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Mormon church voices support for abortion ban

The move is a departure from its historic neutrality on public policy regulating the procedure.

News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took an unprecedented leap into abortion politics when leaders issued a letter to be read from the pulpit Sunday, supporting one of the strictest bans in the nation.Why it matters: While the Utah-based church has long opposed abortion, the move is a departure from its historic neutrality on related public policy.

Remade state Supreme Court looks less like Utah than ever

State Supreme Court benches often don't reflect the communities they serve.

Two state Supreme Court justices were confirmed this week, bringing the body to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/19/utah-democrats-supreme-court-expansion-confirmations" data-vars-content-id="222ada8d-524e-406c-a98c-5385af7a25e3" data-vars-headline="Remade state Supreme Court looks less like Utah than ever" 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/2026/06/19/utah-democrats-supreme-court-expansion-confirmations" target="_self">seven members</a> for the first time — and its makeup doesn&#x27;t reflect the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s increasingly diverse population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/06/03/utah-diverse-population-inequality-education" data-vars-content-id="222ada8d-524e-406c-a98c-5385af7a25e3" data-vars-headline="Remade state Supreme Court looks less like Utah than ever" 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/2024/06/03/utah-diverse-population-inequality-education" target="_self">state&#x27;s increasingly diverse population</a>.Why it matters: State high courts shape major decisions on voting, abortion, civil rights and criminal justice, yet their benches often don&#x27;t mirror the communities they serve, Axios&#x27; Brad Jennings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/state-supreme-court-justices-representation" data-vars-content-id="222ada8d-524e-406c-a98c-5385af7a25e3" data-vars-headline="Remade state Supreme Court looks less like Utah than ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/state-supreme-court-justices-representation" target="_self">reports</a>.

What UTA's proposed fare hike could mean for transit riders

It would be the transit agency's first fare hike since 2013.

The Utah Transit Authority is considering a base fare hike that would bring the cost of a ride in line with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York City&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes" data-vars-content-id="2be8c671-e43b-4d73-b49f-afa0bf91c468" data-vars-headline="What UTA&#x27;s proposed fare hike could mean for transit riders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes" target="_blank">New York City&#x27;s</a>.Why it matters: It would be the transit agency&#x27;s first fare hike since 2013 and could impact daily riders already facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost-of-living challenges." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/inflation-wages-energy-shock" data-vars-content-id="2be8c671-e43b-4d73-b49f-afa0bf91c468" data-vars-headline="What UTA&#x27;s proposed fare hike could mean for transit riders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/inflation-wages-energy-shock" target="_self">cost-of-living challenges.</a>

Your names for Salt Lake's potential MLB team

Readers have big dreams, from the Red Tails to the Brine Flies.

Sports

With Salt Lake <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently ranking near the top" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/09/14/how-mlb-s-expansion-timeline-gives-salt-lake-an-edge" data-vars-content-id="b769be36-d5c5-4928-96f0-a4dc1cd97af1" data-vars-headline="Your names for Salt Lake&#x27;s potential MLB team" 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/2026/09/14/how-mlb-s-expansion-timeline-gives-salt-lake-an-edge" target="_self">consistently ranking near the top</a> of Major League Baseball&#x27;s projected expansion markets, we asked what you thought our home team should be called.<ul><li>You had lots of thoughts — and reader Natalie P. even sent the above mockups for logos to accompany her suggestions! </li></ul>

Utah's vaccine exemptions spiked amid measles outbreak

Immunization counts also fell below herd immunity for whooping cough — and, in some aras, polio.

Utah&#x27;s kindergartners had the nation&#x27;s second highest rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine exemptions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/04/utah-vaccine-exemption-rate-second-highest" data-vars-content-id="0aae2516-3a07-4011-ab93-c34eb0f48f30" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s vaccine exemptions spiked amid measles outbreak" 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/2025/08/04/utah-vaccine-exemption-rate-second-highest" target="_self">vaccine exemptions</a> last year.Why it matters: Utah&#x27;s waiver rate grew faster than in any other state — despite an active measles outbreak as kids returned to school in fall 2025, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" data-vars-content-id="0aae2516-3a07-4011-ab93-c34eb0f48f30" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s vaccine exemptions spiked amid measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" target="_self">CDC data</a> released this week.

