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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.

News

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.

HOAs gain ground in Utah

Utah has one of the highest rates of home listings with HOA dues, data shows.

Utah has one of the highest rates in the nation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home listings with HOA dues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in 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/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" target="_self">home listings with HOA dues</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> data shows.Why it matters: Those dues are also rising, adding to housing costs just as prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stabilize" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">stabilize</a> in Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cooling market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">cooling market</a>.

Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet

The fast-spreading disease is slow to cause symptoms, which makes containment difficult.

Utah health officials have confirmed 142 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" 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/2026/03/17/utah-measles-response-criticism" target="_self">new measles cases</a> since March 10.Why it matters: The rolling, three-week <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="case count" data-vars-click-url="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" target="_blank">case count</a> reflects a surge of more than 30% compared to last week&#x27;s tally, and shows the biggest increase in cases since the state&#x27;s outbreak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="began last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" data-vars-content-id="90e493d1-8895-44f4-9d1f-9bd4b16b73db" data-vars-headline="Utah measles outbreak brings its biggest surge yet" 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/2025/06/25/measles-utah-outbreak-unvaccinated-waivers" target="_self">began last summer</a>.

Grief author Kouri Richins found guilty of murdering her husband

The case against Richins — who later authored a children's book about her kids' grief — drew national attention.

Business

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="8b2497b3-0543-4b01-822e-ffd06be62f9b" data-vars-headline="Grief author Kouri Richins found guilty of murdering her husband" 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> jury convicted Kouri Richins of murdering her husband by slipping fentanyl into his drink in 2022.The big picture: The domestic violence allegations against Richins — who later authored a children&#x27;s book about her kids&#x27; grief — drew national attention.

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 AI turned a Utah police officer into a frog

Civil libertarians say Disney shapeshifting is the least of the problems this new tech could cause.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="20197048-dd68-40f5-8e1e-1995be94e08e" data-vars-headline="How AI turned a Utah police officer into a frog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">Artificial intelligence</a> is increasingly affecting who police stop, how reports are written, where officers patrol and how evidence is analyzed.<ul><li>And in Utah, it claimed an officer turned into a frog. </li></ul>Catch up quick: An AI program generated the shapeshifting incident report for Heber City Police last month, FOX 13 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/summit-county/how-utah-police-departments-are-using-ai-to-keep-streets-safer" data-vars-content-id="20197048-dd68-40f5-8e1e-1995be94e08e" data-vars-headline="How AI turned a Utah police officer into a frog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/summit-county/how-utah-police-departments-are-using-ai-to-keep-streets-safer" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Quicksand is real — just ask this hiker in Arches National Park

A recent rescue in Utah has put the spotlight on this once-notorious nightmare scenario.

A hiker was rescued from quicksand last week in Arches National Park, reigniting long-dormant fears of a geologic phenomenon that once featured prolifically in films, video games and nightmares.

Trump "not interested in uniting the country," GOP Utah Gov. Cox says

Trump is "not interested in uniting the country, and he would tell you that," the Republican told CNN.

Politics & Policy

In an interview Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said President Trump is &quot;not interested in uniting the country, and he would tell you that.&quot;The intrigue: Cox <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="endorsed Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/19/cox-support-trump-mormonism-shooting" data-vars-content-id="bac88925-2d88-4bac-9ca9-31bfeec25ce4" data-vars-headline="Trump &quot;not interested in uniting the country,&quot; GOP Utah Gov. Cox says" 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/2024/07/19/cox-support-trump-mormonism-shooting" target="_self">endorsed Trump</a> in 2024 days after saying he would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not vote for him" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/11/utah-governor-spencer-cox-wont-vote-donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="bac88925-2d88-4bac-9ca9-31bfeec25ce4" data-vars-headline="Trump &quot;not interested in uniting the country,&quot; GOP Utah Gov. Cox says" 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/2024/07/11/utah-governor-spencer-cox-wont-vote-donald-trump" target="_self">not vote for him</a>. At the time, the governor cited Trump&#x27;s opportunity to &quot;unify and save our country.&quot;

Police release more details in Charlie Kirk shooting investigation

Investigators are following &quot;multiple leads&quot; in the fatal shooting of conservative activist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlie Kirk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-dead-31" data-vars-content-id="14a8d596-82a1-44a7-bde9-d1104f47f48c" data-vars-headline="Police release more details in Charlie Kirk shooting investigation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-dead-31" target="_self">Charlie Kirk</a>, but no suspect is in custody, per the Utah Department of Public Safety.Driving the news: The DPS said via email Thursday afternoon that they had received more than 200 tips from members of the public since Kirk was shot while speaking Wednesday at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah Valley University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" data-vars-content-id="14a8d596-82a1-44a7-bde9-d1104f47f48c" data-vars-headline="Police release more details in Charlie Kirk shooting investigation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" target="_self">Utah Valley University</a> in the city of Orem.

