The federal court in St. George unsealed an indictment on Monday after the couple was arrested in Utah County, according to the Department of Justice.

John Earl Donaldson, 31, and Carlie Elizabeth Winters, 29, are being charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy and first appeared in court on April 14 at the U.S. District Courthouse in St. George.

Court documents claimed the couple conspired together between December 2021 and January 2023 to obtain money from their customers. The couple reportedly obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations that were supposedly meant to benefit first responders in Ukraine.

"Through false pretenses, Donaldson and Winters allegedly lied about Urban Armz’s inventory and ability to procure goods for which customers paid," the Department of Justice said in a press release. "Additionally, Donaldson and Winters fraudulently obtained money from financial firms through false pretenses."

According to the DOJ, Donaldson allegedly claimed to be able to sell large amounts of ammunition at "competitively low prices."

In December 2021, a customer reportedly paid $90,000 to the company Urban Armz -- after which the DOJ said the ammunition was never delivered and the couple spent the money on things like credit card payments and shopping.

Other instances include a Detroit company ordering $300,000 worth of body armor to donate to first responders in Ukrainian war zones in April 2022. According to the DOJ, Urban Armz never delivered that body armor.

In June 2022, a nonprofit for supporting Ukrainian refugees and immigrants in the United States spent $217,098.98 on "night vision goggles, thermal optics, and other equipment for Ukrainian first responders serving in war zones," the DOJ said.

The nonprofit did not receive the equipment and Donaldson and Winters reportedly used those funds for other unrelated activities.

Furthermore, the company's website claimed there was an office in St. George, which the DOJ said was false. The company's website also allegedly claimed some of its clients included the FBI and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.

The Salt Lake City Field Office of the FBI is investigating the case.

Every year Utah officials host The Great Utah ShakeOut, a day dedicated to refreshing Utahns' earthquake safety skills. So far, 900,000 people have pledged to participate this year, which is 20,000 more than last year.

On Thursday, April 18, people at school, work, or home are going to perform earthquake drills and review emergency plans as part of what officials say is the largest earthquake drill.

The Wasatch Fault typically has a major earthquake every 350 to 400 years, according to an official video depicting what could happen in a major Utah earthquake. The video notes the last earthquake was more than 350 years ago.

This, coupled with the recent report from the U.S. Geological Survey saying the Wasatch Front has a greater than 50% chance of seeing powerful earthquakes over the next century, makes the ShakeOut event particularly relevant.

However, the ShakeOut website says many Utahns discount the earthquake threat because there has not been a major earthquake since the pioneers settled in the area in the mid-1800s.

"Comparing the average recurrence interval with the amount of time since the last large earthquake indicates that the next large earthquake is becoming increasingly likely on certain parts of the Wasatch fault," the website reads.

For those wishing to participate, there are several resources on shakeout.org for all kinds of organizations, including businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, parks and libraries, and at home. Officials say those participating should register to be "counted in the largest-ever earthquake drill," the website says.

Earthquake safety tips

The Utah ShakeOut site links out to several other organizations with tips to refresh your earthquake safety skills, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Earthquake County Alliance (ECA).

As simple as fire safety's "stop, drop, and roll" mantra, in an earthquake, officials say to drop, cover, and hold on.

Dropping to your hands and knees protects you from falling or being hit by flying objects, according to ECA. Cover refers to covering your head and neck and seeking cover under a sturdy desk or table, or, if none are available, next to an interior wall. ECA officials say to remain bent over on your knees to protect your vital organs.

Finally, hold on. If you are under a desk or table, hold onto it and move with the shelter if necessary. If there is no shelter, hold onto your head and neck area with both arms, ECA says.

If you are unable to drop, cover, and hold on due to health issues, check out the ECA site for specific recommendations. For tips on how to prepare for an earthquake ahead of time, see here.

On Monday, the lineup for the 37th Twilight Concert Series in Salt Lake City was announced -- featuring artists like Laufey, Jungle and The Marías, just to name a few.

Season passes go on sale beginning Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m., while tickets for individual shows go on sale starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17.

Season passes for general admission are expected to come out to around $80 after taxes and fees (for an average cost of about $13 per show) while VIP season passes will be about $275 after taxes and fees (for an average cost of about $46 per show).

Service fees are shown on the ticket website, but taxes are not shown until going through the ticketing process, so the prices may differ slightly. All shows will take place at the Gallivan Center except for The Marías, who will perform at Library Square.

Performance dates, individual ticket prices and more information about the performers are all included below.

Friday, June 21 -- Laufey, Grace Enger, Anna Beck

The SLC Twilight Concert Series is scheduled to kick off with a bang -- with the first performance of the series being Grammy-winning international pop and jazz sensation Laufey. Laufey is a multi-instrumentalist singer, composer and producer based in Los Angeles.

"As a musician, my goal is to bring jazz and classical music to my generation through a more accessible road," Laufey said on her website.

One of her most popular songs is "From The Start," and several of her songs have hundreds of millions of plays across streaming platforms.

Grace Enger has been supporting Laufey on The Goddess Tour. One of Enger's most popular songs is "The Neighborhood," which has several million streams. Several of her other songs have hundreds of thousands of plays.

Anna Beck is a local Utah singer who performed at Kilby Court earlier this year.

Individual tickets for Laufey will start at $20 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Thursday, June 27 -- Thee Sacred Souls, The Mañanas, Jazzy Olivo

Thee Sacred Souls is a band that plays what their website calls "Southern California sweet soul."

Their song from 2020 "Can I Call You Rose?" has taken off in 2024, being featured in several videos across various social media platforms. The band aims for a more old-school sound -- taking inspiration from the '60s and '70s eras of music -- and has performed on several late-night shows and toured across several countries.

The Mañanas is a band from Denver, Colorado. The band released their debut album in 2021 and one of their most popular songs is "Don't Think Your Love Has Given Up."

Jazzy Olivo is a singer-songwriter from the Dominican Republic who is now based in Utah. One of her most popular videos is of her singing "El Circo."

Individual tickets for Thee Sacred Souls will start at $15 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Friday, July 19 -- Watchhouse, TBA, Branson Anderson

Watchhouse is a folk duo made up of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz that first started out with the name Mandolin Orange. After they had a child together, they went through a lot of changes -- both with their music and their lives.

Despite the change in band name, traces of the former name still exist, as Watchhouse changed their artist name on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, but "Mandolin Orange" still shows up in the text of some music videos and album covers.

One of their most popular songs is "Golden Embers" and they have hundreds of millions of streams on several of their songs.

One of the opening acts has yet to be announced, but Branson Anderson is another local singer. Anderson is from Nevada and spends most of his time in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

Individual tickets for Watchhouse will start at $15 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Wednesday, August 7 -- Jungle, BALTHVS, The Plastic Cherries

Jungle is another band that has become quite popular on social media, with their song "Back on 74" taking platforms by storm and inspiring users to recreate dancers' moves from the official music video.

BALTHVS is described as "a Colombian psychedelic funk trio" that combines elements from genres including disco and Middle Eastern music. BALTHVS has reached millions of streams worldwide and played at Colombia's largest music festival.

The Plastic Cherries hail from Utah and often perform in the Salt Lake area and states surrounding Utah, according to their website. Their most popular song to date is "Lovers On The Run."

Individual tickets for Jungle will start at $15 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Friday, August 16 -- The Marías, Automatic, Homephone

The Marías is a Grammy-nominated band that has collaborated with the likes of Bad Bunny and Tainy.

The Marías are set to release their sophomore album, "Submarine," at the end of May. The band released the album's lead single "Run Your Mouth" in March. One of their most popular songs is "Cariño," and they have hundreds of millions of plays on several songs.

Automatic is joining The Marías on their North American tour, including the stop in Salt Lake City. One of their most popular songs is "Too Much Money" and they just released their latest album "Excess" in 2022.

Homephone is a band based in Salt Lake City, and their song "More Than Chemical" has earned tens of thousands of streams.

Individual tickets for The Marías will start at $15 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Wednesday, August 21 -- Alex G, julie, Cannibal Queen

Alex G is a Philadelphia-based musician who has several songs with hundreds of millions of streams. He started out writing and recording music in his bedroom as a teenager and later worked with Frank Ocean.

Alex G is known for songs like "Mary" and "Sarah" and released his latest album "God Save The Animals" in 2022.

There is not much information online about the band julie (stylized in all lowercase letters), yet it has managed to amass quite a large following on social media. One of their most popular songs is "flutter," but one of their most popular music videos is for "pg.4 a picture of three hedges."

Cannibal Queen is a local Utah artist who has opened for artists including Neon Trees and The Aces. Cannibal Queen has been making music in Salt Lake City since 2016 and has continued on that journey, playing at Kilby Block Party in the past and now at the Salt Lake City Twilight Concert Series.

Individual tickets for Alex G will start at $10 before taxes and fees when purchased in advance.

Venue and event rules

When buying tickets, a warning at the bottom of the page reads, "All events are held rain or shine. Artists subject to change."

Everyone entering the venue -- including children -- needs to have a ticket. There will be free water stations, as well as food trucks and beverage stations.

There are no refunds (even if a specific artist cancels) and there is no re-entry into the venue. Weapons, firearms, backpacks, large purses and pets (excluding service animals) are also not allowed.

Umbrellas, blankets, chairs, coolers, outside food/drink/alcohol/liquids, drones and professional recording equipment are prohibited.

This post may contain graphic images or details. Reader discretion is advised.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- Salt Lake City Police have released bodycam footage of the officer-involved critical incident from Tuesday, April 2, that left a man dead.

The incident occurred on the 800 block of South State Street. Police received a 911 call from an employee working at a Chevron gas station.

The employee reportedly told police that the suspect, later identified as Cameron Ammon Cloward, 36, had a knife and tried to stab him through a window. Based on the employee’s statements, police believe Cloward may have committed an aggravated robbery by using — or threatening to use — a dangerous weapon during the commission of a robbery or attempted robbery.

Officers arrived at the scene at around 2:30 a.m., finding Cloward walking in the parking lot while holding a knife. Cloward reportedly began walking north from the gas station on the east sidewalk of State Street. Cloward allegedly turned around, faced officers, and started walking back into the gas station parking lot.

Bodycam footage from one of the officers on the scene captured the officer telling Cloward to stop walking toward the gas station.

The footage then shows Cloward holding his knife with the blade positioned under his chin. Officers gave Cloward commands to stop and get on the ground, but he refused to comply, repeatedly saying, "I don't care."

One SLCPD officer reportedly requested a "less lethal shotgun," before four officers then fired shots, resulting in Cloward's death.

No officers were injured during the incident. The knife found at the scene matched the description provided by the store employee as a pocketknife. The blade of the knife was found extended, police said.

The four SLCPD officers who used deadly force have been placed on standard paid administrative leave.

The videos released today captured the incident from the body-worn cameras of six SLCPD officers.

"Any loss of life is tragic, and the use of deadly force is a traumatic event for our officers. This situation unfolded very quickly and involved safety risks to our community and officers. Our officers are trained to perceive, interpret, and respond to a person’s actions. The body-worn camera footage released today shows our officers urging, and ordering, Mr. Cloward to put down his knife and to stop walking toward them. Maintaining the safety of our community can be full of risk and unpredictability," a press release from SLCPD states.

Here are links to the six bodycam videos, provided by SLCPD:

• Bodycam Video 1
• Bodycam Video 2
• Bodycam Video 3
• Bodycam Video 4
• Bodycam Video 5
• Bodycam Video 6

No further information is available at this time.

Over the weekend, ESPN reported the NHL brokered the deal to move the Coyotes to Utah, where they will begin play in the 2024-25 season at the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz. While the NHL and the Smith Entertainment Group, owners of the Jazz, have yet to make any official announcement, that is expected to come later this week.

So what will it look like to have the Utah Jazz and Utah's future NHL team sharing the same stadium? Will the Delta Center undergo renovations to accommodate the two teams? Can Utahns expect the Coyotes to go under a new name?

Sharing an arena?

The NBA and NHL seasons run at the same time, stretching six months from October to April, not including pre- or post-season. If the two do end up sharing the Delta Center, it would mean the two leagues will have to juggle scheduling 82 games between basketball and hockey.

While that sounds like a titan of a task, it's not impossible.

Currently, there are 10 arenas across the United States and Canada shared by both NHL and NBA. Most of the time, the two teams will mirror one another. While one team is on the road, the other plays at home. However, that's not always the case.

Earlier this season the New York Rangers played hockey at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 16 and Oct. 19. The New York Knicks took over for one night on Oct. 18.

Thankfully, it doesn't seem to take long to convert an arena from basketball to hockey and back again. The United Center in Chicago, home of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls, takes a little more than two hours to make the swap, according to reporting from the Chicago Tribune.

So while there won't be much of a scheduling conflict for both the Jazz and the Coyotes, there is the question of will the Delta Center be ready.

Delta Center renovations?

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith has proven hockey games can be played at the Delta Center. In 2021, Frozen Fury — a preseason series between Las Vegas Knights and Los Angeles Kings — was exclusively hosted in Salt Lake City. But that doesn't mean Smith wouldn't want a few upgrades.

If there were to be some renovations, the initial ones likely wouldn't be very extensive — just enough to make the center playable for both leagues easily. There is only a six-month off-season to facilitate work on the arena, after all. However, some Salt Lakers are already groaning about the Delta Center's unfavorable NHL configuration.

Depending on where you sit during an NHL game, the entire rink may not be visible. Either the far end is blocked or the space directly below is out of sight, according to commenters online. But Smith has a vision.

Earlier this year, Smith shared a render that showed a new look for Salt Lake City's downtown. At the heart of that render was a brand new arena, presumably to be designed to host the two leagues with ease.

The proposed arena has been at the center of some controversy, however, as the Utah legislature passed a bill that could see Salt Lake sales taxes by up to 0.5%. The bill passed with landslide success in both houses and was signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. Meanwhile, some Salt Lake City residents have complained about funding a multi-million dollar project with taxpayer funds.

There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding a new arena in Salt Lake City but rest assured ABC4 will follow those developments as they happen. Another area of uncertainty is what a Utah NHL team would be called.

Coyotes getting a new name?

While it seems the Arizona Coyotes players and staff will be moving to Utah, they might be doing so without their signature colors or logos. Chris Johnston with The Athletic reported that Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo will hold on to the rights to the Coyotes brand as part of the deal to relocate the team to Salt Lake.

This means the Utah NHL team will need a new name and — while this is speculative — it appears the Utah Yeti is the clear winner, if social media fans have their say.

Last week, Ryan Smith put the feelers out on different names for a potential Utah-based NHL team. While fans were quick to offer up suggestions, Yetis rose to the top as the popular choice. One astute person on Twitter noticed the website "utahyeti.com" was purchased over the weekend. Fans who attended Saturday's Real Salt Lake game, which Smith also has part ownership of, may have also noticed a standee with cartoonish yetis in the plaza of America First Field.

While these developments don't necessarily guarantee the Coyotes will rebrand into the Yeti, it does seem to be the favorable option.

More information is expected to come out in the next week. National Hockey League officials are reportedly expected to announce the move at the end of the regular season, according to ESPN.

The beavers reportedly tested positive for a disease called tularemia -- also known as rabbit fever, hare plague, and deerfly fever -- which is caused by a bacteria. The disease is fatally infectious to rabbits, hares, and other rodents, including beavers, according to the DWR.

It can be transmitted through the bite of a tick or deerfly, by direct contact with blood or tissue from infected animals, or by ingestion of contaminated water or undercooked rabbit or hare meat from an infected animal.

The disease killed nine beavers in the state over the last few weeks in what the DWR calls an "unusual" circumstance.

"The bacteria that causes this infection is known to be in the environment in many parts of Utah; however, it is unusual to see this many animals die from it at once," DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout said. 

The deceased animals were found in the following areas:

• Five dead beavers were discovered near the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter by preserve staff between March 23 and April 2. All five beavers shared one beaver lodge at the preserve. 
• One dead beaver was found near Midway on April 5 by a DWR fisheries crew. 
• Two beavers and a vole were found dead near the Jordanelle Dam on April 8.
• One dead beaver was discovered in the Birdseye area of Utah County on April 10.

Humans are, in fact, susceptible to tularemia, though human cases usually result from the bite of a tick or deerfly in the summer "or when someone handles infected animals harvested during hunting or trapping seasons," according to the DWR.

The disease can reportedly be life-threatening for people if not treated quickly, however, most infections can be treated with antibiotics.

"There is a concern about the possibility of tick-borne or fly-borne diseases, so it’s advised to take the necessary precautions by wearing protective clothing, using appropriate insect repellent and checking for ticks after being in brushy areas," Stout said.

The DWR advises that if you see a dead rabbit, beaver or other rodent, you should not touch the carcasses and should report them to their nearest DWR office.

The last confirmed case of tularemia killing wildlife in Utah was in 2017, according to the DWR, with a cottontail rabbit in the Kanab area.

For more information on the disease, visit the Dept. of Health and Human Services website here.

Recently, he’s gone through a bit of a tough loss for a seven-year-old: One of his prized possessions went missing.

“My sweet boy got a scooter for Christmas just a couple months ago,” Lincoln’s mother Nicole Neff said. “I took him to an appointment and we forgot that he had the scooter at school.” 

When the Neffs got back, Lincoln’s beloved scooter was gone. 

“I was crying for like maybe the next half-hour of school,” Lincoln said. “I was super sad.”

Nicole posted on Facebook to see if anyone had seen the missing scooter. After that, she received a message from another woman in the Herriman Facebook Community page. 

“She sent this message saying that her son had passed away in 2022 and she had a scooter that’s been in the garage ever since and she would like to give it to my son Lincoln because it was time for a kid to enjoy that scooter,” Nicole said.

So, Nicole and Lincoln went to meet the woman. When she gave him the scooter, Lincoln had a message to share with her.

“I felt bad for her,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry about him. I’m sorry about what happened,’ and she said, ‘It’s fine.’” 

Now, thanks to an act of kindness from a stranger, Lincoln has a new scooter -- and a few new tricks. 

“I do know some tricks, like a tailwhip,” he said. 

The Neffs are hoping to pay that kindness forward by doing one kind act a day. 

“So, we’ve been doing kind acts every single day of April, trying to hopefully make a little bit of influence on our kids to just be kinder and spread goodness,” Nicole said.

A seemingly simple act, bringing a child joy every day with a new used scooter.

Arnold Gonzales, 69, was arrested on object rape (first-degree felony), aggravated kidnapping (first-degree felony), two counts of forcible sexual abuse (second-degree felony), and obstruction of justice (class-A misdemeanor).

On April 11, SLCPD was notified of a possible kidnapping after the victim had texted friends saying that she was in a stranger's vehicle and did not know where she was.

The victim's family reportedly found the victim's phone location and waited until police could conduct a traffic stop.

Upon stopping the vehicle, police found Gonzales in the driver's seat and the victim in the passenger seat. Detectives then separated the two so that they could conduct individual interviews.

During the interview, the victim told police "she did not know [Gonzales] and when she walked past his vehicle, she was dizzy and did not know how, but she ended up in his car," according to the probable cause statement. "The victim stated that once inside the vehicle [Gonzales] made her smoke marijuana and he touched her [...] more than once."

The victim reportedly continued to describe forcible sexual abuse, claiming that Gonzales would not stop his actions and drove her around for close to an hour.

"The victim stated that she tried getting out of the vehicle multiple times and Arnold would not let her and would make her smoke more marijuana," the affidavit states. "The victim shared the texts she had sent to her friend that said she was lost and in a vehicle with a stranger and that she was scared."

During the interview with Gonzales, he reportedly told police that he saw the victim, whom he did not know, walking near train tracks and offered to give her a ride to "help her out," the affidavit states. Gonzales denied trying anything sexual with the victim, and that when the victim asked him to get out of the vehicle and walk, "he told her not to and that he would continue to drive her home because of the dangerous area they were in."

After his arrest, Gonzales was reportedly observed trying to hide potential evidence relating to sexual abuse. Police did not disclose information about the victim's age, but Gonzales reportedly told police that she was 18.

Gonzales was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the charges previously stated.

According to police, the investigation began just after 3 p.m. on Sunday after officials received calls about a shooting on East Kensington Avenue.

"Based on preliminary information and evidence found at the scene, officers suspect the shooting may have stemmed from a drug deal," a press release from SLCPD said.

When officers arrived at the scene, they began looking for victims, in addition to suspects and evidence. However, police said there were no patients on the scene, but they "did identify a small amount of blood on the ground," according to the press release.

The Salt Lake City Police Department said one homeowner reported finding a firearm on their property near South Roberta Street, and officials with SLCPD's Crime Lab Unit processed and collected the weapon.

"As the on-scene investigation concluded, officers received information from a person claiming to be with the injured party," SLCPD said in the release.

The person also reportedly "declined to provide further details about themselves or the injured person," but police said the person who made the report told officers it was a "graze wound" and said the injured person did not need medical attention.

Police asked that anyone involved in the situation call Salt Lake City Police directly. Anyone with information is urged to call 801-799-3000.

The shooting is still under investigation and officers will refer the case to detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

There is no further information at this time.

Isaac Wixom, 22, was arrested on seven charges, including four counts of felony discharge of firearm (in the direction of a building), two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon under the influence of alcohol/drugs and one count of intoxication, documents said.

At the scene, documents said officers found two guns -- one of which was said to be a rifle and and the other which was said to be a handgun -- in addition to four bullet casings and the same number of "possible bullet holes" in one of the apartment's balconies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the rifle was found on the ground near where Wixom was standing, and the handgun was found at the scene slightly northeast of where the rifle was found.

Multiple witnesses reportedly confirmed Wixom was the individual who was firing several rounds.

"One witness even saw the muzzle flash," documents said.

Wixom reportedly told officers that "he meant to fire his rifle into the air knowing that the rounds would strike or fall down and strike the habitable structure instead of hitting a person," according to the affidavit.

One of the tenants in the apartment complex told police Wixom was firing at their balcony, and when officers looked at that tenant's balcony, they found the "possible bullet holes."

According to the affidavit, Wixom was initially described to dispatch as being intoxicated because he stumbling. Documents said Wixom admitted to being "heavily intoxicated" and consented to a blood draw.

Wixom was booked into the Davis County Sheriff's Office on the seven charges above.

"A jaunt on a 4x4 ended with a response by the Fire Department to assist getting a person out from the middle of Dry Creek in Mountain Green tonight," Mountain Green Fire stated on social media.

The person was reportedly riding a 4x4 when they attempted to cross a "shallow creek crossing," but was instead swept around 200 feet downstream while still on the 4x4. The creek is full of water this time of year due to snow melt, according to Mountain Green Fire.

When the 4x4 came to rest in the middle of the stream, the driver was reportedly uninjured but also unsure of the depth of the water and the stability of the vehicle. Instead of attempting to get out of the creek on their own, they "wisely called for help in getting to shore," Mountain Green Fire stated.

Fire units from Mountain Green Fire, Weber Fire, and Riverdale Fire responded to the scene with water rescue technicians. Upon arrival, crews found the person stranded in the creek and assisted them to shore using rope.

"Our thanks to all responding agencies and Weber Area Dispatch 911 & Emergency Services District for providing a positive outcome to a potentially dangerous situation," Mountain Green Fire stated.

The individual was determined to be uninjured in this incident.

No further information is available at this time.

IOC members from seven different countries toured past and potential Olympic venues in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, wrapping up the tour with a press conference Saturday at Olympic Cauldron Park.

The tour was part of the committee's final visit to Salt Lake City before deciding which cities will host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

Fraser Bullock, President and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, said the tour went exceptionally well.

"When I look at how ... the last several days went on a scale of one to ten. It's a 15," Bullock said at the press conference.

Bullock continued to say IOC members told him that Salt Lake City "undersold [the venues] in the bid," as they were even better than the Utah Olympic Commission described them in the 5,000-page bid submitted prior to the IOC visit.

During the conference, committee members said they were impressed with the lasting infrastructure from the 2002 games and the venues' proximity to the Olympic Village, even going as far as to say Salt Lake City could serve as a model to the IOC in the future.

"Congratulations to Salt Lake City and Utah. You will become a role model also for the IOC," said Chairman of the IOC Future Olympic Games Karl Stoss.

The venue tour lasted four days, kicking off Wednesday morning and concluding Saturday. Many of the venues they visited have been maintained for 22 years since the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, such as the Olympic Oval and Soldier Hollow.

“We could feel the enthusiasm and the spirit of Utah,” Stoss said. “The spirit from the Games from 2002 is still here.”

That enthusiasm was just as impactful to some committee members as the venues and infrastructure itself.

"Personally, what surprised me most was the passion that still exists here for the Olympic Winter Games 22 years later, in the people, everywhere we went," said Jacqueline Barrett, the IOC Future Olympic Games Hosts Director.

The IOC will announce the locations of the upcoming 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympics Games during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. While the answer to whether Salt Lake City will be hosting another Olympics is still up in the air for a few months, it appears the IOC tour could not have gone better.

"This has been one of the best weeks of my life, it literally has been," Bullock said. "I started tearing up because it's been so fantastic and vulnerable, and feeling the power of the movement, we're just so lucky to be part of it."

The Salt Lake County Republican Party Nominating Convention wrapped up Saturday afternoon with a definitive answer to the future of the controversial board member Natalie Cline. Delegates overwhelmingly sided with her challenger, Amanda Bollinger, who took home 63% of the vote to Cline's 36.8%, making Bollinger the Republican nominee.

When declaring candidacy in January, Cline did not submit an intent to gather signatures. She will continue to serve on the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) until the end of the term.

Cline made her final case to delegates this afternoon, using the opportunity to defend her record.

"I have fought and I will continue to fight to my dying breath to protect the children of our state," Cline said. "I have made promises and kept them at great cost to myself."

Cline was elected as a USBE board member in 2020. During her time serving on the board, she faced pushback in several instances, most recently in February after posting on social media appearing to question if a high school student was transgender.

The incident led to the USBE condemning her behavior and several Utah officials calling for her resignation. At the time, Cline responded by removing the post and apologizing for "the negative attention my post drew to innocent students and their families."

However, a week after the incident she said she was being "harassed" by the USBE and "hardened criminals get better due process." She decided to seek reelection saying the incident was in an effort to destroy her reputation with voters.

Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson, who at the time of the controversy said Cline had "embarrassed the state of Utah," donated to Bollinger's campaign. Cox donated $5,000 and Henderson donated $1,000.

Bollinger said the vote was a step toward getting people to trust public education again.

"It means that people care about kids and people are willing to trust me to put the trust of public education back into our system," she said.

ABC4 reached out to Natalie Cline for comment but has yet to hear back.

Shortly after 9 a.m., police received a report of a bomb threat toward the Mosaics Community Bookstore & Venue, located at 1500 North State St. in Provo.

Police said the threat was made in an email that was sent to the KSL news desk. The email reportedly stated "bombs will go off" and appeared to be regarding events held at the bookstore, including "all ages drag story hour."

Provo Officers responded and conducted a sweep of the area using their bomb detection K-9.

"No bombs or suspicious packages were found. Officers are continuing to investigate the source of the threat, and do not have a suspect at this time," Provo Police stated in a release.

The threat comes less than a year after Salt Lake City's The King's English Bookshop received a bomb threat during its monthly Drag Storytime.

Salt Lake City Council had this to say about the threat at the time: “There’s no room for the type of hate that occurred today. We stand with The Kings English Book Store, Tara Lipsyncki and all those spreading love, joy and visibility in our community [...] We see this as a crime rooted in hate."

No further information is available at this time.

The work is reportedly a part of the final phase of a system maintenance project along 2100 South, from Magna to Salt Lake. The project -- The Magna Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement Project -- has been in progress since 2021.

This phase of work is taking place Monday, April 15, through Friday, May 3.

Dominion Energy will be completing the installation of a new regulator station and tie it into existing infrastructure on 2100 S.

According to Dominion Energy, the completion of this project will require trench work in the road, causing traffic to be reduced to one lane in each direction on 2100 South. Additionally, no left turns from 2100 South onto 900 West in either direction will be possible during the construction.

All business access will still be available, however, crosswalks across 2100 South on the west side will be closed during the work. Detour routes for access to SR-201 will include the Redwood Road on-ramp.

"These improvements are necessary for Dominion Energy Utah to keep pace with growing customer demand for natural gas, maintain overall system integrity and continue providing safe and reliable service," Dominion Energy stated in a press release.

Customers and Salt Lake residents can find more information on the project and construction impacts here.

Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong met with the players ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers to confirm what had been rumored all week: that the NHL has facilitated a sale to Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Jazz. The Coyotes will begin playing there next season.

Coyotes players and staff members will be invited to visit Salt Lake City after their season finale to check out the city and facilities.

The plan is for the team to play at the Delta Center, which is owned by Smith and is also home to the NBA's Jazz. However, sources told ESPN that the NHL has made clear to the Smiths that a hockey-specific upgrade is needed at the Delta Center in order for the arena to become the team's permanent home.

Smith already has government support. A bill was passed in the Utah State Senate to help fund a renovated entertainment district downtown in anticipation of an NHL franchise. The bill already has approval from Utah governor Spencer Cox.

ORIGINAL STORY: SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- Word is circulating that the Arizona Coyotes -- the professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area -- is moving to Utah.

"There is word tonight the Arizona Coyotes players were informed in a meeting they are going to Utah. Players and staff may be headed to Salt Lake City right after Wednesday’s game to check out the facilities and the city," Elliotte Friedman, sports journalist with Hockey Night In Canada, posted on social media.

Friedman also said that while there is still work ahead, players were, in fact, told of the pending move.

Salt Lake City may be getting an NHL team sooner than originally thought.

Read more about the move here.

At around 4:30 p.m. on April 12, fire crews responded to reports of a structure fire on the 1000 block of Wall Avenue in Ogden. Fire units arrived on scene to find a one-story mobile home with "smoke and heavy flames" coming from the structure, according to a press release.

Officials said that flames were spreading to a neighboring home, but that fire crews were able to combat the fire and keep the neighboring home from sustaining major damage.

Those inside the mobile home had reportedly evacuated before the arrival of fire crews, however, one dog and one cat died in the blaze, officials said.

Four people and one dog were displaced, uninjured, according to Ogden Fire. They are all receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

Firefighters from Ogden Fire and Weber Fire responded to this incident, involving 20 firefighters. The Fire Marshal's Office is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Officials said there was an estimated $80k in damage.

No further information is available at this time.

Sounds like a cause for celebration, right? Well, not if you're living in another city that's been lobbying for an NHL expansion team. And in particular, if that city is Canadian.

According to a report in The Hockey News, Salt Lake's victory is Quebec City's heartache. You might think that Arizonans would be first in line for that heartache, but apparently the wounds run deep regarding Canadian snubs from the NHL.

"Seriously, Salt Lake City? What does that city have that Quebec City doesn’t?" stated Michael Traikos in The Hockey News. "...That’s the only reason why a picturesque city of about 204,000 residents in Utah of all places has been chosen ahead of Quebec City, which has more than double the population, as well as an NHL-sized rink and a hockey-starved fan base that used to cheer on the Nordiques."

Putting aside the idea that the Salt Lake City metropolitan area is actually home to over 1.25 million residents, Traikos does have one point. (EDITOR'S NOTE: We choose to ignore the term "of all places.") The last time a Canadian expansion was announced was 1992, when the Ottawa Senators were re-added to the league. (They had previously played in the NHL from 1917 to 1934.) The next seven teams to be added to the roster have all been American.

It should be pointed out that Canada did regain a team it had lost when the Winnipeg Jets moved north from Atlanta, Ga., in 2011.

Currently, the NHL has 32 teams in the U.S. and Canada. Only seven are Canadian, however.

Traikos said the last time Canada was up for a team was 2016, but the “fluctuating Canadian dollar” and a “geographical imbalance” were given as reasons that Las Vegas got a team instead of Quebec City.

Stats at QuantHockey.com show that no matter the city they're playing in, 41% of the NHL's players are Canadian-born, with Americans only making up 28% of players.

Of the 23 men currently listed on the Arizona Coyotes' roster, 11 are Canadian natives.

Perhaps Salt Lake City will give Canada's sons -- and players from all nations -- a great home away from home. Of all places.

Weber Fire District said they conducted a prescription burn in the Wildlife Management area of West Weber County in an effort to control phragmites, which they defined as "large grass found in wetlands."

Officials said in addition to managing phragmites, the fire was intended to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, encourage nesting, and mitigate fire risk moving into the summer.

Phragmites are an invasive species in Utah that can threaten native plants and take over habitats, according to the Utah Lake Authority. They also can become as "dry as tinder" during the late summer and fall months, posing a fire hazard.

During the summer months, wildfires become a concern in Utah as grasses and shrubs, such as phragmites, dry out and become more susceptible to burning. Efforts such as prescription burns can help reduce wildfire risk.

While authorities work to prevent wildfires ahead of the season and extinguish them once they start, there are some tips Utahns should keep in mind to aid in the effort.

According to Utah Fire Sense, roughly 70% of fires can be prevented if Utahns practice good "fire sense," such as parking vehicles away from vegetation, checking for worn-out brakes that can cause sparks, and ensuring campfires are completely extinguished.

Other tips to prevent wildfires include setting up shooting targets against rock backstops, avoiding starting fires or shooting firearms on windy days, and never leaving a fire unattended.

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City announced the airport recorded 81 degrees Fahrenheit at today's peak heat. Not only is it the hottest day of the year so far, but NWS says this also ties a temperature record for this date that was set in 1936.

Officials say the last time Salt Lake City saw 80-degree temperature was October 10 of last year, and ABC4 meteorologists say these kinds of temperatures are usually seen in mid to late May.

This unseasonably warm day, however, likely does not come as a big surprise to Utahns. This meteorological winter was the fourth warmest on record for Salt Lake City with the average temperature coming to 37.4 degrees in comparison to the usual 32.9 degree average.

While the winter started warmer and drier than in the past, by the end of the season, 2024 had seen the fifth wettest February on record and received at least two days of precipitation every week of the year. For valleys, that meant a lot of rain rather than snow due to higher temperatures.

As for what to expect moving forward, stick with ABC4's 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online to stay up to date on the latest weather developments.

Kylie Aust, 16, ran away from Dept. of Child and Family Services workers on Thursday, April 11, at around 3:50 p.m., according to SSLPD.

Aust reportedly ran from a Chevron located at 310 East 3300 South and headed south on State St. from 3300 South.

Aust is described as 5'3", 115 lbs, with blue eyes and pink hair.

She was reportedly last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans, and black boots.

If you have any information regarding Aust's whereabouts, please call SSLPD at 801-412-3600 and reference case number LK24-11570.

No further information is available at this time.

The Salt Lake City Council says it is reviewing a proposal to change the city’s zoning laws to add penalties for work done on historic buildings without the proper permits.

The proposal to increase penalties came before the Fifth Ward Meetinghouse was partially demolished on Easter Sunday, and should the council approve it, the changes would apply only to future cases.

The public will have a chance to weigh in on the proposal at the council’s formal meeting on Tuesday night. Input can also be shared online.

Under the current law, the demolition of a building deemed a historic landmark by the city requires the review and approval of city officials.

Under the proposal, there’ll be increased enforcement in historic districts, and it’ll prohibit the redevelopment of a property when the principal building is demolished without approval.

Salt Lake City has roughly 150 historic landmark sites and 14 historic districts, according to its website.

The demolition of the Fifth Ward Meetinghouse was brought to a halt nearly two weeks ago. City officials said that there were no permits for the demolition and no development plan was submitted to the city.

Since then, fencing has been erected around the partially-destroyed building, which is more than a century old. It’s yet unclear what consequences the owner will face or what will happen with the rest of the historic site.

The Utah Black Diamonds -- a Premier Level team within Major League Pickleball -- partnered with GCTM Investments to make it happen, marking the first high-performance facility to be the dedicated home base of a professional pickleball team, a press release states.

The center, powered by The Picklr, will also reportedly serve as a high-end club for pickleball players of all levels.

The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center, which will be located in South Jordan, will feature:

• 36 pickleball courts (30 indoor, 6 outdoor)
• A 1,500-seat Championship Court with VIP Box Seating
• Two Grandstand Courts with 500 seats apiece
• A full gym and recovery center with cold plunges, steam rooms, saunas, and more
• A cafe, bar, and social centers
• A Pickleball Central Pro Shop

Connor Pardoe, Owner of the Utah Black Diamonds and Founder and CEO of the Professional Pickleball Association, said this it a "seminal moment" in pickleball -- both for the professional and amateur levels -- to be able to construct and operate the first home base dedicated to high-performance pickleball training and competition.

"The Utah Black Diamonds are leading the charge in dedicating time and resources to grow the sport and advance the level of play for its professionals, and we cannot be more excited to bring this one-of-a-kind facility to life," Pardoe said.

This was part of the Salt Lake City Police Department's ongoing efforts to address criminal activity along that route.

Investigations began around 12:30 a.m. Friday, April 12, when two SLCPD bike squad officers said they saw a group of people illegally trespassing on the Jordan River Trail near 1240 West North Temple.

The officers conducted a traffic stop and found 231 fentanyl pills, more than $2,000 in cash, and nearly three grams of cocaine. Everyone in the car was arrested on charges of being in unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, SLCPD said.

The names and ages of these suspects are not available at this time.

The police department said illegal fentanyl trafficking continues to be a major concern.

According to the DEA, fentanyl has saturated the drug market in Utah. It is cheaper, more potent, and more widely available than ever before.

The end of service will apply to all seven of UTA's partner resorts -- Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Solitude, Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, and Sundance.

According to UTA, passenger trip data for the 2023-2024 season through March shows an 8% jump in Ski Bus usage in Salt Lake County and a 4.3% overall increase from the previous ski season.

"Our resort partners, operators, and UTA ambassadors worked hard this year to make Ski Bus service a valuable resource to thousands of guests and reduce congestion in the canyon for other drivers," said Andres Colman, regional general manager for UTA’s Salt Lake Service Unit. "These numbers will help us plan for increased riders next year and continue to improve wait times, route efficiency, and a positive experience."

The uptick in Ski Bus riders is also due to the 95 Vanpool shuttles added this year for the employees of Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude.

"Ski Bus operators are some of our most experienced drivers who stay safe through challenging weather delays and difficult canyon driving. They love creating a positive experience for the riders enjoying the greatest snow on earth," said Colman. "In addition, 52 UTA employees across the agency volunteered 1,350 hours as Ski Bus Ambassadors, helping riders navigate using the bus at route stops."

For details on April 2024 Change Day on Sunday, April 14 -- the day when schedules for TRAX lines and bus routes change -- visit UTA's site here.

The changes reportedly include the addition of service on Sundays on Route 470 to Lagoon and other minor route adjustments.

The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of "Fallout" — a hit video game series with more than 20 years of history — was released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, April 12, and part of it was filmed in Utah.

