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Upset win lifts newcomer Liban Mohamed in Utah's 1st District race

Liban Mohamed's win at the Democratic state convention signals a potential shift among delegates.

News

In an upset victory, political newcomer Liban Mohamed secured delegates&#x27; support at the Democratic state convention Saturday as the top candidate in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/18/utah-1st-congressional-district-race-candidates" data-vars-content-id="eef15e46-621d-4dec-8dec-bf5ee1fea20d" data-vars-headline="Upset win lifts newcomer Liban Mohamed in Utah&#x27;s 1st District 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/2026/03/18/utah-1st-congressional-district-race-candidates" target="_self">Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race</a>.Why it matters: Mohamed&#x27;s narrow win over former congressman Ben McAdams, the race&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fundraising frontrunner," 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="eef15e46-621d-4dec-8dec-bf5ee1fea20d" data-vars-headline="Upset win lifts newcomer Liban Mohamed in Utah&#x27;s 1st District 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">fundraising frontrunner,</a> signals a potential shift among Democratic delegates toward a candidate with more progressive ideas.

How to navigate Utah's new rules for e-bikes and e-motorcycles

Licenses for Surrons, kids' classes for e-bikes and more.

Under new state laws passed this year, riders young and old on electric bikes and motorcycles will have to meet new requirements starting May 6.Here&#x27;s what you need to know.

Air Canada to suspend Salt Lake City service through 2027

The Salt Lake City to Toronto route is expected halt on June 30, 2026 until 2027.

Air Canada will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temporarily pause service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aircanada.com/media/cost-of-fuel-and-the-impact-to-air-canadas-schedule/#" data-vars-content-id="1a19aa25-b053-4cd3-bc1c-c46ae50cf033" data-vars-headline="Air Canada to suspend Salt Lake City service through 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aircanada.com/media/cost-of-fuel-and-the-impact-to-air-canadas-schedule/#" target="_blank">temporarily pause service</a> to and from Salt Lake City starting this summer due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising jet fuel costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/18/spirit-airlines-united-american-delta-jet-fuel" data-vars-content-id="1a19aa25-b053-4cd3-bc1c-c46ae50cf033" data-vars-headline="Air Canada to suspend Salt Lake City service through 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/18/spirit-airlines-united-american-delta-jet-fuel" target="_self">rising jet fuel costs</a> linked to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" data-vars-content-id="1a19aa25-b053-4cd3-bc1c-c46ae50cf033" data-vars-headline="Air Canada to suspend Salt Lake City service through 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_self">Iran war</a>.State of play: The Salt Lake City to Toronto, Canada route is expected halt on June 30, 2026 until 2027.

Taylorsville's new mocktail supply shop mixes it up

Pick your poison (or not) with mixes and bitters for drinks across the sobriety spectrum.

A new cocktail supply shop hopes to add some flavor to Salt Lake mixology — with or without the booze.The big picture: A few years into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;sober curious&quot; movement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/19/axios-finish-line-americans-are-drinking-less" data-vars-content-id="5f56b9ff-262a-4a20-b238-ee6966113064" data-vars-headline="Taylorsville&#x27;s new mocktail supply shop mixes it up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/19/axios-finish-line-americans-are-drinking-less" target="_self">&quot;sober curious&quot; movement</a>, mocktails have gone mainstream in bars, restaurants and home kitchens.

Utah medical licensing board urges state to suspend AI prescriptions

The board members said they weren't consulted before the state launched its prescription bot.

The Utah Medical Licensing Board is calling on the state to &quot;immediately suspend&quot; its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="experiment with AI prescription refills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/07/utah-ai-drug-prescriptions-doctronic" data-vars-content-id="1e546332-9a07-4e6c-9be7-3c070802f481" data-vars-headline="Utah medical licensing board urges state to suspend AI prescriptions" 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/2026/01/07/utah-ai-drug-prescriptions-doctronic" target="_self">experiment with AI prescription refills</a>.Why it matters: The 11 doctors on the board, which determines who&#x27;s qualified to provide services that require medical licensure, said they weren&#x27;t consulted or notified before the state authorized the nation&#x27;s first system for AI drug prescriptions.

