U.S. News

Legal bills now far exceed Save America PAC's other expenses - and they are set to keep growing. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

William Stewart and Elizabeth Murdoch — my great-great grandparents on my father’s side — came to Utah from Scotland by way of Liverpool, New Orleans, St. Louis, Peoria and Omaha. A trip that today might take one day took several years because at each stop, they needed to stop and earn money for the next leg of their journey. Their journey’s final, arduous path began on August 1, 1857, when they left Iowa City with a wagon train bound for Utah. They had already lost one child, but were determined that his body would rest in the promised land, so they sealed his casket and placed it in their wagon. Before William would step foot in Utah, he would lose another son and a newborn girl. Elizabeth too would soon lose her life. Weakened by travel, pregnancy, weather and heartache, Elizabeth died near the crossing of the Big Sandy River in Wyoming. She was just 33 years old. William made it to Utah carrying one son on his back and the other in his arms. They were too weak to walk. He immediat...

Real Salt Lake is moving on to the knockout round. After going 1-1-0 in the group stage of the Leagues Cup (and getting some help in the form of a Seattle Sounders defeat on Sunday), RSL has advanced in the duel-league tournament. Up next: recently crowned CONCACAF Champions League winners Léon. RSL will host the Mexican club at America First Field on Friday. Salt Lake opened the inaugural Leagues Cup with a 3-0 win over Seattle. But RSL was overwhelmed in its next match, a 3-0 home defeat to Liga MX’s Monterrey. “Those are the details that, maybe in an MLS game, they don’t score those goals,” RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “But at that level, with the players they had on the field, it was something that we haven’t seen — that rhythm they played with when they made those passes and when they countered us.” With another Liga MX power coming to Sandy, Mastroeni’s squad will have to be sharper to advance out of the Round of 32. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Great Salt Lake • After a few years pondering what to do with Fremont Island , state resource managers have landed on something novel. They’re going to leave it alone. There will be no concessions, no campgrounds, no causeways. There are no plans to build trails, restrooms or roads. State managers won’t even share information on where to find some of Fremont Island’s historical highlights, like the cross Kit Carson carved back in 1843 or ancient indigenous rock art. But visitors willing to devise a way to get out there are welcome to search and roam all they want, as long as they leave things intact. “Right now, our primary goal is preserving the island as is,” said Marisa Weinberg, interim Great Salt Lake coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources, during a recent trek to document some of Fremont’s artifacts. In some ways, Fremont Island will be wilder than actual designated wilderness areas, because the state won’t even allow livestock grazing, except, potentially, in a...

President Joe Biden is set to visit Utah next week as part of a three-state tour of the American southwest. The White House announced Monday morning that Biden will visit Utah, Arizona and New Mexico from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9. Details on the visit are still forthcoming. This will be the first presidential visit to Utah since Donald Trump spoke at the Utah State Capitol and signed a proclamation to reduce the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments. Biden has since reversed that move by Trump. Biden came to Salt Lake City as Vice President in 2016 to tour the Huntsman Cancer Institute as part of the Obama administration’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative seeking a cure for the disease. In 2021, First Lady Jill Biden made a three-hour visit to Salt Lake City , where she visited a west-side elementary school. (Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) First lady Jill Biden completes an assignment, writing a statement about herself, at Glendale Middle School in...

Farmer Lee Wilson says he secretly planted 80 acres of the flowers as a 50th anniversary gift. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

An evacuation order is in place for towns near the US border as fires there swirl out of control. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

The 64-year-old spent several days in intensive care while receiving treatment for an infection. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

The state’s top-rated football recruit in the class of 2024 is headed to Utah. Corner Canyon offensive lineman Isaiah Garcia, a four-star prospect, announced his commitment to Kyle Whittingham’s Utes on Saturday night. Garcia had narrowed his final three schools to Utah, Oregon and Stanford, but decided to go with the school that gave him his first offer back when he was just a sophomore. “I’m staying home,” Garcia said on a live stream hosted by 247 Sports. The high school senior said he “would have been really happy” at any of his final three schools, but said Utah offensive line coach Jim Harding tipped the scale in making his decision. “Having him develop me as a player — you’ve seen his track record and the guys he’s put in the league,” Garcia said. “There’s also an opportunity for young guys to go in and make an impact there.” If Garcia remains atop the recruit rankings, he will be the third strait No. 1 player from Utah to choose the Utes, following Brighton’s Lander Bart...