The series tells the stories of the world's citizens stuck in a 1950s-esque steampunk setting after an apocalyptic nuclear fallout. Those who survived the blasts on the surface scrape by day-to-day in the wastelands above while the more luxurious residents who escaped before the fallout live sheltered lives in underground "Vaults." Much like any post-apocalyptic story, survivors form different government-like factions, such as the militaristic armored-suit-wielding Brotherhood of Steel.

Utahns watching the Fallout TV series may recognize the Brotherhood of Steel base as the expansive and flat western portion of Utah. According to the Utah Film Commission, Wendover Airfield in Utah provided the backdrop for the base of the Brotherhood of Steel through the first three episodes.

The Wendover Airfield was built in the late 1930s and was used during World War II for bombing and gunnery ranges. The site was once hailed as the "largest bombing and gunnery range in the world" spanning over 1.8 million acres of uninhabited desert and salt flats. The airbase serves as the perfect backdrop for the Fallout series and not just because of its military connections.

In 1944, the airfield became a building and testing range for what would eventually become the "Fat Man" - or atomic - bomb. It was chosen for its isolation and ability for discretion and security.

In the series, Maximus, one of the show's main characters played by Aaron Moten, is seen training with the Brotherhood of Steel at the Wendover airbase. According to Amazon, Maximus will "do anything to further the Brotherhood's goals of bringing law and order to the wasteland."

This isn't the first time the Wendover airbase has been used as the setting for a movie. The historic site also made appearances in Will Smith's "Independence Day" released in 1996 as well as 1997's "Con Air" starring Nicolas Cage and 2003's "Hulk" starring Eric Bana.

The Fallout series is just the latest release to be filmed in the Beehive State with more being released later this year. The show has a TV-MA rating but has so far scored favorably with critics, holding a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes as of Friday morning.

The Utah Film Commission told ABC4 that the filming was done in the fall of 2022 and generated over $5 million in economic spending for the Beehive State for cast, crew, background actors, catering, equipment and more.

The event is free and scheduled for Saturday, April 20. It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at 1157 S. Waterfowl Way in Farmington.

DWR biologists will be onsite to answer questions and help participants find herons. Spotting scopes and binoculars will also be available for use, but guests are encouraged to bring their own if they have them.

DWR is requesting that guests register online ahead of time.

“We are excited to host this viewing event for the first time to provide an opportunity for visitors to see these birds fairly close,” Eccles Wildlife Education Center Manager Ashley Kijowski said.

According to DWR, great blue herons are the most widespread heron in North America. The birds can be found from Alaska to northern South America.

In Utah, they are the state's most commonly seen heron species, most often spotted along shorelines of lakes, rivers and marshes.

DWR said that great blue herons nest yearly in a rookery near their George S. And Dolores Eccles Wildlife Education Center.

Herons mostly feed on fish and amphibians, so they build their nests in tree-top colonies near water. Males will gather all the material needed for a nest, typically sticks of various sizes, and females will build the nest.

These nests can sometimes reach 3 and-a-half feet in diameter. Once these nests are built, herons will often reuse them in the following years — which is why the rookery at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center is a great spot to find them.

Herons lay between one and seven eggs each year. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 25 to 29 days. DWR said that usually, young can fly after two months, but sometimes will remain in the nest for up to five months.

“It’s so fun to see the baby birds interacting with their parents, so we hope people and their families will take advantage of this viewing opportunity," Kijowski said.

Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians, the Utah Department of Transportation said, and all other users should use the detour pictured below.

The road is anticipated to open back up on Monday morning, April 15.

"Plan ahead and use an alt route if possible," UDOT said.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson proposed the idea in her 2024 budget, which was approved by the Salt Lake County Council in December 2023. The program was put to the test in pilot over the summer, which Councilmember Ann Granato said was very successful.

"This was a huge group effort to make this work and it's so important that kids have open access to libraries and all the things that libraries offer," Granato told ABC4.

In 2023, books, music and movies for kids and teens were checked out more than five million times at the Salt Lake County Library. Still, Salt Lake County Council Chair Laura Stringham said that late fees were a big barrier preventing children and families from coming to the library and using its resources.

"We don't want those barriers," said Stringham. "We want people to have access to the resources that are available especially when they need them."

Stringham and Granato both explained that the Salt Lake County Library has become much more of a resource center rather than a traditional library. They still offer countless books, music and movies but there is so much more available.

"Kids can come and use a green screen to make a video, people can come to take classes, they can come to check out all types of media -- maps, books, CDs, videos -- everything is available," said Granato. "And they can use the internet here. There are a lot of people that do not have access to internet in their homes. The library offers that to them."

Stringham added, "This is where you can learn skills that are vital to the jobs we have now. All of our jobs now are technologically tied to skills that didn't exist when I was a kid, to be honest. We have those things here at the library. Most people have to know how to do a social media site, do some filming on their own, and be able to record some sound. That's what we teach and train in the library."

Stringham said while she was a young mother, the late fees prevented her from using library resources. By eliminating the fees, she and other Salt Lake County officials hope more people will take advantage of everything the Salt Lake County network of libraries has to offer.

"We value children, we value their experiences, we value family life, what can we do to enhance it?" said Granato

The zoo said Pele is about six months along, and both the baby and mother are doing well.

In 2022, Pele, 22, and her mother, Mary, 37, came to Utah from Busch Gardens in Florida on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Gorilla Species Survival Plan.

The plan paired Pele with current Hogle Zoo resident Husani, a 32-year-old silverback, as part of a zoo program to "provide a healthy, genetically diverse, and self-sustaining population," the zoo said.

Hogle Zoo's animal care and health teams will closely monitor Pele as she progresses through her eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy.  

Clair Hallyburton, Associate Director of animal care, said the zoo has a voluntary animal training that resident animals can participate in.

In addition to building relationships with the zoo's care team, Hallyburton said this training enables Pele to participate actively in her healthcare, training her for necessary health checks and veterinary procedures.

"These training opportunities strengthen Pele's maternal behaviors and build trust with the animal care team, helping us to prepare for all outcomes," Hallyburton said. "The first major milestone our veterinary and animal care teams look for is seeing the baby through an ultrasound, which we can now monitor regularly."    

About western lowland gorillas

Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, the zoo said, threatened by illegal poaching, habitat loss, and mining.

They are found in Angola, Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea, and are the smallest of the four subspecies.

Because of poaching and disease, the zoo said the gorilla's numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years.

"Even if all threats to western lowland gorillas were removed, scientists calculate that the population would require 75 years to recover," the zoo said.

The University of Kentucky athletics announced Pope would be returning to be the 23rd head coach of Kentucky's men's basketball program.

"We want to thank Coach Pope for all that he has given to the BYU men's basketball program in his nine years here as an assistant and head coach," said BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe in a statement. "His unique combination of passion, dedication, creativity, and excitement has inspired our BYU community. He led our team to a very successful inaugural Big 12 season and left the program in a position of strength moving forward."

Pope is a nine-year head coaching veteran amassing a 187-108 career record at both BYU and Utah Valley. In his last five years with BYU, he has taken the Cougars to two NCAA tournaments including a 21-11 record with unexpected success in their year as part of the Big 12 Conference.

Pope previously played for the Kentucky Wildcats in 1995 and 1996. In his two-year career the Wildcats won the regular-season Southwestern Conference championships, the '95 SEC Tournament title and the 1996 NCAA tournament. Pope captained the team through the NCAA tournament victory and was named to the All-SEC Tournament Team in 1995.

"The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball," Pope said in a Kentucky press release. "Equally as important, UK changed my life forever as a human being. The love and passion I have for this program, this University and the people of the commonwealth goes to the depth of my soul."

Holmoe said there is a lot of reason for the Cougar Nation to be excited as the athletics department wished Pope the best in his new coaching position at his alma mater.

"He will always be part of our BYU family," said Holmoe.

Anh Duy Pham was initially charged with 10 felony charges, including six attempted murder charges, for his connection to "targeted auto pedestrian crashes" over the span of several months. Gill announced Thursday the filing of three more attempted murder charges related to two additional pedestrian crashes.

The new charges bring the total to nine first-degree felony attempted murder charges, six counts of third-degree felony failure to stop at a serious injury accident, and three misdemeanor counts of failure to stop at an injury accident, according to a press release.

Gill previously said the auto-pedestrian incidents traced back to Pham were “shrouded in the shadow of accidents.” Court documents say Pham did not know the victims involved and targeted random women in the area.

Authorities say Pham's charges are in connection to six auto-pedestrian crashes, some of which had more than one victim. The two incidents that Gill says were recently connected to Pham occurred on March 2 and March 12 near 900 South 1300 East and 160 North T Street, respectively.

“We thank Salt Lake City Police Department detectives and our prosecutors for their continual work on this case to help ensure justice for our community,” Gill said. “All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Utah officials responded to Wilson's passing online, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

"Ted Wilson devoted most of his life to public services. As a Utah National Guardsman, Salt Lake City's mayor, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and a trusted advisor to Gov. Gary Herbert, Ted always put people over politics. Abby and I are grateful for his devotion to our state and we express our deepest sympathies to his family," he wrote.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared her memories of Wilson online, writing that he was her mentor and a cherished friend.

"To this City, he was a giant and a champion. His legacy is a permanent thread in our City's story. He was a committed leader, a driver of progress and someone willing to listen, learn, and evolve," she wrote.

Mendenhall went on to describe Wilson as a driver of progress, saying her heart is with Wilson's family.

"Ted Wilson made Salt Lake City better in more ways than we’ll ever be able to count. I look forward to the day when thinking of Ted again brings more smiles than tears. Until then, I will miss my friend, and Salt Lake City will miss a true legend," she wrote.

Wilson was born on May 18, 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in 1964, a master's from the University of Washington in 1969 and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Westminster College in 1983.

He served in the Utah Army National Guard from 1957 to 1963. Wilson later started his political career in 1973 as he was appointed Chief of Staff to Utah Congressman Wayne Owens. In 1975, Wilson was appointed to direct the Department of Social Services in Salt Lake County.

He was elected to three terms as the mayor of Salt Lake City, serving from 1976 - 1985, before he later became the Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. Wilson ran for U.S. Senate in 1982 against Orrin Hatch and in 1988 was the Democratic candidate for Governor of the State of Utah.

Wilson was known for overseeing the city's response to the floods of 1983, working to reconstruct the Salt Lake City International Airport and his community and environmental efforts.

Wilson worked as the director of the Utah Clean Air Partnership and the director of the Utah Rivers Council, as well as serving as the environmental advisor to Gov. Gary Herbert.

The Hinckley Institute writes that outside of politics, Wilson had a great love for mountaineering.

"He has climbed peaks around the world from the Alps to the Andes, established three climbing schools, and he received the Department of the Interior Valor Award in 1967 for his role in a rescue on the North Face of the Grand Teton," their website said.

Wilson and his first wife Kathryn Carling had five children together, including current Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. He was later married to former Salt Lake Tribune columnist Holly Mullen and was stepfather to her two children.

The airline announced on Thursday, April 11, that it would be adding three daily flights out of the Provo Municipal Airport. Two of the flights will go to Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas and one flight will head toward Phoenix, Ariz.

Provo will become American Airline's third destination city in the Beehive State after Salt Lake City and St. George.

The addition of American Airlines to the Provo Municipal Airport list of carriers comes less than a year after the airport announced its goals to bring a major carrier and international flights to Utah County. The airport already offers flights from Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways.

"We had a forward-looking vision when we built the Provo Airport. The monumental announcement of the arrival of American Airlines proves we were on their radar as much as our airport tower will soon be on theirs," said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. "With year-round, daily service, American Airlines is showing their commitment to Provo and we couldn't be happier to welcome them home with this game-changing service."

American Airlines said customers flying out of Provo will be able to connect "with just one stop" across American's global network. The flights include connections to more than 30 destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Director of Domestic Network Planning for American Airlines Joe Sottile said the addition of the airlines will give Utah County residents "more ways to visit the places they want to visit most."

Flights will begin flying out of Provo on October 7, 2024. All flights will have room for 65 passengers, including nine first-class seats.

Provo's new terminal for commercial travel was completed in 2022 and has since grown to serve over 116,000 passengers annually, according to the airport's website. In 2023, Provo city officials recognized a need to expand the Provo Airport as research showed the airport was only serving a fraction of its estimated passengers.

Provo City indicated it hoped expanding the airport would help bring tourism dollars into Utah County, with easier, quicker access to BYU Big 12 games and the Sundance Mountain Resort. To that end, Provo Airport Director Brian Torgersen said adding network service by a major carrier has been a focus for the airport, even before the opening of the new terminal.

"We have been telling our story to all who would listen, and American Airlines has stepped up to provide exceptional service to exceptional major hub airports," said Torgensen. "We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome American Airlines and the entire world to Provo."

Tickets for the new American Airlines flights will be available for sale starting April 22 through American Airlines' website and mobile app.

Evermore Park's website is updated to reflect that — with a page titled "End of An Era."

In a statement to ABC4, founder Ken Bretschneider said after careful consideration by the park's management team and board of directors, they made the difficult decision to close the park indefinitely.

"It is with deep sadness and gratitude that we formally announce the closing of Evermore Park in 2024," he said. "The past decade has been filled with its share of trials and tribulations, but also many moments of magic and imagination."

Brandon Fugal, the property owner of the 12.75 acres where the attraction sat, said the closure comes after years of struggle, where Evermore Park failed "to make their business and operating model work."

"After months of not paying rent or expenses, they ceased operations and have moved out. I personally acquired the property over two years ago and settled millions of dollars in liens in an effort to save Evermore Park and preserve the vision - even structuring a new, very friendly lease. They have unfortunately failed and defaulted," Fugal said.

In Bretschneider's statement, he described the ongoing difficulties the park has experienced.

"Evermore Park faced significant challenges from the beginning, which intensified in 2020 with the COVID pandemic closures, followed by reduced consumer spending in 2021 and even more so in 2023, coupled with inflation, gave us little to work with," Bretschneider said. "Coming out of the new year, we had a few promising opportunities that would have provided needed bridge capital and potential to grow revenue in 2024. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, things changed and as a result we are unable to continue."

A ProPublica loan database shows that Evermore Park took out two loans totaling over $1 million in 2020 and 2021. Both were forgiven.

What's next?

Going forward, Fugal said, there are already plans for the land that Evermore Park occupied.

"I have my Evermore property under contract with a very well-capitalized group who is not only keeping the 27 existing old world structures intact, but finishing everything with new improvements," he said.

At this time, Fugal said he is unable to share more, but details should be available in the coming weeks. He said he purchased the real estate of Evermore Park wanting to preserve its inspiring vision and the special place it holds in the community.

"I look forward to unveiling the next chapter and a bright future ahead," he said.

The end of an era

The park was open on weekends for different seasonal experiences throughout the year, such as "Lore" during the fall, "Aurora" in the winter, and "Mythos" in the spring and summer months.

Its last run was "Aurora" in December 2023. Bretschneider said since the park is seasonal, the majority of its workforce is contracted. He said at the end of 2023's Aurora, staff were informed of upcoming events and tryouts, but also that Evermore Park faced many challenges and they were working on possible solutions to keep it going.

He explained that a small number of full-time employees continued in early 2024 to maintain the park as management and the board focused on trying to save it.

"In January and February, we informed our team leaders of our continued challenges and notified them and our seasonal staff immediately once it was known/decided to close the park towards the end of March. We also notified our investors/partners and park vendors once the final decision was made," he said.

Bretschneider went on to thank those that made Evermore Park what it was.

"Evermore Park forged new ground in immersive and interactive entertainment, which presented many challenges as it’s never easy to do something new. We are grateful for the many amazing experiences that happened in our little park and hope that it made a positive impact on the people who visited," he said.

History behind Evermore

In 2014, the concept of Evermore Park first made its debut at the comic convention FanX in Salt Lake City. A booth detailed what was planned for the attraction, including sets, costumes, and a model of the park. Design and construction for Evermore Park started in 2016 and it officially opened in 2018.

At the park, guests could join in a variety of activities, such as interacting with actors who portrayed fantasy characters, watching a bird and reptile show, trying their hand at axe throwing and archery, or riding the small train "The Evermore Express".

According to the website, the idea for Evermore Park grew from a haunted adventure that Bretschneider, his family, and friends created at his home during the Halloween season.

"To us Evermore Park was an amazing place where artists/creatives from all walks of life came together to deliver a Magical Story and an escape from reality," it says. "We have seen many miracles happen in Evermore Park with hundreds of thousands of people visiting throughout the years. Some visitors just came to stroll the village and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and entertainment, while others visited the park in elaborate costumes developing their own characters and fully immersed themselves in the story and events."

The website says that although Evermore Park will no longer be operating, they hope that the "magical moments at Evermore Park continue on through the memories of all the people who made it such a special place."

The cubs were orphaned at a young age and were not fully equipped with the necessary skills to survive in the wild, the zoo said.

"We're so happy to give them a fur-ever home!" the zoo posted to social media.

The three cubs, Liam, Mara, and Rafael, are moving to the Wild Utah exhibit this spring.

Hogle Zoo's vet and animal care teams reportedly brought siblings Liam and Mara back to full strength after they experienced extreme weather and frostbite in their home state of Nebraska.

Shortly after those two arrived, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources rescued another orphaned cub, Rafael, to be raised with the siblings at the zoo.

The trio is easy to tell apart -- Liam and Mara have shorter tails and ears from frostbite, while Rafael has a full-length tail and big, pointy ears.

"While Mara is typically a bit shy and marches to the beat of her own drum, the boys are curious and inquisitive, especially when using the buddy system," the zoo said.

What is Wild Utah?

A $22 million, three-acre exhibit is coming soon to Utah’s Hogle Zoo.

The new Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit will feature species like cougars, badgers, and bighorn sheep — all to “experience Utah wildlife like never before,” the zoo said.

The exhibit will include up-close and personal experiences with the various species, teaching guests how to sight and care for Utah’s native wildlife.

For more information, you can read about it here.

The initiative, which launches this fall, is for students who have demonstrated a need and who have not earned merit-based scholarships, a press release from the university states. Students selected will have the opportunity to earn $5,000 in scholarships and wages by performing 120 hours of community service.

The internship is designed to complement the Beehive State's One Utah Service Fellowship Program, a bill Gov. Spencer Cox recently signed that provides stipends and scholarships to young adults who participate in service.

Additionally, the initiative joins a suite of internship and service programs offered by the Hinckley Institute of Politics, the Bennion Center, and U Career Success to "support students and serve the community," the release states.

The new program will be based at the Hinckley Institute, with an initial group of 200 students throughout its first year. Morgan Lyon Cotty, associate director at the Hinckley Institute, is set to oversee the program.

With the support of state, federal, and other sources, the University of Utah anticipates expanding the program over the next three years to include 1,000 students engaging in more than 120,000 service hours annually, the release states.

"We’re thrilled to partner with the State and the Governor’s Office on this initiative," University President Taylor Randall said. "What's exciting about this is it allows us to attract students that care about our community, that want to serve, that want to get engaged in building what we have here in Utah, and we just want to make sure we support that and hopefully partner with our other sister institutions to roll this out statewide to all."

The Utah Governor's Office announced First Lady Abby Cox underwent surgery on her spine Wednesday morning, saying she has been in "debilitating pain" for weeks.

The statement said the surgery was to remove degenerative discs in her neck. Due to her health complications, Gov. Spencer Cox said they missed some important events.

"It's been a rough few weeks at our house. Abby and I feel terrible that we’ve had to miss some important events, but we feel so blessed for your prayers and support. We are lucky to have such skilled surgeons and amazing staff here at the U," Cox posted on Twitter/X.

