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🌅 Good morning!

The number of unsold homes in the U.S. hit a record high. What does it mean for buyers?

“Buyers have a window to get a deal; there’s still a surplus of inventory on the market, with sellers facing reality and willing to negotiate prices down,” Denver real estate agent Matt Purdy said.

Here’s what’s behind the numbers, reported by Lisa Riley Roche:

There are more sellers than buyers. A recent Redfin analysis estimated there are nearly 500,000 more sellers than buyers.
It’s taking longer to sell. It took 40 days for a typical home to go under contract in April, compared to 35 days a year ago.
Demand is down. Buyers are hesitating to make big purchases right now, according to poll data.

Read more about the current housing market.

Utah’s relationship with Ute Indian Tribe shows a different approach to Trump-New York mascot debate

The debate surrounding the use of Indigenous imagery and names has led to a variety of outcomes for different sports teams.

In New York, there’s currently a controversy around a high school that didn’t want to change the name of its mascot, the “Chiefs.”

The New York Education Department has threatened to withhold money from schools that failed to shed Native American monikers. Now the Trump administration has stepped in and has threatened to cut federal funding if New York doesn’t rescind its Native American mascot ban.

Locally, a mutually beneficial agreement between the Ute Indian Tribe and the University of Utah has proven elemental in the state’s flagship university retaining its official nickname: “The Utes,” Jason Swensen reported.

A “Memorandum of Understanding” between the Ute Indian Tribe and the University of Utah was updated and signed in 2020.

“The Ute Indian Tribe encourages the University of Utah to use the Ute name for the University’s sports programs with its full support. The University recognizes that the Ute name is at the core of the cultural identity of the Tribe and its members, and that it constitutes an inseparable element of their rich cultural traditions.

“The University is honored to be allowed to continue to use the Ute name with due respect and integrity.”

The school also pledged to support Ute Indian and other Native American students through scholarships to the school, along with financial support to enhance Ute Indian Tribe educational programs and opportunities, Swensen writes.

Read more about Utah’s approach to the Native American mascot debate.

Clean energy tax credit repeals could cost Utah thousands of jobs, industry group says

Utah could lose thousands of energy-related jobs, depending on what happens with the massive reconciliation bill making its way through Congress.

A report found that the tax bill being considered by lawmakers could eliminate 330,000 industry jobs by 2028, including 2,700 in Utah, Cami Mondeaux reported.

Why would the jobs be eliminated?

The jobs come from the previously passed Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which provided clean energy tax credits. The GOP-led reconciliation bill is considering repealing those clean energy tax credits.

“Lost jobs in every single state are a recipe for disaster for American families, businesses, and the U.S. economy,” said SEIA president Abigail Ross Hopper in a statement.

“Axing energy jobs means shuttered U.S. factories, canceled local investments, and energy shortfalls nationwide. We hope that U.S. senators won’t let their constituents lose their livelihoods on their watch,” Hopper said.

Utah senator reactions

Sen. John Curtis is among those pushing to preserve some of those policies and incentives.

“We must build a thoughtful, principled bill that doesn’t pull the rug out from under American innovators,” a spokesperson for Curtis told the Deseret News. “Doing otherwise risks freezing investment, delaying domestic production, increasing costs, and forfeiting our energy edge and national security to China and Russia.”

While his counterpart Sen. Mike Lee has pushed to repeal all green energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act.

“The government shouldn’t use the tax code to pick winners and losers in the marketplace: Americans should choose what works for them,” Lee told the Deseret News. “Right now, we’re crafting a reconciliation bill that will create tens of thousands of jobs, while ensuring Utah families have reliable, affordable, and abundant energy.”

Read more about the clean energy tax credit repeals.

FROM OUR SPONSOR UTAH BUSINESS

Utah Business 2025 Innovation Awards Summit

Recognizing the state’s vibrant community of innovators — from startups to established companies — and their breakthrough creations. Submit your nomination before July 9!

Utah

Photo gallery: Zions Bank employees paint the town fresh (Deseret News)
UVU unveils innovative autonomous aircraft tug 2.0 at Provo Airport (Utah Policy)
How we’re navigating tariffs and supply chain challenges as a small business (Utah Business)
What it costs to afford rent in Salt Lake City (Axios)
Weather forecasters warn Washington County residents to prepare for potential floods (St George News)
Salt Lake City's big 300 West bike extension plans hit a small snag with the state (KSL.com)

Health

Are night owl teens more impulsive than early risers? (Deseret News)
Food quality may lower heart disease risk more than cutting carbs, fat (Healthline)

Faith

Church sets release date for new hymn book (Deseret News)
Dolly Parton shares how she finds strength in her faith after her husband’s death (Deseret News)
Hundreds of Church members in St. Louis, Missouri, serve after destructive tornadoes (Church News)

Politics

Sen. Mike Lee considers reinstating language to sell Utah’s public lands in massive tax package (Deseret News)
Congress to vote on DOGE cuts as early as next week. Here’s what made the list (Deseret News)
Family of man charged in Boulder attack detained by ICE (Deseret News)
Republican leaders seek to tamp down Elon Musk outrage over Trump tax bill (Deseret News)

The Nation and the World

An innovative “ice battery” system is being used to cool buildings and lower energy costs (CBS News)
Canned soup summer: Bargain hunters are ditching snacks for pantry staples (NBC News)
Army meets recruiting target months ahead of schedule (ABC News)

Sports

Big 12 running back rankings: Who has the best backfield group in the league? (Deseret News)
ESPN’s Football Power Index is out. What it is projecting for Big 12 rivals BYU and Utah in 2025 (Deseret News)
This BYU football commit just made track and field history in California (Deseret News)
What is it about college football that is so irresistible? (Deseret News)

🗓️ Events Calendar

We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah during this month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!

Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:

Oremfest | Orem
SoJo Summerfest | South Jordan
Orem’s Farmers Market and Food Fest Wednesdays | City Center Park, Orem
Park City Farmers Market | Park City Resort, Park City
Ninja Kids Live | Eccles Theater
“Once on this Island Jr.” | Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Taylorsville
Salt Lake Bees vs. Round Rock | 7:05 p.m.

Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!

✨ Cheers ✨

— Gambles