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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>.

Mr. Robinson's opus

Murray residents gather each December to sing the carols of William Robinson, who started teaching music there in 1907.

Scores of singers are gathering in Murray this week to honor a beloved schoolteacher whom the community has celebrated for more than a century.The big picture: The Robinson Carols Sing-Along is an annual tribute to William Robinson, a Murray music teacher who, starting in 1907, walked from one end of the district to the other, leading each school in Christmas concerts and sing-alongs.The intrigue: For more than 30 years, Robinson taught arrangements of Christmas songs he learned in Derbyshire, England, where he was born in the 1870s.<ul><li>They became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unique Murray oral tradition" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23461216" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23461216" target="_blank">unique Murray oral tradition</a>, passed from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="generation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/2209253259098811/" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/2209253259098811/" target="_blank">generation</a> to generation — until they were so ubiquitous in the Salt Lake suburb that many residents were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surprised" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/7368707549819997/?comment_id=7368801633143922" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/7368707549819997/?comment_id=7368801633143922" target="_blank">surprised</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="learn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/7368707549819997/?comment_id=9154394997917901" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/7368707549819997/?comment_id=9154394997917901" target="_blank">learn</a> they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weren&#x27;t" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1400669619957183" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1400669619957183" target="_blank">weren&#x27;t</a> familiar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1764040273620114/?comment_id=1764208340269974&amp;reply_comment_id=1771485186208956" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1764040273620114/?comment_id=1764208340269974&amp;reply_comment_id=1771485186208956" target="_blank">holiday</a> standards <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anywhere else" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1400704853286993" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1400704853286993" target="_blank">anywhere else</a>.</li></ul>Case in point: Ethel Bradford, a longtime columnist for the Murray Eagle, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23461216" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23461216" target="_blank">wrote</a> in 1963 that she learned Robinson&#x27;s &quot;Chime and Carol&quot; from her older siblings before attending school in another district.<ul><li>&quot;Each year I hopefully listened and waited for the song to be once more sung but never heard it again. In fact, I began to wonder where in the world I had learned it myself!&quot;</li><li>It wasn&#x27;t until Ethel had children of her own — enrolled in a Murray school — that she again heard the familiar lyrics.</li><li>&quot;It was a long time before I could listen or try to sing them without tears coming and my voice choking. ... I was a child again in my mother&#x27;s kitchen,&quot; she wrote.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A man holds a baby while singing and smiling in a crowded theater " height="2073" id="a2fafcee-ab76-464f-8edd-be4b0fcedf61" src="https://images.axios.com/kY1RYu3f16w7o5qKBiu8MLpkib4=/2025/12/02/1764653025365.jpg" width="3685"/><figcaption>Alan Black and his son Steve sing to Alan&#x27;s great-granddaughter Eden at Murray&#x27;s town sing-along Monday, making her the family&#x27;s fourth generation to learn the carols. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Catch up quick: Murray students <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sang" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/" target="_blank">sang</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="carols" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1354149227942556" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1354149227942556" target="_blank">carols</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1090249130999235/" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1090249130999235/" target="_blank">decades</a> after Robinson retired.<ul><li>Eight years <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1398158073541671" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/murraymems/posts/1353271358030343/?comment_id=1398158073541671" target="_blank">ago</a>, former students and descendants of Mr. Robinson revived his carols in the sing-alongs, which became popular, all-ages affairs.</li></ul>Driving the news: This year, the old-timey tradition has a new home in the recently renovated historic Murray Theater — which opened in 1938, two years before Robinson retired, and reopened in September.<ul><li>Demand for tickets was so high that the city arts department planned two this year.</li><li>Monday night&#x27;s show was sold out, but you can still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reserve seats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.showpass.com/robinson-carols-sing-along-3/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOa6GBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOVzhzM1FPcjVyN2NpMUh5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHthbZTskMZdMWC2ZT9kFH3PrbbiCtFZJyPvN3xD_q7dlQ6WA0dy-J_crjpP4_aem_9HTKrcAdV94AifIb_hCmDg" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.showpass.com/robinson-carols-sing-along-3/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOa6GBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOVzhzM1FPcjVyN2NpMUh5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHthbZTskMZdMWC2ZT9kFH3PrbbiCtFZJyPvN3xD_q7dlQ6WA0dy-J_crjpP4_aem_9HTKrcAdV94AifIb_hCmDg" target="_blank">reserve seats</a> for 6:30pm Friday.</li></ul>The latest: Kids at Horizon Elementary are learning one of Robinson&#x27;s carols for their holiday program later this month.The bottom line: Teaching has gotten so difficult that many are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaving the profession" data-vars-click-url="https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/overview-teacher-shortages-2025-factsheet" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/overview-teacher-shortages-2025-factsheet" target="_blank">leaving the profession</a> — with music and art instructors particularly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vulnerable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/799538373499977/posts/24869031786123966/" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/799538373499977/posts/24869031786123966/" target="_blank">vulnerable</a> to funding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://ksltv.com/education-schools/many-utah-after-school-programs-to-end-due-to-federal-funding-cuts/798479/" data-vars-content-id="1061cbeb-c7e7-4aaf-9dea-f0cd51e5fe95" data-vars-headline="Mr. Robinson&#x27;s opus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ksltv.com/education-schools/many-utah-after-school-programs-to-end-due-to-federal-funding-cuts/798479/" target="_blank">cuts</a>. <ul><li>It&#x27;s moving to see how one can make difference for more than 100 years.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A 1918 photo of a high school girls choir with their instructor." height="4898" id="46ed4481-12c3-49f5-8fa1-9e60ecb70434" src="https://images.axios.com/qs6BRy9-PocsHAjL_8htKvrJXZk=/2025/12/02/1764653096769.jpg" width="6103"/><figcaption>Murray High School girls choir, 1918, with director William Robinson at center. Photo: Courtesy of Murray Museum</figcaption></figure>

Is college worth it? It depends on how far you go

In Utah, advanced degrees bring in the big bucks — but your earnings may vary for other educational paths.

While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polling shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" data-vars-content-id="964732f5-a37a-4d3a-81ab-09c9fa691cbd" data-vars-headline="Is college worth it? It depends on how far you go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" target="_self">polling shows</a> fewer and fewer Americans believe college is very important, income data shows a degree makes a big difference in most Utah cities.Why it matters: In Utah, the most financially valuable step in educational attainment is a graduate or professional degree — which isn&#x27;t the case in most of the country, where a bachelor&#x27;s degree correlates with bigger income gains.

Utah bans "Thirteen Reasons Why" in public schools

The 2007 novel joins 18 others banned under Utah's sensitive materials law.

&quot;Thirteen Reasons Why,&quot; Jay Asher&#x27;s 2007 best-selling young adult novel exploring mental health, bullying and the impact of rumors, is the latest title <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="banned from Utah&#x27;s public schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/09/utah-bans-books-water-elephants-women-authors" data-vars-content-id="22eb88a0-15ec-425c-944c-52c798ae1daa" data-vars-headline="Utah bans &quot;Thirteen Reasons Why&quot; in public schools" 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/2025/05/09/utah-bans-books-water-elephants-women-authors" target="_self">banned from Utah&#x27;s public schools</a>.State of play: Last week, the Utah State Board of Education <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="added the book " data-vars-click-url="https://usbe-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/davina_sauthoff_schools_utah_gov/EbrZ_-SSE5RMqDxBhGxrmCUB_U3991VFqWry09cvgWRBZg?rtime=tvg0jneO3Ug" data-vars-content-id="22eb88a0-15ec-425c-944c-52c798ae1daa" data-vars-headline="Utah bans &quot;Thirteen Reasons Why&quot; in public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://usbe-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/davina_sauthoff_schools_utah_gov/EbrZ_-SSE5RMqDxBhGxrmCUB_U3991VFqWry09cvgWRBZg?rtime=tvg0jneO3Ug" target="_blank">added the book </a>to its growing list of prohibited texts.

BYU tops Utah colleges in 2025 U.S. News rankings

The Mormon church's flagship school is No. #110 in the nation, per U.S. News & World Report.

Brigham Young University is once again the top school in Utah, per U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s Best Colleges <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="2bc927c2-11d8-4f7e-a075-f17464766f2a" data-vars-headline="BYU tops Utah colleges in 2025 U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">rankings</a> released Tuesday.Why it matters: As universities face <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changing demographics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/education-enrollment-cliff-schools" data-vars-content-id="2bc927c2-11d8-4f7e-a075-f17464766f2a" data-vars-headline="BYU tops Utah colleges in 2025 U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/03/education-enrollment-cliff-schools" target="_self">changing demographics</a> and skepticism about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="value of postsecondary education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="2bc927c2-11d8-4f7e-a075-f17464766f2a" data-vars-headline="BYU tops Utah colleges in 2025 U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" target="_self">value of postsecondary education</a>, competition between institutions has become steeper.

