KSL NewsRadio launched “KSL News Daily,” a new weekday podcast hosted by veteran journalist Maria Shilaos, on June 23, 2026. The show delivers one in-depth analysis of a major Utah story alongside a quick rundown of the three things listeners need to know to start their day.
Host's professional background
Shilaos, who has anchored Utah’s Noon News and hosted Midday with Maria Shilaos on KSL NewsRadio, brings decades of local reporting experience to the format. Episodes drop each weekday morning and are designed for on-demand listening, targeting commuters and others seeking concise yet substantive coverage without relying on live radio schedules.
Born and raised in Utah, Shilaos graduated from Olympus High School and earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Utah. She joined KSL NewsRadio in 1989 and has received multiple honors from the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including the 2017 award for Best Newscast for her work on Utah’s Noon News. She also hosts the KSL Greenhouse Show and the “Let’s Get Moving with Maria” podcast, and she teaches radio journalism and podcasting at the University of Utah.
Podcast content and features
The new podcast expands KSL’s digital offerings by focusing on deeper context for one pressing local story each episode while providing the quick-hit headlines that busy listeners value. The first episode examined the high-stakes Utah primary elections, outside spending, redistricting effects, voter privacy, mail-in ballot deadlines, and related protests over data centers, alongside updates on smoky air health impacts, the Utah Jazz NBA Draft outlook, and popular birdcams.
Maria Shilaos on the launch
Shilaos described the launch as an opportunity to meet audiences on their terms. “It’s so exciting to deliver in-depth news coverage in a new way on a platform that meets people where and when they want to find their news,” she said. “It’s a privilege for me to take our listeners behind the scenes of stories that frame the important decisions they make for the health, safety and prosperity of their families.”
Executive praise for the show
Sheryl Worsley, Vice President of KSL NewsRadio and Podcasts, highlighted the value of the single-story focus. “Maria is one of the most dedicated journalists I’ve worked with, and I’m thrilled to see her bring that rigor to a podcast format,” Worsley said. “A daily show built around a single story gives us the room to go deeper – to deliver the kind of depth Utahns deserve and don’t always get. We’re incredibly proud to be producing this.”
Where to listen and availability
Episodes are available on the KSL Podcasts platform at kslpodcasts.com, as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other major podcast directories. The format aligns with broader industry shifts toward portable audio that fits into morning routines for Salt Lake County and Utah County residents navigating traffic or starting their workdays.
About KSL NewsRadio history
KSL NewsRadio, part of Bonneville International, has served Utah audiences for more than a century with news, weather, and community coverage across broadcast, digital, and now expanded podcast platforms.
