City Cast Salt Lake – Details, episodes & analysis

Salt Lake City has big plans for getting Japantown back, but what about Greek Town? Executive producer Emily Means and host Ali Vallarta dive into the drama and opportunities around a proposal to redevelop the area. Plus, here’s how much your energy bill could go up, and local tips for ghost town explorers and moviegoers. Resources and references: As SLC looks to revitalize Japantown, the question arises: What about Greek Town? [Salt Lake Tribune] How We Get Japantown Back [City Cast Salt Lake] Rocky Mountain Power lowers its rate increase proposal to 18.1%, down from 30.5% [Utah News Dispatch] Why Your Electric Bill Might Go Up [City Cast Salt Lake]  How to balance safety vs. adventure at Utah's ghost towns and abandoned mines [Axios]  Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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:  Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

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.  September marks Salt Lake’s first taste of fall, and we’re diving right in. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and producer Ivana Martinez bring you a guide to making the most of the month, from maximizing your time outdoors, to trying a new wine bar, and dancing at the symphony. Plus, if you head to one of the Bees’ final baseball games at Smith’s Ballpark, don’t miss our episode on what the future holds for the stadium.  For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Salt Lake, check out Hey Salt Lake’s take on what to do this month.  City Cast Salt Lake’s guide to September is made possible by our awesome sponsors: Live Crude, Babbel and Embodied Patience. We are 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Check out our options. Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.

The Utah Legislature might call themselves into special session to push back on recent losses handed down by the Supreme Court. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means discuss the odds that lawmakers will put another constitutional amendment on our ballots. Plus, the state’s earthquake commission gets canned, treasure hunting in KRCL’s record collection, and apply to be an SLC planning commissioner. Resources and references: Vote for City Cast Salt Lake in Best of Utah Will Legislators Plot Revenge on Utah’s Supreme Court? [City Cast Salt Lake]  Utah legislators eye special session, maybe next week. Will it deal with abortion, redistricting? [Utah News Dispatch] This group is tasked with preparing Utah for the “Big One.” Utah leaders voted to get rid of it. [Salt Lake Tribune]  Check out KRCL’s record sale.  Apply for Salt Lake City’s planning commission (especially Glendale and Avenues residents!) Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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:  Utah Department of Health and Human Services Stein Eriksen Lodge ICO Embodied Patience Live Crude - Get $25 off your facial by mentioning this ad.

The Billboard Industry reigns supreme in Utah, with signs for Minky Couture and colorful scriptures blocking our scenic mountain views. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down how cities accommodate billboards and question if they’re really so bad. Plus, is Salt Lake suddenly getting its NHL team? And, tips to clean out your closet for earnings.   Resources and references: ‘Monstrosity’ on SLC’s 300 West emerges as a symbol of ongoing billboard battles [Salt Lake Tribune] You can’t unsee Salt Lake’s billboards [City Weekly] Why Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith is hellbent on bringing an NHL team to Salt Lake City [The Athletic] Video: Grizzlies fans throw trout on the ice Can a Hockey Team Help Save the Great Salt Lake? [City Cast Salt Lake] Arizona Coyotes pledge fealty to Phoenix [X, formerly Twitter] Jackson County, Mo. voters reject stadium tax for Royals and Chiefs [KWCH] Send us your “Dear Abby”-esque questions for our commencement episode! Email saltlake@citycast.fm or call/text (801) 203-0137 Consign your clothes at Name Droppers or IconoCLAD Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Shop Workspace Salt Lake Community College ICO Property Management

Tired of eating at the same Cafe Rio every week? Salt Lake has a ton of delicious places to try besides your usual haunts. Kendall Rodriguez, TikTok’s Queen of SLC, joins host Ali Vallarta to share five restaurants worth trying this spring, as well as what to order and a little trend forecasting. Resources and references: Ogden may have the best “Main Street” in the Country [KSL]  Two Salt Lake Lake City chefs progress to James Beard finals [Gastronomic SLC] Why Utah Restaurants Aren’t Getting Michelin Stars [City Cast Salt Lake] Restaurants mentioned: Drunken Kitchen Tona Sushi  Momo Cheesecakes  Roux SLC Matteo Francks Restaurant  Koyote Urban Hill Mazza Cafe Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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 Workspace Salt Lake Community College ICO Property Management

