Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's 2022 State of State message: 'Utah is the last great hope of America'

No. 9 UCLA pulls away late to defeat Runnin' Utes in hard-fought battle

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 21 - 1:23 a.m.

UCLA looked like a top-10 team to start in their visit to the Huntsman Center late Thursday night.

World rushes aid to tsunami-hit Tonga as drinking water, food runs short

Praveen Menon and Kirsty Needham, Reuters, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 10:33 p.m.

More ships and aircraft carrying aid are due to arrive in Tonga in the coming days as the international community responds to calls for urgent assistance.

Knight Rider: How BYU basketball fought off frustration to take down San Diego

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 10:08 p.m.

Seneca Knight tied a season high with 14 points with five rebounds and three assists off the bench, and freshman Fousseyni Traore added 14 points and 10 rebounds as BYU men's basketball returned to the Marriott Center with a 79-71 win Thursday night over San Diego.

Here's what Utah Democrats are prioritizing in the 2022 Legislative Session

Bridger Beal-cvetko, Deseret News  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 9:41 p.m.

In contrast to their Republican counterparts, Democratic lawmakers made responding to the COVID-19 pandemic a key legislative priority.

Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A West to use 'robot umpires' this season

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 9:36 p.m.

If you have a complaint with the strike zone at Smith's Ballpark, you'll have to take it up with a computer this season.

Volunteers needed to open 100 beds ready for Salt Lake homeless

Jed Boal, KSL-TV  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 9:10 p.m.

Homeless service providers still need full-time workers, but they've been able to open up two critical emergency shelters.

M&M's beloved characters are getting a new look

Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN Business  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 8:47 p.m.

The candy's anthropomorphized chocolate characters are being made over, and the logo is also getting a tweak.

10 picture books that will help you fall in love with winter

Megan Christensen, KSL.com Contributor  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 8:12 p.m.

If you've recently received some positive COVID-19 test results, or you're just wanting something fun and lighthearted to do with your kids during this dismal season, we've got you covered. Here are 10 children's books you should immediately put on hold at your local library.

BYU responds to federal investigation of its LGBTQ policies

Tad Walch, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 7:45 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating BYU's policies regarding LGBTQ students and whether they are covered by Title IX exemptions issued to the religious-based university.

4 Belarus officials charged with air piracy

Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 6:02 p.m.

U.S. prosecutors charged four Belarusian government officials on Thursday with aircraft piracy for diverting a Ryanair flight last year to arrest an opposition journalist

Got COVID-19? How to know if you need to go to the hospital

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 5:30 p.m.

Omicron may be milder, but the incredibly transmissible COVID-19 variant is still sending a record number of Utahns to the hospital.

28 schools in Davis, Weber districts pivot to remote learning due to COVID-19

Arianne Brown and Katie Workman, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 5:24 p.m.

Two more Davis School District schools announced Thursday their transition to online schooling this week. Now 28 schools in the two districts are in remote learning.

Jury selected for federal trial over George Floyd's killing

Amy Forliti and Steve Karnowski, Associated Press  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 5:12 p.m.

A jury was picked Thursday for the federal trial of three Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's killing.

Body of missing skier found near Alta ski resort

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 5:12 p.m.

The body of an accomplished rock climer reported overdue Wednesday night was found in the backcountry near Alta Ski Area on Thursday.

Production of 'The Messenger' is unsettling reminder of pandemic

Carole Mikita, KSL-TV  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 4:51 p.m.

A disease threatens lives and members of the press are reporting about it in different ways. Sound familiar? This story was written before the pandemic.

Thomas R. Lee announces retirement from Utah Supreme Court

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 4:23 p.m.

Associate Chief Justice Thomas R. Lee said Thursday he plans to retire from the Utah Supreme Court in July to "pursue other opportunities in the legal profession."

Have You Seen This? How have no other birds thought of this until now?

Grant Olsen, KSL.com Contributor  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 3:34 p.m.

It's estimated that there are as many as 430 billion birds on earth. I'm just amazed that it took so long for one of them to try this trick.

While Olympic venues sit mostly unused, Utah faces a different problem

Deanie Wimmer, KSL-TV  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 3:06 p.m.

Olympic venues are the legacy of every host city. But Utah's venues face the opposite situation of many around the world: They are almost too much in high demand.

SPONSORED

5 perks of living in a new home and a new community

Woodside Homes  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 3:00 p.m.

Living in a new home and new community has a lot of perks and benefits. Outside of the obvious newness, there are a few things you should consider when deciding on building and buying in a new community.

'He left us a legacy': Rick Reese, a pioneer in Utah's outdoors, dies at 79

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 2:26 p.m.

Rick Reese, one Utah's earlier climbers, died earlier this month at the age of 79. His legacy includes helping create the popular Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

Utah exceeds 4,000 COVID pandemic deaths; case counts remain high

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 2:15 p.m.

The Utah Department of Health reported 11,608 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 22 deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Utah to 4,019.

Starbucks nixes vaccine mandate after Supreme Court ruling

Dee-ann Durbin, Associated Press  |  Updated Jan. 20 - 1:58 p.m.

Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a plan it announced earlier this month.

Day 3: Legislature poised to end Test to Stay program for schools

Ashley Imlay, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 12:56 p.m.

The Utah Senate is poised to pass a bill officially suspending the state's Test to Stay program for schools on Thursday.

19-year-old woman sets record for solo global flight

Raf Casert, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 12:48 p.m.

Home! And no longer alone.

'Just Mercy' author urges Utah Legislature to abolish death penalty

Bridger Beal-cvetko, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 12:15 p.m.

Utah is ready to abolish the death penalty, author and activist Bryan Stevenson told lawmakers on Wednesday.

PARTNER

This new group says people of faith are under attack. Here's how it plans to help them

Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 11:37 a.m.

The National Committee for Religious Freedom is hoping to reduce faith-related conflict.

CIA: Most 'Havana syndrome' cases not linked to US adversary

Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 11:28 a.m.

The CIA believes it is unlikely that Russia or another foreign adversary is using microwaves or other forms of directed energy to attack hundreds of American officials who attribute symptoms associated with brain injuries to what's come to be known as "Havana syndrome."

No. 17 BYU women's basketball isn't just winning, but 'dominating.' Here's why

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 10:54 a.m.

The Cougars are winning games by an average of 19.1 points per game, which ranks first in the West Coast Conference and No. 11 nationally in average margin of victory. Why so dominant?

Small storm to bring snow, temporarily clear out Utah's smoggy air

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 10:25 a.m.

A storm heading Utah's way Thursday evening won't produce as much snow as storms did last month, but it will finally clear out the inversion over the Wasatch Front.

Boise leading the nation in 'hot' job markets as hiring, even amid COVID surge, continues to grow

Art Raymond, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 9:05 a.m.

The hottest city in the US for explosive growth in new job listings may be a surprise, but not to anyone who's been tracking how COVID-19 has impacted the geography of work.

US weekly jobless claims rise to 3-month high

Lucia Mutikani, Reuters  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 8:38 a.m.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits jumped to a three-month high, likely as a winter wave of COVID-19 infections disrupted business activity, which could constrain job growth this month.

Pleasant Grove business owner among those collecting goods, supplies for Tonga

Andrew Adams, KSL-TV  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 8:21 a.m.

A business owner was among those Wednesday trying to gather goods and supplies for the people of Tonga following a devastating tsunami spawned by a volcanic eruption.

SPONSORED

Get a job and free education at the same time; Intermountain Healthcare launches new Workforce Education Program

Intermountain LiveWell  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 8:00 a.m.

Intermountain Healthcare has launched a strategic workforce education program to invest in the development of their employees and communities.

Utah mask manufacturer finds unexpected lifeline during COVID-19 surge

Andrew Adams, KSL-TV  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 7:40 a.m.

A Utah company that produces KN95 and 3-ply masks has found an unexpected lifeline in the COVID-19 surge.

Driver arrested after 15 pounds of cocaine found in trunk during I-15 traffic stop

Jeff Richards, St. George News  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 7:19 a.m.

A driver who was pulled over for allegedly following another vehicle too closely and making an unsafe lane change on I-15 was subsequently arrested after officers found more than 15 pounds of cocaine inside the car.

White House defends controversial Trump-era border policy barring asylum seekers in court

Priscilla Alvarez, CNN  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 6:50 a.m.

The Biden administration defended the use of a controversial Trump-era policy Wednesday that's resulted in the expulsion of more than 1 million migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Should UTA service be free? This bill would make it happen

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 6:21 a.m.

A proposed bill that would make it illegal for any "large public transit district," like the Utah Transit Authority, to charge fares for public transit service. Here's why

Jazz try to explain what's happened (and what needs to change) over losing stretch

Ryan Miller, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 20 - 12:16 a.m.

This iteration of the Utah Jazz aren't used to these kinds of stretches.

'What are we thinking about?' Jazz can't seem to find answers after loss to Rockets

Ryan Miller, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 11:38 p.m.

The Utah Jazz have another contender for worst loss of the year.

First aid finally reaches Tonga as telephone lines partially restored

Praveen Menon, Kirsty Needham and Michelle Nichols, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 10:54 p.m.

