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St. George's growth surge outshines Salt Lake City

St. George, long known as a retirement town, is among the fastest growing U.S. metros.

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St. George, long known as a quiet retirement haven and tourist hotspot in southern Utah, is having a moment.The big picture: It was the only metro area in the West to make the top 10 fastest-growing regions in the country, according to new census data.

"Vulgar" comments surface in the primary for Utah's new Democratic district

State Sen. Nate Blouin apologized for his disparaging past comments about Mormons and women.

Nate Blouin, a contender for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic-leaning seat, is under fire after a report chronicled online comments he wrote more than a decade ago condemning Latter-day Saints and minimizing sexual abuse.Why it matters: Blouin, a Democratic state senator, is widely <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seen as" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ksl.com/article/51476642/who-has-the-edge-in-the-democratic-race-for-utahs-new-blue-district" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ksl.com/article/51476642/who-has-the-edge-in-the-democratic-race-for-utahs-new-blue-district" target="_blank">seen as</a> the leading progressive running to the left of former Rep. Ben McAdams.<ul><li>He&#x27;s been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Maxwell Frost and Jill Tokuda, among others.</li></ul>Driving the news: Blouin&#x27;s posts from 2009 to 2015 surfaced in a Punchbowl News article Wednesday.<ul><li>They originally appeared on Reddit and some sports and outdoor rec forums when Blouin, now 36, was in his early- to mid-20s.</li></ul>What&#x27;s inside: Amid some derogatory jokes and slurs are comments that are particularly likely to inflame Latter-day Saints and women — overlapping groups that could be decisive in a Utah Democratic primary.<ul><li>Blouin in 2013 called Mormons the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" worst part" data-vars-click-url="https://search.pullpush.io/?author=nbskis&amp;type=comment&amp;q=worst:%20mormons" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://search.pullpush.io/?author=nbskis&amp;type=comment&amp;q=worst:%20mormons" target="_blank"> worst part</a> about living in Utah and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://search.pullpush.io/?author=nbskis&amp;type=comment&amp;q=parking%20lot" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://search.pullpush.io/?author=nbskis&amp;type=comment&amp;q=parking%20lot" target="_blank">said</a> he once defecated in a church parking lot.</li><li>In 2014, when a former BYU student was charged with sexual battery after 16 women reported being groped on campus, Blouin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5744144" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5744144" target="_blank">wrote</a>: &quot;while slapping girl&#x27;s [sic] asses as you run by is inappropriate, it shouldn&#x27;t land you in jail or anything by any means. people are too damn sensitive.&quot;</li></ul>In a prepared statement, Blouin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXJ5dsnCrcJ/" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXJ5dsnCrcJ/" target="_blank">wrote</a>, in part: &quot;There&#x27;s no excuse for these posts — they&#x27;re vulgar, stupid, and reflect a version of me in my early twenties that I&#x27;m ashamed of and have thankfully evolved past. … I was horrified to see my use of language toward women and about a faith that my family, friends, and millions of Utahns practice.&quot;What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;These comments … are offensive and personally hurtful to us and to the people we represent,&quot; Blouin&#x27;s Democratic colleagues in the Legislature wrote in a statement that called his posts &quot;beyond unacceptable.&quot;<ul><li>Meanwhile, Michael Farrell, a Democrat who is running against Blouin, called on him to withdraw from the race.</li><li>Salt Lake County&#x27;s Democratic Mayor Jenny Wilson advised Blouin to leave not only the race, but also public office.</li></ul>Zoom out: Blouin&#x27;s posts are circulating as Democrats nationally try to show the party is more committed than Republicans to holding members accountable for past wrongs — especially as the Trump administration has refused to release the Epstein files in full.<ul><li>Two congressmen, one of whom is a Democrat, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resigned this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/14/eric-swalwell-tony-gonzales-resign-congress" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/14/eric-swalwell-tony-gonzales-resign-congress" target="_self">resigned this week</a> after accusations of sexual misconduct.</li></ul>Yes, but: Dem voters may still prove more leery of &quot;establishment&quot; candidates — and of renewed allegations of &quot;cancel culture&quot; — than they are of skeletons in their leaders&#x27; closets.<ul><li>Case in point: In Maine, left-leaning Democrat Graham Platner is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leading the primary race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/maine-senate-primary-democrats-mills-platner" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/maine-senate-primary-democrats-mills-platner" target="_self">leading the primary race</a> despite controversy over his past <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="comments about rape" data-vars-click-url="https://wgme.com/news/local/i-am-sorry-senate-candidate-graham-platner-responds-to-attack-ad-from-mills-campaign" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wgme.com/news/local/i-am-sorry-senate-candidate-graham-platner-responds-to-attack-ad-from-mills-campaign" target="_blank">comments about rape</a> and a now-covered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tattoo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/graham-platner-tattoo-maine-senate" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/graham-platner-tattoo-maine-senate" target="_self">tattoo</a> of a Nazi emblem.</li></ul>Zoom in: Blouin&#x27;s opponent, McAdams, has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/04/15/2026-elections-is-ben-mcadams/" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/04/15/2026-elections-is-ben-mcadams/" target="_blank">struggled</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shed" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/utah-democrats-congress-progressive-mcadams-blouin-f68ef0b420f7b2f4b01a1cb64bf5fd7a" data-vars-content-id="37f1c937-062e-4421-abf3-7cc53a42be2b" data-vars-headline="&quot;Vulgar&quot; comments surface in the primary for Utah&#x27;s new Democratic district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-democrats-congress-progressive-mcadams-blouin-f68ef0b420f7b2f4b01a1cb64bf5fd7a" target="_blank">shed</a> his Blue Dog reputation after branding himself a centrist Democrat during his 2019-2021 term, when he represented a district that was far less blue than the one he&#x27;s running in now.The bottom line: Democrats running for Utah&#x27;s new 1st District may have a wide leftward berth, but it doesn&#x27;t mean voters will forgive disparaging remarks against two core constituencies.Editor&#x27;s note: This story has been updated with a comment from Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.

