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Photo: Kevin O'Leary posed at Utah governor's desk before data center reveal

The image is unlikely to mollify populist outcry over government ties to the investor class.

News

Kevin O&#x27;Leary, the &quot;Shark Tank&quot; celebrity investor behind the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive data center proposed in Box Elder County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-data-center-kevin-oleary" data-vars-content-id="19d18ea0-8e95-4c51-8330-9ea9f078c487" data-vars-headline="Photo: Kevin O&#x27;Leary posed at Utah governor&#x27;s desk before data center reveal" 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/2026/05/04/utah-data-center-kevin-oleary" target="_self">massive data center proposed in Box Elder County</a>, sits at Gov. Spencer Cox&#x27;s desk in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="photo posted by a staffer to LinkedIn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tylermjennings_as-i-continue-to-talk-to-people-from-around-ugcPost-7415163427448451073-CQvC/" data-vars-content-id="19d18ea0-8e95-4c51-8330-9ea9f078c487" data-vars-headline="Photo: Kevin O&#x27;Leary posed at Utah governor&#x27;s desk before data center reveal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tylermjennings_as-i-continue-to-talk-to-people-from-around-ugcPost-7415163427448451073-CQvC/" target="_blank">photo posted by a staffer to LinkedIn</a> Jan. 8.Why it matters: That was weeks before the data center, which is projected to quadruple the electricity generated and used in Utah, had been addressed in any public meeting.

Salt Lake City's first co-op grocery store to open at Milk Block

About 20% of the co-op's vendors are local.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wasatch Food Co-op" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wasatch.coop/#dataItem-k0p1t5kh" data-vars-content-id="78909ead-2ec0-4fbf-8698-7b59fb1c5c3b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s first co-op grocery store to open at Milk Block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wasatch.coop/#dataItem-k0p1t5kh" target="_blank">Wasatch Food Co-op</a> (WFC), Salt Lake City&#x27;s first community-owned grocery store, opens Wednesday at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milk Block" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/09/04/equality-utah-headquarters-harvey-milk-boulevard" data-vars-content-id="78909ead-2ec0-4fbf-8698-7b59fb1c5c3b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s first co-op grocery store to open at Milk Block" 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/2024/09/04/equality-utah-headquarters-harvey-milk-boulevard" target="_self">Milk Block</a> in Liberty Wells after nearly two decades in the making.Why it matters: Co-op grocery stores have gained popularity in many U.S. cities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since the 1960s" data-vars-click-url="https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/how-grocery-co-ops-fit-into-the-competitive-landscape/" data-vars-content-id="78909ead-2ec0-4fbf-8698-7b59fb1c5c3b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s first co-op grocery store to open at Milk Block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/how-grocery-co-ops-fit-into-the-competitive-landscape/" target="_blank">since the 1960s</a> as consumers become more conscious about where they spend their money and how those dollars are reinvested in local communities rather than large corporations.

Tick bite ER visits soar in western states

Lyme disease is rare in Utah, but ticks also spread other illnesses.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tick bites" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/05/ticks-lyme-disease-removal" data-vars-content-id="ed6321f6-ac2d-4054-a455-f5d166285cd6" data-vars-headline="Tick bite ER visits soar in western states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/05/ticks-lyme-disease-removal" target="_self">Tick bites</a> are sending a record rate of people in western states to the ER this spring, according to new CDC data.Why it matters: &quot;These tiny biters can make you seriously sick,&quot; says Alison Hinckley, epidemiologist with the CDC, in a statement.

SLC convenience store "influencer" accused of swapping underage vape sales for Instagram follows

Police say the owner was arrested just before boarding a plane for a one-way flight to Miami.

A self-styled influencer who frequently poses for photos with stacks of cash and a Lamborghini is suspected of selling vapes and beer to kids in exchange for Instagram follows.The big picture: Undercover agents listened while employees at Saif Al-Fatlawi&#x27;s City Corner convenience stores in Salt Lake and Murray made sales to underage customers that appeared to be as young as middle schoolers, police wrote in arrest documents.

Utah braces for "dangerous" wildfire season

Severe, extreme or exceptionally dry conditions prevail across much of the West.

Most of the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions as above-average temperatures persist this year, setting up a &quot;dangerous&quot; fire season, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbsutah.org/pbs-utah-productions/series/governors-monthly-conference/" data-vars-content-id="f8e2e369-2a4e-495d-971a-073f28a14a24" data-vars-headline="Utah braces for &quot;dangerous&quot; wildfire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbsutah.org/pbs-utah-productions/series/governors-monthly-conference/" target="_blank">told reporters</a> last week.The big picture: Following long stretches of low precipitation, dry conditions prevail across much of the West, South and Southeast, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/28/wildfire-season-2026" data-vars-content-id="f8e2e369-2a4e-495d-971a-073f28a14a24" data-vars-headline="Utah braces for &quot;dangerous&quot; wildfire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/28/wildfire-season-2026" target="_self">reports</a>.

