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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.

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

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>.

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.

How Mitt Romney reshaped Mormonism's image in America

He took the religion to prime time and claimed it as his motive.

Few — if any — public figures since Brigham Young have done more to shape America&#x27;s impression of Mormonism than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mitt Romney" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-reelection-retire-senate-2024" data-vars-content-id="0a35e8a0-9ad0-4974-a98c-cf72069fac9d" data-vars-headline="How Mitt Romney reshaped Mormonism&#x27;s image in America" 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">Mitt Romney</a>.<ul><li>As a Republican candidate for president, he drew a bright national spotlight onto a faith that was long seen as a shadowy political liability in much of the country.</li></ul>

Illustration of a TV with the Salt Lake City Temple on the screen.

Environmental groups sue Utah over Great Salt Lake's demise

The groups allege the state has failed to reverse the saline lake's decline.

Five conservation nonprofits <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/pdfs/Great-Salt-Lake-2023-0906-Complaint.pdf?_gl=1*1tjbydy*_gcl_au*MTU5NDAxMjIzOC4xNjk0MDE0NjAw" data-vars-content-id="916f0d9f-53b8-429a-9e6d-dbc260b0a45e" data-vars-headline="Environmental groups sue Utah over Great Salt Lake&#x27;s demise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/pdfs/Great-Salt-Lake-2023-0906-Complaint.pdf?_gl=1*1tjbydy*_gcl_au*MTU5NDAxMjIzOC4xNjk0MDE0NjAw" target="_blank">sued</a> the state of Utah in an effort to protect the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dwindling Great Salt Lake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/01/09/great-salt-lake-could-disappear-2027" data-vars-content-id="916f0d9f-53b8-429a-9e6d-dbc260b0a45e" data-vars-headline="Environmental groups sue Utah over Great Salt Lake&#x27;s demise" 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/2023/01/09/great-salt-lake-could-disappear-2027" target="_self">dwindling Great Salt Lake</a> in what&#x27;s being called &quot;the most ambitious environmental lawsuit the state has ever seen.&quot;Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uphe.org/" data-vars-content-id="916f0d9f-53b8-429a-9e6d-dbc260b0a45e" data-vars-headline="Environmental groups sue Utah over Great Salt Lake&#x27;s demise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uphe.org/" target="_blank">Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment</a> President and Co-founder Brian Moench, whose group is one of the plaintiffs, called the lake&#x27;s demise an environmental threat with grave implications for residents statewide.

Illustration of a highway sign reading Salt Lake City with the word Lake crossed out in spraypaint.

Maloy defeats Edwards in Utah's special GOP Congressional primary

Conservative Congressional staffer Celeste Maloy narrowly overcame Trump critic Becky Edwards.

Celeste Maloy, former staffer for U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), narrowly won a GOP primary in a special election to fill Stewart&#x27;s seat, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/utah-special-election-celeste-maloy-becky-edwards-d675ea78c763543d6f18f74a9b3c3a84" data-vars-content-id="288b2cb4-68fa-4425-bcf7-92cd046f8702" data-vars-headline="Maloy defeats Edwards in Utah&#x27;s special GOP Congressional primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-special-election-celeste-maloy-becky-edwards-d675ea78c763543d6f18f74a9b3c3a84" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.Driving the news: Maloy was ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump critic" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/utah-special-election-chris-stewart-trump-d2a14dd116fcfb3611057e1f19430d93" data-vars-content-id="288b2cb4-68fa-4425-bcf7-92cd046f8702" data-vars-headline="Maloy defeats Edwards in Utah&#x27;s special GOP Congressional primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-special-election-chris-stewart-trump-d2a14dd116fcfb3611057e1f19430d93" target="_blank">Trump critic</a> and former state Rep. Becky Edwards 38% to 35% when the AP called the three-way race Wednesday night.

Early results: Utah's special GOP congressional primary too close to call

Maloy collected about 37.8% of votes — 1,184 more votes than Edwards — as of 11pm Tuesday.

Celeste Maloy, a former congressional staffer, held a thin lead over former state Rep. Becky Edwards in Tuesday night&#x27;s special GOP primary to fill Rep. Chris Stewart&#x27;s seat in Utah&#x27;s 2nd Congressional District, according to the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary election results" data-vars-click-url="https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/uscongress/2" data-vars-content-id="ece9a106-0a94-403d-9594-77df9cc7e229" data-vars-headline="Early results: Utah&#x27;s special GOP congressional primary too close to call" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/uscongress/2" target="_blank">preliminary election results</a>.State of play: Maloy received about 37.8% of votes — 1,184 more votes than Edwards — as of Tuesday at 11pm.

GOP tests Utah's commitment to elections by mail

Some Republicans are testing the deep red state's unusual attachment to easy voter access.

Utah Republican leaders are increasingly resisting the state&#x27;s tradition of easy voter access, right as their voters head to the polls in today&#x27;s primary.Why it matters: Utah has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long been a standout among red states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/11/02/utah-deep-red-state-loves-mail-voting" data-vars-content-id="82a36f07-d09e-473c-9ed1-3a5221b84ead" data-vars-headline="GOP tests Utah&#x27;s commitment to elections by mail" 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/2022/11/02/utah-deep-red-state-loves-mail-voting" target="_self">long been a standout among red states</a> for its universal mail-in ballots and widespread early voting.

Illustration of a USPS mailbox with scared eyes.

Mendenhall secures unanimous City Council endorsement in mayoral race

It demonstrates the seven-member City Council's professional rapport with the first-term mayor.

The seven members of the Salt Lake City Council on Thursday threw their unanimous support behind Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seeking her second term" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/04/12/salt-lake-city-mayor-erin-mendenhall-re-election" data-vars-content-id="137e7b47-f9a1-4e0d-aa72-9aa1081f4aed" data-vars-headline="Mendenhall secures unanimous City Council endorsement in mayoral 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/2023/04/12/salt-lake-city-mayor-erin-mendenhall-re-election" target="_self">seeking her second term</a> in the upcoming mayoral race.Why it matters: The endorsement demonstrates the Council&#x27;s professional rapport with Mendenhall — a shift from her predecessor, former Mayor Jackie Biskupski, whose views often <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="didn&#x27;t align" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/06/13/salt-lake-city-council-bans-mayor-from-suing-state-over-new-inland-port-unless-it-first-gives-its-ok/" data-vars-content-id="137e7b47-f9a1-4e0d-aa72-9aa1081f4aed" data-vars-headline="Mendenhall secures unanimous City Council endorsement in mayoral race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/06/13/salt-lake-city-council-bans-mayor-from-suing-state-over-new-inland-port-unless-it-first-gives-its-ok/" target="_blank">didn&#x27;t align</a> with the City Council at the time.

Cox "concerned" about assault, trafficking claims against ex-Farm Bureau president

The Utah Department of Public Safety is investigating the case.

Gov. Spencer Cox (R) says he&#x27;s &quot;very concerned&quot; about the accusations against former Utah Farm Bureau Federation president Ron Gibson, who is being investigated for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allegations of human trafficking and fraud" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2023/08/11/utah-farm-bureau-president-accused/" data-vars-content-id="757fb8ef-8517-408b-9eae-eca89846772c" data-vars-headline="Cox &quot;concerned&quot; about assault, trafficking claims against ex-Farm Bureau president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2023/08/11/utah-farm-bureau-president-accused/" target="_blank">allegations of human trafficking and fraud</a>.Driving the news: An investigation by the Utah Department of Public Safety was prompted after Gibson was arrested on Aug. 8 for allegedly striking one of his employees in the face at his Weber County farm, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Politics 🇺🇸