Professional women's volleyball is starting up in Utah, and some former college stars from the state will be part of it.
Former BYU players Mary Lake and Roni Jones-Perry and former University of Utah player Dani Drews will be part of LOVB Salt Lake, a roster that also includes Olympians Haleigh Washington and Jordyn Poulter, who were silver medalists in Paris.
The new professional women’s volleyball league is called League One Volleyball Pro — or LOVB (pronounced “love”) Pro for short.
“It’s really exciting. You go through this really trying and difficult journey of getting another medal, of ending up in a gold medal match, and then you’re doing a brand new thing and you’re reevaluating your goals and you’re having a reset and you’re trying to learn and grow in a new space,” Washington told the Deseret News.
🏐 Read more about Utah's newest professional sports team.
Mitt Romney on the purpose of life: The exit interview
Earlier this month, Deseret News politics editor Suzanne Bates sat across from Sen. Mitt Romney in his Salt Lake City office to talk about the twists and turns of his political career and how he got through it.
Faith doesn’t just sustain him, it is a part of him, she observed.
During their conversation, he also marveled at the direction his life took, from running the Olympics to his two presidential runs, and serving the people of two very different states — one blue, one red — across the country from each other.
“My life has not followed any logical course. I could never have predicted the course it would take,” he said, with a sense of wonderment.
Here are a few more memorable quotes:
“If you define yourself by winning and losing elections, you’re going to have a sad life. And if you define yourself by your promotions at work, you’re going to be disappointed, most likely. But if you define yourself by your relationship with God and your faith and your family and friends, those are entirely in your control.”
"The purpose of my life is to make Ann happy and to raise a great family, to help build The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to preserve the union and freedom."
“Getting involved with the Olympics was for me, about showing the great qualities of humanity to the world, which is what the Olympics does. But then, with 9-11 occurring, our Olympics would also bring the world together in unity, to oppose extremism and violence and to rally around America. And so it took on an additional purpose and elevated for our team, but also for the athletes and the people of Utah, a significance that was even greater.”
Utah scored some major wins in 2024, Deseret News reporter Dennis Romboy writes.
"The Olympics are coming back. An NHL hockey team found a new home. A world leader of a war-torn nation paid Salt Lake City a visit. Another world leader closer to home turned 100 years old."
What were the top stories from our state in 2024? Deseret News editors have identified some of the most significant Utah stories/issues of the past 12 months.
"Overall, the Beehive State enjoyed a good year, though it wasn’t without controversy, such as over the future of beloved Abravanel Hall and ongoing issues from the continued effort to rehabilitate the Great Salt Lake," Romboy writes. "The state’s elections were spicy as a write-in candidate for governor made waves.
"Big plans that would reshape downtown Salt Lake City emerged, and the Salt Lake City Council voted to increase the sales tax to help fund the project. Another project to revitalize the city’s long-neglected west side also continues to move forward with local government support."
Packed with behind-the-scenes insights from players like Robbie Bosco and Kelly Smith, game-by-game highlights, and more, this collector's edition is your all-access pass to one of college football's most legendary seasons. Get your copy today and celebrate the triumphs of the 1984 BYU Cougars!
Utah
Sometimes we can't understand 'terrible choices': Slain West Valley family laid to rest (KSL)
Christmas to New Year's: Rough time for pets and their health (KSL)
Woman arrested, accused of damaging $10K cloth at Church History Museum (KSL)
Federal agencies release final decision revoking Northern Corridor; Zone 6 future uncertain (St George News)
Haze returns Saturday, active weather pattern develops next week (ABC4)
Health
Large meals after 5 pm could contribute to type 2 diabetes risk (Medical News Today)
Feeling Blue? Holiday Lights Might Be the Cure (WebMD)
FDA approves weight loss drug Zepbound to treat obstructive sleep apnea (NPR)
Faith
Why BYU is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling on the selection of university leaders (Deseret News)
How BYU animation students find success while relying on their faith (Church News)
Keeping the Savior at the forefront this Christmas (Church News)
The Nation and the World
Car plows into Christmas market in Germany, killing at least 5 and injuring 200 (NBC News)
Biden signs stopgap spending bill, preventing a government shutdown (NPR)
Sports
10 moments that defined 2024 football season for the BYU Cougars (Deseret News)
Utah’s loss to Iowa another case of what could have been (Deseret News)
Utah’s resilience shined through during nonconference play. The next challenge? Competing in the Big 12 (Deseret News)
BYU appears Big 12 ready in dominant win over Florida A&M (Deseret News)
Utah Valley out to build wrestling contender, and a hometown hero already is one (KSL)
🗓️ 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:
Hunt Family Live Nativity | Ogden
Utah Hockey Club vs. Anaheim Ducks at home | 3 p.m.
Please reach out to me at sgambles@deseretnews.com if you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas you would like to share!
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