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Utah anti-gerrymandering repeal effort loses more support

Retracted signatures in another district shows how GOP lawmakers made ballot initiatives difficult.

News

A defeated GOP effort to effectively legalize gerrymandering in Utah has missed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/26/utah-gerrymandering-prop-4-repeal-fails" data-vars-content-id="c3294ab8-bb3b-4dcf-9f5d-9c0e525a1907" data-vars-headline="Utah anti-gerrymandering repeal effort loses more support" 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/2026/03/26/utah-gerrymandering-prop-4-repeal-fails" target="_self">another</a> petition requirement.Why it matters: Republican lawmakers may have flummoxed themselves by making citizen initiatives harder to enact in recent years — an effort that the GOP has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undertaken nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/us/politics/republicans-citizen-initiatives.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.qFoW.1pP0CkU1d1ac&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share" data-vars-content-id="c3294ab8-bb3b-4dcf-9f5d-9c0e525a1907" data-vars-headline="Utah anti-gerrymandering repeal effort loses more support" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/us/politics/republicans-citizen-initiatives.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.qFoW.1pP0CkU1d1ac&amp;smid=nytcore-ios-share" target="_blank">undertaken nationwide</a>.

KRCL breaks ground on community hub

The renovated space will transform the grassroots station into a public-facing space for emerging musicians and listeners.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KRCL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/11/22/krcl-federal-grant-award-community-radio-station-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="9790afe8-e057-4066-971d-336002d32742" data-vars-headline="KRCL breaks ground on community hub" 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/2024/11/22/krcl-federal-grant-award-community-radio-station-anniversary" target="_self">KRCL</a> is launching a $7 million overhaul to transform the longtime radio station into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new community hub" data-vars-click-url="https://krcl.org/nextgeneration/" data-vars-content-id="9790afe8-e057-4066-971d-336002d32742" data-vars-headline="KRCL breaks ground on community hub" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://krcl.org/nextgeneration/" target="_blank">new community hub</a> on the west side.Why it matters: The renovation will expand the grassroots station, founded in 1979, into a public-facing space for emerging musicians and listeners, bringing new energy to an area that&#x27;s historically seen less investment.

St. George's growth surge outshines Salt Lake City

St. George, long known as a retirement town, is among the fastest growing U.S. metros.

St. George, long known as a quiet retirement haven and tourist hotspot in southern Utah, is having a moment.The big picture: It was the only metro area in the West to make the top 10 fastest-growing regions in the country, according to new census data.

How to navigate Utah's surrogacy laws

In a national patchwork of laws, Utah enforces surrogacy agreements— but with multiple restrictions.

Health

Without a federal law, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" data-vars-content-id="8ef7a184-7fd4-4acd-9926-5c490698353d" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Utah&#x27;s surrogacy laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" target="_self">surrogacy in the U.S. is governed by a patchwork</a> of state regulations.Why it matters: As more Americans turn to surrogacy to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="build their families" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" data-vars-content-id="8ef7a184-7fd4-4acd-9926-5c490698353d" data-vars-headline="How to navigate Utah&#x27;s surrogacy laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/future-of-fertility-demographics" target="_self">build their families</a>, varied local rules can determine everything from whether agreements are legally binding to who is recognized as a parent at birth.

Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review

The review throws plans for a massive Salt Lake City detention center — the first of its kind in Utah — into question.

The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a wave of recent warehouse purchases — including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one in Salt Lake City for $145 million" 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="b4943d6e-3cb2-4b84-aa3d-8d202a4a4a85" data-vars-headline="Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review" 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">one in Salt Lake City for $145 million</a> — amid growing scrutiny, according to multiple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/mullin-noem-immigration-ice-warehouse-detention-warhouses-0141f54a48a47b1a6753aeaecc1b640b" data-vars-content-id="b4943d6e-3cb2-4b84-aa3d-8d202a4a4a85" data-vars-headline="Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/mullin-noem-immigration-ice-warehouse-detention-warhouses-0141f54a48a47b1a6753aeaecc1b640b" target="_blank">reports</a>.Why it matters: The review throws plans for a massive Salt Lake City detention center — the first of its kind in Utah — into question.

Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints

The faith is one of the only groups that hasn't become more Republican since 2007.

Politics

<figure><img alt="A chart showing change in partisan composition of major religious groups in the United States from 2007-2009 to 2023-2025" height="816" id="1943d0e0-cb61-4bf3-9ea8-9b235b06d16a" src="https://images.axios.com/fiouo1-i7yPlPmvmhrJJevzV_nY=/2026/03/30/1774909221416.png" width="1220"/><figcaption>Chart: Courtesy of YouGov</figcaption></figure>In a study showing a nationwide conservative lurch across demographics, Latter-day Saints stand out as one of the few groups that have gotten <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more Democratic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" 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/2024/08/07/mormon-voters-harris-trump-arizona-utah" target="_self">more Democratic</a> in the past two decades.Why it matters: The shift, reported in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="YouGov analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" data-vars-content-id="20341487-7b65-414e-b610-0824ea8c6c18" data-vars-headline="Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54389-two-decades-of-partisanship-in-the-cooperative-election-study" target="_blank">YouGov analysis</a> released last week, could reshape politics in GOP-controlled Utah if it continues.

Utah's anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP's repeal push

Too many voters removed their signatures from the petition to put the proposal on the ballot.

Utahns won&#x27;t vote on a measure that would effectively legalize gerrymandering, now that thousands of people have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="removed their signatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" 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/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" target="_self">removed their signatures</a> from the petition to include it in November&#x27;s election.Why it matters: That ballot measure was the most direct way for the GOP to undo Utah&#x27;s new congressional map, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="created a Democratic-leaning district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" 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/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">created a Democratic-leaning district</a>.

Utah gerrymandering proposal could fail to reach November ballots

As voters remove their signatures, the margin narrows in one historically Democratic area.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot measure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/17/utah-redistricting-signature-ballot-gop-republican-2026" data-vars-content-id="ccf5c514-1cef-44cd-9de4-1e4f570252a9" data-vars-headline="Utah gerrymandering proposal could fail to reach November ballots" 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/2026/02/17/utah-redistricting-signature-ballot-gop-republican-2026" target="_self">ballot measure</a> to effectively legalize gerrymandering in Utah hangs by a thread, as voters remove their signatures from the controversial petition drive to include the proposal in the November election.The big picture: Statewide, more than enough voters signed onto a Republican-backed ballot measure to repeal Proposition 4, the anti-gerrymandering law that Utahns passed in 2018.

Here are the candidates for Utah's 1st Congressional District race

The left-leaning district is expected to give Utah Democrats a path to their first congressional seat since 2021.

The candidate field is now set in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah&#x27;s newly created 1st Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="4444ca43-2172-4e8b-a50e-08216880e2ae" data-vars-headline="Here are the candidates for Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District 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/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">Utah&#x27;s newly created 1st Congressional District</a> after the March 13 filing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://vote.utah.gov/current-election-information/" data-vars-content-id="4444ca43-2172-4e8b-a50e-08216880e2ae" data-vars-headline="Here are the candidates for Utah&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vote.utah.gov/current-election-information/" target="_blank">deadline</a> passed.Why it matters: The left-leaning district is widely expected to give Democrats a possible path to their first congressional seat in Utah since 2021.

DNC eyes Utah's 2nd District as future battleground

Utah shifting demographics present a unique opportunity for Democrats to build power, according to DNC chair Ken Martin.

As Democrats <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prepare to compete" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="e922a917-575d-4233-9e64-72c5aa4be9e4" data-vars-headline="DNC eyes Utah&#x27;s 2nd District as future battleground" 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/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">prepare to compete</a> for Utah&#x27;s left-leaning 1st Congressional District, DNC chair Ken Martin predicts Utah&#x27;s newly drawn 2nd District could also become a future battleground.State of play: As one of the fastest-growing — and youngest — states in the U.S., Utah&#x27;s shifting demographics present a unique opportunity for Democrats to build power, Martin told Axios Salt Lake City.

