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Utah's July 4th travel forecast: Busy but construction-free
Utah roads will be busy but mostly construction-free for the Fourth of July, state transportation officials said.The big picture: AAA researchers predicted the busiest Fourth of July for travel in U.S. history, with 71 million people expected to make a trip, Axios' Sareen Habeshian reports.Yes, but: Road crews are leaving most of their posts and opening up lanes through the weekend, per a statement from the Utah Department of Transportation.Caveat: On July 3, expect delays of up to 10 minutes on northbound I-15 in Davis County, I-15 in Salt Lake County, and southbound I-15 near Nephi.U.S. Highway 6 — the main route to Moab — could get slow when lanes close down Sunday night in Spanish Fork Canyon.U.S. 191 near Moab and S.R. 9 near Zion will also likely face delays as visitors flock to the national parks.
Open Streets makes July return to downtown Salt Lake City
Open Streets is back for two weekends in July.State of play: Main Street in Salt Lake City — between 100 and 200 South — will close to cars July 12-13 and July 19-20.Context: The city rolled out the popular pandemic-era initiative in 2020 to spur more foot traffic to local businesses downtown. It featured buskers and allowed restaurants and bars to provide outdoor dining that spilled into the sidewalk.State of play: A poetry slam and an immersive fashion and music experience are scheduled July 12 weekend, while a mariachi festival is set for the next. What they're saying: "Main Street and downtown are at their best when people are prioritized over cars," Downtown Alliance executive director Dee Brewer said in a statement.
USU dismisses to football staffers, announces plan to fire head coach Blake Anderson
Utah State University intends to fire head football coach Blake Anderson following an external investigation into "alleged noncompliance" of Title IX policies, the school announced Tuesday.Why it matters: Utah State University has, in the past, faced sharp criticism over how it handles sexual assault allegations.The big picture: Anderson's looming dismissal comes about two and a half years after he was heard on a recorded team meeting, telling players it "has never been more glamorized to be a victim" of sexual assault.The U.S. Justice Department accused the school of mishandling sexual assault reports after a 2020 investigation that focused, in part,...
Why homeless enforcement efforts could become stricter in Salt Lake City
A recent Supreme Court decision that allows local governments to ban sleeping in public even when no shelter space is available could lead to stricter enforcement of homeless encampment bans. Why it matters: The decision effectively gives the OK for cities facing rising homelessness to enact similar restrictive laws targeting...
93% of Utah 988 crisis hotline calls answered
About 7% of Utah calls to the 988 crisis hotline have gone unanswered this year. Why it matters: It's a lower rate than in most of the country, and lower than the 9% missed in April and May 2023 but that still amounts to more than 200 unanswered crisis calls each month.
AJR's "Maybe Man Tour" comes to Salt Lake City
Multiplatinum indie pop band AJR is coming to SLC in July. Why it matters: The "Maybe Man Tour" is the first-ever arena tour for the trio — Adam, Jack and Ryan Met — who released their fifth studio album in November. Catch up quick: The brothers from New...
Our weird Utah history collection
A year ago this week, we started the weekly time-travel excursions we call Old News — and it's become a highlight of our newsletter.Why it matters: Utah can be a tough bubble to break. Our history of geographic and cultural isolation still means newcomers might spend years feeling like outsiders.Absorbing the lore is crucial to becoming part of any group.Meanwhile, insiders sometimes need a reality check.Some of our heroes have been forgotten — and some legends of glory were just plain cruel.Also: People did some funny stuff way back when.Tell us: What are your favorite stories from Utah's history?ICYMI: Here are some of our favorite discoveries from the annals of our past.When Lucifer took over Provo's newspaperJohn Wesley Powell's crappy nightThe dead sheep of DugwayMedia spin after SLC's bloody anti-union attacksHow a teenage girl took down Ted BundyWTF Halloween pranks of yoreOlympics vs. porn"White and delightsome"The mythical hole in the Great Salt LakeWeird Pioneer Day floats: A photo historyWhen Alta found out one guy owned the whole townUtah reacts to school desegregation
Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks and drone shows in SLC
Independence Day is Thursday and there are a few places to watch free fireworks and drone shows in Salt Lake City.Salt Lake BeesWhen: Thursday 6–8pmWhere: Smith's BallparkAdmission: $37 per adult; $28 per childFireworks at The GatewayWhen: Thursday 10pmWhere: Olympic PlazaSalt Lake City Drone ShowWhen: Friday 8–10:30pmWhere: Jordan Park
Same-sex marriage in Utah on the rise
Data: Census Bureau; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosThe number of same-sex marriages in Utah rose both before and after the Supreme Court's 2015 decision to legalize them nationwide.Why it matters: More than 6% of Utah adults identify as LGBT — the 15th-highest percentage of any state, including D.C., per UCLA's Williams Institute.The big picture: Nationally, about 41% of same-sex couples who got married did so between 2015 and 2019, a new Census Bureau report finds.Catch up quick: Before the SCOTUS decision, a Utah judge struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban in 2013 after it was found unconstitutional.The decision temporarily allowed same-sex...
Why Chappell Roan took online classes at BYU
A 2020 podcast interview circulating on social media revealed the breakout singer, Chappell Roan, attended online classes at BYU to graduate high school.Why it matters: Roan, 26, along with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, has been credited with heralding a new generation of pop music.Roan, a rising queer pop icon, grew up in a strict Christian household in Missouri before taking virtual classes at the private university owned by the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.State of play: The "Good Luck, Babe!" singer told the Bringin' It Backwards podcast that she was signed to Atlantic Records at the age of 16 and had to figure out how to balance school and making music.What she's saying: "I took online classes from BYU while I was going to high school to make up the credits, and that's how I got through," she said.
Utah stars in Kevin Costner's new movie
Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1" opens in theaters today, featuring Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe — and the state of Utah.The big picture: It's the first installment in a series of four films about the settlement of the American West during the 1860s.Chapter 2 comes out on Aug. 16.Catch up quick: Costner is building a film studio in St. George and previously filmed the Paramount series "Yellowstone" here.What we're watching: Our backyard. Scenes for the first chapter were shot mostly in Grand and San Juan counties.Look for familiar landscapes in Washington...
SLC weekend events: Thee Sacred Souls and Summer Showdown films
Many opportunities exist to take in Salt Lake City's local art and music scene this weekend.🌹 Thee Sacred SoulsThis Los Angeles-based soul band known for the hit "Can I Call You Rose?" is performing at the Salt Lake Twilight concert Series. When: Thursday 6pmWhere: Gallivan CenterAdmission: $20 per ticket; $65 for VIP🎥 Summer Showdown"The Love Witch" (2016) and "The Blair Witch Project" (1999) are playing for the Salt Lake Film Society's third annual Summer Showdown. When: "The Love Witch" will play Friday with showings at 7:30pm and 9pm. "The Blaire Witch Project" will play Saturday with showings at 7:30pm and 9pm. Where: Broadway Centre CinemasAdmission: $15 per ticket🎨 Utah Arts FestivalThe annual festival will feature vendors and live performances. When: Friday-Sunday; noon-11pmWhere: Library SquareAdmission: Single-day tickets are $18 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. You can get three single-day tickets for $45 or six single-day tickets for $75
Summer fun at Snowbird
Skiing at Snowbird might be done for the season, but the resort's summer activities are just getting underway.My thought bubble: I spent a half day at Snowbird on Wednesday in search of cooler temperatures, pristine mountain views and outdoor fun.Here's what stood out.Mountain Coaster: This coaster offers over 3,000 feet of twists and turns through trees and greenery. You can control your speed. Ride alone or with a friend. Courtesy: SnowbirdScenic tram rides: Take in panoramic views of Little Cottonwood Canyon on the resort's rooftop trams that were first introduced last year. The 13-minute ride takes you to Hidden Peak via a 1.6-mile cable.Hiking: The resort offers multiple trails — all free — with varying degrees of difficulty, including the Observation Point Trail. Wildlife sightings of deer and moose are not uncommon. Admission: All-day passes are available for summer activities. Prices vary depending on height and the time you go.
