By Senator Evan Vickers Friends and neighbors, October has brought cooler weather, beautiful moments with loved ones and a chance to enjoy Utah’s incredible outdoors. It’s also been a busy and productive time on Capitol Hill. Over the past few weeks, the Legislature has been hard at work. We convened for a special session to…

By Courtney Tanner, Salt Lake Tribune  Utah’s public school population continues to nosedive — with the number of K-12 students enrolled this fall declining by the highest number yet in a dire, now three-year trend. That portends more school closures, dramatically less funding for the state’s classrooms and likely staff layoffs to come. Overall enrollment…

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work From Jennifer Plecki, U.S. Forest Service CEDAR CITY, Utah, Oct. 28, 2025— Dixie National Forest, Cedar City Ranger District is planning prescribed fire operations starting the week of October 28, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue throughout the fall and winter…

From Michael Sanchez, Utah Division of Water Resources SALT LAKE CITY (October 21, 2025) – The beginning of our Water Year, which began on Oct. 1, has delivered outstanding early-season precipitation. This historic moisture has profoundly improved water conditions and significantly boosted the outlook for our region’s water supply. Recent storms have provided unprecedented rainfall…

Congresswoman Celeste Maloy On September 30, Senate Democrats blocked our clean continuing resolution to keep the government open – holding the American people hostage to their political demands. Their price tag for reopening the government was over a trillion dollars in new spending, including an extension of pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies.  Pitched as temporary…

By Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources SALT LAKE CITY — Many migratory upland game bird and waterfowl hunts are already underway across Utah. The general-season pheasant and quail hunts open Saturday, Nov. 1. If you are planning to target either of these birds this fall, here are some…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today After smashing through the glass doors of Hermie’s Restaurant and hiding in the back sink, a 69-year-old man has been sentenced to probation and ordered to repay the damages. Anthony Ferrante pleaded guilty in August to one count of third-degree felony burglary. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed charges of…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today For the second time this year, police were called to a Cedar City home operated by Chrysalis after a resident allegedly attacked staff members. Kolby James Johnson, 20, was arrested Oct. 4 on two counts of third-degree felony aggravated assault after police say he threatened staff with a…

From Kale Nelson, Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games CEDAR CITY, Utah (Oct. 15, 2025) – The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games was honored with the title of ‘Best Digital Media’ at the 2025 National Congress of State Games Symposium in Columbus, Ohio on Oct. 14. The award accompanies a continued effort by USG to…

From Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Institute Personal connections are key to reaching Utah veterans with suicide prevention resources Study pinpoints Veterans’ barriers to mental health services, offers insights into improving access October 9, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Suicide is a leading cause of death in both the United States and Utah, and data show…

From Anna Loughridge, Utah Office of Tourism Utah remains committed to supporting visitors in planning and preparing for their best trip to Utah, preserving our parks, and ensuring that our communities and businesses relying on national park visitation are supported. The State will continue funding operations within our national parks. With the seasonal closure of…

From Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah Department of Natural Resources SALT LAKE CITY — Sportsman permits are among Utah’s most prized hunting permits, and the time for Utah residents to apply for the 2026 permits is coming up soon. Utahns can begin submitting applications for the 2026 sportsman permits on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 8 a.m.…