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ICE watchdogs chortle as MAGA Sen. Mike Lee deletes post linking masks to cartels

"Cartel hitmen wear masks," Lee said of footage of veiled attackers. "Leftists aren't complaining."

News

In a now-deleted X post on Sunday, Sen. Mike Lee appeared to compare masks worn by ICE agents to those worn by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cartels setting fire to a gas station in Mexico" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" data-vars-content-id="8b6b1b86-e7bc-4d31-8227-fc3bf48f76ba" data-vars-headline="ICE watchdogs chortle as MAGA Sen. Mike Lee deletes post linking masks to cartels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-drug-lord-killed" target="_self">cartels setting fire to a gas station in Mexico</a>.The intrigue: The comparison directly — if temporarily — contradicted the Trump administration&#x27;s defense of immigration agents&#x27; concealment of their identities during raids, arrests and other public actions.

Utah measles cases rise as new exposures reported

Almost 60 new cases were reported in the past three weeks.

Health

As measles case counts increase, Utah health officials are warning of new possible exposure incidents across the state.By the numbers: The state health department has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confirmed" data-vars-click-url="https://files.epi.utah.gov/Utah%20measles%20dashboard.html" data-vars-content-id="df761057-f3e9-4acc-8bf5-d45c8afbd45b" data-vars-headline="Utah measles cases rise as new exposures reported" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files.epi.utah.gov/Utah%20measles%20dashboard.html" target="_blank">confirmed</a> 300 measles cases in Utah during the outbreaks that began in 2025.

Colorado River cuts loom after states miss deal

The seven Colorado River Basin states missed a key federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement.

The seven Colorado River Basin states missed a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" data-vars-content-id="4baac60f-b299-46a1-96f6-8b56471c417e" data-vars-headline="Colorado River cuts loom after states miss deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" target="_self">federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement</a>, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now likely to impose a solution of its own.Why it matters: The Colorado River is a vital source of municipal water for residents living along the Wasatch Front, and beyond and federal intervention could mean forcing mandatory cuts.

Most Utahns don't support Christian nationalism

Christian nationalism is deeply entrenched inside today's Republican Party, according to the survey.

Less than one-third of Utahns <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hold Christian nationalist beliefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" 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/2024/03/11/utah-republican-christian-nationalism-view-politics" target="_self">hold Christian nationalist beliefs</a>, according to a sweeping 50-state survey by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.Why it matters: The once-fringe ideology holds that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to strict fundamentalist Christian values, even as the country becomes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="less religious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" data-vars-content-id="5158a0e6-9106-40b5-811a-a886eb215a81" data-vars-headline="Most Utahns don&#x27;t support Christian nationalism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/26/great-unchurching-america-religiously-unaffiliated" target="_self">less religious</a>.

SLC weekend events: Anime, Spring Festival and 37 bands at once

Things to Do

There&#x27;s lots to do this weekend in SLC.<ul><li>Here are some of the hoe downs and hootenannies that look especially fun.</li></ul>

SLC weekend events: Oysters at Melancholy and Nightmare on 13th

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, Friday the 13th, or just looking for a reason to get out, here's your weekend guide.

Whether you&#x27;re celebrating Cupid&#x27;s Day, Friday the 13th, or just looking for a reason to get out, here&#x27;s what&#x27;s happening in and around Salt Lake City.

SLC's Broadway movie theater installing new seats

The independent movie theater is giving cinephiles a butt-kissing.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s cinephiles can soon lean back and relax. Driving the news: The Salt Lake Film Society is in the process of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replacing the old-timey seats" data-vars-click-url="https://slfs.org/best-seat/" data-vars-content-id="73a7c31c-e757-4b7d-bea2-3298297b18cb" data-vars-headline="SLC&#x27;s Broadway movie theater installing new seats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://slfs.org/best-seat/" target="_blank">replacing the old-timey seats</a> at Broadway Centre Cinemas.

SLC weekend: Olympics watch party, Valentine's Tea and Frida film

It's not Valentine's Day weekend yet, but that doesn't mean you can't start celebrating early.

It&#x27;s not yet Valentine&#x27;s Day weekend, but why not start celebrating early?<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s happening in and around Salt Lake City this weekend:</li></ul>

Salt Lake City restaurants roll out Valentine's Day specials

Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday, which means restaurants will fill reservations much earlier.

