Utah News Dispatch
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Utah News Dispatch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news source covering government, policy and the issues most impacting the lives of Utahns. Sign up for our newsletter: utahnewsdispatch.com/subscribe
Utah's 2026 wildfire season is only halfway through, but it’s already scorched a record 285,000 acres of woodland and forest areas — continuing a trend that brings "concerning" economic and ecological impacts. #utpol
More Utah forests are burning than ever before. Here’s why that matters • Utah News Dispatch
Utah's 2026 wildfire season has scorched a record amount of woodland and forest areas, which carries economic and ecological impacts.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah’s raging wildfires have burned fast and big in the backcountry, but cities and suburbs are also dealing with destructive fires.
As forests burn across the state, a cluster of residential fires also takes a toll • Utah News Dispatch
Utah’s raging wildfires have burned fast and big in the backcountry, but cities and suburbs are also dealing with destructive fires.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, nominated to lead the Justice Department, told thousands of religious leaders he is committed to achieving policy solutions so that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision “becomes permanent in every single state.” Read more from @stateline.org
AG nominee tells faith leaders he will take action to restrict abortion drug access • Utah News Dispatch
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, if he gets the job, told faith leaders he would pursue anti-abortion restrictions.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Utah may enforce its anti-gambling laws, even if they include bans of proposition betting, a federal judge ruled in response to a lawsuit from Kalshi.
Kalshi is subject to Utah’s anti-gambling law, judge rules • Utah News Dispatch
A judge ruled in favor of Utah in a lawsuit filed by prediction market platform Kalshi challenging the state's anti-gambling laws.
utahnewsdispatch.com
The Utah Taxpayers Association listed all 67 entities that are proposing property tax hikes this year, adding up to over $93 million. Here are the largest proposals.
Multiple Utah entities propose $93 million in property tax hikes. Here are the largest proposals • Utah News Dispatch
The Utah Taxpayers Association listed all 67 entities that are proposing property tax hikes this year. Here are the largest proposals.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Today’s children could be the first generation since the 1970s to do better than their parents as young workers become more sought after and well paid. Read more from @stateline.org
Today’s children could prosper in tomorrow’s shortage of young workers • Utah News Dispatch
Today's children could be the first generation since the 1970s to do better than their parents as young workers become more sought after and well paid.
utahnewsdispatch.com
A severe wildfire season in Utah still going strong as a blaze near Fillmore grows rapidly, threatening homes.
August brings ‘catastrophic’ wildfire conditions to Utah • Utah News Dispatch
A severe wildfire season is still going strong as the Widemouth 2 Fire in southern Utah grows rapidly, threatening homes.
utahnewsdispatch.com
The University of Utah’s “AI supercomputer” was christened “Redtail” and is already ranking among the most efficient systems in the world.
University of Utah’s ‘AI supercomputer’ debuts among fastest systems in the world • Utah News Dispatch
Redtail, the University of Utah’s “AI supercomputer” debuted among the fastest systems in the world, according to Top500.
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A new study examining pollution levels found that recent increases in wildfire smoke air pollution have offset other gains and could be contributing to negative outcomes for pregnant women and babies. Read more from @stateline.org
Wildfire smoke is now the primary pollutant affecting pregnancy, study shows • Utah News Dispatch
Wildfire smoke air pollution could be contributing to poor outcomes for pregnant women and babies such as low birth weight and preterm births
utahnewsdispatch.com
After Colorado River states failed to reach a deal for sharing a dwindling water supply, the federal government released a 10-year plan.
Utah won’t face mandatory cuts in feds’ new Colorado River proposal, but Lower Basin states could • Utah News Dispatch
After Colorado River states failed to reach a deal for sharing a dwindling water supply, the federal government released a 10-year plan.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Buzzers’ cat’s claw tablets are being removed from Utah shelves as Utah officials investigate a recent death and several severe health incidents that may be linked to its kratom alkaloids.
Kratom alkaloids found in cat’s claw tablets linked to multiple overdoses, Utah agencies warn • Utah News Dispatch
A product labeled as cat’s claw is being removed from Utah shelves as Utah officials investigate kratom alkaloid content.
utahnewsdispatch.com
A helicopter roundup conducted by the Bureau of Land Management in central Nevada this month killed 11 horses, activists warn. Read more from @nevadacurrent.com
Activists renew call to end BLM helicopter roundups following 11 horse deaths in Nevada • Utah News Dispatch
A helicopter horse roundup conducted by the Bureau of Land Management in central Nevada this month killed 11 wild horses.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Medicaid advocates called on state leaders to stand against looming federal cuts and new requirements, which they said will jeopardize healthcare coverage for tens of thousands of Utahns. #utpol
New federal Medicaid rule threatens more coverage on top of Congress’ cuts, Utah advocates say • Utah News Dispatch
Medicaid advocates called on Utah leaders to stand against looming federal cuts and new requirements for Medicaid coverage.
utahnewsdispatch.com
A new Utah report sheds light on who went back to work in person and who kept working from home after the height of the pandemic.
This is the place — to work from home • Utah News Dispatch
A new Utah report sheds light on who went back to work in person and who kept working from home after the height of the pandemic.
utahnewsdispatch.com
A group of Diné allotment shareholders and community leaders is calling for the Bureau of Land Management to continue enforcing oil and gas restrictions near New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Read more from @statesnewsroom.com
Diné community leaders protest Trump proposal to remove Chaco Canyon mining ban • Utah News Dispatch
Diné leaders called for the BLM to continue enforcing oil and gas restrictions near New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
utahnewsdispatch.com
The first independent medical cannabis pharmacy to open under a new 2025 law was Boojum in Moab. Before it opened, the nearest medical cannabis pharmacy was in Price, a nearly two-hour drive away. #utpol Now state officials will decide where the next one will go.
