Utah Breaking News, Sports and Weather

'There was a gap': How Utah's new child torture law is being used

Shelby Lofton, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 5 - 7:16 a.m.  |  Save Story

A new Utah law that provides harsher penalties for severe cases of child abuse has been put to use several times since it went into effect nearly eight months ago.

Somalis in Minneapolis say they are facing harassment in the wake of fraud allegations video

Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN  |  Posted Jan. 5 - 6:57 a.m.  |  Save Story

At Fardowsa Ali's restaurant in Minneapolis, she said the usual steady flow of diners seeking Somali sambusas or desserts has been replaced with threatening phone calls.

2025: A historic, disruptive — and sometimes tragic — year for education in Utah

Jason Swensen, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 10:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

Education in Utah in 2025 saw high-interest stories ranging from higher education budget reallocations, Education Department disruptions, the sound of cellphone silence in K-12 classrooms, and the murder of Charlie Kirk on an Orem campus.

Locals in the NFL: Puka Nacua passes Randy Moss for 2nd-most receiving yards in 3 seasons

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 10:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

Here's a look at how other former Utah college and high school football standouts performed in the final week of the 2026 NFL regular season.

Denmark PM urges Trump to stop threats to take over Greenland

Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 9:41 p.m.  |  Save Story

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to ​stop threatening to take over Greenland, after he reiterated his wish to do so in an interview with The Atlantic magazine.

Picturing 2025: Defining moments of heartbreak and hope

Chuck Wing, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 9:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

For Utahns, 2025 was a mixed bag of emotions and the Deseret News photojournalists were on the front lines covering the emotional stories that in many ways rocked our world.

Venezuela's interim government says it remains united behind Maduro after his US capture

Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 8:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A top Venezuelan official declared on Sunday that the country's government would stay unified behind President Nicolas Maduro, whose capture by the U.S. has sparked deep uncertainty about what is next for the oil-rich South American nation.

Former Israeli hostage recounts sexual abuse in Hamas captivity and fear of becoming 'sex slave'

Tal Shalev, Dana Karni, CNN  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 7:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

Former Israeli hostage Romi Gonen said she endured repeated sexual assault, harassment and intimidation during her 471 days of Hamas captivity, speaking publicly for the first time about her experience and her fear of becoming a "sex slave" in Gaza.

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10 brands people are shopping right now (and why they're worth a look)

SkimLinks  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 7:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Whether you're browsing for yourself or looking for gift ideas, here are 10 well-known names worth checking out right now.

'Avatar: Fire and Ash' reaches $1 billion in global ticket sales

Dawn Chmielewski, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 6:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

James Cameron's science-fiction fantasy "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has surpassed $1 ​billion in global box office proceeds, the director's fourth film to cross that threshold.

New development shows need for similar housing in Pocatello, says property manager

Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 6:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A brand new housing development with a unique design has units available for rent in Pocatello, and the design may just be an answer to affordable housing needs.

From Charlie Kirk to redistricting fights, a look at the biggest political stories of 2025

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 5:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

From the assassination of Charlie Kirk to fights over congressional maps, here are the biggest stories that shaped Utah politics in 2025.

Elon Musk's Grok AI floods X with sexualized photos of women and minors

AJ Vicens and Raphael Satter, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 4:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

A flood of nearly nude images of real people and children created by Elon Musk's Grok AI on X has rung alarm bells internationally.

Have You Seen This? Youngster takes his 'smash cake' to the next level

Grant Olsen for KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 3:35 p.m.  |  Save Story

This kid wins top prize for commitment to the craft. His smash was one of the best I've ever seen.

Harmons grocery stores remain committed to local artists

Arianne Brown for KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

In a world where many businesses are moving toward AI-created art, Harmons grocery stores have remained committed to showcasing local artists.

Maduro's case will revive a legal debate over immunity for foreign leaders tested in Noriega trial

Joshua Goodman And Eric Tucker, Associated Press  |  Updated Jan. 4 - 1:44 p.m.  |  Save Story

When Nicolás Maduro appears in a New York courtroom to face U.S. drug charges, he'll be following follow a path taken by Panama's Manuel Noriega, another strongman who was toppled by American forces.

21-year-old church missionary from Salem dies of unknown cause in New Mexico

Ashley Imlay, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 12:25 p.m.  |  Save Story

A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Salem serving in New Mexico died Saturday of an unknown medical cause, church officials said.

2025: Ordinary Utahns doing extraordinary things in their sports

Dennis Romboy, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 12:04 p.m.  |  Save Story

During the past year, ordinary Utahns did extraordinary things in various sports. Each is inspiring in his or her own way. They epitomize determination and perseverance.

West Jordan man faces federal charges in decadeslong identity theft scheme

Cassidy Wixom, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 11:28 a.m.  |  Save Story

A West Jordan man is charged with wire fraud for allegedly using someone else's identity for the last two decades to receive more than $1 million in Social Security and private insurance benefits.

Teenagers as young as 14-15 among victims of Swiss bar fire, raising questions about ID checks

Billy Stockwell, CNN  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 10:31 a.m.  |  Save Story

Teenagers as young as 14 and 15 were among the victims of the deadly fire at a ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, police said Sunday, raising questions about whether sufficient age checks were in place.

Why national travel writers are telling people to come to Utah in 2026

Caitlin Keith, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 10:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

As 2026 kicks off, people all around the world are starting to plan their travel for the year, and a number of travel publications are suggesting a trip to Utah.

Idaho mother, daughter seek help after home destroyed by fire

Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 9:32 a.m.  |  Save Story

A woman, along with her daughter, is asking for help after the camper they were living in caught fire and burned their belongings. As the New Year begins, they do not know where they will live and are worried about being homeless.

Former Utah attorney general candidate admits to attempting to bribe a fellow candidate

Emily Ashcraft, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 4 - 9:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

Frank Mylar, candidate for Utah attorney general in 2024, admitted to attempted bribery on Friday in a plea deal that will dismiss the case if he follows certain conditions over the next year.