Salt Lake City

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Salt Lake City with Kim Bojórquez and Erin Alberty.

Axios Salt Lake City

Standard

Salt Lake City Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in Salt Lake City

Axios Salt Lake City Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Salt Lake City Partners

Salt Lake City Members

Membership

Rogan podcast doesn't paint the full picture of homelessness in SLC

Comedian Shane Gillis said he chased down by "ten homeless guys" when he was starting out in SLC's comedy scene.

Politics

Despite the viral Joe Rogan clip zeroing in on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/07/utah-homelessness-falls-chronic-mental-illness" data-vars-content-id="510bddcf-803b-4079-be61-e92c12b8a880" data-vars-headline="Rogan podcast doesn&#x27;t paint the full picture of homelessness in SLC" 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/2026/08/07/utah-homelessness-falls-chronic-mental-illness" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s homelessness</a>, new data shows it&#x27;s actually declining.Why it matters: Homelessness is down in Utah for the first time in six years, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barriers to affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/07/21/home-prices-salt-lake-county-break-record/" data-vars-content-id="510bddcf-803b-4079-be61-e92c12b8a880" data-vars-headline="Rogan podcast doesn&#x27;t paint the full picture of homelessness in SLC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/07/21/home-prices-salt-lake-county-break-record/" target="_blank">barriers to affordable housing</a> remain.

True crime TV series highlights missing Utah man

News

A Utah missing person case from 2009 is getting another look with the Freeform <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="true crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/07/15/my-favorite-murder-podcast-to-tour-in-slc" data-vars-content-id="2bcfe0cd-9e59-4f1b-9f87-e69ba8bf8419" data-vars-headline="True crime TV series highlights missing Utah man" 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/2025/07/15/my-favorite-murder-podcast-to-tour-in-slc" target="_self">true crime</a> series &quot;Somebody Knows Something,&quot; streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.Driving the news: A 42-minute <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="episode" data-vars-click-url="https://www.disneyplus.com/play/effca214-e61a-4d19-abf3-d24f0409368a" data-vars-content-id="2bcfe0cd-9e59-4f1b-9f87-e69ba8bf8419" data-vars-headline="True crime TV series highlights missing Utah man" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.disneyplus.com/play/effca214-e61a-4d19-abf3-d24f0409368a" target="_blank">episode</a> released this week reviews the disappearance of then-30-year-old Steve Koecher, a St. George man who was last seen Dec. 13, 2009 on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveillance footage" data-vars-click-url="https://news3lv.com/news/local/the-search-for-man-who-went-missing-in-henderson-in-2009-continues" data-vars-content-id="2bcfe0cd-9e59-4f1b-9f87-e69ba8bf8419" data-vars-headline="True crime TV series highlights missing Utah man" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news3lv.com/news/local/the-search-for-man-who-went-missing-in-henderson-in-2009-continues" target="_blank">surveillance footage</a> in Henderson, Nevada.

Exclusive: Defense contractors unveil collaborative in Utah

The group could make smaller businesses more competitive in an industry where startups often don't have the resources to wait years for a big government payday.

Aerospace

Utah defense contractor CenCore has launched a coalition of businesses that plan to work together to win defense and intelligence agency contracts.Why it matters: The group — dubbed the Integrated Warfighter Ecosystem (IWE) — could make smaller businesses more competitive in an industry where startups often don&#x27;t have the resources to wait years for a big government payday, CenCore CEO Adam Fife tells Axios.

Inside the U.S.'s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City

Knoops founder tells Axios that the brand is well-suited in Utah, where its products appeal to people who avoid coffee and alcohol.

Food and Drink

Knoops, a British cafe serving chocolate-infused drinks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opens its first U.S. location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/06/knoops-chocolate-first-us-store-opening" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops 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/2026/08/06/knoops-chocolate-first-us-store-opening" target="_self">opens its first U.S. location</a> in Salt Lake City Friday — and Axios got a behind-the-scenes look inside.The big picture: Knoops&#x27; arrival comes as artisan cocoa-based beverages <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gain steam" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article313138672.html" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article313138672.html" target="_blank">gain steam</a> nationally, fueled by viral social media trends and greater consumer demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ethically sourced chocolate" data-vars-click-url="https://rawmanticchocolate.com/blogs/rawmantic-chocolate-blog/why-consumers-are-switching-to-artisanal-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOoqbXIGK-PcA7cuGpftZibFJFRcXBilas1XhQgfHNUnemqaFupnz" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rawmanticchocolate.com/blogs/rawmantic-chocolate-blog/why-consumers-are-switching-to-artisanal-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOoqbXIGK-PcA7cuGpftZibFJFRcXBilas1XhQgfHNUnemqaFupnz" target="_blank">ethically sourced chocolate</a>.

Whiskey Street secures $1 million to rebuild after blaze

The loan comes about a year after a fire tore through downtown's nightlife hub, destroying Whiskey Street.

