While campus protests reach a fever pitch nationwide over U.S. policy in the Middle East, most Utah students are going to class as usual.Why it matters: Utah has the youngest population of any state and the second-highest number of enrolled college students per capita — demographics that normally are ripe for political demonstration.Yes, but: Quad lawns from Logan to St. George are occupied by springtime fun, and almost all the biggest protests since October have gathered off-campus.Here are five reasons Utah's halls of higher learning aren't part of the fervor.Commuters and worker beesUtah students tend to spend less time on...

From playing enjoying cocktails to learning how to foster newborn kittens, there's something for everyone in Salt Lake City this weekend.🍷 Lounge at DriftSip on sangrias at one of our favorite cocktail bars in town.When: Tuesday -Thursday 4pm-11pm; Friday-Saturday 4pm to 1amWhere: Drift Lounge at Woodbine Food Hall (545 W. 700 S., Suite 100)🐱 Fostering kittensBest Friends Adoption Center is holding its semi-annual classes geared toward caring for infant kittens up to a month old.When: Saturday and Sunday, April 27–28 from 11am to 3pmWhere: Best Friends Adoption Center (2005 S. 1100 E.)Admission: Free🇲🇽 Luis Miguel concertOne of Latin music's biggest artists, Luis Miguel, aptly called the "sun of Mexico," will belt out hits from his storied career.When: Sunday, April 28 at 8pmWhere: Delta CenterAdmission: Tickets start at $81 before fees

Data: UMD-LinkUp AIMaps; Note: "AI job" defined as a job requiring technical skills to build and/or use AI models; A bigger circle indicates more new jobs per capita; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosThe Salt Lake City metro area saw an influx of AI-related job postings in the first quarter of 2024, outpacing the national average as demand for the technology grows, according to a new analysis.Why it matters: Cities outside Silicon Valley have a chance to get in on the action — and reap potentially lucrative economic rewards.How it works: The estimates came by way of UMD-LinkUp, a collaboration between the University of...

Data: National Coffee Association; Note: Polling was conducted in January; Chart: Axios VisualsThe West really loves coffee, despite Utah's peculiar relationship with java.The big picture: Nationally, daily coffee-drinking among U.S. adults is at a high of more than 20 years, according to a recent National Coffee Association survey.Zoom in: About 69% of adults in the West drank coffee in the past day, per NCA polling.That's a 6% jump from 2020.Flashback: In 2004, less than half of adults had coffee in the past day nationwide, per NCA polling.The intrigue: Utah's prominent religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, requires...

There could be a record number of bee farms in Utah right now, according to a new analysis from the The Washington Post.Why it matters: Unusually high hive losses in the early 2000s ignited fears that the domesticated western honey bee, an integral part of the world's food system, was headed for population collapse from pesticide, climate change and invasive mites.But recent data from the Department of Agriculture suggests that domesticated honey bee colonies are making a comeback.The big picture: Bees are kind of Utah's thing!By the numbers: A 2022 census by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service suggests the number of Utah bee farms has more than quintupled since 2002, from 143 to 787.Yes, but: Inflation might be making bee populations look artificially high.The census measures operations that produce at least $1,000 of products per year. That means high honey prices could nudge some hobbyists into the count.Recent research also suggests that despite increases in bee population, honey yields in the U.S. have been decreasing since the 1990s because of changing climates and decreased soil productivity.

Utah has one of the nation's highest rates of house-flipping — despite being one of the least profitable states for it. The intrigue: Flippers in Utah saw an average return on investment of less than 5% last year. That's well below the national average of 27.5%, and lower than...

Salt Lake City has a new 1930s-themed sandwich and coffee shop, serving tasty breakfast and lunch fare. State of play: Bonnie & Clyde's Food and Coffee Company opened earlier this year on the ground floor of the new 6th and Main luxury apartments, delivering a selection of sandwiches, salads and pastries.