The federal government recently awarded Salt Lake City a $39 million loan to replace our lead service lines, which has us wondering: Is there lead in our drinking water? Laura Briefer, Salt Lake City Public Utilities director, joins executive producer Emily Means to alleviate our fears and separate fact from fiction when it comes to what’s coming out of the tap. Resources and references: Salt Lake City Public Utilities Lead and Copper Program.  Take the Salt Lake City Public Utilities lead pipe survey. What the Eyes Don’t See [Penguin Random House] Do you have lead pipes in your home? [NPR]  2023 Water Quality Consumer Confidence Report. Identify what year your home was built using the SLC Parcel Assessor. Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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 Workspace Salt Lake Community College ICO Property Management

Members of the International Olympic Committee are visiting Salt Lake this week before almost certainly awarding us the 2034 Winter Games. City and state leaders — and most Utahns! — are super hyped on the prospect of bringing another Olympics to our state. But not all SLC residents are convinced we need a do-over of the ‘02 games — including host Ali Vallarta. Catherine Raney-Norman, a four-time Olympian and chair of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, makes her case for bringing the Olympic dream back to our city. This episode originally aired April 25, 2023. Resources and references: ‘Like 50 Super Bowls:’ Romney says Utah should get ready now to host 2034 Olympic Games [Salt Lake Tribune] The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of the Hoberman Arch [City Cast Salt Lake]  Now more than 80% of Utahns want to host another Olympics, poll shows [Deseret News] Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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 Workspace Salt Lake Community College ICO Property Management

Everywhere you turn in SLC an apartment complex is sprouting from the ground, with “for-rent” banners begging you to sign a lease. But where the heck are all the for-own condos? Dejan Eskic, senior research fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what barriers are standing in the way of our condominium daydreams and where they fit into our affordable housing crisis. Resources and references: Register for “Barriers to Condo Development in Utah” on Friday, April 12 from 3-5 p.m. at the SLC Main Library. It’s Officially Cheaper To Rent Than Buy. What Now? [City Cast Salt Lake] Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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 Workspace Salt Lake Community College ICO Property Management

After the illegal demolition of the Fifth Ward Meetinghouse on Easter Sunday comes a juicy plot twist we didn’t see coming. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means share the latest update and ask: Can we trust developers? Plus, winners and losers from the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention and a hot job for City Cast listeners. Correction: Rep. Brett Garner, D-West Valley, did pursue the signature path to the primary ballot, as did his opponent, Verona Mauga. However, neither candidate certified enough signatures to qualify. Resources and references: Apply to be Salt Lake City’s Public Affairs Manager [slco.gov] Developer planned the demolition of the historic Fifth Ward Meetinghouse [Building Salt Lake] Guess Which of These Vacant Buildings Will Be Housing [City Cast Salt Lake] 2024 Salt Lake County Democrats Convention Results When a Tattoo Is More Than Body Art [City Cast Salt Lake]  Skyline Update, Ranking Utah's Problems, and Bunny Hop Resurrected [City Cast Salt Lake] Video: Jazz Fans Demand the Car [X, formerly Twitter] Legends (all ages), Locker Room (21+), and Fisher Brewing (21+) for NCAAW games Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC and Twitter @CityCastSLC. 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: CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare

What would happen if women left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? This weekend is General Conference for the Salt Lake City-based, global religion, and a recent Instagram post elicited thousands of comments by frustrated women members. Cynthia Winward, co-host of the At Last She Said It Podcast, joins host Ali Vallarta to give an on-the-ground analysis of how women in the church are feeling and where this sentiment could lead Utah. Resources and references: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Instagram post in question [Instagram] Opinion: LDS Women should join me in skipping church on Sunday [Salt Lake Tribune] Exhibit A—Reactions to the Relief Society Broadcast [At Last She Said It Podcast] LDS women’s leader whose ‘priesthood’ speech ignited an Instagram debate responds [Salt Lake Tribune] Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. 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: CRUDE Microbiome-friendly Skincare