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City Cast Salt Lake

Adrian González

How close have you been paying attention to the news? Test your knowledge with this crossword puzzle.

Shelby Hintze

While the peach harvest may look a little different this year, local restaurants are still embracing the season, featuring the beloved stone fruit in a variety of menu offerings. Here are some of the treats you need to try before we go full pumpkin spice.

According to the food influencers on Instagram, the most anticipated peach treat is the 

 in Highland. Frozen custard, fresh Highland Garden peaches, a maple cream syrup, and homemade streuseltopping. Yeah, sign me up.

There’s always a debate on what makes a milkshake a milkshake. Can you drink it through a straw or does it need to be eaten with a spoon? Either way, adding peaches is a must. Check out the 

 in Spanish Fork and Orem. Or if you’d rather use a spoon, 

If you’re looking for a baked good, two bakery staples are getting the peach treatment. The gluten-free 

 is usually topped with raspberries but will feature peaches in September. And the 

 features strawberries, peaches, honey, and goat cheese. At 

 with cinnamon, homemade crumble, a Biscoff cookie crust, and fresh whipped cream.

 makes peaches the star of every course. You can order a peach-centered appetizer, main, dessert, or get all three as part of a prix-fixe menu. Peaches and burrata to start, a grilled pork chop with caramelized peaches and a bourbon jus, finished with a thyme-roasted peaches crumble.

The Best Peach Treats in Utah

Get Your Peach Fix With These Treats

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

As summer winds down, temperatures drop and we finally start spending a little more time indoors, so fresh produce might not be top of mind. But don’t put away your farmers market tote just yet.

Late September and early October are some of the best times to shop for locally grown Utah produce. The summer favorites may be fading, but they’re making room for crisp apples, hearty root vegetables, and the squashes that practically beg to become soup.

Depending on where you shop and how the growing season shakes out, you’ll find plenty of Utah-grown produce, including:

Winter squash, including butternut, delicata, and spaghetti squash

Shopping at farmers markets keeps money in the hands of local growers while giving you a chance to eat what’s actually in season.

Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Open through Oct. 11

Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., at Bountiful Town SquareThe 2026 market runs through Oct. 15 and accepts SNAP/EBT, including through Double Up Food Bucks Utah and Produce Rx.

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Open through October 17

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.The market's fall season continues into Oct. 24, with a winter market returning Nov. 15 at 209 E. 500 South.

Did we miss your favorite market? Do you have a can’t-miss vendor? Let us know and we might include it in future City Cast Salt Lake newsletters!

Email me!

Fresh Produce and Farmers Markets For Fall in Utah

Fresh Utah Produce Isn’t Done Yet

Ivana Martinez

September is about as dog-friendly as it gets, with events all month long. Here are some places you should take your furry friend.

Who said Oktoberfest was just for the humans? Bring your pup to the festival Sept. 5-7 at Snowbasin Resort. Get there early: The first 50 dogs will get a free bandana. Dogs must be on leashes.

Take your dog out to the ballgame Sept. 9 to see the Salt Lake Bees play at The Ballpark at America First Square. Expect pet-friendly amenities and other dog lovers.

As pool season comes to an end, dogs all over the valley will get to take a dip Sept. 12. Find a pool or splash pad near you:

Maybe you’re looking for a buddy for your dog? On Sept. 11 and 12 at Wheeler Farm, there will be adoptions, a pet psychic, food trucks, and a chance to have your photo professionally taken.

Can’t take your dog anywhere because they have behavioral issues? Same. But the Humane Society of Utah has a cool two-part training starting Sept. 26 to address some of those pesky triggers. Hopefully, it'll give you and your pup the confidence to venture out more.

Here's where you should take your furry friend this September in Utah. 

Best Places To Take Your Dog in Utah in September 2026

Best Places To Take Your Dog This September

Find the best of everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

 and sentenced to death for murder in Utah. His trial and subsequent death 

So, it’s fair to say Utah’s relationship with organized labor has been … complicated.

Utah is a right-to-work state, meaning workers cannot be required to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. That can make organizing more difficult, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.

When unions successfully negotiate better standards, they can help raise expectations for wages and working conditions across an industry. Better wages mean workers have more money to spend locally, while better benefits and greater job stability can make it easier for people to build lives and stay in their communities.

This Labor Day, here are some ways you can support organized local labor with your money and attention.

Several smaller groups of employees in Utah have joined larger, national unions.

 joined the local Teamsters 222. Winco is a local-ish grocery chain (the first location was in Boise) and is personally my favorite grocery store. Knowing the employees are able to collectively bargain makes me love it even more. And while you’re at it, here’s 

Utah ski resort employees paved the way for other mountain resort workers. In 2015, 

 joined the Communications Workers of America, and in 2022, Park City lift mechanics and electricians voted to unionize alongside them. Today, they're part of 

. In Utah, the union represents more than 200 Park City ski patrollers, roughly 50 lift mechanics and electricians, as well as ski patrollers at 

Utah Building and Trades for Your Next Project

 means supporting skilled workers, fair wages, safer workplaces, and quality training, while investing your money in businesses that help strengthen Utah’s workforce and local economy. Save this list for your next project.

