You may encounter something a little spooky this week if you go through a Wendy's drive-thru: artificial intelligence taking your order instead of a person.
Wendy’s has been rolling out the technology slowly this year, and it finally made it to Jennifer Graham's local restaurant.
"With no advance warning, it was a bit disconcerting, not only to not have another human being talking to me, but to see my words — with every 'um' and 'uh' included — displayed on the screen," Graham writes.
"I had not been prepared for this test," she says.
“The AI voice-ordering feature is powered by Google Cloud’s large language model, processes orders in English and Spanish, and intends to give crew members more time to prepare food," John Kell reported in Fortune.The initial test in Columbus showed that AI-enabled drive-thru service times were 22 seconds faster than the average in the region.”
Speaking of fast food, here are the best deals for free and cheap food on Halloween.
Utah’s housing crossroads: Can affordability be preserved in a growing state?
Housing affordability is one of the top issues for Utah voters this year. Lack of supply and gradual rise in home costs have contributed to a challenging housing market for Utahns.
An event hosted by the Sutherland Institute and the American Enterprise Institute brought together state and national housing experts to discuss Utah's housing dilemma and the unaffordable reality future generations will face if nothing is done to solve it.
Major issues facing Utah were highlighted in a presentation by the co-director of AEI’s housing center, Edward Pinto:
Since 2018, the average price of a home in Utah has increased by more than 75%, from $305,000 to $535,000.
In 2023, Utah was ranked as the most unaffordable state for blue-collar workers to buy an entry-level home.
Utah’s housing supply has been unable to keep up with in-migration rates, and around 28,000 homes need to be built annually to meet demand.
To meet the rising demand for housing, new construction must embrace innovative solutions without compromising a city’s integrity.
One solution is the building of light-touch-density homes, a term coined by Pinto. These types of builds involve increasing the density of single-family lots by allowing 2-8-plexes, townhouses or accessory dwelling units.
"I believe it’s a moral imperative that we provide the American dream to our kids and grandkids, that they can actually be better off than we are," said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Read more about how experts and officials are seeking solutions to secure affordable homes for future.
“Big-mountain skiing with a family-owned, local vibe. Outstanding terrain, lodges, and lifts. (Please don’t tell anyone!)”
That’s how one Ski magazine reader described Snowbasin Resort in northern Utah, which the publication named top ski resort in the West in its 2025 Resort Guide.
“The notion that the No. 1-ranked ski resort in North America could be considered a ‘best-kept secret’ or a ‘hidden gem’ seems inconceivable,” according to the magazine. “Yet those are the words that filled Snowbasin’s comment section in our annual Ski Reader Resort Survey.”
While Snowbasin isn’t a household name, Ski magazine’s survey shows it resonates with people for a number of reasons, including easy access, a fast lift network, reliable snow coverage and customer service that’s focused on the quality of the ski experience.
Read more about how Snowbasin topped Ski magazines readers' choice survey.
More in Utah
The curse of the petrified forest in Escalante, Utah (Deseret News)
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!
Health
Why is walking pneumonia on the rise, including in kids? (Deseret News)
Wait, Now Standing Desks Are Bad? What Office Workers Can Do (WebMD)
McDonald's E. Coli Case Count Rises as Federal Officials Inspect an Onion Grower (U.S. News)
💭 Kelsey Dallas: How should Hollywood handle religion? (Deseret News)
Church releases 4th and final volume of ‘Saints’ series (Church News)
Immigrants go from learning English to teaching it (Church News)
6 ways to build a lasting bond with your grandkids (LDS Living)
These states are the friendliest and freest for faith groups this election year, new study says (Fox News)
Politics
Here are 5 of the closest U.S. House races to watch (Deseret News) Will Gen Z’ers show up at the polls? (Deseret News)
Utah County attorney confirms investigation into ‘concerning’ ballot tracking; another state lawmaker says clerk knew method she used to vote (Deseret News)
Jeff Flake says he supports Harris because he is confident she will accept election results (Deseret News)
Thomas B. Griffith: When did moral character stop becoming vital to leadership in our democracy (Deseret News)
Uncomfortable Nikki Haley backers weigh their options with Election Day looming (NBC News)
The Nation & The World
Median U.S. gas price dropping, but experts say it’s not about the election (Deseret News)
💭 Jay Evensen: Halloween was so much worse in the good old days (Deseret News)
Deadliest flooding in nearly 30 years hits Spain, at least 95 dead (Deseret News)
Bird flu has been found in a pig for the first time in the U.S. (NPR)
Menendez brothers receive support for clemency from Los Angeles County DA George Gascón (CBS News)
Sports
How BYU arrived at 8-0 — and where can it go from here? (Deseret News)
Kalani Sitake’s leadership key in 8-0 run, ranking (Deseret News)
After an offseason unlike any other, BYU set to tip off season where the sky is the limit (Deseret News)
Are sports fans taking things too far? (Deseret News)
Utah HC acquires veteran defenseman Olli Määttä. Here’s why (Deseret News)
Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series (ABC News)
Utah High School Girls Soccer Tournament Streaming Guide: 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A (KSL Sports)
Home Stretch: Brooke Hale Gives Insight on the Utah’s Women’s Soccer Team (The Daily Chronicle)
Entertainment
How this Utah violinist wound up playing for a Luxembourg prince (Deseret News)
Ring offers $100,000 prize for anyone who can prove the existence of ghosts (Deseret News)
🗓️ Events Calendar
We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah the next month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!
Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:
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