Access denied: How Utah lawmakers made it harder to get government records

My tax money went where? State Auditor Tina Cannon wants more transparency

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News  |  Posted March 15 - 4:13 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah's new auditor, Tina Cannon, said she wants to empower residents to see how much their government has grown and to verify exactly where those dollars end up to help hold state officials accountable.

Have You Seen This? The hazards of VR

Grant Olsen for KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 3:31 p.m.  |  Save Story

Stay alert out there, kids. If you're playing virtual reality, be aware of your surroundings and don't go wandering too much.

Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown

Associated Press  |  Posted March 15 - 2:52 p.m.  |  Save Story

President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation funding the government through the end of September. His signature Saturday ends the threat of a partial government shutdown.

Rep. Romero plans to keep focus on missing, murdered Indigenous people after bill fizzles

Tim Vandenack, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 2:24 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Rep. Angela Romero plans to keep focused on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people though a bill focused on the issue fizzled as the legislative session ended.

911 call released in University of Idaho student murder case

Nate Eaton, East Idaho News  |  Posted March 15 - 1:50 p.m.  |  Save Story

The 911 audio from the day Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen found dead in their Moscow, Idaho home, was released Friday.

A river 'died' overnight in Zambia after acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mine

Richard Kille And Jacob Zimba, Associated Press  |  Posted March 15 - 1:07 p.m.  |  Save Story

Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia fear "catastrophic consequences" from an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine that poisoned a major river and could potentially affect millions of people.

BYU women's distance medley relay repeats as national champs

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 12:37 p.m.  |  Save Story

The NCAA indoor track and field championships hit the halfway mark Friday night, but BYU already has a national championship from it. Another one, even.

Dallin Hall's role has changed with BYU basketball, but his leadership hasn't

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 12:22 p.m.  |  Save Story

On a night that was mostly forgettable following the end of a nine-game winning streak, Hall was more than a box-score footnote.

Planning commission recommends industrial zoning along Provo River

Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 11:29 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Provo Planning Commission has recommended a zoning change that would allow a property running along a portion of the Provo River to be converted into an industrial warehouse complex.

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How Utahns feel about Trump's Jan. 6 pardons, and Biden's pardon of his son

Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News  |  Posted March 15 - 11:08 a.m.  |  Save Story

A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll conducted by HarrisX shows what Utah voters think of recent presidential pardons.

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes in the South; at least 5 dead

Sean Murphy, Russ Bynum And Hallie Golden, Associated Press  |  Posted March 15 - 10:38 a.m.  |  Save Story

At least five people have been killed in a monster storm sweeping across much of the U.S. At least two people were killed in Missouri after a tornado struck the Bakersfield area.

From Olympics to Red Rocks star: Grace McCallum enjoying 'every last moment I get'

Josh Furlong, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 10:07 a.m.  |  Save Story

The nerves on Saturday night will be different for Grace McCallum.

'Make it fun for them': Park City Olympic aspirants on a mission to diversify skiing

Tim Vandenack, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 9:39 a.m.  |  Save Story

Park City-based skiers and Olympic aspirants Fantaye Gilbertson and Tallulah Proulx are on a mission to bolster interest in skiing among Black and other minority kids.

Experts clash in competency hearing of 30-year-old with history of dismissed sex charges

Collin Leonard, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 8:48 a.m.  |  Save Story

A string of cases involving sexual crimes against children have been dismissed against Jonathan Soberanis due to competency issues. Some experts now testify in federal court he is able to stand trial.

A difficult era for American Jews, including in Utah

Sydney Jezik, Deseret News  |  Posted March 15 - 8:15 a.m.  |  Save Story

While Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt thanked God for a possible end to the Israel-Hamas war, he also highlighted the deep, growing sense of fear experienced by American Jews in his State of Hate address.

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Test Drive: The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid is a game changer

Jason Bell  |  Posted March 15 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

They've made an already excellent vehicle better that will (and should) appeal to even non-truck buyers.

Israel rejects Hamas offer to free Israeli-American hostage as 'psychological warfare'

Nidal al-Mughrabi and Nayera Abdallah, Reuters  |  Posted March 15 - 7:37 a.m.  |  Save Story

Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to free an American-Israeli dual national if Israel begins the next phase of ceasefire talks towards a permanent end to the war, an offer Israel dismissed as "psychological warfare."

What outgoing IOC president says about Utah's Games — and transgender athletes at Olympics

Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News  |  Posted March 15 - 7:16 a.m.  |  Save Story

Utah's successful bid to host the 2034 Winter Games "had it all," International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach declared to a global group of reporters Wednesday as he wraps up his 12-year tenure.

Utah State bows out of Mountain West Tournament in loss to Colorado State

Alex Vejar for KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 1:58 a.m.  |  Save Story

After the loss, the Aggies await whether they will make the NCAA Tournament.

Utah Hockey Club faces new challenge after bad loss to Seattle: Turning the page

Ryan Miller, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 12:12 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Utah Hockey Club let one slip away. Or, maybe more accurately, it gave one away.

