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Articles by Carter Williams
Salt Lake City outlines $14.5M first phase of Rio Grande District infrastructure
SALT LAKE CITY — The space between the Rio Grande Depot and Salt Lake City's railroad corridor is essentially a "clean slate," as Salt Lake City Council Chairman Alejandro Puy puts it. There are a few remaining buildings. Some of those are vacant, and those that are still in use are scattered across completely undeveloped land. It's relatively quiet and starkly different from the growing downtown core to the east.
Tropical Storm Rachel's remnants are gone, but they left a record-high benefit Original
SALT LAKE CITY — The remnants of what was once Hurricane Rachel ultimately delivered big totals across drought-stricken Utah. Gauges on Big Mountain and the Mount Timpanogos Divide in the Wasatch Mountains collected at least 7.5 inches of precipitation over a span of a few days, while the Pine Valley Mountains in southwest Utah also collected 7 inches.
Judge temporarily blocks federal plan to relocate US Forest Service to Utah
SALT LAKE CITY — A plan to relocate the U.S. Forest Service headquarters to Utah has hit a snag. A federal judge in California on Tuesday issued a temporary stay ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, to stop any relocation or reassignment of employees amid a lawsuit over the planned move and several other changes that the agency announced earlier this year.
Salt Lake City opened a new bike lane this year. A local business owner wants it gone
SALT LAKE CITY — Marci Rasmussen had concerns about the 4th South Viaduct Trail before the project was completed outside of her business earlier this year. She contends that her fears have played out since it opened. Traffic at her business, Especially For You Flowers, is down by over 20%, she told KSL, and she said customers have been frustrated or confused about parking outside of her store and in a nearby driveway to a tiny adjacent lot.
Smith Entertainment Group, Salt Lake leaders unveil updated downtown vision
SALT LAKE CITY — No, Smith Entertainment Group isn't seeking 600-foot skyscrapers, as some wondered when it secured a zoning amendment of land east of the Delta Center for a new "sports, entertainment, culture and convention district" in and around the arena. However, the primary owner of the Utah Jazz and Mammoth is planning to move forward with a mixed-use development that brings new housing and business options downtown, including a hotel maxing out near 250 feet.
Sinclair pipeline meeting leaves Salt Lake City with more questions than answers, chair says
SALT LAKE CITY — HF Sinclair officials say they believe a proposed pipeline that would deliver thousands of gallons of refined gasoline daily through Salt Lake City on its way between Wyoming and Davis County can "meet and exceed" any water safety standards. However, after listing all the neighborhoods, parks, water sources and many other sensitive sites that the proposed pipeline would go through underneath the city, members of the Salt Lake City Council expressed their skepticism and concerns.
University of Utah purchases 14 acres in Power District to relocate Salt Lake City clinic
KEY TAKEAWAYS University of Utah buys 14 acres for new Redwood Health Center in Salt Lake City's Power District. The new site offers better transport options and proximity for existing patients, officials said. Construction planning is in early stages; opening and closing dates not yet set. SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah is taking a swing at Salt Lake City's forthcoming Power District, as it relocates one of its medical clinics.
Utah's dirty sodas appear to still be stirring the beverage industry with new products
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's dirty soda craze appears to still be influencing the national snack and beverage community, based on some of the new products unveiled at a Las Vegas trade show last week. PepsiCo, for instance, unveiled two new dirty soda-themed drinks coming in 2027 during the National Association of Convenience Stores, according to multiple reports from snacking outlets and snack influencers.
UDOT to temporarily close Guardsman Pass amid snow forecast
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Tropical storm remnants forecast to produce Utah's first big mountain snow of the season
SALT LAKE CITY — The remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel have already delivered multiple inches of rain in many mountain locations, but leftover moisture is expected to provide the first meaningful snow of the new water year. Upwards of a foot of snow is forecast for the top of the Cottonwood Canyons over the next few days, while even stronger totals are likely in the Uinta Mountains, according to KSL Weather and National Weather Service forecasting models.
The biggest hurdles in Western wildfires could be before and after the blaze
SALT LAKE CITY — Addressing wildfires has, for years, focused on fire suppression. When a fire breaks out, local, state and federal crews typically race to put it out as fast as possible to prevent its spread. But what about the time before or after a fire? Those are where the biggest gaps in addressing a growing concern might be, experts from various fields warned as they brainstormed ideas to address during a roundtable discussion about the situation at the University of Utah on Friday.
Flood watches, wind advisories issued throughout Utah ahead of Rachel's arrival
SALT LAKE CITY — It's unclear how structured Tropical Storm Rachel will be by the time the Pacific storm arrives in Utah, but federal meteorologists say it will still have enough power to create impacts throughout the state.
