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Utah Shakespeare Festival

One day after Gov. Spencer Cox concluded his national “Disagree Better” initiative, the nation was shocked by a gunman taking aim at Donald Trump.

The assassination attempt against the former president sparked calls for pundits and politicians to stop labeling each other and to lower the temperature of their political rhetoric.

However, Cox’s effort over the past year to push a similar message — of having real debates without degrading your opponents — has revealed the difficulty of encouraging respect amid social media-driven hyperpartisanship. In fact, Cox’s “Disagree Better” campaign became one of central targets during the governor’s contentious primary race against state Rep. Phil Lyman.

Read more about the political costs of championing healthy political discourse over culture war victories.

Utahns can now plant drought-resistant grass

Kentucky Bluegrass is the ground cover of choice in Utah landscaping, but researchers from Brigham Young University have paved the way for a hybrid Bermudagrass that requires about half as much water.

The researchers, along with counterparts from Utah State University, are celebrating a decision by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Noxious Weed Board to allow the planting of a hybrid species of Bermudagrass.

Up until now, the hybrid hasn’t been approved in Utah mostly due to its cousin, common Bermudagrass, which is considered an invasive weed in the state.

“I may seem nerdy in saying this, but the delisting of hybrid Bermudagrass as a noxious weed in Utah nearly brings tears to my eyes,” said BYU professor Bryan Hopkins, who specializes in plant and wildlife sciences. “This will have such an important impact on future water conservation.”

Read more about how this could affect your lawn and water bill.

More in Utah

FROM OUR SPONSOR UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Tony Award-Winning Theatre in Cedar City

The Utah Shakespeare Festival’s 2024 season runs June 17 to October 5, featuring Henry VIII, The Winter’s Tale, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, The 39 Steps, Silent Sky and The Mountaintop. Do not miss these incredible productions in beautiful Cedar City. Use code DesNews24 for $10 off at bard.org or call 800-PLAYTIX.

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