The IOC Future Host Commission kicked off its visit in Salt Lake City Wednesday morning and Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson attended the welcome meeting in Cox's place.

This is the committee's final visit to Salt Lake City before deciding what city will host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

The IOC visit will extend into Saturday as committee members visit Utah's venues and evaluate the state's public transportation. It is not confirmed at this time if Cox will be attending other IOC meetings this week.

"The first family is grateful to the surgeons, doctors and staff at the University of Utah for their attention and care, and appreciates the prayers and support from so many Utahns. The first lady looks forward to a speedy recovery and resuming her duties soon," the Governor's Office said.

Troy Lynn Lerwill, 57, and Katherine Gean Talley, 49, were charged in Fourth District Court on Thursday, April 4, with intentional aggravated abuse and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, both second-degree felonies.

In 2020, Lerwill reportedly became acquainted with a Payson resident, who was about 70 years old at the time. The resident had some mental health issues, according to the affidavit, including apparent hoarding tendencies, autism, and anxiety, and was "extremely private and independent," as well as "very fixed in his routines and habits," and was "frugal to the point of miserliness."

The resident had financial assets exceeding $6 million, as well as valuable collections of coins and sports cards.

In March 2021, Lerwill had the resident's landline phone disconnected, despite the resident's regular assertion to family members that he did not want a cell phone because his home phone was "just fine," the affidavit states. This was the resident's only means of communication.

Additionally, Lerwill reportedly told financial advisors to contact him if they wanted to reach the resident, the affidavit states.

A few days later, the resident reportedly created a will -- leaving his Beanie Baby collection to Lerwill's girlfriend, Talley, and everything else (including his Payson home) to Lerwill. The affidavit states this was contrary to what the resident had always told his financial advisors.

In April 2021, a Power of Attorney in favor of Lerwill was executed, although improperly notarized. That same day, the affidavit states Lerwill and Talley "recorded themselves bathing [the resident], and sent the video to a few people, apparently to show that they were caring for [the resident]."

A few days later, Lerwill reportedly contacted the resident's financial advisors, saying the resident was dying and refused medical treatment, and that Lerwill was his beneficiary.

"Lerwill wanted to know what forms he needed to get 'his' money," the affidavit states.

Suspicious, the financial advisors insisted on a face-to-face meeting with the resident. When they arrived, they said Talley was sitting on the front porch. She told the advisors "what a blessing [the resident] had been in their lives," and that being a caretaker was "the hardest thing in the world," the affidavit states.

Additionally, she and Lerwill reportedly told the advisors that they were the resident's best friends, and that they had been taking good care of him.

However, when the advisors entered the home, they said it smelled foul and discovered Lerwill had turned the water off. The advisors called for an ambulance despite Lerwill's rejection.

According to the affidavit, EMS responders noticed the resident was in a bed that was covered with "a few days worth" of urine and excrement, wearing only an adult diaper.

He was "a breathing skeleton and in the midst of a heart attack," the affidavit states.

Lerwill and Talley told the advisors that the resident had given them a verbal DNR (do not resuscitate), and that "it was a spiritual experience watching him die the way he wanted to," the affidavit states.

Officials said no written DNR was ever located, and family members believe the resident would have wanted palliative care, pain relief, and a more dignified end of his life.

The resident was taken to a hospital, where Lerwill claimed to be his caregiver. Additionally, Lerwill said the resident was "estranged" from his family members, although the resident's family later said that was not true, the affidavit states.

The resident died of cancer on April 12, 2021. He was also malnourished and dehydrated, the affidavit states.

Lerwill and Talley reportedly tried to have the resident cremated immediately, but the affidavit states a hospital staff member recognized the resident and contacted his family.

"The nephew and nieces responded immediately to the hospital, but [the resident] died a half hour before they arrived," the affidavit states.

Those family members went to the resident's home and found that his coin collection, estimated to be worth more than $1 million, was missing. Additionally, his safe had been completely emptied, the affidavit states.

The free public tours are scheduled to run from April 13 through May 18, except on Sundays. The church recommended that visitors reserve a timeslot in advance online.

The temple was first announced in October of 2019 and ground was first broken at the site in October of 2020. The temple is scheduled to be dedicated later this year, on June 2, according to Church Newsroom.

"A temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other sacred agreements that unite families for eternity," the church said in a press release.

The church said the architectural style of the temple was "inspired by local pioneer tabernacles." Inside the temple, the colors used were intended to reflect the colors of the valley and the surrounding area of the temple.

The church said the new Taylorsville temple is one of 30 temples throughout the state of Utah that was officially dedicated, or otherwise under construction or renovation.

Public tours at the Taylorsville Temple are scheduled to begin exactly one week after the church's annual general conference that was broadcast around the world. On the second day of the conference, the church's president announced 15 new temples the church plans to build.

Of the 15 new temples most recently announced by the church, two more are expected to come to Utah -- with a Latter-day Saint temple planned to be built in Lehi and another expected in West Jordan.

EcoFlight, a Colorado-based company, uses small aircraft to boost conservation efforts across the Western United States. This week, their focus returned to the Wasatch Front.

Bruce Gordon, the founder and chief pilot for EcoFlight, said that years ago his passengers were shocked when they saw that water from the Bear River wasn’t reaching the Great Salt Lake.

“You can look at statistics all you want, you can look at lines on a map all you want, but when you get up there, all of a sudden it gives the land a voice,” he said. “It really shows you what is going on. It translates those lines into reality.”

In November of 2022, when the Great Salt Lake shrunk to a record low, EcoFlight helped provide some of the first aerial images of the struggling saline lake, which scientists said was on the brink of ecological collapse.

Since then, the nonprofit has returned each year to see the lake begin filling up with water after back-to-back years where snow dumped on northern Utah’s mountains.

“We’re thrilled to see the lake filling up, and I hope it can continue,” said Jane Pargiter, executive director of EcoFlight.

This week, the nonprofit again took to the air over the Great Salt Lake, and ABC4 reporter Kade Garner was onboard, as was Soren Simonsen, executive director of the Jordan River Commission.

While the EcoFlight planes only seat five, the company says it aims to create diverse passenger lists to help key decision-makers come to important management decisions over the lake’s future. Among Utahns chosen for flights are politicians, local officials, filmmakers, and wildlife biologists.

From the plane’s windows on Tuesday, the passengers could see rivers flowing into the lake, the variation in water color from red to green, the wetlands harboring wildlife, swaths of dry lakebed, and the berm that separates the lake’s north and south arms.

“To be up above the lake but close enough in a small aircraft to see what’s happening is pretty amazing, it’s a really unique experience,” Simonsen said.

He added that it filled him with joy to see water filling up Farmington Bay, something he’d seen dry from the ground.

But while he applauded the Utah Legislature’s recent efforts to pass laws aimed at getting more water into the lake, he said that climate change and other factors still pose a serious threat for the lake’s future.

“We have to be vigilant,” he said, “because there’s a lot more work that has to happen to put those policies into practice to really create long term health and sustainability for the lake.”

Until that happens, EcoFlight will be returning to Utah to give more people an overhead view of what’s happening to the lake, on which communities, ecosystems and businesses along the Wasatch Front depend.

Gordon hopes his passengers absorb what they see and strive to get involved in the lake’s future.

“We hope to inspire you to be an activist and advocate what you care about in these situations," he said.

The Provo Police Department said the incident took place just minutes after midnight Sunday morning after they attempted to stop a vehicle for "driver license and moving violations." They say the driver fled eastbound on 500 N and officers lost sight of the vehicle.

When they located the vehicle, it had crashed into a home near 130 E 500 N and landed on top of two cars.

Lexi Nelson, a Provo resident, said she was in the basement getting ready for bed when she heard a crash and her roommates yelling upstairs.

"It really was the loudest crash I had ever heard in my life," Nelson said. "I looked out the window and I saw the female running into our backyard to go jump our fence or running into the neighbor's yard somewhere back there."

According to witnesses and video footage, the involved vehicle flipped in the air before landing on the cars and crashing into the stairs and porch railing of Nelson's home. Witnesses report seeing both the male and female occupants climbing out the window and running away, with one witness catching the alleged escape on video.

When police arrived, they said they found the car empty.

"The car was completely smashed," Nelson said. "It's honestly really incredible that anyone made it out alive of that car, and to see them just hop out of the window and run away was crazy."

Once the occupants had left, she and her roommates walked outside to scope out the damage. She said the suspects' vehicle and her neighbor's car were totaled. Her roommate's car, while technically drivable, was also towed to a mechanic.

They found glass shards, shoes, clothes and a car seat "sprawled out around [their] house and on the road," she said.

Nelson said it was lucky no one else was hurt in the crash, as the car could have hit further into their home or hurt someone walking on their usually busy street.

As of Monday afternoon, police said they are still searching for the suspects but are not in need of public assistance at this time. They say the suspects could face several charges including fleeing or eluding officers, criminal mischief, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and driving on a denied license.

The two similar lawsuits were filed Monday in federal district court in Montana, and both argue that newly loosened hunting policies in northern Rocky Mountain states, specifically Montana and Idaho, threaten to decimate wolf populations across the region.

“We’ve invested decades in recovering wolves to this region, and that all could be lost unless federal protections are restored,” said Colette Adkins, carnivore conservation director at the Center for Biological Diversity, the leading plaintiff in one of the lawsuits.

The lawsuits come following a 2022 ruling in which Endangered Species Act protections were restored to wolves across most of the continental United States, except for in the northern Rocky Mountain region. This area includes Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, as well as parts of Washington, Oregon and a corner of northern Utah.

In this region, wolf management is done by the states, where many ranchers feel they bear the cost of wolves being reintroduced to the landscape. In Montana, for instance, local laws currently allow a single hunter to kill up to 20 wolves each year. In Idaho, hunters can get an unlimited number of wolf tags, and in most of Wyoming, wolves can be killed without a license and basically at any time.

Conservation groups argue that these kinds of policies are leading to hundreds of wolves being killed each year through hunting, trapping or conflict with humans. They say that this will lead to increasingly isolated wolf populations that won’t be sustainable as the packs will fall victim to genetic diseases.

ABC4 reached out to the FWS and the BLM for comment, and the BLM responded saying that it doesn’t respond to pending litigation. However, earlier this year, the FWS denied a petition from conservation groups to restore protections to gray wolves in the northern Rockies and other Western states, instead proposing a national recovery plan for wolves that will take shape in the coming years.

‘A culture of hostility’

Recently, the death of a wolf from the northern Rocky Mountain region made headlines, sparking outrage across the country.

According to the Cowboy State Daily, a Wyoming hunter hit a wolf with a snowmobile in February, disabling the animal. He then taped its mouth shut and paraded it around a bar before killing the animal outside. Photos of the hunter posing with the captured wolf were published this month.

According to the news site, the hunter was cited for possessing a live wolf, a $250 fine. He was not charged with cruelty toward the animal, as it was killed in one of the state’s “predator zones.” In Wyoming, animal cruelty laws only apply to domestic animals and pets, not predators.

To Adkins, this episode is a byproduct of Wyoming’s policy toward wolves, which, in her words, boils down to viewing “any good wolf as a dead wolf.”

“It creates a culture of hostility and hate there towards these really important animals,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

If the wolf was protected under the Endangered Species Act, as it is across most of the U.S., the hunter would face steep penalties, perhaps even jail time.

What do these lawsuits mean for Utah?

Only a small corner of northeastern Utah is considered part of the northern Rocky Mountain region, where federal protections don’t apply to wolves.

Still, wolves aren’t allowed to be hunted in the Beehive State, said Faith Heaton Jolly, spokesperson for the Utah Department of Natural Resources.

Should the conservation groups get their way, it would simply mean that wolves would be federally protected across all of Utah.

It should be noted that Utah has no established wolf packs. According to Heaton Jolly, wolves occasionally wander into the Beehive state, and there are rare instances of cattle depredation.

What are wolves good for?

According to Adkins wolves are “terribly important pieces of the ecosystem.”

She said that wolves make elk and deer herds more resistant to disease by taking out weak and sick individuals. Additionally, she noted the predators also improve riverbanks and shorelines by keeping ungulates from grazing too long in a single place.

Wolves once roamed across most of North America, from the Arctic tundra to Mexico. But extermination programs and loss of habitat led to their disappearing from the landscape across almost all the Western U.S.

In 1973, the northern Rocky Mountain wolf was federally listed as an endangered species, and in the 1900s, wild wolves were released in Yellowstone National Park, a designated recovery region. The wolves grew in population and expanded outside of the park’s boundaries.

In the lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the document cites figures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, noting that in 2022, 422 wolves were killed in Idaho, 302 wolves were killed in Montana, and 77 wolves were killed in Wyoming. Similar figures were reported the year before.

Killing at such rates, the lawsuit argues, not only harms wolves in the northern Rocky Mountain region, but it also hurts wolves in areas where recovery efforts are underway, such as Colorado. These fledgling populations will depend on wolves from the northern Rocky Mountain region to join their packs and enhance their genetic diversity.

Earlier this year, 10 wolves were released into Colorado’s high country. According to Heaton Jolly, if those wolves wander into Utah, the Division of Wildlife Resources will try to capture them and return them across the border.

Special guests Kevin Abstract, Eyedress, and Blondshell will join them throughout the North American leg of the tour, with Eyedress set to play at the Utah show. The Big Moon will open for Glass Animals in Europe and the UK.

Tickets for North American dates went on presale Tuesday, April 9. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general sale beginning Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m. local time.

According to a press release from Live Nation, the Grammy-nominated and Brit-nominated group will be playing at some of their biggest stages yet, with shows at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden in New York, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, 3Arena in Dublin, The O2 in London, and many more.

Along with the 41-date tour, Glass Animals are preparing for the release of their fourth studio album, out on July 19th. Last week, the band released "Creatures in Heaven," giving fans a taste of the upcoming album, which can be pre-ordered online.

The band's last album Dreamland, contained the popular single "Heat Waves," which hit number five on the UK Singles Chart and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in the United States. The album itself sold over 12 million copies worldwide.

GLASS ANIMALS: TOUR OF EARTH – NORTH AMERICA DATES:

• Wed Aug 07 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion +
• Thu Aug 08 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre +
• Sat Aug 10 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann +
• Sun Aug 11 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center +
• Tue Aug 13 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden +
• Fri Aug 16 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park +
• Sat Aug 17 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion +
• Tue Aug 20 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage +
• Wed Aug 21 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center +
• Fri Aug 23 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center +
• Sat Aug 24 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre +
• Sun Aug 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center +
• Tue Aug 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena +
• Wed Aug 28 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island +
• Sat Aug 31 – Kansas City, KS – Azura Amphitheater ~^
• Tue Sep 03 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
• Wed Sep 04 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ~
• Thu Sep 05 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
• Sat Sep 07 – Seattle, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre ~^
• Sun Sep 08 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena ~
• Wed Sep 11 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre ~
• Fri Sep 13 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ~
• Sat Sep 14 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum ~^
• Tue Sep 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ~
• Fri Sep 20 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ~
• Sat Sep 21 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~
• Sun Sep 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ~

HUMAN MUSICAL GROUP SENSATIONS GLASS ANIMALS: TOUR OF EARTH – EUROPE/UK DATES:

• Tue Oct 15 – Paris, France – Zenith =
• Wed Oct 16 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National =
• Thu Oct 17 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Halle =
• Sat Oct 19 – Warsaw, Poland – Expo XXI =
• Sun Oct 20 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling-Halle =
• Tue Oct 22 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz =
• Wed Oct 23 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall =
• Thu Oct 24 – Munich, Germany – Zenith =
• Sat Oct 26 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live =
• Wed Oct 30 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena =
• Fri Nov 01 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – OVO Hydro =
• Sat Nov 02 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Co-op Live =
• Sun Nov 03 – Nottingham, United Kingdom – Motorpoint Arena =
• Tue Nov 05 – Cardiff, United Kingdom – Utilita Arena =
• Thu Nov 07 – London, United Kingdom – The O2 =

Support Key

+ Kevin Abstract

~ Eyedress

^ Blondshell

= The Big Moon

The new stadium, sponsored by Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU), will be situated on the west side of the existing Clyde Field and will provide an "unparalleled experience" for players, fans and the community.

Once completed the stadium will be able to hold 3,000 fans and include covered plaza seating, a Major League Soccer-style press box complete with broadcast capabilities and 10 luxury seats. The University previously announced the new stadium would include improved concessions, restrooms and a team shop as well as dedicated student sections.

The players will have dedicated locker rooms a team lounge and locker rooms specifically built for visiting teams and officials. Once finished, UVU said the stadium will be one of the top facilities in NCAA Division I Soccer.

"This groundbreaking is a testament to our vision for UVU Athletics and our partnership with UCCU," said Utah Valley Director of Athletics Dr. Jared Sumsion. "The new stadium will not only enhance our competitive edge but also create a vibrant hub for community interaction and support."

The groundbreaking will happen at 12:45 p.m. in a ceremony open to the public. UVU officials plan on announcing a timeline for construction as well as other stadium features during the event.

Several towers and businesses throughout the city will be illuminating their buildings and properties in Olympic gold lighting as a show of support for Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The Delta Center, City Creek Center, The Gateway, The 95 State Building, 222 Building, The Grand America Hotel, Walker Center and more will be participating.

"The business community is wholeheartedly in support of hosting the 2034 Winter Games and this is a great way to demonstrate that resolve," said Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance President and CEO Derek Miller.

The International Olympic Committee will be in Utah for a final visit ahead of the IOC's final decision on who will host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games. During their visit, the committee will meet with Salt Lake City-Utah Olympic Games organizers to discuss their proposal, including transit readiness, venues, and overall readiness of the state to host the Winter Games.

The SLC-UT Olympic Committee recently unveiled 13 venues across the Wasatch Front and potential spots for Olympic sports. Many venues, such as the Maverik Center, Park City ski resorts, and the Peaks Ice Arena also hosted the games in 2002.

Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games President and CEO Fraser Bullock praised the Salt Lake community for rallying behind the IOC's visit and hopes the enthusiasm spreads throughout the state.

"We want everyone in our entire state to feel the energy of bringing the Winter Games back to Utah," said Bullock.

The Salt Lake Downtown Alliance is inviting community members to join in showing support by illuminating their homes and businesses in Olympic gold.

According to Sergeant Cameron Roden with UHP, a semi truck and three other cars were involved in the crash. The crash is said to have taken place near mile marker 202 on Route 6 in Utah County.

UHP said the driver of the semi truck was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The semi truck that was involved in the crash reportedly ended up overturned.

The other people involved suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate, and three others were taken to the hospital.

The crash was said to have blocked two lanes of traffic, but the lanes were able to reopen after a couple hours.

Officials are urging drivers to be careful when driving and to plan trips ahead of time. Officials also recommend drivers keep their eyes on the road at all times and be mindful of what is in the car.

"We respond to crashes on a daily basis where we find things that should have been in the back of the vehicle that are now in the front seat," Sergeant Kristopher Cope said. "And those are just projectiles that can hit you in the head or cause serious damage."

There is no further information at this time.

"Kaufusi’s Keikis is a free optional health outreach program to provide all elementary-aged children with potentially life-saving annual screenings," one program webpage said.

The initiative is part of a partnership between the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine -- or Noorda-COM -- and the Provo City School District, and aims "to develop a preventative health outreach program with the long-term goal of changing the health trajectories of Provo’s next generation."

So, where does the name come from?

Keiki -- pronounced "kay-kee"-- is a Hawaiian word that can mean child or offspring. The name "Kaufusi's Keikis" essentially means "Kaufusi's Kids."

