City Cast Salt Lake

What can we learn from Pat McAfee’s meltdown over his visit to the University of Utah? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia get into it. Plus, tats for bats, a doggy costume parade, and a new neighborhood baker for your Halloweekend. 

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Could the bird flu at a Utah mink farm cause a pandemic? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down this outbreak and its implications. Plus, why Utah has so many great haunted houses and, in our members-only segment: Salt Lake City’s best chocolate chip cookie.

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Can Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill hold off Republican challenger Kent Davis this election? Host Ali Vallarta talks with audience development manager Angie Treasure and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger about what the DA’s office actually does and what the candidates stand for. Plus, everything you need to know about the new airport upgrade, which just wrapped its final phase of construction, and local shoutouts.

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A noisy West Jordan data center has neighbors fed up. Host Ali Vallarta talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Andy Larsen and Scott Wessman about Utah’s continuing data center controversies. Plus, state lawmakers are weighing new restrictions on Flock surveillance cameras, and is trick-or-treating a thing of the past?

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How prepared is Salt Lake City to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient city in the world — the only U.S. city to make it into the top 10. What’s Chicago doing right? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is joining David this week to talk about how the city is adapting to face climate risks, its work in renewable energy, and other projects in the works.

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What's all that construction on State Street? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Jack Stauss dive into the new historic pioneer trail that’s taking over the state capitol and streets nearby. Plus, weekend sales and picks of the week.

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Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson wants a $575 million bond for jails, even after voters shot down a similar proposal in 2024. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss what it would pay for and other items from the 2027 budget. Plus, the future of higher education in Utah and recommendations for rainy day pampering. 

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Your ballot has arrived: Who are all these judges? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and audience development manager Angie Treasure explain how to evaluate Utah judges and how one Supreme Court justice is facing a campaign to oust her. Plus, Utah’s Bigfoot sightings, clues about the 2027 Kilby Block Party lineup, and local shoutouts.

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Your ballot has arrived: Who are all these judges? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and audience development manager Angie Treasure explain how to evaluate Utah judges and how one Supreme Court justice is facing a campaign to oust her. Plus, Utah’s Bigfoot sightings, clues about the 2027 Kilby Block Party lineup, and local shoutouts.

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A proposed fuel pipeline could run through Emigration Canyon, the Avenues, and Rose Park. Host Ali Vallarta talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Kate Groetzinger and Jack Stauss about the potential risks and whether Salt Lakers would see any benefits. Plus, an early taste of ski season and Utah politicians sporting new hair.

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Feeling despondent about the state of the Great Salt Lake? Pulling trash from a storm drain could help. “Adopt A Storm Drain”, an initiative overseen by the Salt Lake City government, draws the line between polluted water (and blocked drainage points) and the shrinking and toxifying of the lake, while showing residents how they can do their part. Ali Vallarta joins Your City Could Be Better to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of your neighborhood sewer grate can contribute to a greater good.

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A man will stand trial in the killing of Afa Ah Loo, who was shot at the No Kings rally in downtown Salt Lake City in June 2025. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake Contributor Cassie Bingham dive into the case. Plus, the sports and entertainment district comes into picture, and picks of the week.

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Are Utahns happy with our quality of life? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Andy Larsen and Chandler Rosenberg dive into the research. Plus, Utah City is facing some roadblocks, and we put together a list of cozy ideas for the back half of October.

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Anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard is back with a vengeance… against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Host Ali Vallarta and audience development manager Angie Treasure talk about his fall from grace and how we got here. Plus, spooky ideas for the back half of October in Salt Lake, and in our members-only segment: local food news.

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• Anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard says LDS Church ‘excommunicated’ him to hide child abuse in the faith [Salt Lake Tribune] 

• The Sugar House Halloween house [Instagram]

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Ballots are being mailed today, which means you’ll soon be voting on amendments A and B, both of which aim to change Utah’s constitution. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Kate Grotezinger and Chandler Rosenberg break down what they do. Plus, an update on the effort to save our shrinking Great Salt Lake, and local shoutouts.

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Another Salt Lake City school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean.

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Local prisoner advocates are calling for a moratorium on the death penalty after a botched execution in Tennessee and a man was released from Utah's own death row. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake Cassie Bingham discuss what it would take for lawmakers to take capital punishment off the books. Plus, on a much lighter note, we play a fall game and share picks for your weekend.  

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It’s Banned Books Week, and Utah just added seven more novels to its growing list. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia ask Bookish co-founder Amanda Warren what’s behind the outrage and whether reading is becoming performative. Plus, is Salt Lake behind on the bagel food trend?  

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Do you know Salt Lake’s haunted history? Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen, and local folklore enthusiast Kyle Treasure dive into our city’s scariest stories. Plus, Glendale Regional Park’s pool gets canned, and in our members-only segment: We dream up apps for solving our niche Salt Lake problems.

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Ballots are about to hit Utah mailboxes, but which races and issues should Salt Lakers be watching? Executive producer Emily Means and audience development manager Angie Treasure break down the congressional and county council races, a $128 million parks bond, and constitutional amendments. Plus, KSL Sports radio host Ben Anderson joins to talk about whether the Utah Jazz and Mammoth can actually win this season, and local shoutouts. 

