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Rogan podcast doesn't paint the full picture of homelessness in SLC

Comedian Shane Gillis said he chased down by "ten homeless guys" when he was starting out in SLC's comedy scene.

Politics

Despite the viral Joe Rogan clip zeroing in on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s homelessness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/07/utah-homelessness-falls-chronic-mental-illness" data-vars-content-id="510bddcf-803b-4079-be61-e92c12b8a880" data-vars-headline="Rogan podcast doesn&#x27;t paint the full picture of homelessness in 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/2026/08/07/utah-homelessness-falls-chronic-mental-illness" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s homelessness</a>, new data shows it&#x27;s actually declining.Why it matters: Homelessness is down in Utah for the first time in six years, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barriers to affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/07/21/home-prices-salt-lake-county-break-record/" data-vars-content-id="510bddcf-803b-4079-be61-e92c12b8a880" data-vars-headline="Rogan podcast doesn&#x27;t paint the full picture of homelessness in SLC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/07/21/home-prices-salt-lake-county-break-record/" target="_blank">barriers to affordable housing</a> remain.

Outdoor Retailer lives on after Salt Lake City

The massive trade show used to turn SLC into a party. That changed after political fights and COVID.

News

The Salt Palace was quiet Wednesday as one of its mainstay events <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kicked off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/19/outdoor-retailer-minneapolis-trade-show" data-vars-content-id="9bd6c3e1-ad98-4870-a338-e1453d5e8245" data-vars-headline="Outdoor Retailer lives on after Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/19/outdoor-retailer-minneapolis-trade-show" target="_self">kicked off</a> in another time zone.State of play: After more than 20 years in Salt Lake, the Outdoor Retailer trade show is now underway in Minneapolis.

Exclusive: Defense contractors unveil collaborative in Utah

The group could make smaller businesses more competitive in an industry where startups often don't have the resources to wait years for a big government payday.

Aerospace

Utah defense contractor CenCore has launched a coalition of businesses that plan to work together to win defense and intelligence agency contracts.Why it matters: The group — dubbed the Integrated Warfighter Ecosystem (IWE) — could make smaller businesses more competitive in an industry where startups often don&#x27;t have the resources to wait years for a big government payday, CenCore CEO Adam Fife tells Axios.

Inside the U.S.'s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City

Knoops founder tells Axios that the brand is well-suited in Utah, where its products appeal to people who avoid coffee and alcohol.

Food and Drink

Knoops, a British cafe serving chocolate-infused drinks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opens its first U.S. location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/06/knoops-chocolate-first-us-store-opening" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City" 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/2026/08/06/knoops-chocolate-first-us-store-opening" target="_self">opens its first U.S. location</a> in Salt Lake City Friday — and Axios got a behind-the-scenes look inside.The big picture: Knoops&#x27; arrival comes as artisan cocoa-based beverages <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gain steam" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article313138672.html" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article313138672.html" target="_blank">gain steam</a> nationally, fueled by viral social media trends and greater consumer demand for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ethically sourced chocolate" data-vars-click-url="https://rawmanticchocolate.com/blogs/rawmantic-chocolate-blog/why-consumers-are-switching-to-artisanal-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOoqbXIGK-PcA7cuGpftZibFJFRcXBilas1XhQgfHNUnemqaFupnz" data-vars-content-id="184085dd-3f64-44b4-9710-dd1c35891764" data-vars-headline="Inside the U.S.&#x27;s 1st Knoops in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rawmanticchocolate.com/blogs/rawmantic-chocolate-blog/why-consumers-are-switching-to-artisanal-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOoqbXIGK-PcA7cuGpftZibFJFRcXBilas1XhQgfHNUnemqaFupnz" target="_blank">ethically sourced chocolate</a>.

ICE drops plans to turn SLC warehouse into detention center

It's a sharp reversal from DHS's accelerated plans to have the warehouses operational before the end of the year.

The Department of Homeland Security is abandoning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/13/ice-buys-warehouse-salt-lake-city-detention-facility-utah" data-vars-content-id="49ce9394-c032-40da-a001-1e998ce93b4b" data-vars-headline="ICE drops plans to turn SLC warehouse into detention center" 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/2026/03/13/ice-buys-warehouse-salt-lake-city-detention-facility-utah" target="_self">plans</a> to convert an empty Salt Lake City warehouse into an ICE detention center, according to a new court filing.Why it matters: The proposed facility would have marked Utah&#x27;s first immigration detention center, holding between 7,500 to 10,000 people, despite staunch opposition from local leaders.

Utah Democrat eyes bill to hold ICE agents accountable

ICE arrests in Utah have jumped significantly since President Trump began his second term.

Utah Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla is among a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="group of Democratic state lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/29/colorado-ice-accountability-bill-six-immigration-agents" data-vars-content-id="60b070ee-4d22-4ddb-b1b3-2f47402809ed" data-vars-headline="Utah Democrat eyes bill to hold ICE agents accountable" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/29/colorado-ice-accountability-bill-six-immigration-agents" target="_self">group of Democratic state lawmakers</a> seeking to hold ICE agents accountable for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="60b070ee-4d22-4ddb-b1b3-2f47402809ed" data-vars-headline="Utah Democrat eyes bill to hold ICE agents accountable" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">fatal shootings</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warrantless arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/warrantless-immigration-arrests-dc-beryl-howell-ruling" data-vars-content-id="60b070ee-4d22-4ddb-b1b3-2f47402809ed" data-vars-headline="Utah Democrat eyes bill to hold ICE agents accountable" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/warrantless-immigration-arrests-dc-beryl-howell-ruling" target="_self">warrantless arrests</a>.Why it matters: A growing number of state legislators frustrated by congressional inaction are stepping in to challenge what they consider to be the agency&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="qualified immunity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/politics/ice-immunity-jd-vance-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="60b070ee-4d22-4ddb-b1b3-2f47402809ed" data-vars-headline="Utah Democrat eyes bill to hold ICE agents accountable" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/politics/ice-immunity-jd-vance-minneapolis" target="_blank">qualified immunity</a>.

Salt Lake City awaits update on planned ICE detention center

A NYT report details how ICE plans to sell or transfer the massive Salt Lake City warehouse it recently bought.

Immigration

Salt Lake City leaders say they&#x27;ve received no updates about the federal government&#x27;s plans for the state&#x27;s first immigration detention center.The big picture: A New York Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/us/politics/ice-warehouses-immigration.html" data-vars-content-id="ed9496c0-2b1a-4924-b306-31e37cbd71fa" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City awaits update on planned ICE detention center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/us/politics/ice-warehouses-immigration.html" target="_blank">report</a> last week detailed how Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to hand off or sell the Salt Lake City warehouse it recently purchased and had planned to convert into a detention center for up to 10,000 people.

5 takeaways from Salt Lake City and County's lawsuit to stop detention center

Salt Lake City and County are legally fighting the federal government to stop the state's first immigration detention center.

Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County sued the federal government Monday in an attempt to stop a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive immigration detention center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/01/dhs-salt-lake-city-warehouse-immigration-detention-center-under-review" data-vars-content-id="9ff18483-6288-43b1-a49d-d8449091701c" data-vars-headline="5 takeaways from Salt Lake City and County&#x27;s lawsuit to stop detention center" 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/2026/04/01/dhs-salt-lake-city-warehouse-immigration-detention-center-under-review" target="_self">massive immigration detention center</a> designed to hold up to 10,000 people.Why it matters: ICE&#x27;s plan to convert newly purchased warehouses into detention centers has drawn strong condemnation from community leaders and residents, who view the centers as inhumane and a strain on resources.

What we know about ICE's warehouse buy in Salt Lake City

The proposed site would mark the first dedicated ICE detention center in Utah.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall on Friday pledged to use &quot;every tool at the city&#x27;s disposal&quot; to halt an ICE detention facility planned for Utah&#x27;s capital.Why it matters: The proposed site would mark the first ICE detention center in Utah and sets up a clash between Salt Lake City leaders who oppose it and state and federal officials who have pushed for one.

Utah lawmaker seeks to ban ICE from wearing masks

The measure reflects growing scrutiny over federal law enforcement's escalating tactics and transparency in Utah.

A Utah Democrat is sponsoring a bill that would ban federal law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wearing masks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/states-cities-bans-ice-agents-masks-id" data-vars-content-id="c28fed3f-cbaf-4940-951f-902099274ad1" data-vars-headline="Utah lawmaker seeks to ban ICE from wearing masks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/states-cities-bans-ice-agents-masks-id" target="_self">wearing masks</a> during local operations.Why it matters: While the measure, sponsored by state Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Salt Lake City), is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled state Legislature, it reflects <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/12/11/businesses-ice-signs-salt-lake-county" data-vars-content-id="c28fed3f-cbaf-4940-951f-902099274ad1" data-vars-headline="Utah lawmaker seeks to ban ICE from wearing masks" 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/2025/12/11/businesses-ice-signs-salt-lake-county" target="_self">growing scrutiny</a> over federal law enforcement&#x27;s escalating tactics and transparency in local communities.

New travel restrictions in Tonga create uncertainty in Utah

The rules could disrupt education, employment and family reunification for Tongans in Utah.

President Trump&#x27;s latest travel limits affecting Tonga are expected to reverberate in Utah, which is home to one of the world&#x27;s largest populations of Tongans outside the Pacific Islands.Why it matters: The rules could disrupt education, employment and family reunification for Tongans in Utah.