Winter storm watch issued as large system heads toward Utah

Granite School District votes to close 3 elementary schools

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 6:22 p.m.  |  Save Story

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The Granite School District Board of Education has voted to close Millcreek, Twin Peaks and Spring Lane elementary schools.

Oldest DNA reveals life in Greenland 2 million years ago

Maddie Burakoff, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 5:43 p.m.  |  Save Story

Scientists discovered the oldest known DNA and used it to reveal what life was like two million years ago in the northern tip of Greenland. Today, it's a barren Arctic desert, but back then it was a lush landscape of trees and vegetation with an array of animals, even the now extinct mastodon.

Pilot recounts rescue of 'very fortunate' helicopter crew that crashed in La Sal Mountains

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 5:12 p.m.  |  Save Story

The pilot who helped rescue three crew members in a La Sal Mountains helicopter crash on Thursday says the group is lucky the wreckage didn't slide down the mountainside.

East High School campus declared safe after evacuation due to 'possible bomb threat'

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 4:52 p.m.  |  Save Story

East High School received a "possible bomb threat" on Friday, but school officials believe it is likely a hoax.

US Marshals arrest woman wanted in connection with fatal West Valley crash

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 4:32 p.m.  |  Save Story

A woman charged this week with causing a fatal crash in West Valley in February was arrested Friday by U.S. Marshals and Salt Lake City police.

CDC expands use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for kids as young as 6 months

Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 4:06 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday expanded the use of COVID-19 vaccines that target both the original coronavirus and omicron variants to include children aged 6 months through 5 years.

Have You Seen This? Wolf scares the pants off an unsuspecting cyclist

Grant Olsen for KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 3:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

It's all fun and games until a wolf comes bounding out of the trees.

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2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X test drive review

Jason Bell for KSL Cars  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

It's been nearly 20 years, but Nissan is back with an all-new Frontier. With striking, modern looks and compelling Pro-4X package, the Frontier is here to play.

Fight to curb food waste increasingly turns to science

Dee-ann Durbin, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 2:43 p.m.  |  Save Story

Hate mealy apples and soggy french fries? Science can help. Food companies are increasingly turning to chemistry and physics to tackle the problem of food waste.

Map: Your 2022 guide to seeing Christmas lights in Utah this holiday season

Yvette Cruz, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 2:28 p.m.  |  Save Story

Colorful Christmas lights are decorating homes and streets across Utah and KSL.com's annual lights map is back to help you see them all this holiday season.

Utah housing, water, transit and more: What's in Cox's record $28.4B budget proposal?

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 2:07 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's proposed 2024 fiscal year budget is loaded with items that he says will help future generations.

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A Latter-day Saint Broadway star has died at 34

Lottie Elizabeth Johnson, Deseret News  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 1:46 p.m.  |  Save Story

'I saw his last breaths, held his hand tight, and felt his heartbeat slowly drift away,' Lee's wife shared

Utah officers' actions in 2 police shootings were legally justified, report says

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 1:33 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Salt Lake County district attorney concluded Friday that the actions of officers involved in two separate 2021 police shootings in South Jordan and Salt Lake City were legally justified.

Has Craig Smith turned the Runnin' Utes around already?

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 1:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

For a team picked to finish 10th in the Pac-12 and to marginally improve upon last season's 11-20 record, the early results are jarring — in a good way.

Police: Several people could face charges in Sandy package thefts

Andrew Adams, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 12:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

Police said they arrested three people Wednesday and several others could face charges after some porch thefts caught on doorbell video led to a key tip about the group's whereabouts.

Church of Jesus Christ announces $10M donation to address health of women, children

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 12:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a $10 million donation on Friday to help UNICEF efforts to eradicate polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus.

100 million-year-old plesiosaur skeleton discovery 'could hold the key' to prehistoric research

Kathleen Magramo, CNN  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 11:34 a.m.  |  Save Story

The discovery of a giant 100 million-year-old marine reptile's skeleton in Australia has been hailed by researchers as a breakthrough that may provide vital clues about prehistoric life.

Utah gang member charged with killing 2 shot up home of murder witness, charges say

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 10:56 a.m.  |  Save Story

A Utah gang member charged with murdering two people in Magna has now been charged with shooting at the house of a witness to a West Jordan homicide.

'It felt like home': Kelly Poppinga returns to BYU like he never left 7 years ago

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 10:21 a.m.  |  Save Story

Thursday was the first official day on the job for new BYU defensive assistant Kelly Poppinga. But in many ways, it felt like he never left prior to the 2016 season.

Making the magic happen: How does the postal service do it?

