Today marks the 25th anniversary of TRAX, the Utah Transit Authority's first light rail system.

Why it matters: Since launching the 15-mile Blue Line in 1999, ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, TRAX has helped reduce car use and served millions of people in the Salt Lake Valley.

• In 2023, TRAX served over 10 million people, per UTA.

Yes, but: The light rail was not always seen as a favorable investment in the eyes of state leaders and voters.

Catch up quick: In 1996, the Utah GOP Central Committee passed a resolution opposing the transit project, arguing that public dollars should be diverted to improving I-15 instead, per the Deseret News.

• The proposal also faced pushback in Midvale and Sandy, where officials expressed concerns over construction, safety, noise and sinking property values, the News reported at the time.
• Ultimately, the light rail rolled forward with the assistance of federal aid.

What they're saying: "Our region has continued to grow at a pace that, as a young elected official, I never would have foreseen," UTA board chair Carlton Christensen told ABC 4 on Monday. "I never would have imagined the critical nature of transit to our community's success in the long term and how successful TRAX would be."

What's next: TRAX shows no sign of slowing down.

• In anticipation for the upcoming Salt Lake Bees stadium in the Daybreak neighborhood, a new light rail station in downtown South Jordan is scheduled to open in April.
• UTA is in the works to expand the Red Line to service the Granary District by 2032.
• The Orange Line is also set to be completed by then to better connect people traveling from Salt Lake City International Airport to the University of Utah.

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GOP leaders are doubling down on their commitment to help President-elect Trump with a key — and controversial — component of his mass deportations plan: cooperation from local and state authorities.

Why it matters: The federal government doesn't have enough resources to carry out mass deportations — the country has an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants — without local police being involved.

Context: Some local governments have long collaborated with federal immigration authorities, usually via "detainers" — requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for local police to hold for an extended period immigrants who have been arrested on criminal charges.

• ICE uses the detainers to give itself more time to determine whether the immigrants are deportable and, if so, to detain them while they're still in local custody.
• But critics say those collaborations create distrust between local police and immigrants who, because of the relationship with ICE, may be scared to cooperate with an investigation or report a crime to their local authorities.

Catch up quick: Gov. Spencer Cox last week announced a "targeted effort" to aid Trump's deportation plans.

The other side: Some Democratic governors and mayors say they won't be cooperating with the feds on mass deportations.

• Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has pledged to protect undocumented immigrants from possible mass deportations under the incoming administration.

Reality check

🥒 Utah is one of 19 states where people fell ill due to a salmonella outbreak tied to cucumbers farmed in Mexico. (CDC)

• SunFed Produce has recalled cucumbers sold from Oct. 12 to Nov. 26.

🧤 A Logan warming center reported record demand for beds when it opened this weekend. (Salt Lake Tribune)

• The shelter staff at Saint John's Episcopal Church say they need more volunteers to serve the growing homeless population in Cache County.

🗳️ Ogden Valley, Utah's newest city, is introducing maps of its five proposed city council districts this week. (KSL.com)

• Residents in an area that encompasses Eden, Liberty and Wolf Creek voted last month to incorporate.

Weezer, Beach House and Justice are scheduled to headline next year's Kilby Block Party.

The intrigue: The indie musical festival, run by S&S Presents, will expand from three days to four and feature 75 performers, organizers announced Tuesday.

• Other notable acts include: St. Vincent, Still Woozy, Wallows, TV on the Radio, Toro y Moi, Jay Som, New Order and Devo.

Flashback: This year's festival in May saw more than 25,000 concertgoers a day, and featured alt-rock bands like LCD Soundsystem, Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend.

What's next: The event returns to the Utah State Fairpark May 15–18, 2025.

• Four-day ticket passes go on sale Wednesday at 10am for $259, plus fees.
• VIP packages that come with upgrades like lounges and close proximity to the stage range from $359–$699.

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Bar X is throwing a party tomorrow to celebrate 91 years of serving libations.

State of play: The bar said on Instagram it plans to "pay tribute to the early days when the liquor laws were maybe a little stricter."

Catch up quick: The downtown establishment opened in 1933 — the same year prohibition ended, according to its website.

• The watering hole, which is attached to Beer Bar, used to be known as a blue-collar dive bar.
• The current group of owners, which includes actor Ty Burrell, purchased the out-of-shape establishment in 2011, rehabilitating it and transforming it into one of Salt Lake City's most popular destinations for craft cocktails.

What's next: The festivities begin at 7pm and with live jazz starting at 8pm.

• The Park City-based High West Distillery is sponsoring prohibition-style drinks.

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