Business

Whiskey Street&#x27;s owners were awarded a $1 million loan by the city this week to install a new rooftop patio as the beloved bar and eatery undergoes a nearly $4 million rebuild.The big picture: The funding comes about a year after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fire tore through downtown&#x27;s nightlife hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/12/salt-lake-city-downtown-fire-bars-restaurants-recovery" data-vars-content-id="05c38e69-6fe1-4fee-979d-9384f315288b" data-vars-headline="Whiskey Street secures $1 million to rebuild after blaze" 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/2025/08/12/salt-lake-city-downtown-fire-bars-restaurants-recovery" target="_self">fire tore through downtown&#x27;s nightlife hub</a>, destroying Whiskey Street and other neighboring businesses.

Outdoor Retailer lives on after Salt Lake City

The massive trade show used to turn SLC into a party. That changed after political fights and COVID.

The Salt Palace was quiet Wednesday as one of its mainstay events <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kicked off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/19/outdoor-retailer-minneapolis-trade-show" data-vars-content-id="9bd6c3e1-ad98-4870-a338-e1453d5e8245" data-vars-headline="Outdoor Retailer lives on after 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/twin-cities/2026/08/19/outdoor-retailer-minneapolis-trade-show" target="_self">kicked off</a> in another time zone.State of play: After more than 20 years in Salt Lake, the Outdoor Retailer trade show is now underway in Minneapolis.

Salt Lake City's unemployment rate dipped to 3.6% in June

Utah's capital added 22,900 jobs since last June, according to new federal data.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s unemployment rate declined to a seasonally adjusted 3.6% in June, matching national trends, new federal data shows.Why it matters: Half of the cities and metro areas tracked in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jobs report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" data-vars-content-id="c9543578-8bd6-4571-9b9a-917f230fcce7" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s unemployment rate dipped to 3.6% in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" target="_blank">jobs report</a> posted higher unemployment rates, but Salt Lake City&#x27;s low figure suggests its labor market remains solid.

Rico Brand's next move could be its biggest yet

Fierro tells Axios he's in final talks with Costco to bring Rico Brand to the retailer's Southwest region.

You may not spot Jorge Fierro&#x27;s ready-to-eat Mexican food at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Downtown Farmers Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/04/downtown-farmers-market-opening-new-vendors" data-vars-content-id="df1d585d-e644-4e87-91fa-0fb627c940dd" data-vars-headline="Rico Brand&#x27;s next move could be its biggest 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/2026/06/04/downtown-farmers-market-opening-new-vendors" target="_self">Downtown Farmers Market</a> this summer, but there&#x27;s a good chance you&#x27;ll see it at some Costcos later this year.Why it matters: Nearly 30 years after he started selling pinto beans at Pioneer Park, Fierro&#x27;s business, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rico Brand" data-vars-click-url="https://ricobrand.com/" data-vars-content-id="df1d585d-e644-4e87-91fa-0fb627c940dd" data-vars-headline="Rico Brand&#x27;s next move could be its biggest yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ricobrand.com/" target="_blank">Rico Brand</a>, is eyeing expansion in one of the nation&#x27;s largest retailers.

As AI flyers proliferate, more Utah businesses promise human-only advertising

No-slop vows are coming from concert venues, political campaigns and arts events.

Some Utah businesses and organizations are getting so much backlash to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-generated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/25/fanx-utah-bans-ai-art-vendors" data-vars-content-id="85e7d50b-4bfc-43ca-aa3a-93d2b0a29d6c" data-vars-headline="As AI flyers proliferate, more Utah businesses promise human-only advertising" 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/2025/09/25/fanx-utah-bans-ai-art-vendors" target="_self">AI-generated</a> ads that they&#x27;ve banned them from their platforms and pledged never to promote themselves with slop. The big picture: You&#x27;ve probably seen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.threads.com/@judy_annb/post/DZTFObbCNmE/media?xmt=AQG0o0fiW42-xLA_7Axuii7G1TBvmeccNBUBkOdVuk_epc6rKORIVdPUhyH-btb6jKQnmugn" data-vars-content-id="85e7d50b-4bfc-43ca-aa3a-93d2b0a29d6c" data-vars-headline="As AI flyers proliferate, more Utah businesses promise human-only advertising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.threads.com/@judy_annb/post/DZTFObbCNmE/media?xmt=AQG0o0fiW42-xLA_7Axuii7G1TBvmeccNBUBkOdVuk_epc6rKORIVdPUhyH-btb6jKQnmugn" target="_blank">hundreds</a> of them on social media for concerts, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPrQ-Zt-bh/?hl=si" data-vars-content-id="85e7d50b-4bfc-43ca-aa3a-93d2b0a29d6c" data-vars-headline="As AI flyers proliferate, more Utah businesses promise human-only advertising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPrQ-Zt-bh/?hl=si" target="_blank">sales</a>, grand openings and other events — promoted in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="visually busy rectangles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/jillellsworth13/posts/pfbid031DvEL3Xuku6S1bh3yCBssL7Aui3oVRfvbS7tyALe8f8kiFuWmgB25K1QB9HZ8U7fl" data-vars-content-id="85e7d50b-4bfc-43ca-aa3a-93d2b0a29d6c" data-vars-headline="As AI flyers proliferate, more Utah businesses promise human-only advertising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/jillellsworth13/posts/pfbid031DvEL3Xuku6S1bh3yCBssL7Aui3oVRfvbS7tyALe8f8kiFuWmgB25K1QB9HZ8U7fl" target="_blank">visually busy rectangles</a> packed with sentence fragments and a hodgepodge of colors.

