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Good morning. Today’s temperatures:

Salt Lake City: 27 - 43°
St. George: 32 - 62°
Logan: 19 - 37°

How much energy does it take to have a happy life? Much less than the average American uses, according to a new study from Stanford University. Researchers found that the average American uses about four times as much energy as is needed for a happy life. Read more to learn how they calculated the right amount of energy.

Also on our mind today: "One Kind Act a Day" day, a religious freedom lawsuit against the U.S. Marine Corps and what this week's cold weather means for Utah's blossoming trees.

Utah among states with nation-leading inflation rate over 10%

U.S. inflation has hit another 40-year high, and Utah is among the states with the highest rate.

By the numbers:

Yesterday, the average gas price in Utah was $4.499 per gallon, compared to the national average of nearly $4.10 per gallon.
A statewide poll found that 93% of respondents were very or somewhat concerned about inflation.

Read more about who Utahns believe is to blame for inflation.

From bake sales to ballot boxes: How the pandemic intensified parent activism

A new report says parent activism in schools is on the rise, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What does parent activism look like?

Parents have traditionally been involved in their kids' schools through organizations like the PTA, which may call to mind bake sales.

Activist parent organizations have played a role in politics, including encouraging parents to run for local school boards and lobbying state lawmakers to support specific legislation.

For example, Utah Parents United has encouraged parents to run for the Utah State Board of Education, and local affiliates have demanded that school districts remove objectionable books from school libraries.

What has happened in Utah?

The report listed three bills introduced during the Utah Legislature general session. None of them passed.

HB234, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, would have required all Utah public school teachers to post all learning materials and syllabi for each day of instruction.
SB114, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, "simply opens a door by which parents and school boards can work together in the adoption of district wide curriculum," Fillmore said.
HB366, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Stratton, R-Orem, was also a transparency measure.

Read more to learn how some activist parent groups are in direct opposition to each other.

More in Politics

Opinion: Is this a solution to Utah’s housing crunch? (Deseret News)
Utah governor signs mental health, criminal justice reform bills Tuesday (KSL.com)
Utah GOP chairman suggests Gov. Spencer Cox’s ‘woke ideology’ is causing ‘buyers remorse’ among Republicans (The Salt Lake Tribune 🔒)
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declares Tuesday as 'One Kind Act a Day' day (KSL.com)

Introducing the Deseret News Midweek Edition

The Deseret News midweek edition features local stories from the combined newsrooms of the Deseret News, KSL-TV, KSL NewsRadio and KSL.com. Subscribe to the Utah Bundle today to receive your copy of the midweek edition delivered to your mailbox each Wednesday.

Business

Amid record inflation, Utah gas prices still near all-time high
(Deseret News)
Credit firm TransUnion used deceptive marketing and 'dark patterns,' lawsuit alleges (NPR)

Faith

The Sin City saints (Deseret News)
How faith leaders prepare for Easter — and why their answer surprised me (Deseret News)
20 leaders who have us rethinking what it means to be a religious conservative (Deseret News)
Can Sikhs serve their country while staying true to their faith? (Deseret News)

Health

People of all ages should be talking about end-of-life wishes, Utah doctors say (KSL.com)

Southern Utah

Family, friends mourning the loss of brothers hit, killed by car in Utah (KSL.com)
Moab hires UHP Capt. Jared Garcia as new chief of police (KSL.com)
Major Kanab developers say they’re considering affordable housing (KUER)
‘No longer in danger of closing’: St. George Academy executive director stays optimistic despite setbacks (St. George News)

Northern Utah

What this week’s cold snap means for Utah’s blossoming trees
(KSL.com)
Salt Lake City remains in 2nd phase of water shortage plan, as county outlines new laws (KSL.com)
Salt Lake City hopes a federal grant will help mend an east-west transportation divide (KUER)

The West

Perspective: Idaho was named the least sinful state. As a Utahn, I am devastated (Deseret News)

The Nation

Multiple people were shot and unexploded devices were found at a New York City train station (Deseret News)
This U.S. airport is now the busiest in the world (Deseret News)
New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigns after being arrested (Deseret News)
New poll: Majority of Americans support Biden’s proposals to fight climate change (Deseret News)

The World

Putin admits talks with Ukraine are at a dead end (Deseret News)
Why are over 14,000 Etsy sellers on strike? (Deseret News)
Tropical Storm Megi: Rescuers race to find survivors as death toll rises (BBC News)

Entertainment

A singer has unexpectedly dropped out of ‘American Idol’ ... again
(Deseret News)

Commentary: Utah Jazz’s regular season will be remembered, but how?

If the Utah Jazz were to do the unexpected — at this point, the unthinkable — and run through the playoffs on their way to an NBA title, it would frame a lot of what happened this season in a completely different way than it’s all seen right now.

In 10 years no one would be talking about infighting or tension or problems the Jazz had throughout the 2021-22 season. Instead, fans would be able to regale friends with tales about a Jazz team that nobody believed in, the team that nobody thought could reach the pinnacle of basketball and proved everyone wrong.