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Utah reserves firing squad option as doubts rise over lethal injection

If Tennessee's botched execution ends lethal injection, Utah law spells out the state's backup plan.

News

Tennessee&#x27;s failed attempt to execute Christa Pike is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renewing scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/christa-pike-lethal-injections-drugs-pentobarbital" data-vars-content-id="672fa963-6b42-43b9-9802-ba1790df637c" data-vars-headline="Utah reserves firing squad option as doubts rise over lethal injection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/christa-pike-lethal-injections-drugs-pentobarbital" target="_self">renewing scrutiny</a> of lethal injection — but Utah law still reserves the firing squad as a backup plan.Why it matters: Lethal injection is Utah&#x27;s primary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="execution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/09/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-death-penalty-gary-gilmore-ron-lafferty" data-vars-content-id="672fa963-6b42-43b9-9802-ba1790df637c" data-vars-headline="Utah reserves firing squad option as doubts rise over lethal injection" 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/2026/07/09/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-death-penalty-gary-gilmore-ron-lafferty" target="_self">execution</a> method, used for five of the state&#x27;s eight executions since the U.S. Supreme Court approved the death penalty 50 years ago.

Utah voters to weigh 60% threshold for some citizen initiatives

Amendment B would require 60% voter approval for ballot initiatives that raise taxes.

A Republican-backed constitutional amendment on the November ballot could make it harder to pass <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="citizen-led ballot initiatives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/04/28/utah-ballot-referendum-signatures-difficult" data-vars-content-id="6da121a9-c4c9-46da-8ac2-4a9900256f44" data-vars-headline="Utah voters to weigh 60% threshold for some citizen initiatives" 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/2025/04/28/utah-ballot-referendum-signatures-difficult" target="_self">citizen-led ballot initiatives</a> that raise taxes.Why it matters: Critics say Amendment B would dilute Utahns&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voting power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/09/16/utah-mail-elections-2026-changes" data-vars-content-id="6da121a9-c4c9-46da-8ac2-4a9900256f44" data-vars-headline="Utah voters to weigh 60% threshold for some citizen initiatives" 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/2026/09/16/utah-mail-elections-2026-changes" target="_self">voting power</a>.

Utah is about to enter its bagel era

Jeff's Bagel Run is betting big on the Beehive State, with plans to open 15 stores in northern Utah.

Culture

Utah&#x27;s emerging bagel scene is about to get bigger with the arrival of two national chains.The big picture: Utah has long been known for being a bagel desert, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" 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">Salt Lake City</a> shops like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bagel Project" data-vars-click-url="https://bagelproject.com/" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bagelproject.com/" target="_blank">The Bagel Project</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baby&#x27;s Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.babysbagels.com/" data-vars-content-id="c3aad4fa-7431-4843-89a3-2c6dc9a5db2f" data-vars-headline="Utah is about to enter its bagel era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.babysbagels.com/" target="_blank">Baby&#x27;s Bagels</a> have helped change that with their New York-style varieties.

Salt Lake City to celebrate the 9th & 9th whale's new look

The new mural by local artist Jiyoun Lee-Lodge is inspired by the Great Salt Lake and Utah's open skies.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9th &amp; 9th whale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/02/the-slc-whale-new-mural" data-vars-content-id="008cead4-6d96-4324-8d6a-d731152909ab" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City to celebrate the 9th &amp; 9th whale&#x27;s new look" 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/2026/08/02/the-slc-whale-new-mural" target="_self">9th &amp; 9th whale</a> is making a splash with a new look.State of play: Salt Lake City is holding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Whale Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://publicart.slc.gov/whale-fest-2026/" data-vars-content-id="008cead4-6d96-4324-8d6a-d731152909ab" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City to celebrate the 9th &amp; 9th whale&#x27;s new look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publicart.slc.gov/whale-fest-2026/" target="_blank">Whale Fest</a> from 2-7pm Saturday to celebrate the landlocked whale&#x27;s new mural.

