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Music genres shape where money flows

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Superfan economy drives modern music careers

Music streaming payouts are still dominated by top artists

Music catalog sales surge as investors seek steady returns

How the music industry survived the digital transition

Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review

The review throws plans for a massive Salt Lake City detention center — the first of its kind in Utah — into question.

News

The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a wave of recent warehouse purchases — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one in Salt Lake City for $145 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/13/ice-buys-warehouse-salt-lake-city-detention-facility-utah" data-vars-content-id="b4943d6e-3cb2-4b84-aa3d-8d202a4a4a85" data-vars-headline="Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/13/ice-buys-warehouse-salt-lake-city-detention-facility-utah" target="_self">one in Salt Lake City for $145 million</a> — amid growing scrutiny, according to multiple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/mullin-noem-immigration-ice-warehouse-detention-warhouses-0141f54a48a47b1a6753aeaecc1b640b" data-vars-content-id="b4943d6e-3cb2-4b84-aa3d-8d202a4a4a85" data-vars-headline="Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/mullin-noem-immigration-ice-warehouse-detention-warhouses-0141f54a48a47b1a6753aeaecc1b640b" target="_blank">reports</a>.Why it matters: The review throws plans for a massive Salt Lake City detention center — the first of its kind in Utah — into question.

Easter Egg hunts in and around Salt Lake

The bunny is hiding treats all around the valley.

Egg hunts and other Easter events are afoot this weekend around the Salt Lake Valley.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Valley City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wvc-ut.gov/1155/Easter-Events" data-vars-content-id="f8bb47f8-f15d-4d7d-a48a-64aa55d4fa71" data-vars-headline="Easter Egg hunts in and around Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wvc-ut.gov/1155/Easter-Events" target="_blank">West Valley City</a>: Multiple egg hunts — including for adults — and other activities Friday and Saturday at Centennial Park and the Family Fitness Center. Admission varies

HOAs gain ground in Utah

Utah has one of the highest rates of home listings with HOA dues, data shows.

Utah has one of the highest rates in the nation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home listings with HOA dues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" target="_self">home listings with HOA dues</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> data shows.Why it matters: Those dues are also rising, adding to housing costs just as prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stabilize" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">stabilize</a> in Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cooling market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">cooling market</a>.

New history and art museums to open in Salt Lake City

One is dedicated to Utah history and another to fine arts.

Culture

Salt Lake City will welcome two new museums this summer: One dedicated to history and another to fine arts, City Weekly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cityweekly.net/ae/two-new-museums-will-debut-in-salt-lake-city-this-summer-f0daa357" data-vars-content-id="4aac3ec2-7075-4652-b78a-8db3ed583903" data-vars-headline="New history and art museums to open in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cityweekly.net/ae/two-new-museums-will-debut-in-salt-lake-city-this-summer-f0daa357" target="_blank">reports</a>. State of play: The Museum of Utah, which will focus on the state&#x27;s history, opens at the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Capitol Building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/20/north-capitol-building-opens" data-vars-content-id="4aac3ec2-7075-4652-b78a-8db3ed583903" data-vars-headline="New history and art museums to open in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/20/north-capitol-building-opens" target="_self">North Capitol Building</a> on Capitol Hill on June 27.

Salt Lake City chefs named James Beard finalists

Eight Utah chefs and restaurants were named semifinalists in January, but only two Salt Lake City chefs made it to the next round.

Two Salt Lake City chefs were named Utah&#x27;s only <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finalists" data-vars-click-url="https://cdn.sanity.io/files/2t27tguw/production/53d711ce233eef6c35b584fe60977dfdd1962282.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c1197452-e2a0-42ec-b1c0-d8c36fc395ff" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City chefs named James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdn.sanity.io/files/2t27tguw/production/53d711ce233eef6c35b584fe60977dfdd1962282.pdf" target="_blank">finalists</a> for the 2026 James Beard Awards.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Felt Bar &amp; Eatery" data-vars-click-url="https://feltslc.com/" data-vars-content-id="c1197452-e2a0-42ec-b1c0-d8c36fc395ff" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City chefs named James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://feltslc.com/" target="_blank">Felt Bar &amp; Eatery</a>&#x27;s Travis Herbert and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Urban Hill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/16/urban-hill-salt-lake-city-fine-dining-opens" data-vars-content-id="c1197452-e2a0-42ec-b1c0-d8c36fc395ff" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City chefs named James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/16/urban-hill-salt-lake-city-fine-dining-opens" target="_self">Urban Hill</a>&#x27;s Nick Zocco are finalists for best chef in the Mountain region, which includes Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Five new restaurants opening in Salt Lake County