The program announced it would officially be launched on April 9, after being given a $25,000 donation from The Provo Open. The program aims to offer free, opt-in health screenings for Provo students, which it said would be "especially beneficial" for communities with low incomes.

Under faculty supervision, the health screenings will be conducted by student doctors with Noorda-COM and, eventually, other medical students in the area. One student called the initiative "an invaluable opportunity" to engage with the community.

President and CEO of Noorda-COM Dr. Norman Wright said Kaufusi's connection to growing up in the Provo community helped to make it clear that launching Kaufusi's Keikis "was the right choice."

Kaufusi said the outreach program is personal to her because she grew up getting free and reduced lunch at school, as one of seven children of a single mother.

"We were always in survival mode as a family, so my success would not have been possible without a caring community who stepped in to make a difference," Kaufusi said. “Kaufusi’s Keikis is another example of our caring community coming together for the health of our children."

Caleb Price with the Provo City School District expressed gratitude to the Provo Open and Noorda-COM for their partnership on the outreach program.

According to a press release, the first health screening fair of the Kaufusi's Keikis Health Outreach Program will be on May 1 at Timpanogos Elementary School. The screening stations will include vital signs, neurology and basic vision, among others.

Other optional health screenings will be held at three of the Title I schools in the Provo School District.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of our health outreach initiative for our hometown, Provo, and to dedicate it to Mayor Michelle Kaufusi," Wright said.

The 433 Yoshino cherry trees along the capitol's memorial pathway bloom every year around March or April — and they have an interesting history. Sandi Archibald, the visitor services manager at the Capitol Preservation Board, said these actually aren't the first cherry blossom trees at the capitol.

The first ones, she said, were planted on Arbor Day in 1931, and then, in 1945, Japan gifted Kwanzan cherry trees to Utah as a symbol of friendship following World War II.

Archibald said that as the Kwanzan cherry trees reached the end of their lifespan and a tornado in 1999 damaged many of them, they were replaced by Yoshino cherry trees.

These Yoshino cherry trees are the ones you see today. They were planted during the capitol restoration project in 2004-2008 and cultivated in Portland, Oregon, for this purpose. Archibald said every now and then, as a tree reaches the end of its lifespan, it is replaced with another Yoshino cherry tree.

Archibald explained the Yoshino cherry trees were grafted to grow in a way that the branches come out the top and arch over the walkway, giving visitors the colorful view you'll find at this time of year.

"It's really special to have the Yoshino cherry trees blossoming. They are a symbol of the impermanence of life," she said

Archibald added they don't blossom for long — about ten days to two weeks every year, weather depending, so you won't want to miss your chance to see them.

"Right now is the time to come and enjoy them, have a picnic with your family, take photos with your family, or for graduation or weddings. This is a wonderful time for those photos," she said.

You can stay updated on the cherry blossom trees on the Utah State Capitol's Instagram Page.

The movies will be screened each Monday from April 15 to June 3 in celebration of Sony Pictures' 100 years of Columbia Pictures, the society said.

"Fans of the iconic web-slinger can immerse themselves in the entire Spider-Man saga, from Tobey Maguire's classic portrayal to Andrew Garfield's electrifying performance and Tom Holland's latest adventures," the society said. "Relive the excitement of Spider-Man's origin story, the heart-pounding battles against villains, and the epic multiverse crossover in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.'"

The first five films of the series will reportedly be screened on 35mm film exclusively at Broadway Centre Cinemas.

Here is the lineup:

• Spider-Man (2002) on 35mm – April 15
• Spider-Man 2 (2004) on 35mm – April 22
• Spider-Man 3 (2007) on 35mm – April 29
• The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) on 35mm– May 6
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) 35 mm– May 13
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) – May 20
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – May 27
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – June 3

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Salt Lake Film Society's website or go directly to slfstix.org.

About Salt Lake Film Society

The Salt Lake Film Society, a non-profit organization, is mission-focused and community-driven, its website states, and works to create "immersive, transformative, and engaged arts experiences that are accessible to everyone."

The society said they bring artists, their films, and audiences together to experience film "the way it was meant to be seen" -- in a darkened room, on a big screen, and with family or friends.

These detonations -- which are planned to last through September -- involve more than 10,000 pounds of net explosive weight intended to destroy old or obsolete Department of Defense rocket motors.

These operations might lead to some rumblings or noise, but despite this, Amanda Burton, 75th Civil Engineer Group's Environment Branch Chief, said it's environmentally the best way to dispose of these large rocket motors.

“We want to do this work without adversely affecting our neighbors and the environment," Burton said.

Since 2012, more than 300 motors have been destroyed at the UTTR, which is the only permitted location where these detonations can be done.

In a news release, the Air Force said they take measures to minimize any rumbling or shaking residents may feel. Before each operation, the Air Force says they take atmospheric readings to check wind speed, direction and other environmental factors.

From there, the data is entered into a sound prediction model to see if conditions are acceptable for a detonation, and if the model predicts that sound will be louder than permitted levels in areas along the Wasatch Front, the detonations are delayed.

But, Burton said, no prediction model is always 100% accurate. Over the years, every now and then, some northern Utah residents have reported feeling vibrations minutes after a detonation on the range. To give you an idea of how powerful these detonations are, that's approximately 80 miles west of Salt Lake City in Utah's West Desert.

"Atmospheric conditions can change rapidly between the time we take a reading and the actual detonation,” Burton said. “This current model we’re using is a very reliable tool in determining how far sound from a detonation will travel from the UTTR.”

One or two detonations are planned each week through September at the UTTR, though they are subject to change based on weather, workload and other factors.

Authorities confirmed the suspect is a minor and did not release any additional information about his identity, due to his age.

The suspect was reportedly involved in a shooting on Thursday, April 4, at the Meadowbrook TRAX station. Two people were hospitalized as a result of the shooting, one in critical condition, and the other in serious condition.

Utah Highway Patrol confirmed with ABC4 that as of Friday, April 5, one victim was still in the hospital in critical but stable condition. The other has since been released. Authorities did not release the identity of either victim.

ABC4 is working on getting an updated condition on the victim hospitalized over the weekend.

UTA said an investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and further details have not been released.

At around 5:30 a.m. on April 8, police received a report of a car crashed into a tree near 3800 South 7000 West.

Police believe a group of juveniles were traveling in two stolen vehicles when one driver lost control and crashed one of the cars.

Police said the driver of the crashed car fled in the second vehicle, leaving a 12-year-old with "minor mouth injuries" behind. The 12-year-old reportedly told police that the group stole the crashed car from Magna.

The second vehicle reportedly fled eastbound on 3800 South.

Police believe all of the suspects in this incident are juveniles.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

What is a "busker?" They are more commonly known as street performers - entertainers who dazzle onlookers with tricks, humor and quirky acts in public spaces and often for donations.

This year, Salt Lakers will be entertained by more than 15 acts all happening simultaneously at any given moment on May 24 and May 25. Like years past, the Busker Fest will be held on the sidewalks of Block 70, which includes Main Street and Regent Street from 100 South to 200 South near the Eccles Theater.

The event is free to the public and while it isn't necessary to tip the performers, it is highly encouraged to support the performers for their live entertainment.

The weekend festival always showcases some of the best talent nationwide but the Salt Lake City Arts Council is also looking for some local talent to highlight - experienced or not.

"Organizers have been selecting nationally touring acts to wow the crowds with their amazing feats. Now, it's time for our local performers to step off the stage and onto the street. We love to spotlight new artists or new acts - we applaud the traditional and we celebrate the weird," said event director Kim Angeli.

If you're a local up-and-coming performer or someone with loads of experience, the Salt Lake Arts Council is inviting you to apply for a spot in the Busker Fest. Opportunities are open to a variety of topics from magic and music to puppets and street theater.

Applications can be submitted on the Busker Fest website, here. The deadline to apply is April 28 and applications must be submitted in advance in order to participate.

On Monday morning, April 8, Smith posted on Twitter/X with a link to a survey, asking Utahns to send in ideas for the team. Fans were quick to provide suggestions -- some complete with jersey mock-ups and logos.

One particularly common theme among suggestions was to follow along with Utah's winter identity of having the "Greatest Snow on Earth." Among the top suggestions were the "Utah Yeti" and the "Utah Blizzard."

"Utah Blizzard for sure," one user replied. "Keep the 'ZZ' theme going, reference our iconic snow."

"Don't mess around. It's the Yetis," another user said.

Others suggested the Coyotes, a reference to the speculation the Arizona Coyotes could relocate to Salt Lake City amid arena troubles. Those speculations have since quieted, however, as the Coyotes announced a commitment to win a state land auction and build a privately funded arena.

Some of the suggestions made for a Utah-based hockey team mirrored ideas for a Utah-based Major League Baseball franchise from a few months back. Users in both fanbases feel they could rally behind a team called the "Golden Spikes," "Saints," or even the "Pioneers."

If you're not a fan of any of the suggested names for an NHL team then don't worry too much. Smith and fans still have plenty of time to brainstorm names and branding ideas as an expansion for the NHL still seems years away. The Hockey News reported in February that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is "not in expansion mode."

The last expansion for the NHL came in 2021 when the Seattle Kraken joined the league -- bringing the team count to 32. Before that, it was the Vegas Golden Knights that entered the competition in 2017.

Ryan Smith, who has ownership in several Utah sports ventures including the Utah Jazz, MLS side Real Salt Lake and NWSL's Utah Royals, officially submitted a request to begin expansion talks with the league in January. NHL replied saying it appreciated the interest in having a team and called Utah a "promising market."

There have been no updates on Utah's bid for a team since.

If you would like to submit your ideas for a future Utah-based NHL team, should one come to Utah, visit the survey here.

Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc. (RAWI), a non-profit dedicated to supporting Native American communities, established the helpline in honor of sexual assault awareness month.

Victims will be able to call the hotline at 1-833-NTV-HEAL (688-4325).

RAWI Executive Director Yolanda Francisco said the helpline will be a great benefit for the Native American community, which the National Institute of Justice reports has a higher victimization rate than any other ethnic group. Native American women are more likely to need these services but are less likely to have access to them.

"One in three Native American women experience violence in their lifetime," said Francisco. "Our mission is to address this disparity by providing support to Native Americans and others including those living in urban populations. We deeply appreciate existing partners who have joined us in the work to address the harm happening in the Great Basin."

The Utah Department of Public Safety, which helped launch the helpline, said the number will be a great additional resource for victims during a difficult time. Deputy Commissioner Jimmy Higgs said the department encourages everyone to report domestic and sexual abuse but there is a recognized need for different cultural needs.

Utah Rep. Angela Romero (D) said meeting those cultural needs requires a dedicated effort that views issues through "a Native lens."

"Ensuring that victims have access to culturally competent care is fundamental in our efforts to support and empower Indigenous communities," said Romero.

Francisco added, "Together, our focus is to help end sexual assault and domestic violence with the realization that everyone in Utah is entitled to safety and harmony."

Investigators say the two men may have been involved in a fight at a nightclub near 1000 East and 2100 South just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10.

Two people were taken to the hospital as a result of the fight -- a 45-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but police say the woman's injuries were considered "serious."

"Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe the fight happened in the parking lot between the man in the light-colored shirt and the 47-year-old man," SLCPD said in a press release.

Police said shortly after the fight, the two men got into a silver car and drove away. The driver, the man wearing the dark-colored shirt, is believed to have hit the 45-year-old woman with the car before taking off.

SLCPD said no additional details will be released as an investigation into the fight is still ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000 and reference case number 24-53536. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the CityProtect website.

Devin was arrested for five different charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, failure to remain at an accident involving serious injury and reckless driving. 

“It's been really hard seeing the charges against Devin, considering that we thought we were doing all the right things for him -- from taking him to the emergency room for help on Saturday, and then again on Sunday -- and I just feel like he has totally been let down,” Devin’s Mother Mary Myers said.

The family said they took Devin to get help on the Saturday before Easter. 

"I took him to the hospital downtown, gave him a pink slip at the hospital, and then he was released a few hours later,” Devin’s Brother Drake Myers said.

Devin's family said they tried finding help again the next day.

“I stayed up with him all night, and then he was still bad in the morning,” Drake said.

Drake said Devin was tested for drugs at multiple hospitals. However, Drake said all the tests came back clean.

“He would never hurt anyone," Mary said.

"Never has, never would," Drake said. "It wasn't him at that time, is what makes it so sad."

Both Drake and Mary said Devin was scared for his life and scared of things that "weren't there."

On March 31, it was reported that Devin ran out of the hospital, stole a car and injured a security officer trying to stop him.

The family said they contacted the emergency room at the South Jordan Health Center before taking Devin in.

"We were told that they could handle it. Like, is there a crisis team? Is there a mental health crisis team?” Mary asked.

Mary and Drake said they have not seen Devin since Thursday. They were allowed to talk with him for 30 minutes.

“He wasn't very stable then. So, we had left the room after speaking with him and let them know like he's ... there's no way he could go to jail. Like he's ... he's not doing OK,” Drake said.

The family said Devin was diagnosed with a mental disorder. They believe the whole situation would have been different if he were properly treated.

The family added that Utah is not paying attention to mental health the way it should. That is why they want to spread awareness for more resources to be available.

You can visit National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah (NAMI) for more help and resources, by clicking here.

Reports of the fire came in at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, according to Cpt. Jeanie Atherton, Provo Fire.

Firefighters responded to the scene, located at 900 North 900 East, and battled the fire until around 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

The building was reportedly unoccupied at the time, and no injuries occurred.

Details as to what caused the fire have not been provided at this time.

No further information is currently available.

Dr. Goodall is known for her legacy in science and conservation, and Peterson said she is a huge inspiration to her.

"She's been a big inspiration for me, especially when I learned about how she always had wanted to go to Africa and learn all about the animals there," Peterson said in a video produced by NHMU. "She worked very hard to get there and her just persevering, that's taught a lot to me."

The "Inspired by Jane" essay contest that Peterson won was inspired by Dr. Goodall's 90th birthday, which was on April 3, as a way to celebrate Goodall's inspiration for youth and vision for change.

More than 280 other Utah students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade participated in the contest.

Peterson won the contest -- which was hosted by the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Jane Goodall Institute and my529 Utah's Educational Savings Plan -- and received an all-expenses-paid trip to a public lecture hosted by Dr. Goodall in Seattle.

After the lecture, Peterson was able to meet Dr. Goodall, wish her a happy birthday and give her a gift that she made.

The prompt for the essay was as follows: “Knowing all that Dr. Jane Goodall has accomplished in her life so far, tell us what positive impact you hope to make in the world by your 90th birthday."

In her essay, Peterson advocated for the protection of wild horses in the Mountain West. After winning, Peterson said it was exciting to be able to meet Dr. Goodall, and said she was grateful that Goodall had proven animals have emotions, too.

"Being given the opportunity to meet Dr. Jane Goodall has been an incredible experience," Peterson said. "It was so special to meet someone who worked so hard to make their own big childhood dreams come true. It is a moment I will never forget, and for which I am very thankful."

The Natural History Museum of Utah is also hosting the exhibit Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall, which runs through May 27.

The exhibit is included with the cost of admission -- but completely free to museum members; children younger than two years old; and University of Utah students, faculty and staff.

"Due to snow on the field today's Salt Lake Bees home game against the Tacoma Rainiers has been postponed and will now be played as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, April 7," a press release states.

Tomorrow's game will reportedly begin at 12:05 p.m., with gates at Smith's Ballpark opening at 11:05 a.m.

Both games of the doubleheader will be seven innings, with the second game beginning around 30 minutes after the end of the first game.

Tickets for Sunday, April 7 are good for admission to both games.

"All ticket holders will receive an email with information on how to exchange their rainout tickets. Rainout tickets are valid for select future games this season," the release states.

Fans can visit the Salt Lake Bees website here to see the postponement policy or text 801-325-BEES for more information.

With snow and rain showers overnight and continuing through Saturday, many routes are being impacted. Snowfall rates are reaching up to 1" per hour at times, UDOT said.

The snow showers will continue into Saturday night before tapering off around midnight, "with only the highest routes/summits holding onto occasional snow showers the rest of the night," UDOT said.

Conditions should reportedly be mostly clear by sunrise Sunday, with a few possible light snow showers Sunday morning, "but most routes should run wet," UDOT said.

Routes that will likely be heavily impacted will be over Logan Summit along US-89, up towards Powder Mountain, and both Cottonwood Canyons, where heavy road snow will be possible, according to UDOT.

"Other mountain routes will see periods of road snow/slush. Valleys, including the Wasatch Front, will more than likely stay wet through the event," UDOT said.

Drivers planning on heading through canyon and mountain routes should be aware of Traction Laws.

The following routes will affected during this forecast period:

• I-80, Parleys Canyon to the Wyoming Border
• I-84, through Weber Canyon to I-80 Jct.
• I-70, Clear Creek Summit; Salina Canyon/Summit
• US-89, WY Border over Logan Summit; US-89/US-6 junction to Fairview
• US-191, US-191 Summit; Indian Canyon Summit
• US-40, Silver Creek Jct. to Fruitland
• US-6, Spanish Fork Canyon over Soldier Summit to Colton
• SR-190 Big Cottonwood, entire route
• SR-210 Little Cottonwood, entire route
• SR-39, entire route
• SR-248, entire route
• SR-224, entire route
• SR-16, entire route
• SR-31, entire route
• SR-153, upper route
• SR-143, upper route

Current UDOT advisories can be found here.

The investigation began shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, when police received information about a person injured at a home near the block of 1000 West and 300 South. Paramedics took that individual to the hospital -- his injuries are considered non-life-threatening.

During the investigation, police learned that a second person had been injured and taken to a local hospital. That man's injuries are also considered non-life-threatening.

SLCPD's SWAT Team responded to the scene and assisted in carrying out a search warrant on the home. Police reportedly found multiple guns inside the residence. Those guns were booked into evidence.

The exact location and time of the shooting is unknown at this time, and no arrests have been made.

Detectives are currently working to determine the role of both injured men in this incident. Police said they are both in their 20s, though no further details about them have been released.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at 801-799-3000 and reference case number 24- 74034. Community members can also submit anonymous tips by using the CityProtect website.

"I want to thank the officers and detectives who are working this case," said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. "Many of them stayed well past the end of their already busy shifts to secure the scene, track down witnesses, and to further this investigation. Their commitment to our community, no matter the time, is a core value of ours, and I appreciate their efforts and dedication."

No further information is available at this time.

The block "U" has been wrapped a total of seven times, according to the university's press release, and was first wrapped with colored stripes in 2021 for Pride Week. It has since been wrapped three other times for Pride, twice for Veteran's Day and once for the university's Basic Needs Collective referral hub.

The university said they changed the policy after the vinyl wrappings damaged the paint on the block. They said the repair costs could range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

In addition, university officials say each wrap costs $3,500 to install and remove and has to be placed on the block when temperatures are between 45 and 80 degrees. They say the logistics and high costs limit the organizations that can wrap the block.

"We know that having communal landmarks on campus and the ritual associated with them creates a unique sense of place for University of Utah students and is essential to creating college town magic," said Chief Experience Officer Andrea Thomas. "Though it’s necessary to change this practice, we are committed to finding alternatives to wrapping the Block U."

The director of the university's LGBT Resource Center, Harry Hawkins, sent a statement saying they were deeply disappointed in the change.

"It is with a heavy heart that I address the recent announcement concerning the tradition of wrapping the block U for Pride Week on our campus. Learning that we will not continue this vibrant expression of solidarity and visibility during Pride Week has been a source of deep disappointment," the statement read.

