Nearly 95% of the Intermountain West remains in drought due to record-breaking July temperatures and insufficient monsoon rains, according to a Aug. 20 update from Drought.gov. Major reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at critical or record lows, threatening water supplies and hydropower across the region.
John Corbin, a Moab man who died during a rappelling accident near Pritchett Canyon in mid-August, has been identified through local mortuary records. His death follows a series of incidents in the rugged Grand County wilderness, where local search and rescue teams manage frequent emergencies for the millions of annual visitors.
Ethel Elizabeth Smith Krist, a 94-year-old entrepreneur and community figure, passed away on August 6, 2026, in Moab, Utah. She is survived by a large family, including 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
1 million. Grand County Sheriff Jamison Wiggins describes conditions inside the Grand County Jail on Jan. A feasibility study presented Aug. 18 proposes replacing the existing jail with a 120-bed facility as part of a new public safety center.
Utah's 2026 fire season has seen nearly 800 wildfires burn approximately 495,225 acres, driven by record-low snowpack. State officials and interagency partners are urging residents in the wildland/urban interface to implement firewise landscaping and home ignition zone protections as high fire activity continues.
PRICE - On Friday, Aug. 14, family, friends and community members came out to cheer on the contestants of the Mini, Little and Junior Carbon County Pageant as they showcased their dedication to service, leadership and personal growth.
Every road that was ordered closed during the Babylon Fire in San Juan County is now open, according to a statement from the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Firefighters conduct mop-up operations on dead and downed fuels on the Babylon Fire on July 15.
The deluge of anguished cries over President Trump’s re-do of Biden’s re-do of Trump’s re-do of Obama’s and Clinton’s massive southern Utah national monuments came fast and hot and felt like déjà vu all over again. Before delving into the history and economic implications of Clinton’s Grand Staircase-Escalante and Obama’s Bears Ears national monuments, let’s do a little reality check.
A harmful algal bloom has been identified at Scofield Reservoir, prompting health officials to issue an advisory on August 12, 2026. The Southeast Utah Health Department warned that the water may contain dangerous toxins from cyanobacteria.
The City of Moab continues to prioritize water conservation efforts through strategic initiatives and sustainability programs. This ongoing focus follows recent administrative reviews and council discussions regarding municipal management and resource preservation.
The Moab City Council has approved a new ordinance that limits landscape watering with above-ground sprinkler systems to specific hours starting Aug. 10, 2026. The measure aims to reduce water loss from evaporation and protect the city's long-term water supply.
The Moab Arts Center is hosting the Smithsonian exhibition "Voices & Votes: Democracy in America," featuring community workshops and interactive exhibits designed to explore the evolution of American democracy. The program includes various civic engagement activities such as printmaking, story slams, and public speaking workshops.
President Donald Trump signed executive orders on July 13, 2026, significantly reducing the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. The decision, supported by the Utah federal delegation and Governor Spencer Cox, aims to align monument boundaries with the Antiquities Act, though it has sparked widespread protests across the state.
The provided source contains multiple news reports covering various incidents in Utah, including legal proceedings in Provo, wildfire updates in San Juan and Kane Counties, and state-level political and economic developments.
Utah has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy as a potential host for a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, a project aimed at modernizing the nation's nuclear fuel cycle. The state signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026 to explore the development of this campus, which could generate thousands of jobs and billions in investment.
A 54-year-old Wisconsin man named Andrew Matchett has been reported missing after a camping trip in Moab, Utah. Matchett was last seen on Thursday, July 30, while staying at the Moab Holiday KOA.
Summit County has notified property owners to review their official Notice of Valuation statements by September 15, 2026. Residents are encouraged to verify property coding and eligibility for exemptions, such as the Primary Residence Exemption, to ensure tax accuracy.
The Utah Rivers Council is calling for the elimination of property taxes used to subsidize water rates, arguing the current system incentivizes waste and creates an unfair burden on low-income residents. The organization suggests transitioning to a tiered rate structure to promote conservation and reduce the need for expensive taxpayer-funded water projects.
The bottom line? Showers and thunderstorms will continue with the threat of severe thunderstorms producing gusty winds possible for northern Utah. Temperatures will remain slightly above average with clouds and sunshine through the week and chances of thunderstorms into the weekend.
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington City Council approved five business licenses during its meeting Wednesday, Aug. Licenses were approved for Desert Contracting, Jessica Lee Cleaning and Landscaping, TC West LLC, Contour Beauty Academy and Solrise.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), John Curtis (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the bravery and sacrifice of several firefighters whose lives were lost while combatting recent wildfires on the Utah-Colorado border.
Caribou-Targhee National Forest occupies over 3 million acres and stretches across southeastern Idaho, from the Montana, Utah, and Wyoming borders.
Environmental groups have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against a pro-nuclear energy campaign in Utah. This legal action follows a long-term state initiative launched in 2024 to double power production through programs like Operation Gigawatt.
Ted Capener, whose work as an executive at the University of Utah helped shape the U.'s public image, has died at 94. He also conducted hundreds of interviews for shows on PBS Utah.
As head of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, Hilton led efforts to make three Olympic venues accessible for Utahns and viable for another Winter Olympics. Hilton died Aug. 21, 2026, at age 58.
When Latter-day Saints leave their church, do they find another spiritual home? Maybe, but it's usually not in an organized religion, studies show. Most also don't plan to return to the LDS Church.
University leaders are working with colleges, academic departments and advising teams to support students who have taken courses at the Sandy Center.
The Widemouth 2 Fire has grown to over 111,000 acres in the Fishlake National Forest, following a fatal helicopter crash on August 7, 2026. Firefighters continue to battle the lightning-caused blaze, which has already claimed the lives of two pilots during emergency water-dropping operations.
The program goes beyond placing books on shelves. The Book Nerd Mobile, Brain Food Books's traveling community bookstore and outreach vehicle, will return throughout the year to replenish the Book Pantries, introduce new titles, host community book events, and connect readers with books they choose for themselves.
He was sentenced on June 29 to 364 days in jail for both charges, but the terms were suspended and he was given credit for the 32 days he had already served. A court order on Aug. "(McKean) continued to communicate with the purported 17-year-old and expressed concerns that it was illegal.
Utah state health data reveals a significant rise in vaping rates alongside a decline in traditional cigarette smoking. While cigarette use has reached historic lows, vaping rates saw a 260% increase between 2012 and 2022.
UTAH, Aug. 22, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for south central Box Elder County and northeastern Tooele County. Sunday unless it is extended. For ongoing updates, check this link.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued Sunday night for parts of Salt Lake County, with wind gusts up to 70 mph possible. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued the warning for areas including West Jordan, Sandy and South Jordan.