How to navigate Utah's surrogacy laws

In a national patchwork of laws, Utah enforces surrogacy agreements— but with multiple restrictions.

Health

Without a federal law, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" data-vars-content-id="8ef7a184-7fd4-4acd-9926-5c490698353d" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Utah&#x27;s surrogacy laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" target="_self">surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork</a> of state regulations.Why it matters: As more Americans turn to surrogacy to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="build their families" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" data-vars-content-id="8ef7a184-7fd4-4acd-9926-5c490698353d" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Utah&#x27;s surrogacy laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" target="_self">build their families</a>, varied local rules can determine everything from whether agreements are legally binding to who is recognized as a parent at birth.

Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet

The fast-spreading disease is slow to cause symptoms, which makes containment difficult.

Utah health officials have confirmed 142 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" 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">new measles cases</a> since March 10.Why it matters: The rolling, three-week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="case count" data-vars-click-url="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" target="_blank">case count</a> reflects a surge of more than 30% compared to last week&#x27;s tally, and shows the biggest increase in cases since the state&#x27;s outbreak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="began last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" 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/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" target="_self">began last summer</a>.

Utah's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A report last year found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care and costs "increase significantly for neighboring hospitals."

Utah&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among a few hospital systems — a dynamic associated with rising costs, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">analysis</a> from Yale&#x27;s new Health Care Affordability Lab.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal report last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" target="_blank">federal report last year</a> found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care — 6% to 65% — and costs &quot;increase significantly for neighboring hospitals as well.&quot;

Salt Lake's allergy seasons are getting longer

Utah cities are already considered among the nation's worst for allergies. This hot winter isn't helping.

Allergy season is 24 days longer, on average, in Salt Lake City than it was in 1970, per a new Climate Central analysis.By the numbers: In nearly 90% of 198 U.S. cities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analyzed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" data-vars-content-id="d2878392-419e-4ab2-9e5c-43e4c82744ad" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake&#x27;s allergy seasons are getting longer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" target="_blank">analyzed</a>, freeze-free growing seasons lengthened by an average of 21 days.

Report: Utah has "barely acknowledged" ongoing measles outbreak

Almost 40 more cases were confirmed this week.

Utah health officials have &quot;barely acknowledged&quot; an ongoing <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="307d7528-0941-4be8-bdfe-9de5b6707513" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah has &quot;barely acknowledged&quot; ongoing 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/2026/03/12/utah-measles-outbreaks-churches-movies-restaurants" target="_self">measles outbreak</a> that has infected hundreds of people, per an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NBC News report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/utah-measles-outbreak-growing-cases-vaccination-rcna263196" data-vars-content-id="307d7528-0941-4be8-bdfe-9de5b6707513" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah has &quot;barely acknowledged&quot; ongoing measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/utah-measles-outbreak-growing-cases-vaccination-rcna263196" target="_blank">NBC News report</a>.The big picture: Utah&#x27;s outbreak since January is the second largest in the nation, surpassed only by South Carolina, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" data-vars-content-id="307d7528-0941-4be8-bdfe-9de5b6707513" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah has &quot;barely acknowledged&quot; ongoing measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" target="_blank">per the CDC</a>.

Churches, movies, restaurants: Tracking measles around Utah

The virus is increasingly being carried to places of leisure and worship.

