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

City Cast Salt Lake

Terina Ria

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.

This Saturday, April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake.

Participate in the Utah Indie Bookshop Crawl

 (you must have a physical map, and copies are limited at bookstores).

Pick your route: The Sprint or The Marathon.

: Collect 10 stamps on April 25, 2026. Pick up your prize from the SLC library (while supplies last).

: You have until Dec. 31, 2026 to get a stamp from all 25 locations on the map. Collect your prize at the last bookstore.

The Legendarium reigns in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books. They’ve also got a cutie cafe in the back, so you can really spend all day there.

Under the Umbrella is a queer bookstore and cafe that celebrates queer authors and creates a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. They have a 

Find the golden ticket for a year’s worth of audiobook credits.

And a fun queer bookstore rally with The Legendarium

This bookstore (and book cart!) has quickly become a community staple. On April 25, take 15% off the whole store, and search for 

Lovebound Library specializes in romantic novels. Don’t miss their 

, featuring Pie Flight and Space Tea and a bunch of other ways to celebrate!

The King’s English will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first local bookstore I frequented as a youth (I was raised on libraries and a certain big-box bookstore that shall not be named). Glad to see their 

 (with something that rhymes with shmello snot) is back!

This Saturday, April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake. 

The Best Salt Lake Indie Bookstores

The Best Indie Bookstores

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

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

Welcome to our rolling list of all the best, new restaurants opening around Salt Lake!

If your go-to spots are starting to feel a little 

go-to, this is your sign to branch out of your regular rotation. There are so many new openings around town, add these to your list.

A new French bakery is opening in Holladay on Thursday, April 23. Expect flaky croissants, pastries, and quiche (oh la la!).

Savage Fish Poke is expanding with a new location in West Valley, bringing their popular Hawaiian-style bowls to the west side. They also sell fresh flower leis, right in time for graduation.

Empanadas are the star of the show at this new Salt Lake City spot (an expansion from their Park City location). Fillings range from classic beef to pulled pork and are served baked, fried, or frozen to take home.

A cafe chain that specializes in matcha from Uji, Japan. They also serve yummy onigiri.

Don’t sleep on the food in Provo, this new burger joint is keeping their menu short and sweet with smashed wagyu patties, beef tallow fries, and old-school milkshakes.

A unique speakeasy-style omakase experience inside the Peery Hotel, with chef-guided tastings and a solid lineup of cocktails and sake.

This Ogden original opened a new Millcreek location. Come here for your classic Italian pastries and desserts (cannoli, tiramisu, and panna cotta).

Salt Lake’s food and drink scene is always growing. Here are the latest openings worth trying.

Located in a historic building in downtown Salt Lake City and inspired by East Coast oyster houses and classic martini bars. Heads up, it’s 21+ only.

, you’ll find classic New York-style slices at this Marmalade neighborhood spot. Even better, they serve alcohol and are open until 11 p.m. daily.

A few miles south, across from Liberty Park, Via Veneto Pizzarium is slinging Roman-style pizza al taglio (by the cut). The slices are rectangular, and sold by weight, so it’s perfect for trying a bunch of different flavors.

A Sicilian-inspired restaurant that opened last week, a block away from Via Veneto. Come here for the pasta and stay for the Sicilian desserts like torta setteveli (a layered chocolate and hazelnut cake).

Another day, another coffee shop — we can never have too many. Ten is located at 636 S. 200 W. (attached to Momomaru), and brings a bit of L.A. vibes to Salt Lake City. They offer coffee, matcha, and bagel sandwiches.

This month's restaurant feature is a story of what's old is new again, with the revamping of familiar favorites and fresh faces popping up in shuttered spaces.

The triumphant return of a legendary sandwich shop, Grove Market and Deli has reopened after a monthslong closure, following the sale to a new owner. Go here for a cold-cut sandwich as big as your face and a massive hot sauce selection.

From coffee truck, to brick and mortar, and back to coffee truck again, Old Cuss has officially put down roots in Downtown SLC. The cafe on Pierpont Avenue serves up specialty lattes, vegetarian sandwiches, and fresh pastries. Try their classic black currant latte.

This taco shop brings a taste of Los Angeles flavor to Murray; executive chef Luis Perez is Michelin-recognized for his Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana. La Lola's blue-corn tortillas are made in house daily.

New brunch alert! The Brick opened recently in the old Cafe Niche space (another former breakfast spot) on 300 South. Their menu lists classic breakfast items and sandwiches. Looks like they're dipping their toe in the dinner scene, too.

