Plus, what happened to the Great Salt Lake this year?
Good morning! Here are today’s temperatures: ⛅ 23 – 42° Logan | ⛅ 31 – 50° Salt Lake
⛅ 22 – 48° Manti | ⛅ 26 – 47° Moab
☀️ 23 – 54° Cedar City | ☀️ 32 – 60° St. George
On Monday morning, a second grade teacher in Madison, Wisconsin, called 911 to report that a student had opened fire. Lois M. Collins reports that earlier reports mistakenly identified the caller as a second grade student, sparking debate of the role cellphones should play in schools. Yes, they can be a distraction and a detriment to mental health, when used improperly. Used properly, however, can they save lives? “The most recent school shooting comes at a time when state lawmakers, school districts and others are pondering or actually banning students’ cellphones in school,” Lois writes. “That, in turn, has some parents and others wondering whether phones are actually a safety help should something dire occur.” Read more about how an urgent 911 call has recharged the debate on the use of smartphones in schools.
Also on our minds: Is Santa a Republican? What Americans think How Utah scored on a list of the best and worst cities for singles What will be the wildcard when Cougars, Buffaloes meet in the Alamo Bowl? |
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| Trump wants police to help with mass deportations. Will Utah law enforcement comply? |
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What do Utah law enforcement officials think about President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation agenda? “Some county sheriffs are excited for a new presidential administration that will prioritize deporting migrants who commit crimes,” Brigham Tomco reports. “Other current and former law enforcement officials in the state worry that expanding deportation efforts could deter witnesses from coming forward and take resources from addressing other criminal activity.
“For many, the distinction is drawn between whether Trump’s plans to deport millions of people will focus on those who have committed crimes while living in the United States, or whether the effort will include peaceful members of a community who may or may not have entered the country illegally.”
Here are some key points of Brigham’s reporting: Utah sheriffs are unsure of how President-elect Trump will utilize local law enforcement in mass deportations. Migrant-related crime has increased in Utah along with immigration levels over the last few years, including by Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, officials say. Mass deportation policies could deter criminal witnesses and strain law enforcement resources. Read more about how mass deportations could affect Utah. |
| The Great Salt Lake is more than just the namesake for our capital city — it’s an essential part of Utah’s ecosystem, and its decline in recent years has had devastating effects. Scientists, legislators and average Utahns have teamed up to increase the lake’s water levels and enhance protections. Here’s some of what they did in 2024: Several organizations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Kennecott, have donated or leased water. So far, 70,000 acre-feet of water has been designated for the lake. The lake has been the beneficiary of both state and federal funding, including $50 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Legislators enacted laws that increase regulation for mineral extraction industries and help farmers use water more efficiently. Researchers conducted a number of studies to better understand how water reaches the lake and how to make informed decisions regarding its use. Read more about the donations, funding, legislation and research that helped the Great Salt Lake in 2024. More in Utah 5 dead, 1 injured in West Valley City shooting (KSL) University of Utah Health hires new chief (Deseret News) Former Zions Bank CEO Scott Anderson joins Sutherland Institute board of directors (Deseret News) ‘We’re making history’: Salt Lake library workers reach key step in effort to unionize (KSL) |
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Politics Health care advocates launch ads targeting Sen.-elect John Curtis over RFK Jr. nomination (Deseret News) Is Santa a Republican? Here’s what Americans think (Deseret News) The U.S. Americans continue to move from blue states to red states (Deseret News) What TikTok users should prepare for if the app isn’t saved (Deseret News) The World U.S. asks Israel to approve urgent military aid to Palestinian security forces (Axios) General's assassination pierces Moscow's air of normality (BBC) Sports What the NBA is saying about BYU’s Egor Demin (Deseret News) Strength vs. strength: Something must give when Cougars, Buffaloes meet in Alamo Bowl (Deseret News) Isaac Wilson returning to Utah after entering transfer portal (Deseret News) Your guide to watching the first round of the College Football Playoff (Deseret News) A Utahn was nominated for a national U.S. Soccer award. Here’s how to vote for her (Deseret News) Faith The top religion stories of 2024 (Deseret News) Why Utah HC goalie Jaxson Stauber has this Bible verse on his mask (Deseret News) Churches turn to Christmas migrant story amid deportation fears (Axios) Health Utah sees rise in congenital syphilis as overall STI rates fall (Axios Salt Lake City) An Alabama woman is doing well after the latest experimental pig kidney transplant (The Associated Press) Culture These are the best cities for singles. Did anywhere in Utah make the list? (Deseret News) Adult depression: A consequence of school suspension/expulsions? (Deseret News) |
🗓️ Events Calendar We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah the next month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything! Here are some highlights for events in Utah today: Dec. 1-23, 26-30 — Zoolights at Hogle Zoo | Salt Lake City Dec. 17-18 — Christmas Carol Services at The Cathedral of the Madeleine | Salt Lake City Dec. 18 — Utah hockey vs. Vancouver Canucks | 8 p.m. Dec. 18 — USU women’s basketball vs. UC Riverside | 6 p.m. Dec. 18 — Weber State men’s basketball vs. Lincoln at home | 7 p.m. |
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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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