After a scorching heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to much of the state, monsoonal moisture is on its way, with the expectation that it will bring a break in the heat, according to the National Weather Service. The weather pattern change will bring increased monsoonal moisture over the next few days, the weather service says, with increased scattered daytime showers and thunderstorms. The moisture will likely peak across Utah by Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing an elevated risk of flash floods and locally heavy rainfall, the weather service said. This will also cause temperatures to drop 5 to 10 degrees by Wednesday. Drier air is expected to return next weekend. On Sunday, flash flooding is “possible” in some slot canyons, dry washes and small streams in Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef national parks as well as San Rafael Swell, and “probable” in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Natural Bridges Nat...

It was déjà vu all over again. For the second time in 11 months, a UFC pay-per-view in Salt Lake City culminated with a knockout head-kick. Saturday night at the Delta Center, Justin Gaethje claimed the “BMF” belt and set himself up for a future lightweight championship shot, as he closed UFC 291 by putting Dustin Poirier to sleep with a right kick to the head just seconds into the second round. Last August at what was then Vivint Arena, Leon Edwards stunned welterweight champ Kamaru Usman in the final seconds of their bout with a perfectly-placed head kick. Head Kick City📍 #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/mOM9DbG2sH — UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023 Gaethje got it done a bit earlier vs. Poirier, and in the process avenged his loss in their epic first bout in 2018. Salt Lake City’s second UFC pay-per-view event in less than a year wound up living up to its predecessor, with only two of the 11 fights going to the judges’ scorecards all evening. Here are some of the most memorable moments f...

Navy Roberts is the daughter of the president's son Hunter, who was recently sued for child support. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Musk is an admirer of Chinese mega-app WeChat, which combines messaging, social media, finances, dating, and more. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Obe, a 25-year-old horse, slipped and fell in southern California where firefighters came to his rescue. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Editor’s note: This story includes descriptions of abuse and the death of a child. Individuals who suspect child abuse or neglect should the Utah Division of Child and Family Services’ 24/7 intake hotline at 1-855-323-3237. Those who are experiencing intimate partner violence, or know someone who is, are urged to call the Utah Domestic Violence Link Line, 1-800-897-LINK (5465), or the Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line, 801-736-4356. The parents of a 4-month-old girl were arrested Friday in Vineyard after authorities determined the girl died after she was beaten by her father, court documents state. The baby’s 29-year-old father and 24-year-old mother initially told investigators that they found their daughter unresponsive about 40 minutes after they put her down for a nap on Wednesday, according to a probable cause statement. The couple called 911, but the baby was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy Thursday revealed the girl’s cause of death...

The Pac-12 Conference issued a statement aimed at stability after Colorado became the third school in a year to announce plans to leave. The nine schools remaining for the 2024-25 season were largely silent Friday. Colorado on Thursday announced it would join the Big 12 beginning in 2024, joining Big Ten-bound Southern California and UCLA in an exodus that could continue in coming weeks and months. Their departures coincide with the expiration of the league’s current media rights deals and the Pac-12 has not yet announced a lucrative deal going forward. Shortly after CU’s regents approved the move to the Big 12, the Pac-12 issued a statement pledging to soldier on. Possible Pac-12 expansion targets could include San Diego State and SMU. “We are focused on concluding our media rights deal and securing our continued success and growth,” the Pac-12 said. “Immediately following the conclusion of our media rights deal, we will embrace expansion opportunities and bring new fans, markets, ...

Until now, Mr Trump has largely shunned appearing at events with rivals over whom he maintains a big lead. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

As Utah leaders seek ways to improve upward mobility for our state’s youth, recent data sheds light on the importance of the family. Educational outcomes are better when there are more married parents in a school district — even when accounting for race or parental education levels. Utah leads the nation in rate of children being raised in married couple households, at 82%. And Utah’s high school graduation rates and NAEP scores are above average despite having one of the lowest per-pupil spending amounts in the nation. The state’s impressive correlation between family structure and education outcomes should prompt policymakers who care about upward mobility to pay close attention to the strength and stability of Utah’s families. “The Utah Family Miracle,” a new joint report from Sutherland Institute and the Institute for Family Studies , describes that connection and provides a range of policy recommendations to strengthen and support Utah families. In particular, the report s...

A shock win by Philippines over New Zealand was forged thousands of miles away in the US. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

A new license plate raising money to help the Great Salt Lake will soon be available — but only if at least 500 people sign up to buy one. The license plate is designed to bring awareness to the plight of the Great Salt Lake and ways to save it. It was created following a bipartisan bill passed this year in the Utah State Legislature. Money from the specialty license plate will be awarded to community organizations with projects to help the lake. But in order for the specialty plate to become a reality, at least 500 people must sign up for it and pay $46 for one. So far, supporters of the plate have gotten 100 people to apply for one, said Sen. Jennifer Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, who sponsored the bill. She said they are hitting up community events to let people know the plate is available. “Hey, is the Great Salt Lake something you care about? Something you might be interested in having a license plate on your car, which gives a little donation towards education, research, developmen...

The plants in Arizona are losing their limbs, collapsing and entirely transforming in shape. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Question: Is the Pac-12 going to collapse, blow apart, disintegrate, transform into a backwater league, do the hokey pokey and turn itself around what with USC, UCLA jumping ship and Colorado reportedly taking its right and left feet, its right and left arms, out, along with most of its other body parts, leaving what’s left of the conference to shake itself all about? Answer: Not if there’s a football god in heaven. It’s no big secret as to the reason USC and UCLA are bolting. It’s the same reason that rules the world, far beyond sports, and it starts with an m and ends in a y, courtesy of the TV networks and the Big Ten. Colorado appears motivated by the same m, the same y, compliments of the Big 12. The Buffs have waited on the Pac-12 to get its media rights deal done … waited and waited and waited. And it, apparently, wants to wait no more, even as Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff has said not only that the conference will get that deal put in place, but diminished the dooms...

I had the honor last fall of running as a candidate of the United Utah Party for the Utah legislature (House District 46 in Draper/Bluffdale). I enjoyed the hundreds of conversations I had with residents as I knocked doors during my campaign. In one of those conversations about my views on how we could improve government in Utah, a self-identified Republican constituent made this interesting comment to me: “When I saw your campaign sign that said ‘People Over Party,’ I assumed that you were just a Democrat in disguise, but now that we’ve spoken I see that is not the case.” I believe this person entered the conversation with the “either/or” mindset that there are only two possible political camps: Republicans and those opposed to Republicans. You are either with us or you must be against us. I believe that this fear-based “either/or” mentality is a growing byproduct of the divisive language and actions we see coming from the two major political parties. The problem with this “either...

Nevada gambling regulators were poised to approve a deal, where the billionaire admits no wrongdoing. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Detroit •  Shohei Ohtani is staying with the Los Angeles Angels, at least for the rest of the season. The Angels said they have decided not to deal the two-way superstar, a morning after making a significant move that signaled they’re in win-now mode. “We’re going to roll the dice and see what happens,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters in Detroit before a doubleheader against the Tigers on Thursday, just days before MLB’s trade deadline. Ohtani will be a free agent this winter. Even though the franchise risks losing the 29-year-old slugger and starting pitcher on the open market — there’s speculation he could fetch $500-600 million — it is motivated to make its first playoff appearance in his six major league seasons. “I love Shohei Ohtani,” Minasian said. “He comes in, prepares, works, goes out and performs on a nightly basis. Obviously, does both (hitting and pitching). He’s a great teammate. He takes this really seriously. He eats it. He sleeps it. “He’s...

Utah’s history with alcohol has always been complicated. Cultural and legal precedents have clashed for decades as some people fought for prohibition while others were building saloons. Luckily, passion and spirit persevered and today we have over 40 breweries, 15 wineries, and 20 distilleries that call the beehive state home. Each of these businesses puts incredible care and effort into their Utah-based alcohol, but there’s no place quite as unique and luxurious as Holystone Distilling. Holystone is located in Murray and has been open for four years. They opened their doors just before Covid hit and although navigating a new business during a global pandemic was difficult, they persevered and built the business into the luxury landmark it is today. The founding principles of the business are persistence, hard work, humility, and teamwork, so it’s honestly no wonder they’ve managed to succeed despite any obstacles in their way. Even the name of their distillery is a testament to their...

Speculation mounts that Mr Trump will soon be charged over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

Do you believe alien life exists? Do you believe beings, in one form or another — perfected, exalted, damned — exist on other planets? Do you believe in worlds without end, all God’s creations? Something else’s creations? Is there a Kolob -like planet out there with your name on it? Are there billions of Kolob-like planets with billions of names on them? What and where is Kolob anyway? If everybody everywhere lives forever, lives through the eternities, where do they all go, where do they all live? And do they ever interact with one another, with … us? So many questions, so much space, so much time. If you take religion out of the equation, do you believe UFOs are flying through and around Earth’s airspace, occasionally being actually seen by … you know, humans? Are they friends or foes? Are we all going to die at the hands of smart and angry E.T.s? Or are they our pals? Or is it all just a bunch of bull? Phony home. [Salt Lake Tribune data columnist Andy Larsen examined UFO sight...

