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Trump cuts nearly 3M acres from 2 Utah national monuments

Utah's biggest national monuments have been the object of political football for years.

Politics & Policy

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="dcc125dd-9ebe-4b03-a7b2-329b3cb90bae" data-vars-headline="Trump cuts nearly 3M acres from 2 Utah national monuments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> is decimating both Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments.Why it matters: Monday&#x27;s orders reduce protections on nearly 3 million acres in southern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="dcc125dd-9ebe-4b03-a7b2-329b3cb90bae" data-vars-headline="Trump cuts nearly 3M acres from 2 Utah national monuments" 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">Utah</a>, affecting more than 90% of each monument&#x27;s area.

Report: Utah ranked among America's worst states to live in

Utah received an "F" for its quality of life, per a new CNBC analysis.

News

Despite scoring well in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several recent national rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/06/utah-best-state-us-world-news-report-2025" data-vars-content-id="df7f0a8e-3412-4880-969c-56772fedfa96" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah ranked among America&#x27;s worst states to live in" 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/2025/05/06/utah-best-state-us-world-news-report-2025" target="_self">several recent national rankings</a>, the Beehive State was listed among America&#x27;s worst states to live in, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new CNBC analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/11/worst-states-to-live-in-america-2026.html" data-vars-content-id="df7f0a8e-3412-4880-969c-56772fedfa96" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah ranked among America&#x27;s worst states to live in" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/11/worst-states-to-live-in-america-2026.html" target="_blank">new CNBC analysis</a>.The big picture: Utah received an &quot;F&quot; for quality of life, fueled by a shortage of primary care providers and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="childcare centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/06/15/utah-child-care-work-affordable-shortage" data-vars-content-id="df7f0a8e-3412-4880-969c-56772fedfa96" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah ranked among America&#x27;s worst states to live in" 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/2023/06/15/utah-child-care-work-affordable-shortage" target="_self">childcare centers</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="poor air quality" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/29/american-lung-association-study-ozone-pollution-utah-provo-orem" data-vars-content-id="df7f0a8e-3412-4880-969c-56772fedfa96" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah ranked among America&#x27;s worst states to live in" 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/2026/04/29/american-lung-association-study-ozone-pollution-utah-provo-orem" target="_self">poor air quality</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="minimum wage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/12/19/minimum-wage-2026-utah-national" data-vars-content-id="df7f0a8e-3412-4880-969c-56772fedfa96" data-vars-headline="Report: Utah ranked among America&#x27;s worst states to live in" 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/2025/12/19/minimum-wage-2026-utah-national" target="_self">minimum wage</a> of $7.25 per hour.

Mapped: Trump's cuts to Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments

We also mapped other protections and places of interest so you can see what's in and out.

Many beloved landscapes and hikes have lost federal protections under maps that show <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s drastically-reduced boundaries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/13/trump-cuts-grand-staircase-escalante-bears-ears-national-monuments-utah" data-vars-content-id="91507991-8fa9-4183-9d4b-efcc67c462c0" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Trump&#x27;s cuts to Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments" 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/2026/07/13/trump-cuts-grand-staircase-escalante-bears-ears-national-monuments-utah" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s drastically-reduced boundaries</a> of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears.How it works: Axios obtained the maps from the White House on Tuesday, less than a day after Trump ordered cuts to more than 90% of both of the Utah monuments.<ul><li>We overlaid those new boundaries — to our closest approximation, based on the j-pegs provided, other boundaries, roads and geographic features — with the larger boundaries declared by previous presidents, and dozens of places of interest within them.</li></ul>The intrigue: We also included maps of Wilderness Study Areas, Instant Study Areas, and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, designations that offer protections apart from national monument status.<ul><li>That shows which places of interest are left without protection.</li></ul><div><iframe alt="Google Maps Embed" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1dx2cgi-4jQrW3HvbIf3hBHVR02JJrE0&amp;ehbc=2E312F" data-vars-category="google-maps" data-vars-sub-category="undefined-embed" data-vars-content-id="91507991-8fa9-4183-9d4b-efcc67c462c0" width="100%" height="480" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>The big picture: Grand Staircase-Escalante (GSENM) is the bigger of the two, and is generally more thoroughly explored — so we found many more sites excluded from protections there.<ul><li>Yes, but: Bears Ears was singled out for monument designation in large part because of its bounty of archeological sites — many of which researchers have avoided publicizing to prevent vandalism and theft of artifacts. BLM records occasionally cite those places of interest without giving their location, so we can&#x27;t map them.</li></ul>What&#x27;s inside: The best-known attractions at Bears Ears — House on Fire, the Butler Wash ruins, Sand Island Petroglyphs and Mule Canyon kiva, for example — remain within Trump&#x27;s boundaries.<ul><li>Same goes for the most scenic western stretch of Burr Trail Drive, Calf Creek Falls, Lower and Micro Death Hollows and Phipps Arch at Grand Staircase-Escalante.</li></ul>Meanwhile, many popular sites at GSENM are in Wilderness Study Areas.Those aren&#x27;t permanent, and the Trump administration has placed them under review — but the lands are protected for now.<ul><li>Among them are: Devil&#x27;s Garden, Peekaboo-Spooky-Brimstone slot canyons, Cosmic Ashtray, Bighorn Canyon, Cottonwood Narrows, Toadstools and Wahweap hoodoos.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A desert arch in afternoon sun" height="2221" id="4cf09a8a-bc4a-4622-bbac-e75e919af643" src="https://images.axios.com/6FfKUykMPwAjZe7_3yVYo0U6qNE=/2026/07/15/1784084822489.jpg" width="3600"/><figcaption>Grosvenor Arch, shown here in 2017, falls outside of Trump&#x27;s GSENM boundaries and is not within another protected area. Photo: 2017: Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>What&#x27;s outside: Grosvenor Arch, Sunrise and Sunset arches, Cedar Wash Arch, Chimney Rock, Dance Hall Rock, the historic Watson Canyon, Inchworm Arch, the Lamp Stand and the Nautilus are all among the sites left unprotected funder Trump&#x27;s GSENM boundaries.<ul><li>At Bears Ears, North &amp; South Six Shooter Peak are excluded, along with three campgrounds in the Indian Creek area.</li></ul>Between the lines: In some cases, renowned destinations still have some protection, but the trailheads or routes to access them are unprotected.<ul><li>Some examples are: Zebra slot canyon, Willis Creek, Round Valley Draw in GSENM and Monarch Cave in Bears Ears.</li><li>The iconic Buckskin Gulch and Jacob Hamblin Arch were never within the monuments — but their most common trailheads were, and are also unprotected under the new maps.</li></ul><figure><img alt="A hiker in a red rock slot canyon " height="5100" id="3e961e7b-b0b0-448a-96ac-c07357313614" src="https://images.axios.com/368N38XvwoDFS6jz5El5iZSAYkI=/2026/07/15/1784085138574.jpg" width="3404"/><figcaption>Buckskin Gulch, south of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Photo: Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

