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Axios Salt Lake City
Utah sees wide housing disparities by race
Utah's homeownership rate is higher than the rest of the nation. Yes, but: About 74% of white non-Hispanics own and occupy their homes, compared to 27% of Black households and about 54% of Latino households, per a University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute report.Why it matters: Homeownership remains the biggest driver of the wealth gap, per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Axios' Brianna Crane reports.The big picture: Historically, racist housing practices, redlining and predatory lending have prevented many Black Americans from obtaining homeownership, per the Urban Institute. By the numbers: In Utah, about 20% of Black, Pacific Islander and Latino renters spend between 30% to 49% of their income on rent, making them severely cost burdened.It's generally advised one set aside a third of their income for rent.Sign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
Back when a Utah school banned the word "queer"
Utah has had its share of scuttlebutts over school dress codes, LGBTQ+ support and public health messaging for youth.Twenty years ago, all three collided in one big clampdown.What drove the news: The state health department withdrew a $100,000 grant for an antismoking campaign by the GLBT Community Center of Utah — over a T-shirt, the center alleged.Catch up quick: The center circulated T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Queers Kick Ash." Officials at a Midvale high school suspended four students who wore them to class, saying the shirts violated the dress code: the "kick ash" pun was deemed vulgar and an...
Your guide to the best Salt Lake hikes for visitors
If you have guests from sea level who want to "climb the mountains," or you're flying into Salt Lake for a short trip and want to explore the Wasatch, here are some of the best hikes, whether you have an hour or all day.1 hour: Ensign Peak A singalong on Ensign Peak. Photo: Erin Alberty/AxiosTake in the sweeping vistas at the peak from which Brigham Young and company designed Salt Lake City.The trail is about a mile round-trip, and it's the quickest way to touch the mountains and see the Salt Lake Valley if you're in the city proper. Also...
Utah map and database shows low head dam hazards
As temperatures soar, Utah's lazy rivers look better and better for a cool float. And now there's a way to locate a deceptive, deadly hazard you need to avoid at all costs: low head dams.Why it matters: More than 1,000 people nationally have drowned in the currents created by the obsolete, underwater structures that span riverbeds — many of them in rivers that seem calm and safe.How it works: Low head dams create a uniform, churning current that can suck victims underwater repeatedly as they try to swim back to the surface, overwhelming flotation vests.Yes, but: You can find where they are and portage around them with a map and database created last year by BYU students.What's inside: 13,000 dams marked on a map.Explore to find the hazards and avoid that stretch of river — or portage around it if you trust your navigation skills.Zoom in: People have drowned in the dam currents on the Jordan River.A "boat chute" bypasses a low head dam at 100 South, but others could be hazardous.Another was removed a few years ago near Murray.Sign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
Utah guidance counselors have some of the biggest student loads in the nation
Data: American School Counselor Association; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios VisualsUtah has one of the nation's highest ratios of students to school guidance counselors.Why it matters: State officials have focused heavily on controversial social media restrictions as a remedy for youth mental health problems, while school counseling services remain under-resourced compared to other states.By the numbers: Each guidance counselor in Utah serves nearly 500 students on average, according to the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) analysis of federal data.That's the sixth-highest of any state — and double the ASCA-suggested ratio of 250.That's even after Utah took steps in recent years to boost funding...
What's new at this year's summer Downtown Farmers Market
Utah's largest farmers market kicks off its summer season at Pioneer Park Saturday, and Axios Salt Lake City got a sneak peek at what's in store.State of play: More than 200 food and craft vendors will showcase their products, Carly Gillespie, deputy director of Urban Food Connections of Utah, a Downtown Alliance program, told Axios.What's new: The market will also feature a beer garden serving Level Crossing brews.The beer garden will open every second Saturday of the month between 11am and 2pm with live music."We haven't had a beer garden at the market in maybe a decade," Gillespie said. "Hopefully,...
Utah's leading Republicans weigh in after Trump verdict
Utah's top elected officials — overwhelmingly Republican — began to weigh in Thursday evening after a New York jury convicted former President Trump of all 34 criminal counts in his hush-money trial.The big picture: Although Trump won Utah by a 20-point margin in 2020, Utah voters have historically been cooler on him than on other Republicans.The culture is also big on obedience, so blasting a judge or jury on the heels of a criminal conviction might be needlessly risky here.Yes, but: The GOP base is firmly in Trump's corner — and has become less apologetic since the "Grab 'em...
SLC weekend events: Chalk festival, Real Salt Lake and Pride
There's tons to do around Salt Lake this weekend — on top of the lineup of Pride events and the downtown farmers market kickoff. 🎨 Chalk Art FestivalStroll through South Jordan to take in the chalk creations of local artists.When: May 31-June 1Where: South Jordan City Park Admission: Free🎭 Pride & PrejudiceWatch Jane Austen's classic romantic comedy on the big stage.When: Shows will run Thursday-Saturday until June 18Where: The Grand Theatre, Salt Lake CityAdmission: $35 before fees; $28 for people ages 60 and over⚽ Real Salt Lake v. AustinMilitary veterans will be recognized at this soccer match-up between Real Salt Lake and Austin.When: 7:30pm June 1Where: America First FieldAdmission: Tickets start at $18 before feesSign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
Utah's housing costs keep climbing
Data: FHFA; Map: Axios VisualsUtah home prices show no signs of slowing, despite mortgage rates hovering near 7%, per the latest data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.Why it matters: That's good news if you own your home, and tough if you're a would-be buyer.Zoom in: Home prices in the Salt Lake metro have seen a 5.4% year-over-year increase and have risen 2.2% since the last quarter, per FHFA. Statewide, homes saw a nearly 6% increase since this time last year.Homes in Salt Lake City in April sold for a median price of $575,000, per Redfin.State of play: Home buying...
How to celebrate Pride 2024 in Utah
One of my favorite times of the year is upon us: Pride weekend.State of play: Here's a list of events happening to celebrate Utah's LGBTQ+ community.Before PrideDrag dinnerWhen: Thursday, May 30 at 6pmWhere: The Local Eatery & BarAdmission: Tickets range from $20 for a single seat or $70 for a table for fourInterfaith worship serviceWhen: Thursday, May 30 at 7pmWhere: 2425 Heritage WayFervor's house and techno partyWhen: Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 from 10pm-4:30amWhere: 569 W. 600 S.Admission: Individual tickets start at $40 or $70 for a weekend passDrag show featuring RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 winner Nymphia WindWhen: Thursday, May 30, 8pm-2amWhere: MILK+Admission: $15 before feesPride eventsUtah Pride FestivalWhen: Saturday, June 1 from 11am-10pm and Sunday, June 2, from noon-7pmWhere: Washington Square ParkAdmission: $20 per adult or $40 for a weekend pass. Discounts are available for children, seniors and military veteransPride MarchWhen: Saturday, June 1, at 10amWhere: State CapitolUtah Pride ParadeWhen: Sunday, June 2, at 10amWhere: Downtown Salt Lake City from 100 South and West Temple to 700 South and 200 EastSign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
The words Utah students faced at the national spelling bee
Four Utah students represented the state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week. State of spelling: Two made it to the quarterfinals on Wednesday while two were bounced in the prelims on Tuesday. Here are the spellers and — and the words they had to spell or define:Sophia Montana, a 6th grader at Daybreak Elementary, finished her run on Wednesday misspelling "inspeximus" — some sort of certification, according to a dictionary entry that's as obscure as the word itself. Before that, Sophia spelled:"rosacea," a skin condition that causes redness,"Plantagenet," the house that ruled England before the Tudors,and defined...
SLC students rally for new high school on the westside
Students and their families in the Glendale neighborhood are protesting the lack of a high school within walking distance of their homes.The big picture: No Salt Lake high schools are west of I-15, which includes many of the city's most diverse neighborhoods.Driving the news: A group of Glendale families completed the nearly 5-mile trek from East High School to Glendale Middle School on Tuesday, to demonstrate the long distances students have to cover to get to school.Why it matters: Students told Axios they are missing activities and services, from in-school breakfast to after-school clubs.School buses and public transit don't give...
Live Nation starved a Utah competitor, DOJ lawsuit alleges
The Department of Justice's recent antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation illustrates how the ticketing giant allegedly drove a Utah competitor out of business.Why it matters: The outcome of the legal battle could upend the ticketing and live events industry for years to come, Axios' Sara Fischer writes.Zoom in: Live Nation acquired United Concerts, a prominent Utah promoter and venue owner, in 2017, according to the complaint filed recently.Before the purchase, United Concerts used Smith'sTix, a regional ticket distributor formerly owned by Smith's supermarket chain.Smith'sTix's dominance in Utah's ticketing market at the time left a "barren landscape" for Ticketmaster, acquired by...
When World War II Rosies "invaded" Utah's mining industry
Morgan County News, May 28, 1943. Image via Utah Digital Newspapers, University of UtahAs women took over jobs traditionally held by men during World War II, the mining industry was one of the final boys' clubs around.This is Old News, our weekly trip through the adits of time.The intrigue: It was illegal for women to work in mines and smelters before 1943 — and it took lawmakers two full years of wartime to lift the ban, even though the mining industry was in serious peril.Why it mattered: Without women to take over some of the jobs, Utah mines faced...