Jazz reach 2nd 8-game losing streak of season in 126-118 loss to Toronto

Caleb Turner, KSL.com  |  Posted March 15 - 12:01 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Utah Jazz tied its longest losing streak of the season Friday with a 126-118 loss to the Toronto Raptors at the Delta Center.

As he prepares to die, this father has a final wish for his daughter killed in an accident

Nate Eaton, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted March 14 - 10:32 p.m.  |  Save Story

Eddie Grampp may be nearing the end of his life after a valiant battle with cancer, but he has one more wish he wants to be fulfilled with the help of a dear friend and his family.

Utah Valley takes down Seattle U to earn 1st conference championship game berth

Nathan Dunn, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 10:15 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Valley overcame first half turnovers to take down Seattle U en route to its first ever conference championship.

High school students putting STEM skills to the test at robotics competition

Emma Benson, KSL-TV  |  Posted March 14 - 10:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

Hundreds of students from Utah and surrounding states are putting their robotics skills to the test this weekend at the Utah Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.

Investigators warn of online dangers after arrest of former judge, former fire chief

Mike Anderson, KSL-TV  |  Posted March 14 - 9:47 p.m.  |  Save Story

Investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force say an app allegedly used by a former judge and a former fire chief to access child sex abuse materials is often used by internet predators.

Helicopter route permanently closed on route near Washington airport where 67 died in midair crash

John Seewer and Tara Copp, Associated Press  |  Posted March 14 - 9:21 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Federal Aviation Administration says helicopters will be permanently banned from flying near Washington, D.C.'s airport on the route where an airliner and an Army helicopter collided in midair.

Sharp, Cryer pull No. 2 Houston past BYU, snapping 9-game win streak in Big 12 semifinal

Sean Walker, KSL.com  |  Updated March 14 - 9:06 p.m.  |  Save Story

Keba Keita had 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks to lead BYU in the Cougars' first loss in nine games.

COVID crushed Salt Lake City's downtown activity. What does it look like 5 years later?

Carter Williams, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 9:04 p.m.  |  Save Story

Salt Lake City's downtown visitation remains below pre-pandemic levels five years after COVID-19, but experts say it's unclear if new trends are the "new normal."

December trial set for Cottonwood Heights woman charged with killing her husband

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 8:35 p.m.  |  Save Story

A December trial was set Friday for Jennifer Gledhill, a Cottonwood Heights woman charged with murder in the shooting death of her estranged husband whose body has not been found.

Illinois votes on a new state flag design — and chooses the current one

John O'connor, Associated Press  |  Posted March 14 - 8:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

Some forward-looking Illinois lawmakers set up a contest to design a new flag and put it to a vote. In a landslide, a winner was chosen. And it's the current flag.

New Utah Sen. John Curtis enjoys mostly favorable ratings after first few months on the job

Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 7:42 p.m.  |  Save Story

Just three months into his new job, Sen. John Curtis is enjoying mostly favorable ratings from Utah voters who say they approve of the job he is doing so far.

Man extradited to Utah from Spain to face charges of raping a girl in 2017

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 7:11 p.m.  |  Save Story

Carlos Espino Farfan was extradited to Utah from Spain to face charges accusing him of raping a 10-year-old girl in 2017. He allegedly fled the country after the allegations surfaced.

Photo gallery: Blood moon lunar eclipse from around the world

Isaac Hale, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 6:31 p.m.  |  Save Story

On Thursday night and through the early morning hours of Friday, the first lunar eclipse since 2022 took place, one of three total lunar eclipse events lined up for 2025 and 2026.

Stuck NASA astronauts one step closer to home after SpaceX crew-swap launch

Joey Roulette, Reuters  |  Posted March 14 - 6:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

NASA and SpaceX on Friday launched a long-awaited crewed rocket that will let them bring home U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, stuck on the International Space Station for nine months.

US Senate passes bill to avert shutdown; House Democrats turn on Schumer

Richard Cowan and Bo Erickson, Reuters  |  Updated March 14 - 5:39 p.m.  |  Save Story

The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a stopgap spending bill, averting a partial government shutdown, after Democrats backed down in a standoff with the Trump administration.

Utah LG asks Trump to restore links to 'Women's History' graves in Arlington National Cemetery

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 5:32 p.m.  |  Save Story

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson asked Trump to restore "Women's History" links to graves after they were removed as part of an apparent push to root out diversity initiatives.

University of Utah among 45 colleges under federal investigation

Jason Swensen, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 5:05 p.m.  |  Save Story

The University of Utah is counted among 45 American universities under investigation by the Department of Education for allegedly using "racial preferences and stereotypes."

'Ted Lasso' is coming back

Alicia Rancilio, Associated Press  |  Posted March 14 - 4:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

It's been two years since we last heard from Ted Lasso but the show is officially set to return for a fourth season. Apple TV+ announced the beloved character's return on Friday.

New crisis center in South Salt Lake to provide 'timely access' to mental health care

Emma Benson, KSL-TV  |  Posted March 14 - 4:08 p.m.  |  Save Story

Huntsman Mental Health Institute's $60 million facility, officially titled the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center, will be open for adults, 24/7, with a focus on de-escalation.

Have You Seen This? Dog uses only two legs to walk in the snow

Matt Brooks, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 3:27 p.m.  |  Save Story

A dog in upstate New York has its own way of walking through the snow.

Driver dies, passenger injured after semitruck tips over on I-80 near Grantsville

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com  |  Updated March 14 - 3:16 p.m.  |  Save Story

A truck driver died in a crash on I-80 near Grantsville Wednesday night.

Report says Utah's flag ban could harm efforts to keep Sundance Film Festival

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 3:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

A bill that would ban gay pride flags in classrooms could hamper efforts to keep the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, according to a Hollywood trade publication.

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How a small Utah college is paving the way for future students and athletes

Snow College  |  Posted March 14 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

As the 2024-2025 regular season draws to a close, the Badgers have showcased exceptional performance, achieving a program-record 29 wins, culminating a 22-game win streak, and finishing the season No.1 in NJCAA.

State investigators help contractors stay compliant

Matt Gephardt, KSL-TV  |  Posted March 14 - 2:33 p.m.  |  Save Story

The home renovation season is knocking but are the contractors at your door actually licensed? State investigators are cracking down.

Utah's strong trade relationship with Ireland highlighted by visit from Irish minister of state

Caitlin Keith, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 2:14 p.m.  |  Save Story

Telling Utah business leaders to "Let geography not be the barrier for companies," Alan Dillon, the minister of state at Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, spoke at the World Trade Center Utah on Thursday.

140 inmates treated for scabies after 1 tests positive at Utah State Prison

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 1:36 p.m.  |  Save Story

Inmates in two sections of the Utah State Prison are being treated for scabies after one inmate tested positive. Some areas are temporarily closed to visitors and volunteers.

Driver killed in crash near Lake Point identified as West Valley man

Collin Leonard, KSL.com  |  Updated March 14 - 12:54 p.m.  |  Save Story

Troopers identified the man who died Wednesday in a car crash on eastbound I-80 near Lake Point as a 66-year-old from West Valley City.

Salt Lake officer not legally justified in shooting man's hand, but won't face charges

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Updated March 14 - 12:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Salt Lake police officer was not legally justified in shooting a wanted man's hand but he won't face any charges, the district attorney announced Friday.

Utahn convicted of murder is arrested 2nd time since being paroled

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 12:25 p.m.  |  Save Story

A man who served more than 20 years in prison on an aggravated murder conviction has been arrested for the second time since being paroled and is accused of sexually abusing young girls.

Box Elder County judge resigns after being charged with enticing minors

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 12:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A courts spokesperson confirms Kevin Christensen resigned from his position in Utah's 1st District Justice Court after being charged with eight felonies and accused of enticing minors on a chat app.

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Is California's Gavin Newsom an opportunist or a new breed of Democrat?

Jennifer Graham, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 11:52 a.m.  |  Save Story

The California governor has a new podcast in which he's engaging with Republicans.

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Start spring right: How Young Automotive Group and Goldenwest Credit Union can help you 'Find Your Gold'

Young Automotive Group and Goldenwest Credit Union  |  Posted March 14 - 11:30 a.m.  |  Save Story

At Young Automotive Group dealerships across Utah, Idaho and Montana, this time of year marks the start of an exciting promotion — the Find Your Gold sales event.

2 women hit, injured downtown while crossing the street

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 11:22 a.m.  |  Save Story

A vehicle hit two women who were crossing the street after the driver failed to yield to the pedestrians.

Happy National Pi Day! Here are some of the best deals on pizza and pie

Margaret Darby, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 10:50 a.m.  |  Save Story

March 14 (3/14) is the day we celebrate the mathematical constant pi — 3.14. In honor of the holiday, restaurants across the country offer deals and freebies on pizza and pie.

Utah Royals focused on details, individual improvement in 2nd year back

Caleb Turner, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 10:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

Coenraets and the Royals are trying to build a sustainable system of communication and trust that has often belied teams in the NWSL, even in Utah.

Utah Legislature cracks down on youth marriage amid polygamy lawsuits

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News  |  Posted March 14 - 10:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

SB76, awaiting the governor's signature, would prohibit a juvenile court from authorizing the marriage of a minor if there is an age difference of more than four years.

Utah mom who took bath with infant charged with manslaughter in baby's death

Pat Reavy, KSL.com  |  Posted March 14 - 9:34 a.m.  |  Save Story

An Eagle Mountain woman who allegedly fell asleep in the bathtub with her infant daughter on top of her was charged Friday with manslaughter in the baby's drowning death.

Provo Canyon road now open, but delays expected after closure for plows, 3-vehicle crash

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com  |  Updated March 14 - 9:25 a.m.  |  Save Story

A crash with three vehicles blocked state Route 189 up Provo Canyon toward Heber City on Friday morning. The road opened shortly before 9 a.m. but delays are still expected.