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

Confusion follows Utah's new fireworks restrictions

Carve-outs in Gov. Cox's order mean some cities still haven't figured out where fireworks will be allowed.

News

<figure><img alt="Fireworks over Salt Lake City. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios" height="450" id="6c1eb17e-7945-41e8-aa23-e90d2d83aff6" src="https://images.axios.com/6HpQmgNrHFRiUai-UQtuxuii1mI=/2026/06/26/1782500622961.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Amateur fireworks over SLC. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Utah cities are publicizing a patchwork of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fireworks bans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" 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/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" target="_self">fireworks bans</a> after Gov. Cox&#x27;s executive order changed restrictions statewide amid historic drought and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-wildfire-season-drought" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" 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-wildfire-season-drought" target="_self">wildfires</a>.The intrigue: Thursday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="order" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" target="_blank">order</a> is a legal shift away from Utah&#x27;s relatively permissive approach to fireworks — but they could still be allowed in some neighborhoods.

Utah's first state history museum opens

The Museum of Utah aims to paint a broader and more inclusive picture of the state's early beginnings.

Utah&#x27;s first official state history museum opened Saturday, featuring a trove of artifacts and exhibits tracing the state&#x27;s founding and cultural imprint on the U.S.Why it matters: Utah was one of the only states without a dedicated history museum until now.

These two Utah cities are among the most bikeable in America

Salt Lake City didn't even crack Utah's top five most bikeable cities.

Sunset and Springdale are among the 10 most bikeable cities in America, according to a new ranking.Why it matters: PeopleForBikes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annually ranks" data-vars-click-url="https://cityratings.peopleforbikes.org/" data-vars-content-id="0b322fb6-79f2-4993-8ebb-56ae9e4c692a" data-vars-headline="These two Utah cities are among the most bikeable in America" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cityratings.peopleforbikes.org/" target="_blank">annually ranks</a> cities around the globe and tracks whether people can realistically use bikes for everyday transportation, not just recreation.

SLC has been trying to fix Pioneer Park for more than a century

The central green space has been a black hole of urban planning since the 1800s.

<figure><img alt="A plan for a park playground" height="1738" id="908bacb4-8524-4c7a-a6ca-9782a1967309" src="https://images.axios.com/ZwcvpzqXHxFb_Sq8YAHqfca9XEo=/2026/06/29/1782770905702.png" width="1634"/><figcaption>The original design for Pioneer Park&#x27;s playground, 1910. Image from The Salt Lake Herald-Republican via Utah Digital Newspapers, the University of Utah</figcaption></figure>Much of Pioneer Park is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/27/salt-lake-city-breaks-ground-breaking-pioneer-park-revamp-construction" data-vars-content-id="92176b85-cb55-4e35-aa36-2dc20ed460ad" data-vars-headline="SLC has been trying to fix Pioneer Park for more than a century" 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/2026/02/27/salt-lake-city-breaks-ground-breaking-pioneer-park-revamp-construction" target="_self">under construction</a> with improvements city leaders hope will shake the park&#x27;s <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="92176b85-cb55-4e35-aa36-2dc20ed460ad" data-vars-headline="SLC has been trying to fix Pioneer Park for more than a century" 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 blight.The big picture: It&#x27;s a long tradition in Salt Lake City, where leaders have been trying to spruce up Pioneer Park since the 1800s.

Utah firefighters say they're getting threats and abuse over fireworks restrictions amid wildfires

The angry calls are targeting a fire department in a city that didn't actually ban fireworks.

Firefighters in Weber County say they&#x27;re getting abuse and threats from residents who are angry over fireworks restrictions.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Calling the fire station to yell at, use of abusive language toward, or threatening our firefighters is unacceptable. Our firefighters were not involved in making this decision, and they should not be subjected to harassment while serving our community,&quot; The South Weber Fire Department <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="posted on Facebook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/SouthWeberFire/posts/pfbid0KNGKd3ZXzi8YKsxALTCtgoAJPZ6NQSiRrdHY95wbHXKX6Uq1H3ckp1Ki8AhyUPP5l" data-vars-content-id="391a6aca-5feb-4be6-a764-90970579b1a5" data-vars-headline="Utah firefighters say they&#x27;re getting threats and abuse over fireworks restrictions amid wildfires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthWeberFire/posts/pfbid0KNGKd3ZXzi8YKsxALTCtgoAJPZ6NQSiRrdHY95wbHXKX6Uq1H3ckp1Ki8AhyUPP5l" target="_blank">posted on Facebook</a>.

