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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Salt Lake

Terina Ria

Think you’ve been keeping up with local headlines? Put your news knowledge to the test with this mini crossword.

Pssst: Every answer comes straight from recent 

Shelby Hintze

It’s great to play tourist in your own city, but sometimes you want to go somewhere else entirely. If a plane ticket isn’t in the budget right now, food is a pretty good substitute. For less than the cost of gas to get to the airport, you can transport yourself to the islands with a visit to 

This mom and pop business (literally) started in 

, first in Hawaii and now in Utah. There, Jolene began making budda rolls to sell around the holidays. A budda roll, for the uninitiated, is a fluffy dinner roll packed with an almost irresponsible amount of butter. What started as a seasonal side hustle quickly grew into a devoted following, eventually leading to a brick-and-mortar location in Pleasant Grove and, most recently, a new outpost in Salt Lake City.

According to the Budda’s team, I wasn't the only one making the Utah County pilgrimage. In fact, the steady stream of Salt Lakers showing up for pastries and plate lunches helped convince the family that it was time to expand.

While the bakery case alone is worth the visit, don’t overlook the rest of the menu. Budda’s serves breakfast all day, including island favorites like Loco Moco, Spam musubi, and Portuguese sausage. On my visit, I ordered a breakfast sandwich and then exercised remarkable restraint by limiting myself to only ONE box full of pastries to take home. Everything was excellent. For lunch and dinner, you'll find burgers, teriyaki plates, bulgogi bento boxes, and other Hawaiian comfort-food staples that make it very difficult to decide on just one thing.

What makes Budda’s stand out, though, isn’t just the food. The Keli’iliki family has built community service into the business itself. At both locations, customers can prepay for a meal for someone who may be struggling. The receipt is posted on the wall, and anyone in need can simply take one to the counter and redeem it for a meal. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one.

When I asked about the program, the Budda’s team described it as a small way to give back to the communities that have supported them from a home kitchen to multiple locations. And honestly, that might be the sweetest thing on the menu.

Hawaiian Food to Try in Salt Lake

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

Recently on the City Cast Salt Lake podcast, the team shared their 

. While experiences are great, I also love a good trinket to remind me of a trip. So where should you shop for a Salt Lake souvenir, whether you're treating yourself or sending an out-of-towner home with a piece of Utah?

My favorite spot for the classic souvenir, but elevated. (Get it? 

 OK, moving on.) You'll find fine art and prints featuring Utah's natural beauty, locally made soaps and candles, and yes, the requisite magnet. The shop features work from more than 350 makers, most of them local, all of them small and independent. Wear your love for Salt Lake on your sleeve … or on your Stanley or your fridge.

Note: The 9th & 9th location is not wheelchair accessible, but the Fashion Place location in Murray is!

Another 9th & 9th favorite, Mochi Kids is packed with the funnest toys, clothes, games, and craft supplies to take back to the kids you're temporarily abandoning on your staycation. You may also end up with a sheet of stickers for yourself because vacation is about finding joy. And breaking news, 

You may recognize Mochi Kids from their screen-printed T-shirts at events like Craft Lake City. They've since grown into a full brick-and-mortar and online shop stocked with much more than tees, while continuing to support local printers and socially minded causes.

Think of it as the farmers market that never closes. With four locations across the valley, it's the easiest way to stock up on local favorites year-round: June Pie, Milk Honey yogurt, Cutler's Cookies (my personal champion in Utah's cookie wars, but that's a newsletter for another day), and dozens of other Utah-made treats.

If you want a souvenir you'll actually use, grab a bottle of Redmond Real Salt. It’s harvested from an 

 in Redmond, Utah, in Sevier County. Every pinch can transport you right back to your vacation.

Since 1997, Ken Sanders Rare Books has specialized in Utah history, Mormon studies, Western Americana, national parks, the Colorado River, and the literary West. Inside the old Leonardo Museum, browse three floors of new and used books, artwork, collectibles, and ephemera. Even if you leave empty-handed, it's worth wandering the stacks and imagining what treasures are hiding on the next shelf.

The Best Places to Buy Utah Souvenirs

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

Ali Vallarta

The Utah Legislature is in its interim session, which means they’re already working on ideas for next year. And this month, 

, the lobbying group behind free period products in public schools, hosted a policy pitch competition to source ideas for making our state better and more affordable.

