The award-winning Great Salt Lake Collaborative is expanding to cover the Colorado River and The Times-Independent has joined the team of media outlets to produce solutions-oriented coverage of this vital and imperiled natural resource. The new initiative, called the Colorado River Collaborative, is made up of 11 Utah newsrooms that have agreed to report on the river, its tributaries and destinations together. Stories will explore how Utahns are impacted by the river and how they can address a dwindling water supply in the face of a megadrought, climate change and rapid...… The award-winning Great Salt Lake Collaborative is expanding to cover the Colorado River and The Times-Independent has joined the team of media outlets to produce solutions-oriented coverage of this vital and imperiled natural resource. The new initiative, called the Colorado River Collaborative, is made up of 11 Utah newsrooms that have agreed to report on the river, its tributaries and destinations together. Stories will explore how Utahns are impacted by the river and how they can address a dwindling water supply in the face of a megadrought, climate change and rapid...WW…

Nearly 4,000 Republican delegates swarmed the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday morning to pick GOP nominees in races from Utah governor to state school board. Many of the morning sessions were stalled by more than an hour because of delays with the credentialing process or problems with the electronic voting system. Delegates were buzzing shortly after the doors opened to the convention hall because of a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump for U.S. Senate candidate Trent Staggs. “Trent Staggs is 100% MAGA, and is running to fill The Mitt...… Nearly 4,000 Republican delegates swarmed the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday morning to pick GOP nominees in races from Utah governor to state school board. Many of the morning sessions were stalled by more than an hour because of delays with the credentialing process or problems with the electronic voting system. Delegates were buzzing shortly after the doors opened to the convention hall because of a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump for U.S. Senate candidate Trent Staggs. “Trent Staggs is 100% MAGA, and is running to fill The Mitt...WW…

A coalition of Utah counties and municipalities hoping to acquire 100% net renewable energy will have to adjust some of their plans as Rocky Mountain Power announced a near-term pivot away from renewable energy and towards coal. Members of the Utah Renewable Communities coalition, which includes Grand County, Moab and Castle Valley, are aiming to acquire net-100% renewable energy by 2030. Part of their plans included piggybacking on Rocky Mountain Power’s acquisition of new renewable energy sources, but the program must chart a new course after the energy provider announced earlier...… A coalition of Utah counties and municipalities hoping to acquire 100% net renewable energy will have to adjust some of their plans as Rocky Mountain Power announced a near-term pivot away from renewable energy and towards coal. Members of the Utah Renewable Communities coalition, which includes Grand County, Moab and Castle Valley, are aiming to acquire net-100% renewable energy by 2030. Part of their plans included piggybacking on Rocky Mountain Power’s acquisition of new renewable energy sources, but the program must chart a new course after the energy provider announced earlier...WW…

The mood turned somber when the Moab City Council reached the Mayor and Council Reports portion of the meeting agenda on April 23. That’s when the Walnut Lane affordable housing project and the looming displacement of about 25 lease holders came up. “I have been discussing this issue with citizens,” said Councilor Jason Taylor. “This is devastating and it’s not something this council wanted. Our hands were forced on the backs of the people who need housing. It’s not something that any of us wanted to happen.” Taylor said the city is trying to find a way to fix the problem after the...… The mood turned somber when the Moab City Council reached the Mayor and Council Reports portion of the meeting agenda on April 23. That’s when the Walnut Lane affordable housing project and the looming displacement of about 25 lease holders came up. “I have been discussing this issue with citizens,” said Councilor Jason Taylor. “This is devastating and it’s not something this council wanted. Our hands were forced on the backs of the people who need housing. It’s not something that any of us wanted to happen.” Taylor said the city is trying to find a way to fix the problem after the...WW…

A land use hearing officer has overturned the Grand County Commission’s decision to not approve a conditional use permit for a bike outfitter operating in a residential neighborhood. Craig Call, the county’s land use appeals hearing officer, wrote in an email to county officials last week that “the relevant law requires that I approve the proposed conditional use permit.” Members of the public are also invited to provide comment on conditions for the permit. Those interested can email Call at ccall@andersoncall.com until 5 p.m. May 2. Call’s decision may put to rest a monthslong...… A land use hearing officer has overturned the Grand County Commission’s decision to not approve a conditional use permit for a bike outfitter operating in a residential neighborhood. Craig Call, the county’s land use appeals hearing officer, wrote in an email to county officials last week that “the relevant law requires that I approve the proposed conditional use permit.” Members of the public are also invited to provide comment on conditions for the permit. Those interested can email Call at ccall@andersoncall.com until 5 p.m. May 2. Call’s decision may put to rest a monthslong...WW…