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The Cat Video Film Festival is returning to Salt Lake this weekend, with another round of feline hijinks 

Why it matters: The annual screenings have provided a feel-good sanctuary for Utah's cat lovers to congregate with a chorus of "Awwwww!"

Proceeds go to animal welfare nonprofits. 

How it works: The "festival" is a 70-minute compilation of short videos shared from around the globe. 

What's next: Showtimes are 4pm Saturday and 7pm Tuesday at the Broadway. 

Cat Video Fest is back in Salt Lake City

The annual film festival is a feel-good sanctuary for Utah's cat lovers to join in a chorus of "Awwwww!"

A cat wearing 3d glasses and sticking out its tongue

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cat Video Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/11/cat-video-film-fest-salt-lake-broadway" data-vars-content-id="6455873d-c59b-4a65-a7c6-c9c81906cbac" data-vars-headline="Cat Video Fest is back 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/2025/08/11/cat-video-film-fest-salt-lake-broadway" target="_self">Cat Video Film Festival</a> is returning to Salt Lake this weekend, with another round of feline hijinks Why it matters: The annual screenings have provided a feel-good sanctuary for Utah&#x27;s cat lovers to congregate with a chorus of &quot;Awwwww!&quot;

News

Things to Do

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration received briefings this summer from Utah officials who explained that Bears Ears National Monument allowed recreational access.

Why it matters: When Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, he said it was to protect recreation that he inaccurately claimed was banned within their boundaries.

What they said: "You can't go hunting, you can't go fishing, you can't do anything, you can virtually not even walk on it," Trump said during the July announcement.

An Interior Department official affirmed, "That's exactly right, sir, so you are remedying that today."

Reality check: A month earlier, documents from Utah officials identified trails popular among hikers, backpackers and off-road vehicle drivers in Bears Ears, including routes that allow "motorized access deep into the area," the Times reported Monday.

Grand Staircase-Escalante also allows those activities in many places; the tightest restrictions are still in effect within Wilderness Study Areas.

The monument designations also didn't restrict hunting or fishing.

Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante

Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation

Trump said "You can virtually not even walk on it." Utah leaders had told him that wasn't true, per the New York Times.

A redrock canyon with trees and a cliff in the background

Hammond Canyon is one of the parts of Bears Ears that has lost all federal protection under Trump's reduced boundaries. Photo: Tim Peterson, courtesy of Grand Canyon Trust

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration received briefings this summer from Utah officials who explained that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bears Ears National Monument" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/28/tribes-urge-biden-restore-bears-ears-monument" data-vars-content-id="789fdb0e-02f4-4ce4-ac41-d4c1e12de47c" data-vars-headline="Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/28/tribes-urge-biden-restore-bears-ears-monument" target="_self">Bears Ears National Monument</a> allowed recreational access.Why it matters: When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/13/trump-cuts-grand-staircase-escalante-bears-ears-national-monuments-utah" data-vars-content-id="789fdb0e-02f4-4ce4-ac41-d4c1e12de47c" data-vars-headline="Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation" 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/2026/07/13/trump-cuts-grand-staircase-escalante-bears-ears-national-monuments-utah" target="_self">Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante</a>, he said it was to protect recreation that he inaccurately claimed was banned within their boundaries.

Environment

Homelessness is down in Utah for the first time in six years, per the state's latest report and historical data analyzed by Axios.

The big picture: The state's annual January "point in time" count of homeless Utahns rose steadily and sharply from about 2,800 people in 2019, to nearly 4,600 in 2025.

This year's overall decline was slight — about 70 people. But bigger improvements were seen among some of the most at-risk populations.

By the numbers: Chronic homelessness dropped by close to 7%.

The number of people living outside of any shelter fell nearly 10%.

There were about 20% fewer veterans experiencing homelessness.

Fewer people with mental illness were experiencing homelessness, and those who were were likelier to be living in a shelter or other temporary housing rather than on the streets.

Zoom in: Those trends held in Salt Lake County, where most of Utah's homeless population lives. 

The total number of people without housing dropped slightly, but the number of people without any shelter fell more than 19% after a big surge in 2025.

The number of people outside of shelters who were chronically homeless fell 57% to the lowest numbers in three years.

Friction point: The improvements varied by age group, with homelessness worsening among the youngest and oldest groups. 

Statewide, the number of homeless families with children grew about 7%, with a 25% spike in Salt Lake County.

In Salt Lake County, homelessness continued its three-year rise among those ages 18-25.

For Utahns 65 and older, homelessness rose about 8%.

What they're saying: "While progress is clear, state officials are sharpening their focus on targeted solutions for high-need populations, expanding dedicated housing resources for both seniors and young adults," wrote the report's authors.

