Utah Breaking News, Sports and Weather

University of Utah board approves private equity deal to support athletics department

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 11:06 a.m.  |  Save Story

The University of Utah's board of trustees unanimously approved a measure to create a for-profit company in partnership with New York-based equity firm Otro Capital that could help infuse more than $500 million to the athletics department.

How to watch one of the year's best meteor showers, the Geminids

Adithi Ramakrishnan, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 10:51 a.m.  |  Save Story

It's time for the Geminid meteor shower, one of the strongest of the year. The Geminids peak this weekend and are visible through mid-December.

Australia social media ban takes effect in world first

Reuters  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 9:58 a.m.  |  Save Story

Australia at midnight on Wednesday became the first country in the world to ban social media for children ​under 16, blocking them from platforms including TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube and Meta's Instagram and Facebook.

Officials offer holiday fire safety reminders

Emma Benson, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 9:03 a.m.  |  Save Story

As families gear up for the holidays, fire officials want to make sure they're doing it safely. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among the top days for home fires nationwide.

'Skimo' takes center stage at Solitude ahead of 2026 Olympic debut

Andrew Adams, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 8:21 a.m.  |  Save Story

Athletes from around the world converged on Solitude Mountain Resort over the weekend with hopes of qualifying for the Winter Olympics in ski mountaineering's 2026 debut in Italy.

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Tour England, Ireland and Scotland for less than $5,000 including non-stop air on Delta

Jensen McKay Tours  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

From England's iconic landmarks to the rugged landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, the U.K. offers a wealth of experiences in a compact area.

Man accused of stabbing in drug dispute says it was 'about principle,' police say

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 9 - 7:31 a.m.  |  Save Story

A man was arrested Monday for slashing another man in the neck over a drug dispute, according to Unified police.

Hegseth, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff to brief 'Gang of 8' US lawmakers, source says

Reuters  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 6:52 a.m.  |  Save Story

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and ​Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine are expected to ⁠brief the "Gang of Eight" lawmakers on Tuesday, according to ‌a source familiar with the plan.

US judge rejects Trump administration's halt of wind energy permits

Nate Raymond and Nichola Groom, Reuters  |  Updated Dec. 9 - 6:26 a.m.  |  Save Story

A federal judge on Monday ruled that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration had failed to justify its decision to suspend issuing leases and permits for new wind projects in keeping with the Republican president's wishes.

Mammoth's sluggish start too much to overcome in 4-2 loss to Kings

Jaxon Wynder, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:56 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Mammoth fell to the Kings 4-2 after Los Angeles jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period while Utah squandered opportunities.

Shoshone-Bannock author sheds new light on history and legal battles over Indian hunting rights

Lisa Lette, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A debut book by Fort Hall native Cleve Davis is reigniting discussion about the history, cultural meaning and legal battles surrounding Indian hunting rights.

Locals in the NFL: Nacua, Rams bounce back in big way with 530 yards vs. Cardinals

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 9:42 p.m.  |  Save Story

In just three years in the league, Puka Nacua has already risen his own standards a few times.

Union leaders optimistic as Utah lawmakers move to repeal bargaining ban

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 9:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Labor leaders expressed cautious optimism Monday as state lawmakers were poised to repeal a controversial law effectively banning collective bargaining for public sector unions.

Peruvian leaders host visiting Utah delegation, eager to promote trade with state

Tim Vandenack, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

Peruvian leaders hosted a Utah delegation that traveled to the country on Delta's inaugural Salt Lake City-Lima flight and are eager to promote trade with the state.

9-car collision on I-15 caused delays in Murray

Curtis Booker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:56 p.m.  |  Save Story

A crash involving nine cars prompted some traffic backups on Interstate 15 in Murray Monday night, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

US Justice Department sues Virginia school board over transgender use of locker rooms

Brad Brooks, Reuters  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 7:32 p.m.  |  Save Story

The U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday it had sued a Virginia county's school board for allowing a biologically female student access to the boys' locker room and then punishing the boys for complaining.

Only about half of the 2026 Winter Games tickets have been sold

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:11 p.m.  |  Save Story

With just under two months until the start of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy, only about half of the 1.5 million tickets available have been sold.

New images show interstellar comet that will soon make its closest approach to Earth

Ashley Strickland, CNN  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 6:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Hubble Space Telescope and the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer have captured fresh images of an interstellar comet as the object nears its closest approach to Earth later this month.

Winners of the KSL.com '12 Days of Thanksgiving' giveaway announced

KSL Staff  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 6:20 p.m.  |  Save Story

KSL.com announced the winners of the 2025 "12 Days of Thanksgiving" giveaway

Sen. Curtis 'can't answer' if he'd confirm Hegseth as Defense secretary a second time

Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 6:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, expressed uncertainty about whether he'd vote again to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if given a second chance.

Trump is proposing a $12B aid package for farmers hit hard by his trade war with China

Seung Min Kim, Josh Funk and Didi Tang, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 5:33 p.m.  |  Save Story

A White House official says President Donald Trump is planning a $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs.

Herriman man charged with 2 counts of murder, sex abuse in 120 mph wrong-way crash

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 5:05 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Herriman man accused of killing two people in a wrong-way crash while intoxicated is also facing charges of hitting and sexually abusing a woman just before the fatal crash.

West Valley mother charged with forcing son to touch heat lamp

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 4:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

A West Valley mother who allegedly became angry at her son is facing a felony child abuse charge accusing her of forcing her son to touch a heat lamp.

Utah has a 115 confirmed cases of measles, with latest infection at Bingham High

Curtis Booker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:43 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Salt Lake County Health Department has confirmed a case of measles at a child care facility at Bingham High School.

Have You Seen This? Eagle Mountain mom goes in for colonoscopy, comes out as Santa

Arianne Brown for KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:28 p.m.  |  Save Story

Holly Robinson's post-anesthesia gibberish leaves viewers wondering if Santa has, in fact, been replaced.

Gov. Spencer Cox calls special session as Legislature looks to repeal collective bargaining ban

Payton Davis and Brian Carlson, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 3:27 p.m.  |  Save Story

Gov. Spencer Cox announced a special Utah Legislature session scheduled for Tuesday.

After 36-year career, Beth Launiere announces retirement as Utes volleyball coach

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:25 p.m.  |  Save Story

Over her 36-year tenure as head coach of the women's volleyball team at the University of Utah, Beth Launiere has become an icon of the sport.

University of Utah, BYU explore connections with centers of learning in India

Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

The University of Utah has a global presence, including a campus in South Korea. Creating joint programming with institutions in India, home to a population of 1.4 billion, also aligns with that vision.

Immigrant advocates protest at Salt Lake immigration facility amid talk of heightened enforcement

Tim Vandenack, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 2:50 p.m.  |  Save Story

Immigrant advocates protested outside Salt Lake City's main immigration facility Monday amid talk of heightened enforcement action targeting immigrants.

Salt Lake County DA unveils new screening dashboard for the public

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 2:09 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office office on Monday unveiled a new dashboard in an effort to show the public its screening process for criminal charges.

Struggling to stay awake in a meeting? Here's what to do

Katia Hetter, Lily Hautau and Gina Park, CNN  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 1:35 p.m.  |  Save Story

If you find yourself falling asleep in a meeting, there are steps you can take to stay alert.

Magnitude 7.5 quake in northern Japan injures 23 people, triggers tsunami

Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 8 - 1:09 p.m.  |  Save Story

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, injuring more than 20 people and triggering a tsunami of up to 28 inches in Pacific coast communities, officials said.

Yes, BYU had College Football Playoff hopes, but Cougars won't begrudge bowl-game invite

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:59 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Dec. 27 bowl game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando will be the eighth in 10 years under Sitake, all of them with different title sponsors and in different states.

'One Battle After Another' leads Hollywood's Golden Globe nominations

Lisa Richwine and Danielle Broadway, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:54 p.m.  |  Save Story

Dark comedy "One Battle After Another" racked up a leading nine Golden Globe nominations on Monday, positioning the Leonardo DiCaprio thriller as an early favorite on Hollywood's road to the Academy Awards.

Famed Michelin Guide to zero in on Utah's Wasatch region in 2026 edition

Carter Williams, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 12:15 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah could earn its first-ever culinary Michelin star as the renowned Michelin Guide plans to highlight its growing Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back for its 2026 edition.

$3K reward offered as Utah investigates theft of human skull at ancient burial site

Carter Williams, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 11:47 a.m.  |  Save Story

State officials are offering a $3,000 reward as they continue to investigate who stole a human skull from a protected ancient burial site in southern Utah.

On International Volunteer Day: Here's how it's done

Lee Benson, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 11:31 a.m.  |  Save Story

A decade ago, when she was in middle school, Quinn Hennessy went on a field trip to the Salt Lake City Library in observance of World Refugee Day. When they arrived, the schoolkids lined up and were each given 10 cards they were told represented all their worldly possessions.

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Gen Z grew up with pornography. Now they're leading the charge against it

Mariya Manzhos, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 11:17 a.m.  |  Save Story

The shift away from pornography among the Gen Z tracks with their shift toward more traditional and conservative values.

Are your online purchases legitimate? How to avoid buying counterfeit gifts

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:52 a.m.  |  Save Story

Counterfeit goods use a company's brand to make people think they're the real deal. Knockoffs hurt companies, but they also pose real safety risks

Paramount makes $108.4 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery

Harshita Mary Varghese, Aditya Soni and Dawn Chmielewski, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a hostile bid worth $108.4 billion for Warner Bros Discovery, in a last-ditch effort to outbid Netflix and create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant.

