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How a middle school play became the hottest ticket in town

What, your junior high musical DIDN'T have aerialists dangling from the ceiling?

News

<figure><img alt="A stage production of &quot;The Little Mermaid,&quot; with an actor playing Ariel suspended over a cast of fish." height="449" id="d8f2617b-a9ef-4564-b4a5-1f3ba6172805" src="https://images.axios.com/0P4c7OfIz-5PYg6j3OBEX8OOxU8=/2026/03/02/1772471509809.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A typical company number at the Clayton Middle School play. Video: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>If you haven&#x27;t seen the annual extravaganza that is the Clayton Middle School play, you might want to snag a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ticket" data-vars-click-url="https://cur8.com/23580/project/134596" data-vars-content-id="1db6e6b3-b78f-4f54-9045-3a557ab5a8a8" data-vars-headline="How a middle school play became the hottest ticket in town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cur8.com/23580/project/134596" target="_blank">ticket</a> — and preemptively schedule jaw reconstruction surgery.Why it matters: This is not your mother&#x27;s junior high stage production of &quot;The Little Mermaid.&quot;

Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances

The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.

A divisive bill that would curb <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" data-vars-content-id="e9db6d87-36e3-4f39-956a-11c74db5e30c" data-vars-headline="Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances" 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/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures</a> on major roads without state sign-off cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday.Why it matters: The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, like those with dedicated bus or bike lanes, and instead encourage car-focused projects.

Utah cities rank high for street safety

The study measures speeding in residential zones, miles traveled and other measures and other factors.

Public Safety

Ogden has some of the nation&#x27;s safest roadways, per StreetLight Data&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="ac38abd4-3e05-4a28-927d-a131a4ed7e13" data-vars-headline="Utah cities rank high for street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;</a>State of play: That&#x27;s based on five key factors among the 100 biggest U.S. metros: vehicle miles traveled, different speeds between vehicles, speed-based pedestrian risk, speeding in residential zones and truck activity.

Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp

Despite being downtown's largest park, it remains underused when not hosting the summer farmers market.

Salt Lake City leaders broke ground on about $18 million in much-needed improvements to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pioneer Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/22/downtown-farmers-market-pioneer-park-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="fa19bcfc-5761-4e2d-ad6d-daddf8878ba4" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp" 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/2025/05/22/downtown-farmers-market-pioneer-park-redevelopment" target="_self">Pioneer Park</a> on Friday, aiming to revitalize one of the city&#x27;s oldest public spaces.Why it matters: Downtown&#x27;s largest park sits largely empty except for the summer farmers market, and city officials are determined to shake its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pioneerpark.co/downtown-crisis#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Pioneer%20Park%20Coalition%2C%20public,which%20have%20led%20to%20slowed%20response%20times." data-vars-content-id="fa19bcfc-5761-4e2d-ad6d-daddf8878ba4" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pioneerpark.co/downtown-crisis#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Pioneer%20Park%20Coalition%2C%20public,which%20have%20led%20to%20slowed%20response%20times." target="_blank">reputation</a> for crime and safety concerns.

8 local races to watch in Utah in the lead-up to Election Day

Utah Democrats and Republicans see flipping potential.

Utah&#x27;s statewide races don&#x27;t tend to be nail-biters given its Republican lean, but these local contests tell a different story.Here are eight races we&#x27;re following as the Nov. 5 election approaches:

Voter guide for Utah's 2024 general election

Utah's governor, attorney general and Senate seats are up for grabs.

Election Day is nearing and we&#x27;ve got you covered on everything you need to know in the lead up to Nov. 5. What we&#x27;re watching: This year&#x27;s most high-profile races will determine who replaces GOP Sen. Mitt Romney and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state Attorney General" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/10/16/utah-attorney-general-race-democrat-third-party" data-vars-content-id="c75ee5e7-abd3-4f51-a181-f07effb5643b" data-vars-headline="Voter guide for Utah&#x27;s 2024 general election" 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/2024/10/16/utah-attorney-general-race-democrat-third-party" target="_self">state Attorney General</a> Sean Reyes.

Salt Lake City Council race is down to fewer than 200 votes

Incumbent Ana Valdemoros trailed Eva López Chávez as of Tuesday night.

Business consultant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eva López Chávez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/10/30/eva-lopez-chavez-salt-lake-city-council-candidate-district-4" data-vars-content-id="aba4ddf3-26a8-4240-b439-96d6d8b59afc" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City Council race is down to fewer than 200 votes" 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/2023/10/30/eva-lopez-chavez-salt-lake-city-council-candidate-district-4" target="_self">Eva López Chávez</a> held a narrow lead on Tuesday in the Salt Lake City Council race to represent the bustling District 4 against incumbent and business owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ana Valdemoros" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/10/30/ana-valdemoros-city-council-candidate-district-4" data-vars-content-id="aba4ddf3-26a8-4240-b439-96d6d8b59afc" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City Council race is down to fewer than 200 votes" 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/2023/10/30/ana-valdemoros-city-council-candidate-district-4" target="_self">Ana Valdemoros</a>.<ul><li>Valdemoros has served on the City Council since 2019. López Chávez previously worked as a staffer in the mayor&#x27;s office and was chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party.</li></ul>

Incumbent Erin Mendenhall holds large lead in Salt Lake City mayor's race

Former Mayor Rocky Anderson acknowledged he lost, but stopped short of conceding.