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.

RSL apologizes for omitting women's soccer star on social media

The former NFL defensive end got a nod — but not his soccer star wife.

Real Salt Lake <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apologized" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/realsaltlake/status/2077837260528267482?s=20" data-vars-content-id="c07b19dc-f3ec-45e9-aa41-bf8f53ea7ecf" data-vars-headline="RSL apologizes for omitting women&#x27;s soccer star on social media" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/realsaltlake/status/2077837260528267482?s=20" target="_blank">apologized</a> Friday for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="post on X" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/realsaltlake/status/2077563534951821536" data-vars-content-id="c07b19dc-f3ec-45e9-aa41-bf8f53ea7ecf" data-vars-headline="RSL apologizes for omitting women&#x27;s soccer star on social media" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/realsaltlake/status/2077563534951821536" target="_blank">post on X</a> that showed former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt attending a game at America First Field with his family — without acknowledging his wife, Kealia, was herself a homegrown soccer star. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-vars-category="rich" data-vars-sub-category="undefined-embed" data-vars-content-id="c07b19dc-f3ec-45e9-aa41-bf8f53ea7ecf"><a href="https://x.com/realsaltlake/status/2077563534951821536"></a></blockquote><div style="display:none"></div></div>Driving the news: Kealia Watt — or Kealia Ohai for most of her career — is &quot;one of the most decorated players to ever come out of this state,&quot; RSL&#x27;s X account posted.<ul><li>The daughter of Draper won eight state championships between youth and high school soccer leagues, was a two-time Utah Gatorade Athlete of the Year, joined the U.S. youth national teamer at 13 and scored the game-winning goal in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final.</li><li>She won a national title with the University of North Carolina and joined the Houston Dash as the No. 2 overall draft pick. She eventually became their captain, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retired" data-vars-click-url="https://people.com/jj-and-kealia-watt-share-their-funny-first-date-story-exclusive-7976109" data-vars-content-id="c07b19dc-f3ec-45e9-aa41-bf8f53ea7ecf" data-vars-headline="RSL apologizes for omitting women&#x27;s soccer star on social media" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://people.com/jj-and-kealia-watt-share-their-funny-first-date-story-exclusive-7976109" target="_blank">retired</a> from the Chicago Stars (Red Stars at the time) a few years ago, RSL wrote.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We are deeply sorry,&quot; RSL posted. &quot;Thank you for all you do for the sport.&quot;

Wildfires tank summer tourism in southern Utah

BUT — you can get some screaming deals on vacation lodging.

<figure><img alt="Two hikers wade the Virgin River Narrows at Zion National Park on Monday. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Darrah" height="1567" id="4e3e37d3-82cd-474d-8f13-4963a3414d73" src="https://images.axios.com/bdO5mmpOUsKvOML3tFaB0XNRHwc=/2026/07/15/1784144656160.jpg" width="1178"/><figcaption>Two hikers wade the Virgin River Narrows at Zion National Park on Monday, during what is normally peak tourism season. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Darrah</figcaption></figure>Tourism is cratering in southern Utah after massive wildfires made national headlines.The intrigue: People are canceling trips weeks in advance due to fires that will almost certainly be gone by the time they arrive, one business owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tells ABC 4" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc4.com/news/southern-utah/businesses-tourism-hit-cottonwood-fire/amp/" data-vars-content-id="d1e87cc9-0390-411f-ad77-c9a2f462a6cf" data-vars-headline="Wildfires tank summer tourism in southern Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc4.com/news/southern-utah/businesses-tourism-hit-cottonwood-fire/amp/" target="_blank">tells ABC 4</a>.