IBEW 354 represents 3,000 electrical workers in Utah and has a 

plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC specialists

Utah Union Businesses and Workers to Support Labor Day 2026

Your Labor Day To-Do List: Support Utah Workers

unionized city employees who keep our libraries

 running? Make sure you have a library card!

September is National City Library Card Signup Month. If you don’t have a library card already, that’s OK. It’s easy to 

. Remember, you will need ID and a piece of mail, a check, a paystub, etc. to prove you are a Salt Lake City or County resident. (You can still pay $80 a year if you live outside Salt Lake County but want the perks!)

All this month, if you show your Salt Lake library card, you can get discounts at local businesses like:

, my personal favorite place to get a classic combination plate, a crispy Diet Coke, and to try all the different salsas at the salsa bar before realizing I can only handle the mild.

 to stock up on all the witchy, cozy, fall romances. “

, especially since I keep forgetting to sign up for my free birthday cake! I definitely want to give the new Galactic Brownie a try.

. I’ve taken several watercolor classes there and want to try the 

other perks of having a Salt Lake City Library card

 featuring City Library Signup Month ambassador, Laufey, from the American Library Association!

Local Discounts With Your Salt Lake City Library Card 2026

Your Library Card Is More Powerful Than You Think

Terina Ria

September is summer and fall: Keep enjoying warm days while settling into cozy nights. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy this in-between month.

Your Guide to September 2026 in Salt Lake

Head to Red Butte Garden for the Intermountain Hoop Dance Competition on Sept. 12, where Indigenous dancers use hoops to tell visual stories. Then stick around for drum groups, artists, food trucks, and community organizations.

Take an early fall road trip to Torrey in southern Utah for Fort Desolation Fest from Sept 24-26. The three-day outdoor music festival brings together Andrew Bird, Tune-Yards, and Bella White. It’s right near Capitol Reef so there’s plenty of adventuring to do between shows.

No hair? No problem. Meet some fellow baldies at this Salt Lake City meetup on Sept. 26. Among all the shiny heads, you can expect games, competitions, and giveaways. Bald caps are welcome, too.

Get ahead of your winter weaving and attend a class at Bewitched by Alpacas in Bluffdale. You’ll learn the basics on a handcrafted loom while alpacas and goats hangout nearby. Classes take place on various days throughout the month.

Atelier’s fourth annual Dollhouse Show on Sept. 12 features tiny worlds handmade by more than 20 local artists. It might even inspire you to take on a tiny hobby of your own.

Make the most of September in Salt Lake with meetups, crafting, hoop dancing, and festivals.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in September 2026

September in Utah screams festival season. Here are some recommendations to add to your list.

: Rise up, mi gente Latina, 'cause from Sept. 4-7, we’re dancing and eating our hearts out in Utah County's Historic Courthouse. Bring the whole family and make a day (or weekend) of it.

: Immerse yourself in Afro culture on Sept. 5 at Salt Lake City’s Library Square. You’ll shop local, see fashion and art showcases, and hear live music performances. Make sure to come with an empty stomach.

: Enjoy the fall foliage at Snowbird with a stein and a brat, now till Oct. 11. Make the most of it and rent a room at the resort or plan a ride back. Pro-tip: Thrift your stein mug or borrow one so you don’t get up-charged.

: Experience the locals version of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” from Sept. 11-13 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, marking the festival's 50th year. You already know I’ll be in the baklava line.

: Samba your way to Orem on Sept. 12, home to one of the state's largest Brazilian festivals. Expect live music, capoeira, art, activities, and a full day of culture.

 For vegetarians and animal lovers, VegFest is back on Sept. 12 at Salt Lake’s Library Square. Prepare yourselves for a beer garden, kid-friendly activities, and delicious food.

: Calling all pasta lovers to the Gateway from Sept. 19-20; get ready for the food coma of your lives. Bring on the vino.

: Head up to the Capitol Hill neighborhood Sept. 26 for some live music and dancing next to the Marmalade Library.

Salt Lake Festivals September 2026

September 2026’s Best Festivals

After Utah's thrilling wins in the newest MICHELIN travel guide region, we’re holding out hope that another Utah restaurant will take home a star in the future.

Hell’s Backbone Grill is a perfect example of the MICHELIN criteria — innovative, consistent, sustainable, and well worth the trip.

If you know me IRL or have gathered anything from reading this newsletter, I’m an indoor cat. So I’m not making many trips to Southern Utah for hikes or camping. That said, I WOULD make a trip just for 

The Boulder, Utah, restaurant is a longtime destination for farm-to-table dining, with offerings made from ingredients grown at its own 

 or from local suppliers. The menu changes with the seasons, so you'll have a new experience with each trip.

The restaurant has been serving diners in the heart of southern Utah since 2000, when chefs Jen Castle and Blake Spalding decided to build a restaurant around their shared commitment to food, community, and sustainability.