'The cost of growth': Salt Lake City to raise utility impact fees for first time in 27 years
SALT LAKE CITY — The population of Utah's capital city jumped from 181,743 residents in 2000 to an estimated 218,428 in 2025, an increase of over 20%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Salt Lake City has had four mayors in that time, watched its skyline rise and added an NHL team, among many other changes. What hasn't changed? The fees that developers pay for tapping into the city's aging utilities infrastructure.
Remnants of Hurricane Rachel head to Utah. How much water will it provide?
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah could be in for heavy rainfall over the next several days as remnants of Hurricane Rachel are forecast to collide with a strong system from the Pacific Northwest this weekend. Models suggest that multiple inches of rain are possible between this weekend and early next week, which could lead to new flooding threats, but figures to be good for the drought-stricken state.
Ryan Smith launches survey in search for 'strong local vibe' at SLC entertainment district Original
With two-thirds of the Delta Center’s renovation now complete, the owner of the Utah Jazz and Mammoth is now shifting his attention to more detailed elements of a planned district east of the downtown Salt Lake City arena.
Trump signs disaster order unlocking federal aid for 2 Utah counties affected by fire, flooding Original
BEAVER — Communities impacted by a massive fire in southwest Utah this summer are getting a big lift from the federal government as they continue to recover from it and ensuing flooding damage. President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration on Thursday that allows eligible recovery costs to flow into Beaver and Piute counties for the Cottonwood Fire east of Beaver and the debris flows triggered by monsoonal rain after the fire was mostly out.
Destructive invasive species has entered Utah portion of Colorado River
MOAB — Zebra mussels have indeed made their way into Utah's section of the Colorado River for the first time, causing new concerns for the struggling river. State wildlife biologists found live adult zebra mussels below Westwater Recreation Area last month, which were confirmed by lab testing on Wednesday, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The discovery followed water testing in June and July that identified DNA fragments of the species.
Utah to bolster boating access at these 11 sites in 2027 with $1.5M allocation
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's reservoirs took a tumble in 2026 following a record-low snowpack, limiting access to some bodies of water that also offer recreational access. Utah's reservoir system ended the 2026 water year at 47% capacity, but nearly three dozen of the state's largest reservoirs have fallen to 40% or lower, per state data. Only a handful remain above 60% capacity. It's hurt all types of boating opportunities, including fishing access in some cases.
Salt Lake City plan to transfer nearly 1,000 wetland acres to Utah hits a snag
SALT LAKE CITY — Watching thousands of birds flying over the wetlands north of Salt Lake City International Airport is a sight that Justin Matkin has fond memories of. He described it to the Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday as he discussed the importance of nearly 1,000 acres northwest of the airport that the city has owned for several decades.
Zion highway section could remain closed for 'several week' as rockfall cleanup continues
SPRINGDALE, Washington County — A section of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway may remain closed for several more weeks, even after crews have made progress clearing debris from a "major" rockfall at Zion National Park last week. The park's east entrance near Kane County reopened on Tuesday, but all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic is closed from Great Arch Pullout to Canyon Junction, according to park officials.
Ryan Smith launches survey in search for 'strong local vibe' at SLC entertainment district
SALT LAKE CITY — With two-thirds of the Delta Center's renovation now complete, the owner of the Utah Jazz and Mammoth is now shifting his attention to more detailed elements of a planned district east of the downtown Salt Lake City arena.
How this new 1-mile Deer Valley trail connects hikers to a much larger system
PARK CITY — Utah's fall foliage continues to attract scores of residents and visitors alike, and there's now a new hiking trail in one popular section of the Wasatch Back. A small group gathered at the lower end of the Anchor Trees Hiking Trail, where project officials spoke about all the work and collaboration that went into it before a chainsaw was used to cut a log to replace the traditional ribbon-cutting celebration. The ceremony ended with a celebratory hike up to the top of the trail.
Utah's 'truly strange' 2026 water year has ended. What happens next?
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's 2026 water year was relatively normal in terms of statewide precipitation in the mountains, which generate most of the state's water supply. The state's mountain sites — on average — collected 28.1 inches of precipitation between Oct. 1, 2025, and Sept. 30 of this year, according to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. That's roughly 96% of the 30-year normal, but nothing about the 2026 water year felt normal.
Delta, SkyWest add 4 new routes out of Salt Lake City airport Original
SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns living along the Wasatch Front will soon have a faster way to travel to the Grand Canyon and other outdoor gems in Arizona. Delta Air Lines announced last week it will begin offering nonstop service between Salt Lake City International Airport and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff, Arizona, beginning next summer, through SkyWest Airlines. Flagstaff itself is the capital of the dark sky movement, becoming the first International Dark Sky City over two decades ago.
