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Calf roping controversy at Utah State Fair prompts allegations of rodeo cruelty

Images from the Utah State Fair rodeo prompt criticism of new state law.

News

Tech growth could change what counts as super rich in Utah

Tech sector growth here could turn today's top 1% into tomorrow's ho-hum yuppies.

Business

Raising Cane's Post Malone-themed cups go national

The limited-edition cups, which reflect Malone's imagery and tattoos, will be released over a two-month period.

Utah hosts ultimate disc tourney while on probation for LGBTQ slurs

Players who were targeted by Utah's spectators say they're uneasy.

Charlie Hunnam's tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph

Hunnam and "Sons of Anarchy" costar Ryan Hurst launched the digital autograph platform at SLC's FanX.

&quot;Sons of Anarchy&quot; stars Charlie Hunnam and Ryan Hurst have joined tech entrepreneur Vijay Kumar to create a digital autograph platform that gives <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fans personalized, animated mementos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/22/fanx-2023-salt-palace-celebs" data-vars-content-id="3eac2947-6ac4-419b-a26d-8b1403028f58" data-vars-headline="Charlie Hunnam&#x27;s tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph" 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/2023/09/22/fanx-2023-salt-palace-celebs" target="_self">fans personalized, animated mementos</a>.Driving the news: The trio launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neon Mango" data-vars-click-url="https://www.neonmango.com/" data-vars-content-id="3eac2947-6ac4-419b-a26d-8b1403028f58" data-vars-headline="Charlie Hunnam&#x27;s tech startup aims to remake the celebrity autograph" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.neonmango.com/" target="_blank">Neon Mango</a> on Thursday at FanX in Salt Lake City as crowds lined up at nearby &quot;Celebrity Row&quot; for pen-and-paper signatures from Hollywood stars like Christopher Lloyd and Tony Danza.

Actor Charlie Hunnam displays a digital autograph via his new company Neon Mango at FanX in Salt Lake City while his costar and cofounder Ryan Hurst walks in the background. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios

Gov. Cox says he won't let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco

The GOP governor said he doesn't want Salt Lake City to become San Francisco or Portland.

Politics

Gov. Spencer Cox said on Thursday he supports eliminating unsanctioned camping as state and city officials work to reduce homelessness in Salt Lake City.What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I refuse to let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco or Portland,&quot; Cox told reporters at his monthly news conference, referring to each municipality&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/24/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-sweep-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="0ab23893-5240-45a9-b9df-fd356863e842" data-vars-headline="Gov. Cox says he won&#x27;t let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/24/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-sweep-lawsuit" target="_self">homeless</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/12/2023-homeless-count-in-multnomah-county" data-vars-content-id="0ab23893-5240-45a9-b9df-fd356863e842" data-vars-headline="Gov. Cox says he won&#x27;t let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/12/2023-homeless-count-in-multnomah-county" target="_self">crisis</a>.

Gov. Spencer Cox holds news conference at PBS Utah on Sept. 21, 2023 in Salt Lake City. Photo: Francisco Kjolseth/Salt Lake Tribune/pool

Lucky 13: Salt Lake's 100°-day count drops sharply in 2023

After 2022's record-smashing 34 days of triple-digit temps, we're heaving a sight of relief.

It&#x27;s the last day of summer, which means it&#x27;s time to name the winner of our guessing game:<ul><li>How many days reached 100° in Salt Lake City?</li></ul>

Illustration of a thermometer being shattered. 

Madsen Park gets a makeover — and a festival

The city is celebrating the park and neighborhood amid "tremendous" development.

Salt Lake City hopes to rev up the North Temple area with a festival this weekend at a park that closed for months last year amid complaints of rampant crime.Why it matters: Madsen Park, near 900 West and North Temple, is in a historically underserved neighborhood frequently blocked to the south by freight rail traffic and sitting at the edge of an industrial area awash in empty gravel lots.

A couple picnics in the shade at Madsen Park while new apartments are under construction across the street.

Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative Utah

The Senate hopeful and celebrity activist is testing the cohesion of religious conservatism.