The first aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies arrived in Tonga on Thursday, five days after the South Pacific island nation was hit by a volcanic eruption and tsunami that devastated communities and spoiled most of its drinking water.

Senate Democrats fail in bid to pass voting rights bill; Romney signals new bipartisan effort

Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 10:33 p.m.

President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats suffered twin legislative defeats late on Wednesday in their push to toughen voting rights protections in the run-up to this November's mid-term elections that will determine control of Congress in 2023.

1 person severely burned in West Jordan house fire

Arianne Brown, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 10:25 p.m.

One person was sent to the hospital with severe burns after a house fire in West Jordan on Wednesday evening.

USU report on Utah women suffering from poverty shows progress, room to improve

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 8:59 p.m.

A new study revealed that poverty numbers for Utah women have improved, but the current situation of women facing poverty could have long-term implications on the state.

The Sundance Film Festival is back and online once more

Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 8:27 p.m.

The lights may be dim at the Eccles Theater and Park City's Main Street will have fewer cinephiles packing the snowy sidewalks when the Sundance Film Festival begins its 44th edition Thursday night. But if 2021 proved anything, it's that the world's premier independent film festival is more than its ski town locale.

'Our work's not done,' President Joe Biden says at 1-year mark

Alexandra Alper and Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 8:25 p.m.

President Joe Biden acknowledged Americans' frustration as his first year in office came to an end on Wednesday, but said the United States was on track to meet considerable challenges from the coronavirus pandemic and inflation.

Utah's daily COVID-19 case counts dip from record high, but are the numbers accurate?

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 8:02 p.m.

Nearly 40,000 new COVID-19 cases and 28 additional deaths from the virus were reported over the past four days, the first numbers from the Utah Department of Health since Gov. Spencer Cox urged most Utahns showing symptoms to skip testing and just stay home.

SPONSORED

Got an app idea? We can build it!

AppsTango  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 7:36 p.m.

Whether you're a small business owner, you're working on building the world's next greatest idea or you want to improve what you've already got, building an app is a worthwhile cause.

Salt Lake IT employee accused of leaking police info faces new trafficking charge

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 7:34 p.m.

A former Salt Lake City IT employee accused of leaking sensitive police information to benefit a sex trafficking ring now faces a new criminal charge.

Utah leaders launch initiative calling for design submissions for new state flag

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 7:11 p.m.

Utah leaders officially launched a movement to redesign the state's flag Wednesday.

1 dead in car crash on 1-15 near Beaver

Arianne Brown, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 6:45 p.m.

A 53-year-old man died Wednesday after crashing on I-15 near Beaver.

Why BYU hoops feels 'urgency to get better' after surviving toughest week of WCC play

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 6:33 p.m.

What did BYU coach Mark Pope learn from surviving his team's eight-day run against teams ranked No. 1, 34 and 37 in the NCAA's latest NET ratings?

Northern Utah man charged with neglecting horses, cattle

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 5:49 p.m.

A Rich County man who police say had not fed his cattle in months has been charged with seven counts of animal cruelty.

Kyle Whittingham hires former Utes great Luther Elliss as next defensive line coach

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 5:45 p.m.

It didn't take long for Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham to fill his coaching staff vacancies.

Supreme Court spurns Trump bid to keep Capitol attack records secret

Lawrence Hurley, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 5:18 p.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records sought by the Democratic-led congressional panel investigating last year's deadly attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.

Spread of omicron inevitable in Utah but masks help, health officials tell lawmakers

Wendy Leonard, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 4:57 p.m.

Utah health officials told lawmakers that the omicron variant of COVID-19 will spread regardless of community mitigation efforts, but masks will slow the spread.

1 dead after being hit by Union Pacific train in Salt Lake City

Arianne Brown, KSL.com  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 4:36 p.m.

One person is dead after being hit by a Union Pacific Railroad train in Salt Lake City on Wednesday afternoon.

Airlines cancel some flights after reduced 5G rollout in US

Jon Gambrell and David Koenig, Associated Press  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 4:15 p.m.

Some flights to and from the U.S. were canceled on Wednesday even after AT&T and Verizon scaled back the rollout of high-speed wireless service that could interfere with aircraft technology that measures altitude.

Report: Utah's growth rate to fall, but population will still increase 66% in the next 40 years

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Updated Jan. 19 - 4:12 p.m.

Utah is already the nation's fastest-growing state, and a new report published Wednesday finds there's really no signs that'll change anytime soon.

Have You Seen This? A whale's tail slap misses diver by inches

John Clyde, KSL.com Contributor  |  Posted Jan. 19 - 3:39 p.m.

This is incredible, but it's a little too close for my comfort.