City Cast Salt Lake
🎁 A gift guide for everyone on your list
December 15, 2023
Good morning! Today, we’ve got a gift guide for the people on your list. Keep scrolling!
What's CITY Talking About?
Who Will Win Utahn of the Year?
Vote for Salt Lake Tribune’s Utahn of the year. This person or thing best (naughty or nice) reflects the state and its biggest stories this year, from TikTok to the 9th and 9th whale. The poll is open through 5 p.m. today, Dec. 15. [Salt Lake Tribune]
- Related: How right (or wrong) were our 2023 predictions?. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
Teacher Shortage
While Utah is faring better than other states in terms of teacher shortages — there was a 90% retention rate after the 2021-2022 school year — we still have areas of improvement. In a report by the Kem C. Gardner Institute, 13% of teachers were considered underqualified in the 2022-2023 school year. “Underqualified” can vary in meaning, from a lack of endorsements to emergency hires without teaching experience. [KUER]
- Related: SLC School District answers our questions about school closures. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
10 Million Fish
In 2023, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocked over 10 million fish in Utah waterbodies (almost 2 million more than last year). This has been a practice for about 150 years, to bolster fishing and to support native fish populations. [ABC 4]
Taking the Gondola to Court
Salt Lake and Sandy cities are suing the Utah Department of Transportation over the proposed gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon, claiming it threatens our drinking water supply. Meanwhile, a district court judge has called our attorney general’s office “haphazard.” City Cast Salt Lake host and executive producer Emily Means break down the news of the week. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
Sponsored Content
New Member Shoutout
Andy Moray joined our membership program at the "You're the Best!" level. Here’s what they love the most about our city:
"Living in a quickly-growing city, full of delicious restaurants and world class events, and all within easy access of incredible nature where four beautiful seasons provide an ever-changing landscape to explore."
Learn how to get your own shoutout here.
What To Do
Friday, Dec. 15
- 🧤 Winter Clothing Drive | 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Donation | Downtown SLC
- 🍔 Croissant Smashburger Pop-up at Loki Coffee | 11 a.m.- Sold Out | Price TBD | Central City
- 🔔 Skyridge High Hand Bell Choir | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Free | Downtown SLC
- 🍸 Non-Alcoholic Spirits 101 | 6-7:30 p.m. | $58 | Ballpark
- ☃️ Winter Art Market Opening Reception | 6-9 p.m. | Free | Downtown SLC
- 🍪 Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $7 | Draper
Saturday, Dec. 16
- 🥞 Brunch with Santa Claus | 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. | $35-$45 | Park City
- 🎅 Here Comes Santa Claus at the Utah Symphony | 11 a.m. | $12-$45 | Downtown SLC
- 🎁 Win Win Holiday Market | 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. | $2 | Lower Avenues
- ❄️ Templin Family Christkindlmarkt | 2-9 p.m. | 21+ only | Free entry | Ballpark
- 😈 Nastimiento | 4-10 p.m. | 18+ only | Free entry | Downtown SLC
- 🎶 Amapiano + Afrobeats | 10 p.m.- 1 a.m. | $15 | Downtown SLC
Sunday, Dec. 17
- ❄️ Templin Family Christkindlmarkt | 2-8 p.m. | 21+ only | Free entry | Ballpark
- 🎵 R&B Night | 9 p.m. | 21+ only | Free entry | Downtown SLC
Today on City Cast
Gondola v. Drinking Water, Our ‘Haphazard’ AG, and $50 for $600
Salt Lake City and Sandy are suing the Utah Department of Transportation over the gondola. Plus, it’s not even 2024 yet, and it’s already election season again. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means chat about this week’s stories and share their picks of the week.
Happy gifting!
— Terina Ria
Free · Daily