City Cast Salt Lake

Here's what Salt Lake's talking about today.

Released: Daily

Episode A Battle for Alpine Loop, Delta Center Revamp, New Avalanche Pup

A Battle for Alpine Loop, Delta Center Revamp, New Avalanche Pup

34 minSep 29, 2026

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. Resources and references: Road Respect is a Two Way Street [Utah Department of Public Safety] Ryan Smith says SEG will ‘be aggressive’ in pursuing MLB expansion [KSL] Check out the Land We Share Summit on Friday, Oct. 2.  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.  Subscribe to 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 . If you enjoyed this interview with Bianca Velasquez from Rocky Mountain Power, learn more here .  Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Avenues Street Fair University of Utah-College of Fine Arts Stewardship Utah Salt Lake Sewciety Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

Housing Debate Heats Up, Reimagined Parking Lots, the 'Burbs Aren't Bad

30 minSep 28, 2026

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.   Resources and references: Salt Lake City's contentious housing options proposal receives key endorsement [KSL] A mini-city, green space or something else? Here’s what you said that huge SLC parking lot should be. [Salt Lake Tribune] 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.  Subscribe to 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:  Avenues Street Fair University of Utah-College of Fine Arts Stewardship Utah Salt Lake Sewciety

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake

17 minSep 27, 2026

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. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Fat Bird Week, Utah’s Oversight Issue, Free Book Giveaway

31 minSep 25, 2026

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. Resources and references: Can a Little Bird Save Great Salt Lake? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]  Tickets for Sandhill Crane Viewing Day , OWL-o-ween , Goshute Mountains HawkWatch Follow Great Salt Lake Audubon for more bird events Audit blasts past leadership of Governor’s Office of Economic Development for lack of oversight [ABC 4] Free Book Giveaway at Marissa’s Bookstore 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.  Subscribe to 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 . If you enjoyed this interview with Bianca Velasquez from Rocky Mountain Power, learn more here . Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  The Shop Canyon View Credit Union

Will Voters Pay for Better Parks? LDS Abortion Politics, Cheesesteaks in Sandy.

27 minSep 24, 2026

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. Resources and references: LDS Church weighs in on abortion ballot measure in a second state [Salt Lake Tribune] We visited 500+ Salt Lake parks. Here's what we found . [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.  Subscribe to 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:  The Shop

Utah’s Fertility Rate Drops, Game Day Wings, Cheap Yard Games

35 minSep 23, 2026

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. Resources and references: Utah’s Declining Fertility Rate [Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute]  Anxious About Aging? Retire on a College Campus . [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.  Subscribe to 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:  The Shop Gabe Kelii

Can MomTok Survive? The Case for Midvale, SLC's Pumpkin House.

34 minSep 22, 2026

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.   Resources and references: Mikayla Matthews quits ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ because of news that goes against her ‘morals’ . [Los Angeles Times] Taylor Frankie dealt new custody battle blow as she fails multiple drug tests: report. [Page Six] 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.  Subscribe to 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:  The Shop The Escape Game Canyon View Credit Union Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off

LDS Church’s Real Estate Empire, Utah’s Mahjong Obsession, Our SLC Wishlist

37 minSep 21, 2026

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. Resources and references: The Mormon Church Is Quietly Expanding Its Real Estate Empire Across the US [Bloomberg] 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.  Subscribe to 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 . If you enjoyed this interview with Mary Ball, senior integrated marketing manager of Webroot, learn more here . Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  The Shop University of Utah The Escape Game

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake

26 minSep 20, 2026

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. Mentioned on the show: Study showing 29% decrease in gun violence near transformed lots: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1718503115 Study showing 41% decrease in reported depression: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2688343   Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Lola Blankets Catches Heat, Salt Lake City’s $600M Debt, Melon Days

32 minSep 18, 2026

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. Resources and references: SLC can’t cover debt on an $850M-plus project almost no one sees, audit says. Property owners may need to pay up. [Salt Lake Tribune] A Customer Criticized Lola Blankets on TikTok. 3 Days Later, She Says Her Replacement Order Was Canceled [Inc.] 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.  Subscribe to 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:  Canyon View Credit Union Red Butte Garden Salt Lake Sewciety Stewardship Utah

Tower Theatre Opening Date, Emigration Canyon Bike Lane, Cozy Food Recs

28 minSep 17, 2026

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. Resources and references: Right-of-way fight brews over Emigration Canyon road project [FOX 13] 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.  Subscribe to 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:  Canyon View Credit Union Red Butte Garden Salt Lake Sewciety Stewardship Utah

Planning a Salt Lake Wedding, Cox's AI Warning, Recs for Leaf Peeping

26 minSep 16, 2026

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. Resources and references: Sweet and Awkward Salt Lake Proposals [City Cast Salt Lake]  Gov. Cox calls for federal action on AI safety and accountability [Deseret News] 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.  Subscribe to 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:  Canyon View Credit Union Red Butte Garden Salt Lake Sewciety Stewardship Utah Central 9th