Utah&#x27;s measles patients have taken the virus to churches, movies, schools, restaurants and shopping centers in recent weeks, according to health officials&#x27; latest reports.By the numbers: With 44 new cases, last week brought Utah&#x27;s biggest jump in diagnoses since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles began spreading last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/26/measles-symptoms-vaccines-utah" data-vars-content-id="7a371b02-3e4b-45f6-9fba-702a60c5f07d" data-vars-headline="Churches, movies, restaurants: Tracking measles around Utah" 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/2025/06/26/measles-symptoms-vaccines-utah" target="_self">measles began spreading last year</a>.

Utah bill would boost reporting on violence against hospital workers

Violence against health care workers has soared since the COVID-19 pandemic.

As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hostility toward health care workers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/14/protections-workplace-violence-nurses-hospitals" data-vars-content-id="6de3ecae-f94d-42aa-b952-f2c2dc4829a8" data-vars-headline="Utah bill would boost reporting on violence against hospital workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/14/protections-workplace-violence-nurses-hospitals" target="_self">hostility toward health care workers</a> rises, Utah lawmakers are advancing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0380.html" data-vars-content-id="6de3ecae-f94d-42aa-b952-f2c2dc4829a8" data-vars-headline="Utah bill would boost reporting on violence against hospital workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0380.html" target="_blank">proposal</a> that would require all hospitals in the state to create formal workplace violence reporting systems.Why it matters: Violence against health care workers has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soared" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11543170/#R2" data-vars-content-id="6de3ecae-f94d-42aa-b952-f2c2dc4829a8" data-vars-headline="Utah bill would boost reporting on violence against hospital workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11543170/#R2" target="_blank">soared</a> since the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporters of the measure say more consistent reporting would clarify the scope of the problem and inform policy decisions in the state.

Utah measles cases rise as new exposures reported

Almost 60 new cases were reported in the past three weeks.

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.

Utah lawmakers halt bill to sell ivermectin over the counter

The vote comes amid a red state push to increase access to what some conservatives tout as an alternative treatment for COVID-19.

A bill that would have allowed pharmacies to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dispense ivermectin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/02/utah-arizona-ivermectin-bill-over-the-counter-pharmacy" data-vars-content-id="f7537f96-5d53-4f67-a67b-8c10a3fad767" data-vars-headline="Utah lawmakers halt bill to sell ivermectin over the counter" 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/2026/02/02/utah-arizona-ivermectin-bill-over-the-counter-pharmacy" target="_self">dispense ivermectin</a> without an individual prescription failed to advance in a House committee on Monday after receiving objections from medical associations.The big picture: The vote comes amid a red state push to increase access to what some conservatives tout as an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alternative treatment for COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58170809" data-vars-content-id="f7537f96-5d53-4f67-a67b-8c10a3fad767" data-vars-headline="Utah lawmakers halt bill to sell ivermectin over the counter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58170809" target="_blank">alternative treatment for COVID-19</a> and is more commonly used to treat parasites in livestock in the U.S.

A choropleth map categorizing U.S. states by legal status of surrogacy arrangements. Gestational and genetic surrogacy is enforceable in 15 states, Gestational surrogacy is enforceable in 14, and surrogacy is unregulated in 15.

Legal status of surrogacy agreements, 2026

Data: Surrogacy360; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or part of a monopoly in 2025. In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all hospitals are highly concentrated or part of a monopoly. In D.C., none are. Market concentration is particularly high in the mountain west and coastal south.

Share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or are part of a monopoly, 2025

Data: Yale Health Care Affordability Lab; Map: Axios Visuals

Axios What's Next

A symbol map of U.S. cities showing the change in average allergy season length from 1970 to 2025. For most cities, the season has gotten longer, by an average of 23 days. Reno, Nevada, shows an increase of 100 days, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a decrease of 15 days.

Change in the average length of allergy season from 1970 to 2025

Data: Climate Central; Note: Map shows data for the two largest cities in each state, where available; Map: Axios Visuals

Health 🩺

Utah medical licensing board urges state to suspend AI prescriptions

How to navigate Utah's surrogacy laws

Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet

Utah's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

Salt Lake's allergy seasons are getting longer