We are getting closer to what "The Jetsons" had envisioned for the future.
In a "historic" agreement struck Tuesday, Utah took a huge step toward putting electric aircraft in the skies above Utah in the very near future, Art Raymond reported.
The agreement outlines a plan to create new, airborne options for transporting goods and people around the state.
Read more about the partnership to get functional air taxis in the air in Utah in time for the 2034 Olympics.
Homelessness, housing and crime: Some of the biggest issues facing Salt Lake City
An "urgent" focus Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke about during her state of the city address was the issue of safety, Emma Pitts reported.
She referred to the recently announced public safety plan that seeks to address homelessness and crime in the city.
"We will arrest those who are breaking the law. We will hold ourselves accountable for our parts of the system, and we will be up front about the systemic gaps that fail to hold people accountable and provide the assistance to stability that many need."
Here are three quotes from Mendenhall's address:
On tackling homelessness: “Emergency shelters are overburdened, while treatment facilities and transitional housing are stretched thin. These gaps — every gap — in the entire system leads back to our streets."
On combatting the home shortage: "By this time next year, we will have doubled the number of units under affordability protections in this city compared to 10 years earlier. And, there are 1,500 more under construction as we speak."
On updates in urban development: “The Ballpark will be a place where families grow, where businesses thrive, and where the community’s pulse beats strong, drawing us all back to one of the most historic neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.”
Read more about Mendenhall's state of the city address.
More in Politics
‘It’s a shock’: Utah Senate leaders respond to Trump funding freeze (Deseret News)
Trump executive order spurs changes to Google Maps (Deseret News)
Quakers cite religious liberty in lawsuit against immigration raids on churches (Deseret News)
Utah House approves bill limiting transgender access to college dorm rooms (KSL)
Now that Utah has the 2034 Winter Games, here’s what lawmakers want to do (Deseret News)
Envision Utah, Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy report highlights path forward for addressing the Utah housing crisis (Utah Policy)
A new bill seeks to ensure that every Utah child is ready to learn because their bellies are full.
Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla introduced a bill that calls for free school meals for all students enrolled in Utah's public schools — regardless of financial need, Jason Swensen reported.
An opt-out approach
Escamilla wants the state to follow an opt-out approach, allowing students to bring meals from home or opt out if they don't want the breakfast or lunch.
“We should have a more honest and transparent conversation about what it costs to have the quality of life that we want for all children, and not exclude some," Escamilla said. "And I think breakfast and lunch at school, as part of their education journey, should be one of those costs.”
How much would the bill cost?
The bill is estimated to cost around $100 million. If the bill passes, funding would come via a restricted account of legislative appropriations, federal grants, private contributions and other sources, Jason Swensen reported.
Award-winning LDS author Grant Hallstrom ‘s inspiring book, "Emotional Black Holes," is now available in an expanded second edition. Readers said, “Grant turns each page into a personal conversation. Many times I felt as if the words on the page were meant just for me” "This is one book that stayed with me long after I finished turning the last page." Read more.
Utah
As immigration enforcement action rises, Utah will focus on 'anybody with criminal activity' (KSL)
Crossing guard hit, killed near Layton elementary school (KSL)
Medicaidsoft wins $200K in third annual Utah Tech Week Pitch Competition (Utah Business)
SLC airport tallied record firearm confiscations in 2024 (Axios)
Southern Utah’s Burr Trail keeps its historic name after bid to add Trump fails (KUER)
St. George PAWS takes in, cares for furry California fire refugees (St George News)
‘Keep Sundance in Utah’ movement arrives on Main Street in Park City (The Park Record)
Valerie Hudson: Little nudges might bring big benefits for Utah’s housing market (Deseret News)
Health
A new definition of obesity goes beyond BMI. What this could mean for you (CNN)
Why scientists' fears about bird flu are intensifying (NPR)
18 ways you may be sabotaging your sleep schedule (Healthline)
Faith
BYU adds another constitutional scholar, BYU-Hawaii announces apostles to speak at devotional (Deseret News)
Dedication, open house dates announced for Syracuse Utah Temple (Church News)
The U.S. and The World
'A long, long road ahead': Gaza rebuilds from zero (BBC)
ICE to conduct major immigration operations in three cities per week (NBC News)
Mystery drones flying around Northeast U.S. were authorized by FAA, White House says (CBS News)
Sports
3 takeaways from BYU’s win over Baylor (Deseret News)
Jimmer Fredette talks Egor Demin, 3s on seas, and donkey burgers (Deseret News)
🗓️ Events Calendar
We put together a list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah in January. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!
Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:
Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” | The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater, Pleasant Grove
Utah Hockey Club vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | 7:30 p.m.
BYU women’s basketball vs. Colorado | 7 p.m.
USU men’s basketball vs. UNLV | 8 p.m.
Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!
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