A wave of new restaurants are opening in Salt Lake County this spring, from a

A wave of new restaurants are opening in Salt Lake County this spring.<ul><li>Here are the openings we&#x27;re most excited about.</li></ul>

Empanada Fest is coming to the Granary Live with global flavors

You can also expect larger crowds at the festival, taking place April 18 at Granary Live.

Expect more vendors and bigger crowds when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Empanada Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.empanadafestslc.com/" data-vars-content-id="c5031e4e-fd0d-4326-b669-5cfacf61c66a" data-vars-headline="Empanada Fest is coming to the Granary Live with global flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.empanadafestslc.com/" target="_blank">Empanada Fest</a> returns next month. State of play: Now in its sixth year, the free festival will take over the outdoor Granary Live venue and is expected to draw about 2,500 attendees — roughly 1,000 more than last year, organizer Ana Valdemoros told Axios.

Blue Copper closing Marmalade shop for rebrand

Blue Copper 2000 plans to "re-envision" the space and open under a new name.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blue Copper 2000" data-vars-click-url="https://bluecopperslc.com/" data-vars-content-id="6e22c511-c9ee-46a9-aa11-e45a6a3ab382" data-vars-headline="Blue Copper closing Marmalade shop for rebrand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bluecopperslc.com/" target="_blank">Blue Copper 2000</a> in the Marmalade District is closing at the end of the month as it plans to &quot;re-envision&quot; the space and open under a new name.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;As the neighborhood has grown and changed over the years, we&#x27;ve started to feel a little behind the times,&quot; the business wrote in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent social media post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DV1OxEyFAdD/" data-vars-content-id="6e22c511-c9ee-46a9-aa11-e45a6a3ab382" data-vars-headline="Blue Copper closing Marmalade shop for rebrand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DV1OxEyFAdD/" target="_blank">recent social media post</a>.

Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints

The faith is one of the only groups that hasn't become more Republican since 2007.

Politics

<figure><img alt="A chart showing change in partisan composition of major religious groups in the United States from 2007-2009 to 2023-2025" height="816" id="1943d0e0-cb61-4bf3-9ea8-9b235b06d16a" src="https://images.axios.com/fiouo1-i7yPlPmvmhrJJevzV_nY=/2026/03/30/1774909221416.png" width="1220"/><figcaption>Chart: Courtesy of YouGov</figcaption></figure>In a study showing a nationwide conservative lurch across demographics, Latter-day Saints stand out as one of the few groups that have gotten <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more Democratic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" target="_self">more Democratic</a> in the past two decades.Why it matters: The shift, reported in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YouGov analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" target="_blank">YouGov analysis</a> released last week, could reshape politics in GOP-controlled Utah if it continues.

Utah's anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP's repeal push

Too many voters removed their signatures from the petition to put the proposal on the ballot.

Utahns won&#x27;t vote on a measure that would effectively legalize gerrymandering, now that thousands of people have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="removed their signatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" target="_self">removed their signatures</a> from the petition to include it in November&#x27;s election.Why it matters: That ballot measure was the most direct way for the GOP to undo Utah&#x27;s new congressional map, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="created a Democratic-leaning district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">created a Democratic-leaning district</a>.

Utah gerrymandering proposal could fail to reach November ballots

As voters remove their signatures, the margin narrows in one historically Democratic area.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/17/utah-redistricting-signature-ballot-gop-republican-2026" data-vars-content-id="ccf5c514-1cef-44cd-9de4-1e4f570252a9" data-vars-headline="Utah gerrymandering proposal could fail to reach November ballots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/17/utah-redistricting-signature-ballot-gop-republican-2026" target="_self">ballot measure</a> to effectively legalize gerrymandering in Utah hangs by a thread, as voters remove their signatures from the controversial petition drive to include the proposal in the November election.The big picture: Statewide, more than enough voters signed onto a Republican-backed ballot measure to repeal Proposition 4, the anti-gerrymandering law that Utahns passed in 2018.

Here are the candidates for Utah's 1st Congressional District race

The left-leaning district is expected to give Utah Democrats a path to their first congressional seat since 2021.

The candidate field is now set in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah&#x27;s newly created 1st Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="4444ca43-2172-4e8b-a50e-08216880e2ae" data-vars-headline="Here are the candidates for Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">Utah&#x27;s newly created 1st Congressional District</a> after the March 13 filing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://vote.utah.gov/current-election-information/" data-vars-content-id="4444ca43-2172-4e8b-a50e-08216880e2ae" data-vars-headline="Here are the candidates for Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vote.utah.gov/current-election-information/" target="_blank">deadline</a> passed.Why it matters: The left-leaning district is widely expected to give Democrats a possible path to their first congressional seat in Utah since 2021.

Salt Lake rents begin to fall

A building boom across the Mountain West is starting to pay off.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="building boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" data-vars-content-id="18b6ac4a-6b8f-4217-8c7b-02470dc113b0" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake rents begin to fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" target="_self">building boom</a> across the Mountain West has cooled rents — but that relief could fade as new construction slows.Why it matters: Housing is unaffordable for many. Although the median U.S. rent for new leases is down 1.5% from a year ago, it&#x27;s still roughly 20% above pre-pandemic levels, at about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1,400" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apartmentlist.com/research/national-rent-data" data-vars-content-id="18b6ac4a-6b8f-4217-8c7b-02470dc113b0" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake rents begin to fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apartmentlist.com/research/national-rent-data" target="_blank">$1,400</a> a month, per Apartment List.

Salt Lake City landlords flood the market with concessions

Buildings are trying to lure renters after thousands of new units hit the market in recent years.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s rental market is in concession mode as a wave of new apartments hits the city after an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprecedented building boom" data-vars-click-url="https://d36oiwf74r1rap.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/State-Of-State-Housing-Jul2025.pdf" data-vars-content-id="63469909-5e18-4ae8-8f9c-00723118b512" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City landlords flood the market with concessions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://d36oiwf74r1rap.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/State-Of-State-Housing-Jul2025.pdf" target="_blank">unprecedented building boom</a>.Why it matters: With landlords and property managers competing for tenants, renters are in a strong position to take advantage of one-time incentives that could shave off thousands of dollars from their housing costs.

Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City homeowners pay 33% more than renters.

Real Estate

Renting is cheaper than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="owning a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="127d4c58-95d6-4d77-83f0-5ca5ce36cd6d" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">owning a home</a> in Salt Lake City, according to a LendingTree <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" data-vars-content-id="127d4c58-95d6-4d77-83f0-5ca5ce36cd6d" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: The same holds true for all 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas as housing costs have soared nationwide, with stubbornly high home prices and mortgage rates weighing on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="127d4c58-95d6-4d77-83f0-5ca5ce36cd6d" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">would-be buyers</a>.<ul><li>Nationally, homeowners with a mortgage now pay around 37% more per month than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="127d4c58-95d6-4d77-83f0-5ca5ce36cd6d" data-vars-headline="Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" target="_self">renters</a>, researchers found.</li></ul>

National

Dirty soda goes boozy as Mike's jumps on viral drink craze

Dirty soda is no longer just a TikTok hack — brands from Mike's Hard Lemonade to Taco Bell are turning it into big business.