Great Salt Lake, migratory birds receive a boost from Pineview Reservoir project
Editor's note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative with funding from Love the Lake, an initiative of the nonprofit Great Salt Lake Alliance. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Collaborative and partner newsrooms. WILLARD, Box Elder County — One Utah reservoir's loss is turning into a gain for the Great Salt Lake's habitat after a rough summer.
Is Great Salt Lake's dust a 'perceived' problem? Utah wants to handle it anyway
Editor's note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative with funding from Love the Lake, an initiative of the nonprofit Great Salt Lake Alliance. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Collaborative and partner newsrooms. SALT LAKE CITY — Dust blowing off the Great Salt Lake remains one of the biggest threats from the lake's decline, but it might be a "perceived" problem at the moment, Utah's top air quality official says. But that comes with a big caveat.
Salt Lake City seeks creative funding options as Liberty Park upgrades could cost $41M Original
Liberty Park is still a popular draw after well over a century. Approximately 7,000 visitors flock to the outdoor gem every weekday, and close to 11,000 on Saturdays and Sundays, based on foot traffic studies conducted by the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands. It’s also showing signs of its age, which is why the department has been working on a vision plan to address maintenance needs and pinpoint opportunities to enhance the park — and addressing those could be costly.
Salt Lake City seeks creative funding options as Liberty Park upgrades could cost $41M
Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS Liberty Park is one of the city's busiest parks, drawing thousands of visitors daily. The Salt Lake City park's upgrades may cost up to $41M across more than a decade of vision plan implementation. The city explores creative funding, including grants and sponsorships, for various projects. SALT LAKE CITY — Liberty Park is still a popular draw after well over a century.
Endangered Utah bird species to get a boost. Here's how to watch its population soar
ST. GEORGE — California condors, including a flock near the Utah-Arizona border, were once pushed to the brink of extinction, but they've slowly recovered as part of a massive conservation push. The flock is about to receive a few more members as that push continues. Four more condors will be released into the wild on Saturday for the 30th annual condor release, a joint venture between the Bureau of Land Management and The Peregrine Fund.
Utah, feds finalize $60M settlement over 22,000 acres near Great Salt Lake
Editor's note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative with funding from Love the Lake, an initiative of the nonprofit Great Salt Lake Alliance. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Collaborative and partner newsrooms. SALT LAKE CITY — A long-standing feud between Utah and the federal government over tens of thousands of acres along the Great Salt Lake has now been settled.
Many groups are trying to save the Great Salt Lake. Here's how they can better collaborate
Editor's note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative with funding from Love the Lake, an initiative of the nonprofit Great Salt Lake Alliance. Editorial decisions are made independently by the Collaborative and partner newsrooms. SALT LAKE CITY — The Great Salt Lake continues to slide closer to its lowest point on record, but a new Utah report underscores potential ways to refine solution processes that could help the state avoid environmental impacts of its decline.
Church outlines more of its transportations plans for Salt Lake Temple open house
SALT LAKE CITY — Over a million tickets have already been reserved for the Salt Lake Temple open house, and millions more are expected ahead of next year's event. It's expected to bring 22,000 visitors every day from April 5, 2027, through Oct. 1, 2027, which is also why detailed transportation planning is well underway to pull everything off.
How to celebrate National Public Lands Day across Utah this weekend
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A new candidate emerges in Utah this election season: El Niño
PARK CITY — A mysterious campaign sign planted in front of Deer Valley Resort this month may just sum up a candidate many skiers, snowboarders, water managers and any other fans of snowpack can stand behind. El Niño. Specifically, this year's forecasted "super El Niño." "Vote Super El Niño 2026-2027," it reads.
Weather service confirms last week's storms produced a second Utah tornado
JENSEN, Uintah County — A severe thunderstorm system that produced a rare mountain tornado in Davis County last week also produced a small tornado near the Utah-Colorado border as it passed through the state, federal meteorologists have confirmed. About 5 p.m. on Friday, a "brief and weak" tornado touched down between Jensen and Dinosaur, Colorado, the National Weather Service's Grand Junction, Colorado office wrote in a preliminary incident report on Tuesday.
Salt Lake City's contentious housing options proposal receives key endorsement
SALT LAKE CITY — A proposed ordinance to allow more housing types within the vast majority of Salt Lake City's residential neighborhoods received a key endorsement after another spirited debate between residents split on the plan.
