WESTERN UTAH

Mar 16 2026SPORTS

High‑School Stars Shine in Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina high schools are buzzing after a week of exciting sports. Students and fans alike can now vote for the top female athlete who delivered an outstanding performance last week. The voting deadline is Thursday noon. The winner of last week’s spot was Lilly Lossiah from Cherokee,

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Feb 28 2026POLITICS

Utah’s Water and Land Laws Shake Up in 2026

Utah lawmakers are busy reshaping how the state handles water, land and mining. While the Great Salt Lake gets most headlines, several new bills aim to protect farmers, miners and public lands. One proposal lets the state’s natural resources department pay for legal fights over Colorado River water

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Feb 23 2026OPINION

Rural Utah’s Green Money Boom

Utah’s western plains are turning sunshine, wind and heat into a real cash flow. A recent study shows that from 2007 to 2028, forty‑one large renewable projects—solar farms, wind turbines and geothermal plants—brought about $8. 4 billion into the state’s economy. The money didn’t just sit in a bank;

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Feb 16 2026OPINION

Utah's Energy Crossroads: Why Nuclear Power Deserves a Closer Look

Utah stands at a pivotal moment in its energy future. The state's leaders are weighing the pros and cons of nuclear power, a technology that has been powering societies for decades. Critics often dismiss nuclear energy as too costly, too dangerous, or too complex. However, these objections often ste

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Feb 14 2026EDUCATION

Utah's SB268: Why Learning About Religion in U. S. History Matters

Utah has a new law, SB268. It lets teachers talk about religion in U. S. history. This is a big deal. For years, schools have been scared to teach this stuff. They thought they might get sued. But now, they can explain how religion shaped America. Think about the Pledge of Allegiance. Utah kids say

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Feb 13 2026WEATHER

Eugene-Springfield: Bracing for a Chilly Surprise

Western Oregon, including Eugene and Springfield, might see a rare snow event next week. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a forecast that includes the possibility of freezing temperatures and light snowfall from February 16 to February 18. This weather pattern is expected to bring a mix

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Feb 10 2026SPORTS

Utah’s 2034 Olympic Plan: Lessons From Milan

Utah recently sent a team of observers to the Winter Games in Milan, Italy, where they got a firsthand look at how the Olympics run. They came from Utah, Los Angeles, the French Alps and Brisbane to learn from the International Olympic Committee. The trip gave them a chance to see how big events are

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Jan 28 2026POLITICS

Utah's Judges: Why Politics Should Stay Out of the Courts

Utah's lawmakers are cooking up some controversial ideas that could shake up the state's courts. They're thinking about letting the governor pick judges without going through the usual process. Right now, a panel of experts suggests names, and the governor picks from that list. But this new plan cou

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Jan 27 2026WEATHER

Chilly Days Ahead: What's in Store for Western North Carolina?

Western North Carolina is still feeling the chill after a big winter storm. The National Weather Service says it's not over yet. They warn of very cold wind chills. These can drop as low as -19 degrees. That's dangerous. Frostbite can happen quickly. So can frozen pipes. People need to be careful.

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Jan 27 2026EDUCATION

Utah's Schools Face Another Budget Hit

Utah's higher education system is bracing for another round of budget cuts, following two tough years of reductions. This time, the state is looking at a 5% cut, which could mean $94 million less for public colleges and universities. School leaders are not happy about it, especially since they've al

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