Where to donate blood in Utah during the national shortage

Some states have just a couple days' worth of donated blood.

A national <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blood crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46873329.74512/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjgvdXMtYmxvb2Qtc3VwcGx5LWhlYWx0aC1yZWQtY3Jvc3MtZG9uYXRlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Be6fa3c12" data-vars-content-id="7f3caccf-8212-4ab2-b3e0-c2078ecb2dd1" data-vars-headline="Where to donate blood in Utah during the national shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46873329.74512/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjYvMDcvMjgvdXMtYmxvb2Qtc3VwcGx5LWhlYWx0aC1yZWQtY3Jvc3MtZG9uYXRlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfZGMmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Be6fa3c12" target="_self">blood crisis</a> is making headlines, and Utahns can help make a difference.Why it matters: Blood donations fell to a four-year low this summer, creating a national shortage for only the second time in history, the Red Cross <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46873329.74512/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkY3Jvc3Mub3JnL2Fib3V0LXVzL25ld3MtYW5kLWV2ZW50cy9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlLzIwMjYvcmVkLWNyb3NzLWRlY2xhcmVzLW5hdGlvbmFsLWJsb29kLXN1cHBseS1jcmlzaXMtdXJnZXMtaW1tZWRpYXRlLS5odG1sP3Nyc2x0aWQ9QWZtQk9vb20xeVNhNVF4X0JmcXc0RnJPNi1xSk82d2F3cmgweTM0OE9ENkM2MWdDeV9JMFNEbk8mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kYyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Baf385fe7" data-vars-content-id="7f3caccf-8212-4ab2-b3e0-c2078ecb2dd1" data-vars-headline="Where to donate blood in Utah during the national shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46873329.74512/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVkY3Jvc3Mub3JnL2Fib3V0LXVzL25ld3MtYW5kLWV2ZW50cy9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlLzIwMjYvcmVkLWNyb3NzLWRlY2xhcmVzLW5hdGlvbmFsLWJsb29kLXN1cHBseS1jcmlzaXMtdXJnZXMtaW1tZWRpYXRlLS5odG1sP3Nyc2x0aWQ9QWZtQk9vb20xeVNhNVF4X0JmcXc0RnJPNi1xSk82d2F3cmgweTM0OE9ENkM2MWdDeV9JMFNEbk8mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9kYyZzdHJlYW09dG9w/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Baf385fe7" target="_self">said</a>.

Utah's West Nile mosquito activity is ramping up

Nearly 300 mosquito samples in Utah have tested positive for the virus in 2026.

Salt Lake County is urging residents to take precautions against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mosquitoes" 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="77230b2b-378a-4408-adfc-ddb8b3a40fe2" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s West Nile mosquito activity is ramping up" 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">mosquitoes</a> after reporting its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first human case of West Nile virus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/health/news/first-human-west-nile-virus-case-of-the-year/" data-vars-content-id="77230b2b-378a-4408-adfc-ddb8b3a40fe2" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s West Nile mosquito activity is ramping up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/health/news/first-human-west-nile-virus-case-of-the-year/" target="_blank">first human case of West Nile virus</a> in 2026 last week.The big picture: Utah&#x27;s unusually warm winter forced an early start to mosquito season by about a month.

Utah's suicide risks spike with hot, smoggy days, study finds

When heat waves combine with bad air, suicide risk went up nearly 50%.