Salt Lake City close to fully replacing 200 North Temple trees lost in 2024 mishap Original
Utah’s capital city is close to finally replacing hundreds of trees that were mistakenly killed on its west side after a city employee accidentally sprayed them with a herbicide two years ago. Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands employees started planting 100 new trees in August, while also repairing irrigation and soil to make way for another 100 trees that have lined the North Temple corridor in planters since the incident.
Award-winning author, creative writing teacher named Salt Lake City's first poet laureate
SALT LAKE CITY — An award-winning author, poet and long-time creative writing teacher has been selected as the inaugural poet laureate for Utah's capital city. The Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Mayor's Office named Joel Long to the brand-new position on Tuesday, as the city says it wants to add to its arts and culture commitments. Long, of Sugar House, has taught English and creative writing at Rowland Hall, a private pre-K-12 school, for over two decades.
Salt Lake City close to fully replacing 200 North Temple trees lost in 2024 mishap
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's capital city is close to finally replacing hundreds of trees that were mistakenly killed on its west side after a city employee accidentally sprayed them with a herbicide two years ago. Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands employees started planting 100 new trees in August, while also repairing irrigation and soil to make way for another 100 trees that have lined the North Temple corridor in planters since the incident.
How the Davis County tornado dispelled a common weather myth
Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS A tornado near Francis Peak on Friday destroyed trees over a mile-long path. The event dispelled the myth that tornadoes can't form in Utah's mountainous areas. Meteorologists are investigating the possibility of it being a multi-vortex tornado.
How much would the Great Salt Lake benefit without phragmites? Original
SALT LAKE CITY — If you were to have walked along the shoreline of Great Salt Lake's Farmington Bay a little more than two decades ago, you would have seen a mostly barren surface. "After the floodwaters of the '80s and '90s receded, you can see the lakebed is not really vegetated at all. It's mostly just a salt flat," said Keith Hambrecht, restoration and invasive species program manager for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Land, pointing to a picture of the area taken in 2003.
Audit recommends changes after examining Salt Lake City Public Utilities' $600M debt
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's capital city has prepared for the future by investing in major infrastructure improvements and planning for future capital needs, legislative auditors say. However, while they found no evidence that any "enterprise funds were used inappropriately," auditors say that the previous way to pay for these projects also left its public utilities department with massive debt and those who rely on the department for water, sewage and other utilities paying much more.
Video confirms tornado in Davis County; severe storms continue to impact Utah
Federal forecasters say video confirms that a tornado touched down in the Utah mountains east of Fruit Heights, after weather spotters reported a funnel cloud and radar indicated the potential for tornadic activity Friday afternoon. A video that TJ Ward sent to KSL Weather appears to show a tornado that touched down near Bair Canyon.
Utah urges residents to adjust watering habits to avoid 'wasteful overwatering'
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah water managers are urging people to begin to adjust their irrigation routines as the 2026 water year comes to a close, especially as nighttime temperatures continue to cool down. Residents should adjust irrigation timers to water less or simply turn them off, said Joel Williams, the director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, in an update on Thursday.
Have You Seen This? This fan might just change how we eat popcorn
THE BALLPARK — Over 2,400 Major League Baseball games are played every season, and yet you're almost certainly guaranteed to see something new at the ballpark every day. Sometimes that's on the field and sometimes that's in the stands; sometimes it's so interesting that it weighs on your mind for weeks.
Tornado warning expires; severe storms continue to impact Wasatch Front, northern Utah Original
FARMINGTON — A tornado warning for parts of the Wasatch Front and northern Utah has expired, but the chance for strong and severe thunderstorms is expected to persist Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued the tornado warning shortly before 1:45 p.m., after weather spotters reported a funnel cloud and radar indicated the potential for tornadic activity. It's unclear if a tornado actually touched down.
Preserving Salt Lake Temple was 'nothing short of another miracle,' project official says
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16 local leaders in Utah sign letter to Interior secretary, urging him to 'protect public lands'
SALT LAKE CITY — More than a dozen current or former local leaders in Utah are among a group of over 200 across the West who sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging him to reconsider recent policies they say have threatened public lands.
Salt Lake City, UDOT crafting emergency plan for flooded west side residents
SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of Utah's capital city and state transportation officials are at odds over who is responsible for a water main break that flooded over a dozen Poplar Grove homes in August. However, they have initiated steps to come together in a way to support affected residents caught in the middle of the disagreement, especially as some remain displaced a month after the incident.
Film society sets long-awaited reopening target for historic Tower Theatre Original
Lauren Call has many core memories at the theater, as she stood outside the Tower Theatre, a small but beloved venue at the heart of Salt Lake City’s 9th & 9th business district.
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