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 10:05 a.m.  |  Save Story

The holiday rush is in full swing at post offices around the country to ensure packages, parcels, letters and Christmas cards all get delivered on time.

Wholesale inflation in US further slowed in November to 7.4%

Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 9:44 a.m.  |  Save Story

Wholesale prices in the United States rose 7.4% in November from a year earlier, a fifth straight slowdown and a hopeful sign that inflation pressures across the economy are continuing to cool.

Brittney Griner back home in US after Russian prisoner swap

Lekan Oyekanmi and Eric Tucker, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 9:19 a.m.  |  Save Story

Brittney Griner has returned to the United States, nearly 10 months after the basketball star's detention in Russia made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad and set off a political firestorm.

Woman dies in West Valley house fire

Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 9:13 a.m.  |  Save Story

An elderly woman pulled from her burning West Valley home early Friday died at the scene, according to the firefighters.

Volunteer pilots help Santa fly Christmas to a Southern Utah School

Mike Anderson, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 9:05 a.m.  |  Save Story

Volunteer pilots from across the Wasatch Front played Reindeer to Santa Claus Thursday by helping him fly loads of gifts to Parowan Elementary School in southern Utah.

Shattered glass. Holes in walls. South Jordan man sues city for wrecking his home

Mike Headrick, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 8:46 a.m.  |  Save Story

How important is a single signature on a legal document? A South Jordan homeowner claims the wrong signature ended with firefighters causing significant damage to his house.

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A high note: Attend a Christmas concert and support a local toddler with cancer

Vocalocity  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

Award-winning a cappella group Vocalocity is teaming up with the local Kids are Music children's chorus to put on a benefit concert for Savannah, a 3-year-old diagnosed with a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer.

Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema switches to independent

The Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 7:41 a.m.  |  Save Story

Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona says she has switched her registration to independent. But the first-term senator also says she doesn't plan to caucus with Republicans and that will ensure Democrats retain their narrow voting majority in the Senate.

Former employees suing Twitter speak out on Elon Musk's 'clumsy and inhumane' layoffs

Clare Duffy, CNN  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 7:24 a.m.  |  Save Story

A group of former Twitter employees who are suing the company spoke out Thursday, alleging that new owner Elon Musk's mass layoffs at the company have triggered multiple labor rights violations.

Family of teen killed in random carjacking worries about justice because suspects are juveniles

Lauren Steinbrecher, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 7:10 a.m.  |  Save Story

A Salt Lake City family is reacting to a huge update in the death of their teenage son after police tracked down a third person believed to be involved.

Utah drains 16 3-pointers in 99-58 rout over visiting Jacksonville State

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 11:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

At one point in the game Thursday night, Utah shot 83% from 3-point range and had a 19-point lead.

'We support him 100%': Utes forward Gavin Baxter medically retires from basketball

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 11:16 p.m.  |  Save Story

The 6-foot-9 forward from Provo, who transferred to Utah after four seasons at hometown school BYU, announced on Thursday that he was medically retiring from the game of basketball.

I-15 reopened after multivehicle crash, oil spill in Draper

Linda Williams and Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 10:44 p.m.  |  Save Story

Northbound I-15 was reopened near 14600 South on Thursday after crews spent hours clearing a multivehicle crash that involved an oil spill.

3 Utah Highway Patrol cars hit during snowstorm; 2 troopers injured

Ladd Egan, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:33 p.m.  |  Save Story

In just over 12 hours from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning, three Utah Highway Patrol vehicles were hit by cars and semitruck that lost control on the slick roadways.

Is a carbon tax possible in a divided Congress? Sen. Mitt Romney is hopeful

Kyle Dunphey, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:07 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney reaffirmed his support for a carbon tax, calling it the "No. 1 thing" that will help curb global emissions and rising temperatures.

Utah man arrested in trading card thefts from multiple stores

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 9:42 p.m.  |  Save Story

A man was arrested Wednesday after police say he has broken into multiple hobby stores in Utah over the past several months and has stolen trading cards.

Man arrested in Tooele standoff after firing about 20 shots, police say

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 9:36 p.m.  |  Save Story

A 29-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police say he fired of 20 rounds from an assault rifle in a Tooele neighborhood and then was involved in an hourslong standoff with SWAT officers.

Family, friends decry 'injustice' in sentence of gunman in Hunter High shooting

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

Family and friends of two teenagers who were shot and killed at Hunter High gathered in front of the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office Thursday to protest the shooter's sentence.

CDC review awaits after FDA clears updated COVID-19 vaccines for kids under age 5

Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:07 p.m.  |  Save Story

CDC review awaits for doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 5 after FDA approval Thursday. Omicron-targeted booster shots made by both Moderna and Pfizer already are urged for everyone 5 and older.

