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Axios Salt Lake City
How Mormonism plays into Utah Gov. Cox's sudden embrace of Trump
Days after saying he would not vote for former President Trump, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox "pledged" his support in a letter he sent to Trump after the shooting last weekend at a Pennsylvania rally. Why it matters: Cox refused to vote for Trump in 2016's and 2020's presidential elections —...
Finalists announced to host future Sundance Film Festivals
Data: Sundance Institute; Map: Axios VisualsThe nonprofit behind the Sundance Film Festival on Friday named the finalists in the running to host the iconic event starting in 2027. Driving the news: Park City and Salt Lake City's joint bid made it to the last phase, along with five other cities: AtlantaBoulder, ColoradoCincinnati, OhioLouisville, KentuckySanta Fe, New MexicoWhat they're saying: "We are committed to working in partnership on a new vision of 'Two Cities, One Experience' with a shared goal of reinvigorating the festival with an even greater tradition for storytelling over the next 40 years," according to a statement from...
Utah's COVID-19 wastewater levels are high as summer surge takes hold
Data: CDC. Map: Axios VisualsUtah's wastewater is showing "high" levels of COVID-19 as more people get out of their homes this summer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Why it matters: The prevalence of COVID is especially high in the West, where test positivity in the region comprising Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada stood at 15.6%, and viral activity in wastewater has been rising over the past month, CDC data shows.Threat level: COVID-19 cases are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories, and more than half of the states have virus levels that are "very high"...
Mormon temple OK'd after Las Vegas zoning dispute
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gained approval to build a controversial 70,000-square-foot temple with a towering spire in the rural Lone Mountain neighborhood on the outskirts of Las Vegas.The big picture: It's the Utah-based church's latest victory in a series of zoning disputes over its worldwide push to build more temples.Temples house religious ceremonies and are open only to church members who are deemed "worthy" by the faith's clergy.Driving the news: The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the temple — but with the height reduced by 20 feet.The church wanted to build...
SLC weekend events: Sundance movies, mariachi fest and rodeo
There's lots to do in Salt Lake City this weekend, from free indie films to the rodeo.🎥 Free Sundance moviesLocal Lens is back, featuring films that were shown during the 2024 festival.When: Thursday-Sunday. Look up showtimes and RSVPWhere: Various locations in Salt Lake City, Park City, and West Valley City🎺 Mariachi downtownA mariachi festival is coming to downtown Salt Lake during the city's Open Streets weekend, where a portion of Main Street closes to vehicles. When: Friday, 6pmWhere: Eccles TheaterAdmission: Free🤠 Days of '47 RodeoThe annual rodeo kicks off this week right before Pioneer Day.When: Friday-Wednesday at 7:30pm, with no event on SundayWhere: Utah State FairparkAdmission: Tickets start at $18
Salt Lake home prices are rising again
Data: Redfin. Chart: Axios VisualsHome prices in the Salt Lake metro area rose steadily this spring after the market seemingly cooled a bit last year.Why it matters: Summer is the most fruitful home-selling season, so we're checking out where the market stands.By the numbers: The median price as of May was $534,900, up from $530,500.What's next: Elevated mortgage rates, which are dampening the appeal and affordability of home buying, could remain high for longer.The Fed signaled in June that only one interest rate cut is coming this year.Zoom in: The high mortgage rates are especially significant in Utah, where existing homeowners enjoy unusually low mortgage rates, disincentivizing them to sell. That likely adds pressure to Salt Lake's already-strapped housing supply.
Utah tech entrepreneur sentenced for fraud
A Utah man whose promised smartphone technology was called "the biggest mobile phone mystery of the 2010s" faces prison time and fines for defrauding investors out of $10 million.Why it matters: Chad Sayers' "Saygus" smartphones were hailed by tech media — and promoted by the governor's office — for their pioneering video-calling technology.Catch up quick: Sayers introduced several phone prototypes from 2009 to 2016, promising production would begin soon.Meanwhile, he claimed Verizon had certified the phone for years after that certification had expired, federal investigators alleged.Zoom in: Sayers used those false claims to defraud "approximately 300 investors out of $10...
Salt Lake City's "urban heat islands," mapped
Data: Climate Central. Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosAs dangerously high temperatures hit Utah this summer, a new analysis finds Salt Lake's urban "heat islands" (UHIs) significantly exacerbate the weather.The big picture: Heat islands — hotspots with higher temperatures compared to surrounding areas — are created when roads, buildings, parking lots, and so on "trap" heat.By the numbers: 64% of Salt Lake residents live in environments where UHIs can amplify summer temperatures by at least 8°F, according to a report by Climate Central, a nonprofit climate research group.The intrigue: The worst of Salt Lake's heat islands are scattered around the city — deviating...
