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Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case

Erika Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. were present at Monday's preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

News

Utah prosecutors began presenting their evidence Monday at the preliminary hearing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tyler Robinson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" target="_self">Tyler Robinson</a>, who is accused of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatally shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" 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">fatally shooting</a> conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year.Why it matters: The weeklong hearing in Provo will help Judge Tony Graf determine whether there&#x27;s enough evidence to send the case to trial in what could become one of the nation&#x27;s most-watched criminal cases.

To seek execution in Charlie Kirk's murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law

Here are the factors that have led to Utah death sentences in the past 50 years.

To get the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" 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/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" target="_self">death penalty</a> in Utah, a defendant has to commit &quot;aggravated murder&quot; — that is, a murder that&#x27;s particularly heinous, committed alongside other crimes, or involves other factors that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state law" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" target="_blank">state law</a> deems exceptional.Why it matters: At a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary hearing this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" 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/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" target="_self">preliminary hearing this week</a>, a judge is deciding whether Tyler Robinson can be charged with aggravated murder, which would make him <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eligible for the death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" target="_self">eligible for the death penalty</a> if he&#x27;s convicted in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" 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/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" target="_self">fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk </a>at UVU in September.

Why Idaho Falls is a hidden gem of the Mountain West

In this western city, the River Walk is the improbable beating heart of hometown pride.

If you&#x27;re traveling north and need a stopping point, Idaho Falls is one of the nicest surprises I&#x27;ve found in the West.The intrigue: My family got stuck there this week because our car broke down, so it shouldn&#x27;t have been fun.

Buc-ee's watch, Utah edition

Where we've been and where we're going, vis à vis the most anticipated gas station opening in Utah memory.

When marking your calendar for major events on Utah&#x27;s horizon, your mind might drift toward the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2034 Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" 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/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" target="_self">2034 Olympics</a> or next year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake Temple open house" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" 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/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" target="_self">Salt Lake Temple open house</a>.<ul><li>We are no longer convinced either of those is the real biggie, now that we&#x27;ve read our colleagues&#x27; recent reports about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> grand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" target="_self">openings</a> in other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" target="_self">states</a>. </li></ul>

Shade trees coming to major Salt Lake bike trail

The goal is to make biking cooler while the city gets hotter.

In a major green-up, Salt Lake City is planting more than 400 trees and other flora along the 9 Line bike route and future <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fleet Block" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/20/fleet-block-redevelopment-green-space-open-granary-district" data-vars-content-id="640e1649-33ee-40fe-8701-d8f8de4009e5" data-vars-headline="Shade trees coming to major Salt Lake bike trail" 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/2026/03/20/fleet-block-redevelopment-green-space-open-granary-district" target="_self">Fleet Block</a> corner park.Why it matters: Plants — especially shade trees — are increasingly crucial to making outdoor spaces hospitable as temperatures rise due to climate change.

To see the northern lights, go north

We've tried to catch the show in Utah. Try Montana instead.

Since skygazers began increasingly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="predicting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.spaceweather.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental" data-vars-content-id="9c07f0a8-4c91-4a13-919d-e7be5d943c38" data-vars-headline="To see the northern lights, go north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.spaceweather.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental" target="_blank">predicting</a> northern lights displays <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="about two years ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/11/northern-lights-solar-storm-aurora-borealis-photos" data-vars-content-id="9c07f0a8-4c91-4a13-919d-e7be5d943c38" data-vars-headline="To see the northern lights, go north" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/11/northern-lights-solar-storm-aurora-borealis-photos" target="_self">about two years ago</a>, I&#x27;ve tried and failed — repeatedly — to see them in Utah.Between the lines: It all depends on what you mean by &quot;see.&quot;

Confusion follows Utah's new fireworks restrictions

Carve-outs in Gov. Cox's order mean some cities still haven't figured out where fireworks will be allowed.