Latinos and Pacific Islanders most worried about the Great Salt Lake's collapse

Both groups face greater exposure to harmful Great Salt Lake dust.

Latinos and Pacific Islanders in Salt Lake County are more concerned about the shrinking Great Salt Lake than white residents, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00139165261455133?__cf_chl_f_tk=ZeH3TXQ7UiSR5GJZtXL8M7ZY59BY9_ZbMm_.VMtkRKg-1782747035-1.0.1.1-v8doQec0GssNwy_gbigno59SinJdm1hP.5l2x.UZNAc" data-vars-content-id="a8728293-df68-49a6-8bf0-8700de1df574" data-vars-headline="Latinos and Pacific Islanders most worried about the Great Salt Lake&#x27;s collapse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00139165261455133?__cf_chl_f_tk=ZeH3TXQ7UiSR5GJZtXL8M7ZY59BY9_ZbMm_.VMtkRKg-1782747035-1.0.1.1-v8doQec0GssNwy_gbigno59SinJdm1hP.5l2x.UZNAc" target="_blank">study</a>.Why it matters: Both racial and ethnic groups <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="face greater exposure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" data-vars-content-id="a8728293-df68-49a6-8bf0-8700de1df574" data-vars-headline="Latinos and Pacific Islanders most worried about the Great Salt Lake&#x27;s collapse" 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/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" target="_self">face greater exposure</a> to Great Salt Lake dust.

Rattlesnake bites are spiking on Utah's trails

Blame the weather. And don't pet the wildlife.

Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warm, dry winter and spring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/26/warm-weather-early-mosquito-season-salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="b4ca10e7-d236-413c-bfeb-f42786355101" data-vars-headline="Rattlesnake bites are spiking on Utah&#x27;s trails" 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/2026/03/26/warm-weather-early-mosquito-season-salt-lake-city" target="_self">warm, dry winter and spring</a> have prompted rattlesnakes to linger near water sources earlier than usual this summer, state wildlife officials tell Axios.Why it matters: Hiking trails tend to follow the same streams, putting more people in the path of their venomous neighbors.

Why Utahns should care about the downstream effects of Colorado River collapse

A 101 on why the stakes are higher below the Glen Canyon Dam.

It&#x27;s hard to internalize the scale of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado River crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/18/colorado-river-basin-states-missed-deadline-federal-solution" data-vars-content-id="ade8688b-3f90-4b76-b88a-4618f27e1791" data-vars-headline="Why Utahns should care about the downstream effects of Colorado River collapse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/18/colorado-river-basin-states-missed-deadline-federal-solution" target="_self">Colorado River crisis</a> until you actually lay eyes on the record-low water levels upstream of the Glen Canyon Dam.<ul><li>I saw the dam for the first time this week, and I went from scared to dam(n) scared. The vagaries of western water law may be hard to understand, but the flow of water is not.</li></ul>

3 things to know about Utah's massive proposed data center

State officials are pushing it hard and fast. Local authorities are less certain.

A proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/axios-live-data-center-boom-forces-us-policymakers-to-rethink-power-costs" data-vars-content-id="53d10f6c-bc7d-4117-87c6-e89143e3e446" data-vars-headline="3 things to know about Utah&#x27;s massive proposed data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/axios-live-data-center-boom-forces-us-policymakers-to-rethink-power-costs" target="_self">data center</a> in northern Utah would generate and consume <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than twice the electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1424907.mp3" data-vars-content-id="53d10f6c-bc7d-4117-87c6-e89143e3e446" data-vars-headline="3 things to know about Utah&#x27;s massive proposed data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/1424907.mp3" target="_blank">more than twice the electricity</a> now used by the entire state if local officials approve it this week.Why it matters: Supporters say the &quot;hyperscale&quot; data center would create 2,000 jobs and help keep the U.S. competitive in the fast-moving field of AI.

Where to buy Utah native plants

They're not always easy to find for sale, but the birds and bugs will love you for planting them.

