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Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation

Lawmakers want to spend $1 billion on pipelines and desalination rather than asking Utahns to use less water.

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Utah officials are preparing to ask the federal government for $1 billion to support the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Salt Lake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" data-vars-content-id="3e22fb82-d552-41e6-a56c-dcd4847c26f1" data-vars-headline="Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation" 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/2024/07/10/great-salt-lake-dust-disproportionately-impacts-latinos-pacific-islanders" target="_self">Great Salt Lake</a> following President Trump&#x27;s recent statement that it&#x27;s &quot;very important&quot; to save the lake.The big picture: Republican lawmakers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looking at measures" data-vars-click-url="https://senate.utah.gov/securing-utahs-water-future/" data-vars-content-id="3e22fb82-d552-41e6-a56c-dcd4847c26f1" data-vars-headline="Trump promises to refill the Great Salt Lake as Utah leaders poo-pooh conservation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://senate.utah.gov/securing-utahs-water-future/" target="_blank">looking at measures</a> that sidestep asking Utahns to use less water.

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."

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.

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>.

Utah bill would undo universal ID check mandate at restaurants

The previous law that took effect Jan. 1  mandates ID checks for all alcohol sales at restaurants.

Utah lawmakers are moving to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roll back" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0059.html" data-vars-content-id="381e5f37-ed89-41fc-8cf2-1e9ec50f65ea" data-vars-headline="Utah bill would undo universal ID check mandate at restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0059.html" target="_blank">roll back</a> a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brand-new law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/05/utah-alcohol-id-law-2026" data-vars-content-id="381e5f37-ed89-41fc-8cf2-1e9ec50f65ea" data-vars-headline="Utah bill would undo universal ID check mandate at restaurants" 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/2026/01/05/utah-alcohol-id-law-2026" target="_self">brand-new law</a> that requires restaurants to the check IDs of every customer who orders alcohol — no matter their age.State of play: The universal ID requirement, which took effect Jan. 1, was included in the state&#x27;s annual alcohol omnibus bill aimed at curbing underage drinking.

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.

Salt Lake City airport operations steady as shutdown enters Week 3

Major airports across the country are feeling staffing strains two weeks into the shutdown.

With the U.S. government shutdown heading into its third week, services at Salt Lake City International Airport are still running &quot;smoothly,&quot; according to a spokesperson for the airport.Why it matters: Staff <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" data-vars-content-id="96488870-2af6-476b-b913-5dd7b3ee06c2" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City airport operations steady as shutdown enters Week 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/government-shutdown-airports-flight-delays-air-traffic" target="_self">shortages</a> at major airports are worsening as the federal government shutdown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drags on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/14/senate-democrats-private-government-shutdown-meetings" data-vars-content-id="96488870-2af6-476b-b913-5dd7b3ee06c2" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake City airport operations steady as shutdown enters Week 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/14/senate-democrats-private-government-shutdown-meetings" target="_self">drags on</a>, forcing employees to work without pay and causing flight delays and cancellations.

Salt Lake County's car dependence leaves walkers and bikers behind

Salt Lake City's unusually wide streets can discourage walking and biking.

A new transportation study showcases Salt Lake County&#x27;s overwhelming reliance on cars.Why it matters: Walking and biking can be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthier alternatives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/06/walking-wandering-health-flaneur" data-vars-content-id="c7cb6355-ba2a-4286-9731-545113ea357c" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake County&#x27;s car dependence leaves walkers and bikers behind" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/06/walking-wandering-health-flaneur" target="_self">healthier alternatives</a>, while communities designed for people rather than cars can have less air pollution, better neighborhood connectivity and other benefits.

Transit 🚗

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

Salt Lake City's east-west travel gap persists

Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City