The United States House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would establish permanent Daylight Saving Time across the nation. If the legislation passes the Senate and becomes law, Utah could eventually stop the annual practice of shifting clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall.
Utah has established a trigger law in 2020 that would implement permanent Daylight Saving Time if Congress approves the measure and at least four other western states also adopt it. Under permanent Daylight Saving Time, winter mornings would see much later sunrises, with Salt Lake City's latest sunrise shifting to approximately 8:52 a.m. and the earliest sunset moving to around 5 p.m.
While proponents suggest this would allow for later sunsets, some Utah parents have expressed concern that permanent Daylight Saving Time could result in children walking to school or waiting for buses in the dark. Local school districts stated it is too early to discuss specific schedule changes, though they acknowledged potential needs for adjusted bus routes, better lighting, or later start times if the law takes effect.
In other local news, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall is considering a run for a third term in the 2027 election. This potential candidacy follows Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla's announcement that she is running, which would mirror their 2019 election matchup.
Additionally, two Utah groups, Alliance for a Better Utah and Elevate Strategies, have filed a lawsuit against Kevin O'Leary. The groups allege O'Leary launched a smear campaign against them regarding their opposition to a data center in Box Elder County, claiming he falsely labeled them as agents of the Chinese government.
Residents can also look forward to 801 Day on August 1 from 5-9 p.m. at the Milk Block, an annual celebration featuring a local marketplace, food, drinks, and live music. The event will also feature the first look at the new mural for the 9th & 9th whale, known as Out of the Blue.
