Utahns will join most of the nation this weekend in setting back their clocks — a yearly ritual that probably won't end anytime soon.

• A yearslong push for permanent daylight saving time has largely stalled, both in Utah and nationally.

Why it matters: The semiannual clock resets have been controversial since they began in 1918 — an effort to conserve energy during World War I.

• Now medical experts say standard time is more aligned with our body clocks — and the yearly "spring forward" is linked to annual spikes in heart attacks, strokes and car wrecks.
• Nearly two-thirds of Americans want to stop changing their clocks, according to a 2021 Economist/YouGov poll.

Details: Researchers have found that daylight saving doesn't actually conserve much energy, but retailers defend it, saying people shop more in the evenings than when there is still daylight.

• Some supporters of permanent daylight saving time say the extra hour of evening sun would allow more outdoor fun in winter. But the ski industry objects, saying resorts would have to open later because mornings will be too dark for avalanche control.

Catch up quick: In 2022, our orbit seemed fixed toward permanent daylight saving time, with the Sunshine Protection Act passing the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.

• But the measure stalled in the U.S. House, and similar legislation this year fizzled in committees.
• Meanwhile, after years of proposals for permanent daylight saving, Utah lawmakers did not mention the time change during this year's legislative session.

State of play: Under a 2020 law, Utah is set to switch to permanent daylight saving time — now observed from March to November — if Congress permits it.

• Federal law allows states to adopt permanent standard time but requires congressional approval to switch to year-round daylight saving time.

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Utah transportation officials are bringing back a winter safety program for drivers who don't want to waste time heading up the Cottonwood Canyons during heavy powder days.

Details: The Utah Department of Transportation's Cottonwood Canyons sticker program marks that a vehicle's tires and traction devices have been pre-inspected for winter driving conditions.

Driving the news: The program restarted this week and will run until Feb. 28, 2024.

Why it matters: Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons, home to four popular ski destinations, are prone to bumper-to-bumper traffic, aptly referred to as "the red snake," after snow storms.

• When Utah's traction law is in effect, it could take a long time for officials to inspect vehicles' ability to handle the road conditions.
• "The more vehicles that we can get preapproved, the faster you're going to get up to enjoy your experience," said Shawn Wright, UDOT's Cottonwood Stations supervisor, per KSL.com.

Of note: The stickers are free and not required to enter either canyon.

• Even if you have a sticker, an inspection may still take place to ensure safety.

How it works: Drivers can take their cars to participating auto service shops to get them inspected after filling out an online form on UDOT's website.

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❗ A 3.2-magnitude earthquake shook central Utah yesterday morning. So far, no damages have been reported. (FOX 13)

🎓 Technical colleges in Utah saw a nearly 5% jump in student enrollment in the first part of FY 2024. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) defended a resolution he proposed on the House floor this week denouncing support for Hamas on college campuses. (Deseret News)

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's diverse class of 2023 and its strong representation of women comes after nearly four decades dominated by men, Axios' Troy Smith writes.

Driving the news: The annual induction ceremony takes place tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Why it matters: The Rock Hall received scathing criticism over the years for an induction process where fewer than 9% of inductees have been women.

By the numbers: Axios' data analysis found that since 1986, 269 male artists and 43 female artists have been nominated for the Hall of Fame's performer category.

• While half of all male nominees were nominated within two years of eligibility, the median first nomination time for female nominees was eight years.
• 46% of male artists are inducted the first time they are nominated while only 37% of female artists are.
• On average, male artists tend to wait only one year to be nominated again if they don't get inducted on their first try. Female artists generally need to wait two years to receive a second nomination.

Go deeper: Why it takes women longer to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame