What do you get when a Lutheran, an Episcopalian, a Catholic and the Salt Lake County mayor go on a hike in Little Cottonwood Canyon?

You get interfaith opposition to what the latter calls a "blight" on Utah's treasured canyon.

Faith leaders argue that new constructions in Little Cottonwood Canyon harm its beauty, shaming people for destroying "God's creation" for their own interests and luxury accommodations that provide the most benefit for a small group of people.

They also slam the use of public funds for such an "ambitious," and perhaps unnecessary, project. 

Congressional candidate Darlene McDonald says she and Rep. Owens have agreed to debate

Darlene McDonald, the Democratic candidate for Utah's 4th Congressional District told KSL NewsRadio that she and Republican incumbent Rep. Burgess Owens have agreed to debate each other this coming Friday, Oct. 28.

Rep. Owens made news earlier this month when he refused to attend the 4th Congressional District debate on Oct. 12 due to Lauren Gustus, executive editor of The Salt Lake Tribune, hosting the event. Owens pulled out last minute due to The Tribune's tie to the debate, which he says ran a “racist” cartoon about him last year.

“I will not, in good conscience, have anything to do with the racist Salt Lake Tribune, and will therefore not participate in this debate,” the first-term Republican said in a Youtube video.

This week's upcoming debate will be hosted by James Curry, a University of Utah political science professor. But, there's a significant face missing. McDonald said that the United Utah Party candidate, January Walker, has not been invited to attend.

Read more about the debate.

More in Politics:

• Perspective: Did social conservatives get played by the Ulta controversy? (Deseret News)

• Utah Senate race: Referendum on direction Trump has led GOP (KUTV)

• Snowboarder Jeremy Jones wants climate concerns to fuel the youth vote (KUER)

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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.

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The Wasatch Front:

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Southern Utah:

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