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Salt Lake City has an alleged scammer on the loose. Executive producer Emily Means talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Chandler Rosenberg and Cassie Bingham about why this story has the internet in a chokehold. Plus, a nuclear-powered data center on public lands and cheap lunch deals.

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When Salt Lake City looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball court. David talks with Katy Burgio from NYCHA and Runit Chhaya of Grain Collective, one of the involved design firms, about the larger infrastructure the court is a part of and how it’s setting up NYC...

Need a Halloween costume? Executive producer Emily Means, Keep It Local newsletter editor Shelby Hintze, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia have some very Utah ideas. Plus, what will become of the old Rowland Hall campus on 9th and 9th, and picks of the week.

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The state lawmaker everyone loves to hate has resigned after he was charged with fraud. Executive producer Emily Means talks with City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Andy Larsen about GOP Rep. Trevor Lee’s greatest hits. Plus, cybercabs have landed in Utah, and in our members-only segment: Do Salt Lakers underestimate our downtown?

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Hello, scary season! October is here, and we’ve planned your month accordingly. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Scott Wessman bring you a guide to make the most of it, from diving into a corn pit to shopping Salt Lake’s freakiest decor. Plus, don’t miss our episode explaining why Utah goes so hard for Halloween.

For even more tips on how to make the most of October in Salt Lake, check out our daily newsletter. 

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Who wins in the battle for the Alpine Loop, cyclists or cars? Executive producer Emily Means, audience development manager Angie Treasure, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Stauss talk about the fight over who gets the road and gatekeeping leaf peeping spots. Plus, the Delta Center got a makeover, and local shoutouts.

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Salt Lake City’s new housing proposal has people up in arms, but why? Executive producer Emily Means and newsletter editor Terina Ria are joined by former City Council Member Darin Mano to explain. Plus, unpaving paradise to get rid of a parking lot, and why the ‘burbs are so great.  

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What’s a seemingly small project in Salt Lake City that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking ahead to a sustainable future to inform what we do today.

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The Governor's Office of Economic Development gave away millions of dollars without tracking how it was being used. Executive producer Emily Means, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg give their takeaways. Plus, it's Fat Bird Week at the Great Salt Lake, and picks of the week.

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is weighing in against abortion measures in Idaho and Nevada. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Scott Wessman discuss what the church’s involvement could foreshadow for Utah. Plus, Salt Lake County voters will decide whether to fund $128 million in parks and recreation projects, and a few things we think are cool.

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Utah’s fertility rate is declining. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen ask Emily Harris, a senior demographic analyst for the Gardner Policy Institute, about why it’s got lawmakers in a panic. Plus, we plan your next game day party, with local ideas for food and more.

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There are 23 cities in Salt Lake County — and we believe one of them is about to pop off: Midvale. Host Ali Vallarta, audience development manager Angie Treasure, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia make the case for visiting or living there. Plus, MomTok is falling apart and weekly shoutouts.  

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ real estate empire is growing. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger discuss how the church is changing whole regions of the U.S. Plus, culture writer Meg Walter tells us about the rise of old lady hobbies, and we make our Utah wishlist.

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Would Salt Lake City be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly prioritized revitalizing its abandoned outdoor space, the ways that having a nonprofit partner has made all the difference, and what still needs to be done.

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Salt Lake City is struggling to pay for big public utilities projects, and the city’s clean water is at stake. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Jack Strauss dig into the city’s debt woes. Plus, the TikTok controversy over Utah’s Lola Blankets, and weekend picks.

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Emigration Canyon might finally get a bike lane. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Molly Miloscia and Chandler Rosenberg discuss why some homeowners are concerned. Plus, an update on when Salt Lake’s beloved Tower Theatre will finally reopen, and a few cozy food recs for early fall.

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How is Utah responding to the news that AI might kill us in a few years? Executive producer Emily Means, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham break down Gov. Spencer Cox's new proclamation on AI. Plus, on a much lighter note, we talk about planning a gorgeous Salt Lake wedding. And in our members-only segment: the best places to see some fall foliage this season.

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Major League Baseball is looking more and more likely for Salt Lake City. Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Andy Larsen, and audience development manager Angie Treasure dig into the Millers’ MLB ambitions. Plus, what should happen to three shuttered Salt Lake elementary schools? And local shoutouts.

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Have you driven past a restaurant, mural, or community space a hundred times and never stopped in? In this bonus sponsored episode by Magnify Utah, host Ali Vallarta asks Dustin Khong, Magnify Utah coordinator, and Igor Limansky, director of Utah's Division of Multicultural Affairs, to dig into the Community Quest, a free, ongoing passport connecting Utahns to local food, art, and stories across the state. Head to multicultural.utah.gov/magnify to grab a passport or find the closest pickup location and tag your adventures with #MagnifyUtah.

Utah’s lieutenant governor is taking on the Trump administration over access to voter data. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg break down the fight. Plus, Utah’s flag ban is keeping state officials busy, and where to dance like nobody’s watching — and still make it to bed on time. 

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