Salt Lake City Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Erin Mendenhall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/10/30/mayoral-candidate-erin-mendenhall-election" data-vars-content-id="2d3fd070-6bb8-47de-8061-40c36fed4be3" data-vars-headline="Incumbent Erin Mendenhall holds large lead in Salt Lake City mayor&#x27;s race" 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/2023/10/30/mayoral-candidate-erin-mendenhall-election" target="_self">Erin Mendenhall</a> still held a major lead Wednesday morning against a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/08/09/rocky-anderson-wants-to-be-salt-lake-city-mayor-again" data-vars-content-id="2d3fd070-6bb8-47de-8061-40c36fed4be3" data-vars-headline="Incumbent Erin Mendenhall holds large lead in Salt Lake City mayor&#x27;s race" 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/2022/08/09/rocky-anderson-wants-to-be-salt-lake-city-mayor-again" target="_self">former mayor</a> in the race to run the largest city in Utah.By the numbers: After the first vote tally, Mendenhall held a 25-point advantage (59% to 34%) against former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson as of Wednesday at 6am, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary Salt Lake County election results" data-vars-click-url="https://slco.org/clerk/elections/election-results/" data-vars-content-id="2d3fd070-6bb8-47de-8061-40c36fed4be3" data-vars-headline="Incumbent Erin Mendenhall holds large lead in Salt Lake City mayor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://slco.org/clerk/elections/election-results/" target="_blank">preliminary Salt Lake County election results</a>.

Your guide to each Salt Lake City race

Axios Salt Lake City sent each contender running in a local race this November a questionnaire to tell us about themselves.

Election

This year&#x27;s Salt Lake City elections will see a three-way mayoral race and 10 candidates vying for four City Council seats.Details: To learn more about each candidate, Axios Salt Lake City sent each contender running in a local race this November a questionnaire to tell us about themselves and how they would approach the dwindling Great Salt Lake, the city&#x27;s homelessness crisis and more.

Meet Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Rocky Anderson

Here's what mayoral candidate Rocky Anderson had to say about the Great Salt Lake.

Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson is seeking his third term in this year&#x27;s mayoral race.<ul><li>Anderson, who served as the mayor for two terms between 2000 and 2008, is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vocal critic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/08/09/rocky-anderson-wants-to-be-salt-lake-city-mayor-again" data-vars-content-id="2845ce0e-f47a-4525-8c57-84d8af74bdc8" data-vars-headline="Meet Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Rocky Anderson" 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/2022/08/09/rocky-anderson-wants-to-be-salt-lake-city-mayor-again" target="_self">vocal critic</a> of the city&#x27;s response to homelessness. Incumbent Erin Mendenhall is among his opponents in the race. </li></ul>

Meet Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine

Michael Valentine is an activist who advocated for the conservation of the historic Utah Pantages Theater.

Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine is a small-business owner and activist who advocated for the conservation of the historic Utah Pantages Theater before it was torn down last year. He faces incumbent Erin Mendenhall and another candidate in the race.Of note: The candidate&#x27;s responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Meet Salt Lake City Council candidate Alejandro "Ale" Puy

The District 2 incumbent is running uncontested.

Alejandro Puy is the only candidate running uncontested in this year&#x27;s municipal elections.<ul><li>He&#x27;s the incumbent for District 2.</li></ul>

Meet Salt Lake City Council candidate Ana Valdemoros

The District 4 incumbent has worked as a city planner.

Politics

Incumbent Ana Valdemoros has represented District 4 on the Salt Lake City Council since 2019.Details: Valdemoros has worked as a planner for the city and then with the urban development nonprofit NeighborWorks.

Meet Salt Lake City Council candidate Molly Jones

Molly Jones co-owns the Quarters Arcade Bar locations in Sugar House and downtown.

Salt Lake City Council candidate Molly Jones is running in this year&#x27;s District 7 race.<ul><li>The seat was vacated by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amy Fowler" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/05/09/salt-lake-city-council-amy-fowler-dui-charge" data-vars-content-id="6102e918-7233-4b28-8d76-171e9579c934" data-vars-headline="Meet Salt Lake City Council candidate Molly Jones" 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/2023/05/09/salt-lake-city-council-amy-fowler-dui-charge" target="_self">Amy Fowler</a> after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in May.</li></ul>

Election 🗳️

8 local races to watch in Utah in the lead-up to Election Day

Voter guide for Utah's 2024 general election

Salt Lake City Council race is down to fewer than 200 votes

Incumbent Erin Mendenhall holds large lead in Salt Lake City mayor's race

Your guide to each Salt Lake City race