The director continued to say the resource center has always been committed to paying the costs of the wrap and removal as they believe "fostering an inclusive environment transcends financial considerations."

Hawkins wrote that they are working with others to create a new way to highlight Pride Week. University officials also wrote in the initial announcement that the school will continue to light the columns running along the Hall of Flags every Pride Week.

The policy will go into effect at the end of this academic year and the final wrap will be taken off the block.

"I understand that this news may evoke feelings of frustration and sadness within our community, and it's okay to feel that way," Hawkins wrote in the statement. "Though the block U may no longer be adorned with Pride colors, our dedication to supporting our LGBTQ community remains unwavering."

So is it only a matter of time before bird flu infects dairies in Utah?

Amanda Price, assistant state veterinarian, said her colleagues in the Utah Department of Agriculture are concerned about the virus, known as H5N1, considering its recent spread to several states. Currently, there are tightened requirements on the movement of dairy cows into Utah.

However, Price noted that few mature dairy cows generally come into the Beehive State. Instead, Utah has more beef cattle, in which the virus has yet to be detected.

“We’re not as big a dairy state as some of these other ones,” she said.

Still, a little infected milk or the carcass of a dead migrating bird landing on a Utah farm could change that.

Recent spread to livestock

Bird flu was first detected last month in dairy cows in Texas, where investigators found dead birds on affected farms. The virus has since spread to New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio, Idaho, and Michigan.

“It sounds like all of these cases outside of Texas have been from movement of animals,” Price said, noting that the spread has been linked to the milk of infected cows.

As the name suggests, bird flu affects birds, and for many bird species, it’s a death sentence. The current strain, H5N1, has been circulating since 2022, when it ravaged commercial flocks in the U.S., leading to soaring egg prices.

While the strain has a history of infecting and killing wild mammals that eat dead birds, such as mountain lions and foxes, only recently has it ever transferred to U.S. livestock, such as dairy cows and goats.

In cows, the flu does not prove fatal. Instead, it causes a sudden drop in milk production, and the milk the cows do produce is thick and syrupy. In other farm animals, such as goats and even infected barn cats, the disease often leads to death.

One human case

In Texas, one dairy worker who had confirmed contact with infected cows got sick. His was the second recorded case of H5N1 in humans in the U.S.

“They think he might have gotten some milk on his hand and then rubbed his eye, so he got a little bit of pink eye,” Price said.

The worker is expected to be OK, and federal officials maintain that the current virus shows no sign that it’s able to spread human-to-human. As such, the general health risk to the public remains low.

As for people drinking infected milk, there's not much to be concerned about, officials say. Milk from most U.S. diaries is required to be pasteurized, a process that kills viruses like influenza.

However, Price said that Utahns who drink or eat raw milk products should be aware of the potential risks.

Still, many questions remain. As millions of birds migrate across the U.S., stopping at destinations like the Great Salt Lake, a lot could change in the coming weeks.

“We’ve only known about the virus in cattle for less than two weeks,” Price said. “So there’s a lot that we don’t know.”

According to a press release, the upcoming festival will feature a combination of over 250,000 tulips and 500,000 other spring flowers. Hundreds of varieties will bloom this spring, giving guests plenty to see over the month-long event.

Horticulture teams have been busy getting everything ready, working to plan a new display, importing tulips from the Netherlands and hand-planting flowers during the fall.

The press release states that the Tulip Festival holds quite a few awards, including winning Best in State for festivals, fairs, and events seven times.

The Tulip Festival will go from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Since it is a time-ticketed event, guests are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Ticket information can be found on Thanksgiving Point's website.

Not only can you visit the festival to stop and smell the flowers, but there are also other experiences that guests can join in.

Additional offerings include:

• Spring Flower Tour: A guided tour of the Ashton Gardens where guests will learn more about the plants and the property. This will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is free with admission to the Tulip Festival.
  
• Tulip Tot Playland: A festival playground included with admission, where activities and lawn games will be available for kids and adults daily.
  
• Tulip 5k: A 3.1-mile race through the Gardens and the tulips on April 27.
  
• Live music, vendors, food trucks, and additional activities are available on Fridays and Saturdays during the Tulip Festival.
  
• Classes will be available throughout the festival, including yoga, centerpiece design, bouquet design, watercolor painting, floral photography, and flower pressing.
  
• Daily concessions will offer spring-themed food and drinks, like the Tulip Julep. Food trucks and carts will also be available on weekends.

They say the individual "may be involved in an isolated, non-transit-related incident at the TRAX Meadowbrook Station."

If you know this individual or have any information about this incident that could help the investigation, UTA said to contact 801-287-EYES (3937) or text the UTA Police at 274-637.

With fentanyl as the main culprit, Utah has seen a rise in overdoses over the last few years, according to the Dept. of Justice. In 2021 alone, over 600 Utahns died from drug overdoses -- with 67% of those deaths related to opioids and 29% to fentanyl in particular.

The DEA said that fentanyl has "saturated the drug market" in Utah, due to its affordability, potency, and availability in the market.

Now, the state is getting a new, decentralized task force -- the Utah Drug Overdose Task Force -- which will consist of law enforcement members from agencies across the Salt Lake Valley. These personnel will operate as normal within their respective agencies, but will serve on the task force when called to do so.

According to the DOJ, this move comes as an effort to raise awareness on the matter and increase the number of prosecutable cases "through proper evidence collection and preservation."

"Through the task force we aim to consolidate intelligence, particularly digital evidence, from various drug overdose and poisoning crime scenes so that we may identify and exploit potential linkages between incidents," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie, Salt Lake City District Office.

The task force is reportedly is made up of 10 state, local and federal law enforcement offices:

• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Salt Lake City Police Department
• Unified Police Department/Salt Lake City Sheriff’s Office
• Layton City Police Department
• Sandy City Police Department
• Ogden City Police Department
• Davis County Sheriff’s Office
• South Jordan Police Department
• Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah

There are currently 10 cases either indicted or under investigation as a result of the new task force.

On Easter Sunday, Reino Jared Kerttula was tragically killed in a traffic accident on I-15. He, his wife, and three of their children were on their way to St. George for spring break when a deer walked into the road just outside of Cedar City.

"Just instinctively, he swerved to miss it and it caused the vehicle to turn sideways," Kerttula's brother-in-law Jeff Aiken told ABC4. "[The car] went through the median and crossed into northbound lanes of traffic and came to a rest."

Immediately after the crash, Kerttula was able to free himself from the wreck. His first instinct was to help his family. He was able to help his wife out of the car and was in the process of getting his 10-year-old daughter out to safety when an oncoming car struck him.

"I don't know if they didn't see [the wreck] or what but [the other driver] had to swerve to miss it and hit him," said Aiken.

Kertulla was taken to the hospital by Life Flight where he was intensive care until he eventually passed away. Aiken said his brother-in-law is already sorely missed by the whole family.

"He was a great a guy [who] always wanted to help people out," recalled Aiken. "One of those guys if you ever needed anything you could call him and he would be there. Very dependable."

Aiken described Kertulla as the "family jokester." He loved playing with his kids, nieces, and nephews. Aiken said he was loved by so many people and could make friends anywhere and everywhere.

"We would go camping and within hours he would make friends with all the people from different campsites around us," said Aiken. "He was just a very likable guy and very outgoing."

Aiken told ABC4 the rest of the Kertulla family were all "physically OK" and are back home resting after brief stays in the hospital. They suffered some minor injuries such as broken bones and lacerations requiring a few surgeries.

In the wake of the tragic accident, Aiken set up a GoFundMe to help Kertulla's family. Aiken said between the mountain of medical bills from the multiple surgeries and hospital stays for the family and needing a new car, Kertulla's surviving family will need some financial help.

Within two days of being created, the GoFundMe raised over $35,000. As of Friday morning, it was nearing its the halfway mark to its $75,000 goal. Aiken wrote in the post that the funds raised will help the Kertulla family get back on their feet and would mean the world to them during this difficult time.

If you would like to donate to support the family, you can do so on the GoFundMe page found here.

The grand opening for the food truck will be this Saturday, April 13, — and it'll be hard to miss, as the truck for Antojitos La Chapina is bright red and will be surrounded by celebratory signs and decorations for the special day. You can find the food truck in the Smith's parking lot at 665 W. 5300 S. in Murray, where food will be served from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Jorge Jimenez and his family will be making and selling food for Antojitos La Chapina, a dream long in the making. Jimenez and his wife, Silvana De La Cruz, have both spent many years in the restaurant industry — Jimenez often on the service side and De La Cruz in the kitchen — so they thought why not combine their knowledge and experience?

"With her cooking, it's always been happy in this family," he said.

Even more, the goal of Antojitos La Chapina is to share the food of their homeland with others.

Jimenez said that the family's business started with De La Cruz cooking for some friends, and grew from there, receiving a lot of support with people asking when they would open their own restaurant.

"I talked to her and said I think it's time because there's not an official place from Guatemala here in Utah. There's just places that have a little bit of it, but not an official restaurant from Guatemala ... Obviously, this is a big adventure, because I knew that opening a food truck is a lot of hoops, a lot of permits you have to go through."

In December, Jimenez and De La Cruz brought their food to a holiday event — and it all sold out within three hours.

"It was like a tryout for us and everything went well. Then, we knew we were able to do it," Jimenez said.

With the opening of the food truck, Jimenez said they are nervous and excited.

"Feelings right now are all mixed in the air because it's all excitement about the opening. At the same time, you cannot sleep because you're thinking about the details," he said. "But ... at the moment that we decided to start with this adventure, I'm like, you know what? It's time to push forward ... there's no going back."

Jimenez said they focus on keeping everything fresh. On the menu, you'll find many staple foods from Guatemala, including shuco, otherwise known as a Guatemalan hot dog often sold as street food in the country.

Jimenez explained that they'll be serving their shuco with cabbage, guacamol, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and a mild green sauce on the side.

Another item they're planning are enchiladas filled with ground beef, cabbage mixed with beets, pieces of boiled eggs and onions.

They'll also have garnachas, which Jimenez described as fried tortillas with meat and cabbage.

Jimenez said this weekend's opening is like a trial for the business, and depending on how it goes, they might add more items to the menu, including rolled taquitos or yuca with chicharrón.

He also said he's planning on having specials every weekend, introducing a different item each weekend.

"We will keep pushing forward because sometimes ... you don't even know what you are capable of until you have it in front of you," Jimenez said.

For information on where the truck will be and other updates, you can follow Antojitos La Chapina on Facebook and Instagram.

With its billowy white flowers, the Bradford pear is pretty, at least for a few weeks. But some states have moved to ban the species and uproot the trees -- and it’s not due to their sickening smell.

“There’s a lot to dislike about this tree,” said Mike Lorenc, lead horticulturist at Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. He added: “This is one of the trees I think we should never plant in Utah.”

First off, they’re invasive.

The Bradford and a number of its ornamental cousins were developed from Callery pears, which were brought to the United States in the early 1900s, hailed as being resistant to drought and fire blight, then a scourge to orchards.

Around the 1960s, the Bradford pear became popular as a landscaping piece, as it’s bug-resistant and grows quickly in various soils. In Utah, they’re a common sight along park strips, Lorenc said.

The tree’s hardy nature is part of the reason some states, mostly out east, have banned the sale of Bradford pears and have listed the Callery pear as a pest that threatens native species. Some states, like North Carolina, will give landowners native trees if they show evidence they’ve cut down a Callery.

While out-of-control Callery pears don’t appear to be a ban-worthy problem in Utah’s high desert landscape, Lorenc said there are several reasons why this species shouldn’t be in the Beehive State.

For starters, the Bradford pear doesn’t attract pollinators like bees. Instead, its foul-smelling flowers bring in flies. And because the tree’s leaves are waxy and tough, bugs can’t eat them, meaning few birds visit the Bradford's branches.

Homeowners should shy away from them for another reason: they are prone to breaking in storms. As Lorenc explained, their weak-wooded nature and branch structures mean their branches snap easily or they get blown over in windstorms.

In Lehi, the city put Bradford pears on an unacceptable street tree list, and they aren’t allowed to be installed on park strips. ABC4 reached out to various state departments concerning restrictions on the tree, but the station didn’t immediately hear back.

Instead of planting a Bradford, Utah homeowners should try a spring flurry serviceberry, Lorenc said. The serviceberry’s flowers are also white, and they attract birds. They also don't smell like fish.

Office Cooper said about a week ago the department got a call about a few loose pigs running around the neighborhood of South Hale Street. He said people told police that the pigs were getting into yards and gardens, as well as eating other animals' feed. Every time police tried to corral them, the pigs would run off.

But today, April 4, the pigs' run around the city would come to an end. Officer Cooper said a woman called the department to tell them that the pigs were penned in one of her chicken coops. When police got there, the pigs had escaped — and a chase around the neighborhood began.

"There were two that were loose, they were sticking together pretty good for a minute, but then they ended up getting separated and that's when I went after the little one and managed to catch up," Officer Cooper said.

He said this isn't his first rodeo, adding he's had to chase cows and other animals.

"In fact, one of the comments on the Facebook page was a lady who said officers had to chase down a really aggressive rooster in her front yard, and it's funny because that was actually me as well," he said.

And as for pigs, he's also familiar with their antics.

"Pigs are pretty agile. This is definitely not my first time I had to wrangle some pigs. I used to have some friends out here that had them and they're notorious for getting out. They are fast and they have a lot of stamina," he said.

Officer Cooper remarked that the pig kept trying to evade him, but eventually, the time came to slide into action.

"I think she was getting tired, which is good because I was getting tired, and so I saw my opportunity and just dove after her," he said.

The second pig was also captured and now both are staying at a rescue that volunteered to hold them until their owner is found, and it's equipped with secure fencing to ensure they don't run off again. As for Officer Cooper, he made it out of the ordeal with just a few scrapes.

He added that it was a big team effort to finally catch them.

"We only have one animal control officer so when stuff like this comes out, it's an all-hands-on-deck operation that we all joined in. I actually just checked on for the day and my supervisor said we got a line on these pigs, we are gonna try and capture them," he said.

Cooper said if you recognize the pigs and think they might be yours, to give the Grantsville City Police Department a call.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned as ABC4 will update this article as more information becomes available.

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) -- Approximately 4,500 houses are without power in Ogden Thursday, according to Rocky Mountain Power.

Rocky Mountain Power officials said they are aware of a power outage affecting around 4,500 customers in northern Utah. While officials initially said they expected it to be fixed within about four and a half hours, they are now reporting the estimated time of restoration to be around 6:30 a.m. Friday, more than thirteen hours after the outage was announced.

Officials say a car crash caused the outage after a vehicle struck a pole taking down multiple power lines.

Rocky Mountain Power encourages those affected by power outages to report them to the company by texting OUT to 759677. Customers can also report an outage or check their status online.

Jhon Alvaro Alarcon Paredes, 20, was arrested in Colorado on potential attempted homicide charges after allegedly shooting a teenager in the back of the head before fleeing the state last month. Paredes is now charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and obstruction of justice.

Documents say Murray police received reports of a potentially wounded person in a parking lot near 4500 South Commerce Drive on March 2. They reported finding and transporting 17-year-old Josue David Magadan Veronica to the hospital in "extremely critical condition." He later died from his injuries.

Police tracked Paredes and arrested him in Colorado, saying they believed he intended to cross the border into Mexico.

When questioned by police, Paredes allegedly said Veronica was his friend and that he never leaves a magazine in his handgun. Documents say he told police he was "playing around" when he allegedly put the gun to his friend's head and pulled the trigger. Police say he also said Veronica had a knife and he felt threatened.

According to documents, police spoke with a third person in the vehicle during the incident who said Paredes and Veronica were "play fighting." He allegedly told police Paredes threatened to kill Veronica before the gun went off. The witness said he had to physically fight Paredes to leave the area after the alleged shooting because Paredes didn't want the witness to tell Veronica's family.

Paredes allegedly told police he fled because "he was afraid he had injured his friend and because police were coming."

His initial appearance will take place on Monday, April 8.

UPDATE, 4/5: One victim is still in the hospital in critical but stable condition and the other has been released, UHP confirmed.

UPDATE, 5:11 p.m.: Two people were shot today, April 4, on a TRAX platform at the Meadowbrook Station. The suspect is still on the loose, UTA confirmed.

One is in critical condition and the other in serious condition, according to UTA.

ORIGINAL STORY: SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (ABC4) -- There is a large police presence on a TRAX platform in South Salt Lake.

Due to that police activity, UTA said to expect possible major delays on all TRAX lines.

Additionally, a bus bridge is being activated between Millcreek and Murray North, UTA said.

There is no further information available at this time.

The new monthly report posted Thursday from the Utah Snow Survey, which studies the state’s snowpack, said factors are in place for a “significant surplus” of water to flow into the struggling saline lake. This looks to happen as most of the state’s reservoirs are expected to fill up in the coming months.

“On April 1st the south arm of the Great Salt Lake was at 4,194.3 feet elevation, so our expectation is that the lake will peak at just over 4,195 feet stage this year, plus or minus roughly a half of a foot,” wrote Jordan Clayton, supervisor of the Utah Snow Survey, in the April report.

The Utah Snow Survey research team issues a monthly Great Salt Lake inflow forecast, and this month’s numbers are up from March’s figures.

According to the latest estimate, the researchers say the most probable outcome is that the Great Salt Lake will see more than 1 million acre-feet of water -- or 325 billion gallons -- flow into the lake. This would lead to the lake's water level rising about a foot.

However, that’s just the median figure on a range of possible outcomes. The highest number in the new forecast predicts 1.4 million acre-feet of water to enter the lake, which would boost the water level by about 1.5 feet.

Still, Clayton cautions that these forecasts have “substantial uncertainty” as there are several factors at play. Among them are water management decisions made upstream, choices made regarding the berm separating the lake's north and south arms, and weather events, such as prolonged dry spells.

Even so, the general tone of the April update is upbeat. Clayton highlighted that the last two snowpack years have been “outstanding,” adding that “[a]ll of Utah’s major basins will peak at above-normal snowpack levels for the second year in a row!”

This week, Utah’s snow water equivalent, or the amount of water available in the state’s snowpack, hit 132% above normal for this time of year, when the snowpack generally reaches its peak and spring melting begins.

Clayton noted that reservoirs in Utah started to release water last month in order to make room for the coming runoff, which is expected to fill all but the state’s largest bodies of water. Currently, reservoir storage across Utah is at 78%.

In November of 2022, the Great Salt Lake dropped to a record low of 4,188.5 feet, and scientists warned it was on the brink of ecological collapse. But following last year’s record snowfall, it rose more than 5 feet, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources.

Yet, the record runoff was only considered a “drop in the bucket,” and state officials warned the Great Salt Lake still faces an uncertain future. Currently, several agencies and organizations are working to get more water into the lake to ensure the health of the ecosystems, industries and surrounding communities that depend on it.

Louie Martinez, 23, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession/purchase/transfer of a dangerous weapon, obstruction of justice, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal trespass, the Salt Lake City Police Department said.

The investigation started just after 9:30 a.m. Thursday, when a community member reportedly waved down an SLCPD sergeant near 300 East 100 South. Police said the community member pointed out a man "who may have been involved with a prior violent crime."

The sergeant and other officers contacted the man, identified as Martinez, and learned he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Additionally, police said they found Martinez in possession of the weapons.

Martinez was safely taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The James Beard Awards are seen like the Oscars of the restaurant world, with the mission to recognize "exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts".

One of the finalists from Salt Lake City is Nick Zocco, the executive chef of Urban Hill, which has been open for just over a year in the newly built Post District.

In an interview with ABC4, Zocco said when he grew up, he always knew he wanted to be a chef, and has spent over 20 years in the industry working in restaurants in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Utah.

He was excited to be a part of the team as Urban Hill opened.

Zocco said at Urban Hill, they pride themselves in keeping everything fresh.

"It's a very diverse menu, I think there's something for everybody. It's one of those restaurants I think Salt Lake was really wanting to have. I think the upscale side of it as well as the innovation we have with our team is pretty incredible," he said.

With this recent nomination, he said he's at a loss for words.

"I just wanted to be part of the Salt Lake culinary scene, which is one reason my wife and I moved to Salt Lake because I could tell that Salt Lake was on the verge of just explosion...New restaurants, new buildings, more people moving in. I felt like that was the dining scene that I wanted to be part of and really change. I'm just ecstatic about the whole thing, honestly," he said.

Zocco said he's proud of the whole team who made this happen, especially in such a short amount of time since Urban Hill opened.

"It's amazing. I'm super happy for the whole team. Everybody has worked super hard for this, and to be the leader of the pack, it just feels great," Zocco said. "...Just being able to say we've been nominated as finalists is incredible."

The other Salt Lake City finalist is a returning nominee from last year's James Beard Awards, Ali Sabbah at Mazza Cafe, a restaurant known for making authentic Middle Eastern cuisine since the year 2000. You can find them in the 15th and 15th neighborhood.

Online, the restaurant said they serve items like Falafel, Shawarma, Kebabs, and lamb shank on their menu. They write that they make their food from scratch, with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Other nominees in the Best Chef Mountain Region include:

• Brandon Cunningham, Social Haus, Greenough, MT
• Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, CO
• Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO

Winners will be announced on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

On his social media accounts, Nelson said he was grateful that members of the Church could watch, listen to or attend the general conference, especially as time marches on. Nelson, who is expected to celebrate his 100th birthday in September, said his body reminds him every day that it's nearing the century mark.

"As senior leaders in the Church, we are called to serve for the remainder of our lives, often long beyond 'retirement age,'" Nelson said. "This means that you may see some of us during general conference speak while sitting down, or pre-record our message to be shared at the appropriate time, or even require a little assistance getting to and from our seats in the conference center."

While it is unclear if Nelson would be speaking this weekend through a pre-recorded message or in person, Nelson did watch last year through technology. His announcement in 2023 came just weeks after he fell and injured the muscles in his lower back. Nelson began making a slow return to Church meetings in November 2023.

Earlier in 2023, Nelson also confirmed the rumor he began using a walker saying he was having a small challenge with his balance from time to time. Despite his age, Nelson said his heart is good and his spirit is strong.

"I thank the Lord every day for the privilege of still being here with you," Nelson wrote in his most recent social media post. He added, "I don't have words to express how grateful I am for strong colleagues on whom I can lean in many ways as we strive to serve the Lord."

Nelson's full statement can be found below:

Dear brothers, sisters, and friends, how grateful I am that we can watch, listen to, or attend general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this weekend. I know that the General Authorities and General Officers of the Church who will speak to us have prepared thoughtfully to teach us what the Lord would have them teach. I encourage you to view each session, prepared to make note of the spiritual impressions you receive.

For each of us, time marches on. As many of you know, I am closing in on my 100th birthday. Though my body reminds me every day that it is nearly a century old and to go easy on it, I honestly don’t know where the years have gone. They have simply flown by.

As senior leaders in the Church, we are called to serve for the remainder of our lives, often long beyond “retirement age.” This means that you may see some of us during general conference speak while sitting down, or pre-record our message to be shared at the appropriate time, or even require a little assistance getting to and from our seats in the conference center.

From my point of view, this is cause for celebration. I thank the Lord every day for the privilege of still being here with you. I cherish working alongside colleagues who are wearing out their lives in service to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, despite the aches and creaks that come with advancing age. I don’t have words to express how grateful I am for strong colleagues on whom I can lean in many ways as we strive to serve the Lord.

May each of us, regardless of our individual circumstances, listen with open hearts and minds to what we hear this weekend so that the Lord can continue to direct each of us in our individual paths. Happy general conference, my dear brothers and sisters!

President Russell M. Nelson, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

According to an FBI press release, the juvenile was arrested by the bureau's Joint Terrorism Task Force on Sunday, March 31 for a post dating back to March 22. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office has filed a threat of terrorism charge against the juvenile. No name is being released due to the defendant's age.

The FBI determined the social media post was a hoax, and the flight was not disrupted. The juvenile was arrested after returning to Salt Lake City from his destination.

The FBI is taking the opportunity to warn the public that such behavior has very serious consequences.

"Issuing a threat — even over social media, via text message, or through email — is taken very
seriously and can have devastating consequences for both the public and for the perpetrators," stated the press release. "Hoax threats disrupt school and waste law enforcement resources."

Even if such a social media post is a joke, it still remains illegal.

The bureau released the following guidelines for intervention so that a situation doesn't escalate:

• Don’t ever post or send any hoax threats … period.
• If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.
• If you see a threat of violence posted on social media, immediately contact local law
  enforcement or your local FBI office.
• Notify authorities, but don’t share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a
  chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
• If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats
  online as a cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control. Talk to your child
  about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions and explain the importance of
  responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.

The FBI asked anyone who sees suspicious activity to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), especially if someone is planning to commit violence.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” said Sacramento Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé in a statement announcing the temporary move.

“Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

The announcement comes two days after the A's met with government officials from Oakland and Alameda County about a potential extension of their lease at the Coliseum, where the team has played since the late 1960s.

A statement from A's owner and managing partner John Fisher reads, in part, "Even with the long-standing relationship and good intentions on all sides in the negotiations with Oakland, the conditions to achieve an agreement seemed out of reach. We understand the disappointment this news brings to our fans, as this season marks our final one in Oakland. Throughout this season, we will honor and celebrate our time in Oakland, and will share additional details soon."

The Kings ownership group also owns the River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants that play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, near downtown Sacramento.

Sutter Health Park has a capacity of about 14,000 people, far below the average capacity of many MLB stadiums.

The Larry H. Miller Company, which was leading conversations to bring the A's to Salt Lake City as a temporary home, said from the beginning there were economic reasons tied to television contracts for why the Athletics chose to stay in Northern California.

"We wish the Athletics much success in their home state during this exciting time in their team history," The company said in part, expressing gratitude for the conversation to potentially host in Daybreak.

Despite the A's not coming to Utah, the Miller Company said they and the rest of Big League Utah are committed to bringing an MLB expansion team to Utah.

"We are grateful and encouraged that Utah was viewed as a potential host and solution for the Athletics," said the Miller Company. "We will continue to demonstrate that we are the ideal MLB expansion market."

The A's have not finalized plans for their move to Las Vegas in 2028, although talks between the team, the MLB and the city have been ongoing and preparations for the construction of a stadium on the Las Vegas Strip have begun.

Details on the crash are limited but according to the Utah Department of Transportation, the crash occurred just before 6:30 a.m. Utah Highway Patrol confirmed with ABC4 that one man was hit and killed while changing a tire on the interstate.

The right two lanes have been closed.

UDOT's traffic shows traffic has slowed significantly and in some places to a complete halt from the Pioneer Crossing exit near mile marker 278 to 200 South near Lindon.

Murray police said the shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. in the parking lot of a gym near 5600 South and 900 East.

"When officers arrived they learned that it was an attempted carjacking where the victim and suspect both received gunshot wounds," Murray Police spokesperson Kristin Reardon said in a press release.

One woman was shot in the abdomen and taken to the hospital in critical condition. A male suspect received a gunshot wound to the chest and left the scene before officers arrived. He was reportedly later dropped off at a local hospital with a critical but stable wound.

The current condition of both injured is currently unknown, however, Reardon confirmed the two are still hospitalized as of Thursday afternoon. Their identities have not been released.

Investigators called the shooting an isolated incident and there is not a threat to the public. An investigation is ongoing with charges pending.

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) -- A Taylorsville man has been charged after police said his dogs attacked his mother, causing injuries that led to her death.

Jeremy Miller, 38, was charged last week on seven attack by animal charges, all class B misdemeanors.

In October 2023, an officer with the Taylorsville City Police Department responded to South Shakestone Drive on reports of an animal attack.

The officer said that as he climbed the fence to enter the backyard, he saw several pit bulls with "blood on and around their mouths and appeared to be in a frenzy," according to the affidavit.

When the officer got to the victim, identified as Sandra Miller, he said she had "extensive injuries" on her face and hands, making her unable to move.

"Her leg had no flesh on it and only the bone remained," the affidavit states. "There was so much blood [the officer] could not see her other injuries."

The affidavit states the dogs remained "extremely aggressive," taking multiple police and animal control officers to keep the dogs away from the victim and contained in the yard.

A female pit bull reportedly tried to escape, but the affidavit states an officer shot her six times "and noticed other officers shot her as well." The other dogs were taken into custody.

Officers said they found a phone number for Sandra's son, Jeremy, who confirmed he lived at the address where the incident took place. Jeremy reportedly arrived home approximately 20 minutes later, "clearly upset about his fence being damaged and his dogs being taken by animal control," the affidavit states.

Sandra was taken to a hospital but later died as a result of her injuries.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The ACLU of Utah and others submitted a friend-of-the-court brief in the Supreme Court case of Grants Pass v. Johnson, in which the organizations argue the treatment of unhoused individuals is protected by the Eighth Amendment.

"Everyone in America is entitled to protections guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution," Communications Director at the ACLU of Utah Aaron Welcher said. "These rights remain even amidst experiences of homelessness."

The brief that the ACLU submitted said that "the original intent and meaning of the Eighth Amendment squarely protects unhoused people from the cruel and unusual punishment of being arrested or fined for simply existing."

According to the organization, Grants Pass v. Johnson is a case dealing with an Oregon town that passed ordinances that are said to prohibit people from sleeping outside and using blankets, pillows or even cardboard.

The ACLU argued that the Eighth Amendment does not allow cities to punish people for sleeping in public if they do not have access to "adequate shelter."

"The practice of ensnaring unsheltered individuals in the criminal legal system through arrests, citations, and fines perpetuates the cycle of poverty while trampling upon their civil rights and liberties," Welcher said.

The ACLU said the broad language of the Eighth Amendment was meant to "embody the principle of proportionality" -- meaning punishments should match the severity of a crime or offense.

"In Grants Pass, where the 'offense' involves sleeping outside where no alternative shelter exists, any punishment, including the fines and jail time imposed by Grants Pass, is plainly disproportionate," the ACLU said.

According to the ACLU, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that criminal punishments against unhoused individuals violate the Eighth Amendment when there are no other areas or shelters for them to sleep.

“​​When applied to people with nowhere else to go, the ordinances in this case disproportionately punish unavoidable, life-sustaining, and fundamentally human acts. Punishing the most vulnerable among us for such behavior violates the Eighth Amendment.

Excerpt from the ACLU's friend-of-the-court brief

The ACLU said the city of Grants Pass has argued that 30 days in jail and fines of hundreds of dollars are not cruel. The ACLU called that argument "twisted logic," saying it ignores the Eighth Amendment's ban on disproportionate punishment.

"We need a paradigm shift towards prioritizing housing over handcuffs, upholding the constitutional rights of all individuals, regardless of their housing status," Welcher said.

In filing the brief, the ACLU of Utah joined the national ACLU and affiliates in Alaska, Arizona, Northern California, Southern California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington.

The award is the "most prestigious and sought after," the police department said.

The first-place recognition reportedly goes to the agency whose competing patrol dog teams have the highest overall average scores in all categories.

Sgt. Palmer with K-9 Koda, Officer Moore with K-9 Turbo, and Officer Hoffman with K-9 Ghost competed in several reality-based scenarios including agility, area search, building search, tactical obedience, handler protection, and narcotics detection.

Since all areas are scored and the win is based on the total average, the police department said the Top Agency award addresses consistent, overall high performance in every category and is highly coveted.

"It is a symbol of a well-rounded and solid K-9 program," TVPD said.

In addition to Top Agency, Officer Moore and Turbo reportedly took first place in the Building Search event. Additionally, TVPD said Officer Hoffman and Ghost took second place in Handler Protection and second place Top Dog (equivalent to Top Agency on an individual level).

TVPD Chief Brady Cottam said he is proud of the department's K-9 unit.

"Not only did they represent TVPD well, even coming away with this incredible win, but they diligently work every day to ensure our community is safe and protected," he said.

The new Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit will feature species like cougars, badgers, and bighorn sheep -- all to "experience Utah wildlife like never before," the zoo said.

The exhibit will include up-close and personal experiences with the various species, teaching guests how to sight and care for Utah's native wildlife.

According to the zoo, in Utah Wild you will find the following:

• Cougars
• Bighorn sheep
• Bobcats
• Marmots
• Skunks
• Badgers
• Gray foxes
• Flying squirrels
• North American porcupine
• And what the zoo calls "ambassador animals"

The exhibit will also feature the Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center, set to house more than 100 ambassador animals part of a traveling school outreach program.

Additionally, the center will contain the Utah Amphibian Conservation Room, serving as a hub for the Boreal Toad conservation project -- a local conservation initiative. There will also be an interactive kitchen for guests to learn about diverse animal diets.

According to the zoo, the exhibit will also feature an outdoor classroom for guests to engage in hands-on conservation, creating seed pods, bird houses, planting pollinators, and hummingbird feeders.

Last week, the leadership body for Utah’s high school athletics voted unanimously to sanction esports -- or competitive video gaming -- as an activity for Utah students.

It was a move UHSAA described as “groundbreaking,” adding that it came following careful consideration and discussions with educators, community members, and stakeholders across Utah.

"We believe that esports has the power to bring students together in new and exciting ways, fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership skills," said Rob Cuff, executive director of the UHSAA.

He added: "By embracing esports as an official activity, we hope to provide students with opportunities for growth and personal development both on and off the virtual battlefield."

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, high schoolers across Utah will be able to compete in organized esports competitions under the auspices of the UHSAA, the organization said in a press release.

This inaugural season will run from January through April, and it’ll give students the opportunity to display their skills before their peers in various popular titles. No specific games were named in the press release.

Mallory Santa Cruz, the vice president of the Success in Education Foundation, helps to run Ken Garff Esports. For three years, the program has organized esports competitions involving dozens of Utah schools. The games they play include Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, Rocket League and Mario Kart.

“Personally, I have seen the tremendous effects of esports on the lives of students,” Santa Cruz said, adding her organizations' research shows that 80% of Utah students play video games in some form.

Being able to play in a competitive club environment has helped struggling students deal with mental health challenges, bullying and loneliness, she said. Esports also shows them that their passion for video games can lead to exciting careers in tech, media, game development, or even esports itself.

Across the world, esports is a booming, $1 billion industry. Top gamers are millionaire cyber athletes, playing for prize purses up to $40 million for a single tournament. Increasingly, colleges are offering esports scholarships. Among them is Weber State University, which recently installed an esports lab to study the effects of competitive gaming on the body.

To Santa Cruz , the UHSAA’s sanctioning of esports lends credibility and validity to the concept of competitive gaming, as it wasn’t long ago that video games were suspected of making children more violent and antisocial.

She said that Ken Garff Esports will work with the UHSAA to develop the high school-level program that’ll debut in the coming years.

“Esports has the capability to bring about so much good into the lives of students, and really in the future of Utah's economy,” Santa Cruz said.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Americans to smash and destroy the insect’s namesake egg masses if they find them in the wild, in forests or urban areas. The reason for this is because spongy moth caterpillars can strip entire forests of leaves during the growing months.

In recent years, the voracious insect has been captured in Utah, although there are currently no established areas in the state where the bugs are breeding, officials say.

While the species is mostly a problem in the Northeastern United States, it's slowly moving west. Wisconsin has had large outbreaks, and Minnesota is spraying forests with insecticide to combat them. Meanwhile, mountain states like Utah and Colorado put out hundreds of spongy moth traps each year, a first line of defense against the gluttonous insect.

“Last year, we placed 1,800 traps for spongy months,” said Kristopher Watson, state entomologist with Utah Department of Agriculture.

He said between 1,700 and 2,000 traps are set each year across all of Utah’s 29 counties. The traps use a female pheromone to lure and ensnare a male moth.

The last time a spongy month was found in Utah was four years ago. In 2020, a single moth flew into a trap in Salt Lake County.

In response, the Utah Department of Agriculture put up a delimiting grid, surrounding the initial capture area with 120 traps within a square mile, Watson said. The grid was in place for two years, and no other spongy moths were captured.

This suggested the 2020 finding was a one-off, not an indication of an established population.

The reason Utah is on guard against this invasive bug is because its preferred host is oak trees. In Utah, oak is common in the canyons and foothills, where the trees' roots hold up hillsides and store water in the watersheds.

Should an outbreak of spongy moth occur in Utah, years of significant defoliation could harm or kill trees, damaging the ecosystem and the state's economy.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, spongy moth also feasts on aspen, apple, and willow, as well as some birch and alder trees. Most conifers are immune to the pest, as are a few other tree species, such as ash, American sycamore, and black cherry.

The invasive species, which was formerly known as gypsy moth, also poses a threat to trees in urban areas, where infestations can lead to costly tree removals. Orchards are also susceptible.

Every year, Utahns report suspected sightings of spongy moths to the Department of Agriculture, Watson said. He advises those who come across the moths or their egg sacks to dispose of them and alert the state's Plant Industry Division.

But how do you dispose of spongy moth egg sacks? Federal officials say that people should smash them and scrape them into a plastic bag, which then can be tossed in the trash.

The plan includes all three Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation venues as well as notable ski resorts such as Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain, and Snowbasin. Indoor facilities include the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, West Valley's Maverik Center, and the Peaks Ice Arena in Provo.

The committee also proposed new venues in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City to accommodate the ski and snowboarding big-air events. The events typically take place on towering portable scaffold structures and are flexible in location, according to the committee via press release. In the current plan, organizers envision the towers to be located at Block 85 near the Delta Center and Salt Palace Convention Center, which served as the site of the Medals Plaza in 2002.

In addition to the sporting venues, organizers have pinned the University of Utah for serve as the Olympic Athlete Village. Opening and closing ceremonies for the games are planned to be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Salt Palace Convention Center is also being proposed to host curling events and serve as a media staging area.

"Our venue partners represent a modern, sustainable approach to sport," said SLC-UT President and CEO Fraser Bullock. "They have continued contributing to Utah's sports legacy with ongoing programs and regular updates. And the ability to bring big air into downtown Salt Lake City will create great memories for athletes and spectators."

See below for a full list of sports and venues so far proposed for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games:

SNOWBASIN, Ogden

• Alpine Skiing
• Para Alpine Skiing

SOLDIER HOLLOW NORDIC CENTER, Midway:

• Biathlon
• Cross Country Skiing
• Nordic Combined
• Para Biathlon
• Para Cross Country Skiing

DEER VALLEY RESORT, Park City:

• Freestyle Skiing

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN, Park City:

• Freestyle Skiing
• Snowboarding

UTAH OLYMPIC PARK, Park City:

• Freestyle Skiing
• Nordic Combined
• Snowboarding
• Para Snowboarding

UTAH OLYMPIC OVAL, Kearns:

• Speed Skating (long track)

DELTA CENTER, Salt Lake City:

• Figure Skating
• Speed Skating (short track)

MAVERIK CENTER, West Valley City:

• Ice Hockey
• Para Ice Hockey

PEAKS ICE ARENA, Provo:

• Ice Hockey

SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER, Salt Lake City:

• Curling
• Wheelchair Curling
• Main Media Center

BLOCK 85, Salt Lake City

• Big Air Freestyle Skiing
• Big Air Snowboarding
• Olympic Medals Plaza
• Paralympics Medals Plaza

RICE ECCLES STADIUM, Salt Lake City:

• Opening ceremonies
• Closing ceremonies

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Salt Lake City:

• Olympic Athlete Village

Bullock said there is still a lot of time between now and the 2034 games and there will likely be changes to the plan over the next decade. He noted that event locations could evolve and change based on ownership changes, new sports venues and new opportunities.