A fixture in Salt Lake City's homebrewing scene is closing its Midvale doors at the end of May after more than a decade of providing supplies and advice to Utahns who craft their beer.Why it matters: Homebrewing is where many of Utah's most successful brewers got their start.The loss of a hub in the hobbyist community could ripple through Salt Lake's beer industry.Driving the news: Salt City Brew Supply is going out of business due to rising costs and growing customer reliance on online shopping, the owners posted Monday on Facebook.Yes, but: Owners Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick parlayed their homebrew shop into a successful brewery. Bewilder Brewing opened in 2019 and isn't going anywhere.What they're saying: "We've made dozens of lifelong friends, watched great customers turn their own dreams into breweries of their own, and watched countless others make innumerable gallons of beer, wine, and cider (and maybe some other stuff ) to share with their family and friends," Metzger and McKendrick wrote in the store's goodbye message.

As the Arizona Coyotes decamp to Utah, the team's fraught history in the Phoenix area illustrates a pattern in big-league sports: A city can't get a team without public money, but taxpayer support is no guarantee they'll stay.Why it matters: Salt Lake City is considering a sales tax hike to cover up to $1 billion in bonds for downtown renovations, including stadium space, for the new hockey team.The NHL on Thursday approved the Coyotes' sale to Ryan and Ashley Smith, who own the Utah Jazz. The renamed hockey team will play alongside the Jazz at the Delta Center.At a Friday...

Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence.Fifty years ago today, a group of men tortured five hostages and killed three during a robbery in an Ogden audio equipment shop, in one of the most notorious crimes in Utah history.This is Old News, where we turn back the pages of Utah history — even when we don't really want to look.What drove the news: Four men held up two employees at gunpoint in the Hi-Fi Shop on April 22, 1974, binding them in the basement and robbing the store.A 16-year-old boy arrived to speak with the shop owner and was...

Cottonwood Heights resident Post Malone is one of two featured artists on Taylor Swift's new heartbreak album "The Tortured Poets Department."State of play: The Grammy-nominated hitmaker sings alongside Swift in "Fortnight," a dreamy pop ballad about a short-lived romance.The intrigue: "Fortnight" is the album's opening song and lead single.What she's saying: "I've been such a huge fan of Post because of the writer he is, his musical experimentation and those melodies he creates that just stick in your head forever," she wrote in an Instagram post ahead of her album's release."I got to witness that magic come to life firsthand when we worked together," she said.Driving the news: Swift released her 11th studio album on Friday. Florence & the Machine is also featured. Between the lines: Post Malone was also included in Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" track "Levii's Jeans" released on March 29.What's next: A music video of "Fortnight" is expected to drop Friday at 6pm (MT).

The Salt Lake City School District is pausing plans to present a slideshow to students on legislation that regulates public restroom access for transgender people.The big picture: The move came just before parents and students had planned a demonstration outside Emerson Elementary School on Friday morning, opposing the presentation scheduled for later that day. The latest: An email to parents on Friday at 7:25am said the district's superintendent Elizabeth Grant had asked all district schools "hold off on HB 257 training until further notice.""Given the uncertainty of how to implement the law, we decided to hold off for now and...

Nearly 83,500 Utahns held medical marijuana cards at the end of March, a 19% year-over-year increase, per the state health department.Why it matters: The state generated $138 million in revenue from medical marijuana sales last year, Richard Oborn, director of the Center for Medical Cannabis at the state health department, told Axios.That's about a 16% increase compared to 2022 sales.What they're saying: "More people are talking about medical cannabis. More medical providers are joining the program and are becoming more educated about medical cannabis," Oborn said. "I think that has an impact on more patients becoming aware of it and...

Earth Day is Monday, but there are plenty of chances to get outside this weekend and enjoy or help our colorful li'l rock. Millcreek Common: Pollinator Palooza brings butterfly encounters, local honey and native plants to the town square. When: Friday-Sunday, 11am-9pm, with a special Earth Day celebration 2pm-6pm Saturday.

The Delta Center started to promote tickets to NHL games in Salt Lake, just minutes after the league approved the Arizona Coyotes' move to Utah as a new franchise.Catch up quick: The NHL Board of Governors voted Thursday to approve the $1.2 billion sale of the team to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and his wife, Ashley.Arizona could get an expansion team if a new arena is built within five years.How it works: Season ticket deposits in Salt Lake cost $100. Season ticket prices haven't been announced, but other teams' packages typically cost over $1,500.Jazz season ticket holders will get priority.What's next: Information on game schedules and ticket sales will be released in the coming weeks, according to a Delta Center fact sheet.What they're saying: "Salt Lake sucks!" was the chant from Arizona's Mullett Arena on Wednesday during the Coyotes' final game.The big picture: Utah lawmakers approved tax support for an NHL arena and entertainment zone in downtown SLC.The Coyotes encountered setbacks in arena construction in Arizona, where former owner Alex Meruelo struggled to secure land to fulfill his promise of a dedicated arena without public funding.

