Residents are invited to attend a community discussion on “Why Utah Needs a Data Center Moratorium” presented by Dr. Kent Udell, candidate for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Johnson Center for Community Arts and Education, 59 N. 100 W. in Cedar…

By Michael Sanchez, Utah Division of Water Resources SALT LAKE CITY (July 23, 2026) – After significant collaboration with the public, and partners across the state, the Utah Division of Water Resources has released a draft of the 2026 State Water Plan. The division has been working with state agencies, local governments, tribal representatives, watershed…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today A Parowan man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he repeatedly struck a woman in the head with a handgun, threatened to kill her and fled before being arrested hours later by a SWAT team. Kelly Bess Stones, 55, was arrested July 12 and booked into…

From LNS, For Iron County Today WAYNE COUNTY, UT — In a swift and necessary move to protect local land and water resources, the Wayne County Commission voted unanimously to pass Resolution 2026-04,  placing an immediate 180-day moratorium on all land use applications for data centers, data  center power plants (including nuclear), and supporting digital…

by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President Live music and art displays combine for a pleasant summer evening on Friday, July 31, from 5 to 8 pm in Cedar City. The Final Friday Art Walk stretches from the Artisans Gallery to the Southern Utah Museum of Art on University Blvd (Center Street) and down 100 West.…

By Iron County Today Staff, For Iron County Today  Heavy rain falling over the Cottonwood Fire burn scar triggered a dangerous flash flood and debris flow Sunday afternoon, sending water, mud, rocks and burned trees through Beaver Canyon and into Beaver City, forcing evacuations, contaminating the city’s water system and shutting down Interstate 15. The…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today A Cedar City woman arrested on felony charges for allegedly abusing an elderly family member in her care had several additional charges filed just three days after she was taken to jail as police continued investigating the case.  Olivia Matthis, 46, was arrested July 12 and booked into…

By Brooke Heath, Southern Utah University At a time when students, families, and communities are looking closer at the real-world value of a college degree, Colleges of Distinction has recognized Southern Utah University (SUU) as one of the most valuable higher education experiences in the nation for the 2026-2027 academic year. Colleges of Distinction is…

From Sarah Welliver, NRCS Utah State Office The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $500,000 in emergency funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to Utah farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners impacted by recent wildfires. Applications will be accepted from producers across the state until July 31, 2026. “The impacts of wildfire…

By Iron County Today Staff, For Iron County Today Two Iron County boys are being recognized after helping stop a UTV fire from spreading into a potentially dangerous wildland fire near Kolob Reservoir. The July 1 incident occurred when a Utility Task Vehicle caught fire on the north side of the reservoir. According to Hurricane…

From Anna Tibbitts, Utah Attorney General’s Office SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Today, Attorney General Brown and 48 other attorneys general called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen rules that would cut off scammers’ access to the legitimate telephone numbers they use to reach their victims. Americans received approximately 29.6 billion scam robocalls…

What to know about bats in Utah and how to prevent conflicts with them By Faith Jolley, Division Wildlife Resources  Most Utahns probably associate bats with fall and the Halloween season, but you shouldn’t be surprised if you find one in or around your home during the summer months. Utahns may see more bats during…