Italian-Japanese fusion hits Downtown on 200 South, where Laziz Kitchen used to be. Gossip comes from the chefs behind Mint Sushi and Tapas (a personal favorite) and Carmine's. They're positioning it as a speakeasy, so check out their cocktails.

Another blending of cultures, Killa Nikkei brings together Peruvian and Japanese cuisine in the building that formerly housed Current Fish & Oyster. This spot still serves seafood, though, with a focus on ceviches and sushi rolls, plus Peruvian classics, like lomo saltado and anticuchos.

The latest restaurant openings in Salt Lake are all about comfort food and cozy coffee shops.

Maven District has a new bakery, soft opening this weekend from 9 a.m. to sold out. Bury me in layers of croissants.

A one-stop shop for Vietnamese food and coffee in a refurbished bank in West Valley.

 this past summer, Cali-based Sidecar Doughnuts is finally open for business.

Previously a mobile coffee cart, Mecca opened a brick-and-mortar in the Granary District.

Southern-style cooking in West Jordan including fried catfish and chicken and waffles.

A cool looking coffee shop in Lehi. They offer Baby’s Bagels and housemade syrups with flavors like ube, Luxardo cherry, and cozy cabin (I’m intrigued).

Salt Lake has a fresh batch of openings this month, each one leaning into a specific specialty. What a great excuse to try something new. 

A family-run bakery in Lehi dedicated to focaccia. Expect thick, crispy-edged bread with a pillowy interior, offered in rotating flavors that range from sweet cinnamon to savory tomato pesto.

Located at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon is a Himalayan-inspired mountain bar serving up dishes from 

, craft cocktails, and local beer. Visit them for their soft opening today from 4-11 p.m.

Welcome to our rolling list of all the best, new restaurants opening around Salt Lake in April 2026!

Salt Lake’s Best New Restaurants and Bars in April 2026

Salt Lake’s Best New Restaurants and Bars

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Salt Lake City. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Salt Lake Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Levitated Media

Unknown numbers appear every day, and curiosity often leads people to search for a free reverse phone lookup to uncover who is behind the call. Spam, robocalls, and suspicious messages have made it harder to trust unfamiliar numbers, leaving many people wondering if a missed call is harmless or something worth investigating.

While many platforms promise instant answers at no cost, the truth is that most free tools only reveal limited information before directing users to paid reports. The right free reverse phone lookup tool can turn a random number into a clear answer in seconds. 

 stands out, but here you will find a complete overview of the most trusted tools available.

Best Free Reverse Phone Lookup Services Online

Here are the review of the top platforms that allow a free reverse phone number lookup with name results.

The digital trail left by a phone number often leads to the doors of 

. This California-based company provides unlimited reverse phone lookup searches with a monthly subscription, which allows you to run as many reports as you need without individual per-search fees.

Security is handled through 256-bit encrypted connections to protect your search history. These encrypted connections ensure that your investigation remains completely private from the subject of your search. Users can also download reports as PDFs for a $3.99 fee to keep a hard copy of the evidence.

Unlimited phone reports under the $5.99 plan

Automated report monitoring for data updates

Secure 256-bit encryption for all searches

Standard membership is more expensive than competitors

Additional cost for premium report details

 has patrolled the data underground since its founding in 2003. This longevity has allowed the service to accumulate access to more than 20 billion public records. A reverse lookup on this platform provides the caller's location and possible photos. These photos are sourced from public profiles and social media repositories.

Privacy is a priority for the company, which holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. You can request your own data removal via a dedicated privacy email to scrub your digital footprint. The service is available via mobile apps on both iOS devices and Android. These mobile apps allow you to identify unknown callers in real time.

Access to a massive database of 20 billion records

Cheap trial options for short-term investigations

Strong BBB rating for business reliability

Effective mobile apps for on-the-go lookups

Pricing structure can be confusing for new users

Trial-to-subscription traps require careful cancellation

 in the hunt for data. This Sacramento-based company has been in operation since 1999, searching approximately 43 billion public records. A search for a telephone number on this platform typically completes in under three minutes.

Individual reports are available for those who avoid monthly commitments. Single reports for people searches start at $1.95, though detailed background reports can cost up to $39.95 individually. The platform also provides a specialized Reverse Email Lookup feature to identify unknown senders.

Processing time of under three minutes per search.

