Plus, a resolution calls for the "least impactful" solution for Little Cottonwood Canyon traffic. How will it impact the gondola and bus proposals?
Good morning. Salt Lake City will have a high of 58° and a low of 33°. Happy Valentine's Day! Have you ever wondered what dating is like at America's most stone-cold sober campus? I really enjoyed this perspective from Paul S. Edwards, director of the Wheatley Institution at BYU. Also on our mind today: The debate over traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon, why a DoorDash driver was arrested in Utah County and the U.S. state with the most Olympians per capita. |
| Is it possible to save the endangered species of the West? |
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| | What's happening: There's been broad support for conservation and stewardship for a long time, but the way we protect endangered species is changing. How so?: Much of North American conservation has been built on the idea that the best way to manage wildlife is to sustain things where they are, as they are. But that's not always possible "in an era of changing climate and disturbance regimes,” says Jonathan Coop, a forest ecologist at Western Colorado University. Why it matters: Preserving endangered species has myriad benefits. For example, losing the Southwestern ponderosa pine would lead to losing plants that deer and elk feed on. Losing the sub-globose snake pyrg would mean losing an important filter for spring water. Other species are culturally important to indigenous communities. |
Read more about how conservationists and scientists are changing their approach to saving species. |
| What's happening: The Utah Department of Transportation is considering two potential solutions for easing traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Sen. Jake Anderegg, a lawmaker who grew up at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon has introduced a resolution calling for the solution with the least environmental impact.
What would the resolution do?: It doesn't really have teeth, but Anderegg said it would send a strong message to UDOT because the Legislature will vote to fund whatever UDOT recommends. Why it matters: The debate over the future of Little Cottonwood Canyon is sometimes contentious. Critics of the gondola say it would only prioritize the ski resorts, while climbers worry the widened road would destroy popular crags. Read more about the debate over traffic solutions in Little Cottonwood Canyon. More in Politics Utah student group speaks out against proposals for Little Cottonwood Canyon (KSL.com) Statewide internship program in the hotel and tourism industries gets green light to continue (St. George News) | COVID ‘Broken heart syndrome’ is on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic (Deseret News) Faith Here’s what Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay said about his faith (Deseret News) ‘The way the Savior loved’ — new welfare and self-reliance facility dedicated in Tucson metro (Church News) No Hijabs for Now, Indian Court Tells Muslim Students (The New York Times 🔒) Southern Utah Iron County Commission expected to vote on new school board boundaries that include 2 additional seats (St. George News) Washington County Education Association president warns of teacher burnout, asks for help (St. George News) Northern Utah Screaming DoorDash driver who refused to wear mask arrested in Utah (KSL.com) Peaks Ice Arena in Provo celebrates 20th Olympic anniversary (KSL.com) Intraoperative MRI allows for more minimally invasive surgeries at Primary Children's Hospital (KSL.com) How 2 Utah companies are making avatars influencers (Utah Business) The West Why experts say the West's deer population is at 'inflection point' after another drop in 2021 (KSL.com) The Nation This state has more Olympians per capita than any other (Deseret News) Perspective: Affirmative action puts a spotlight on racial diversity. We should talk about socioeconomic diversity, too (Deseret News) The World Biden speaks with Ukraine's leader as U.S. officials warn of imminent Russian attack (NPR) Who gets to play for the Chinese Olympic team? It's complicated (NPR) | That's it for today! Check your inbox tomorrow for more news from the Beehive State and beyond. And if you have feedback for us on Utah Today, please feel free to email us at [email protected], or simply reply to this email. — Ashley |
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