Utah considers tighter kratom regulations

Banned "legal morphine" products swirl around Utah amid enforcement problems.

Federal and state regulators may make some kratom products harder to get in Utah with a crackdown on a potent compound found in supplements: 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH.Why it matters: 7-OH, sometimes referred to as &quot;legal morphine,&quot; has been found in dangerous concentrations in tablets, gummies and drink mixes — even in states that have tried to regulate it.

Two Tremonton officers mourned after fatal shooting

A bystander persuaded the shooter to put down his gun, police say.

Box Elder County residents lined the streets with flags Monday as police returned from the Utah medical examiner&#x27;s office with the bodies of two officers killed in a shooting late Sunday.Catch up quick: Sgt. Lee Sorensen and officer Eric Estrada of the Tremonton-Garland police department were investigating a series of 911 hang-up calls and a &quot;domestic disturbance&quot; at a Tremonton address when a man emerged from the home and opened fire, Brigham City police wrote in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1168961895260282&amp;set=a.302701455219668" data-vars-content-id="774e94ff-ee39-4b75-82d8-727edecc70f5" data-vars-headline="Two Tremonton officers mourned after fatal shooting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1168961895260282&amp;set=a.302701455219668" target="_blank">statement</a>.

Salt Lake City crime hits 8-year low amid public safety effort

City leaders are under scrutiny to show real and lasting results around public safety and homelessness.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public safety push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/01/16/mayor-erin-mendenhall-public-safety-plan-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="76e211ca-5a0d-4a5b-ba08-2fcc071f2bda" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City crime hits 8-year low amid public safety effort" 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/2025/01/16/mayor-erin-mendenhall-public-safety-plan-homelessness" target="_self">public safety push</a>, launched six months ago, brought the city to an eight-year low in overall crime last month, but concerns persist about homelessness and rising violent crime.State of play: Salt Lake City leaders provided an update on their plans Wednesday to intensify police presence and surveillance in public spaces and areas with elevated crime rates.

Where and when fireworks are banned in Utah

Amateur pyrotechnics have already sparked one wildfire in the state.

<figure><img alt="A GIF of home small fireworks exploding over a city skyline." height="450" id="e1cb0477-bd8f-49cf-a37a-1c85b4c26f45" src="https://images.axios.com/WWnZ15w7z8KIou9yIZHUeWmtfqI=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/06/27/1751057890797.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Amateur fireworks over SLC. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Fireworks have already caused one wildfire this summer in Utah, as the state is expected to get hotter and drier in the week before the Fourth of July.The big picture: The holiday brings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="twice as many wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01163-z.epdf?sharing_token=XFCowAnzaikg3oSXDsZYe9RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0M5VQi4YoGE6baVrl7MWw37K9C7_JivNP2TqKWb64zcfQbjNIoOHdumQIklQe0t_CNGyV69BIjbNZ5yjsrZukF4iBFxUgN7u80gt4fyrhR5bGCtaXycGWf5mP9wBeVDJ3Xlsc0KgWZ9ao8ZxspZNQRCIC0gCH8gvOsIMOia6bgI2Q%3D%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.pbs.org" data-vars-content-id="031362e4-f174-43da-ad93-899a841b5032" data-vars-headline="Where and when fireworks are banned in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01163-z.epdf?sharing_token=XFCowAnzaikg3oSXDsZYe9RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0M5VQi4YoGE6baVrl7MWw37K9C7_JivNP2TqKWb64zcfQbjNIoOHdumQIklQe0t_CNGyV69BIjbNZ5yjsrZukF4iBFxUgN7u80gt4fyrhR5bGCtaXycGWf5mP9wBeVDJ3Xlsc0KgWZ9ao8ZxspZNQRCIC0gCH8gvOsIMOia6bgI2Q%3D%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.pbs.org" target="_blank">twice as many wildfires</a> to Western states as any other day, according to researchers in California and Idaho.

Axios What's Next

A list of the top 10 U.S. metro areas in the 2026 Safe Streets Index. New York ranks first, followed by Boston and Portland, Oregon. Boise, Spokane, Ogden, Seattle, Providence, Tucson, and San Francisco round out the list.