Utah eyes applications for new independent medical cannabis pharmacy in ‘underserved’ area • Utah News Dispatch
Utah will accept applications to license a new independent medical cannabis pharmacy located in a “medically underserved” or rural area.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Joel Ferry, commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, is leaving the post after four years. But that doesn’t mean he won’t have a role in shaping the state’s approach to matters of water and energy development going forward. #utpol
Utah’s top natural resources official steps down after 4 years in the job • Utah News Dispatch
Joel Ferry, commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, is leaving the post after four years.
utahnewsdispatch.com
A campus to develop nuclear technologies may be coming to Utah, as the U.S. Department of Energy shortens its list of potential hosts for new “nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses." But, environmentalists have concerns about the state's proposal to manage high-level radioactive waste.
Utah may be home to a nuclear innovation campus, Department of Energy announced • Utah News Dispatch
Utah is in the Department of Energy's shortlist to host a "nuclear lifecycle innovation campus" in Tooele County.
utahnewsdispatch.com
For a fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Utah the No. 1 overall state in the nation, citing high performance in multiple categories including economy, fiscal stability and infrastructure. However, Utah ranked low, No. 48, in one category due to air pollution. #utpol
Utah ranks No. 1 overall state for a 4th year in a row — but it was dinged for its air quality • Utah News Dispatch
For a fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Utah the No. 1 overall state in the nation.
utahnewsdispatch.com
More than 100 people filled a room at the Utah Division of Water Resources’ office in Salt Lake City to oppose a wastewater disposal plan from the Tooele Valley Public Infrastructure District's data center project.
Concern about data center impacts on Great Salt Lake grows, now for Tooele project’s wastewater • Utah News Dispatch
Concern about data center development in Utah and how it could affect the drying Great Salt Lake is migrating south.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Pediatricians in Utah have been on the front lines as measles and other vaccine-preventable ailments have returned to the U.S. @kffhealthnews.org documented the experiences of six of them.
‘The child is terrified’: Doctors on the front lines of a measles comeback speak out • Utah News Dispatch
Pediatricians in Utah have been on the front lines as measles and other vaccine-preventable ailments have returned to the U.S.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Intermountain Health’s "Downwinders Clinic" will host informational public meetings for those who may qualify for RECA payments in St. George and other cities in northern Utah.
‘Downwinders Clinic’ will host free meetings across Utah for RECA-eligible families • Utah News Dispatch
Intermountain Health's "Downwinders Clinic" is hosting meetings for those who qualify for RECA payments in different Utah cities.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Critics of the Stratos data center are pushing for more details on the plan and criticizing the rapid pace of early approvals for the project.
Critics call for more details about Stratos data center in Utah’s west desert • Utah News Dispatch
Critics of the Stratos data center are pushing for more details on the plan and criticizing the rapid pace of early approvals.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Citing recent deaths at reservoirs, state officials are telling Utahns to wear their life jackets, instead of just bringing them to the water.
State officials say bringing a life jacket to the water isn’t enough — they want you to wear it • Utah News Dispatch
Citing recent deaths, state officials are telling Utahns to wear their life jackets, instead of just bringing them to the water.
utahnewsdispatch.com
When the Days of '47 rodeo ends on Saturday, organizers expect at least 48,000 fans will have filled seats at the event's arena in the Utah State Fairpark — and that the festivities end up generating $1 million in tax dollars for the state.
Hefty prizes, but mostly heritage, keeps Utah’s Days of ‘47 rodeo thriving • Utah News Dispatch
The Days of ‘47 Rodeo, which celebrates the arrival of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, keeps building its momentum.
utahnewsdispatch.com
Once a youth hostel, a new group home has opened in Salt Lake City to help women with severe mental illness. State and Salt Lake County officials partnered to make the $3.3 million facility a reality. #utpol
Once a hostel, a new mental health group home for women opens in Salt Lake City • Utah News Dispatch
A new group home in Salt Lake City will help women with severe mental illness. State and Salt Lake County officials partnered to fund it.
utahnewsdispatch.com
More than 200 American mayors — including two in Utah — are calling on the federal government to reverse changes that will cost states billions and push millions of people off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Read more from @stateline.org
Citing a hunger ‘crisis,’ US mayors call for end to federal SNAP cuts • Utah News Dispatch
More than 200 mayors are calling on the federal government to stop changes that will push millions of people off the SNAP food stamp program.
utahnewsdispatch.com
The governor's appointment of Hannah Freeze as Great Salt Lake commissioner comes during another tough year for the lake, which started at low spring levels after a dry winter left virtually no snowpack. #utpol
Utah governor appoints new Great Salt Lake commissioner • Utah News Dispatch
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has picked a new leader tasked with helping save the shrinking Great Salt Lake: Hannah Freeze.
utahnewsdispatch.com
First came the fire, then the flooding. Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency for three Utah counties in central and southern Utah — a first step toward unlocking possible federal aid.
After fire and flooding, Cox declares a state of emergency in 3 Utah counties • Utah News Dispatch
Gov. Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency in three rural Utah counties after weeks of devastating wildfire and floods.
utahnewsdispatch.com
As Utah senators look ahead to the looming change of leadership following Senate President Stuart Adams' primary election loss, they’re also reflecting on Adams’ lengthy term as president. #utpol
End of the Adams era: A look at Utah’s outgoing Senate president and what's next • Utah News Dispatch
After eight years, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams unexpectedly lost his primary election. He will vacate his seat at the end of the year.
utahnewsdispatch.com