Mike&#x27;s Hard Lemonade is jumping on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral dirty soda craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/coke-pepsi-mini-cans-new-flavors" data-vars-content-id="2b3bd8d2-f1cd-42e2-b613-93e56e8eac06" data-vars-headline="Dirty soda goes boozy as Mike&#x27;s jumps on viral drink craze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/coke-pepsi-mini-cans-new-flavors" target="_self">viral dirty soda craze</a> with a boozy &quot;Dirty Lemonade.&quot;Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dirty soda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/20/tiktok-trends-dirty-soda-cucumber-salad" data-vars-content-id="2b3bd8d2-f1cd-42e2-b613-93e56e8eac06" data-vars-headline="Dirty soda goes boozy as Mike&#x27;s jumps on viral drink craze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/20/tiktok-trends-dirty-soda-cucumber-salad" target="_self">Dirty soda</a>&quot; — a mashup of soda, syrups and add-ins — is moving from DIY novelty to a new flavor playbook for brands chasing Gen Z.

Utah's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A report last year found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care and costs "increase significantly for neighboring hospitals."

Health

Utah&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among a few hospital systems — a dynamic associated with rising costs, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">analysis</a> from Yale&#x27;s new Health Care Affordability Lab.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal report last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" target="_blank">federal report last year</a> found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care — 6% to 65% — and costs &quot;increase significantly for neighboring hospitals as well.&quot;

Grief author Kouri Richins found guilty of murdering her husband

The case against Richins — who later authored a children's book about her kids' grief — drew national attention.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="8b2497b3-0543-4b01-822e-ffd06be62f9b" data-vars-headline="Grief author Kouri Richins found guilty of murdering her husband" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" target="_self">Utah</a> jury convicted Kouri Richins of murdering her husband by slipping fentanyl into his drink in 2022.The big picture: The domestic violence allegations against Richins — who later authored a children&#x27;s book about her kids&#x27; grief — drew national attention.

19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah

Six Western states, excluding Utah, will see wage increases on New Year's Day.

Sorry, folks, Utah is not among the 19 U.S. states <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boosting their minimum wage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/18/states-where-the-minimum-wage-is-going-up-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="c8d11766-b2f9-464e-a345-01e9f1ca0dbe" data-vars-headline="19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/18/states-where-the-minimum-wage-is-going-up-in-2026" target="_self">boosting their minimum wage</a> next year.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s $7.25 hourly minimum wage will hold steady heading into 2026, even as the cost of living <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues to climb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/west-coast-layoffs-inflation-economy-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="c8d11766-b2f9-464e-a345-01e9f1ca0dbe" data-vars-headline="19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/west-coast-layoffs-inflation-economy-slowdown" target="_self">continues to climb</a> across the West.

How prices at a Salt Lake grocer changed since Trump's "Liberation Day"

It's been a year, and prices on many items are up.

In the year since President Trump announced his &quot;Liberation Day&quot; tariffs, prices on consumer goods have generally <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gone up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/28/iran-war-inflation-costs" data-vars-content-id="c36d0d3c-dab0-4460-a501-dae15158fdfe" data-vars-headline="How prices at a Salt Lake grocer changed since Trump&#x27;s &quot;Liberation Day&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/28/iran-war-inflation-costs" target="_self">gone up</a>.State of play: On April 8, 2025 — the day before the biggest tariff spikes took effect — we visited a neighborhood Macey&#x27;s grocery to document prices on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="55 items" data-vars-click-url="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-u5RAR4YGAUdy4hwZZdhx8xF7k26DHLP_0JG4byIErY/edit?usp=sharing" data-vars-content-id="c36d0d3c-dab0-4460-a501-dae15158fdfe" data-vars-headline="How prices at a Salt Lake grocer changed since Trump&#x27;s &quot;Liberation Day&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-u5RAR4YGAUdy4hwZZdhx8xF7k26DHLP_0JG4byIErY/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">55 items</a>, ranging from Grey Poupon mustard to kitty litter.

New reality TV competition is coming to Park City's slopes

The "Unwell Winter Games" premieres on YouTube April 6.