Low introductory price of $9.95 for new users.

Access to a massive 43 billion record database.

Individual background reports are very expensive.

Limited social media data compared to competitors.

 is the dominant force in global caller identification. Developed in 2009 in Stockholm, Sweden, the app has more than 450 million active users worldwide. Truecaller is trusted by more than 450 million people globally for identifying unknown callers and spam.

Caller ID and spam detection remain free features on Android devices. Truecaller is no longer available as a free service on iOS devices, requiring a subscription for basic features. The platform has identified and blocked more than 46 billion spam calls to date.

World-leading database of blocked spam numbers.

AI Assistant for automated call screening.

Free version available for Android users.

Verified badges for legitimate business numbers.

Privacy concerns regarding contact list collection.

 focuses on the social side of the data underground. Founded in 2006 by Stanford graduates, the site aggregates data from more than 12 billion public records. It attracts more than 18 million monthly visitors who seek to unmask digital ghosts.

The platform tracks information across more than 60 social networks to find social media profiles linked to a phone number. The service allows you to search by name, phone, email, address, or username.

This multi-layered search capability helps you verify a person across multiple platforms. The company is remote-first and has approximately 200 employees dedicated to maintaining the data stream. These employees ensure that the social media integration remains functional as platforms change their privacy settings.

Excellent social media account integration.

Affordable three-month subscription plan.

User-friendly interface for quick searching.

Multiple search parameters, including usernames.

Extra fees for court and historical records.

Single reports are expensive compared to subscriptions.

 is the specialist you call when you suspect a lie. Based in Murrieta, California, the service focuses on detecting catfishing and romance scams. It specializes in verifying the caller's identity to protect users from emotional and financial fraud. The service accesses more than 200 billion records to cross-reference identities.

The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau for its investigative integrity. It also offers a members-only Facebook group for sharing scammer profiles and experiences. Human "Search Specialists" are available for manual audits if the automated systems fail.

Find the best free reverse phone lookup tools to identify unknown callers, trace suspicious numbers, and uncover who is behind a phone number.

Free Reverse Phone Lookup: Best Tools For Phone Search

Send us the deets

It’s hard to make new friends as an adult. But the good news: Salt Lake is booming with social clubs. Here are some for you to try!

Where To Make Friends in Salt Lake City

Emily Means

It's been a minute since the 2026 legislative session ended, which has been great for our collective blood pressure here in Utah.

But some of us are still noodling over what happened — like me, Emily Means, City Cast Salt Lake's executive producer and a former politics reporter. I'm obsessed with the drama that unfolded on the final night, when the Senate passed a bill after the midnight deadline and had to void the results.

, which FOX 13 reporter Ben Winslow coined the 

 Lawmakers seem keen to revisit the idea in the future, so let's talk about this proposal that asks: Is Salt Lake County too big?

The TL;DR of this 352-line legislation is it provided a pathway for a group of cities to leave a county and form their own. Why would they want to do that? Maybe their politics don't align with county leadership; maybe they think they can offer better services to their residents.

Now, there's already a way for citizens to initiate a split, but HB 212 created a different process:

The city councils of the cities that want to leave vote to do so. Their combined population needs to be at least one-third of the county's population, and they can't split a city with the proposed boundaries of the new county.

Those cities fund a study to determine the cost of leaving and how the new county will do all the things it's required to do, like having a health department and a sheriff.

In the next general election, if a majority of voters in 

 the "old" and "new" counties approve the split, it's official.

The bill specifically applies to counties with a population greater than one million residents. That means only Salt Lake County qualifies (at 1.2 million residents), though Utah County is inching closer with about 800,000.

The Salt Lake County Council voted to take a neutral stance on the bill. There was no public comment on it during its legislative hearings.

Back to this question about Salt Lake County being too big. Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, sponsored the bill. During his presentations, he kept saying — and I'm paraphrasing here — that as government gets bigger, it moves further away from who it represents.

I called up Teuscher and asked what he meant by that.

" What happens is the county continues to grow and grow and provide certain services, and they don't get as much feedback from what people really want," he said. "It becomes this sort of invisible layer of government that doesn't have a very good check and isn't well connected to people."

Teuscher said now that there are "wall-to-wall" cities across Salt Lake, there's a lot of overlap between municipal and county services, like libraries, parks, and law enforcement. Fewer than 12,000 residents live in unincorporated areas, meaning they're not part of a city and Salt Lake County government is the only local government they have.