Valentine&#x27;s Day, one of the busiest dining nights of the year, is quickly approaching, allowing Salt Lake City to flex prix-fixe menus and sweetheart specials.Threat level: Feb. 14 falls on a Saturday this year, meaning restaurants are expected to fill reservations much earlier.

Salt Lake weekend events: DinoFest, shrooms and boogie at the Capitol

An intro to Handel, sketching Main Street and an early "Groundhog Day."

There&#x27;s a huge variety of fun things to do this weekend in and around Salt Lake.🍄 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="In the Beehive" data-vars-click-url="https://inthebeehive.com/" data-vars-content-id="f0a0db58-6ac0-4eee-8437-03c59a6228ce" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: DinoFest, shrooms and boogie at the Capitol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://inthebeehive.com/" target="_blank">In the Beehive</a>, celebrates psychedelics with music, dance, art, digital media, speakers and more Friday and Saturday at The Gateway. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://psychedelicsinthebeehive2026.sched.com/" data-vars-content-id="f0a0db58-6ac0-4eee-8437-03c59a6228ce" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: DinoFest, shrooms and boogie at the Capitol" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://psychedelicsinthebeehive2026.sched.com/" target="_blank">Tickets</a>

"High School Musical," reviewed: 20 years later

I dodged this bullet for two decades, despite living a mile from East High School.

I made it<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 20 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/high-school-musical-twenty-year-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="e758f821-34c9-40c7-93ce-a5cfceae0067" data-vars-headline="&quot;High School Musical,&quot; reviewed: 20 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/high-school-musical-twenty-year-anniversary" target="_self"> 20 years</a> without seeing &quot;High School Musical,&quot; despite living a mile from East High.The intrigue: Even as a one-time theater kid who memorized multiple Original Broadway Cast two-cassette recordings, I thought it looked too painfully teeny-bopper when it came out in 2006.

Salt Lake weekend events: Fencing, samba and a gluten-free market

From authentic baroque music to KPop Demon Hunters fan art, there's something for everyone.

Here are some intriguing events to check out this weekend in and around SLC:🗡️ <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="En garde! " data-vars-click-url="https://fie.org/articles/1567" data-vars-content-id="9e9f0eae-09b4-4423-8b20-5c3edcd06052" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Fencing, samba and a gluten-free market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fie.org/articles/1567" target="_blank">En garde! </a>The FIE sabre fencing World Cup is underway now through Sunday at the Salt Palace. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://app.betterunite.com/usafencing-absolutefencinggearfiesaberworldcupticketing" data-vars-content-id="9e9f0eae-09b4-4423-8b20-5c3edcd06052" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Fencing, samba and a gluten-free market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.betterunite.com/usafencing-absolutefencinggearfiesaberworldcupticketing" target="_blank">Tickets</a>

If you hate escape rooms, Salt Lake's Himitsu Station is for you

This mysterious Tokyo subway station changes the game in all the right ways.

Snacks, animatronics and elaborate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/himitsustation/followers/mutualOnly" data-vars-content-id="7d368729-ff10-43af-a7a9-279f25f2e5b0" data-vars-headline="If you hate escape rooms, Salt Lake&#x27;s Himitsu Station is for you" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/himitsustation/followers/mutualOnly" target="_blank">sets</a> make the Tokyo-themed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Himitsu Station" data-vars-click-url="https://himitsustation.resova.us/" data-vars-content-id="7d368729-ff10-43af-a7a9-279f25f2e5b0" data-vars-headline="If you hate escape rooms, Salt Lake&#x27;s Himitsu Station is for you" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://himitsustation.resova.us/" target="_blank">Himitsu Station</a> a standout in Salt Lake&#x27;s escape room scene.<ul><li>But it&#x27;s the rules of this game that make the popular newish attraction a great reentry into the polarizing craze of the 2010s.</li></ul>

Salt Lake weekend events: Chinese New Year, improv and museum ghosts

From the Wasatch Improv Fest to hot springs under the moon, there's something for everyone.

A lot is happening in and around SLC this weekend. <ul><li>Here are some events that intrigued us:</li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

SLC weekend events: Anime, Spring Festival and 37 bands at once

SLC weekend events: Oysters at Melancholy and Nightmare on 13th

SLC's Broadway movie theater installing new seats

SLC weekend: Olympics watch party, Valentine's Tea and Frida film

Salt Lake City restaurants roll out Valentine's Day specials