Forget the Winter Olympics, Park City is about to become the backdrop for a very different kind of competition.State of play: The &quot;Unwell Winter Games&quot; will bring together a &quot;polarizing&quot; group of reality TV personalities and influencers under the roof of a snowy chalet, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Variety reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/alex-cooper-unwell-winter-games-cast-youtube-reality-show-1236552485/" data-vars-content-id="47cf0cae-53e2-41af-9d4d-545d7a6cb715" data-vars-headline="New reality TV competition is coming to Park City&#x27;s slopes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/alex-cooper-unwell-winter-games-cast-youtube-reality-show-1236552485/" target="_blank">Variety reports</a>.

Salt Lake weekend events: spring parties, music and more

Also: Orchids, children's literacy and more.

If you need more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="egg hunts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/01/salt-lake-easter-egg-hunts-wvc-kearns-draper" data-vars-content-id="de12795c-2596-418d-a0f5-fc1d7aa0558e" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: spring parties, music and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/01/salt-lake-easter-egg-hunts-wvc-kearns-draper" target="_self">egg hunts</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Easter brunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/27/easter-brunch-salt-lake-reservations" data-vars-content-id="de12795c-2596-418d-a0f5-fc1d7aa0558e" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: spring parties, music and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/27/easter-brunch-salt-lake-reservations" target="_self">Easter brunch</a> to keep you busy this weekend, we&#x27;ve got you covered. 🎤 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sound Bites &amp; Sunset Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEsdWij58a/" data-vars-content-id="de12795c-2596-418d-a0f5-fc1d7aa0558e" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: spring parties, music and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEsdWij58a/" target="_blank">Sound Bites &amp; Sunset Market</a>: Millcreek Common&#x27;s weekly spring concert series starts 6pm Friday. Free

Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet

The fast-spreading disease is slow to cause symptoms, which makes containment difficult.

Utah health officials have confirmed 142 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" target="_self">new measles cases</a> since March 10.Why it matters: The rolling, three-week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="case count" data-vars-click-url="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" target="_blank">case count</a> reflects a surge of more than 30% compared to last week&#x27;s tally, and shows the biggest increase in cases since the state&#x27;s outbreak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="began last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" target="_self">began last summer</a>.

When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico

The tales of theocratic conquest grew tall as New Mexico sought statehood.