Pollution persists along the Wasatch Front despite slight gains

Salt Lake and Uintah counties ranked among top 25 U.S. counties with the worst ozone pollution.

Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem ranked as the 13th worst U.S. metro for ozone pollution, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improving four spots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/04/23/salt-lake-provo-orem-ozone-pollution" data-vars-content-id="09000d83-d6e2-42bd-a809-daa22c8176d7" data-vars-headline="Pollution persists along the Wasatch Front despite slight gains" 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/2025/04/23/salt-lake-provo-orem-ozone-pollution" target="_self">improving four spots</a> from last year, according to a new study.Why it matters: The American Lung Association&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the Air report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/key-findings" data-vars-content-id="09000d83-d6e2-42bd-a809-daa22c8176d7" data-vars-headline="Pollution persists along the Wasatch Front despite slight gains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/key-findings" target="_blank">State of the Air report</a> comes as the Trump administration moves to block <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="penalties against Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/04/22/trump-ozone-limits-utah-international-pollution" data-vars-content-id="09000d83-d6e2-42bd-a809-daa22c8176d7" data-vars-headline="Pollution persists along the Wasatch Front despite slight gains" 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/2025/04/22/trump-ozone-limits-utah-international-pollution" target="_self">penalties against Utah</a> for failing to meet federal ozone standards.

Nordic Valley Ski Resort temporarily closes amid snow drought

Ski resorts across the western U.S. are facing one of their worst seasons in decades.

Nordic Valley Ski Resort closed temporarily last week amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah&#x27;s unusually warm winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/11/storm-brings-hope-utah-snowpack" data-vars-content-id="06c74561-5e6b-489d-94c2-0fddeb14280c" data-vars-headline="Nordic Valley Ski Resort temporarily closes amid snow drought" 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/2026/02/11/storm-brings-hope-utah-snowpack" target="_self">Utah&#x27;s unusually warm winter</a>.Why it matters: February is typically peak time on the slopes, but ski resorts across the western U.S. are facing one of their worst seasons on record.

Winter storm brings hope for Utah's snowpack

It's good news for Utah's snowpack, which hit a record low on Feb. 1 amid an unusually warm winter.

A winter storm this week that will last through Thursday morning is expected to bring much-needed snowfall to Utah&#x27;s mountains, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/slc/" data-vars-content-id="22516e2b-9fa4-43cd-ace8-9c011d340d92" data-vars-headline="Winter storm brings hope for Utah&#x27;s snowpack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/slc/" target="_blank">National Weather Service</a>.Why it matters: Utah&#x27;s snowpack hit a record low on Feb. 1 amid an unusually warm winter, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah Division of Water Resources" data-vars-click-url="https://water.utah.gov/snowpack/" data-vars-content-id="22516e2b-9fa4-43cd-ace8-9c011d340d92" data-vars-headline="Winter storm brings hope for Utah&#x27;s snowpack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://water.utah.gov/snowpack/" target="_blank">Utah Division of Water Resources</a>.

Sundance doc follows scientists racing to save Great Salt Lake

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jimmy Chin are attached to the documentary as executive producers.

A documentary that premiered Thursday at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/12/10/sundance-2026-final-utah-lineup-film-festival" data-vars-content-id="51da6257-6b21-41f6-aabc-d13bff500c34" data-vars-headline="Sundance doc follows scientists racing to save Great 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/2025/12/10/sundance-2026-final-utah-lineup-film-festival" target="_self">Sundance Film Festival</a> follows two Utah scientists scrambling to sound the alarm about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Salt Lake&#x27;s potential collapse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/09/01/low-water-levels-prompt-great-salt-lake-rowers-search-elsewhere" data-vars-content-id="51da6257-6b21-41f6-aabc-d13bff500c34" data-vars-headline="Sundance doc follows scientists racing to save Great 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/2022/09/01/low-water-levels-prompt-great-salt-lake-rowers-search-elsewhere" target="_self">Great Salt Lake&#x27;s potential collapse</a> and convince state leaders to act before it&#x27;s too late.Why it matters: &quot;The Lake,&quot; directed by Abby Ellis, is a rare glimpse at the balancing act the scientists, Bonnie Baxter and Ben Abbott, have to manage as they carefully weigh their research with advocacy efforts in a deep-red state.

Report: Curtis voted against solar subsidy he previously used

It's the Utah Republican's second vote against the tax credits that he availed himself of.

Utah Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="John Curtis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/john-curtis-senate-utah-romney-lee" data-vars-content-id="4acff7ea-8f44-4624-9548-4f20a005ac3c" data-vars-headline="Report: Curtis voted against solar subsidy he previously used" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/22/john-curtis-senate-utah-romney-lee" target="_self">John Curtis</a> is one of three Republicans who availed themselves of federal solar energy subsidies that they later voted to end, according to a new report.The intrigue: Curtis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="founded the Conservative Climate Caucus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/john-curtis-us-climate-progress" data-vars-content-id="4acff7ea-8f44-4624-9548-4f20a005ac3c" data-vars-headline="Report: Curtis voted against solar subsidy he previously used" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/john-curtis-us-climate-progress" target="_self">founded the Conservative Climate Caucus</a> and has positioned himself as an environmental maverick within the GOP.

