Utah is "favorably" positioned to host the 2030 or 2034 Winter Olympics, a report released yesterday suggests.

Driving the news: The 12-page report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute outlines the environmental, social and demographic factors associated with Salt Lake City playing host to another Winter Games.

The intrigue: SLC hosted the Winter Games in 2002, and community members and athletes still use Olympic facilities built for the international sporting event.

• The report indicates that negative environmental impacts associated with the games would be curbed by not requiring the construction of new facilities, per the report.

Details: The state's culture of volunteerism and charitable giving could offer positive social impacts, researchers said in the report.

• In 2002, thousands of volunteers at the Olympics contributed to an estimated $69 to $92 million in savings, playing "a significant role in the Games’ economic success and financial surplus," according to the report.
• Hosting another Olympics would attract between 6,000 to 7,000 first-time volunteers in Utah.

By the numbers: A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted in late January found 82% of respondents favored Utah hosting another Winter Games.

What's next: During a presentation of the report's findings, Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, said the IOC will meet in October and next summer, which could provide more clarity on SLC’s bid.

• Although the committee’s bid is to host in 2030, 2034 is preferred to avoid overlap with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Go deeper

Invoices show a private company is making hundreds of millions of dollars managing reservations for federal recreation sites, a FOX 13 investigation found.

Driving the news: The U.S. government has paid Booz Allen $140 million since 2018 to run Recreation.gov, the website that controls reservations for federal campgrounds, tickets to national park events and permits to visit fragile sites like The Wave near Kanab, FOX 13 reported.

• That's far more than what federal officials estimated the contract would be worth — $182 million —over 10 years.

The latest: Visitors are suing Booz Allen, alleging the company is illegally charging add-on fees for access to public lands.

• One plaintiff says the company charged $8 in "junk fees" to camp at Tony Grove in Logan Canyon, for example.
• Booz Allen told National Parks Traveler the allegations are "grossly inaccurate."

Zoom in: A Moab resident told FOX 13 she's paid over $300 in recent years to enter lotteries for river rafting permits in Utah and other nearby states — but hasn't won a single permit.

Of note: Booz Allen uses email alerts to drive users to book more reservations, including ones that are already hard to get.

• Federal recreation officials told FOX 13 that while Booz Allen may market reservations, the land agencies have final approval on advertising — and they don't allow the company to encourage reservations just to make money.

👎 Sen. Mitt Romney voted "no" and Sen. Mike Lee did not vote yesterday on the Equal Rights Amendment, which failed to surpass the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster. (KUER)

❗️ State geologists are monitoring more than 100 areas for landslide risk — most near residential neighborhoods. (KUTV)

🍼 A nursery for babies born at the new Utah State Prison remains closed a year after it was built because state lawmakers denied funding. (Salt Lake Tribune)

• Legislators cited concerns with oversight after audits showed shortcomings in the prison's health care.

Spring is the perfect time for a trip to southern Utah, but it can be a long haul.

• Fortunately, there are lots of fun stops on the way.

👋 Erin here! My family is heading south to go camping this weekend. These are some of our favorite stops:

Interstate 15

Scipio Flying J petting zoo

The truck stop hosts a free petting zoo with a camel, peacocks, ducks, mini-cows, goats and other critters on weekends until Memorial Day, when it opens all week for summer.

• If a goat shows particular interest in you, enjoy the cuteness but mind your belongings; they are intrepid snack-finders.

Meadow hot springs and lava tubes

The hot springs have gotten busy in recent years, but the sapphire water makes for a fun and surreal swim in a remote cow pasture.

• The lava tubes take longer than the springs to explore but are amazing if you have an extra couple of hours and a high-clearance vehicle.

U.S. Highways 6 and 191 toward Moab

Prehistoric Museum

USU's Price Campus has dino fossils, ancient art, children's activities and a full-scale replica cliff dwelling.

• Admission: $6 with discounts for kids and others.

John Wesley Powell Museum

Stop in Green River to check out the clunky lil' boats Powell and others used to navigate the mighty rivers of the west.

• Admission: $7 with discounts for kids and others.

🗣️ Tell us: What are your favorite side trips, sights and pit stops when you travel to our southern deserts?

More here

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Want to get out of your house this weekend? We got you covered:

Spring Art Market

Launched in 1994, this market features affordable arts and crafts made by Utah artists.

When: Friday and Saturday from 10am–7pm

Where: Woodbine Office Building

Cost: No tickets are required

Art Meets Fashion Runway

The event will feature runway collections from local and international designers, as well as art installations and live performances.

When: Saturday from 7pm–11pm

Where: Clubhouse

Cost: Tickets start at $80

Homestyle Dinner Rolls + Swerved By Blondes

Watch two Utah rock bands perform live at this intimate music venue.

When: Saturday at 7pm

Where: Kilby Court

Cost: $10