Utah Breaking News, Sports and Weather

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.

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

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 10:42 p.m.  |  Save Story

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

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.

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.

Unseen photos of Rosa Parks return to Montgomery, Alabama, 7 decades later

Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 7 - 4:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Seven decades after Rosa Parks was thrust indelibly into American history for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, new photos of the Civil Rights Movement icon have been made public for the first time.

Have You Seen This? Special agent monkey uses wire to get around

Grant Olsen for KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 3:31 p.m.  |  Save Story

What is this monkey up to? My guess is that he's evading hundreds of guards as he sneaks into a laser-protected vault where a nuclear weapon is stored.

Toasty: No. 12 BYU accepts invitation to Pop-Tarts Bowl after Big 12 championship loss

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 3:17 p.m.  |  Save Story

The 12th-ranked Cougars accepted an invitation Sunday to the wildly popular and often zany Pop-Tarts Bowl, setting up a season-ending showdown Dec. 27 with ACC foe Georgia Tech.

A Utah man's death-defying pivot to the circus arts

Peter Rosen, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Until he was diagnosed with cancer, yoga was "something for older people," not him, he said.

Utah State to face Washington State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Jason Turner, Herald Journal  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 2:41 p.m.  |  Save Story

The Aggies won't have to wait until next season to play a future conference rival in football.

Suspect arrested in stabbing on Charlotte light rail line where Ukrainian refugee was killed

Alaa Elassar, CNN  |  Updated Dec. 7 - 2:05 p.m.  |  Save Story

The city of Charlotte is contending with another stabbing on its light rail system, months after the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee served as a flashpoint for the crime debate in major American cities.

GLP-1s: What you need to know about weight loss drugs

Emma Benson, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 1:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

Just this week, the World Health Organization released new guidelines recommending GLP-1 therapies as a long-term treatment for adults with obesity.

No. 15 Utah to play Nebraska in Las Vegas Bowl on New Year's Eve

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 12:11 p.m.  |  Save Story

Lady Luck hasn't been on Utah's side since 2017 in bowl games, but a trip to Sin City at the end of the month could have the Utes feeling lucky again.

New calendar highlights Utah's unique geological wonders

Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 12:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

A nearly two-decade tradition featuring photos of some of Utah's most scenic and iconic landscapes has been released by the Utah Geological Survey via a calendar that is an ideal stocking stuffer.

Missing out: BYU drops as Utah stays put in CFP, AP Top 25 rankings

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 7 - 11:22 a.m.  |  Save Story

The rematch played out almost the same as the original this season.

Idaho man reflects on family's pioneering legacy in aviation and agriculture

Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 11:22 a.m.  |  Save Story

Bob Hoff reflected on his father, Mark, and his family's legacy in aviation and agriculture, after Mark Hoff was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Bama, Miami in, Notre Dame out and Indiana No. 1 in College Football Playoff rankings

Eddie Pells, Associated Press  |  Updated Dec. 7 - 11:10 a.m.  |  Save Story

Alabama and Miami are in, Notre Dame is out and Indiana is No. 1 in the College Football Playoff's 12-team bracket.

Does Utah really have the 'Greatest Snow on Earth'?

Dennis Romboy, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 10:40 a.m.  |  Save Story

Utah for decades has billed itself as having the "Greatest Snow on Earth."

University of Utah Health research funding reaches record $531M in 2025

Logan Stefanich, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 10:02 a.m.  |  Save Story

University of Utah Health this year achieved record research funding totals, surpassing the half-billion mark for 2025, reaching $531 million.

Pocatello officer cited after hitting, running over pedestrian with patrol car

Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 9:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

A police officer failed to yield to a pedestrian, hitting them with the front of their patrol car on Thursday afternoon.

As Christmas lights return to Bethlehem, Palestinians look for hope

Alexander Cornwell, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 9:05 a.m.  |  Save Story

A giant Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles stands in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time since 2022.

Idaho National Laboratory achieves milestone on military reactors

Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 8:35 a.m.  |  Save Story

The recent delivery of advanced nuclear fuel to the Idaho National Laboratory's Transient Reactor Test Facility marks a major milestone for Project Pele, a first-of-its-kind mobile microreactor prototype designed to provide resilient power for military operations.

Weekly jobless claims dive to a more than 3-year low

Lucia Mutikani, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 8:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

The number of Americans filing jobless claims fell to a more than three-year low last week, allaying fears of a sharp deterioration in labor market conditions after independent surveys showed losses in November.

Josh Furlong's AP Top 25: Champ weekend turned college football world upside down

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 8:01 a.m.  |  Save Story

In one weekend, the college football world was turned upside down.

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Does that old record still show up on your background check?

Rasa  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

This winter, you can give yourself one of the best holiday gifts possible by finding out what is on your record and fixing it.

The value of domestic food production and Utah's role

Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 7 - 7:07 a.m.  |  Save Story

With food on everyone's mind this holiday season, a recent analysis shows the importance of domestic agriculture production.

'I loved him': Green River residents remember, mourn beloved mayor after tragic crash

Cassidy Wixom and Jodi Reynosa, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 6 - 10:55 p.m.  |  Save Story

Residents of Green River, Emery County, gathered to remember Mayor Ren Hatt, who was killed in a head-on crash with a semitruck Friday night on U.S. 6.

Utah dam reconstruction wins national award

Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 10:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

The reconstruction of a 1906 dam that serves Yuba Reservoir won a national award from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials earlier this year, deemed the project of the year across the country.

Mass shooting at a South African bar leaves 12 dead, including 3 children

Gerald Imray, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 9:46 p.m.  |  Save Story

A mass shooting at a bar near Pretoria, South Africa, has left at least 12 people dead, including three children, with another 13 being treated in the hospital. Authorities are searching for three suspects.

'Life in color again': Why some young adults are switching their smartphones for flip phones

Eastin Hartzell, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 9:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

A growing number of youth and young adults are intentionally swapping smartphones for "dumb phones" — flip phones and minimalist devices that call and text, but don't scroll.

Runnin' Utes pull away from Cal Baptist in win, but rebounding remains an issue

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 8:37 p.m.  |  Save Story

Rebounding continues to be a thorn in Utah men's basketball's side this season.

Missing report in child sexual abuse case prompts audit at Weber County Sheriff's Office

Daniella Rivera, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 8:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

Weber County officials answered questions Friday about how the sheriff's office is moving forward after a KSL investigation highlighting a missing report in a child sexual abuse case.

Hegseth says he would have ordered 2nd strike on Caribbean vessel

Patricia Zengerle, Reuters  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 8:29 p.m.  |  Save Story

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that he backs a Sept. 2 decision to launch a second strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean.

'Roll for Kindness': Idaho soda shop owners turn dice into kind deeds

Brittni Johnson, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 7:04 p.m.  |  Save Story

A couple in Idaho Falls is using social media to help give back to the community that they love.

Touching down in Lima: Delta pulls off its inaugural direct flight from SLC to South America

Jason Swensen, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 6:27 p.m.  |  Save Story

Aviation has celebrated several historic firsts over the past 122 years. Now Peruvians in Utah — and many more from across the western United States — have their own to celebrate.

Review: 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' is a sequel that forgets what made the first movie work

John Clyde for KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 5:43 p.m.  |  Save Story

Here's what worked and the much longer list of what didn't work in "Five Nights at Freddy's 2."

Carbon County teen empowers others with inclusive pageant

Curtis Booker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 5:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Price teen organizes an all-abilities pageant for people with special needs.

Playoff-bound BYU? Big 12 made case, but 11th-ranked Cougars' pitch falls flat with loss

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 4:58 p.m.  |  Save Story

If the "eye test" is what keeps BYU out of the Playoff with an 11-2 record, the Cougars didn't look like much of a CFP team in either of its losses to Texas Tech, then.

Avalanche danger rises after Utah welcomes fresh powder

Jodi Reynosa, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 4:17 p.m.  |  Save Story

Here's everything you should know about avalanche safety as Utah enters skiing season.