As far as a number, Teuscher said he couldn't give a "perfect answer for what the right size" is. According to an analysis of Census data by 

, Salt Lake County is the 39th largest county in the U.S.

Mostly, Teuscher told me he hoped the bill could give cities "leverage" to challenge the county's role and how resources are allocated.

" I'm not even necessarily sold on the fact that we have to split Salt Lake County," he said. "But my fear is … that the county itself holds so tightly to those types of things that the only way that you might be able to start having a real conversation like that is by looking at splitting the county."

Here's the burning question for me: What cities want to leave Salt Lake County? I asked Teuscher directly, and he said he's talked with some mayors about it, but he "[doesn't] think there are any cities that are willing to go on the record right now to say that."

However, the Salt Lake County Council meeting on Jan. 27, 2026 gives some clues. During a discussion about HB 212, Councilmember Sheldon Stewart, from the southwestern part of the valley, said, "There is a segment of our population, which I represent, that really has struggled, especially with Salt Lake City."

Stewart elaborated that it's not about political ideology but rather transit funding. He said there's "resentment" among cities in his area that feel their access to transit isn't as robust as Salt Lake City's for what they spend.

So, I emailed the mayors of the five cities that seemed most likely to be disgruntled — Herriman, South Jordan, West Jordan, Bluffdale, and Riverton.

All of them said essentially the same thing: They aren't involved in any discussions about splitting the county.

The strongest response came from Riverton Mayor Tish Buroker.

"I do not support, and would not consider, separating from Salt Lake County," she said. "One of the reasons the County is moving their offices from 2100 South to Midvale is to be more accessible to the southwest quadrant of the valley, which is appreciated. I look forward to continuing to work with Salt Lake County."

OK, zero-for-five on the most likely cities. So, I decided to go big and ask every municipal mayor in the county — all 23 of them — if they've discussed or considered leaving Salt Lake County.

I heard back from 17 of them by the time we published this story: Alta, Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, Holladay, Kearns, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray, Riverton, Sandy, Salt Lake City, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Taylorsville, West Jordan, and White City. Again, 

 of them told me they had not discussed or considered leaving Salt Lake County. Except Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski, who declined to comment. You can read all of the mayors' responses below.

Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel mentioned the strength of the city's partnership with the county. But beyond that, he said the nuts and bolts of splitting "would make it extremely difficult to justify."

"Standing up a new county would come with significant costs to taxpayers, require rebuilding services and infrastructure that the county already provides effectively, and demand years of time and staff resources that our city would much rather invest in serving our residents," Gettel said. "It's just not something that makes sense for Midvale."

FYI, I asked Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson's office about the bill and if they were aware of any cities that wanted to leave. A spokesperson declined to comment, except to point to the County Council's neutral stance on the legislation.

HB 212 failed this session, but Teuscher said this is a long game for him. He introduced the bill in the 2025 general session and will likely bring it back next year. There's been whispers that the Legislature may revisit it in a special session, but Teuscher doesn't expect that.

" I think it's an important bill, but it is not an urgent bill," he said.

In the meantime, Salt Lakers will ponder: What's the proper size of a county government? Or maybe that's just what keeps nerds like me awake at night.

When the 2026 legislative session ended, the Senate passed a bill after the midnight deadline: HB 212, coined the "Salt Lake County divorce bill."  Lawmakers seem keen to revisit the idea in the future, so let's talk about it: Is Salt Lake County too big?

Do Some Cities Want to Leave Salt Lake County?

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

Salt Lake City has one of the best-rated airports in the country, but it’s also among the 

. If you’re headed there soon for spring travel, here’s what you should check out, from budget-friendly to a little more indulgent.

The airport offers three sensory rooms for travelers who may get overstimulated in busy terminals. They’re equipped with bean bags, soft lighting, and activity panels.

 to get a craft beer and feed your family.

What I appreciate about the SLC airport is many of the restaurants don’t gouge their prices, and the new Aubergine Kitchen is no exception. Try the acai bowls and Mediterranean-inspired dishes with roasted veggies and hearty grains.

: a med spa offering “non-invasive services.”

Not-your-average souvenir shop, this was created in partnership with the National Parks Foundation which helps preserve our national parks through ongoing conservation efforts.

Headed to the airport for the upcoming holidays? The Salt Lake City international airport is often ranked as one of the best in the country (and even the world). Here are a few new spots to check out while you’re there.

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Terina Ria

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