Tim Ballard, Senate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hopeful" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ex-dhs-agent-inspired-sound-freedom-seriously-considering-run-romneys-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="43f44437-1d4e-40c7-9c89-fd4c45724cb5" data-vars-headline="Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ex-dhs-agent-inspired-sound-freedom-seriously-considering-run-romneys-senate-seat" target="_blank">hopeful</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anti-child-trafficking activist of Hollywood fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/07/10/sound-of-freedom-box-office-sales" data-vars-content-id="43f44437-1d4e-40c7-9c89-fd4c45724cb5" data-vars-headline="Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative 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/2023/07/10/sound-of-freedom-box-office-sales" target="_self">anti-child-trafficking activist of Hollywood fame</a>, faces a mounting scandal that&#x27;s testing the cohesion of religious conservatism in Utah.What&#x27;s happening: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last week denounced Ballard, the recently ousted founder of the controversial Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). This comes amid media reports <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detailing a now-closed criminal investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvjypz/mormon-church-denounces-tim-ballards-morally-unacceptable-activities?fbclid=IwAR20atZjNTaOUgLkis-18gbnWAm6Jp2Xwa1b96r0HY-wOJinK6RD9eAj6zA" data-vars-content-id="43f44437-1d4e-40c7-9c89-fd4c45724cb5" data-vars-headline="Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvjypz/mormon-church-denounces-tim-ballards-morally-unacceptable-activities?fbclid=IwAR20atZjNTaOUgLkis-18gbnWAm6Jp2Xwa1b96r0HY-wOJinK6RD9eAj6zA" target="_blank">detailing a now-closed criminal investigation</a> into the group and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allegations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-ESKtdWQg" data-vars-content-id="43f44437-1d4e-40c7-9c89-fd4c45724cb5" data-vars-headline="Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-ESKtdWQg" target="_blank">allegations</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sexual misconduct" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkaqvn/tim-ballards-departure-from-operation-underground-railroad-followed-sexual-misconduct-investigation" data-vars-content-id="43f44437-1d4e-40c7-9c89-fd4c45724cb5" data-vars-headline="Mormon rebuke of Tim Ballard ripples through conservative Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkaqvn/tim-ballards-departure-from-operation-underground-railroad-followed-sexual-misconduct-investigation" target="_blank">sexual misconduct</a>.

Tim Ballard stands in front of a promotional screen that reads "Sonido de Libertad"

Leonardo DiCaprio wants to save the Great Salt Lake, too

The Great Salt Lake's collapse would result in major health and environmental consequences.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="directed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxViIIeOXdK/" data-vars-content-id="0179c235-1a8d-4af4-8938-9af9a0943bc1" data-vars-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio wants to save the Great Salt Lake, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxViIIeOXdK/" target="_blank">directed</a> his 61.1 million Instagram followers this week to sign a petition supporting the Sierra Club&#x27;s &quot;fight to preserve the Great Salt Lake.&quot;What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Sign the petition from<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" @sierraclubutah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/sierraclubutah/" data-vars-content-id="0179c235-1a8d-4af4-8938-9af9a0943bc1" data-vars-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio wants to save the Great Salt Lake, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/sierraclubutah/" target="_blank"> @sierraclubutah</a> to ask Utah&#x27;s political leaders to set an example by protecting and restoring the largest saline ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere,&quot; the Oscar-winning actor and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate activist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-most-trusted-climate-authority-2023-7" data-vars-content-id="0179c235-1a8d-4af4-8938-9af9a0943bc1" data-vars-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio wants to save the Great Salt Lake, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-most-trusted-climate-authority-2023-7" target="_blank">climate activist</a> wrote in a Monday post.

Leonardo Di Caprio in a black shirt and gray jacket.

Westminster University's community clinic offers free mental health services

Nearly 1 in 5 Utah adults experience poor mental health, per a 2019 study.