Recurring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="triple-digit temps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/29/salt-lake-city-heatwave-weather-temperature-weekend" data-vars-content-id="c860effd-deff-4bc9-95ae-c20e3f71e2d5" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s suicide risks spike with hot, smoggy days, study finds" 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/2026/07/29/salt-lake-city-heatwave-weather-temperature-weekend" target="_self">triple-digit temps</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worsening air quality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aqi.in/us/dashboard/united-states/utah/salt-lake-city/historical-analysis" data-vars-content-id="c860effd-deff-4bc9-95ae-c20e3f71e2d5" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s suicide risks spike with hot, smoggy days, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aqi.in/us/dashboard/united-states/utah/salt-lake-city/historical-analysis" target="_blank">worsening air quality</a> could be jeopardizing Utahns&#x27; mental health, per a recent study.The big picture: The findings could help health experts adjust suicide-prevention efforts in ways that will likely become increasingly important as climate change makes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temperatures rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/28/salt-lake-city-summers-hotter-climate-central-temperature" data-vars-content-id="c860effd-deff-4bc9-95ae-c20e3f71e2d5" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s suicide risks spike with hot, smoggy days, study finds" 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/2025/05/28/salt-lake-city-summers-hotter-climate-central-temperature" target="_self">temperatures rise</a>.

Utah's already-high melanoma rate spikes again

We have a lot of white people under a bright sun.

Utah has the nation&#x27;s highest rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="melanoma cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-melanoma-rate-skin-cancer-sun-screen" data-vars-content-id="4a54192b-cc65-4b02-ac0f-b337d22e5550" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s already-high melanoma rate spikes again" 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-melanoma-rate-skin-cancer-sun-screen" target="_self">melanoma cases</a>, per the CDC — and rates are rising way faster than in the rest of the country.Why it matters: Melanoma, while rare, accounts for the overwhelming majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Utah's measles complications ranged from pneumonia and dehydration to sepsis and shock

New reports show the consequences for those who got the sickest.

Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/12/utah-measles-outbreaks-churches-movies-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="13bfcb5d-be1f-4ee9-a7b3-79b95fdb7151" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s measles complications ranged from pneumonia and dehydration to sepsis and shock" 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/2026/03/12/utah-measles-outbreaks-churches-movies-restaurants" target="_self">measles outbreak</a> has led to pneumonia and other respiratory problems, liver inflammation and blood irregularities — often in children, according to new data from Utah health officials.Why it matters: The report sheds light on the consequences of what critics have described as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="half-hearted statewide response" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" data-vars-content-id="13bfcb5d-be1f-4ee9-a7b3-79b95fdb7151" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s measles complications ranged from pneumonia and dehydration to sepsis and shock" 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/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" target="_self">half-hearted statewide response</a>.

Here's what to do if you see a bat around your home

Utah summers mean BBQs, pool parties — and baby bats taking flight.

Utah summers mean BBQs, pool parties — and baby bats taking flight.Driving the news: State wildlife officials are warning Utahns about encountering baby bats, called pups, as they learn to fly and leave their roosts during the summer months.

What Utahns should know about Cyclosporiasis — and how to prevent it

The CDC recommends washing your hands before and after handling raw fruits and vegetables.

An intestinal disease that can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;explosive diarrhea&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="784be913-cf17-49e8-a0d1-888bf6d98225" data-vars-headline="What Utahns should know about Cyclosporiasis — and how to prevent it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/11/explosive-diarrhea-parasite-cyclospora-sick-outbreak" target="_self">&quot;explosive diarrhea&quot;</a> is spreading across the U.S., but Utah has not yet reported any cases linked to the outbreak.The big picture: Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html#cdc_generic_section_3-2026-fast-facts" data-vars-content-id="784be913-cf17-49e8-a0d1-888bf6d98225" data-vars-headline="What Utahns should know about Cyclosporiasis — and how to prevent it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html#cdc_generic_section_3-2026-fast-facts" target="_blank">CDC</a>. It spreads to humans through food or water contaminated with feces.

Utah revokes license for Provo Canyon School

The behavioral treatment center has faced abuse allegations for decades, including from media mogul Paris Hilton.

Utah officials revoked the license of Provo Canyon School&#x27;s Springville Campus on Monday.The big picture: The behavioral treatment center has faced abuse allegations for decades, including from hotel heiress and media mogul Paris Hilton, who stayed there when she was 17.

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Health 🩺

Mormon church voices support for abortion ban

Utah's vaccine exemptions spiked amid measles outbreak

Where to donate blood in Utah during the national shortage

Utah's West Nile mosquito activity is ramping up

Utah's suicide risks spike with hot, smoggy days, study finds