It&#x27;s time for Utah&#x27;s spring plant sales, with some of the best chances to bring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flora that&#x27;s native" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/05/25/xeriscape-planning-tips-utah-lawn-native-plants" data-vars-content-id="2b671da4-047b-4b75-bda9-c8063fdb80b9" data-vars-headline="Where to buy Utah native plants" 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/2023/05/25/xeriscape-planning-tips-utah-lawn-native-plants" target="_self">flora that&#x27;s native</a> to the state into your backyard.Why it matters: Native plants provide habitat for birds and bugs and generally require less water than traditional landscapes — but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they&#x27;re in critically low supply throughout the mountain west" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/05/25/xeriscape-native-plant-shortage-drought-utah-colorado-arizona" data-vars-content-id="2b671da4-047b-4b75-bda9-c8063fdb80b9" data-vars-headline="Where to buy Utah native plants" 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/2023/05/25/xeriscape-native-plant-shortage-drought-utah-colorado-arizona" target="_self">they&#x27;re in critically low supply throughout the mountain west</a>.

So, you found a baby bird. Here's what to do

Spring is the time when baby birds sometimes make their way out of the nest before they&#x27;re ready — either from a moment of overconfidence or wind from a storm.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what to do when a fallen creature tugs at your heartstrings, according to state wildlife officials.</li></ul>

These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump's "corrosive ideology" purge

Vandalism, climate change and history notes were submitted for review.

<figure><img alt="A sign at Arches National Park includes an inset that reads: &quot;Park ecologists study plant communities to monitor their response to the changing climate. Some &quot;cool season&quot; grasses, like ricegrass, are already diminishing.&quot;" height="1544" id="d2807428-b5c6-460a-848a-8cf086d5806b" src="https://images.axios.com/KjJPSO1GRuEdYLwiKZz6iR4kpOU=/2026/03/12/1773350955324.png" width="2522"/><figcaption>A sign at Arches National Park is flagged for possible review due to a reference to climate change. Image via Arches</figcaption></figure>Dozens of exhibits and signs at Utah&#x27;s national parks have been flagged for possible removal under President Trump&#x27;s order to purge &quot;negative&quot; information from the protected landmarks.The intrigue: That&#x27;s according to a National Park Service database of interpretive signs and other materials, reported by park managers and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaked" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.org/details/nps-removal-targets" data-vars-content-id="3877f043-ca67-4fb8-bf8e-b1387d1df575" data-vars-headline="These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump&#x27;s &quot;corrosive ideology&quot; purge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.org/details/nps-removal-targets" target="_blank">leaked</a> by a group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-described" data-vars-click-url="https://sciop.net/datasets/doi-targets-for-removal" data-vars-content-id="3877f043-ca67-4fb8-bf8e-b1387d1df575" data-vars-headline="These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump&#x27;s &quot;corrosive ideology&quot; purge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sciop.net/datasets/doi-targets-for-removal" target="_blank">self-described</a> &quot;civil servants on the front lines.&quot;

Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation

Lawmakers want to spend $1 billion on pipelines and desalination rather than asking Utahns to use less water.

Utah officials are preparing to ask the federal government for $1 billion to support the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Salt Lake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" data-vars-content-id="3e22fb82-d552-41e6-a56c-dcd4847c26f1" data-vars-headline="Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation" 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/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" target="_self">Great Salt Lake</a> following President Trump&#x27;s recent statement that it&#x27;s &quot;very important&quot; to save the lake.The big picture: Republican lawmakers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looking at measures" data-vars-click-url="https://senate.utah.gov/securing-utahs-water-future/" data-vars-content-id="3e22fb82-d552-41e6-a56c-dcd4847c26f1" data-vars-headline="Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://senate.utah.gov/securing-utahs-water-future/" target="_blank">looking at measures</a> that sidestep asking Utahns to use less water.

How Utah became the nation's first swan hunting ground

Hunters now eat, mount or jerkify swans — once nearly extinct birds.

So, it turns out swan hunting is a thing. And it started right here in Utah.<ul><li>This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Old News" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" data-vars-content-id="d439b942-9863-4ef8-9a3b-db0c507d7d02" data-vars-headline="How Utah became the nation&#x27;s first swan hunting ground" 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/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" target="_self">Old News</a>, where we raise a front paw and point our noses toward Utah&#x27;s past.</li></ul>

Environment

Utah firefighters say they're getting threats and abuse over fireworks restrictions amid wildfires

Latinos and Pacific Islanders most worried about the Great Salt Lake's collapse

Rattlesnake bites are spiking on Utah's trails

Why Utahns should care about the downstream effects of Colorado River collapse

3 things to know about Utah's massive proposed data center