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The year of 2024 has been a big one in pop culture. From Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" getting stuck in everyone's heads to the Glasgow Willy Wonka event that left children in tears to "Twisters" dominating the summer box office, it was an eventful year.

Read more of the top viral and pop culture moments of 2024.

Tell me: What was your favorite pop culture moment of the year?

These 5 decisions in 2024 will reshape Salt Lake City

The past, present and future of professional sports in Salt Lake City were prominent in 2024, and promise to reshape the city in the years to come.

The Salt Lake Bees played their last game at Smith’s Ballpark in September. The Utah Hockey Club played its first game at the Delta Center in October. The pitch to land a Major League Baseball team continues forward.

Salt Lake City has suddenly become home to two major league sports franchises, with high hopes for a third. Once the only game in town, the Utah Jazz suddenly have company with a second major sports franchise moving into not only their city but their building. And Utah HC’s arrival triggered an ambitious proposal to remake downtown.

Five decisions that will reshape the city include:

Utah Hockey Club arrives
Downton Salt Lake City revitalization
Salt Lake Bees move
The future of Smith's Ballpark
West side revitalization

Read more about each of these five decisions that will influence Salt Lake City for years to come.

2024 captured through photos

Our photo director, Chuck Wing, details how the top photos of the year from our talented Deseret News photography staff are chosen.

"First, a call goes out to our staff in late November to start thinking about their favorite pictures," he writes.

"Generally speaking, we’re looking for photographs that have a number of qualities, such as beautiful light and gorgeous composition."

Other factors like a unique angle, capturing an emotional moment, or the historical nature of the event that make a photo stand out. But often, it's the images themselves that make us say "wow."

See more of the top photos.

FROM OUR SPONSOR BYU 1984 MAGAZINE

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Health

The air purifier you bought during the pandemic may still help you breathe better now (CNN)
Will the FDA ban Red No. 3? A decision could come soon (NPR)

Faith

How to improve a mindset when in a negative headspace (Church News)
Watch: ‘American Idol’ winner’s soul-stirring rendition of ‘Silent Night’ (LDS Living)
‘Goodwill, kindness and respect are growing’ between faiths, according to Latter-day Saint and evangelical scholars (Deseret News)

Politics

How the rebirth of TikTok could revolutionize the internet (Deseret News)
What do Americans really think of Trump’s deportation plans? (Deseret News)

The Nation and the World

South Korean MPs impeach president over martial law attempt (BBC)
Snow, ice storms forecast across US (ABC News)

Sports

6 impressions from the Red Rocks Preview (Deseret News)
Remembering legendary Keith Rivera — ‘Mad Dog’ of BYU’s historic 1974 team (Deseret News)
Is Walker Kessler moving toward becoming a stretch 5? (Deseret News)
What we learned about AJ Dybantsa’s game from this high school game in Lehi — and what he had to say about becoming a BYU Cougar (Deseret News)

🗓️ Events Calendar

We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah during the next month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!

Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:

Annual Silly Holiday Bazaar | Park City
2024 Home for the Holidays Music and Dinner Show | Gardner Village
USU women’s basketball at Idaho | 1 p.m.

Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!

✨ Cheers ✨

— Gambles

More in Utah

2024 captured through photos

🗓️ Events Calendar