The intrigue: Despite overall declines, chronic homelessness increased 20% in Utah's rural counties — "a reminder of where continued investment is most needed," the report states.

How it works: Each January, outreach teams take a one-day statewide census of people who are living either in shelters or on the streets. 

The data is compiled and analyzed by state and county homelessness officials and nonprofit representatives.

What's next: Salt Lake County's numbers will be analyzed more closely, with more detailed conclusions to be released in coming weeks.  

Homelessness falls in Utah for 1st time in years

Some of the most vulnerable groups saw especially sharp drops.

Illustration of a homeless person holding a sign with a downward trending arrow.

Homelessness is down in Utah for the first time in six years, per the state&#x27;s latest report and historical data analyzed by Axios.The big picture: The state&#x27;s annual January &quot;point in time&quot; count of homeless Utahns rose steadily and sharply from about 2,800 people in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2019" data-vars-click-url="https://jobs.utah.gov/housing/scso/documents/homelessness2020.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bce55656-70de-4d52-a0b0-84a121ca3ef8" data-vars-headline="Homelessness falls in Utah for 1st time in years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jobs.utah.gov/housing/scso/documents/homelessness2020.pdf" target="_blank">2019</a>, to nearly 4,600 in 2025.

There's so much happening this weekend in and around Salt Lake.

Here are some of the options that caught our eye:

🧶 Craft Lake City: The 18th annual DIY Fest runs Friday-Sunday at the Utah State Fairpark. Tickets

While you're there, you can hit the Garden Bros. Circus at the skate park. Multiple showtimes now-Sunday. Tickets

🕺 Das Energi: Utah's biggest EDM festival runs Friday-Sunday at the Saltair. Tickets, 18+

🌍 Utah African Festival: Take in the music, dancing, food and fun noon-8pm Saturday at Liberty Park. Free

🎸 Tomahawk + Melvins: Rock out with the greats at 6pm Saturday at the Union Event Center. Tickets

Superfans will want to pregame at Brewvies' 3:30pm screening of the cult classic comedy "The Spirit of '76," starring Melvins bassist Steven McDonald. Free, 21+

🛼 Pacific Islander Skate Night: Enjoy cultural performances, music, food and vendors while on eight wheels 6-10pm Saturday at Millcreek Common. 

Free admission; skate rentals free for first 1,000 arrivals.

Salt Lake weekend events: Crafts, EDM, Melvins

Plus: African Fest and Pacifica on eight wheels

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Illustration of lit marquee letters spelling "WEEKEND" sitting in a row of theater seats.

There&#x27;s so much happening this weekend in and around Salt Lake.Here are some of the options that caught our eye:

Thursday is National IPA Day — the first Thursday of August, when connoisseurs raise their glasses to a beer that smells like weed and tastes like dandelion stains. 

The big picture: India Pale Ales have reigned supreme over craft brewing for many years in a trend that, unlike bacon on desserts, appears unlikely to die. 

The hoppy brews are considered culinarily complex, with bold, bitter flavors that are enough of an acquired taste that you can feel proud of your sophistication while you drink.

Here are some Salt Lake watering holes and eateries where you can celebrate: 

Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club, 5pm to close

Erin's thought bubble: I'll never forget visiting the City of Rocks in Idaho, where the only open restaurant was storied among rock climbers for its beer selection — one of the best in the West, I was told. 

Shelf after shelf was lined with skateboard-graphic labels with names like: "HOPOCALYPSE." "HOPBOMINATION." "DEATH BY HOPS."

Yes, but: Y'all have fun today while Kim and I watch with our mellow-leaning noses pressed against the glass.

How to celebrate National IPA Day (or not) in Salt Lake

It's not our favorite beer, but we're in the minority.

Animated illustration of four different kinds of beers.

Thursday is National IPA Day — the first Thursday of August, when connoisseurs raise their glasses to a beer that smells like weed and tastes like dandelion stains. The big picture: India Pale Ales have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reigned supreme over craft brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thetakeout.com/2102970/most-popular-craft-beer-type-in-the-us-ipa/" data-vars-content-id="de801012-3ae2-410b-9919-9b949a233591" data-vars-headline="How to celebrate National IPA Day (or not) in Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thetakeout.com/2102970/most-popular-craft-beer-type-in-the-us-ipa/" target="_blank">reigned supreme over craft brewing</a> for many years in a trend that, unlike bacon on desserts, appears unlikely to die.

Erin Alberty

Featured stories

Homelessness falls in Utah for 1st time in years

Salt Lake weekend events: Crafts, EDM, Melvins

How to celebrate National IPA Day (or not) in Salt Lake

Cat Video Fest is back in Salt Lake City

Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation