News | Salt Lake City Weekly

A street by any other name would still lead to the Utah State Capitol

Small Lake City
At the end of each year's Utah legislative session, I am always reminded of Fox 13 government reporter Ben Winslow's recurring quip that "all roads lead to the Capitol."

Utah lawmakers end 2024 session with a massive love letter to downtown Salt Lake City

Day 45
Salt Lake City has 10 years to prepare for a likely Olympic Games in 2034 and on Friday, state lawmakers fired the starting gun by passing a bill that could lead to a new arena for the Utah Jazz, a professional hockey franchise and, potentially, rebuilds of downtown landmarks like the Salt Palace and Abravanel Hall.

Utah's ranked choice voting pilot survives repeal attempt in narrow Senate vote

Die Another Day
Utah cities will have one more chance to test out ranked choice voting in 2025 after a bill to prematurely end the state's optional pilot program failed to clear the Senate on Wednesday.

Utah Legislature passes MLB stadium and Fairpark development bill

Play Ball
A bill to catalyze development around the Utah State Fairpark and pave the way for a Major League Baseball stadium in the west side's Power District is headed to the governor's desk after receiving final approval from the Legislature on Wednesday.

Getting through the blues of Utah's long, dark and cold winters

Small Lake City
We just got through the dark days of winter. High five to those who struggle with winter blues and made it through.

Salt Lake City Council weighs leasing Sunnyside Park to U of U baseball; ends meeting early under disruptions by Gaza ceasefire supporters

Washington Square Dispatch
In a more than four-hour-long Salt Lake City Council meeting Tuesday night, the Council passed a ceremonial resolution for peace that was later met with criticism from constituents during the general comments portion of the meeting. The Council also heard public comments on a proposal to lease a section of Sunnyside Park to the University of Utah to facilitate the construction of a new ballpark. Additionally, the Council heard comments on and adopted a budget amendment.

Utah House votes to end ranked choice voting option for cities because vibes

Rank Democracy
A pilot program allowing ranked choice voting—also known as instant-runoff voting—is set to expire in 2026. But critics say they've seen enough to know the pilot is a failure and the dozen or so cities that want to continue experimenting with RCV should be prevented from doing so.

Utah House Democrats' leader says she's frightened of hyper-partisanship on the right

Party Hard
While Utah leaders work to lure Major League Baseball and other investment to the Beehive State, Republicans in the Legislature are banning diversity initiatives, dictating who can and can't use the bathroom and fighting with the federal government over clean air standards. Those contradictions were highlighted by Utah House Democrats on Wednesday, who expressed concern over what they view to be deepening partisanship among their majority colleagues.

Black History Month should be a shared delight for every Utahn

Small Lake City
Few things dampen the spirit more than a legislative session, particularly one under the sway of land-grabbers and far-right ideologues.

Natalie Cline censured by school board and Legislature; Gov. Cox predicts a Donald Trump win in November

Publicly Schooled
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday that the question of whether to impeach controversial state school board member Natalie Cline is effectively moot after Cline's board colleagues voted to take disciplinary action against her on Wednesday.

Bathrooms, vouchers, diversity and guns—the Utah education bills to watch before the end of the 2024 session

Midterm Report
From bathroom requirements to water efficiency, sex education, displaying the Ten Commandments and beyond, the Legislature has big plans for the future of Utah's children and teens.

Salt Lake City's dense, walkable spots are great for business—if businesses can find one

Small Lake City
In the new development landscape, there may be no more idiosyncratic sight than that of the historic Cramer House, built in 1890

Salt Lake City Council declares February Black History Month; approves cost-of-living raise for library employees

Washington Square Dispatch
The Salt Lake City Council convened on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 6, to adopt a ceremonial resolution declaring February as Black History Month and to adopt budget amendments to the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The Council also heard public comments regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and concerns over impact studies regarding the Inland Port Development.

Another attempt to 'save' Utah's old S.O.B. flag bites the dust

Capture the Flag
Having failed to put a referendum on the ballot last year and with their current initiative campaign likely to fall short next week, opponents of the new Utah State Flag made one last effort to prevent the new design from taking effect through legislation. But that effort also failed on Thursday, with a House committee voting against bringing a bill to the floor that would repeal the new flag and require a vote of the Utah public on any future redesigns.

'Reprehensible': Utah Senators join chorus of condemnation against State School Board member who targeted student online

Schoolyard Bullies
The highest-ranking members of the Utah Senate were unanimous in their objections to State School Board member Natalie Cline on Thursday, after Cline targeted a high school student in a since-deleted post on social media

Cyclist safety would be a formal part of Utah road planning under committee-approved bill

Bike Ride
Utah's roads have long prioritized the speed of cars over the safety of non-drivers, resulting in dozens of pedestrian and cycling deaths each year. But a bill recommended by a House committee on Wednesday would begin to shift those trends by formally directing the Utah Department of Transportation to consider both pedestrian and cyclist safety in its highway projects.

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