Utahns won't vote on a measure that would effectively legalize gerrymandering, now that thousands of people have removed their signatures from the petition to include it in November's election.

Why it matters: That ballot measure was the most direct way for the GOP to undo Utah's new congressional map, which created a Democratic-leaning district.

Catch up quick: The new map was selected by a judge following a court order to comply with Prop 4, a ban on gerrymandering voters passed in 2018 — which the failed referendum sought to repeal.

State of play: To be placed on a statewide ballot, a proposal must meet specific signature thresholds in 26 of Utah's 29 Senate districts.

• Signature counts had already missed the thresholds in three districts when county clerks certified the petitions earlier this month.
• State law gives voters 45 days to remove their signatures.

Driving the news: After a campaign by anti-gerrymandering groups to persuade signers to remove their names, a fourth district fell below the signature threshold, killing the proposal.

• District 15, which spans parts of Cottonwood Heights, Midvale and Sandy, was 258 signatures short as of yesterday.

The intrigue: That district is represented by a Democrat — and is within the newly-created District 1, which is expected to lean blue.

Yes, but: Repealing Prop 4 isn't Republicans' only strategy to redistrict the state.

Case in point: The GOP-dominated legislature has made judicial reforms that could mean different judges would review any new legal challenges involving Prop 4 or the congressional map.

• After a state Supreme Court ruling paved the way to the new map, the legislature this year expanded the court by two justices. They'll be nominated by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox.
• Lawmakers also created alternate, three-judge panels to decide lawsuits over the constitutionality of state statutes, rather than the state's regular district judges.

Meanwhile, three federal judges last month refused to block the new map as requested in a lawsuit by GOP Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens along with other elected officials and voters.

Pass it on

Rallies are planned around Utah during tomorrow's No Kings nationwide day of protest.

Why it matters: Political groups in Utah have leveraged the anti-Trump demonstrations to organize progressive residents even in counties where Republicans have won by double-digit margins for years.

Here's where the protests are:

• Salt Lake City: 2-5pm, Washington Square
• Ogden: Noon-2pm, Ogden Municipal Building
• Logan: 10:30am-12:30pm, Cache County Historic Courthouse
• Park City: 1-2:30pm, PEAK Center
• Heber City: 11am-noon, 55 N. Main Street
• Utah County: 10am-noon, Provo City Hall

Some rallies have been planned as private events. Organizers say they'll share locations with those who register online:

• West Jordan: 10-11am
• Kanab: 1-3pm
• Rockville: 9-11am

More protests

⛷️ Deer Valley will close after this weekend, marking its second-earliest shutdown in more than four decades. It's one of many Utah resorts impacted by this ski season's lackluster snow. (Salt Lake Tribune)

🦠 A new COVID variant dubbed "cicada" has been detected in at least 25 states, including Utah, and may be resistant to vaccines and prior infections. (Today)

The International Olympic Committee announced a new policy yesterday that prohibits transgender women from competing in women's events. The new rule will apply starting with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. (Deseret News)

🥫 The SLC airport is encouraging residents to make donations to its food pantry for TSA workers working without pay due to the government shutdown. (FOX 13)

• Non-perishable food can be dropped off on the second level's information desk or at the nearby Touch N' Go gas station.

A wave of new restaurants are opening in Salt Lake County this spring.

• Here are the spots we're most excited about.

🥟 Argentina's Café: Empanada-focused eateries are multiplying across the city, and this newcomer is part of the trend.

🍕 Bricks Corner: The Detroit-style pizzeria is expanding, with a second location set to open in West Valley City in May.

🍴 Nomad Eatery: The restaurant is leaving Freemont Drive and relocating to Daybreak next month.

🥗 Sweetgreen: The Los Angeles-based chain is making its Utah debut with a location in Sugar House. An opening date hasn't been announced.

🌮 Taste of Red Iguana: A casual version of one of the city's most storied Mexican restaurants is opening a new Daybreak outpost this spring after closing its City Creek location.

Coming in 2027: Uchi, led by James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole, plans to open a massive restaurant in the up-and-coming Granary District, Gastronomic reports.

Tell a friend

Fairview has been named one of the country's top "off-the-map" rural destinations, per a new Airbnb report.

🚵 The Sanpete County town, with an estimated population of just over 1,000, is known for its proximity to the Manti-La Sal National Forest and its access to outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and ATV riding.

Zoom out: Fairview was the only Utah destination featured on Airbnb's inaugural "Off-the-Map" list, which highlights 20 rural towns.

• Dubois, Wyoming, Monte Vista, Colorado and Snowflake, Arizona were also included.