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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 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.

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>.

A "toddler rave" is coming to Salt Lake

Put your hands in the air, like a little teapot.

Picture this: A concert venue filled with glow sticks, dance beats — and tiny hands in the air.<ul><li>That&#x27;s coming to Salt Lake on Oct. 21, when Australian DJ Lenny Pearce brings his &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toddler Rave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/toddler-rave-lenny-pearce-tour-what-is" data-vars-content-id="2e16720e-5d11-43f2-bf2e-a98109baae42" data-vars-headline="A &quot;toddler rave&quot; is coming to Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/21/toddler-rave-lenny-pearce-tour-what-is" target="_self">Toddler Rave</a>&quot; to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rockwell at The Complex" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7Pt-y?landing=c" data-vars-content-id="2e16720e-5d11-43f2-bf2e-a98109baae42" data-vars-headline="A &quot;toddler rave&quot; is coming to Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7Pt-y?landing=c" target="_blank">Rockwell at The Complex</a>.</li></ul>

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Salt Lake City

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="4058161a-9bed-45ab-9c41-2e99e20b3092" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Salt Lake City&#x27;s Sugar House neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Tower of Terror sees attendance rise as audiences flock to horror movies

Attendance for the annual event has grown 35% between 2022 and 2025.

Broadway Centre Cinemas&#x27; annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tower of Terror horror film series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/15/tower-of-terror-horror-film-lineup-2025-halloween" data-vars-content-id="2fc78e33-fb82-4073-b73d-c54527db5b58" data-vars-headline="Tower of Terror sees attendance rise as audiences flock to horror movies" 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/2025/08/15/tower-of-terror-horror-film-lineup-2025-halloween" target="_self">Tower of Terror horror film series</a> is pulling bigger crowds as horror goes mainstream. Why it matters: The genre is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drawing more moviegoers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/studios-bet-horror-films-reanimate-cinemas-2025-07-05/" data-vars-content-id="2fc78e33-fb82-4073-b73d-c54527db5b58" data-vars-headline="Tower of Terror sees attendance rise as audiences flock to horror movies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/studios-bet-horror-films-reanimate-cinemas-2025-07-05/" target="_blank">drawing more moviegoers</a> and earning new respect from critics after decades of being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dismissed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kcrw.com/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/stories/sinners-nabs-record-16-oscar-noms-has-horror-finally-found-respect" data-vars-content-id="2fc78e33-fb82-4073-b73d-c54527db5b58" data-vars-headline="Tower of Terror sees attendance rise as audiences flock to horror movies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kcrw.com/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/stories/sinners-nabs-record-16-oscar-noms-has-horror-finally-found-respect" target="_blank">dismissed</a> as lowbrow.

The FanX celebrity lineup keeps getting bigger

With Gene Simmons on the guest list, it's stranger than fiction.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FanX" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/25/fanx-guide-best-panels-celebrity-events" data-vars-content-id="af864059-e0ae-4269-bd10-8b9f15484c3c" data-vars-headline="The FanX celebrity lineup keeps getting bigger" 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/2025/09/25/fanx-guide-best-panels-celebrity-events" target="_self">FanX</a> is bringing a galaxy&#x27;s worth of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stars" data-vars-click-url="https://fanxsaltlake.com/guests/" data-vars-content-id="af864059-e0ae-4269-bd10-8b9f15484c3c" data-vars-headline="The FanX celebrity lineup keeps getting bigger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fanxsaltlake.com/guests/" target="_blank">stars</a> to Salt Lake this weekend, with a guest lineup that has fully escaped niche-fandom containment.Why it matters: The appearance of more Hollywood A-listers is broadening the notion of &quot;fandom&quot; at FanX beyond tight-knit, sometimes-elitist communities that recite deep cuts and debate the limits of &quot;canon.&quot;

Park City welcomes new Canopy by Hilton hotel at Deer Valley

It includes 180 rooms, four food and drink options and direct access to the Jordanelle Express Gondola.