<figure><img alt="Fireworks over Salt Lake City. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios" height="450" id="6c1eb17e-7945-41e8-aa23-e90d2d83aff6" src="https://images.axios.com/6HpQmgNrHFRiUai-UQtuxuii1mI=/2026/06/26/1782500622961.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Amateur fireworks over SLC. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Utah cities are publicizing a patchwork of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fireworks bans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" 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/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" target="_self">fireworks bans</a> after Gov. Cox&#x27;s executive order changed restrictions statewide amid historic drought and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-wildfire-season-drought" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" 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/2026/05/04/utah-wildfire-season-drought" target="_self">wildfires</a>.The intrigue: Thursday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="order" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" target="_blank">order</a> is a legal shift away from Utah&#x27;s relatively permissive approach to fireworks — but they could still be allowed in some neighborhoods.

The best day hike in the Wasatch Mountains

Head up Big Cottonwood Canyon for the day hike that feels like an epic trek.

We&#x27;re kicking off the weekend with the hottest of takes: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mount Raymond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/mount-raymond-via-butler-fork-and-desolation-trail" data-vars-content-id="99eca038-9a9b-4085-8ee7-7e53c08c8609" data-vars-headline="The best day hike in the Wasatch Mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/mount-raymond-via-butler-fork-and-desolation-trail" target="_blank">Mount Raymond</a> is the best hike in the Wasatch Mountains.The big picture: There may be better hikes in Utah — but not many.

SLC weekend events: Derek Hough, lantern and vintage festivals

The Water Lantern Festival and Utah Vintage Fest are happening this weekend.

Things to Do

The weekend is here, and there&#x27;s lots to do in and around Salt Lake City.

Utahns are staking out parade spots weeks in advance

Residents are finding blankets, chairs and string barricades covering their lawns.

<figure><img alt="A newspaper photo of tents along a parade route." height="1600" id="10477a6b-7f51-43bf-bdef-11251c2fae1b" src="https://images.axios.com/VW2v-DCrQuymvMi-GFIv2YPQlBE=/2026/06/22/1782161296460.png" width="2168"/><figcaption>A photo of tents along a parade route in 2002, in the Provo Daily Herald. Photo: Dan Lund via Utah Digital Newspapers archive/University of Utah</figcaption></figure>It&#x27;s been called Utah-style <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tailgating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/SaltLakeCity/comments/w3y6e8/camping_for_days_of_47_parade/" data-vars-content-id="1d807bbe-ee99-4964-a5b1-3ed93b3b7c31" data-vars-headline="Utahns are staking out parade spots weeks in advance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SaltLakeCity/comments/w3y6e8/camping_for_days_of_47_parade/" target="_blank">tailgating</a>: street-side campouts the night before a parade to ensure a good view when the grand marshal appears in the morning. The intrigue: Around the state, parade-goers are now claiming their spots weeks in advance, sometimes littering other residents&#x27; yards with lawn chairs, blankets and literal stakes.

Salt Lake's parade schedule

From the 4th of July to town fests and Pioneer Day, we've got you covered.

Here are the parades planned in Salt Lake County this summer.

Sundance to host free screenings this summer

The summer series will showcase four films that were featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival — for free.

If you never made it to a Sundance Film Festival screening in Utah, this might be your last chance.Driving the news: Despite its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="move to Boulder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/sundance-ends-utah-run-boulder-next" data-vars-content-id="19746989-5959-4cb6-a39d-9368ab85a7de" data-vars-headline="Sundance to host free screenings this summer" 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/2026/01/29/sundance-ends-utah-run-boulder-next" target="_self">move to Boulder</a> next year, Sundance Institute is bringing back its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Local Lens Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/18/sundance-film-festival-local-lens-program-slate" data-vars-content-id="19746989-5959-4cb6-a39d-9368ab85a7de" data-vars-headline="Sundance to host free screenings this summer" 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/2025/06/18/sundance-film-festival-local-lens-program-slate" target="_self">Local Lens Program</a> this summer.

Ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah

The main event is in Ogden, but there are other parties along the Wasatch Front.

Ending slavery is something all Utahns can celebrate. <ul><li>Here&#x27;s how:</li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

Why Idaho Falls is a hidden gem of the Mountain West

Shade trees coming to major Salt Lake bike trail

To see the northern lights, go north

Confusion follows Utah's new fireworks restrictions

The best day hike in the Wasatch Mountains