
City Cast Salt Lake
🚂 Is SLC getting a train to Portland?
October 20, 2025 · — Adrian González
Good morning, Salt Lake! Good news: Applications for Ski Utah’s Discover Winter Program are open, so go get yourself some free ski and snowboard lessons.
We featured the program and so many other fun activities in our guide to October in Salt Lake.

What's CITY Talking About
The Government’s Closed, But Zion Isn’t
Zion National Park has remained open during the federal government shutdown but is not collecting entry fees, spurring a surge in visitors. Park officials are asking guests to be mindful of their trash and have posted donation QR codes to help make up for lost revenue. [KUTV]
- Plus: How are federal layoffs affecting Utah’s National parks? [Hey Salt Lake 📰]
A Train to Portland?
There’s a growing movement to bring back the Pioneer train line that once connected Portland and Salt Lake City. The route was shut down in 1997, but advocates say it would create economic support to some of the fastest growing areas and help reduce carbon emissions. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
Utah Bank Loses Out to ‘Cockroach’
Salt Lake City-based Zions Bancorp disclosed a $50 million loss stemming from an alleged loan fraud, promptly rattling investors and dropping its stock value by 13% — along with a collective value loss of $100 billion for many of the country’s biggest banks. The market has started to rebound, though one bank executive compared fraudsters to cockroaches, warning that where there’s one “there are probably more.” [Bloomberg 🔒]

Copying Chicago’s Homework
Ideas are constantly flying around for how to make Salt Lake better, and there’s an unexpected source for inspiration: Chicago. But what can SLC learn from the Windy City about creating a livable environment? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
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What To Do
Monday, Oct. 20
- 🤘 Deep Love: A Ghostly Rock Opera at Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center | Taylorsville
- 🎵 Purity Ring at The Depot | Downtown SLC
- 🎞️ “Breaking Waves” at Utah Film Center | Marmalade
- 🎃 Pumpkin Carving at Thieves Guild Cidery | Central 9th
- 🍷 Juice: A Wine & Vinyl Party at The Green Room | Downtown SLC
Tuesday, Oct. 21
- 👻 Halloween Spooktacular at the Utah Symphony | Downtown SLC
- 🎃 The Freak Show: A Haunted Cabaret at Metro Music Hall | Downtown SLC
- 🍷 Educational Wine Tasting at Mountain West Cider | Marmalade
- 📖 Booktober Bingo at Flanker | Gateway
- 🏒 Colorado Avalanche at Utah Mammoth | Downtown SLC
- 🎶 Lord Huron at the UCCU Center | Orem
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