Of 115 submissions, I was delighted to see that all three winners shared ideas we’ve talked about on episodes of our 

🥇“The Utah Rehabilitation, Compliance, and Fair Collections Act”

Utah State University grad student Melaine Webster presented an idea to reform Utah’s criminal debt collection system. People leaving our justice system often see fines and fees piling up faster than they can keep up with, 

 as the debt becomes a barrier to housing and employment.

4 ideas to fund instead of more jail beds

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is when funds are drawn away from a taxing entity (such as the library or school district) to fund development projects. For example, the SLC School District lost 

 to TIF. SLC School Board member Ashley Anderson’s proposal would give the district more representation in these decisions.

The millions SLC schools lost to developers

🥉“The Utah Family Financial Protection Act”

I’ll never forget where I was when I learned that women (especially single mothers) are more likely to 

. Sophia Strong’s proposal would cap payday loan interest rates at 36% in Utah. Right now, they 

Why two local banks ended up on a watchlist

What’s your dream policy pitch to the Utah Legislature? Maybe we can look into it.

Utahns pitched their policy ideas to make the state more affordable. 

Utahns pitch policy ideas to make the state more affordable

A Competition to Make Utah Better

Local Civics

What's being decided in Salt Lake City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Salt Lake City Council. 

Salt Lake Election and City Hall News

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and everyone knows soccer is best enjoyed with a crowd. Here are a few spots 

World Cup Watch Parties, Salt Lake Sues ICE, Beavers on Horseback

You could say streaming the World Cup is sports bars’ World Cup. 

 through the final across its two 20-foot LED walls and 40+ HD TVs. 

 on State Street is also going all in, promising every game 

, is kicking things off — literally — with a 

 this afternoon (June 12) ahead of tonight’s USA vs. Paraguay watch party. 

 for select matches that include the semifinals and final.

 for every USA and Mexico match, plus the final. You can also catch viewings at 

, hosting free watch parties for Mexico games (June 18 and 24). Bring your family, friends, and banderas.

 tonight, with indoor soccer, food, and music.

, the street soccer brand, is hosting two all-ages events: 

, with an all-you-can-eat Brazilian buffet.

 is joining the festivities and has a temporary TV to 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and everyone knows soccer is best enjoyed with a crowd. Here are a few spots hosting watch parties around Salt Lake.

Where To Watch the World Cup in Salt Lake

Everything to know about Salt Lake City neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Salt Lake Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

This article is sponsored by the Utah Arts Festival

 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it remains one of Salt Lake’s quintessential summer traditions. As a suburban teenager, attending the festival always made me feel like such a city girl.

Whether you’re a festival regular or finally checking it out for the first time, here’s how to make the most of it.

: June 18-21 (Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, noon-11 p.m.)

: Civic Center and Library Square (200 E. 400 S.)

? Single-day admission ranges from $15-$22, or you can spring for a four-day pass for $70. Kids 12 and under are free.

The heart of the festival is the Artist Marketplace, where more than 170 artists from Utah and beyond are selling everything from ceramics and jewelry to paintings and photography. Even if you’re just window shopping, it’s hard not to find something special you’ll want to take home.

Arts Festival without some song and dance. This year’s lineup includes headliners Digable Planets, Yola, Shakey Graves, and Rubblebucket, plus performances from local bands, dancers, and performers taking stage throughout the weekend.

If you need an air-conditioned break, head inside the Main Library Auditorium for the Fear No Film Festival, a free showcase featuring 84 short films from 20 countries. There’s even a kids program for young movie buffs.

Follow your nose to Food Row, where you’ll find everything from Swahili cuisine to Cuban sandwiches. Then, wash it all down with something refreshing at the Mountain West Cider & Wine Lounge (I spy a yuzu-coconut cider).

Buy Utah Arts Festival tickets

The Utah Arts Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Whether you’re a festival regular or finally checking it out for the first time, here’s how to make the most of it.

Your Guide to the 2026 Utah Arts Festival

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

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta visited all 511 parks in Salt Lake County and 

 in Salt Lake. If you’re looking to cool off on the cheap, here are the best pools and splash pads I’ve found in Salt Lake parks.

 are adjusting hours this year to help conserve water because of the drought.

Cottonwood Heights’ secret pool is tucked inside Crestwood Regional Park, with neighboring picnic tables and a few lap lanes. Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. $3.50.

It was an 80-acre farm run by the Wardle family, now it’s Bluffdale’s hottest splash pad! Lots of room for play, plus an inch-deep lazy river for toddlers to toddle (and not get knocked down by the big kids). It’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Free.

