On May 30, 1910, U.S. President William Howard Taft created the Rainbow Bridge National Monument in southern Utah by executive order.
The massive sandstone arch, located in a remote area just south of Lake Powell, is one of the highest and longest natural bridges in the world, with a height of 245 feet and a span of over 230 feet.
Tell me: As Utah's national parks and monuments are overwhelmed with visitors, what is the best experience you've had in Utah's world-renowned national parks? What is the worst?
‘Flood the state with naloxone’: In the last decade, Utah bucked the national trend of opioid overdose deaths
In the last decade, Utah went from having one of the country’s highest rates of opioid overdose deaths to one of the lowest, bucking the national upward trend that came to a head in 2022, likely the deadliest year for overdoses in the U.S. ever.
In 2012, the Beehive State had 16.1 deaths from opioid overdoses per 100,000 people, tied with New Mexico for second highest rate in the country. Only West Virginia was higher, at 27.1.
By 2021, Utah had 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people, falling to 40th overall, and well below the national average of 24.7.
So, how did Utah do it?
One reason appears to be the amount of naloxone in Utah, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug that can be administered via nasal spray or syringe.
Between 2017 to 2021, the state recorded 297,881 doses of naloxone distributed. 80% of those doses came from Utah Naloxone, a nonprofit launched in the late ’90s after its founder's brother died of an overdose.
Read more about how Utah Naloxone flooded the state with this life-saving drug.
More in Health
What diseases do Americans fear the most? (Deseret News)
Young people aren’t connecting. Here’s why that’s a bigger problem than you think (Deseret News)
Join Dan Schilling, a former special ops agent, base jumping world record holder and recent Utah transplant, as he "speed rides" (low-altitude gliding with a parachute and skis) above his Alta home.
In this brilliant profile, Collin Leonard tracks Schilling's trajectory from California beach kid, to black ops specialist on the ground during the “Black Hawk Down” incident, to thrill seeking Utah resident and author.
The reader will see that Schilling is a man who has seen it all and who has found that the best way to deal with life's ups and downs is to accept the bad, remember the good and always seek to be totally and completely present in the current moment.
Read more about Schilling's life and the community he's discovered in Alta.
FROM OUR SPONSOR SALT LAKE PARADE OF HOMES
Get ready to be amazed at this year's Salt Lake Parade of Homes event!
With an impressive lineup of stunning homes, attendees can expect to witness the latest design trends, innovative technology, and masterful craftsmanship. Whether you're looking for inspiration for your upcoming home project or simply want to spend quality time with loved ones, this event is the perfect choice. Purchase your tickets today!
Faith
Visiting historic ‘Mormon Row’ and the renovated Pink House (Deseret News)
How faith and family influenced ‘American Idol’ winner Iam Tongi (Church News)
What the Joseph Smith Papers has meant to historians, scholars, editors as the epic project wraps up (Church News)
Politics
Sen. Mitt Romney supports debt ceiling deal; Sen. Mike Lee says it doesn’t go far enough (Deseret News)
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