<figure><img alt="An old newspaper headline reads: &quot;THE KINGDOM OF MORMON!&quot; || The Real Purpose of the New Mexico State Bill. || A Prospective Exodus of Mormons from Utah to New Mexico --- A Colossal Job, with Millions in It." height="625" id="cdb9bc3f-93c0-44f0-b3a0-8a1f05e1e850" src="https://images.axios.com/XoqgtvBi2UKr2jQ5Uf122KtYxgc=/2026/03/31/1774989443044.jpg" width="1023"/><figcaption>A front page headline from the New York Sun, April 1, 1876. Image via <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Historic Newspapers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1" target="_blank">New York Historic Newspapers</a></figcaption></figure>A century and a half ago, a scantily sourced news report claimed Latter-day Saints planned to convert New Mexico into a religious empire, leading the faithful in Salt Lake to cry &quot;April Fools.&quot;<ul><li>This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Old News" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" target="_self">Old News</a>, where we try to separate historic fact from fiction.</li></ul>The big picture: Congress was debating statehood for New Mexico in 1876 when an April 1 report in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Sun alleged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1&amp;e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1&amp;e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------" target="_blank">New York Sun alleged</a> that:<ul><li>The territorial governor there was secretly a well-connected Latter-day Saint who was pushing for massive land sales to the church and for statehood at the church&#x27;s behest.</li><li>Brigham Young had suddenly ordered all Mormon men to learn Spanish.</li><li>Once admitted to the union, New Mexico would be devoured by a polygamous swarm and transform into a theocracy.</li></ul>Reality check: New Mexico was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavily Catholic" data-vars-click-url="https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft72900812&amp;chunk.id=d0e1869&amp;toc.depth=1&amp;toc.id=d0e199&amp;brand=ucpress#:~:text=Two%20changes%20in%20the%20pattern,sited%20in%20the%20center%20of" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft72900812&amp;chunk.id=d0e1869&amp;toc.depth=1&amp;toc.id=d0e199&amp;brand=ucpress#:~:text=Two%20changes%20in%20the%20pattern,sited%20in%20the%20center%20of" target="_blank">heavily Catholic</a>, it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="didn&#x27;t become a state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bXAFwNWkYY" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bXAFwNWkYY" target="_blank">didn&#x27;t become a state</a> for decades and its present LDS population <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hovers around 1%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/new-mexico/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/new-mexico/" target="_blank">hovers around 1%</a>.Still, the story was a sensation in SLC.<ul><li>Church-aligned publications <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pointed" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23765018" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23765018" target="_blank">pointed</a> to the date and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11687843&amp;hl=%22april%20fool%22" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11687843&amp;hl=%22april%20fool%22" target="_blank">said</a> the &quot;correspondent&quot; had been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pranked" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764828" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764828" target="_blank">pranked</a>.</li><li>The church-critical press <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defended" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671734" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671734" target="_blank">defended</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671737" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671737" target="_blank">report</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warned" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=12973598" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=12973598" target="_blank">warned</a> the nation to be wary of Young&#x27;s power grabs.</li></ul>Context: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deadly persecution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp" target="_blank">Deadly persecution</a> existed in living memory for many Latter-day Saints, and anti-Mormon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hysteria" data-vars-click-url="https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/506313/pdf#:~:text=In%20doing%20so%2C%20Fluhman%20argues,and%20American%20religion%20broadly%20conceived." data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/506313/pdf#:~:text=In%20doing%20so%2C%20Fluhman%20argues,and%20American%20religion%20broadly%20conceived." target="_blank">hysteria</a> was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rampant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/rac.2012.22.2.163" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/rac.2012.22.2.163" target="_blank">rampant</a>.<ul><li>Meanwhile, much of the country viewed Young as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="powerful and ambitious theocrat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/federal-authority-versus-polygamic-theocracy-james-b-mckean-and-the-mormons-1870-1875/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/federal-authority-versus-polygamic-theocracy-james-b-mckean-and-the-mormons-1870-1875/" target="_blank">powerful and ambitious theocrat</a>.</li></ul>Zoom out: The national media ran with the story — all the way to fantasyland.In May, the San Francisco Chronicle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newspapers.com/image/1236450045/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/1236450045/" target="_blank">reported</a> that Young had picked New Mexico as the saints&#x27; new Zion because his &quot;prophetic eye&quot; had divined that the Great Salt Lake would soon spill its shores and submerge SLC.<ul><li>A week later, the Detroit Free Press &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transcribed" data-vars-click-url="https://freep.newspapers.com/image/1048532765" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://freep.newspapers.com/image/1048532765" target="_blank">transcribed</a>&quot; an interview in which Young himself purportedly said that after five years, the &quot;Salt Lake Valley will be one vast ocean and Salt Lake City a city in the ocean.&quot;</li></ul>The intrigue: This theory was based on a claim that salt deposits would soon clog a rumored underground outlet for the lake&#x27;s water — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which itself became a nationwide April Fool&#x27;s joke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/04/01/april-fool-fake-news-great-salt-lake-outlet" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/04/01/april-fool-fake-news-great-salt-lake-outlet" target="_self">which itself became a nationwide April Fool&#x27;s joke</a>.What they said: The Salt Lake Herald tried to deflect the gossip, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="claiming" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11697655" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11697655" target="_blank">claiming</a> in jest that Satan had actually told the Mormons to build 50,000 hot air balloons to fly to the North Pole, where they would find the 10 lost tribes of Israel.The other side: The church&#x27;s defenders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downplayed" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2622359" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2622359" target="_blank">downplayed</a> its efforts to expand, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="including" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764983" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764983" target="_blank">including</a> in New Mexico, more forcefully than was ultimately <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accurate" data-vars-click-url="https://collections.lib.utah.edu/dl_files/93/ec/93ec8d09a6a5fac089ee40ce62b88d6197d7c0a1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://collections.lib.utah.edu/dl_files/93/ec/93ec8d09a6a5fac089ee40ce62b88d6197d7c0a1.pdf" target="_blank">accurate</a>.<ul><li>Yes, but: That narrative was less absurd than the one much of the national media was peddling.</li></ul>The bottom line: Even on April Fool&#x27;s Day, people will believe what they want.

