From Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah Department of Natural Resources SALT LAKE CITY — A total of 1,007 wild animals and fish were illegally killed and investigated by Utah Division of Law Enforcement conservation officers in Utah in 2024, a slight decrease from the number illegally killed in 2023. Some of the animals illegally killed included:…

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Utah’s 45-day legislative session starts January 21 and runs to March 7, 2025. This is the time when my colleagues and I work together to craft policies and establish budgets for programs and services that affect all Utahns. As I consider bills and policy initiatives, I want to ensure your concerns…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today   Utah firefighters, including members of the Cedar City Fire Department, are en route to California to assist in battling one of the most destructive wildfire outbreaks in recent history.  The deployment is part of a coordinated response under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which allows states…

From Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah Department of Natural Resources   SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few updates to waterfowl hunting in Utah, as well as the harvest rules for bears, cougars and furbearer species, and a few other items during a public meeting on Thursday.   Waterfowl hunting and falconry…

Statewide underage drinking prevention campaign reaches an estimated 1.1 million Utahns in 2024 From Michelle Schmitt, Utah Dep. of Alcoholic Beverage Services   SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Governor Spencer Cox and Utah underage drinking prevention leaders celebrate the state’s 12th annual Parents Empowered Month. The awareness month, declared by former Governor Herbert in 2013 and renewed…

From Aundrea Peterson, Utah Senate    Salt Lake City – Utah’s history is defined by resilience and ambition—a place where towering mountains and expansive deserts have fueled generations to dream fearlessly and achieve greatness. Today, the Senate Majority carries that torch, focused on powering Utah’s future with the innovation and foresight that have defined the…

Blood supply critically strained as over 5,000 donations go uncollected in Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states, threatening patient care and emergency medical response. From Keith Paul, Regional Comm. Director   SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 7, 2025) — A powerful winter storm that swept through the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states has forced the cancellation of over 250…

From Adam Cloch, For Iron County Today Washington, D.C. – Today, John R. Curtis was sworn in as the United States Senator representing Utah. Senator Curtis—a Republican—took the oath of office this afternoon on the Senate Floor in the U.S. Capitol. Curtis brings extensive experience to the Senate, having passed over 20 bills into law during…

By Faith Heaton Jolley, Utah Department of Natural Resources   SALT LAKE CITY — In an effort to enhance fishing and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah every year, and in 2024, over 12.8 million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state.…

Decision lauded by conservation groups, lambasted by Utah Gov. Cox, Washington County officials By Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune   St. George• It’s official. One month after the release of the final environmental study that was critical of the proposed Northern Corridor Highway, federal agencies on Thursday formally rejected the right-of-way for the polarizing…

From Bella Pinnock, For Iron County Today   Washington, D.C. — Today, the Biden Administration announced its Record of Decision to amend Washington County’s incidental take permit for the Northern Corridor highway and select the Red Hills Parkway Expressway alternative. U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), Blake Moore (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT),…

As another shutdown looms, Utah will “dust off” its game plan for keeping tourist destinations in the state operating, which generate about $3 billion a year. By Robert Gehrke & Brock Marchant, Salt Lake Tribune    Gov. Spencer Cox announced this week that — once again — Utah will pony up money to keep its…