A peek inside Salt Lake City's first new regional park in over 60 years

Carter Williams, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 3:38 p.m.  |  Save Story

After enduring delays, Salt Lake City opened the first phase of a new regional park that replaces the old Raging Waters site. It's also getting ready to work on expansions.

St. George man arrested, accused of manslaughter in shooting death of friend

Cassidy Wixom, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 2:51 p.m.  |  Save Story

A man was arrested Friday and accused of manslaughter after his friend was killed in an alleged accidental shooting in St. George.

Repeat defeat: No. 4 Texas Tech rolls by No. 11 BYU for 1st Big 12 title

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Updated Dec. 6 - 2:48 p.m.  |  Save Story

The sequel was awfully similar to the original in the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas.

Cedar Hills man gets life sentences for child sex abuse

Cassidy Wixom, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 12:49 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Cedar Hills man who has been convicted in both federal and state court of filming himself sexually abusing a minor has been sentenced to at least 45 years and up to life in prison.

Will America tap the potential of its booming outdoor recreation industry?

Kevin Lind, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 12:03 p.m.  |  Save Story

According to ORR's latest published research based on federal data, the outdoor recreation industry was worth $1.2 trillion in 2023, the most recent available data. That's 2.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product.

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Major bill to regulate how NCAA pays student-athletes hits roadblocks in Congress

Cami Mondeaux, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 11:31 a.m.  |  Save Story

The House was set to vote on the SCORE Act earlier this week, but the bill was scrapped from the lineup just hours before it was scheduled for a vote.

Released 911 calls reveal desperate pleas and tragic outcomes during Texas Hill Country flood

Jim Vertuno, Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 11:23 a.m.  |  Save Story

Newly released recordings of 911 calls show Texas residents and staffers at Camp Mystic caught up in the catastrophic flooding in July pleaded for help as rushing waters rose around them.

Brandon Sanderson announced a surprise new Cosmere novel. Here's what we know

Valerie Jones, Deseret News  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 10:48 a.m.  |  Save Story

Brandon Sanderson fans can rest easy: A new Cosmere novel is coming in 2026. Sanderson and his wife, Emily, made the surprise announcement during Dragonsteel Nexus on Thursday.

US lawmakers press Google, Apple to remove apps tracking immigration agents

Kritika Lamba, Reuters  |  Updated Dec. 6 - 10:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

The House Committee on Homeland Security has asked Google and Apple to detail what steps they are taking to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration officers.

Officials: leaking barrels near Great Salt Lake aren't suspicious, public health risk low

Shelby Lofton, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 9:29 a.m.  |  Save Story

State environmental and local health officials are investigating nearly two dozen leaking barrels discovered near the Great Salt Lake after a report on Thanksgiving Day.

Father of abused baby girl charged 2 months after stepmother

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 8:21 a.m.  |  Save Story

The father of a 4-month-old girl, who police say was abused by her stepmother, is now facing the same charges as his wife.

University of Utah team discovers rare computer relic

Shelby Lofton, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 7:44 a.m.  |  Save Story

A research team at the University of Utah uncovered a rare piece of computing history.

Provo woman who competed internationally as a 'mermaid' to host similar competition in Utah

Curtis Booker, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 6 - 7:05 a.m.  |  Save Story

Mia Sim, who has competed internationally as a mermaid, is helping to bring a similar competition to Utah next year.

Stenlund has goal and assist as Mammoth beat Canucks 4-1

Associated Press  |  Posted Dec. 5 - 10:46 p.m.  |  Save Story

Kevin Stenlund had a goal and an assist in the third period, and the Utah Mammoth beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 for their second straight win.

Weekly poll: What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Kathleen Clove, KSL  |  Posted Dec. 5 - 10:31 p.m.  |  Save Story

Whether you're into holiday romance, redemption, comedy, action, or even horror, there's a show out there for you this Christmas. Which ones are your favorites? Tell us in the KSL Weekly Poll.