Utah saw one of the nation's highest jumps in electricity costs in the past year.

The big picture: Power costs are rising nationwide — and could get even higher for some amid an explosion in data centers powering AI and more.

Why it matters: High utility bills could further stress many Utahns' budgets as pretty much everything else gets more expensive, too.

• The state's consumer sentiment dropped almost 5% last month, per the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute report.

By the numbers: The nationwide average retail residential price for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity rose from 16.41 cents to 17.47 cents between May 2024 and May 2025, per the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That's a gain of about 6.5%.

• Utah's power costs climbed 15.2% during that time, the third-highest spike nationwide.
• Maine (+36.3%) and Connecticut (+18.4%) saw the largest increases.
• Just five states experienced a decrease, including Nevada (-17.7%) and Hawai'i (-7%).

Zoom in: With electricity costs on the rise, Rocky Mountain Power, the state's largest utility, is seeking to hike residential rates.

• The company proposed a 30.5% rate increase in July 2024, citing "inflationary pressures," Utah News Dispatch reported.
• The request was later revised to an 18.1% uptick after drawing sharp criticism from state Republican leaders, including Gov. Spencer Cox.
• Last month, the Utah Public Service Commission reaffirmed its approval of a modest 4.7% rate bump after the utility requested a review.

What we're watching: Rocky Mountain Power filed an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court in June.

Between the lines: Electricity prices vary regionally and have many influences, from basic supply and demand to fuel rates and infrastructure costs.

• Yet, many analysts point to power-hungry data centers as a driver of rising rates, especially in hotspots.

What's next: President Trump's administration is pushing "coal, natural gas, nuclear and hydropower plants to feed AI demand," Axios' Daniel Moore reports — but is hostile towards wind and solar.

• Adding a new power source of any kind, meanwhile, takes time and money.

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Another reason to make that workout class every week: It could help you feel less lonely.

Why it matters: Routine meetups with others are one of the best ways to create and maintain healthy relationships, says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a Brigham Young University ​​psychology and neuroscience professor known for her social connection research.

• "You need consistency," Holt-Lunstad told Axios. "It takes time to get to know people. It takes time to go from a stranger to an acquaintance, from an acquaintance to a friend."

Effective routines for connection can be daily, weekly, month or annually. Holt-Lunstad suggests:

• Daily: A morning or an evening walk with a friend, lunch with a coworker, or simply saying "hello" to people you see regularly.
• Weekly: A yoga class, brunch with friends, or attending church or another faith-based gathering.
• Monthly: Hosting a book club, game night or movie night, volunteering, or eating dinner with extended family.
• Annually: A family vacation, a trip with former college roommates or celebrating holiday traditions.

The bottom line: Holt-Lunstad says, "We can think of social activity as somewhat akin to physical activity — it's not something that's a one and done."

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🐋 Salt Lake City's darling 9th and 9th whale is set to get repainted next year. (KSL.com)

• Despite it's cult-following, the whale sculpture is still scheduled to get a makeover every three years to five years.

🔍 Remains of a human foot discovered in May at the Fish Lake shore belonged to a fisherman who went missing in 1997. (FOX 13)

🎓 The University of Utah plans to eliminate 81 academic programs, including graduate programs related to ballet, theater and bioengineering, as GOP state legislators push to cut higher education costs.(Salt Lake Tribune)

You've made it to the weekend. Here are a few fun ways to unwind in and around Salt Lake City:

🎨 Craft Lake City DIY Fest: The three-day art, science and technology festival is back for its 17th edition, featuring local art, vintage vendors and performers. Tickets.

• When: 5pm–10pm tomorrow; noon–10pm Saturday; noon–6pm Sunday
• Where: Utah State Fairpark

🪲 BugFest: The praying mantis will be star of the lively insect festival, including butterfly releases, exhibits, free face painting and more.

When: 10am–5pm Saturday–Sunday

Where: Natural History Museum of Utah

🎸 Red Butte Garden concerts: Rock band Michael Franti & Spearhead and pop group Bombargo are bringing their high-energy music to this outdoor show. Tickets.

When: Gates open at 6pm. Show starts 7pm Sunday.