Try SLC's Dough Lady for shockingly-good cinnamon rolls
If you haven't yet tried Dough Lady's take-and-bake rolls, it's time for some reflection.My thought bubble: Cinnamon rolls are, historically, the most disappointing baked good since humans cultivated wheat. Typically dry, with never the right amount of cinnamon, they are most famous for smelling better than they taste.Yes, but: Dough Lady's formula fixes all of that with a big dousing of cream before the buns go in the oven.How it works: Order online for delivery or pick-up, keep 'em frozen until a couple hours before eating, quick-thaw in the oven, and bake for 20-30 minutes as instructed.Cost: $18-$20 for four.The bottom line: My family has tried three different flavors, and they're unquestionably the best cinnamon rolls any of us has ever tasted.Sign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
Utah's best and worst barbecue dates of the year
Pantry and Larder; Note: Ideal conditions defined as a late sunset, maximum "feels-like" temperature of 88°F, minimal chance of rain, 25% cloud cover and a slight breeze; Map: Axios VisualsMemorial Day is the worst week to have a cookout in Utah, according to a weather analysis by the food website Pantry and Larder.How it works: The report weighs five years of "average temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, wind speed and sunset time."Zoom in: May 27 was the worst date for a barbecue, analysts found.Mark your calendar: Utah's best cookout date, researchers found, is July 20.🧛🏻♀️ My thought bubble: July sucks. Too much sun.What's next: Monday is forecast to bring sun and a high of 81°.We're not sure what else Pantry and Larder could want for cookout weather.Worthy of your time: Memorial Day's most-searched recipes, by stateSpoiler alert: Utah's is pasta salad, do with that what you will. Sign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
A family carne asada recipe in time for the summer
Grilling carne asada with family and friends is my favorite Memorial Day weekend ritual.What's happening: I'm preparing carne asada at two barbecues this weekend and decided to share my family's easy recipe.Purists will say this isn't authentic, but it's been a crowd-pleaser in my family for years. The recipe is straightforward and doesn't require exact measurements. Trust your gut.State of play: Your local Latino grocery store will have the thinly cut steak commonly used for carne asada. I usually ask for arrachera, known as skirt steak. If you're on a budget, diezmillo, known as chuck, also works.For the marinade, sprinkle...
Utah's best and worst barbecue dates of the year
Pantry and Larder; Note: Ideal conditions defined as a late sunset, maximum "feels-like" temperature of 88°F, minimal chance of rain, 25% cloud cover and a slight breeze; Map: Axios VisualsMemorial Day is the worst week to have a cookout in Utah, according to a weather analysis by the food website Pantry and Larder.How it works: The report weighs five years of "average temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, wind speed and sunset time."Zoom in: May 27 was the worst date for a barbecue, analysts found.Mark your calendar: Utah's best cookout date, researchers found, is July 20.🧛🏻♀️ My thought bubble: July sucks. Too much sun.What's next: Monday is forecast to bring sun and a high of 81°.We're not sure what else Pantry and Larder could want for cookout weather.Worthy of your time: Memorial Day's most-searched recipes, by stateSpoiler alert: Utah's is pasta salad, do with that what you will. Sign up for Axios Salt Lake City for free.
A family carne asada recipe in time for the summer
Grilling carne asada with family and friends is my favorite Memorial Day weekend ritual.What's happening: I'm preparing carne asada at two barbecues this weekend and decided to share my family's easy recipe.Purists will say this isn't authentic, but it's been a crowd-pleaser in my family for years. The recipe is straightforward and doesn't require exact measurements. Trust your gut.State of play: Your local Latino grocery store will have the thinly cut steak commonly used for carne asada. I usually ask for arrachera, known as skirt steak. If you're on a budget, diezmillo, known as chuck, also works.For the marinade, sprinkle...
Utah's traffic fatality rate is among the nation's lowest
Data: U.S. Department of Transportation. Map: Thomas Oide/AxiosUtah saw a bigger drop in traffic fatalities last year than almost anywhere else in the nation, according to new federal data. It also had one of the lowest fatality rates per miles driven.The intrigue: The decline came while the state was reeling from a huge spike in 2022 in pedestrian deaths in particular.By the numbers: Road deaths dropped by more than 12% in 2023, the 7th-biggest decrease in the nation.The total fatality rate was the nation's 4th lowest, behind Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey.Zoom in: According to state data, pedestrian deaths dropped...
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