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>.

Tariffs drive up prices on many school supplies in Utah

Parents shopped early this year to avoid more price hikes.

Utah parents are heading into the 2025 back-to-school shopping season facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" data-vars-content-id="27bcdacc-45ae-40dc-baef-a09012db47c3" data-vars-headline="Tariffs drive up prices on many school supplies in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/10/trump-tariffs-shoes" target="_self">rising prices</a> amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" data-vars-content-id="27bcdacc-45ae-40dc-baef-a09012db47c3" data-vars-headline="Tariffs drive up prices on many school supplies in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/tariffs" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s tariffs</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back-to-school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" data-vars-content-id="27bcdacc-45ae-40dc-baef-a09012db47c3" data-vars-headline="Tariffs drive up prices on many school supplies in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/02/back-to-school-2024-cellphone-bans" target="_self">Back-to-school</a> is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the winter holidays.

Trump administration is withholding $35M from Utah schools

The funding freeze is putting after-school programs in a lurch.

The Trump administration is withholding more than $35 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="education funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/trump-administration-withholds-education-fund" data-vars-content-id="e4a0df78-47ea-4d88-9f39-40a2d9c873f5" data-vars-headline="Trump administration is withholding $35M from Utah schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/trump-administration-withholds-education-fund" target="_self">education funding</a> from Utah as it reviews the programs that were due to receive the money.Why it matters: The missing money has left after-school and summer programs in limbo nationwide.

Here's how much money Utah public schools are spending

For years, Utah's spending per student has been among the nation's lowest.

Education

Utah public K-12 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/federal-revenue-schools-map" data-vars-content-id="656f665b-9b15-4ff5-a0a8-3922438a1fb1" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how much money Utah public schools are spending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/federal-revenue-schools-map" target="_self">school systems</a> spent about 8% more per pupil in fiscal year 2023 compared to 2022, per new Census Bureau data.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/trump-federal-education-funding-map-schools" data-vars-content-id="656f665b-9b15-4ff5-a0a8-3922438a1fb1" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s how much money Utah public schools are spending" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/trump-federal-education-funding-map-schools" target="_self">Spending</a> per student can be a measure of educational resources afforded to kids, but also reflects the costs of administration, building maintenance, transportation, etc.

Utah bans more books from schools — including bestseller "Water for Elephants"

The state has removed 18 books from schools so far — 16 of them written by women.

Utah has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="banned two more women-authored books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/04/11/utah-most-banned-book-out-of-darkness-ashley-hope-perez" data-vars-content-id="3cd6ec99-734c-429f-b849-8542064a94cc" data-vars-headline="Utah bans more books from schools — including bestseller &quot;Water for Elephants&quot;" 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/2024/04/11/utah-most-banned-book-out-of-darkness-ashley-hope-perez" target="_self">banned two more women-authored books</a> from public schools statewide.The latest: The state Board of Education this week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="added" data-vars-click-url="https://usbe-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/davina_sauthoff_schools_utah_gov/EbrZ_-SSE5RMqDxBhGxrmCUB_U3991VFqWry09cvgWRBZg?rtime=tvg0jneO3Ug" data-vars-content-id="3cd6ec99-734c-429f-b849-8542064a94cc" data-vars-headline="Utah bans more books from schools — including bestseller &quot;Water for Elephants&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://usbe-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/davina_sauthoff_schools_utah_gov/EbrZ_-SSE5RMqDxBhGxrmCUB_U3991VFqWry09cvgWRBZg?rtime=tvg0jneO3Ug" target="_blank">added</a> Sara Gruen&#x27;s bestselling 2006 novel &quot;Water for Elephants&quot; to a list of 18 titles forbidden in public schools.

Superintendents are ditching Utah schools

More than 70% of the state's districts have lost at least one superintendent since 2019.

Utah has one of the nation&#x27;s highest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turnover rates for school superintendents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="081fd467-041f-4344-afcd-ef0b522cbd7a" data-vars-headline="Superintendents are ditching Utah schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/local-schools-federal-funding-superintendents?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">turnover rates for school superintendents</a>.Why it matters: Frequent leadership turnover is often a cause — or symptom — of broader instability in a school district.

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