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Can the National Park Service thrive under the Trump administration’s cuts?
It’s a difficult question to answer — in part because we don’t know exactly how expansive those cuts are, Kevin Lind reports. The Department of the Interior maintains a strict policy of not discussing personnel matters.
However, one conservation advocacy group reports that the NPS has lost about 24% of its permanent staff since January. Former NPS employees have concerns about the long-term viability of current staffing levels.
So, how are the parks faring with reduced staff during the busy summer season? Is this viable in the long term? And will parks be able to fulfill President Trump’s mandate to prioritize visitor experience?
Read more about how the national parks are surviving staffing cuts.
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Legions of Utah kids in afterschool/summer programs could be impacted by federal budget cuts
Utah’s summer and afterschool programs offer youth opportunities to safely gather with other kids, learn new skills, play sports, eat a nutritious meal, and build education and career skills that will serve them for years to come.
But now many of those programs — and similar ones across the nation — could be in jeopardy because of recent federal cash freezes, Jason Swensen reports.
The Trump administration is withholding $6 billion in education grants, saying it wants to ensure recipients’ programs align with the president’s priorities. These grants are administered by the Education Department — a federal agency Trump hopes to scrap.
On Monday, more than 20 states sued the Trump administration to force the release of the money.
Read more about how federal budget cuts might affect Utah students.
Cyclists frequently encounter vehicles parked in the bike lane, forcing them into traffic and creating a dangerous situation for them and for drivers.
But a new Utah law makes it illegal for cars to stop, park or drive in a bike lane, with a few exceptions such as for emergency vehicles and snow plows.
“When cyclists have to merge into car lanes unexpectedly, it increases the risk of crashes. Bike lanes reduce accidents by up to 49% but only when they are clear and usable,” Rep. Verona Mauga, D-Salt Lake City, who sponsored HB290, said earlier this year.
Read more about what you need to know about bike laws in Utah.
More in Utah
Utah’s Sen. Curtis pushes Treasury to mint commemorative coins ahead of state’s next Olympics (Deseret News)
How will Trump’s new copper tariff impact Utah? (Deseret News)
Fentanyl drug busts are up, overdose deaths down in Utah, task force reports (KSL.com)
Cottonwoods used to line the Colorado River in Utah. What’ll bring the trees back? (KUER)
FROM DESERET NEWS MARATHON
Join us for the 55th Annual Deseret News Marathon
Join us for this year’s Deseret News Marathon, Utah’s longest-operating marathon! Runners will race down historic Emigration Canyon into the Salt Lake Valley, finishing in front of thousands of adoring fans along the Days of ’47 Parade route. Sign up today at run.deseret.com!
Politics
Supreme Court greenlights Trump’s plan to dismantle Education Department (Deseret News)
4 highlights from Biden interview on autopen controversy (Deseret News)
How the just-passed ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ affects taxes on Social Security benefits (Deseret News)
What is the AIDS prevention program Sen. Curtis wants to protect from DOGE cuts? (Deseret News)
The Nation
Heavy rains, renewed flooding hit central Texas as search operations continue (Deseret News)
Arizona seeks probe of feds’ response to Grand Canyon fire (Reuters)
Musk’s Grok signs $200m deal with Pentagon days after antisemitism row (BBC)
The World
Trump threatens ‘very severe’ tariffs if Russia doesn’t end war with Ukraine soon (Deseret News)
Putin urges Iran to take "zero enrichment" nuclear deal with U.S., sources say (Axios)
Sports
BYU will have another QB competition this fall — but the Cougars’ best seasons under Kalani Sitake have all started that way (Deseret News)
Big 12 membership elevated BYU recruiting. But there’s more to it than that (Deseret News)
The father of this year’s No. 1 MLB draft pick made a name for himself in the Utah minors (Deseret News)
Sure it’s hot, but football is coming anyway (Deseret News)
A rookie-less Summer League game for the Jazz highlights an issue with the Las Vegas showcase (Deseret News)
Faith
Superman and the secular longing for a Savior (Deseret News)
Bald eagle’s new status as the official U.S. bird brings pride and hope to many Native Americans (The Associated Press)
Health
Ice cream, other foods getting makeover as part of MAHA (Deseret News)
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