"Events in the Games have also increased nearly 40% since 2002, so we will have time to evaluate the best placement," said Bullock.

SLC-UT organizers and venue leaders are reportedly still working actively with respective international sports federations to review the venues and discuss events in each sport. Discussions also continue with each host venue community, though Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation President and CEO Colin Hilton said the venues selected are all in great shape.

"It is remarkable to see how every venue is still robust and in active use," Hilton said. "But, most of all, what we've seen is great passion on the part of our venues and their surrounding communities to be part of the Games."

Utah's snowpack typically hits its peak levels on April 3. After that, sunny days and rising temperatures start the runoff of much-needed water to the reservoirs and lakes.

This year, Utah's snow water equivalent ran below average from October until the weather turned in mid-January. Once the weather started bringing snow and rain more frequently, Utah's snow water equivalent rose to 131% of the median.

Reservoirs from across the state have also benefited from the late surge of moisture. According to the Department of Natural Resources, Utah's reservoirs dropped to a collective capacity low of 73%. As of April, the reservoirs now sit at a healthy 84% with much of the runoff still left to come.

However, two good water years are still not enough for Utahns to slow down on water conservation efforts. During last year's runoff of a historic snowfall, Great Salt Lake Coordinator for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands told ABC4 the water was just "a drop in the bucket" that only bought two more years max in the life of the lake.

As the lake's future remains in question and Utah's population continues to grow, officials say it's becoming crucial to conserve even during "good water years."

To learn how you can help conserve water and be "waterwise," visit the Division of Water Resource's website.

The art installation was completed as part of the ongoing renovations at Temple Square. Earlier this year, renovations on several plazas, including the one near the Church Office Building where the flags have been raised, were completed and reopened to the public.

According to the Church, the flags are a symbol of the "global nature" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its commitment to be a friend to all.

The flag oval begins at the plaza's northwest corner with the flag of the United States. From there, 90 additional flags of officially recognized United Nations countries will be displayed as part of a regular three-month rotation. The flags will fly in alphabetical order according to the English name of the country and all 91 flag posts will always be illuminated.

Every flag will fly at full-staff year-round, even on days of mourning, as the flags are intended to be an art piece. The flags flown at the Church Administration Building, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and in front of the Conference Center will continue to be lowered at half-staff on days of mourning.

The Church said the flags are just one of several art installations that will be part of the temple grounds when the renovations are completed.

The renovations, which began in 2019, are part of a years-long infrastructure upgrade to the Salt Lake Temple and the surrounding grounds. Once completed, the extensive renovations will provide several quality-of-life updates such as heated sidewalks for easy snow removal as well as protect the temple from potentially damaging earthquakes.

Originally scheduled for a 2025 completion date, some "unexpected challenges" pushed back the timeline of completion to 2026.

It’s a move that’s being cheered by Utah lawmakers, even as climate experts and environmental groups see it as a significant setback.

PacifiCorp, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, updated its Integrated Resource Plan this week, detailing that it’s now working to keep its coal-fired plants in Huntington and Hunter running until their original retirement dates of 2036 and 2042 respectively.

This marks a dramatic shift from last year, when PacifiCorp’s plan sought to retire both of the plants in 2032.

Behind the reversal was a development concerning federal regulations over the Ozone Transport Rule. In short, a lawsuit led to a court staying the enforcement of the rule in Utah, which would have capped how much coal the state could burn.

David Eskelsen, spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Power, said these planning changes in response to regulations are a normal part of business as the company works to provide reliable and reasonably priced energy to consumers across the American West.

“It’s part of our regular process to try to be nimble enough to alter our planning as necessary to reliably meet customer needs in the future,” he said.

Eskelsen noted that Rocky Mountain Power, which supplies electricity to customers in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, still aims to transition over to fully renewable or non-carbon-emitting energy sources by 2050.

‘Drastic step backwards’

Logan Mitchell, climate scientist and energy analyst for Utah Clean Energy, called PacifiCorp’s reversal on retiring its coal-fired plants in Utah a “drastic step backwards.”

He said the updated plan is relying on old, polluting technologies from which the country is shifting away at a time when solar technology and batteries are becoming increasingly economically viable.

“Instead of investing in new, cleaner, cheaper resources, we’re relying on trying to band-aid together these coal plants that have been around for 50 years,” he said, adding that the carbon-emitting Utah plants will require expensive upgrades to keep running.

HEAL Utah, an environmental group that promotes clean energy for Utah, is also calling for an accelerated transition to clean energy in the wake of Rocky Mountain Power’s decision.

The group said that Utah’s continued reliance on fossil fuels has the potential to cause lasting harm to the state’s environment.

Keeping the lights on

State Rep. Colin Jack, R-St. George, said he was relieved to see PacifiCorp’s switch on the coal plants.

“One of the key things that we need to remember is that coal is the fuel that’s keeping the lights on here in Utah and the Western United States,” he said.

While Jack acknowledged that Rocky Mountain Power plans to phase out coal by 2050, he said that the resource replacing it -- whether it's nuclear or something else -- needs to be up and running before Utah ditches its coal plants, which have been dependable for decades.

He’s not the only lawmaker who thinks this way. In this year’s legislative session, Utah passed House Bill 224, which directs Rocky Mountain Power to continue to use coal-fired plants as a “proven dispatchable resource” to ensure low energy costs for Utahns.

The bill also aims to position Utah to be able to sell additional energy from coal plants to other states, as lawmakers foresee there’ll be increased demand for dependable energy as nearby states aggressively transition to cleaner resources.

Devin Myers, 34, was arrested for five different charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, failure to remain at accident involving serious injury and reckless driving. The first four charges are all felonies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Myers was taken to the South Jordan Health Center by his family for a mental health evaluation after "psychotic episodes." Documents said Myers was "physically resisting" family members and staff at the hospital, and left the hospital just before 4 p.m.

"Devin exited the facility and was seen running out of the emergency department into an adjacent roadway causing vehicles to stop as the hospital security guard attempted to return Devin to the hospital," the affidavit said.

Documents said Myers crossed the street to a nearby 7-Eleven gas station, where he found a truck that was left running with one adult passenger inside.

Myers reportedly began opening a door on the driver's side of the truck "while physically resisting the hospital security guard and a family member" of the truck's owner. Documents claimed Myers assaulted the truck owner's family member, which caused them to fall backward.

"Devin then entered the vehicle while the hospital security guard was still attempting to prevent him from leaving," the affidavit said.

Documents said the hospital security officer was holding on to the truck through an open door on the driver's side, and another person was standing in front of the car as Myers drove away. Myers then reportedly began driving westbound in an eastbound lane on Daybreak Parkway.

"As the vehicle continued westbound in the wrong direction of travel the security guard was thrown from the vehicle onto the roadway and ended up underneath the vehicle where he was possibly ran over," arrest documents said.

The affidavit said the security officer suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung. He was transported to the hospital by helicopter and had a breathing tube and a chest tube in the ICU after the incident.

Documents said that, after the officer fell off the truck, a passenger in the rear seat climbed into the front and began fighting to stop the vehicle. The passenger was able to hit the brakes before the truck went into an intersection and collided with a northbound vehicle.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- On Tuesday, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of Utah -- including the Utah prison system -- just weeks after the DOJ released findings that a Utah prison discriminated against a transgender inmate.

The DOJ claims that the prison system violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against a transgender woman who had gender dysphoria.

"People with gender dysphoria, including those held in jails and prisons, are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and are entitled to equal access to medical care just like anyone else with a disability," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said.

Who is listed in the lawsuit?

In the nine-page lawsuit, the defendants are listed as the State of Utah, the Utah Department of Corrections and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The plaintiff is the United States of America.

The purpose of the lawsuit, as stated in documents, is to enforce Title II of the ADA.

"Defendant, through UDOC, has unlawfully discriminated against the Complainant on the basis of her disability, gender dysphoria, by denying her equal access to healthcare services and failing to reasonably modify policies, practices, or procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination against the Complainant," the lawsuit claims.

The DOJ also claims that the prison system "imposed unnecessary eligibility criteria for evaluation and treatment for gender dysphoria" -- criteria that the DOJ said are not required for other health conditions.

A footnote in the suit clarifies that the Utah DHHS was named in the lawsuit only for events that took place after the DHHS took over health care services for those incarcerated at the Utah Department of Corrections in July of 2023.

What are the facts of the case, as given by the DOJ?

Within the lawsuit, the DOJ provides a definition for gender dysphoria, saying, "Gender dysphoria is a serious medical condition experienced by some transgender individuals and is a diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)."

The DOJ also said medical care and "living consistently with one's gender identity" can help mitigate gender dysphoria, but untreated gender dysphoria can bring increased risk of suicide, among other negative effects.

Facts about the complainant, as given by the DOJ:

Also included in the facts section of the lawsuit are details about the complainant herself.

According to the lawsuit, the complainant is transgender, has gender dysphoria and has been incarcerated since July 2021. Because she is incarcerated, she is qualified to take part in the prison's programs and activities.

The lawsuit says gender dysphoria is, by definition, a disability, especially because it is "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of her major life activities."

Facts about the alleged discrimination, as given by the DOJ:

Additionally, the lawsuit lists facts regarding how the Utah Department of Corrections reportedly discriminated against the inmate.

The suit says UDC has a general policy regarding treatment and medical care, but also has a separate policy regarding treatment of gender dysphoria, including the presentation findings from mental health staff to a committee dedicated to gender dysphoria.

"The gender dysphoria committee decides whether or not to refer an individual to a contract psychologist for diagnostic evaluation," the lawsuit says. "If the committee declines to make the referral, the individual must wait one year before requesting to be reevaluated."

According to the suit, both medical and non-medical staff are part of the committee, but there are no similar requirements for other medical evaluations or treatments.

"Complainant made multiple requests to UDOC staff for treatment for gender dysphoria, including multiple requests for hormone therapy," the lawsuit says.

The complainant was diagnosed with gender dysphoria by a contract psychologist with the prison, nine months after the inmate first requested hormone therapy, according to the lawsuit. She did not receive hormone therapy until 17 months after her initial request -- another six months after her official diagnosis.

"When UDOC started the Complainant on hormone therapy it did not do so safely or effectively," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also says the inmate requested "reasonable modifications" to some of the prison's policies and programs, but those were denied. During her incarceration, the lawsuit says the complainant's gender dysphoria worsened, leading to "dangerous self-surgery" and hospitalization.

What is the goal of the lawsuit?

Among other things, the U.S. is asking the court to order the defendant to "adopt or revise policies to ensure that individuals with gender dysphoria who are incarcerated at UDOC are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from its services, programs, and activities, including health care services."

The DOJ is also asking the prison to provide "nondiscriminatory" services to the complainant for her gender dysphoria, and seeking modifications to policies and procedures -- as well as trainings and designated ADA employees -- within the prison.

Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages to be awarded to the complainant and "other aggrieved individuals for injuries caused by the ADA violations alleged in this Complaint."

What does the Utah Department of Corrections say?

"Because it is pending litigation, we have no additional comment at this time," a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Corrections told ABC4.com.

The spokesperson referred to the comment given when the issue was first announced in a letter of findings from the DOJ in March.

We have been working to address this complex issue, and were blindsided by today’s public announcement from the Department of Justice. We have also taken steps on our own, and as a state, to address the needs of inmates while maintaining the highest safety standards.

We fundamentally disagree with the DOJ on key issues, and are disappointed with their approach.

Statement from March 12, 2024, by Brian Redd, Executive Director of Utah Department of Corrections

He spent 45 days in the hospital, Utah Highway Patrol said, and expresses his gratitude for the support he has received.

"We are excited to see him on the path to recovery and are thankful for his strength and dedication to his community," UHP said in a social media post.

Myer was injured in February while assisting the Salt Lake City Police Department in stopping a suspect who fled a drug investigation. As he was deploying a spike strip to deflate the suspect's tires, he reportedly fell from an overpass near 7200 West near I-80 onto a dirt road below. A DPS helicopter transferred Myer to a local hospital in serious condition.

Over his career, Myer has worked a range of assignments including security detail for former Gov. Mike Leavitt, traffic planning for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Emergency Vehicle Operations instructor.

Myer had retired from the Utah Highway Patrol in 2006 but later returned in 2010. Since his return from retirement, Myer served as UHP motors coordinator helping to direct motors enforcement and activities around Utah.

“Trooper Myer is recognized throughout the state as a leading expert in motor officer training, high-profile escorts, and motorcycle enforcement operations,” DPS said.

Dashboard Confessional was initially started as an acoustic solo project by singer-songwriter and guitarist Chis Carrabba. With the release of the 2000's raw album The Swiss Army Romance, he soon took the world of emo rock by storm.

The following album, The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, found Carrabba joined with additional instrumentation. It included the breakthrough hit "Screaming Infidelities" and was certified Gold by the RIAA, selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S.

Growing a strong fanbase over the years, the band almost came to a halt following a near-fatal motorcycle accident Carrabba faced in the summer of 2020.

Despite the challenges that came along with Carrabba's recovery, including needing to relearn the guitar, Dashboard Confessional returned strong. In 2022, they released their ninth and most recent stuido album, All the Truth That I Can Tell, which features emotional and reflective pieces such as "Here's To Moving On" and "Burning Heart".

Tour Dates:

• Tue Sep 10 — Asbury Park, NJ — Stone Pony Summer Stage
• Wed Sep 11 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
• Thu Sep 12 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17
• Sat Sep 14 — Wallingford, CT — Toyota Oakdale Theatre#
• Sun Sep 15 — Philadelphia, PA — The Met
• Tue Sep 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
• Wed Sep 18 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe
• Fri Sep 20 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
• Sat Sep 21 — St Louis, MO — The Pageant
• Sun Sep 22 — Indianapolis, IN — Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
• Tue Sep 24 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
• Wed Sep 25 — Des Moines, IA — Val Air Ballroom
• Thu Sep 26 — Minneapolis, MN — Uptown Theater
• Sat Sep 28 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
• Fri Oct 04 — San Diego, CA — SOMA
• Sat Oct 05 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
• Sun Oct 06 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
• Wed Oct 09 — Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Live Sacramento
• Fri Oct 11 – Forest Grove, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge
• Sat Oct 12 — Spokane, WA — The Podium
• Sun Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
• Tue Oct 15 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
• Wed Oct 16 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
• Sat Oct 19 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival%
• Sun Oct 20 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival%
• Tue Oct 22 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
• Wed Oct 23 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
• Fri Oct 25 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
• Sat Oct 26 — Austin, TX — Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
• Sun Oct 27 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

A Salt Lake City woman found the frog and called the Division of Wildlife Resources, which they said was the right thing to do. The DWR said their biologist picked up the frog and ended up keeping him as a pet.

Cuban tree frogs are legal to have as pets in Utah if they are acquired through proper importation processes, the DWR said. The species reportedly has large toe pads and is known to hitchhike on produce (especially bananas), tropical plants, and vehicles.

In the same announcement, the DWR reminded Utahns it is not only an issue to release non-native species, it is harmful and illegal.

"If you've decided that caring for your pet fish is no longer an option, why not release it into a local pond or stream where it can break free of the confines of a bowl, make new fish friends and swim happily ever after?" the DWR asks. "Unfortunately, that isn't what's likely to happen."

Your pet could:

• Slowly starve to death
• Become a tasty meal for a predator
• Introduce harmful pathogens or parasites to native populations
• Outcompete native species for limited food resources
• Prey directly on native species
• Survive, multiply and become an invasive species

Once illegally transported fish (or in this case frogs) become established in a waterbody, the community there is forever changed, the DWR said. "Don't ditch your pet ... call us for help properly disposing of aquarium species."

Kum & Go broke into the Salt Lake market at the end of 2022, however, it didn't take long before the convenience stores joined the more than 150 other Maverik stores across the state of Utah. Maverik acquired Kum & Go and Solar Transport from Krause Group in a merger deal that closed in August 2023.

The rebranding of the four Kum & Go stores in Utah -- located in Draper, Herriman, Murray and South Jordan -- began in January and was completed the following month before the company moved on to Colorado.

While the stores are clearly branded as Maverik gas stations, the storefronts look recognizably different.

The redesign included changing the branding, products and wall design, but a few elements remain. Most obvious, is the Kum & Go's oval sign which now has the Maverik name on it. The structure of the building also stayed the same, with the architectural design differing from other Maverik stores.

"The exterior look of rebranded stores differs slightly from Maverik's new store format, but inside, customers will find the same products, deals, clean and welcoming atmosphere, friendly Team Members, and sense of adventure," the press release read.

The 30 stores rebranded across the two states are just the beginning, as Maverik is moving to convert all Kum & Go stores in the areas where the two brands overlap -- including Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming.

This will include anywhere between 120 and 140 stores in the West. The company is taking a “test and learn” approach to other locations, using current data to decide whether stores in other states should be rebranded.

“Feedback from our Utah and Colorado customers has been excellent thus far and Maverik will continue to evaluate rebrands in additional markets,” said Chuck Maggelet, CEO and Chief Adventure Guide of Maverik. “Ongoing market research as well as the results from Maverik’s initial rebranded stores will help guide future branding decisions.”

Kum & Go customers will still be able to use &Rewards accounts and cards in other states but the rewards won't roll over once the store is rebranded.

To learn more about the rebrand efforts, see Maverik's website.

Moroni, according to the Book of Mormon, was a prophet who played a significant role in the life of Joseph Smith, the first prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Church officials said the placement of a statue of Moroni blowing a trumpet atop many temples is a symbol of the Church's mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

The statue on top of the Salt Lake Temple was removed from its perch in May 2020 as part of the years-long structural and seismic renovation. The Church said Moroni's return to the top of the temple is a "notable milestone" toward the completion of the renovations.

Quinton Hunt, a member of the Church who watched as crews placed Moroni back on the spire, said it was something she had been waiting for. She said she had been watching the temple construction every day as she works nearby.

"I'm more happy that they put [the Moroni statue] back to the top where it belongs," said Hunt. "It gives us hope that the temple will be open soon.

The temple renovation project started back in 2019 and was originally scheduled for a 2025 completion date. However, some "unexpected challenges" on the pioneer-era structure pushed back the completion date to 2026.

Once completed, the extensive renovations will provide several quality-of-life updates to the temple grounds as well as protect the temple from potentially damaging earthquakes. In Spring 2023, the first of 98 isolators were installed beneath the temple, allowing for the structure to move five feet in any direction during an earthquake.

Earlier this year several plazas reopened surrounding Temple Square, including the plaza by the Church Office Building as well as the north part of the Main Street Plaza. The plaza renovations include newly installed waterproofing and snow-melting heating conduits as well as a 92-flag pole art installation.

Church officials said work on other areas of the Temple Square grounds continues, including the Assembly Hall and its surrounding gardens.

The Assembly Hall, which was completed in 1882, will undergo structural repairs and mechanical improvements. In addition, work to renovate the Beehive and Lion Houses has already begun. New landscaping will be planted to include drug-resistant plants and water-wise irrigation.