The planned megashelter on Salt Lake City's westside meets opposition from a national coalition. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means talk about who's involved and how the annual homeless count went last weekend. Plus, food Oscars and local shoutouts. 

Resources and references:

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Fall back in love with Salt Lake City in February! Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and newsletter editor Terina Ria made you a guide to making the most of this month, whether you want to feed your sweetheart to a local hawk (no, seriously) or eat your heart out for the Lunar New Year. And, if you want to spice things up even more, check out our guide to romanticizing your Salt Lake life. 

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community. 

For even more tips on how to make the most of February in Salt Lake, check out our newsletter's take on what to do this month. 

City Cast Salt Lake is made possible by our awesome sponsors, Storywork: the Prints of Marie Watt at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Asher Adams, and Cozy Earth. We’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Salt Lake.

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Utah is about to buy one of our biggest polluters, US Magnesium. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Chandler Rosenberg discuss what this means for the Great Salt Lake. Plus, bills we’re watching  and joyful 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. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

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Tourists are swarming Park City for Sundance’s last dance. But do they know the real mountain town? Executive producer Emily Means talks with Michael O'Malley, author of "Attitude at Altitude: The People's Guide to Park City and Summit County," about his best local tips and tricks. 

This episode first aired on Oct. 16, 2025. 

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Is Salt Lake City's downtown gonna pop off in 2026? Host Ali Vallarta asks Blake Thomas, downtown advisor to Mayor Erin Mendenhall, what's on tap for the neighborhood this year.

Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. 

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Salt Lake City took to the streets this weekend to protest ICE after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and newsletter editor Terina Ria talk about how local leaders responded. Plus, news from the first weekend of Sundance and local shoutouts.

Resources and references:

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Now that host Ali Vallarta is learning to ski, she asks More Perfect Union reporter Jordan Zakarin why Vail and Alterra had to ruin all the fun. And, if city-owned ski resorts are the future?

Listen more on how we could save Park City. 

Get more from City Cast Salt Lake when you become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. 

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Salt Lake Sewciety

Four days of the Utah legislative session under our belts — just 41 more to go, but who's counting? Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor Cassie Bingham talk about the highs and lows from the first week. Plus, joyful picks for your weekend. 

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. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

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Our Rocky Mountain Power electric bills went up last year, and they could go up again this year! But some cities are actually powering their own electricity. Host Ali Vallarta asks Mike Squires of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems if it's cheaper and what it would take for Salt Lake City to make the switch. 

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The feds are allegedly looking to build an ICE detention center on Salt Lake City’s west side. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the response from local electeds. Plus, a fun surprise to celebrate our 1,000th episode and shoutouts!

Mentioned on today's episode:

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. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

Subscribe to Hey Salt Lake, our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.

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