It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzling city, Vegas has continued to experience record-breaking heat in recent years, essentially forcing it to lead the charge in protecting residents from increasingly rising temperatures. City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick talks with David about the bold moves of Nevada’s lawmakers, like mandating heat mitigation and giving away trees, and how some time-tested strategies still need to be tweaked as rising global temperatures present new problems every day.

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Equality Utah, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, is getting heat for their 2026 candidate endorsements. Host Ali Vallarta, newsletter editor Terina Ria, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia break down why some people are outraged. Plus, local alternatives to chain restaurants and picks of the week. 

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Utah reality TV is back this fall. Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham, and audience development manager Angie Treasure unpack what the Mormon multiverse reveals about our culture. Plus, are layoffs coming to the University of Utah? And we dream up weird foods that deserve a spot at the State Fair. 

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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. 

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What's it like to buy or rent in Utah right now? Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg grill Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow at the Gardner Policy Institute and author of a new housing report, about what's changed. Plus, we ring in the official start of arts and culture season downtown with our picks for the hottest tickets. And in our members-only segment: Delta's new AI pricing system.

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. 

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Are Utahns changing their stance on deportations? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and Alpine resident Scott Wessman talk about the “normie view” on immigration. Plus, the Salt Lake Temple tour might be the hottest ticket in town — even if you aren’t LDS. And some local shoutouts.

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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.

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Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Salt Lake City? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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Are e-scooters the answer to Salt Lake’s transportation problems, or just another obstacle on the sidewalk? Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Molly Miloscia, and audience development manager Angie Treasure talk about the city’s new fleet of Veo scooters and the future of micromobility. Plus, a mini history lesson on Utah labor icon Joe Hill, and picks of the week.

Resources and references:

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. 

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It’s official: Tyler Robinson will stand  trial in Utah for the killing of political activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last fall. Host Ali Vallarta and City Cast Salt Lake contributors Cassie Bingham and Kate Groetzinger talk about what to expect as the media circus takes shape. Plus, why are Salt Lake City’s new apartments smaller than Manhattan’s? And we share the lore behind a Pride bike ride reclaiming a dark chapter of Utah history.

Resources and references:

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

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Host Ali Vallarta ate at Utah’s first MICHELIN-starred restaurant. City Cast Salt Lake contributors Andy Larsen and Chandler Rosenberg grill her about the experience. Plus, how much money is Utah losing to data centers? And in our members-only segment: juicy sports stories for fall football season. 

Resources and references:

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: 

It’s September! The perfect bridge between summer and fall, and we’ve planned your month accordingly. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria bring you a guide to make the most of it, from weaving with alpacas to celebrating Salt Lake’s festival season. Plus, where to meet your fellow baldies and why you should spend Labor Day at Red Butte Garden.

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

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsors: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, Harmons, Utah State Fair, Red Butte Garden, Steelcoated Epoxy Floors, WebRoot, and Cozy Earth.

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