Schools in Salt Lake City are rolling out presentations instructing students to use the bathroom dedicated to their assigned gender at birth.Why it matters: The trainings are required under the state's new anti-transgender bathroom ban, which takes effect May 1.What's inside: "The new legislation says we need to tell everyone that if you were assigned a girl at birth, you need to use the girl's bathroom at school. … If you were assigned a boy at birth, you need to use the boy's bathroom," reads a slideshow scheduled for broadcast Friday in Salt Lake City's Emerson Elementary.It instructs students to...

We recently told you about the Arizona Coyotes' pending move to Salt Lake City and we asked ChatGPT to give us some names. State of play: We also wanted to hear from you, and boy, did y'all deliver! Most popular picksThe Golden Eagles takes the cake as the most popular name submitted. It's a callback to the days of old: Salt Lake's minor league team of the same name played from 1969-1994. The Blizzard and Yetis rounded out the list for the three most-pitched names. What you're saying: "Would make for a great rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche. Blizzard vs...

Whether you're in the mood to move or take in a sporting event, here are options to plan your weekend. ⚾ Salt Lake Bees vs. Reno AcesDon't miss out on our minor league baseball team's last season at Smith's Ballpark.When: Thursday-Sunday. First pitch at 6:35pm Thursday and Friday and 1:05pm Saturday and Sunday.Admission: Tickets start at $14.🪩 Latinx dance partyPerra is hosting another dance pop-up celebrating Salt Lake's QTBIPOC community.When: Friday, 9pm-1:30amWhere: International Bar (342 South State St.)Admission: Free🏃‍♀️ Run or cheer on the Salt Lake City MarathonThe annual marathon is back. Registration is still open. The 5k run/walk is sold out.When: Saturday at 7amWhere: The full, half and bike marathon events kick off at Olympic Legacy Bridge and end at Library Square.Admission: $160 for the full marathon; $150 for the half marathon; $75 for the bike tour; $75 for the 10K walk/run; $18 for the kids 1K, if you register before Friday.

Sundance Institute is exploring other U.S. cities to host the iconic Sundance Film Festival that's called Utah home for the last four decades, the nonprofit announced Wednesday.Why it matters: The event has spurred economic impact and tourism to the state and lured celebrities and filmmakers to Park City. Driving the news: The announcement comes after rumors swirled about the festival's future in Park City.The nonprofit's contract with the posh resort town is up for renewal after the 2026 festival. Starting Wednesday, the institute is gathering bids from interested cities through May 1. It will then hear proposals from select cities...

Dr Pepper's new "Creamy Coconut" soda is bringing pride and joy to Utah, where coconut-flavored soda is, informally, the state's signature drink.The big picture: "Dirty" sodas — originally cola mixed with coconut syrup — are widely considered a Utah innovation, spawning an array of soda shop chains that mix flavors in enough elaborate concoctions to support Stanley's entire cup production line. Driving the news: Dr Pepper announced the new, limited-release flavor Tuesday, with regular and diet options.Zoom in: Coconut is key to Utahns' enthusiasm, with diet cola and sugar-free coconut syrup earning extra affection here.Cherry cola is, of course, a flavor pairing that long predates Utah's coconut craze.What they're saying: "Huge day for Utah," Method Communications' executive Tyler Monson posted on X.Reality check: Coca-Cola briefly released a coconut-infused variety in its "Creations" line last year. Yes, but: It's now out of production, the company's website states.Context: Flavor-mixed sodas are a good fit in a market where the dominant religion eschews coffee, tea and alcohol. Meanwhile, Dr Pepper also is selling a coconut-lime "dirty soda creamer" in partnership with Coffee Mate.Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove the period from Dr Pepper.