Fans can help pick businesses for downtown sports district

Construction on downtown's future sports district is expected to begin next year.

Feel strongly about which local businesses belong in downtown&#x27;s future sports and entertainment district? There&#x27;s a survey for that.Driving the news: Ryan Smith, the owner of the Utah Jazz and Mammoth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launched a survey" data-vars-click-url="https://qualtrics.teamseg.com/jfe/form/SV_8nOB2bTAEWmV1Cm" data-vars-content-id="2abc079a-a552-42a7-91e6-88202bb8428e" data-vars-headline="Fans can help pick businesses for downtown sports district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://qualtrics.teamseg.com/jfe/form/SV_8nOB2bTAEWmV1Cm" target="_blank">launched a survey</a> Wednesday asking fans what local shops and restaurants they&#x27;d like to see in the upcoming development.

Your names for Salt Lake's potential MLB team

Readers have big dreams, from the Red Tails to the Brine Flies.

Sports

With Salt Lake <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently ranking near the top" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/09/14/how-mlb-s-expansion-timeline-gives-salt-lake-an-edge" data-vars-content-id="b769be36-d5c5-4928-96f0-a4dc1cd97af1" data-vars-headline="Your names for Salt Lake&#x27;s potential MLB team" 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/2026/09/14/how-mlb-s-expansion-timeline-gives-salt-lake-an-edge" target="_self">consistently ranking near the top</a> of Major League Baseball&#x27;s projected expansion markets, we asked what you thought our home team should be called.<ul><li>You had lots of thoughts — and reader Natalie P. even sent the above mockups for logos to accompany her suggestions! </li></ul>

How MLB's expansion timeline gives Salt Lake an edge

SLC has a site, public funding and, crucially, an experienced team owner.

Major League Baseball is closer to making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/07/23/salt-lake-city-nashville-major-league-baseball-expansion" data-vars-content-id="ba808a3e-0a25-446c-a1d5-d7a207aa0939" data-vars-headline="How MLB&#x27;s expansion timeline gives Salt Lake an edge" 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/2025/07/23/salt-lake-city-nashville-major-league-baseball-expansion" target="_self">expansion plans</a> now that its high-priority location decisions for existing teams are squared away.Why it matters: The more imminent MLB expansion becomes, the likelier Salt Lake is to become home to one of two new pending teams, ESPN&#x27;s Jeff Passan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49863028/mlb-expansion-favorites-candidates-salt-lake-city-nashville-montreal-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="ba808a3e-0a25-446c-a1d5-d7a207aa0939" data-vars-headline="How MLB&#x27;s expansion timeline gives Salt Lake an edge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49863028/mlb-expansion-favorites-candidates-salt-lake-city-nashville-montreal-raleigh" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Meet Utah's viral hitchhiking golfer

The rising Instagram star offers members $500 for a chance to beat him on the green.

A Utah man is going viral on Instagram trying to mooch his way onto every private golf course in the state.State of play: Cal Norton, AKA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Club Hitchhiker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/countryclubhitchhiker/reels/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="38a7c8f5-fda3-4910-9295-fd930ed7653d" data-vars-headline="Meet Utah&#x27;s viral hitchhiking golfer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/countryclubhitchhiker/reels/?hl=en" target="_blank">Country Club Hitchhiker</a>, is getting millions of views as he tries to tag along with members of Utah&#x27;s country clubs.

How the Lakers' $12.5B sale could impact the Jazz's value

The Los Angeles Lakers' $12.5 billion price tag could lift the value of other NBA teams

