Utah news for October 20, 2026: Letter with white powder addressed to Utah Lt. Gov. Henderson intercepted, given to FBI; Sen. Lee accuses Sen. Slotkin of...
Letter with white powder addressed to Utah Lt. Gov. Henderson intercepted, given to FBI
2 sourcesUtah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is among several election officials across the country sent suspicious white powder and threatening letters ahead of the midterm elections, Utah News Dispatch reports. Henderson said Sunday that the local postal inspector intercepted the envelope addressed to her office and that it was turned over to the FBI. Reports of similar letters in Arizona, Ohio, Oklahoma and Louisiana began last week.
Sen. Lee accuses Sen. Slotkin of 'fascist' tactics over call to prosecute Trump officials
1 sourceUtah Sen. Mike Lee had a heated exchange with Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin over the weekend after she encouraged prosecuting Trump aides to deter Republicans from working in the White House. In an interview with the Deseret News, Lee said Slotkin's statement went beyond the usual partisan finger-pointing.
Super PACs pour nearly $3 million into Utah network TV ads
1 sourceSuper PACs are largely powering the most expensive midterm election in history. In Utah they have already spent about $3 million on ads on Salt Lake City's four major network affiliates: KSL, KSTU, KTVX and KUTV.
Wasatch County Council will call for Sheriff Jared Rigby's resignation
2 sourcesWasatch County officials will formally call this week for Sheriff Jared Rigby to resign, the Park Record reports. The council can't force Rigby out because he holds elected office, but members can draft a resolution calling for his resignation. A draft resolution says the sheriff turned down severance and remote work options.
Utah County Commission Seat A: Voters to choose Bowen, Kaufusi or Oaks
1 sourceUtah County voters will choose the next county commissioner for Seat A on Nov. 3 among Jeanne Marie Bowen, Michelle Kaufusi and Jacob Oaks. The American Fork Citizen and Lehi Free Press sent each candidate the same questionnaire.
Sen. Curtis says all ideas are on the table to save the Great Salt Lake
1 sourceSen. John Curtis said Monday that all ideas should be on the table to save the Great Salt Lake, including President Trump's budget, speaking at the Sutherland Institute's 2026 Congressional Series at the Hinkley Institute of Politics. He said the problem does not come down to one issue such as data centers, climate change or bad policy.
Utahns say their quality of life is at a 15-year low, new report says
1 sourceUtahns' perception of their quality of life is the lowest it has been in 15 years, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Utah Foundation, Utah News Dispatch reports. The foundation's quality of life index measured an all-time low of 63 out of 100, based on a statewide survey that measures 20 factors.
Proposed fuel pipeline through Emigration Canyon and Salt Lake City draws increased opposition
1 sourceOpposition is building to a proposed fuel pipeline that would run through Emigration Canyon and parts of Salt Lake City, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. The route has not been finalized, and construction would not start for at least two years.
Salt Lake County voters to decide on $128 million parks and recreation bond
1 sourceOne question on the Nov. 3 Salt Lake County ballot asks voters whether to approve a $128 million bond for the county's parks and recreation. The money would go toward new construction and other projects.
'4 different kinds of dinosaur': A new discovery in southeastern Utah
1 sourcePaleontologists are carefully unearthing dinosaur fossils at a new site in southeastern Utah. A Utah State University paleontologist said the team has already identified about four different kinds of dinosaur there.
08-18-2026 City of South Jordan City Council Meeting Minutes
1 source- Council Member Shelton and Council Member Johnson served as judges for the Grill Masters contest at the Daybreak Farmers Market. - Council Member Harris reported on recent events at the Senior Center and encouraged attendance at its activities. - The City received the full requested amount for two Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District grants, each in the amount of $86,000. - Resolution R2026-24 was approved, appointing Pearl Porritt to the Senior Advisory Committee. - Ordinance 2026-21 was approved, vacating the Rosary Way Right-of-Way.
09/29/2026 County Council Minutes
1 source- Council Member Stringham reported the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District found about $500,000 in cost savings and will not need to raise fees this year or next. - Mayor Jennifer Wilson said the West Valley Library has temporarily closed so a new library can be built on the site, with Ballet West's westside studios integrated into the building. - The mayor said the Governor recommended 37 new federal Opportunity Zones in Utah, 11 of them in Salt Lake County near TRAX lines. The Treasury will certify the final list by December. - The council unanimously approved the tax relief and exemption letters and the September 15 minutes.
