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

Salt Lake City Alerts

Alert

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 Members

Membership

Report: A Utah mink farm is rife with bird flu

Flu experts told ProPublica that mink are especially prone to mutations that could spread among people.

News

Infectious disease experts say Utah agriculture and health officials haven&#x27;t responded adequately to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bird flu" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/bird-flu-preparedness-fears" data-vars-content-id="4dbd4c00-6633-45b9-89fc-b3bd0e0d73ba" data-vars-headline="Report: A Utah mink farm is rife with bird flu" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/bird-flu-preparedness-fears" target="_self">bird flu</a> outbreak on a mink farm near Payson, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ProPublica investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.propublica.org/article/bird-flu-mink-farm-utah-human-risk" data-vars-content-id="4dbd4c00-6633-45b9-89fc-b3bd0e0d73ba" data-vars-headline="Report: A Utah mink farm is rife with bird flu" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/bird-flu-mink-farm-utah-human-risk" target="_blank">ProPublica investigation</a>. Why it matters: Flu experts say the ongoing outbreak poses unique risks of a virus mutation that can spread between humans.

Utah's constitutional amendments require next-level reading 

Amendment A is the hardest to read, clocking in at 85 words with a reading ease score of -7.

If you&#x27;ve had to read Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed constitutional amendments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/10/07/amendment-b-utah-legislature-taxes-raise-thresehold-ballot-initatives" data-vars-content-id="074f6d11-2d3a-4e04-a2df-7172e608ad12" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s constitutional amendments require next-level reading " 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/2026/10/07/amendment-b-utah-legislature-taxes-raise-thresehold-ballot-initatives" target="_self">proposed constitutional amendments</a> on your ballot more than once to understand them, you&#x27;re not alone.The big picture: In theory, a person needs an average of 21 years of formal education in the U.S. to understand the two proposed constitutional amendments on Utah&#x27;s ballot this year, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ballotpedia analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_measure_readability_scores,_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="074f6d11-2d3a-4e04-a2df-7172e608ad12" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s constitutional amendments require next-level reading " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_measure_readability_scores,_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Ballotpedia analysis</a>.

Salt Lake City International Airport completes $5.1 billion overhaul

The revamp to replace aging terminals expanded the airport to 94 gates and 101 concessions.

More than 12 years after breaking ground, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City International Airport&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/26/salt-lake-city-international-airport-best-north-america-awards" data-vars-content-id="1524862a-1f3c-4dd3-a3ce-21d30768621b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City International Airport completes $5.1 billion overhaul" 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/2026/02/26/salt-lake-city-international-airport-best-north-america-awards" target="_self">Salt Lake City International Airport&#x27;s</a> massive makeover is officially complete.Why it matters: The $5.1 billion revamp to replace aging terminals has transformed the airport into a major hub in the Mountain West.

Ben McAdams outspends GOP challenger by more than $2 million in CD1 race

The filings underscore McAdams' fundraising advantage.

Politics

Former<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/21/utah-1st-congressional-district-democrats-fundraising" data-vars-content-id="5d6112cf-e0b2-4e1d-8905-3647e1dc692e" data-vars-headline="Ben McAdams outspends GOP challenger by more than $2 million in CD1 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/2026/04/21/utah-1st-congressional-district-democrats-fundraising" target="_self"> Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams</a> is significantly outspending his Republican opponent in the race to represent Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, according to new federal campaign finance filings.Why it matters: The filings underscore McAdams&#x27; fundraising advantage in a heavily Democratic district where the former congressman is favored to win.

Farm-to-table restaurant Communal to open in Salt Lake City

The restaurant will be located at the Twenty Ones Apartments complex in Sugar House.

Food and Drink

Communal, a farm-to-table restaurant and Provo staple, is expanding to Salt Lake City.Driving the news: Owners Kevin and Tessa Santiago revealed plans for the new restaurant in a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DfDOMhkkVCV/" data-vars-content-id="ac31594f-64d7-4b0d-9c60-074c59325cf0" data-vars-headline="Farm-to-table restaurant Communal to open in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DfDOMhkkVCV/" target="_blank">social media post</a>.

Big South brings proper soul food to SLC

A new Sugar House eatery is serving up a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuisine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="4410bea9-3af1-4a9a-8206-60e711091e3e" data-vars-headline="Big South brings proper soul food to SLC" 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/food-and-drink" target="_self">cuisine</a> that manifests comfort and familiarity — despite its rarity in Utah.Driving the news: You must — I repeat, must — pick up dinner at Big South soul food for a taste of home that transcends geography.

Mondays are for "girl dinner" at Felt Bar & Eatery

Felt Bar & Eatery is capitalizing on the viral trend with a special menu and affordable bites.

Mondays are typically slow for bars, but a new menu with a playful nod to the &quot;girl dinner&quot; viral trend is turning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Felt Bar &amp; Eatery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/12/13/felt-bar-and-eatery-lobster-roll-downtown-salt-lake" data-vars-content-id="ea144e16-47bd-45d0-9ce2-b5062f727ad3" data-vars-headline="Mondays are for &quot;girl dinner&quot; at Felt Bar &amp; Eatery" 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/2024/12/13/felt-bar-and-eatery-lobster-roll-downtown-salt-lake" target="_self">Felt Bar &amp; Eatery</a> into a weeknight hot spot.State of play: Josh Van Gorden, Felt&#x27;s bar director, tells Axios he launched the girl dinner menu after being asked to find a way to boost Monday sales.

