The notion of the wide open West being an antidote to the ills of urban civilization is tested in the latest report from the American Lung Association.

In 2022, 96 counties in 15 states got failing grades for short-term particles, and 86 of them were in 11 Western states.

Here are some other noteworthy findings:

• The Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem area was among the top 10 places in the country suffering from ozone. Six of the others were in California.
• When it comes to particulate pollution, both Washington and Iron counties got A grades.
• Iron County also got an A grade for its level of ozone.
• St. George ranked No. 8 for the best cities for year-round particle pollution, tying with three other cities.

Why Tulsi Gabbard sent Mitt Romney a cease-and-desist letter

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard recently sent Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and former television personality Keith Olbermann cease-and-desist letters over their statements "asserting that Gabbard was parroting false Russian propaganda."

Why it matters

Gabbard said last week on Fox News’ "Tucker Carlson Tonight" that Romney’s and Olbermann’s statements create a chilling effect where people are afraid to express their views.

Meanwhile, Romney's March tweet that Gabbard is demanding he take down said Gabbard's "treasonous lies may well cost lives."

Read more about Gabbard's cease-and-desist letters.

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