Wildfires tank summer tourism in southern Utah

BUT — you can get some screaming deals on vacation lodging.

<figure><img alt="Two hikers wade the Virgin River Narrows at Zion National Park on Monday. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Darrah" height="1567" id="4e3e37d3-82cd-474d-8f13-4963a3414d73" src="https://images.axios.com/bdO5mmpOUsKvOML3tFaB0XNRHwc=/2026/07/15/1784144656160.jpg" width="1178"/><figcaption>Two hikers wade the Virgin River Narrows at Zion National Park on Monday, during what is normally peak tourism season. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Darrah</figcaption></figure>Tourism is cratering in southern Utah after massive wildfires made national headlines.The intrigue: People are canceling trips weeks in advance due to fires that will almost certainly be gone by the time they arrive, one business owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tells ABC 4" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc4.com/news/southern-utah/businesses-tourism-hit-cottonwood-fire/amp/" data-vars-content-id="d1e87cc9-0390-411f-ad77-c9a2f462a6cf" data-vars-headline="Wildfires tank summer tourism in southern Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc4.com/news/southern-utah/businesses-tourism-hit-cottonwood-fire/amp/" target="_blank">tells ABC 4</a>.

Buc-ee's watch, Utah edition

Where we've been and where we're going, vis à vis the most anticipated gas station opening in Utah memory.

When marking your calendar for major events on Utah&#x27;s horizon, your mind might drift toward the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2034 Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" 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/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" target="_self">2034 Olympics</a> or next year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake Temple open house" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" 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/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" target="_self">Salt Lake Temple open house</a>.<ul><li>We are no longer convinced either of those is the real biggie, now that we&#x27;ve read our colleagues&#x27; recent reports about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> grand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" target="_self">openings</a> in other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" target="_self">states</a>. </li></ul>

Walmart plans drone delivery for Salt Lake

Salt Lake is one of seven markets where Walmart plans to launch the service next.

Walmart drone deliveries are returning to Salt Lake, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years after the retail giant halted the service in Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/16/walmart-drone-delivery-utah-ends" data-vars-content-id="3f49905e-b484-4d3e-959f-43e8231c906e" data-vars-headline="Walmart plans drone delivery for Salt Lake" 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/2024/08/16/walmart-drone-delivery-utah-ends" target="_self">two years after the retail giant halted the service in Utah</a>. The big picture: Walmart and drone delivery company Wing are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/11/walmart-drone-delivery-wing-los-angeles-miami" data-vars-content-id="3f49905e-b484-4d3e-959f-43e8231c906e" data-vars-headline="Walmart plans drone delivery for Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/11/walmart-drone-delivery-wing-los-angeles-miami" target="_self">expanding service</a> to seven new metro areas as part of a plan to reach more than 40 million customers with a network of more than 270 locations nationwide.

Utah billionaire Matthew Prince keeps trying to buy Park City Mountain Resort

But it's not clear locals will embrace the Cloudflare founder as a hometown savior against Vail.

Cloudflare founder Matthew Prince is continuing his push to buy Park City Mountain Resort from Vail, which would make him the owner of the biggest ski resort in America.The big picture: Prince is proposing a first-of-its kind franchise agreement with Vail Resorts, the Colorado Sun <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/05/matthew-prince-park-city-vail-resorts/" data-vars-content-id="d29c8c09-0e11-4364-b27e-b18375d4b6d4" data-vars-headline="Utah billionaire Matthew Prince keeps trying to buy Park City Mountain Resort" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/05/matthew-prince-park-city-vail-resorts/" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Feverlines show change in unemployment rates for Salt Lake City, U.S. and Rapid City, South Dakota.

Salt Lake City's unemployment

Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: Data unavailable for October 2025; Jim Sergent/Axios

Business 🏦

Exclusive: Defense contractors unveil collaborative in Utah

Whiskey Street secures $1 million to rebuild after blaze

Outdoor Retailer lives on after Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City's unemployment rate dipped to 3.6% in June

Rico Brand's next move could be its biggest yet