Former Sen. Derek Kitchen drops Utah congressional bid

The former Democratic state senator announced his decision Friday.

Former state Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Derek Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/20/derek-kitchen-utah-congress-1st-district" data-vars-content-id="6f0b1a31-2afd-439c-91f4-6cce3028d389" data-vars-headline="Former Sen. Derek Kitchen drops Utah congressional bid" 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/2025/11/20/derek-kitchen-utah-congress-1st-district" target="_self">Derek Kitchen</a> is no longer running for Utah&#x27;s newly drawn 1st Congressional District. State of play: Kitchen announced his decision Friday — the last day of the congressional candidate filing period.

These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump's "corrosive ideology" purge

Vandalism, climate change and history notes were submitted for review.

<figure><img alt="A sign at Arches National Park includes an inset that reads: &quot;Park ecologists study plant communities to monitor their response to the changing climate. Some &quot;cool season&quot; grasses, like ricegrass, are already diminishing.&quot;" height="1544" id="d2807428-b5c6-460a-848a-8cf086d5806b" src="https://images.axios.com/KjJPSO1GRuEdYLwiKZz6iR4kpOU=/2026/03/12/1773350955324.png" width="2522"/><figcaption>A sign at Arches National Park is flagged for possible review due to a reference to climate change. Image via Arches</figcaption></figure>Dozens of exhibits and signs at Utah&#x27;s national parks have been flagged for possible removal under President Trump&#x27;s order to purge &quot;negative&quot; information from the protected landmarks.The intrigue: That&#x27;s according to a National Park Service database of interpretive signs and other materials, reported by park managers and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaked" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.org/details/nps-removal-targets" data-vars-content-id="3877f043-ca67-4fb8-bf8e-b1387d1df575" data-vars-headline="These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump&#x27;s &quot;corrosive ideology&quot; purge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.org/details/nps-removal-targets" target="_blank">leaked</a> by a group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-described" data-vars-click-url="https://sciop.net/datasets/doi-targets-for-removal" data-vars-content-id="3877f043-ca67-4fb8-bf8e-b1387d1df575" data-vars-headline="These Utah national parks displays were flagged in Trump&#x27;s &quot;corrosive ideology&quot; purge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sciop.net/datasets/doi-targets-for-removal" target="_blank">self-described</a> &quot;civil servants on the front lines.&quot;

In deep-red Utah, Republicans resist hardline immigration bills

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has struck a more tempered tone in the immigration debate.

A handful of zero-tolerance immigration bills failed to gain traction in Utah&#x27;s Republican-dominated Legislature this session, a stark contrast with President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push for mass deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/trump-migrants-alligator-alcatraz-denaturalize" data-vars-content-id="22a4f17a-9355-4495-bad9-370c98db47f5" data-vars-headline="In deep-red Utah, Republicans resist hardline immigration bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/05/trump-migrants-alligator-alcatraz-denaturalize" target="_self">push for mass deportations</a>.Why it matters: The lack of support signals the policies may be unpopular in Utah, where most of the state&#x27;s most powerful lawmakers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/general-news-286983987f484cb182fba9334c52a617" data-vars-content-id="22a4f17a-9355-4495-bad9-370c98db47f5" data-vars-headline="In deep-red Utah, Republicans resist hardline immigration bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/general-news-286983987f484cb182fba9334c52a617" target="_blank">members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>.

Politics 🇺🇸

Utah anti-gerrymandering repeal effort loses more support

Report: SLC warehouse buy for massive ICE detention center under review

Study: GOP losing ground among Latter-day Saints

Utah's anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP's repeal push

Utah gerrymandering proposal could fail to reach November ballots