$1,500 now gets you less apartment space in Salt Lake City

We landed in the middle of the pack nationally for how much space $1,500 a month can buy.

For $1,500 a month, renters can expect a 737-square-foot apartment in Salt Lake City, 2.35% less space than a year ago, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RentCafe analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/" data-vars-content-id="5df121fd-09ac-47ad-9be5-ce6288d71f0d" data-vars-headline="$1,500 now gets you less apartment space in Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/" target="_blank">RentCafe analysis</a>.The big picture: Utah&#x27;s capital ranked No. 120 out of 200 U.S. cities for how much space $1,500 a month can buy.

Utah Mammoth reveal 2026-27 season schedule

Utah is entering its third season after relocating from Arizona.

The Utah Mammoth announced their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026–27 schedule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhl.com/utah/schedule" data-vars-content-id="1977a789-517b-43ec-9eb6-00b4b5fede36" data-vars-headline="Utah Mammoth reveal 2026-27 season schedule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhl.com/utah/schedule" target="_blank">2026–27 schedule</a> Thursday, opening the season at the Delta Center against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 1.The intrigue: Each NHL team will play 84 games in an expanded schedule, which hasn&#x27;t happened since 1993–94.

Scoop: Salt Lake City mayoral field emerges as Mendenhall weighs third term

The next mayor is expected to lead Salt Lake City through planning for the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Several prominent political figures are eyeing Salt Lake City&#x27;s 2027 mayoral race, with one intending to run and at least three others exploring bids, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The next mayor will lead the city through planning for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2034 Winter Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" data-vars-content-id="b5264559-61fc-421c-8b92-3473f17c04de" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Salt Lake City mayoral field emerges as Mendenhall weighs third term" 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/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" target="_self">2034 Winter Olympics</a>, raising the stakes in the race to lead Utah&#x27;s capital.

A record number of people are serving Latter-day Saint missions

The previous record of just over 88,000 full-time missionaries was set in 2014.

About 88,500 people are now serving full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a record high, the Utah-based faith <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-missionary-record-church-jesus-christ" data-vars-content-id="aaa2c861-e986-4438-b9ea-c527dbb5e10f" data-vars-headline="A record number of people are serving Latter-day Saint missions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-missionary-record-church-jesus-christ" target="_blank">announced</a> this week.<ul><li>The previous record of just over 88,000 full-time missionaries was set in 2014.</li></ul>

Downtown Salt Lake City is trading office workers for residents

Downtown is projected to attract $10 billion in investment this decade.

Downtown is no longer just a place to catch a Utah Jazz game, see your favorite play or make questionable decisions at Twilite Lounge.<ul><li>Instead, people are increasingly choosing to call it home.</li></ul>By the numbers: Downtown&#x27;s residential population rose by 9% between 2024 and 2025, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Downtown Alliance report" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/670d9b42adf2454bb327ee37/t/6a56b175372bfe507cc4968f/1784066421878/DTA-Benchmark-2026-WEB.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9d37a4c6-e859-4b05-892d-d07256255e46" data-vars-headline="Downtown Salt Lake City is trading office workers for residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/670d9b42adf2454bb327ee37/t/6a56b175372bfe507cc4968f/1784066421878/DTA-Benchmark-2026-WEB.pdf" target="_blank">Downtown Alliance report</a>.

Urban Hill's latest chef collaboration features Pretty Bird's Viet Pham

Urban Hill's Nick Zocco and Pretty Bird's Viet Pham have teamed up to create a six-course menu for a July 29 dinner.

Two of Salt Lake City&#x27;s top chefs are joining culinary forces for a special night of dining.State of play: Urban Hill&#x27;s Nick Zocco and Pretty Bird&#x27;s Viet Pham have teamed up to create a six-course menu inspired by Southwestern/Mexican and Southeast Asian flavors for a July 29 dinner at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Post District restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/16/urban-hill-salt-lake-city-fine-dining-opens" data-vars-content-id="e4074d89-b90f-40c4-9ab8-2f3872dfbbac" data-vars-headline="Urban Hill&#x27;s latest chef collaboration features Pretty Bird&#x27;s Viet Pham" 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/2022/12/16/urban-hill-salt-lake-city-fine-dining-opens" target="_self">Post District restaurant</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.

News 🗞

RSL apologizes for omitting women's soccer star on social media

Wildfires tank summer tourism in southern Utah

$1,500 now gets you less apartment space in Salt Lake City

Utah Mammoth reveal 2026-27 season schedule

Scoop: Salt Lake City mayoral field emerges as Mendenhall weighs third term