Skiers have a new place to stay in Park City just in time for winter fun.Driving the news: Utah&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Canopy by Hilton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/canopy-by-hilton/" data-vars-content-id="7699db03-2939-47b3-b787-07aaac925162" data-vars-headline="Park City welcomes new Canopy by Hilton hotel at Deer Valley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/canopy-by-hilton/" target="_blank">Canopy by Hilton</a> recently opened at the base of Deer Valley, bringing a new boutique hotel to the posh resort town.

Former laundromat gets new life as Avenues tea and coffee house

The cozy cafe, which specializes in tea, sits inside a 1907 industrial building.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gramercy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gramercyhouseslc.com/" data-vars-content-id="60d835bf-4c21-42f2-9658-f0a9b0634874" data-vars-headline="Former laundromat gets new life as Avenues tea and coffee house" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gramercyhouseslc.com/" target="_blank">Gramercy</a>, an ivy-covered tea house that was once a laundromat, opened this week in Salt Lake City&#x27;s Avenues neighborhood.The vibe: The cafe sits inside a 1907 industrial building, warmed by exposed brick, multi-pane windows and paper lanterns. It also includes an outdoor patio.

Where to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Utah

The monthlong celebration honors Latino heritage, culture and history in the U.S.

Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, with events around the Salt Lake Valley celebrating Latino culture and history in the U.S.Why it matters: Latinos are one of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing demographic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ksl.com/article/51548825/the-main-motor-latinos-accounted-for-nearly-half-of-utahs-growth-from-2020-to-2025" data-vars-content-id="89944850-0d2c-454c-9e22-990bc938a47b" data-vars-headline="Where to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ksl.com/article/51548825/the-main-motor-latinos-accounted-for-nearly-half-of-utahs-growth-from-2020-to-2025" target="_blank">fastest-growing demographic</a> groups, representing nearly 1 in 5 Utahns.

Your guide to spooky season in Salt Lake

Your guide to the best spooky season attractions in town.

Salt Lake&#x27;s Halloween attractions are launching earlier and earlier, with most of the biggies opening this weekend. Why it matters: Halloween is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="so big" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/10/29/utah-trick-or-treaters-halloween" data-vars-content-id="fac7a836-a722-4574-b060-53ecc4a8108e" data-vars-headline="Your guide to spooky season in Salt Lake" 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/2024/10/29/utah-trick-or-treaters-halloween" target="_self">so big</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/07/01/rocky-mountain-haunters-slc-halloween-utah" data-vars-content-id="fac7a836-a722-4574-b060-53ecc4a8108e" data-vars-headline="Your guide to spooky season in Salt Lake" 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/2025/07/01/rocky-mountain-haunters-slc-halloween-utah" target="_self">Utah</a> that it&#x27;s hard to fit all the fun into one month.

Why you should visit the Creative Arts building at the Utah State Fair

With treasures like Masking Tape Godzilla and Lego Jesus, it's the best show in town.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Creative Arts category" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/08/23/utah-state-fair-entries-creative-arts-food-agriculture" data-vars-content-id="abe064c6-f850-4fae-ac3a-d9f78c41bb7c" data-vars-headline="Why you should visit the Creative Arts building at the Utah State Fair" 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/2023/08/23/utah-state-fair-entries-creative-arts-food-agriculture" target="_self">Creative Arts category</a> at the Utah State Fair once again produced a cornucopia of inspiration, with arts, crafts and assorted curiosities like ugly babies:<figure><img alt="Grotesque puppet head with many eyes and a toothy mouth, suspended by a black arc frame; a purple Utah State Fair ribbon rests in front against a light wall." height="2268" id="fb2fb22a-a8c4-4026-986b-1e541fd4d6a4" src="https://images.axios.com/8EXzz3yUdDdeTaQxcbF1vLy9hQs=/2026/09/17/1789682067682.jpeg" width="2268"/><figcaption>A sculpture aptly labeled, &quot;ANOMALOUS OBJECT.&quot; Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>A roadside game of thrones:

Things to Do 🗓

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

A "toddler rave" is coming to Salt Lake

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Salt Lake City

Tower of Terror sees attendance rise as audiences flock to horror movies

The FanX celebrity lineup keeps getting bigger