Salt Lake City's first freezes arrive later

The first freeze is arriving later into the season in nearly 90% of the 204 U.S. cities analyzed.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s freezing temperatures are creeping deeper into fall, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: It&#x27;s yet another indication that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall is warming amid climate change," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="d2e029f2-096c-4ae3-8ecb-f7da6f48454b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s first freezes arrive later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" target="_self">fall is warming amid climate change,</a> which affects farmers, gardeners and allergy sufferers.

Flood danger threatens billions in Salt Lake housing

Record rain and rising climate threats put billions in home values at risk.

Nearly 5% of homes in the Salt Lake metro — worth about $9 billion — face severe or extreme flood <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/climate-change-insurance-costs-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="47067dad-9a2a-4321-8b96-3c4e1d669e72" data-vars-headline="Flood danger threatens billions in Salt Lake housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/climate-change-insurance-costs-real-estate" target="_self">risk</a>, per a recent Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/climate-risk-2025/" data-vars-content-id="47067dad-9a2a-4321-8b96-3c4e1d669e72" data-vars-headline="Flood danger threatens billions in Salt Lake housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/climate-risk-2025/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: Climate change is fueling more extreme weather — driving up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home insurance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/home-insurance-premiums-cost-map" data-vars-content-id="47067dad-9a2a-4321-8b96-3c4e1d669e72" data-vars-headline="Flood danger threatens billions in Salt Lake housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/home-insurance-premiums-cost-map" target="_self">home insurance</a> premiums in high-risk areas and leaving some Utahns without coverage as insurers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drop homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/utah-homeowners-losing-insurance-in-wake-of-california-fires" data-vars-content-id="47067dad-9a2a-4321-8b96-3c4e1d669e72" data-vars-headline="Flood danger threatens billions in Salt Lake housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/utah-homeowners-losing-insurance-in-wake-of-california-fires" target="_blank">drop homeowners</a>.

Salt Lake City declares emergency after record rain floods homes

Utah's capital city recorded its second-rainiest day since 1901 last Saturday.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall declared a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="30-day state of emergency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.slc.gov/blog/2025/10/07/salt-lake-city-declares-state-of-emergency-to-help-westside-residents-after-flooding/" data-vars-content-id="5d323b5e-393d-4e68-ad51-8c149a74372e" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City declares emergency after record rain floods homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.slc.gov/blog/2025/10/07/salt-lake-city-declares-state-of-emergency-to-help-westside-residents-after-flooding/" target="_blank">30-day state of emergency</a> Monday night after record-setting rainfall over the weekend caused significant flooding. State of play: More than two dozen homes and public property were impacted on the city&#x27;s westside near 2000 West and 800 North after a drainage canal overflowed into backyards and spilled into the street, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KSL TV reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ksl.com/article/51385943/water-is-all-the-way-to-our-knees-rose-park-homeowners-clean-up-after-flooding" data-vars-content-id="5d323b5e-393d-4e68-ad51-8c149a74372e" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City declares emergency after record rain floods homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ksl.com/article/51385943/water-is-all-the-way-to-our-knees-rose-park-homeowners-clean-up-after-flooding" target="_blank">KSL TV reported</a>.

Summer is sticking around in Salt Lake City

Lingering high temperatures can increase cooling demand and prolong wildfire risk.

Monday marks the first day of fall, but it still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="feels like summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/03/autumn-fall-temperature-heating-up-warmer-utah" data-vars-content-id="6a0c49a3-6dc7-4aee-8c2c-7be332f72aa6" data-vars-headline="Summer is sticking around 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/2025/09/03/autumn-fall-temperature-heating-up-warmer-utah" target="_self">feels like summer</a> in Utah&#x27;s capital.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/summers-warmer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="6a0c49a3-6dc7-4aee-8c2c-7be332f72aa6" data-vars-headline="Summer is sticking around 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/2025/05/28/summers-warmer-climate-change" target="_self">Summer temperatures</a> are hanging around longer in Salt Lake City compared with in the early 1970s, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/lingering-summer-heat-2025" data-vars-content-id="6a0c49a3-6dc7-4aee-8c2c-7be332f72aa6" data-vars-headline="Summer is sticking around in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/lingering-summer-heat-2025" target="_blank">report</a> from Climate Central finds, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="6a0c49a3-6dc7-4aee-8c2c-7be332f72aa6" data-vars-headline="Summer is sticking around 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/energy-climate/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> affects the seasons.

A map showing drought conditions in the United States as of April 21, 2026. Much of the country is at least abnormally dry, with parts experiencing moderate to exceptional drought.

Climate 🌿

Utah braces for "dangerous" wildfire season

Pollution persists along the Wasatch Front despite slight gains

Nordic Valley Ski Resort temporarily closes amid snow drought

Winter storm brings hope for Utah's snowpack

Sundance doc follows scientists racing to save Great Salt Lake