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🌅 Good morning!

Disney's "Snow White" premiered this weekend to mixed reviews. The reboot has earned a score of just 46% on Rotten Tomatoes.

I'm personally ready for more original Disney movies rather than reboots. And according to reader responses, many of you aren't particular fans of the reboots or live-action adaptations either.

Despite the negativity though, the movie will likely debut at $50 million to $56 million domestically — Disney does know how to make money.

My sister and my nieces said there are some really fun songs in it, so maybe the music makes up for the unoriginality?

🍎 Read more about what critics are saying in this story by Madeline Thorpe.

The first-of-its-kind case putting Utah’s new religious freedom law to the test

A religious freedom law that Utah lawmakers unanimously enacted is being tested by a new faith group.

What's the religious liberty law?

SB150, called the Exercise of Religion Amendments, created a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act that gives Utahns more power to challenge government actions that interfere with their religious beliefs, Kelsey Dallas reported.

What's the new faith group challenging the law's limits?

Singularism was started in Provo and claims government officials violated the law when it seized the group's psilocybin and scriptures in November.

Officials argued that the group's motive was to sell illegal drugs.

What's happening now?

A federal judge ruled in favor of Singularism in late February, granting its request for a preliminary injunction. The judge said government officials in Utah cannot claim to support religious freedom if they prevent Singularism’s practitioners from living according to their beliefs, Dallas writes.

The legal battle won't be over anytime soon, as the judge is still considering a variety of motions.

Read more about the religious freedom law.

A copper mine is expanding in Milford. Why it's important

Responding to the rising global demand for copper, the Milford Mining Company is expanding its operations to increase production capacity.

The effort will create more than 1,000 new jobs and invest approximately $100 million in critical infrastructure over the next decade in Beaver County, Amy Joi O'Donoghue reports.

“This expansion marks a significant step forward for us as we continue to meet the growing global demand for copper,” said Roger Barris, chairman of Milford Mining Company.

Here are three key points:

Milford Mining Co. hosted Utah Sen. John Curtis to get a closeup look at their operations.
The mining operation says it relies on state-of-the-art technology in its operations to produce a critical product necessary for national defense and security.
Copper is vital for manufacturing defense technologies, powering artificial intelligence applications and modernizing the electric grid.

Read more about Milford Mining.

FROM OUR SPONSOR UTAH BUSINESS

Utah Business 2025 Executive Excellence Nominations

It’s time to recognize executive team members for their strategic vision, resilient leadership, and profound influence. Nominate before April 18!

Utah

Another winter advisory issued in Utah ahead of spring temps (KSL.com)
Ryan Smith announces plans to build ice rinks — says ‘every municipality’ in Utah should have one (Deseret News)
Bringing Zion National Park 'into the modern age': Washington County approves sewer upgrade plan (St George News)
Nearly 9,000 people in Utah may be owed tax refunds for 2021 (Standard-Examiner)
Park City Hospital expands services with sports performance center (The Park Record)
Utah real estate agent breaks down anticipated impacts on housing market from tariffs (KSL-TV)
Bracket Challenge: What is most iconic to Utah? 2nd round voting begins (KSL.com)

Health

Despite some health benefits, could cannabis break your heart?(Deseret News)
Why we want to exercise, why we don't and how to start (WebMD)

Faith

New AI-powered search assistant added to General Handbook of Instructions (Church News)
Read about the new presidents and matrons of 8 temples — from Alaska to Brazil (Church News)
Firm Faith Doesn’t Require a Closed Mind (Christianity Today)

Politics

This national group gave the Utah Legislature its ‘Black Hole’ award (Deseret News)
Utah Supreme Court ruling on youth climate lawsuit has both sides claiming a win (KUER)
House GOP hoping to grow slim majority with upcoming elections (Deseret News)
Why Mayor Erin Mendenhall sees recent legislative session as 'punitive' for Salt Lake City (KSL.com)
Trump wants to unleash mining minerals for national security (Deseret News)

The Nation and the World

Heathrow resumes some flights and hopes to run full operation tomorrow (BBC)
Wildfire warnings continue in parts of the country as strong winds persist (ABC News)
What's the ideal age to reach a life milestone? Many Americans say it depends (NPR)

Sports

BYU determined to ‘meet the moment’ in biggest basketball game in 14 years Saturday against Big Ten’s Wisconsin (Deseret News)
Kevin Young’s high school coach has become one of his biggest fans (Deseret News)
Takeaways from Utah Jazz against the Boston Celtics (Deseret News)
Ashley Hatch enters ninth NWSL season with new level of confidence (Deseret News)
Done dancing, what’s next for the Aggies, and their coach? (Deseret News)

🗓️ Events Calendar

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

Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:

Festival City Farmer’s Market | Cedar City
Winter Market | The Gateway, Salt Lake City
"Lamb of God" interfaith concert | Salt Lake Tabernacle
Jenny Oaks Baker (performing “The Redeemer: Music on the life of Jesus Christ”) | Tuacahn Amphitheatre
Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 | Abravanel Hall
The Department of Theatre & Youth Theatre at the U presents: “Charting Neverland” | Kingsbury Hall
Utah Hockey Club vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | 3 p.m.
BYU women’s gymnastics Big 12 Championship
U of U baseball vs. Oklahoma State | 2 p.m.
U of U softball vs. Kansas | 4 p.m.
USU women’s volleyball vs. Weber State | 12 p.m.
Weber State softball vs. San Diego | 12 p.m.
Weber State women’s soccer vs. University of Utah | 2 p.m.
SUU softball vs. California Baptist University | 12 p.m.
Utah Tech Women’s Track & Field vs. Trailblazer Invitational
Utah Tech women’s volleyball vs. BYU | 12 p.m.

Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!

✨ Cheers ✨

— Gambles