Sundance is in full swing, and one film stands out for its Utah ties. "Omaha" was written by BYU professor Robert Machoian and directed by BYU alum Cole Webley.
Machoian presented Webley with his script for “Omaha.” From the moment he finished reading it, Webley took it “full throttle” and decided to make the film as his directorial debut, Margaret Darby reported.
“I knew this was a special story that had to be told,” he said.
Read more about the Utah natives bringing "Omaha" to Sundance Film Festival.
Lawmakers debate the value of liberal studies amid possible cuts to higher ed
Thursday's gathering of the Legislative Higher Education Appropriation Subcommittee marked the first opportunity for lawmakers during the 2025 Utah legislative session to engage, indirectly, with House Bill 1 and House Bill 265 — the so-called “Budget Cut/Reallocation” bills designed to improve resource allocation within Utah’s higher education institutions.
HB1 outlines higher education appropriations.
HB265 calls for a system-guided criteria system to identify college programs with a high return of investment.
Here are three key points from the meeting, reported by Jason Swensen:
Legislative subcommittee ushers in examination of bills to alter operations of Utah's higher education institutions.
Several lawmakers champion the value of liberal arts education.
Utah's higher education leaders introduce proposed criteria evaluating the value of degree programs.
Read more about the discussion about the future of Utah's higher education system.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox outlined priorities on housing, energy and infrastructure during his 2025 State of the State address.
Referring to Utah's pioneer heritage, Cox said, "They built here. Almost 180 years later, our Utah desert has pulled off the most miraculous upset. The land has blossomed as promised, and our home has become the envy of the earth, and a worldwide destination.”
This strategy is what elevated Utah from a barren desert to one of the best destinations for families, businesses and new technologies, Cox told the combined Utah Legislature, Brigham Tomco reported.
“And so today, we are at a fork in the road: We can either press forward with our pioneer spirit, our grit, our industry and our faith, and build the next great chapter of Utah’s story — or we can be washed away in the negative, nationwide malaise of dysfunction,” Cox said.
Here are three key points from Cox's address:
Gov. Cox said Utah must plan for major growth or risk losing what makes the state special.
Cox renewed promises to incentivize construction of 35,000 starter homes and pass policies to double energy production.
Utah Democrats said growth can leave some communities behind if housing remains unaffordable.
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company presents RE-MIX (Feb. 1-3, 2025 | Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center), featuring Raja Feather Kelly’s Scenes for an Ending, jo Blake's coincidental coincidences, and the Company premiere of Kellie St. Pierre’s The Rate We Change. Find tickets at saltlakecountyarts.org.
Utah
Settlement with Sackler family may offer Utah vital funds to combat drug overdose epidemic (Deseret News)
Salt Lake City International Airport shatters passenger record — again (KSL)
Weber State recognized by U.S. Department of Education for efforts in student success (Utah Policy)
Eagle Mountain City Council halts ordinance revision to allow nuclear reactors, other new energy sources (Daily Herald)
Utah Tech launches lectures for local history buffs celebrating former times (St George News)
Davis High School seeking alums-turned-vets (Deseret News)
Health
With bird flu cases rising, certain kinds of pet food may be risky for animals – and people (CNN)
ADHD linked to shorter life expectancy, according to new study (The Hill)
Experts warn of risks amid Trump's public health communications pause (Deseret News)
Faith
What a Latter-day Saint apostle said about Martin Luther King Jr.’s insight on the Good Samaritan (Deseret News)
‘The power is in them,’ says Church commissioner of education of young Latter-day Saint learners (Church News)
The Nation and the World
Average rate on 30-year mortgage slips below 7% after climbing five weeks in a row (ABC News)
Rain headed for Southern California in weekend forecast (NBC News)
Sports
What’s the status of possible Utah Hockey Club names? (Deseret News)
Watch: Real Salt Lake star breaks nose then assists with goal minutes later (Deseret News)
Is Zach Wilson ready to start again? His Broncos teammates think so (Deseret News)
BYU Reliever Lands On Big 12 Baseball Preseason Team (KSL Sports)
🗓️ 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:
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