Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1h

A Salt Lake City man faces federal charges of attempted arson and possession of a destructive device after investigators say he placed a gas can underneath a news vehicle and lit a fuse that ran into it.

Man accused of lighting gas can under FOX 13 vehicle faces attempted arson charge • Utah News Dispatch

A Salt Lake City man faces federal charges after investigators say he placed a gas can underneath a FOX 13 news vehicle and lit a fuse.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 6h

An initiative of Congress’ “big, beautiful bill” has left environmentalists with deep concerns as thousands of acres of federal land are now open for coal leases, including near or directly adjacent to landmarks like Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks.

Thousands of acres of federal land now open for coal leases are adjacent to Utah national parks • Utah News Dispatch

An analysis from environmentalists found that thousands of acres of federally-owned land open for coal leases are near national parks.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 9h

Traditional tribal healing practices are diverse and vary widely, unique from tribe to tribe. Many include talking circles, sweat lodge ceremonies with special rituals, plant medicine and herb smudging, along with sacred ceremonies known only to the tribe.

Read more from @stateline.org

Tribal traditional healing gets Medicaid reimbursement in 4 states • Utah News Dispatch

For the first time, traditional tribal healing practices can be reimbursed by Medicaid at tribal health facilities in four states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1d

Plaintiffs allege Utah lawmakers have passed another law undermining the “core anti-gerrymandering goal” of a 2018 voter-approved initiative known as Proposition 4 and it violates Utahns’ right to alter or reform their government. #utpol

utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/10/07/a...

Anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs allege lawmakers have violated the Utah Constitution again • Utah News Dispatch

Anti-gerrymandering plaintiffs in a redistricting lawsuit allege Utah lawmakers have violated the Utah Constitution yet again.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1 5

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1d

The most cost-effective and quickest way to conserve the Colorado River’s shrinking water supply amid persistent drought and rapid population growth is changing how states handle the largest use of water on the river: agriculture.

Read more from @nevadacurrent.com

Paying farmers proves most cost-effective way to conserve Colorado River, study says • Utah News Dispatch

The most cost-effective and quickest way to conserve Colorado River water is changing how states handle agriculture.

utahnewsdispatch.com

2 2

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1d

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments today in a case that could reverse or solidify state laws across the country that ban "conversion therapy," a controversial counseling practice for LGBTQ+ youth.

Read more from @stateline.org

Conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors goes before the Supreme Court • Utah News Dispatch

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could reverse or solidify state laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1d

Shortly after the Utah Legislature voted to pick its preferred congressional map to submit to a judge in Utah’s court-ordered redistricting process, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that successfully challenged the state’s last congressional map also met their deadline to send in their maps. #utpol

Plaintiffs submit 2 congressional maps to judge as Utah lawmakers vote on their own • Utah News Dispatch

Plaintiffs in a redistricting lawsuit have submitted two maps to a judge to pick from in the states' court-ordered redistricting process.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 1d

The Utah Legislature revived and approved a bill giving Gov. Spencer Cox the power to nominate the Utah Supreme Court's chief justice — with the role limited to a single, eight-year term. #utpol

After veto, Cox is one step closer to being able to appoint chief justice • Utah News Dispatch

The Utah Legislature revived a bill that would give Gov. Spencer Cox the power to appoint the Utah Supreme Court chief justice.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 2d

The Utah Supreme Court has approved an alternative licensing path for attorneys, joining other states contemplating options beyond the traditional bar exam.
utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/utah-...

Utah Supreme Court approves alternative licensing path for attorneys, joining Oregon and Washington • Utah News Dispatch

Those seeking to get licensed as attorneys in Utah have a new path, one that reflects evolving needs of the profession and the public.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 2d

After little debate Monday morning but with Democrats voting against, the Utah Legislative Redistricting Committee voted to pick map C — a congressional map that the Utah GOP last week encouraged Republicans to support. #utpol

Utah redistricting committee picks congressional map supported by Republican party • Utah News Dispatch

The Utah Legislative Redistricting Committee picked congressional map C, a map supported by the Republican Party.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 2d

The vast majority of Americans, including Republicans and those who identify as strong Trump supporters, want Congress to renew enhanced tax credits for people who buy health insurance from the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, according to poll results.

Read more from @statesnewsroom.com

Renewal of health subsidies backed by big majorities in poll, including Trump voters • Utah News Dispatch

The vast majority of Americans want Congress to renew enhanced tax credits for people who buy Affordable Care Act health insurance.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 2

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 5d

The Utah Legislature will convene on Monday for a special session called by Gov. Spencer Cox with a 13-item agenda, including selecting lawmakers' final choice for congressional district boundaries to submit to a judge. #utpol

Utah Legislature will convene in special session to discuss redistricting and other issues • Utah News Dispatch

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for a special session Oct. 6 in which lawmakers are set to discuss redistricting standards and other items.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1 4

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 5d

The Utah Homeless Services Board is answering top Republican state leaders’ calls to act in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order issued in July, titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” #utpol

Utah homeless board proposes ‘initial framework’ to respond to Trump’s executive order • Utah News Dispatch

The Utah Homeless Services Board is answering top Republican state leaders’ calls to act in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order issued in July, titled “Ending Crime and…

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 6d

The Utah Democratic Party is urging voters that align with its values to 'come home,' saying voting as Republicans isn’t effective “in the face of extremism and one-party control.” #utpol

Democrats ask Utahns with blue values registered as Republicans to ‘come home’ • Utah News Dispatch

The Utah Democratic Party is urging voters with blue values to register as Democrats, since voting in Republican primaries "isn’t effective."