What’s up in Kearns? A three-level dive tower, splash pad dumping cup, and toddler-friendly slides. BYO well-stocked cooler. Full summer hours start this Friday, June 5: Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. $6-$8.

The pool for Salt Lake City slickers offers more for grown-ups than kids, and maybe that’s its best quality? Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. $3.00.

 Do you look great in red? We are in a national lifeguard shortage. Get lifeguard certified and help keep our pools open 

: Not in Salt Lake, but Park City’s recreation center pool 

 after $9 million renovations. Expect more lap lanes and family features, like a climbing wall and slides.

We are under the oppressive thumb of a heat wave, and may even break a record temp on Saturday. If you’re looking to cool off on the cheap, here are the best pools and splash pads I’ve found in Salt Lake parks.

The Best Park Pools & Splash Pads in Salt Lake

The Best Park Pools & Splash Pads

Salt Lake Parks

Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

Every Park SLC: Visiting All 511 Parks in Salt Lake County

Every Park SLC

It’s June: Have you crafted your summer bucket list yet? Good news: It’s not too late. Here are some of 

 returns June 6, though it’ll look a little different while Pioneer Park undergoes renovations and parts of the market spill onto nearby streets. It’s also arriving after a devastating spring freeze, which means you may notice less fruit at the stalls.

Even more markets to check out

: A weekend pop-up cafe and listening room by Clubhouse SLC and Sound Brew Coffee. It begins June 13 and will be open Saturdays and Sundays. Expect specialty coffee, hi-fi listening events, and dine & vinyl nights with local chefs.

: Enjoy live jazz music at Caputo’s Market all summer long on Fridays at 15th & 15th and Saturdays in Holladay. Expect wine, cheese boards, and resisting the urge to scat along with all the cool cats.

It’s Pride Month, and there are so many ways to celebrate. Here are just a few:

There’s probably an outdoor movie happening at a park near you this month, but here are a few I’m especially looking forward to:

 starts with “Moulin Rouge” on Saturday, June 13 at Pioneer Park.

 in Taylorsville is playing “Freakier Friday” on Friday, June 19 at Centennial Plaza.

 in South Jordan kicks off Friday, June 19 with “Remember the Titans,” and each screening has a fun family activity before the movie starts.

It’s June: Have you crafted your summer bucket list yet? Good news: It’s not too late. Here are some of the best things to do as the season unfolds.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in June 2026

Emily Means

It's a crowded race for Utah’s First Congressional District, with four candidates making their case in the Democratic primary. City Cast Salt Lake sent a survey to all of them, so you can compare where they stand on the issues shaping Salt Lake right now. Here’s their take on the national issues affecting our communities.

Answers are fact checked (see editor’s notes), but are unedited, and candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Utah leaders want to invest in and develop more data centers, like the one proposed in Box Elder County, to support AI. They argue it's a matter of national security and an economic driver. What do you think Utah's approach to data centers should be?

"I support Bernie Sanders' call for a national moratorium on new data centers. We shouldn't be building more until we have strict federal rules barring them from water-stressed regions like ours, mandating 100% clean energy, and protecting communities from environmental harm. We also need to address workforce displacement and regulate AI to ensure transparency, accountability, and public safety. Utah's water, air, and utility bills shouldn't be sacrificed to subsidize Big Tech's profit margins."

"Ban them. Data centers should not be built in Utah. The proposed Box Elder data center alone would consume the equivalent water demand of a mid-sized city in a year, water we don’t have, in a state fighting against losing its largest body of water. I’ll sponsor legislation banning new data centers anywhere in Utah and require existing operators to disclose and fully offset water and energy usage. We either save the GSL or we have data centers; we can’t have both."

"I oppose the proposed Box Elder County Stratos project. I don’t oppose data centers categorically, but we should not approve them unless they meet high standards for water conservation, clean energy, transparency, community engagement, and real public benefit. This project is too close to the Great Salt Lake and adds pressure to an already endangered body of water. These facilities should benefit surrounding communities, not a giveaway to another billionaire running up the tab."

"I support a ban on building any hyper-scale data centers like the one proposed in Box Elder or other water stressed areas in the nation. We are facing one of the worst droughts, we cannot have a policy that compromises our real world for a virtual one. When it comes to a broader data center policy framework, I support mandatory water neutrality standards, cost-causation protections so residents are not subsidizing private infrastructure, and strong ecosystem, noise, and public health standards."

The Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement has destabilized communities, and local leaders have pushed back against an ICE detention center planned for Salt Lake City. If elected, what specific actions would you take to advocate for Salt Lake's interests related to the detention center and immigration enforcement?

"I ran ‘ICE Out’ legislation in the State Senate to stop masked federal agents from terrorizing our neighbors. I've been protesting ICE and the Salt Lake detention center, and I'll keep showing up. In Congress, I'll fight to abolish ICE and to prosecute the agents and officials responsible for the atrocities. I'll use my oversight authority to demand access to every ICE facility in Utah, inspect conditions firsthand, and demand justice."

"Block the detention center by any means. I will abolish ICE, ban officers and agents from wearing masks, end qualified immunity for officers and agents who break the law, and create a real pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents, Dreamers, TPS holders, and farmworkers, coupled with expanded work visas and strong worker protections so corporations can’t exploit immigrant workers to drive down wages. I will also drive federal funding to more immigration judges for faster processing."

"I oppose the proposed ICE detention center in Salt Lake City, and I would use every congressional tool I have to stop it. That means oversight, appropriations, and public pressure to demand answers: who benefits, what it costs, how families will be treated, and how local communities are affected. I’d fight unlawful raids, require due process, protect Dreamers and mixed-status families, and push for comprehensive immigration reform so Washington stops using immigrants as a political weapon."

"I strongly oppose the building of an iCE detention center in Salt Lake. Doing so would only create fear in our immigrant communities and result in legal abuses like those in California and Minnesota. I would support abolishing ICE, defunding ICE, increasing the number of immigration judges, guarantee removal defense in detention proceedings, support bills that end private and mass detention systems, and work to both stop family separations while reuniting families that our government separated."

The 2034 Winter Olympics will likely be a catalyst for some public improvements, as we get ready to host the world in Salt Lake. What's one project you would prioritize and use some congressional muscle to support between now and 2034?

"The Rio Grande Plan is exactly the kind of bold, visionary infrastructure we should be investing in. Putting the rails underground and reactivating the Rio Grande Depot as a central transit hub would reconnect east and west Salt Lake, end the dangerous freight crossings that have divided neighborhoods since 1870, and unlock 75 acres for housing and development. It tackles transit, housing, and historic preservation in one project. I'll fight for the federal dollars to make it real."

"A real transit backbone for the Wasatch Front. I will push federal infrastructure dollars toward extending and expanding TRAX, electrifying and adding frequency to FrontRunner, building a Salt Lake-to-Park City light rail connection, and adding airport links worthy of an Olympic host. Olympics-driven highway widening is the wrong legacy, congestion always returns, but expanded rail capacity is permanent."

"Conservation of the Central Wasatch should be our Olympic legacy. As mayor, I helped bring stakeholders together around the Mountain Accord and worked to protect the Central Wasatch. In Congress, I’ll continue leading the effort to pass the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act. In the Olympic spirit, Utah can rise to this moment by resolving generational disputes and securing lasting protections for the towering mountain peaks and majestic canyons that define us."

"The biggest is improving public transportation options, specifically environmentally sustainable options across the City. We are going to see an influx of people come in from all over the world and the Trax route to the airport is slow and inefficient. We should ensure the impact of this tourism as green as possible. I would also like to support programs that make current infrastructure more sustainable like initiatives to turn our buses that go to and from our canyons electric."

Want to dig even deeper? Follow these links to read more responses from the candidates:

City Cast Salt Lake sent a survey to all four First Congressional District candidates, so you can compare where they stand on the issues shaping Salt Lake right now. Here’s where they stand on the national issues affecting our communities.

Utah’s First Congressional District Democratic Primary: The Candidates on National Issues

Salt Lake January 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

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.

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

Are you keeping up with Salt Lake news? See how much stuck with this week’s mini crossword.

Pssst: You’ll find the answers in recent 

Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake January News Crossword Puzzle

Terina Ria

Share article

Salt Lake, Explained

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

Salt Lake February News Crossword Puzzle

The latest in Salt Lake

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

A Competition to Make Utah Better

Where To Watch the World Cup in Salt Lake

Your Guide to the 2026 Utah Arts Festival

The Best Park Pools & Splash Pads

Your Guide to Salt Lake in June 2026

Utah’s First Congressional District Democratic Primary: The Candidates on National Issues