Westminster University has launched a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="community clinic and training center" data-vars-click-url="https://westminsteru.edu/about/community-engagement/community-clinic-and-training-center.html" data-vars-content-id="42615b64-875a-4e9c-bc74-d9a6e84013cd" data-vars-headline="Westminster University&#x27;s community clinic offers free mental health services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://westminsteru.edu/about/community-engagement/community-clinic-and-training-center.html" target="_blank">community clinic and training center</a> to provide free mental health counseling for students and non-students alike, the school told Axios.Details: The clinic had a soft opening during the spring semester and fully opened last month in time for fall.

Illustration of many different hands reaching for and holding up a therapy couch. 

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson to resign

The announcement comes five months after Wilson formed an exploratory committee to run for next year's U.S. Senate race.

Speaker Brad Wilson on Monday announced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://house.utleg.gov/speaker-brad-wilson-to-resign-from-the-utah-house-of-representatives/" data-vars-content-id="cfab08c5-8db0-4347-a836-14b2d6c941ea" data-vars-headline="Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson to resign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://house.utleg.gov/speaker-brad-wilson-to-resign-from-the-utah-house-of-representatives/" target="_blank">his resignation</a> from the Utah House.Driving the news: Wilson&#x27;s departure comes five months after he formed an exploratory committee to run in next year&#x27;s U.S. Senate race to replace Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revealed he won&#x27;t be seeking re-election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-reelection-retire-senate-2024" data-vars-content-id="cfab08c5-8db0-4347-a836-14b2d6c941ea" data-vars-headline="Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson to resign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-reelection-retire-senate-2024" target="_self">revealed he won&#x27;t be seeking re-election</a>.

Coaching styles under scrutiny in two Utah collegiate sports programs

A review found the university's gymnastics coach didn't engage in "severe, pervasive or egregious" abuse.

Recent investigations into the culture and questionable conduct within two Utah college athletic programs are raising questions over whether hard-line coaching styles have crossed the line into emotional abuse.Driving the news: An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent review" data-vars-click-url="https://utahutes.com/documents/2023/9/14/University_of_Utah_WGY_Investigation_Report_091323_Husch_Blackwell.pdf" data-vars-content-id="39a40d9b-f490-4251-844c-3be6bd97d72f" data-vars-headline="Coaching styles under scrutiny in two Utah collegiate sports programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://utahutes.com/documents/2023/9/14/University_of_Utah_WGY_Investigation_Report_091323_Husch_Blackwell.pdf" target="_blank">independent review</a> last week found gymnastics coach Tom Farden &quot;did not engage in any severe, pervasive or egregious acts of emotional or verbal abuse of student-athletes&quot; amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="emotional abuse allegations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/08/29/university-of-utah-red-rock-abuse-tom-harden-student-athlete" data-vars-content-id="39a40d9b-f490-4251-844c-3be6bd97d72f" data-vars-headline="Coaching styles under scrutiny in two Utah collegiate sports programs" 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/2023/08/29/university-of-utah-red-rock-abuse-tom-harden-student-athlete" target="_self">emotional abuse allegations</a> outlined in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deseret News report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deseret.com/2023/8/27/23804068/university-utah-gymnastics-abuse-allegations-independent-review-investigation-tom-farden" data-vars-content-id="39a40d9b-f490-4251-844c-3be6bd97d72f" data-vars-headline="Coaching styles under scrutiny in two Utah collegiate sports programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deseret.com/2023/8/27/23804068/university-utah-gymnastics-abuse-allegations-independent-review-investigation-tom-farden" target="_blank">Deseret News report</a>.

Romney's retirement likely to re-shape GOP candidate field Senate race

The open seat is expected to garner substantial interest from a wide range of Republicans.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Wednesday announced he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would not seek a second term in the U.S. Senate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-reelection-retire-senate-2024" data-vars-content-id="90193d2f-0886-4e6b-8d09-3abdbb4ebd30" data-vars-headline="Romney&#x27;s retirement likely to re-shape GOP candidate field Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-reelection-retire-senate-2024" target="_self">would not seek a second term in the U.S. Senate</a> to make way for the &quot;new generation of leaders.&quot;Why it matters: His decision is certain to bring upheaval to the GOP candidate field for the open seat.

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