Thanks for joining us on Election Day. You can find results and reporting here.
UDOT announces 19 new paved trails throughout Utah
The Utah Department of Transportation announced 19 new paved trails as part of the Utah Trail Network, which is meant to connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations.
Of the trail projects, 13 are considered construction-ready and could begin as soon as next year, with the others needing feasibility studies first. Project locations stretch from Logan all the way to south of Cedar City and total 60 miles of paved trails.
The project is made possible through nearly $95 million in inaugural funding created by the Utah Legislature in 2023, some of which will also go towards completing exiting trail gaps across Utah.
Utah Republican primary debates coming in June
All 18 Utah Republican primary candidates have agreed to debates ahead of primary voting on June 25.
Candidates for governor, attorney general, U.S. Senate, and Congressional Districts 1, 2, and 3 are all facing off in the primaries for the chance to be on November’s ballot.
Debates will be held from Monday, June 10 through Wednesday, June 12 in the studio at PBS Utah on the University of Utah campus. Congressional District 1 and 2 and U.S. Senate will be on June 10, attorney general and governor on June 11, and Congressional District 3 on June 12.
Utah receives over $5.5 million in wildfire defense funds
Utah has received over $5.5 million in federal funding to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from wildfires.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced their second round of funding through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program on Tuesday.
Three Utah entities received funding — the Shivwits Band of Paiute Indians, Salt Lake City Fire Department, and Rim to Rim Restoration.
The funding will be used to update Community Wildfire Protection Plans and help complete ongoing fuels mitigation work.
Fremont Ranger District and Fishlake National Forest plan prescribed burn for Friday
The Fremont River Ranger District, Fishlake National Forest in south central Utah will implement a prescribed fire in the Last Chance and Porcupine areas Friday.
In the Last Chance area, the project comprises nearly 4,000 acres, and just over 9,000 acres in the Porcupine area. Prescribed burns in other adjoining areas total around 9,000 acres. Implementation of the projects will be ongoing over the next five to six years.
These fire ignitions are contingent on smoke clearances and desirable weather conditions.
The objectives for the prescribed fires include reducing hazardous fuel accumulations on Forest Service Lands, to restore ecosystems, reduce risk to life and property, and to promote regeneration and recruitment of aspen communities.
Logan City police shoot and kill man at Denzil Stewart Nature Park
A Logan man was shot and killed by police Wednesday afternoon at Denzil Stewart Nature Park.
According to Logan City Police Chief Jeff Simmons, during an investigation at the park police attempted to arrest the man. He resisted and produced a firearm which he fired at two officers at close range. An officer returned fire striking the man. Police immediately began life saving efforts but the man died at the scene.
The officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at Logan Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The officer who fired the shots has been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.
