Also: Utahns are optimistic about some U.S. institutions
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By Ariel Harmer Sunday March 17, 2024

Good morning! Here are today’s temperatures:

 

☀️ 37 - 55° in Logan ⚠️

☀️ 37 - 60° in Salt Lake ⚠️

⛅ 40 - 62° in Saint George | 💧10%

 

⚠️ High Wind Warning

 

Americans have been going through it. And more than ever before, they want to talk about it. 1 in 5 Americans are in therapy now, and demand is increasing so fast that U.S. senators on both sides of the aisle want to ensure there are enough qualified providers to meet it. Read more about how therapy can change mental health.

 

Also on our mind: Tips for celebrating St. Patrick's Day, the Delta Center hosts a day of fun for adults with disabilities and the Utah Royals lose in front of a sold-out crowd.

Utah energy: What’s here and what’s coming for consumers

 

Utah has a diverse array of energy offerings, and the state continues to look to add more options in the future. 

 

A report released by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah looks at Utah’s energy sector in 2023 and where it is headed this year. While Utah coal production dropped to its lowest level in over 45 years in 2023 — stemming from the closure of two mines — the analysis says it may increase slightly this year.

 

In contrast, Utah’s crude oil production increased by 22% in 2023, the highest annual production on record.

 

Utah is already in the business of new energy production with the FORGE geothermal project in central Utah. Political leaders and PacifiCorp have committed to pursue and ultimately rely on next-generation nuclear reactors and nuclear power “microgrids” in both military and industrial applications.

 

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy announced this week that Utah would share in millions in the commercial development of hydrogen fuel, with two companies getting a piece of $750 million pie.

Read more about the future of Utah's energy production. 

inhstitutions-3-16-24

Confidence in U.S. institutions at an all-time low, but one standout may surprise you

Across the U.S., the collective faith in societal institutions has been waning for decades and, for most categories, hovers at or near all-time lows.

 

New statewide data gathered by the Deseret News in partnership with the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics found Utahns are more optimistic about institutions, in general, but show full agreement when it comes to the category that has the most perceived positive impact on society: small businesses.

 

One of the reasons for those ubiquitous personal connections between individuals and Utah small businesses boils down to math. There are, quite simply, a lot of them.

 

The survey found Utahns have positive views of a few other institutions, such as community colleges and medical and scientific researchers, but are less confident in the government, social media and news media. 

 

BYU communications professor Joel Campbell said he was encouraged by the high rankings earned by Utah educational institutions in the survey but not so much by the dismal performance of the news business.
 
“I get concerned, being a media guy and former journalist, that the news media is taking it on the chin here,” Campbell said. “I believe the news media is central to our democracy and performs an essential watchdog role.”

 

Read more about Utahns' optimism for major U.S. institutions and how it differs from the rest of the country. 

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Round out your day (v5)

U.S. & World

  • Should Americans subsidize green energy or trust the market? (Deseret News)
  • Pennsylvania man suspected of killing 3 people is in custody, police say (CNN)
  • Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas are expected to resume on Sunday in Qatar (The Associated Press)
  • Dyeing the Chicago River green is a St. Patrick's Day tradition. How did it start? (NPR)
  • Russia accuses Kyiv of election sabotage, Medvedev warns 'traitors' (Reuters)

Utah

  • Is tuition going up at Utah’s public colleges and universities next fall? (Deseret News)
  • High winds still howling, minimal damage reported (KSL)
  • Skiing Sundance for the nachos (Deseret News)

Faith

  • President Biden recounts receiving family history from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Deseret News) 
  • The Church’s efforts to improve nutrition for women and children, one by one (Church News)
  • Ramadan shrouded in grief for U.S. Muslims amid Gaza deaths, devastation (The Washington Post)

Sports

  • Utah Royals home opener (Deseret News)
  • What does Utah State need to work on between now and the NCAA Tournament? (Deseret News)
  • BYU football gets commitment from the son of a former player (Deseret News)
  • The QB market is closing. Who got left out? (Deseret News)

Politics

  • Warning signs point to a ‘debt bomb.’ Does the federal government needs to be put ‘on a diet’? (Deseret News)
  • Mike Pence won’t endorse Trump or Biden for president (Deseret News) 
  • Schumer’s rebuke of Netanyahu shows the long, fragile line the US and allies walk on interference (The Associated Press)

Entertainment

  • 19 must-watch movies for travel enthusiasts (Deseret News)
  • Only 2 questions stumped all 3 players in this ‘Jeopardy!’ tournament game. Can you answer them? (Deseret News)
  • Multiversus is coming back with new characters (Deseret News)

That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!

 

And reply to this email or email [email protected] to tell us what you think of Utah Today.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

— Ariel

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