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

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 Alerts

Alert

Salt Lake City Members

Membership

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>.

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.

Salt Lake City autumns are getting warmer

Average fall temperatures are rising almost universally nationwide, including in Utah's capital.

Better trade that hot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PSL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/21/utah-pumpkin-spice-lattes-mormon-coffee-word-wisdom" data-vars-content-id="c36911a0-9d84-4e89-a587-d44725a1e0af" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City autumns are getting warmer" 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/2025/08/21/utah-pumpkin-spice-lattes-mormon-coffee-word-wisdom" target="_self">PSL</a> for an iced one. Autumns in Salt Lake City are heating up.The big picture: Average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" data-vars-content-id="c36911a0-9d84-4e89-a587-d44725a1e0af" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City autumns are getting warmer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" target="_self">fall</a> temperatures are rising almost universally nationwide, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.

Most SLC kids go to school in extreme urban heat zones

Classes begin during some of the hottest days of the year.

Almost 80% of K-12 public school students in the Salt Lake metro attend schools in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="75df42c7-d3d4-4ef5-a032-e0934498a8cb" data-vars-headline="Most SLC kids go to school in extreme urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones,</a> a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/23/heat-wave" data-vars-content-id="75df42c7-d3d4-4ef5-a032-e0934498a8cb" data-vars-headline="Most SLC kids go to school in extreme urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/23/heat-wave" target="_self">heat waves</a>.

Climate 🌿

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

Inversion traps SLC in nation's dirtiest air

Report: Curtis voted against solar subsidy he previously used