It's no secret that Utah's housing shortage and population increase have put a huge strain on the housing market. Anybody looking to buy a home has probably felt the struggle to find an affordable home amidst rising prices.

Utahns are facing issues of affordability, growth and quality of life in the housing market that aren't being addressed by current home-building companies' efforts. 

Turner Bitton is looking to address these issues for Utahns searching for housing. As the director of advocacy group SLC Neighbors for More Neighbors, he hopes to help create policy solutions that will address affordability in the housing market.

It’s election season. Here are 9 local races we’re watching

With the country's current political discourse and major developments happening on a national scale, it can be easy to let local elections fall to the back-burner.

But ballots are set to be mailed to Utah's registered voters this week and election day is just around the corner, so it never hurts to get caught up and refreshed on key races and issues.

In addition to the Senate race between incumbent GOP Sen. Mike Lee and independent Evan McMullin, other important races for positions in the Utah House and Senate, county councils and school boards will also be on the ballot this year.

"From a longtime Republican representative trying to keep his political career alive via a write-in campaign, to the first Navajo woman to run for the Utah Legislature, here are some of the races we’re watching," Deseret News reporter Kyle Dunphey writes. 

Read more about each race.

More in Politics:

• What is the Mitt Romney martyr thesis? (Deseret News)

• Abortion, immigration and more: 6 takeaways from Utah's 2nd District Debate (KSL.com)

• Dignity Index releases scores for 4th Congressional District debate, campaign ads (KSL.com)

FROM OUR SPONSOR UTAH EDUCATION ELECTION

Ensuring You Are Ready to Vote in the Upcoming Election

Be ready for the voting process so you can show off your sticker without the stress this November. Check out the Utah Election website. Learn how to vote, track your ballot, find candidate information, find voter registration info and how to update your registration preferences or address.

Health:

• Children as young as 5 can now get an updated COVID-19 booster shot. Here’s why experts say they should (Deseret News)

• Poll: Majority of Utahns aren’t worried about getting COVID-19 or the flu despite predictions of ‘double whammy’ this winter (Deseret News)

Faith:

• BYU law school unveils artist Jorge Cocco’s new paintings of Jesus Christ’s 7 law-related roles (Deseret News)

• Missing your favorite team’s game to go to church? Aaron Rodgers feels your pain (Deseret News)

Economy:

• September inflation report: Grocery prices are still on the rise (Deseret News)

• New analysis ranks the best states for retirement (Deseret News)

Environment:

• WWF report says wildlife populations have decreased by 69% since 1970 (Deseret News)

• Can innovation combat climate change? A new $1.5M University of Utah award is looking to find out (The Salt Lake Tribune 🔒)

Northern Utah:

• Ogden School District teacher sex cases: New suit alleges lax oversight (Standard-Examiner)

• Intermountain donation builds Weber State University's new physician assistant program (KSL.com)

Wasatch Front:

• Starbucks union leader says company retaliated, fired him for organizing Utah store (KSL.com)

• Provo ranked amongst top 10 cities for 'best sober living' in United States, survey says (KUTV)

Southern Utah:

• Nude portraits removed from St. George-owned art gallery after confrontation (KUER)

• Utah Tech University to host debates for Washington County Commission, Utah House candidates (St. George News)

The West:

• Latter-day Saint father, Idaho man dies fighting with the international legion in Ukraine (Deseret News)

• Salt Lake City’s 2-year increase in homelessness is reflected across the West (KUER)

The Nation:

• Biden administration approves $725 million in military assistance for Ukraine (Deseret News)

• D.A. to charge 15-year-old Raleigh shooting suspect as an adult (NBC News)

The World:

• China protest: Unknown individual unveils anti-Xi banners in Beijing (Deseret News)

• U.S. shift on Venezuelan migrants fuels anxiety in Mexico (ABC News)

Tech:

• Electric vehicles might now be able to charge in 10 minutes due to record-breaking battery (Deseret News)

• What are pet microchips, and should my dog have one? (Deseret News)

Sports:

• The Jazz went all-in with Danny Ainge. Will he deliver the goods? (Deseret News)

• London and Paris will boycott the World Cup. But probably not the way you think (Deseret News)

• Arkansas exploited BYU's lack of defense in Saturday's game (Deseret News)
• Highlights, key plays and photos from Utah-USC (Deseret News)