One of the reasons the Southern California wildfires spread so quickly is the famous Santa Ana winds — strong, dry and often warm winds that blow west towards the ocean and stoke hotspots into fires.
What you might not know is that these winds actually originate in Utah. According to Deseret News reporter Dennis Romboy, “the winds typically form when a high-pressure system develops over the Great Basin, a large area of high desert that includes much of Nevada and parts of Utah and surrounding states.”
Read more about how the Santa Ana winds form and how they affect the wildfires.
Also on our minds:
At least 24 have died from the California wildfires, but a break in the weather may come soon
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at Trump inauguration
Utah Rep. Blake Moore proposes ‘pro-family’ bill to double the child tax credit
On Monday, Utah Representative Blake Moore introduced the Family First Act, a proposed enhancement to the U.S. child tax credit system. Here’s what you need to know:
The bill lobbies for increased credit from the existing child tax credit of $2,000 to up to $4,200 for families with a child up to age 5, and $3,000 for ages 6 to 17.
Families can claim these deductions for up to six children.
The proposed law also establishes a $2,800 tax credit for pregnant women.
In order to obtain full tax credit, households need to earn a minimum of $20,000, or $10,000 during pregnancy.
“There’s no better seat in Congress to do this from than a Utah seat,” Moore told the Deseret News last week. He noted Utah’s position as the youngest state in the country and its support for “strong pro-family culture and policies.”
Read more about The Family First Act and how politicians have responded to it.
The U.S. Supreme Court early Monday denied Utah’s lawsuit to acquire management of 18.5 million acres of federally owned land.
Utah filed its lawsuit against the United States government last August. The state argued that it is deprived of more than one-third of the land within its border, deeming the amount of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management “unconstitutional” and a federal policing of power.
In an effort to build a following under the lawsuit, state officials marketed campaign efforts such as Stand For Our Land to show the vast amount — nearly 69% — of Utah land was owned by the U.S. government and 34% of it was deemed “unappropriated,” meaning it is held with no significant purpose.
Without explaining why the case would not be heard, the justices issued an order stating, “The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied.”
Read more about how Utah lawmakers responded to the decision and their plans for the future.
More in Politics
UEA outlines priorities for 2025 legislative session (Deseret News)
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Phil Lyman’s challenge of Utah primary system (Deseret News)
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will not perform at Trump inauguration (Deseret News)
Peter Loge: What a great inaugural address can accomplish (Deseret News)
FROM OUR SPONSOR BYU 1984 MAGAZINE
Relive the glory: BYU’s championship season
This is more than a look back; it’s a tribute to the spirit and passion of the Cougar community. Step back in time and celebrate the legendary moments of BYU’s epic 1984 National Championship season! Order your copy and relive the championship journey with us. Celebrate the past, inspire the future.
Utah
Humane society, Best Friends help to relocate pets from California (KSL)
Gun-detection technology has been installed at more than 200 Utah schools (KSL)
West High principal placed on leave, no notification to parents, no explanation why (KUTV)
Nearly 20 artists to participate in the ‘Beyond Film’ program at 2025 Sundance Film Festival (ABC4)
Perspective
Jay Evensen: Do famous fire victims deserve sympathy, too? (Deseret News)
Perspective: The pornography industry should not be allowed this much access to our children (Deseret News)
The U.S.
The wildfires in California burn on, but a break in fire-enabling weather is on the horizon (Deseret News)
Bitcoin’s ‘Trump Bump’ fading amid upbeat economic data (Deseret News)
The World
Significant progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release, officials say (The Associated Press)
Tsunami advisory lifted after strong earthquake hits Japanese coast (ABC)
Sports
Free-throw shooting is not a skill to take lightly, says former NBA, BYU and SUU coach Roger Reid (Deseret News)
For BYU football, good news comes in sets of 3 (Deseret News)
2 Real Salt Lake stars were called up to the national team. Here’s what they said about the opportunity (Deseret News)
The Utah Jazz are having a bad season. But is it bad enough? (Deseret News)
Faith
What Pope Francis said about the Los Angeles fires (Deseret News)
Millions start bathing in holy rivers at India's biggest Hindu festival (BBC)
Health
Your beloved dog might be a hidden carrier of salmonella (Deseret News)
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:
BYU Winterfest: Ballroom Dance Company | Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Taylorsville
Utah Hockey Club vs. Montreal Canadiens | Delta Center 7 p.m.
BYU men’s basketball vs. Oklahoma State | Marriott Center 7 p.m.
Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!
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