No Kings rallies planned across Utah

From Logan to Kanab, marches are scheduled throughout the state on Saturday.

Rallies are planned around Utah during Saturday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings nationwide day of protest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/utah-protest-legal-rights" data-vars-content-id="cdfd26a1-871a-4c93-aad6-50bbc444b582" data-vars-headline="No Kings rallies planned across Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/utah-protest-legal-rights" target="_self">No Kings nationwide day of protest</a>.Why it matters: Political groups in Utah have leveraged the anti-Trump demonstrations to organize progressive residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="even in counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/21/no-kings-protests-rural-utah-trump-democrats" data-vars-content-id="cdfd26a1-871a-4c93-aad6-50bbc444b582" data-vars-headline="No Kings rallies planned across Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/21/no-kings-protests-rural-utah-trump-democrats" target="_self">even in counties</a> where Republicans have won by double-digit margins for years.

Mosquitoes are back — and it's only March

The bites are an itchy nuisance and you shouldn't need to cover up when the weather's this nice.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Near-record temps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/04/utah-snow-march-skiing-drought" data-vars-content-id="6f8e534b-4c86-4c01-a049-6fa32ff1bd5d" data-vars-headline="Mosquitoes are back — and it&#x27;s only March" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/04/utah-snow-march-skiing-drought" target="_self">Near-record temps</a> are speeding up mosquito season, pushing its arrival about a month earlier than usual, mosquito control officials told Axios.Why it matters: The bites are an itchy nuisance and you shouldn&#x27;t need to cover up when the weather&#x27;s this nice.

Major SLC streets will close for months during LDS temple open house

More than 20,000 visitors are expected downtown each day of the open house.

<figure><img alt="A map of Salt Lake City downtown near Temple Square shows road closures marked in red and yellow." height="1560" id="ea5d7aed-0ba8-4b99-af86-899046589548" src="https://images.axios.com/6qiTm7AyhRuo5bHnqm6B0Id_i6Y=/2026/03/25/1774459937483.png" width="2108"/><figcaption>Road and lane closures approved around Temple Square for March–October 2027. Image: Courtesy of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City" data-vars-click-url="https://webdme.slcgov.com/OrdinancesResolutions/DocView.aspx?id=8389995&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=SLC&amp;cr=1" data-vars-content-id="20dfbab8-05a6-4f17-8d1b-a96b966aacb8" data-vars-headline="Major SLC streets will close for months during LDS temple open house" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://webdme.slcgov.com/OrdinancesResolutions/DocView.aspx?id=8389995&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=SLC&amp;cr=1" target="_blank">Salt Lake City</a></figcaption></figure>Some major thoroughfares in downtown Salt Lake City will close for six months next year to accommodate crowds for the open house at the renovated Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple.Why it matters: The closures, approved Tuesday by the City Council for March–October 2027, will mostly affect travel to and from Capitol Hill.

See this Great Salt Lake-inspired art display before it's gone

An elevated sphere at Memory Grove represents the shrinking lake.

Things to Do

A new towering art installation in Salt Lake City is aiming to bring much-needed awareness to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Salt Lake&#x27;s decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/25/trump-great-salt-lake-pipeline-conservation" data-vars-content-id="ee57be6c-eb2d-42b5-a198-2a6f04bfd5c4" data-vars-headline="See this Great Salt Lake-inspired art display before it&#x27;s gone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/25/trump-great-salt-lake-pipeline-conservation" target="_self">Great Salt Lake&#x27;s decline</a>.State of play: Standing roughly three stories tall, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;A Symphony of Disappearing Sounds for the Great Salt Lake&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://wakegsl.org/events/olafur-eliasson/" data-vars-content-id="ee57be6c-eb2d-42b5-a198-2a6f04bfd5c4" data-vars-headline="See this Great Salt Lake-inspired art display before it&#x27;s gone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wakegsl.org/events/olafur-eliasson/" target="_blank">&quot;A Symphony of Disappearing Sounds for the Great Salt Lake&quot;</a> features an elevated sphere at Memory Grove that represents the shrinking lake.

