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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.

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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.

Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp

Despite being downtown's largest park, it remains underused when not hosting the summer farmers market.

Salt Lake City leaders broke ground on about $18 million in much-needed improvements to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pioneer Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/22/downtown-farmers-market-pioneer-park-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="fa19bcfc-5761-4e2d-ad6d-daddf8878ba4" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp" 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/2025/05/22/downtown-farmers-market-pioneer-park-redevelopment" target="_self">Pioneer Park</a> on Friday, aiming to revitalize one of the city&#x27;s oldest public spaces.Why it matters: Downtown&#x27;s largest park sits largely empty except for the summer farmers market, and city officials are determined to shake its <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="fa19bcfc-5761-4e2d-ad6d-daddf8878ba4" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp" 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 safety concerns.

Utah cities rank high for street safety

The study measures speeding in residential zones, miles traveled and other measures and other factors.

Public Safety

Ogden has some of the nation&#x27;s safest roadways, per StreetLight Data&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="ac38abd4-3e05-4a28-927d-a131a4ed7e13" data-vars-headline="Utah cities rank high for street safety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;</a>State of play: That&#x27;s based on five key factors among the 100 biggest U.S. metros: vehicle miles traveled, different speeds between vehicles, speed-based pedestrian risk, speeding in residential zones and truck activity.

How a middle school play became the hottest ticket in town

What, your junior high musical DIDN'T have aerialists dangling from the ceiling?

<figure><img alt="A stage production of &quot;The Little Mermaid,&quot; with an actor playing Ariel suspended over a cast of fish." height="449" id="d8f2617b-a9ef-4564-b4a5-1f3ba6172805" src="https://images.axios.com/0P4c7OfIz-5PYg6j3OBEX8OOxU8=/2026/03/02/1772471509809.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A typical company number at the Clayton Middle School play. Video: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>If you haven&#x27;t seen the annual extravaganza that is the Clayton Middle School play, you might want to snag a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ticket" data-vars-click-url="https://cur8.com/23580/project/134596" data-vars-content-id="1db6e6b3-b78f-4f54-9045-3a557ab5a8a8" data-vars-headline="How a middle school play became the hottest ticket in town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cur8.com/23580/project/134596" target="_blank">ticket</a> — and preemptively schedule jaw reconstruction surgery.Why it matters: This is not your mother&#x27;s junior high stage production of &quot;The Little Mermaid.&quot;

Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances

The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.

A divisive bill that would curb <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" data-vars-content-id="e9db6d87-36e3-4f39-956a-11c74db5e30c" data-vars-headline="Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances" 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/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures</a> on major roads without state sign-off cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday.Why it matters: The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, like those with dedicated bus or bike lanes, and instead encourage car-focused projects.

Felt Bar & Eatery team open sister bar in historic bank

Brownstone 22 opened to the public last week, offering a seafood-forward menu.

The culinary minds behind the James Beard-nominated <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="f94852c1-4f39-450c-abf0-9c05caa7e352" data-vars-headline="Felt Bar &amp; Eatery team open sister bar in historic bank" 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> have opened a new sister bar downtown — and it&#x27;s inside a historic brownstone that once operated as a bank.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brownstone 22" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brownstone22.com/" data-vars-content-id="f94852c1-4f39-450c-abf0-9c05caa7e352" data-vars-headline="Felt Bar &amp; Eatery team open sister bar in historic bank" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brownstone22.com/" target="_blank">Brownstone 22</a> opened to the public on Thursday, offering a seafood-centric menu, Mountain West-influenced dishes and an array of martinis and classic cocktails.

Old News: The fire-breathing rags of Station No. 2

The 2015 fire led to lawsuits and caused a half-million dollars in damage.

Eleven years ago this week, a four-alarm fire caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a half-million dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/08/06/appeals-court-turns-down-slc/" data-vars-content-id="7edbdf1d-93ef-42ac-8b02-105a14a1016f" data-vars-headline="Old News: The fire-breathing rags of Station No. 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/08/06/appeals-court-turns-down-slc/" target="_blank">a half-million dollars</a> worth of damage at a Salt Lake City fire station.The intrigue: The fire ignited in a pile of greasy rags.

Salt Lake weekend events: Black History Month, flamenco and polar bears

Dance, listen and chill this weekend in and around SLC.

Salt Lake is buzzing with fun this weekend<ul><li>Here are some events that intrigued us.</li></ul>

Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among North America's best

The SLC airport received high marks for performance and cleanliness.

Salt Lake City International Airport is among the best-performing airports in North America, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://aci.aero/programs-and-services/asq/asq-customer-experience-awards/#asq-awards" data-vars-content-id="bd80ab58-b76d-4abf-b4bc-37767b27d3df" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among North America&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aci.aero/programs-and-services/asq/asq-customer-experience-awards/#asq-awards" target="_blank">2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards</a>, announced this week.State of play: The airport received honors for:

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.

Salt Lake Bees unveil "Utah Dirty Sodas" alternative look

The new look nods to Utah's dirty soda culture.

The Salt Lake Bees are stirring up a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bubbly rebrand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.milb.com/salt-lake/news/salt-lake-bees-stir-things-up-with-new-alternate-identity-utah-dirty-sodas" data-vars-content-id="736b6548-c448-44ee-b511-3530a2600b46" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake Bees unveil &quot;Utah Dirty Sodas&quot; alternative look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.milb.com/salt-lake/news/salt-lake-bees-stir-things-up-with-new-alternate-identity-utah-dirty-sodas" target="_blank">bubbly rebrand</a> with a splash of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah&#x27;s dirty soda flair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/11/swig-sodalicious-dirty-soda-phoenix-mesa-tiktok-popular" data-vars-content-id="736b6548-c448-44ee-b511-3530a2600b46" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake Bees unveil &quot;Utah Dirty Sodas&quot; alternative look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/11/swig-sodalicious-dirty-soda-phoenix-mesa-tiktok-popular" target="_self">Utah&#x27;s dirty soda flair</a>.State of play: The Utah Dirty Sodas, the minor league baseball team&#x27;s new alter-ego, will debut April 1 and appear at every Wednesday home game for the rest of the season.

News 🗞

Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances

How a middle school play became the hottest ticket in town

Felt Bar & Eatery team open sister bar in historic bank

Old News: The fire-breathing rags of Station No. 2

Salt Lake City breaks ground on Pioneer Park revamp