Riverton welcomes Utah's first Salt & Straw ice cream shop

Salt & Straw created a limited-time pink sugar cookie dough flavor to celebrate its Utah arrival.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt &amp; Straw" data-vars-click-url="https://saltandstraw.com/" data-vars-content-id="4ba6f9e1-6c2a-42d2-a0e2-6ceee2f70ed9" data-vars-headline="Riverton welcomes Utah&#x27;s first Salt &amp; Straw ice cream shop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saltandstraw.com/" target="_blank">Salt &amp; Straw</a> debuts its first Utah ice cream shop in Riverton on Friday, with a second location in Trolley Square set to open in the coming weeks.State of play: The Oregon-based chain is know for its inventive concoctions — like its olive oil ice cream — and rotating flavors.

Utah is about to enter its bagel era

Jeff's Bagel Run is betting big on the Beehive State, with plans to open 15 stores in northern Utah.

Culture

Utah&#x27;s emerging bagel scene is about to get bigger with the arrival of two national chains.The big picture: Utah has long been known for being a bagel desert, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" 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" target="_self">Salt Lake City</a> shops like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bagel Project" data-vars-click-url="https://bagelproject.com/" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bagelproject.com/" target="_blank">The Bagel Project</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baby&#x27;s Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.babysbagels.com/" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.babysbagels.com/" target="_blank">Baby&#x27;s Bagels</a> have helped change that with their New York-style varieties.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Salt Lake City

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="4058161a-9bed-45ab-9c41-2e99e20b3092" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Salt Lake City&#x27;s Sugar House neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Former laundromat gets new life as Avenues tea and coffee house

The cozy cafe, which specializes in tea, sits inside a 1907 industrial building.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gramercy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gramercyhouseslc.com/" data-vars-content-id="60d835bf-4c21-42f2-9658-f0a9b0634874" data-vars-headline="Former laundromat gets new life as Avenues tea and coffee house" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gramercyhouseslc.com/" target="_blank">Gramercy</a>, an ivy-covered tea house that was once a laundromat, opened this week in Salt Lake City&#x27;s Avenues neighborhood.The vibe: The cafe sits inside a 1907 industrial building, warmed by exposed brick, multi-pane windows and paper lanterns. It also includes an outdoor patio.

Junah named one of the New York Times' best U.S. restaurants

The Central Ninth fusion restaurant is the only Utah spot that made the list.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Junah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/junah-restaurant-italian-japanese-central-ninth-opens" data-vars-content-id="82cba5c5-23dd-465e-838e-5772710f5ff8" data-vars-headline="Junah named one of the New York Times&#x27; best U.S. restaurants" 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/2025/03/12/junah-restaurant-italian-japanese-central-ninth-opens" target="_self">Junah</a>, a celebrated fine-dining establishment in Salt Lake City, made it on the New York Times&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual list of the 50 best restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#junah" data-vars-content-id="82cba5c5-23dd-465e-838e-5772710f5ff8" data-vars-headline="Junah named one of the New York Times&#x27; best U.S. restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#junah" target="_blank">annual list of the 50 best restaurants</a> in the U.S.State of play: The restaurant in the trendy Central Ninth neighborhood is the only Beehive State eatery mentioned.

Salt Lake City weighs zoning changes to expand housing

The city is exploring zoning changes to allow more townhomes, duplexes and accessory dwelling units.

Salt Lake City is weighing new zoning rules that would allow property owners to expand housing options on their land.Why it matters: The city aims to make it easier for residents in lower-density neighborhoods to build townhomes, duplexes and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small single-family dwellings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Projects/Expanding%20Housing%20Options/EHO_Small_Lot_Dwellings.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0bac4fc4-aff2-494a-9a31-7cb8b35ba942" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City weighs zoning changes to expand housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Projects/Expanding%20Housing%20Options/EHO_Small_Lot_Dwellings.pdf" target="_blank">small single-family dwellings</a> on their properties to combat the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s housing shortages and rising home costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/22/affordable-homes-salt-lake-utah" data-vars-content-id="0bac4fc4-aff2-494a-9a31-7cb8b35ba942" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City weighs zoning changes to expand housing" 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/2026/01/22/affordable-homes-salt-lake-utah" target="_self">state&#x27;s housing shortages and rising home costs</a>.

What to expect at Matilda, Park City's Michelin-recommended pizzaria

Neither a hole in the wall, nor high-end, the restaurant serves up sourdough with a touch of class.

To call Matilda a pizzeria is both a bit of an understatement and an overstatement.<ul><li>It&#x27;s not a humble hole in the wall, which makes its ascent to the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Southwest Michelin guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/27/monte-salt-lake-michelin-star-utah-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="63a74e73-2d81-4b26-bc28-9b26752aa8c2" data-vars-headline="What to expect at Matilda, Park City&#x27;s Michelin-recommended pizzaria" 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/2026/08/27/monte-salt-lake-michelin-star-utah-restaurants" target="_self">American Southwest Michelin guide</a> a bit less cinematic than, say, that of Redwood Road&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phở 777" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pho777utah.com/" data-vars-content-id="63a74e73-2d81-4b26-bc28-9b26752aa8c2" data-vars-headline="What to expect at Matilda, Park City&#x27;s Michelin-recommended pizzaria" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pho777utah.com/" target="_blank">Phở 777</a>.</li></ul>

Food and Drink 🍽

Farm-to-table restaurant Communal to open in Salt Lake City

Big South brings proper soul food to SLC

Mondays are for "girl dinner" at Felt Bar & Eatery

Riverton welcomes Utah's first Salt & Straw ice cream shop

Utah is about to enter its bagel era