottonwoods via public transit has been painful — just ask the dozens of skiers getting left behind at the ski bus stop. Kyle Holland from The Red Line Podcast joins host Ali Vallarta to explain where buses are at and where they are headed. 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 ou...
Jan 26, 2023•18 min
What has a straw, a handle, and a matte pastel finish? Why, it’s the Stanley Adventure Quencher 40 oz. Tumbler, of course. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, don’t worry, because Meg Walter, features editor at the Deseret News, is here to explain the phenomenon. This episode first aired on July 19, 2022. 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 pod...
Jan 25, 2023•18 min
What drew Planned Parenthood Association of Utah CEO Karrie Galloway to the organization in the 1980s? Her belief in responsible, safe, and good sex. More than 40 years (and many legislative fights) later, Galloway is retiring. She talks with host Ali Vallarta about how conversations around sex have changed in deep red Utah. 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 opt...
Jan 24, 2023•20 min
Finding a new place to live in Salt Lake's housing market is tough. City Cast Salt Lake producer Ivana Martinez knows that apartment hunting can be exhausting and expensive because she just went through it! Ivana joins host Ali Vallarta to share tips and tricks for renters — from A to Zillow. Listen to this episode before you sign a lease. If it would help, apply for rent relief. Here’s that lower Avenues basement apartment. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram...
Jan 23, 2023•19 min
Big news week for Salt Lake! Lead producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to break down local stories, including the start of the legislative session, changes to our sports institutions, and some small (but good!) news for the Great Salt Lake. 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 your ad choices. Visit m...
Jan 20, 2023•25 min
Snow sports don’t always make for great spectator sports, but skijoring sure does! Ahead of next weekend’s Ski Joring Utah competition, we revisit host Ali Vallarta’s declaration that the sport is Utah’s “next big thing.” This episode first aired on Feb. 27, 2022. Get tickets to the 2023 Ski Joring Utah competition, Jan. 27-28 in Heber. 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...
Jan 19, 2023•10 min
Salt Lake cinemas are in the fight of their lives to get people off the couch and into the theater. But how, exactly, do you entice audiences to break their pandemic habits? Salt Lake Film Society Executive Director Tori A. Baker shares some ideas. 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 your ad choices. Visit m...
Jan 18, 2023•17 min
Utah lawmakers from across the state are making their way downtown and walking fast through the halls of the Capitol, ready to pass hundreds of bills that might change our lives. KUER politics reporter Saige Miller joins host Ali Vallarta to tease what to expect during the 45-day General Session. Plus, Saige (a former debate coach) shares some advice for legislators when debating their bills. Bookmark Sue Robbins’ educational resources for understanding gender-affirming health care. Check out St...
Jan 17, 2023•21 min
Happy Friday! Host Ali Vallarta and lead producer Emily Means round up the headlines you might have missed this week — from the end of a COVID-19 State of Emergency to Salt Lake’s “Vision Zero” plan, and the swearing-in of 36-year old Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren. Watch Rian Johnson bristle at Knives Out Utah. Attend the Save Our Great Salt Lake rally. Drop off new socks, pads, and tampons at All Together Skate Park. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagr...
Jan 13, 2023•22 min
Locals love to roll their eyes at the Sundance Film Festival, but host Ali Vallarta and former staffer Daniela Weinreich beg to differ. It’s possible to have a fun, affordable, stress-free festival experience — and this is your guide. The two alums make a list of do’s and don’ts, Daniela shares her top five movie picks, and Ali explains how to see the award-winning movies for free. Register for the free Best of Fest screenings for locals. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find u...
Jan 12, 2023•22 min