UVU faces GOP backlash over graduation speaker Sharon McMahon

The state's largest university is already under fire for its handling of campus security at Charlie Kirk's rally last September.

Utah Valley University is facing intensifying Republican scrutiny over this year&#x27;s commencement speaker, author Sharon McMahon, due to her past remarks about slain MAGA podcaster Charlie Kirk.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s largest university is already under fire for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="handling of campus security" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-security-utah-valley-university-85cefc5ef2a64d3c33ebea6a444e0c52" data-vars-content-id="a73662da-7921-456b-98b3-d23296d64dd7" data-vars-headline="UVU faces GOP backlash over graduation speaker Sharon McMahon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-security-utah-valley-university-85cefc5ef2a64d3c33ebea6a444e0c52" target="_blank">handling of campus security</a> at Kirk&#x27;s rally last September, where he was assassinated.

The Mormon church platformed a wife guy. The division online was stark

Even within Mormonism, social media platforms form their own echo chambers.

Controversy broke out last week when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a testimonial from an Arizona man who is focusing on his wife&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="career" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/28/working-moms-rise-average-statistics" data-vars-content-id="45f09369-b3f1-487c-bd61-5a490c29f612" data-vars-headline="The Mormon church platformed a wife guy. The division online was stark" 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/2023/09/28/working-moms-rise-average-statistics" target="_self">career</a> in pediatric neurology.Why it matters: The church&#x27;s posts elicited hearts and praise hands — and, elsewhere, seething accusations of &quot;woke&quot; PR.

How Salt Lake City's bus stop spacing compares nationwide

When stops are spaced too far apart, transit riders face longer walks and riskier street crossings.

Salt Lake City&#x27;s bus stops are nearly three football fields apart on average, per transit data compiled by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Works in Progress" data-vars-click-url="https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-united-states-needs-fewer-bus-stops/" data-vars-content-id="cad674ee-bb13-4ee1-97db-0a134b708098" data-vars-headline="How Salt Lake City&#x27;s bus stop spacing compares nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-united-states-needs-fewer-bus-stops/" target="_blank">Works in Progress</a> transit blog.Why it matters: When stops are spaced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too far apart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/stops-spacing-location-and-design" data-vars-content-id="cad674ee-bb13-4ee1-97db-0a134b708098" data-vars-headline="How Salt Lake City&#x27;s bus stop spacing compares nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/stops-spacing-location-and-design" target="_blank">too far apart</a>, transit riders face longer walks, riskier street crossings, and barriers for people with disabilities.

Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances

The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists.

A divisive bill that would curb <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" data-vars-content-id="e9db6d87-36e3-4f39-956a-11c74db5e30c" data-vars-headline="Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances" 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/2026/02/09/salt-lake-city-transportation-bill-utah-legislature" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s ability to add traffic-calming measures</a> on major roads without state sign-off cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday.Why it matters: The proposal would make it harder for Salt Lake City leaders to design streets that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, like those with dedicated bus or bike lanes, and instead encourage car-focused projects.

Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among North America's best

The SLC airport received high marks for performance and cleanliness.

Salt Lake City International Airport is among the best-performing airports in North America, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://aci.aero/programs-and-services/asq/asq-customer-experience-awards/#asq-awards" data-vars-content-id="bd80ab58-b76d-4abf-b4bc-37767b27d3df" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among North America&#x27;s best" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aci.aero/programs-and-services/asq/asq-customer-experience-awards/#asq-awards" target="_blank">2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards</a>, announced this week.State of play: The airport received honors for:

Republican lawmakers seek more control over Salt Lake City traffic projects

This is the second year in a row the Utah Legislature has made moves to limit the city's ability to make road changes.

State legislators proposed an expansive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation bill" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0242.html" data-vars-content-id="e3d2a715-5d91-4815-8928-261d5a17d0a6" data-vars-headline="Republican lawmakers seek more control over Salt Lake City traffic projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0242.html" target="_blank">transportation bill</a> last week that could further restrict Salt Lake City&#x27;s autonomy over street planning.Why it matters: This is the second year in a row the Utah Legislature has made moves to limit SLC&#x27;s ability to make road changes such as installing bike lanes or reducing lanes of traffic on highways.

What Delta's grip in Salt Lake City means for airfare

A lack of airline competition is sending Salt Lake City fares soaring, according to a travel analyst.

With some January round-trip fares between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City ballooning to $1,000, Delta Air Lines flights are increasingly out of reach for many travelers in Utah&#x27;s capital.Why it matters: It&#x27;s an extreme example of what travel analyst Kyle Potter calls the &quot;hub penalty&quot; that travelers pay for Delta&#x27;s dominance in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City's east-west travel gap persists

The east-west split has persisted for decades, reinforced by physical barriers like the I-15 freeway and adjacent railroad tracks.

Salt Lake City transportation officials released new findings from an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/20/east-west-travel-divide-resident-survey" data-vars-content-id="3cb00834-0ff7-4d3a-935c-1ee72e26d9e2" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s east-west travel gap persists" 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/2025/05/20/east-west-travel-divide-resident-survey" target="_self">ongoing study</a> that lays out how the city&#x27;s entrenched east–west divide continues to disrupt daily travel for residents.The big picture: The split has persisted for decades, reinforced by physical barriers like the I-15 freeway and adjacent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="railroad tracks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/09/27/freight-train-stopped-infrastructure-city-council" data-vars-content-id="3cb00834-0ff7-4d3a-935c-1ee72e26d9e2" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City&#x27;s east-west travel gap persists" 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/2023/09/27/freight-train-stopped-infrastructure-city-council" target="_self">railroad tracks</a> that cut through the city.

Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City

"Women Preferences" joins Lyft's "Women+ Connect" service amid safety concerns.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Uber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" target="_self">Uber</a> is rolling out its Women Preferences tool in Salt Lake, the ride-hailing company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" target="_blank">announced</a> Wednesday.Why it matters: Safety and comfort have long been top concerns for women who use rideshare services, both as riders and as drivers.

Utahns are spending more time stuck in traffic

Smaller cities like St. George and Ogden more than doubled their yearly hours fuming in fumes.

It&#x27;s not just you: Utahns are spending more time than ever <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stuck in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="a5286f8d-17a4-4ffe-b3f6-eab2db274d1e" data-vars-headline="Utahns are spending more time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">stuck in traffic</a>, a new report finds.Why it matters: The findings put some hard data behind a common feeling among many drivers: Traffic has gotten <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" data-vars-content-id="a5286f8d-17a4-4ffe-b3f6-eab2db274d1e" data-vars-headline="Utahns are spending more time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" target="_self">worse</a> — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="a5286f8d-17a4-4ffe-b3f6-eab2db274d1e" data-vars-headline="Utahns are spending more time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

SLC airport unveils luxury lounges, concessions in latest expansion

The growing Salt Lake City airport just welcomed high-end lounges, new gates and local businesses.

The Salt Lake City International Airport&#x27;s $5.1 billion <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/11/02/airport-restaurant-concourse-a-burger-mexican" data-vars-content-id="f7890924-864f-4e4b-9b4d-d37de2b8baca" data-vars-headline="SLC airport unveils luxury lounges, concessions in latest expansion" 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/2023/11/02/airport-restaurant-concourse-a-burger-mexican" target="_self">overhaul</a>, which began five years ago, is inching closer to the finish line.Driving the news: The airport unveiled two luxury lounges, six new concessions and 10 fresh gates in Concourse B all this week — marking another major step toward the project&#x27;s full completion in October 2026.

Report: SLC lane cuts had little impact on traffic

The issue sparked wide debate this past legislative session.

A state transportation report revealed that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake City&#x27;s lane reduction projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/08/22/salt-lake-city-funding-parks-streets-upgrades-projects" data-vars-content-id="85c9c87e-0da0-44e1-86c3-6cb705968481" data-vars-headline="Report: SLC lane cuts had little impact on traffic" 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/2025/08/22/salt-lake-city-funding-parks-streets-upgrades-projects" target="_self">Salt Lake City&#x27;s lane reduction projects</a> completed over the past decade have had little effect on traffic patterns.Why it matters: The findings by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) could invite more scrutiny from state lawmakers and spur action to assert further control over city roads.

Transit 🚗

How Salt Lake City's bus stop spacing compares nationwide

Utah bill to limit traffic calming in Salt Lake City advances

Salt Lake City International Airport ranks among North America's best

Republican lawmakers seek more control over Salt Lake City traffic projects

What Delta's grip in Salt Lake City means for airfare