Salt Lake City airport adding restaurants, Swig, shopping
From a hit Mexican restaurant to a Utah national parks gift shop, new dining and shopping options are coming to Salt Lake City International Airport.Driving the news: 12 businesses plan to open in 2025 and 2026, as the new airport is completed in phases, airport officials announced Tuesday.New restaurants will include:Monarca (see Capricorn in our SLC zodiac restaurant guide!)Moab BreweryAubergine KitchenMoochie's MeatballsMr. Charlie's Chicken FingersSwigEinstein Bros. Bagels The new retail shops are:Utah National ParksGood Earth MarketArt of Aesthetics&GoHudson
Utah's wildfire season explodes with more human-caused fires
Utah's wildfire season has exploded with a spate of summer blazes, many caused by people.The big picture: Lightning is historically the primary source of Utah's wildfires — though that pattern has shifted toward human causes in recent years.Driving the news: Six major fires were spreading around the state as of Tuesday, with winds and lightning expected to cause even more.Threat level: As forecasters feared, hot weather has dried up a lot of new vegetation that grew during Utah's last two winters of heavy snow.With thunderstorms in the forecast, fire danger was rated "very high" in northwest and southwest Utah, with...
2034 Winter Games in SLC could generate billions in economic impact
Utah is expected to come out ahead financially if it hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics, per a report released last week.Why it matters: Many cities across the world have hosted the Olympics at a loss, benefiting instead from the energy and international spotlight it brings.Driving the news: If Salt Lake City hosts the 2034 Winter Olympics, it's projected to generate over $6.6 billion in economic impact for the state between now and 2035, with expenditures totaling $4.1 billion, per the analysis from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.The report's projections use 2023 dollars.The last time Utah's capital...
Utahns more likely than average to work after age 65
Data: BLS. Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosA larger share of people ages 65 and up in Utah work compared to nationally, according to preliminary 2023 census data.The big picture: It's not uncommon these days for older Americans to stay in the workforce, particularly in states with older populations. The intrigue: Today's older workers are better educated, working more hours, and are more likely to be receiving employer benefits, compared to past decades, per a 2023 Pew Research Center report.By the numbers: 21.3% of 65+ Utahns are employed, compared to 18.7% nationally.That's the 12th-highest rate in the country, just behind Washington, D.C.Yes, but: Fewer older Americans are working now than they did just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Axios' Emily Peck reports.Catch up quick: The share of older adults in the workforce has been generally rising since the late 1980s, Emily writes.That's in part because of changes to Social Security and retirement plans, and in part because medical advances are extending Americans' lives and their time in the workforce.Go deeper: America's senior cities, mapped
Salt Lake Tribune journalists launch campaign to unionize
Salt Lake Tribune staff members announced in a letter Monday their intent to unionize. The big picture: The Tribune is the latest newsroom in the U.S. to seek unionization, following in the footsteps of major publications like the Los Angeles Times, the Texas Tribune, and more.Why it matters: Since the pandemic, a record number of journalists have joined unions over concerns about layoffs, wages, representation among editorial staff, and new leadership. State of play: In a letter sent to newsroom leaders, the majority of Tribune staffers said tying professional performance to web traffic "disincentivizes meaningful journalism that serves our true...
The hot-air ballooning sex abuse scandal that fueled efforts to privatize Liberty Park
The Salt Lake Herald-Republican, May 26, 1889. Image via Utah Digital Newspapers archive, the University of Utah135 years ago, Utah was in the grip of a moral panic after a celebrity balloonist ran off with a teenager, improbably contributing to a park-privatization campaign in Salt Lake.This is Old News, where we float through the stormy clouds of Utah's past.Why it matters: You know it's bad when a Victorian-era conman is so slimy that Hugh Jackman couldn't play him in a movie.Catch up quick: In 1889, the renowned (and shady) Midwestern balloonist J.W. Price came to Utah to perform at...
Utah lawmakers condemn Trump assassination attempt
Prominent Utah Republicans and Democrats over the weekend decried the assassination attempt on former President Trump.The big picture: The shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally has dominated headlines since news broke Saturday evening, with lawmakers across the political spectrum raising concerns about political violence.Two U.S. House members said Sunday they plan to file a bill that would enhance security protection for presidential candidates.What they're saying: Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who ran a yearlong campaign to combat political polarization as National Governors Association chair, called the attack "sickening and horrifying" on X on Saturday.Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) called on Biden...
SLC weekend events: Beer garden, spoken word, and a zine launch party
Here are a few free community events to attend in Salt Lake City this weekend.🎤 Salt Lake Speaks: Heart & SolSixteen poets, accompanied by a guitarist, will be featured in this multi-lingual poetry and spoken word event.When: Friday, July 12 from 7-9:30pmWhere: Eccles Theater's grand lobbyAdmission: Free🍺 Beer GardenFind refuge in this extreme heat at the Downtown Farmers Market's new beer garden, which is only open the second Saturday of each month.When: Saturday, July 13 from 10am-2pmWhere: Pioneer ParkAdmission: FreeBike valet will not be available this weekend.📸 Salt Lake City UnveiledThe Salt Lake City Photo Community group is throwing a launch party for its new zine. You can meet featured photographers over refreshments and snacks.When: Saturday, July 13 at 6pmWhere: Acme Camera Co. (388 S. 300 W.)Admission: Free
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