Utah Jazz select Williams and Collier in first round of NBA Draft
The Utah Jazz selected Cody Williams from the University of Colorado with the 10th overall pick in the NBA Draft last night. Why it matters: Utah continues to stack young talent as it enters year three of a rebuild. Zoom in: The 19-year-old Williams stands at 6'8" and is solid...
In Cox's #DisagreeBetter, a GOP firebrand is the face of civility
In his "Disagree Better" campaign to promote civil debate, Gov. Spencer Cox praised and promoted a county official who recently was lambasted for comparing environmentalists to Al-Qaeda and calling them the "scum of the planet."Why it matters: Cox has enjoyed widespread national praise for his role in the campaign, launched through the National Governors Association, which he chairs.He has appeared on national news outlets to discuss civility and cooperation alongside Democratic governors like Colorado's Jared Polis and Maryland's Wes Moore.Yes, but: In Utah, the campaign has been criticized by conservatives as too soft on liberals — and on the left...
Derek Brown wins GOP primary for Utah attorney general
Derek Brown, former state GOP chair and senior staffer for U.S. Sen. Mike Lee won the Republican primary for Utah Attorney General.The big picture: Brown received the lion's share of endorsements from the Utah GOP establishment, including Lee, Gov. Spencer Cox, former Gov. Gary Herbert, former U.S. Rep. Mia Love and several state lawmakers.By the numbers: Brown received about 45% of the vote as of midnight Wednesday.Rachel Terry, director of the state's risk management office was at 33%.Frank Mylar, a Cottonwood Heights attorney, received nearly 22%.Catch up quick: Brown will face three other candidates in November to replace outgoing AG Sean Reyes — the third state AG in a row to leave office amid controversy.Reyes announced in December he would not seek re-election after facing scrutiny over his ties to embattled anti-sex-trafficking crusader Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), the nonprofit Ballard founded.AG John Swallow, who preceded Reyes, resigned in 2013 amid investigations into an alleged pay-for-play scheme.Swallow and his predecessor, AG Mark Shurtleff, were arrested in 2014 on charges relating to public corruption. Prosecutors dropped their case against Shurtleff in 2016 and in 2017 Swallow was acquitted by a jury.
U.S. Reps. Maloy and Moore, conservative Mike Kennedy win Utah Congressional GOP primaries
In two of Utah's three Congressional races, GOP primary voters were poised to continue their pattern of electing candidates who didn't prevail at the party's heavily-conservative convention.State of play: Most of Utah's Congressional districts are reliably Republican; the primary typically decides the seats.District 2U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy held a narrow lead over Colby Jenkins, a former Green Beret with the U.S. Army who received an endorsement from Sen. Mike Lee.Maloy was up 52%-48% with 97% of precincts reporting, according to early results posted shortly after midnight Wednesday.The big picture: Until late in the campaign, Jenkins appeared to have nailed down...
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox defeats GOP primary challenger Phil Lyman
Data: Associated Press; Table: Axios VisualsUtah Gov. Spencer Cox is one step closer to a second term after defeating gubernatorial GOP primary challenger state Rep. Phil Lyman on Tuesday. Why it matters: Cox, who chairs the National Governors Association, has faced criticism from far-right Republicans throughout his first term.By the numbers: Cox received almost 57% followed by Lyman with 43%, according to preliminary results posted at midnight.The AP called the race shortly after polls closed at 8pm.The latest: Lyman refused to concede yesterday despite Cox's 14-percentage point lead. The former San Juan County commissioner has made unsubstantiated claims of election...
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