SafeUT reaches 1 million messages for the first time

Adam Small, KSL NewsRadio  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

SafeUT, an app that connects people in crisis to a counselor, has exchanged one million messages with users in a single year.

Feds sue to block Call of Duty game maker's merger with Microsoft

Matt O'Brien, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued to block Microsoft's planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business.

'Year of the Teacher': Cox proposes 'historic' funding, pay raises for Utah educators

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 6:22 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday announced that his new budget will include a "historic investment in education," to the tune of $1.5 billion dollars.

Have You Seen This? The beautiful game becomes a little more beautiful

Caleb Turner, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 6:18 p.m.  |  Save Story

The beautiful game just became a little more beautiful thanks to a dedicated, creative father.

Highland man killed in snowmobile crash in Wasatch County

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 5:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

Bruce Cook, 51, died in a snowmobile crash in the Lake Creek area near Heber City on Tuesday, sheriff's deputies said.

Utah Department of Commerce: Be aware of vacant land scams in the state

Ladd Egan and Madison Swenson, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 5:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

After being notified of at least 10 different instances of a new vacant land scam, land buyers and owners should be aware of a scam involving vacant lots and land parcels.  

Salt Lake massage parlor owner accused of sexually abusing clients

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 4:37 p.m.  |  Save Story

The owner of a massage parlor in Salt Lake City has been arrested for investigation of sexually abusing two women while giving massages, according to police.

3 rescued following helicopter crash in La Sal Mountains

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 4:28 p.m.  |  Save Story

A helicopter being used by the Division of Wildlife Services went down in the La Sal Mountains. All three crew members were uninjured and rescued hours later.

'On her way home': WNBA star Griner freed in swap for Russian arms dealer Bout

Eric Tucker, Matthew Lee and Zeke Miller, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 4:26 p.m.  |  Save Story

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Daybells appear in court together for the first time; trial date set

Kaitlyn Hart, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

After being found competent for trial, Lori Vallow Daybell and her husband Chad Daybell were back in court for the court to discuss multiple motions, including setting a new trial date.

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5 hacks to save money on Christmas gifts this season

Minky Couture  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

For those who celebrate Christmas, 'tis the season of giving — more specifically, shopping and planning for the giving. It's a task that can be as stressful as it is rewarding.

St. George police investigate reports of gun fired in middle school bathroom

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 2:31 p.m.  |  Save Story

Police say two 14-year-old boys took a gun into a middle school bathroom in St. George and accidentally fired a round.

'I didn't imagine anything': Yes, Fontecchio's moment of glory really happened

Ryan Miller, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 2:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

For Simone Fontecchio, just getting to the league was a fantasy fulfilled. Dunking in a game-winner? His dreams never got that far.

MountainStar Healthcare announces new Utah facilities, spreading care to more communities

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 1:39 p.m.  |  Save Story

One of Utah's largest health systems, MountainStar Healthcare, announced on Thursday it is adding more facilities to its network as it works towards a goal to bring affordable care to families throughout Utah. It is adding emergency rooms, urgent care facilities and nurse training and expanding some of its hospitals.

Hunter High shooting victim family speaks out after court ruling

Lauren Steinbrecher, KSL-TV  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 1:16 p.m.  |  Save Story

The family of one of the victims in the Hunter High shooting is speaking out after a judge sentenced the teen who killed their son and another student to juvenile detention on lesser charges.

House passes marriage equality bill with religious freedom protections. How did Utah reps vote?

Dennis Romboy, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:49 p.m.  |  Save Story

The House passed the amended version of the Respect for Marriage Act on Thursday with three of Utah's four Republican congressmen voting in favor of the bill that now includes protections for religious liberty.

Judge calls Orem mayor 'lynchpin' in fraud case, orders him and son to pay $1M

Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:26 p.m.  |  Save Story

Orem Mayor David Young and his son have been ordered by an Alabama judge to pay $1 million in a fraudulent loans case. The judge called the Utah mayor "a lynchpin to this fraud."

Utes approaching Rose Bowl with more confidence, look to take care of 'business'

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:21 p.m.  |  Save Story

The first time was historic, but the second is all about taking care of business.

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Do Gen Z's views on religion put the future of religious freedom at risk?

Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

The latest Religious Freedom Index from Becket reveals that Gen Z is less supportive of religious freedom than other generations.

Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions clears Congress

Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 11:51 a.m.  |  Save Story

The House gave final approval Thursday to protections for same-sex marriages. The vote sends the legislation to President Joe Biden, a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition of such unions.