Utah saw some of the nation's biggest gains in high school graduation rates since 2011, per federal data.

Why it matters: The impact of COVID-19 on education is still playing out, but the decade-long picture is a big success.

By the numbers: 88.2% of Utah high schoolers graduated on time in 2022, up from 76% in 2011.

• That's a 12.2% increase; only eight other states saw bigger jumps.

The intrigue: In 2011, Utah's graduation rate was the 13th-lowest in the nation and below the national average of 79%.

• As of 2022, it was tied for 13th-highest and above the national average of 86.6%.
• That's according to a report from the GRAD Partnership, a group of nine education organizations.

Zoom out: Some states saw even more progress: 91.2% of West Virginia high schoolers graduated on time in 2022, up 14.7 percentage points from 2011.

Yes, but: A handful are backsliding: Only 77.3% of Arizona high schoolers graduated on time in 2022, for instance, down 0.6 percentage points from 2011.

• There's evidence of at least a temporary blip around the pandemic: "In 2020, there were 10 states with graduation rates of 90% or higher, but only five in 2022," per the report.

Between the lines: From 2011 to 2022, the nationwide growth rates for Black students (+14.1 percentage points), Hispanic students (+11.8), and Native American students (+6.7) all outpaced that of white students (+5.9).

• There's also been progress for low-income students (+11.4), English learners (+15.1), and students with disabilities (+12.3).

Caveat: Graduation rates are only one measure of educational success and might not account for differing standards or policies among states.

What we're watching: It's still too early to tell whether remote learning and social distancing will hurt the long-term success of students who spent their pandemic years in elementary school, the report warns.

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The largest share of homes in the Salt Lake metro were built in the 1970s, according to census data.

The big picture: Existing homes aren't getting any younger and sellers are still feeling the rate-lock effect. This opens the window for a remodeling wave, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Yes, but: Buyers are keen on new builds, given existing supply constraints and (sometimes) better deals to be found.

Flashback: The 70s brought a lot of growth to the Salt Lake Valley, filling up much of the land that could be developed.

• By contrast, growth in Utah County started picking up steam after the 90s.

What we're watching: Energy efficiency, kitchen and bath upgrades, and maximizing utility are among the top renovation trends.

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🚑 Eleven people were hospitalized Saturday for poisoning after a carbon monoxide leak at a West Jordan meat processing plant. (FOX 13)

🏈 Former BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall is returning to Utah to coach the USU Aggies. (Associated Press)

🚨 Kanab's police chief will remain on duty after he hit a pedestrian last month in a crosswalk, city officials said Friday. (KSL-TV)

This week in 1963, Utah beamed as Donny Osmond made his debut — at age 5 — on the Andy Williams show.

• This is Old News, where we get the songs of Utah's past stuck in our heads.

Catch up quick: Osmond went on to become a teen idol in the 1970s; hosted the variety TV show and revived talk show "Donny & Marie" with his sister, Marie Osmond; churned out several top 10 hits; and won ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2009.

• He and Marie performed at the Flamingo Las Vegas until retiring in 2019.

Worth your time: Listen to young Osmond join his brothers in a barbershop-ish rendition of "Yes sir, that's my baby" in 1963.

The latest: Today is his 67th birthday!

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One month ago, the future looked bright for BYU football.

State of play: The Cougars had just defeated the University of Utah in a thriller, they were ranked No. 6 in the AP poll and they controlled their own destiny.

Yes, but: The wheels came off shortly thereafter. Following stunning defeats against unranked Kansas and No. 21 Arizona State, BYU found it itself needing a miracle to make the Big 12 Championship. It never came.

The intrigue: That didn't stop these dedicated fans from making the trek to AT&T Stadium in Arlington after buying tickets for the game weeks before the Cougars season came crashing down.

What's next: While BYU didn't make the 12-team College Football Playoff, they'll get a chance to knock off the Colorado Buffaloes in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

• That game is on Dec. 28 at 5:30pm on ABC.

The bottom line: Shoutout to these fans for rolling with the punches. Perhaps a second trip to Texas is in the cards as the Alamo Bowl takes place in San Antonio.