Utah Breaking News, Sports and Weather

Holiday spending set records despite consumer pessimism

Art Raymond, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 8:34 p.m.  |  Save Story

In the face of an economy beset by persistent inflation and skyrocketing housing costs, a majority of Americans told pollsters that fiscal concerns would lead to tighter spending budgets at the start of the 2025 winter holiday shopping season.

Louisiana man charged with fraud in Utah warrant scam

Pat Reavy, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 7:45 p.m.  |  Save Story

A Louisiana man is facing charges in Utah accusing him of tricking another man into sending him thousands of dollars by falsely claiming a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Report: About ½ of Utah's third graders struggle with reading — so what can be done?

Jason Swensen, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 7:11 p.m.  |  Save Story

Literacy is fundamental in determining a child's educational success and academic future.

'A real welcome to the Big 12 moment for me:' How AJ Dybantsa reacted to 1st BYU-Utah rivalry game

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 7:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

The five-star freshman will undoubtedly face bigger crowds, and plenty of mean ones, in his basketball career. But there may be nothing quite like Dybantsa's first experience with the 267th edition of the rivalry hoops series.

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Why quartz countertops are the smart, stylish choice for 2026

Bedrock Quartz  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 7:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Quartz countertops continue to dominate remodeling decisions, not only because of their performance, but because they align perfectly with the design trends shaping modern homes.

Concerns rise over possible damage to graves during Salt Lake City Cemetery roadwork

Garna Mejia, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 6:30 p.m.  |  Save Story

A $14.5 million roadway improvement project at the Salt Lake City Cemetery is prompting concern from residents who fear construction equipment may be damaging historic gravesites and burial grounds.

Cuba defiant after Trump says island to receive no more Venezuelan oil or money

Dave Sherwood and Marianna Parraga, Reuters  |  Updated Jan. 11 - 4:02 p.m.  |  Save Story

President Donald Trump on Sunday said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba and suggested the Communist-run island should strike a deal with Washington, ramping up ​pressure on the long-time U.S. nemesis and provoking defiant words from the island's leadership.

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This 1 change could transform your health in 2026

HLTH Code  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Millions of Americans are unknowingly battling what scientists and doctors call metabolic dysfunction: an epidemic quietly affecting nearly 9 in 10 adults in the U.S.

GOP House leaders want to add justices to the Utah Supreme Court

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 3:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Top Republicans in the Utah House are looking to expand the state's judiciary and add transparency measures to the court system in the upcoming legislative session.

Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot

Anne D'innocenzio, Associated Press  |  Updated Jan. 11 - 2:00 p.m.  |  Save Story

Google said Sunday that it is expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other big retailers to turn the Gemini app into a virtual merchant as well as an assistant.

Death toll in crackdown on protests in Iran spikes to at least 538, activists say

Jon Gambrell, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 1:01 p.m.  |  Save Story

Activists say the death toll in the crackdown on two weeks of nationwide protests in Iran has spiked to at least 538 people.

Study: Utah could expand child care offerings, women's workplace advancement opportunities

Logan Stefanich, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 12:04 p.m.  |  Save Story

A new Utah Women and Leadership Project study suggests Utah employers and policymakers could do more to expand child care offerings.

6 people killed in Mississippi rampage, including 7-year-old girl. Suspect charged with murder

The Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 11:23 a.m.  |  Save Story

Authorities in Mississippi have charged 24-year-old Daricka M. Moore with murder after six people were killed in a series of related shootings Friday night.

Sluggish hiring closes out a frustrating year for job seekers though unemployment slips to 4.4%

Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 10:27 a.m.  |  Save Story

Sluggish hiring last month closed out a year of weak employment gains that have frustrated job seekers even as layoffs and unemployment have also been low.

A group of Utah moms channel their inner child, create friendships through sledding

Arianne Brown for KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 10:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

Every Tuesday in the winter, seven Salt Lake County women, all over the age of 40, go sledding together. They say it's been a way to channel their inner child and deepen friendships.

'Find purpose in sorrow': Idaho family helping others process grief with children's book

Erik Nielsen, EastIdahoNews.com  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 9:33 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Miller family has channeled the grief of losing a loved one into a poem, which has since been adapted into an illustrated children's book, with the hope that the book can provide comfort and hope.

Washington National Opera latest to leave Kennedy Center after Trump takeover

Kanishka Singh and Bhargav Acharya, Reuters  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 9:04 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Washington National Opera will leave the ​Kennedy Center, the two organizations said on Friday, marking the latest departure from the storied Washington arts institution since President Donald Trump and ⁠his allies took it over.

Cutting down on telemarketing calls: How to avoid spam calls

Sarah Martin, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 8:35 a.m.  |  Save Story

Almost everyone has been caught off guard by a spam call, with telemarketers trying again and again to grab a person's attention, and seniors are most vulnerable. Here's what you can do to protect yourself.

Fears of an AI bubble were nowhere to be found at the world's biggest tech show

Lisa Eadicicco, CNN  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 8:03 a.m.  |  Save Story

Robots took over the floor at the biggest technology show of the year, and CNN's Lisa Eadicicco was there for all of it, while also learning why an AI bubble is not happening any time soon.

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New report: '5 smart ways to grow your retirement savings in 2026'

B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions and Advisors  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 8:00 a.m.  |  Save Story

Utah-based B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions has released a new report, "5 smart ways to grow your retirement savings in 2026." The report is available free and is designed specifically for people who are recently retired, or nearing retirement.

Utah, the state that wants to unplug America's schools

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 7:15 a.m.  |  Save Story

The state of Utah plans to transform the trajectory of K-12 education by taking a giant step backward.

A sold-out Huntsman Center crowd is 'just different' for Runnin' Utes efforts

Josh Furlong, KSL  |  Posted Jan. 11 - 1:20 a.m.  |  Save Story

It wasn't tough to spot the difference Saturday night in what was a sold-out Huntsman Center.

Saunders goes for 24 as No. 9 BYU holds off rival Utah for first road rivalry win since 2021

Sean Walker, KSL  |  Updated Jan. 11 - 12:25 a.m.  |  Save Story

Saunders scored 17 of his 24 points to go with 14 rebounds in the second half, and Robert Wright III added 23 points and six assists as No. 9 BYU held off Utah 89-84.