Utah adds 25,200 jobs over the past year, as unemployment holds steady at 3.5%
2 sourcesUtah added 25,200 jobs over the past year while its unemployment rate held steady at 3.5%, KSL News reports. ABC4 Utah also reported an employment boost in September.
Recursion prices $200M offering as Sanofi picks partnered drug candidate
1 sourceSanofi optioned the first development candidate from its collaboration with Salt Lake City's Recursion, triggering a $10 million milestone payment. The same morning Recursion priced an oversubscribed $200 million stock offering.
Southern Utah lands 90 high-paying aerospace and manufacturing jobs
2 sourcesThe state's economic development office has promised a Utah aerospace and manufacturing company tax credits to expand its southern Utah operations, so long as it adds 90 new high-paying jobs and meets other performance targets.
Salt Lake City nonprofit Advantage Services furloughs 110 employees
1 sourceAdvantage Services, a Salt Lake City nonprofit founded in 1992 that provides jobs for people facing barriers to employment, has furloughed 110 employees. It is struggling with a $1 million cut to its largest city contract and sharply rising insurance costs.
LIHTC still pencils despite shaky conditions: 'We're so overbuilt in Salt Lake City'
1 sourceDevelopers of new low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects in Salt Lake City appear to be hanging on despite a soft multifamily market, slow lease-up periods and ongoing concessions, Building Salt Lake reports. Questions linger over whether distress is coming to subsidized projects.
BYU turbocharged its application for medical school accreditation. It's paying off
1 sourceA Deseret News ChurchBeat newsletter excerpt looks at how BYU accelerated its push for medical school accreditation, work it says Shane Reese and Mark Ott have carried since 2024, and says the effort is paying off.
Utah higher ed chief: public universities can't be sanctuary campuses
1 sourceUtah's top higher education leader said it is 'impermissible' for any public college or university in the state to declare itself a sanctuary campus for immigrant students.
Utah's class of 2026 nudges ACT scores up
1 sourceUtah's graduating class of 2026 slightly improved its overall ACT performance, raising questions about whether schools are recovering from COVID.
Park City School District will continue open enrollment
1 sourceThe Park City Board of Education decided Tuesday to continue open enrollment, so students who live outside district boundaries can apply to attend classes there in the 2027-28 school year, the Park Record reports. The application period begins Nov. 15.
Jordan School District Board Meeting Minutes -- June 9, 2026 Mountain Time - Study Session and Business Meeting
1 source- Discussion on changes to social studies graduation credits to comply with Utah legislation - Review of administrative policy AA417 on fundraising with recommendations for separation by school level - Monthly review of governance process and board policies GP113 through GP115 - Presentation and public comments regarding the 2026-27 budget - Approval of consent agenda items including board minutes and financial reports
BYU jumps to No. 2 in AP Top 25 after upsetting Notre Dame
7 sourcesBYU climbed six spots to No. 2 in Sunday's AP Top 25 after beating No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo, its highest ranking since its 1984 national championship season. Bear Bachmeier threw a go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:47 left and BYU stopped Notre Dame at the goal line to move to 6-0. The Big 12 later said its replay crew erred by not putting one second back on the clock. Utah moved to No. 10, giving the Big 12 three teams in the top 10.
No. 11 Utah holds off Colorado 27-24 to stay unbeaten
3 sourcesNo. 11 Utah beat Colorado 27-24 in Boulder on Saturday to improve to 6-0, surviving a late Colorado rally and a Hail Mary attempt. Dampier threw three touchdown passes, and Colorado had led 17-13 in the third quarter.
'College GameDay' comes to Salt Lake City for Utah-Houston
2 sourcesESPN's 'College GameDay' will broadcast live from the University of Utah ahead of the Utes' game against Houston, one week after the show was in Provo for BYU-Notre Dame, the Deseret News reports. Houston, ranked 20th last week, beat No. 18 Oklahoma State 35-32. It will be the seventh time the show has aired from Utah's campus.
Utah Mammoth edge Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4
1 sourceGoalie Sebastian Cossa helped the Utah Mammoth to a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night. The 23-year-old has recently logged his first NHL start, first win and first home game.
The BYU and Utah football teams just made history together
1 sourceFor the first time, BYU and Utah are both ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 at the same time, with BYU at No. 2 and Utah at No. 10, the Deseret News reports. Both teams are 6-0 and among just six FBS teams still undefeated in 2026.