The Los Angeles Lakers&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$12.5 billion valuation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/josh-kushner-bob-iger-lakers" data-vars-content-id="e73c3bff-e994-48ce-af5c-6da703129fa0" data-vars-headline="How the Lakers&#x27; $12.5B sale could impact the Jazz&#x27;s value" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/josh-kushner-bob-iger-lakers" target="_self">$12.5 billion valuation</a> is raising fresh questions about how much the Utah Jazz are worth since the team was last purchased almost six years ago.The big picture: Although a Jazz sale is unlikely in the near future, the Lakers&#x27; new price tag could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lift the value of other NBA teams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2026/08/13/the-los-angeles-lakers-record-125-billion-sale-resets-the-market-for-sports-teams/" data-vars-content-id="e73c3bff-e994-48ce-af5c-6da703129fa0" data-vars-headline="How the Lakers&#x27; $12.5B sale could impact the Jazz&#x27;s value" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2026/08/13/the-los-angeles-lakers-record-125-billion-sale-resets-the-market-for-sports-teams/" target="_blank">lift the value of other NBA teams</a>, according to Forbes.

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;

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.

Get to know the new Jazz roster

The Jazz have emphasized on replacing center Walker Kessler as the team finalizes its roster.

The Jazz have made big personnel moves in the past few weeks, with an emphasis on replacing center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Walker Kessler" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DajEFU0mo2p/" data-vars-content-id="f15697b8-d8f4-4e3a-81fa-f8a08cb2b628" data-vars-headline="Get to know the new Jazz roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DajEFU0mo2p/" target="_blank">Walker Kessler</a> after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nba.com/news/walker-kessler-trade-los-angeles-lakers" data-vars-content-id="f15697b8-d8f4-4e3a-81fa-f8a08cb2b628" data-vars-headline="Get to know the new Jazz roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nba.com/news/walker-kessler-trade-los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank">trading</a> him to the Lakers for future draft advantages. <ul><li>Here are the latest roster updates and why they matter: </li></ul>

RSL's Zavier Gozo makes MLS All-Star roster

Real Salt Lake may have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aced out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/11/salt-lake-city-world-cup-snub-olympics-rsl-utah" data-vars-content-id="20e2ddf3-a1a7-47f2-abc7-afe969d8e995" data-vars-headline="RSL&#x27;s Zavier Gozo makes MLS All-Star roster" 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/2026/06/11/salt-lake-city-world-cup-snub-olympics-rsl-utah" target="_self">aced out</a> of the U.S. Men&#x27;s National Soccer Team, but you can see breakout star Zavier Gozo in this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All-Star Game" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/08/charlotte-mls-all-star-2026-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="20e2ddf3-a1a7-47f2-abc7-afe969d8e995" data-vars-headline="RSL&#x27;s Zavier Gozo makes MLS All-Star roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/08/charlotte-mls-all-star-2026-world-cup" target="_self">All-Star Game</a>.Zoom in: The MLS this week announced the 29 players who were selected.

A weekend of Mexican baseball is returning for Hispanic Heritage Month

Two Mexican teams will face off Sept. 26-27 at The Ballpark at America First Square.

&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Béisbol en Salt Lake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/29/beisbol-baseball-mexico-pacific-league-hispanic-heritage-month" data-vars-content-id="47eb4bc9-401c-4509-8f66-b52233d6656e" data-vars-headline="A weekend of Mexican baseball is returning for Hispanic Heritage Month" 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/2024/07/29/beisbol-baseball-mexico-pacific-league-hispanic-heritage-month" target="_self">Béisbol en Salt Lake</a>&quot; returns to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Ballpark at America First Square" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theballparkatafs.com/" data-vars-content-id="47eb4bc9-401c-4509-8f66-b52233d6656e" data-vars-headline="A weekend of Mexican baseball is returning for Hispanic Heritage Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theballparkatafs.com/" target="_blank">The Ballpark at America First Square</a> in September for two back-to-back nights of baseball and a celebration of Latino culture.State of play: Two Mexican teams — Águilas de Mexicali and the Jaguares de Nayarit — will face off Sept. 26-27 during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Sports 🏅

Fans can help pick businesses for downtown sports district

Your names for Salt Lake's potential MLB team

How MLB's expansion timeline gives Salt Lake an edge

Meet Utah's viral hitchhiking golfer

How the Lakers' $12.5B sale could impact the Jazz's value