Where to make Easter brunch reservations in Salt Lake

Tables are being claimed fast, but there are still lots of options available.

Food and Drink

Tables for Easter brunch are being claimed quickly. Yes, but: These spots still have availability for the April 5 holiday.

SLC weekend events: Bunny hop, Festival of Colors, train station market

The Hindu festival returns to the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork this weekend.

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s happening in and around Salt Lake City this weekend.

Alpine divorce: When a lovers' stroll goes off a cliff

The term is bringing validation — and some traumatic flashbacks — to hikers who got ditched on the trail.

<figure><img alt="A man and woman in a selfie on a cliff in a red rock canyon." height="960" id="b26e7885-d7a0-4f04-94d8-7b803dc075af" src="https://images.axios.com/xYSPpwvUVdV4bijqjDCZdUsH9qc=/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg" width="1280" srcset="https://images.axios.com/9lYjqFqXAR201PooJZDhyKXjnUo=/1920x1440/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/myOGU2IZdkoOAyaYhMG7UC8JAQg=/1600x1200/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/ka8w8iApBvDJ0uk9vA3c3amRtPs=/1366x1024/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/VoGQQBrYiCHCZ9ac0xnFuFd-ebk=/1024x768/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/Y0vsTIDyW71_y2G2c0W-EWN9T5Y=/768x576/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/Zne2KMnv5W0CYunCcvnXAg2Xfmg=/640x480/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/-Tw1fSbd4Jfg2AQpiV2ueN3BWHc=/320x240/smart/2026/03/19/1773950272677.jpg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Erin with her husband on Angels Landing in 2013 at Zion National Park. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Adventurers in Utah and beyond are finding validation — and some traumatic flashbacks — with the ascent of a term for being abandoned on a date in the great outdoors: &quot;Alpine divorce.&quot;Why it matters: In a state where outdoor rec attracts a lot of young singles, mismatched adventuring skill is a relationship hurdle as normal as disapproving parents.

Sano ramen collab comes to Salt Lake

You can try a local Japanese specialty in Utah during this weekend pop-up.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beloved" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1021429-d10401502-Reviews-Ramen_Yamato-Sano_Tochigi_Prefecture_Kanto.html" data-vars-content-id="73e9742e-be53-4d84-b6a6-f0d563acc5b3" data-vars-headline="Sano ramen collab comes to Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1021429-d10401502-Reviews-Ramen_Yamato-Sano_Tochigi_Prefecture_Kanto.html" target="_blank">beloved</a> Japanese ramen shop has teamed up with a Salt Lake restaurant to offer a Utah version of the noodles that put its hometown on the foodie map.How it works: Yamato, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popular restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://ramenadventures.com/listing/%E5%A4%A7%E5%92%8C-yamato-in-sano-tochigi/#:~:text=It&#x27;s%20all%20about%20the%20noodles,Closed%20Mondays" data-vars-content-id="73e9742e-be53-4d84-b6a6-f0d563acc5b3" data-vars-headline="Sano ramen collab comes to Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ramenadventures.com/listing/%E5%A4%A7%E5%92%8C-yamato-in-sano-tochigi/#:~:text=It&#x27;s%20all%20about%20the%20noodles,Closed%20Mondays" target="_blank">popular restaurant</a> in Japan&#x27;s Tochigi Prefecture, worked with UT Craft Ramen to prepare a special pop-up menu this weekend for Utahns to try the firm, curly noodles <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unique to the city of Sano" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/sightseeing/news/1488.html" data-vars-content-id="73e9742e-be53-4d84-b6a6-f0d563acc5b3" data-vars-headline="Sano ramen collab comes to Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/sightseeing/news/1488.html" target="_blank">unique to the city of Sano</a>.

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