Is the new Utah 2034 logo for the Olympics hard to read?

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 10:03 a.m.  |  Save Story

The man whose family foundation paid for the new Utah 2034 installation at the Salt Lake City International Airport had to get used to the controversial design, too.

Thailand launches air strikes at Cambodia as border tensions reignite

Panarat Thepgumpanat, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 9:20 a.m.  |  Save Story

Thailand has launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, the Thai military said on Monday, after both countries accused the other of breaching a ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald Trump.

Patrick Kinahan: Commissioner's plea aside, CFP committee never favored BYU

Patrick Kinahan for KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 9:02 a.m.  |  Save Story

Brett Yormark miscalculated on multiple fronts by repeatedly comparing BYU's football credentials this season with Notre Dame.

Millcreek man stabbed father multiple times for 'revenge,' police say

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:41 a.m.  |  Save Story

A Millcreek man was arrested Sunday for investigation of attempted murder and accused of stabbing his father multiple times.

Utah family donates $10 million to support youth mental health

Emma Benson, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:40 a.m.  |  Save Story

A Utah family is making a major investment in youth mental health. The Huntsman Mental Health Foundation announced a $10 million gift made in honor of their parents.

Coal, manufacturing ... and theme parks? Where Utah can partner with India

Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 8:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

Utah state Senate President Stuart Adams said after his visit to India he sees an abundance of opportunities there for the Beehive State.

Water leak at Paris Louvre Museum damages books at Egyptian antiquities department

Dominique Vidalon, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:38 a.m.  |  Save Story

A water leak last month damaged hundreds of books in the Egyptian antiquities department at the Louvre, underscoring the deteriorating state of the world's most visited museum just weeks after a daring jewel heist exposed security flaws.

Keeping Team USA healthy at Italy's 2026 Winter Games

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 7:09 a.m.  |  Save Story

"Don't let a cold keep you from gold," Olympic and Paralympic athletes advised.

Kennedy Center Honors fete performers, but Trump takes spotlight

Jeff Mason and Steve Holland, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 6:41 a.m.  |  Save Story

President Donald Trump solidified his takeover of Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday by hosting its flagship awards program, mixing politics with a celebration of stars from music and film.

Tired of scam calls? Bill from Utah and Connecticut senators would put new rules on AI robocalls

Eastin Hartzell, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 8 - 6:20 a.m.  |  Save Story

Sens. John Curtis and Richard Blumenthal introduced a bipartisan bill Thursday to expose AI robocalls and toughen penalties for impersonation scams.

Thunder improve to 23-1 with 15th straight victory, routing Jazz 131-101

John Coon, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 11:54 p.m.  |  Save Story

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each scored 25 points and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder improved to 23-1 with their 15th straight victory, routing the Utah Jazz 131-101 on Sunday night.

More transportation money ahead of the Utah Olympics? What a new bill in Congress would do

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 10:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

A new fund would make $50 million available annually for cities hosting the Olympics and World Cup soccer matches under a bipartisan bill in Congress from Utah Rep. Burgess Owens.

Live Nativity scene in Lehi raises funds for humanitarian aid

Sarah Martin, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 9:45 p.m.  |  Save Story

Volunteers in Lehi brought a slice of Bethlehem to life this week, complete with donkeys, sheep and a baby in a manger.

Schools' approach to parental rights spark congressional debate

Eva Terry, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 9:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

During a House committee meeting Thursday, lawmakers debated whether schools should be able to conceal a student's chosen name and gender from their parents.

How an Olympic snowboarder became one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives

Eric Levenson, CNN  |  Updated Dec. 7 - 8:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

CNN sifted through court documents, FBI announcements and Olympic history to better understand the allegations against Ryan Wedding, 44, and his fall from national hero to the elusive alleged drug kingpin known by the aliases "El Jefe" and "Giant."

From Springville to Wendover: WWII buildings are going back where they came from

Lee Benson, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 7:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Utah company is making a donation to preserve a piece of the state's and World War II's history.

Here's what Olympic organizers say about the reaction to the new Utah 2034 logo

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 6:20 p.m.  |  Save Story

A week after launching the new name and logo for Utah's 2034 Winter Games to mixed reviews, the state's Olympic organizers said the public will come around to the unusual design.

Crispy Cones is bringing a European-style dessert experience to Utah

Sarah Gambles, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 5:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Crispy Cones started in a tent in Rexburg, and in a few short years, it now has more than 20 locations across the U.S. — including Utah, and it's continuing to grow.

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'Powerful art' or blasphemy? A short history of the political Nativity scene

Jennifer Graham, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 4:50 p.m.  |  Save Story

Displays showing the birth of Christ with references to ICE are getting attention and drawing rebukes.