You might know Eli McCann as The Salt Lake Tribune’s guest humor columnist and storyteller. But there’s a lot you probably don’t know. Eli, let’s just call him that, is an attorney who discusses religious freedom cases while teaching at the University of Utah’s law school. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ukraine and became a vocal supporter of helping that country after Russia attacked it last year. He’s an LGBTQ advocate and a board member of Equality Utah . He is married to Skylar Westerdahl and lives in Salt Lake City with, as he puts it, their “two naughty (yet worshipped) dogs.” Eli McCann joins us today in studio to explain how he puts all that together with his love of canning, knitting and marathon running. Listen here: Mormon Land · Meet Eli McCann — lawyer, writer and humorist on LDS culture | Episode 296 \ Subscribe To Mormon Land Newsletter Get the latest news by subscribing to our Mormon Land newslette...

Rep. Burgess Owens says Congress should open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, and he’s using the issue to raise money for his 2024 reelection campaign. On Monday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the financial dealings of Biden’s son Hunter may warrant opening an impeachment inquiry into the president , Politico reported. Owens enthusiastically endorsed the move through an email sent out by his campaign on Wednesday morning. “In recent weeks, the American people have learned through whistleblowers that Joe Biden and his son may have taken millions of dollars in foreign bribes while he was in office,” Owens’s email reads. “It’s time to open up an inquiry into President Joe Biden.” While Owen’s message does not make any mention of fundraising, readers who click on a banner reading “Stand with me - Demand an impeachment inquiry here” are redirected to a fundraising page where they can agree with Owens by donatin...

A severe thunderstorm passed over New York City creating an extraordinary shelf cloud. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

A 74-year-old woman was carjacked at a Clearfield gas station Saturday afternoon while her dog was still inside the vehicle. The stolen car was later recovered but the pet dog — a 7-year-old, brown-and-white Shih Tzu named Reo — remains missing. Authorities are asking the public to keep an eye out for the pet. The carjacking happened at about 12:45 p.m. at a Maverik gas station located at 709 S. State Street in Clearfield, according to police. A woman believed to be around 30 years old took the keys from the 74-year-old victim while she was still inside the gas station store. When the woman tried to prevent the thief from leaving the gas station in her vehicle, the thief struck the victim with the stolen car, causing minor injuries. The thief then drove off from the scene eastbound on State Route 193 in Clearfield. (Clearfield Police Department) Reo, a 7‐year‐old Shih Tzu, was still inside when a thief stole a woman's car in Clearfield. Later that day, at around 5:48 p.m., S...

The US central bank has raised borrowing costs sharply as it tries to stabilise prices. source https://oto.oto-login.com/

The amount Utahns pay in property tax varies from house to house, and lot to lot, based on what elected county assessors think a property is worth. But information on those assessments has not always been easily accessible to all Utah residents. Utah State Auditor John Dougall announced a new tool Wednesday for the public to check the valuation of any property in the state at PropertyValues.utah.gov . The tool, a news release said, “is the result of taxpayer concerns about inequitable valuations and questions about adequate oversight.” “The release of the new Property Values Tool brings greater transparency to Utah taxpayers,” Dougall said in a written statement. “The Utah constitution requires uniform and equal treatment of properties in Utah. This tool will help Utahns better monitor that effort.” Information in the Property Values Tool includes data compiled from counties throughout the state, which was provided by county assessors, according to the auditor’s office. Nine counti...

Washington • The U.S. is concealing a longstanding program that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects , a former Air Force intelligence officer testified Wednesday to Congress. The Pentagon has denied his claims. Retired Maj. David Grusch’s highly anticipated testimony before a House Oversight subcommittee was Congress’ latest foray into the world of UAPs — or “unidentified aerial phenomena,” which is the official term the U.S. government uses instead of UFOs. While the study of mysterious aircraft or objects often evokes talk of aliens and “little green men,” Democrats and Republicans in recent years have pushed for more research as a national security matter due to concerns that sightings observed by pilots may be tied to U.S. adversaries. Grusch said he was asked in 2019 by the head of a government task force on UAPs to identify all highly classified programs relating to the task force’s mission. At the time, Grusch was detailed to the National Reconnaissa...