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 2 5

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 6d

Amid confusion over new COVID-19 vaccine restrictions, Utah’s professional licensing division sent a letter to pharmacists in the state clarifying they are still able to provide the COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription.

Letter confirms Utah pharmacists can give COVID-19 vaccines without prescription — for now • Utah News Dispatch

Utah pharmacists are still allowed to provide COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription, but that may soon change.

utahnewsdispatch.com

3 3

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 6d

In an email sent to members, the Utah Republican Party said “we urgently need you to submit comments supporting Map C,” one of the five maps drawn by GOP legislative leaders’ retained redistricting expert that are currently being considered by lawmakers. #utpol

Utah Republican, Democratic party leaders spar over picking preferred congressional map • Utah News Dispatch

In the redistricting debate, the Utah Democratic Party criticized the Utah Republican Party for encouraging support of a certain congressional map.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 2

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 6d

After the state announced a 1,300-bed homeless campus in northwest Salt Lake City, nearby North Salt Lake neighbors have been touring the undeveloped site and studying ways to move the project away from their communities. #utpol

Frustrated North Salt Lakers looking at new homeless campus ask for another site • Utah News Dispatch

North Salt Lake residents expressed deep frustrations about a homeless campus proposed at a site near their neighborhoods.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 7d

Amid the federal government shutdown, Utah state tourism officials said Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks will remain open — but with limited services. #utpol

Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks will stay open amid shutdown — but with limited services • Utah News Dispatch

Amid the federal government shutdown, Utah's five national parks will remain open but with limited services, state officials said.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 7d

As conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA returned to Utah just weeks after his death, the crowd at Utah State University chanted Kirk’s name, wore shirts in tribute, and held up his photo.

But when Gov. Spencer Cox took the stage, the emotion turned to a wave of boos. #utpol

Utah Gov. Cox booed during Turning Point USA’s first event in Utah after killing of Charlie Kirk • Utah News Dispatch

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was booed — but also at times applauded — during Turning Point USA's first event in Utah after Charlie Kirk was killed.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 7d

Three National Park Service sites in Idaho have been selected for new renovation and repair projects paid by federal funds through the Great American Outdoors Act.

Read more from @idahocapitalsun.com

Three Idaho National Park Service sites set for restoration and repair projects • Utah News Dispatch

Three National Park Service sites in Idaho were selected for renovation and repair projects paid for through the Great American Outdoors Act.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 8d

Applications for federal student aid open this Wednesday, a key date for families with their sights on a college education for kids graduating high school. But, many Utahns may be unaware of the start date.

FAFSA applications, including first-come, first-served aid, go live on Wednesday • Utah News Dispatch

FAFSA forms open on Oct. 1, a key date, according to a survey, since some student aid is first-come, first-served.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 8d

Utahns have an opportunity to weigh in on Utah’s unique, court-ordered mid-decade redistricting process — during a time when redistricting fights are unfolding across the nation. #utpol

How to weigh in on Utah’s court-ordered redistricting process • Utah News Dispatch

Here's how to weigh in on Utah's court-ordered redistricting process as lawmakers mull which congressional map to submit to a judge.

utahnewsdispatch.com

2

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 8d

Researchers ranked states based on risks from extreme heat, flooding, poor air quality, natural hazard risks to health care facilities and greenhouse gas emissions by the health care sector. Utah came in at 35.

Read more from @stateline.org

New report ranks states on climate-related health risks, clean energy policies • Utah News Dispatch

Researchers ranked states based on risks from extreme heat, flooding, poor air quality, natural hazard risks to health care facilities.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 9d

As the clock ticks closer to 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Utah state officials are bracing for a looming government shutdown that could have widespread impacts on federal workers and programs across the nation. #utpol

Utah Republican legislators urge U.S. Senate to avoid ‘damaging’ government shutdown • Utah News Dispatch

How will Utah be impacted by a government shutdown? The Utah tourism office commits to keeping national parks open, but urges federal action.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Utah News Dispatch @utahnewsdispatch.com · 9d

As crews continue to assess the aftermath of Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Grand Blanc, Michigan, officials from across the state mourned the victims of the attack that killed four people.

Read more from @michiganadvance.com

Michigan officials mourn victims of church shooting as information on shooter emerges • Utah News Dispatch

Michigan officials mourned the four victims of a deadly shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse.

utahnewsdispatch.com

1 1