Over the years, it has become part of Boulder’s community fabric and an advocate for the landscapes surrounding it. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is woven into its operations, and Castle and Spalding became 

vocal advocates for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. Their work has earned national attention, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.

In 2025, after 25 years of renting the property, Castle, Spalding, and longtime team members purchased the Boulder Mountain Lodge and restaurant, giving this beloved Utah institution a new chapter.

Black powder biscuits (and buying mixes to give as gifts), Three Sisters posole, butter dipped farm radishes, trout ‘n herbs, summer buttermilk pie.

Hell's Backbone Grill in Utah is Worthy of a MICHELIN Star

A MICHELIN Star? We’d Give It to Hell’s Backbone

Test how closely you’ve been paying attention to the news in Salt Lake with this crossword puzzle. 

Salt Lake December News Crossword Puzzle

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Twenty-seven years ago today, a destructive tornado tore through downtown Salt Lake City and left behind an unusual piece of history: a desk. In honor of the anniversary, we’re looking back at that story and a few other Utah deep cuts.

On Aug. 11, 1999, an F2 tornado in Salt Lake City killed one person, injured more than 80, and damaged 300 buildings and homes. Salvaged wood from uprooted trees at the Capitol was turned into a “tornado desk” that now sits in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office. Then-first lady Jacalyn Leavitt even 

turned the story into a children’s book

 in 2001, with tickets starting at just $29. Fair organizers at the time loved booking “rising stars,” including the likes of NSYNC and Britney Spears.

 at the Outlets at Traverse Mountain’s 2013 Christmas tree lighting. What are the chances we’ll get her for the 13th anniversary?

In May 1972, Salt Lake man Michael Hansen 

 in protest of the Vietnam War, and redirected it on a Salt Lake City → Los Angeles → Dallas → Tampa → Havana joy ride.

From Salt Lake’s tornado desk to Destiny’s Child at the State Fair, revisit four surprising moments from Utah history.

4 Utah History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Utah Deep Cuts You Should Know About

Only true local news nerds will ace this one. See how well you’re paying attention to the headlines. Every answer can be found in recent editions of the newsletter. 

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Ice cream is a yearlong treat but especially satisfying when the weather gets warm. As we head into summer, put your knowledge to the test: Do you know where you can find these frozen delicacies?

Spring in Salt Lake means blooming trees, warmer days, and that unmistakable smell. Test your knowledge on the city’s most notorious tree. 

Test Your Salt Lake Knowledge

Name That Ice Cream

Test your memory with our mini news crossword. Every clue comes straight from a recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletter!

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Think you know what it costs to live in Salt Lake City? Take our quiz and guess the rent on these local listings.

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Maybe you skim the news, maybe you read everything: see how much stuck with this week’s mini news crossword.

Hint: Find the answers in recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletters.

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Lately, I’ve seen a number of Australian-style coffee shops in Salt Lake City popping up on my feed. But what even is Australian coffee?

“Australian coffee” isn’t necessarily a specific bean or roast, it’s more about the culture. Instead of chains, Australia’s coffee culture evolved through neighborhood cafes, with baristas focusing on quality and craft. It’s no wonder they fit right into Salt Lake City’s independent coffee scene.

If there is one drink that represents Australian coffee the most, it’s the flat white (though Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented it). A flat white is made with espresso and finely frothed milk for a signature silky texture. Compared to a typical American latte, it’s stronger and contains a lot less milk.

Generally, flavored syrups aren't as common. But if you want something sweet try an iced coffee, which is espresso, milk, and ice cream. And if you’re in Tyra Banks’ Australia (aka Sydney) you can get a 

Where To Find Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

: One of the newest coffee shops in Millcreek. They take the laid back approach to Aussie coffee culture. Plus, they have a sick kookaburra mural, so you know they’re legit.

An Australian-owned restaurant in Park City that serves Aussie-style iced coffee (cold brew nitro and ice cream).

: With locations in Salt Lake City and Sandy, the founder has over 20 years of coffee experience that started in Sydney. You’ll find flat whites and iced coffee here.

: An Australian-style coffee truck, on a brief hiatus while the owner (a professional rugby player) plays rugby in Boston. But they’re set to reopen in the summer. Bonus: They 

What Is Australian Coffee?

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

This winter has been the warmest in Salt Lake City history, but that’s not the only thing we have in the record books. Think you know what other records SLC holds? Test your knowledge in our mini crossword.

Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake December News Crossword Puzzle

Adrian González

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Salt Lake, Explained

Utah Deep Cuts You Should Know About

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Name That Ice Cream

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

The latest in Salt Lake

Get Your Peach Fix With These Treats

Fresh Utah Produce Isn’t Done Yet

Best Places To Take Your Dog This September

Your Labor Day To-Do List: Support Utah Workers

Your Library Card Is More Powerful Than You Think

Your Guide to Salt Lake in September 2026

September 2026’s Best Festivals

A MICHELIN Star? We’d Give It to Hell’s Backbone