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ICE watchdogs chortle as MAGA Sen. Mike Lee deletes post linking masks to cartels

"Cartel hitmen wear masks," Lee said of footage of veiled attackers. "Leftists aren't complaining."

News

In a now-deleted X post on Sunday, Sen. Mike Lee appeared to compare masks worn by ICE agents to those worn by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cartels setting fire to a gas station in Mexico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" data-vars-content-id="8b6b1b86-e7bc-4d31-8227-fc3bf48f76ba" data-vars-headline="ICE watchdogs chortle as MAGA Sen. Mike Lee deletes post linking masks to cartels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" target="_self">cartels setting fire to a gas station in Mexico</a>.The intrigue: The comparison directly — if temporarily — contradicted the Trump administration&#x27;s defense of immigration agents&#x27; concealment of their identities during raids, arrests and other public actions.

Utah measles cases rise as new exposures reported

Almost 60 new cases were reported in the past three weeks.

Health

As measles case counts increase, Utah health officials are warning of new possible exposure incidents across the state.By the numbers: The state health department has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confirmed" data-vars-click-url="https://files.epi.utah.gov/Utah%20measles%20dashboard.html" data-vars-content-id="df761057-f3e9-4acc-8bf5-d45c8afbd45b" data-vars-headline="Utah measles cases rise as new exposures reported" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files.epi.utah.gov/Utah%20measles%20dashboard.html" target="_blank">confirmed</a> 300 measles cases in Utah during the outbreaks that began in 2025.

Colorado River cuts loom after states miss deal

The seven Colorado River Basin states missed a key federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement.

The seven Colorado River Basin states missed a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" data-vars-content-id="4baac60f-b299-46a1-96f6-8b56471c417e" data-vars-headline="Colorado River cuts loom after states miss deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" target="_self">federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement</a>, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now likely to impose a solution of its own.Why it matters: The Colorado River is a vital source of municipal water for residents living along the Wasatch Front, and beyond and federal intervention could mean forcing mandatory cuts.

Most Utahns don't support Christian nationalism

Christian nationalism is deeply entrenched inside today's Republican Party, according to the survey.

Less than one-third of Utahns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hold Christian nationalist beliefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" 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/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" target="_self">hold Christian nationalist beliefs</a>, according to a sweeping 50-state survey by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.Why it matters: The once-fringe ideology holds that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to strict fundamentalist Christian values, even as the country becomes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="less religious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" target="_self">less religious</a>.

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.

Holiday markets in and around Salt Lake

There are tons this weekend, from a brewery's Christkindlmarkt to one for Veteran-owned businesses.

There are tons of holiday markets this weekend for anyone who needs to catch up with their shopping.

What to expect from Salt Lake's housing market in 2026

Salt Lake's housing market is expected to stabilize in 2026, with more inventory and easing mortgage rates.

The Salt Lake metro <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/11/02/affordable-home-slc-house-mortgage-prices" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" 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/2023/11/02/affordable-home-slc-house-mortgage-prices" target="_self">housing market</a> is expected to stabilize next year as more homes come on the market, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/" target="_blank">Realtor.com forecast</a>.Why it matters: Utah — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ninth-most-expensive state to buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://gardner.utah.edu/news/utah-ranked-as-the-9th-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-country-in-2024/" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gardner.utah.edu/news/utah-ranked-as-the-9th-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-country-in-2024/" target="_blank">ninth-most-expensive state to buy a home</a> last year — saw housing prices surge during the pandemic, straining affordability for prospective homebuyers.

This week's holiday markets in Salt Lake

Meet Santa, enjoy a hot drink and buy gifts from local artisans.

If you&#x27;re like us, you&#x27;re still working your way through your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday shopping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/21/we-aint-buying-it-boycott-utah-holiday-shopping-trump" data-vars-content-id="d088edac-c128-493b-ad27-fbc0d35afdcb" data-vars-headline="This week&#x27;s holiday markets in 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/2025/11/21/we-aint-buying-it-boycott-utah-holiday-shopping-trump" target="_self">holiday shopping</a> list. Here are some winter markets where you can support local artists, enjoy treats and maybe even meet Santa during the coming week:

Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros

Job postings in St. George jumped 55% since early 2020 amid population growth.

Business

St. George, Utah, is among the nation&#x27;s top metros for job growth, according to new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report/" data-vars-content-id="06d8be98-a32e-4041-aba4-472654811ef4" data-vars-headline="Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report/" target="_blank">data</a> from jobs site Indeed.Why it matters: Formerly a retirement town, the southern Utah city has more than doubled in size since 2000 and is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attracting small business owners, tourists and remote workers" data-vars-click-url="https://ksltv.com/local-news/growing-pains-inside-st-georges-surge/782919/" data-vars-content-id="06d8be98-a32e-4041-aba4-472654811ef4" data-vars-headline="Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ksltv.com/local-news/growing-pains-inside-st-georges-surge/782919/" target="_blank">attracting small business owners, tourists and remote workers</a>.

Utahns join "We Ain't Buying It" boycott as holiday shopping begins

Some are focusing on Target, Amazon and Home Depot while others are calling for a bigger "blackout."

Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday shopping season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/holiday-shopping-forecast-inflation" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/holiday-shopping-forecast-inflation" target="_self">holiday shopping season</a> will kick off alongside a boycott of corporate purchases, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKMvirDdDL/" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKMvirDdDL/" target="_blank">some</a> progressive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="groups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/703384402815581?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/703384402815581?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">groups</a> making &quot;buy local&quot; the season&#x27;s greeting of 2025.State of play: The boycott focuses on three corporations that organizers say have enabled &quot;the Trump administration&#x27;s abuses of power,&quot; according to a statement this week from No Kings:

Check out these early holiday markets in Salt Lake

It's the first big weekend for holiday shopping from local artisans and vendors.

Holiday markets are already starting, with several planned this weekend in and around SLC.As the season progresses, we&#x27;ll tell you about more of Salt Lake&#x27;s best markets.

Toys "R" Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah

Millennials and Gen X'ers can relive the mechanized, electronic joy.

From bikes to trains to video games, it was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest toy store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUL4a45c3M" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUL4a45c3M" target="_blank">biggest toy store</a> there was — and now it&#x27;s back in Utah.Why it matters: Toys &quot;R&quot; Us — the toy retailer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that dominated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/03/15/toys-r-us-blame-1521125953" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/03/15/toys-r-us-blame-1521125953" target="_self">that dominated</a> the 1980s and &#x27;90s — is opening a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pop-up store in Farmington" data-vars-click-url="https://crockerpark.com/tenant/toys-r-us/" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crockerpark.com/tenant/toys-r-us/" target="_blank">pop-up store in Farmington</a>, offering a nostalgic trip for Gen X and millennial parents.

Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City

"Women Preferences" joins Lyft's "Women+ Connect" service amid safety concerns.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Uber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" target="_self">Uber</a> is rolling out its Women Preferences tool in Salt Lake, the ride-hailing company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" target="_blank">announced</a> Wednesday.Why it matters: Safety and comfort have long been top concerns for women who use rideshare services, both as riders and as drivers.

Half of Utah's new businesses failed within five years

The shutdown could make it harder for some companies to reach their 5-year anniversaries.

Half of new Utah businesses make it to their fifth year, per the latest federal data.Zoom in: Exactly 50% of Utah startups that opened in the 12 months ending in March 2019 were still operating five years later, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

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19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah

Holiday markets in and around Salt Lake

What to expect from Salt Lake's housing market in 2026

This week's holiday markets in Salt Lake

Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros