Christmas Day is over (though for some, the Christmas season lasts until early January) but the holiday celebrations don't need to end. Find out how to build a holiday for your family to celebrate in 2024.
Utah’s recreation economy is booming, reaping benefits for all
Collectively, snow enthusiasts contributed $602 million to Utah’s outdoor recreation economy, which saw its biggest financial gain in 2022 — raking in a total of $8.1 billion overall.
“Our ski season last year was a record breaker. We may not see a year like that one for a long time,” said Jason Curry, deputy director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
Key takeaways:
Snow activities generated $602 million.
RVing generated $538 million.
Boating and fishing generated $438 million.
Hunting, shooting and trapping generated $245 million.
OHV, motorcycling and ATVing generated $136 million.
Switchpoint, Salt Lake City and the State Office of Homelessness collaborated to open 50 microshelters in the city earlier this month as part of Utah’s ongoing effort to reduce homelessness.
The first of its kind in Utah, the microshelters are individual dwellings equipped with heating, beds, outlets, air conditioning and lighting. The units are occupied by a single resident. This kind of shelter is designed to help people get into permanent housing.
“When they’ve got their own space, we see a much better result of them accepting medical assistance, getting a state ID and finding more permanent housing,” Switchpoint executive director Carol Hollowell said.
Read more about why microshelters are only part of the solution.
More Utah News:
Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to 4 counts of felony child abuse (Deseret News)
Firefighters still investigating cause of fire that destroyed Orem home (KSL)
20 years after fatal avalanche, an investigator and survivor meet for the first time (KSL)
FROM VOICES
Carlos Boozer is back!
Join us Jan. 31 for an exciting evening featuring Carlos Boozer. Hear his captivating story and a lively Q&A session, as well as a memorable photo opportunity. Purchase tickets today.
Health
What people still don’t get about loneliness (Deseret News)
Experts share which social media health trends to leave behind in 2023 — and which are worth carrying into 2024 (CBS)
Faith
Less church, less prayer: Data challenges ‘spiritual but not religious’ mantra (Deseret News)
Dallas Jenkins says he’s ‘walking through land mines every day’ as he creates ‘The Chosen’ (Deseret News)
Family
Holly Richardson: From ‘Harry Potter’ to tapioca pudding: An ode to family traditions (Deseret News)
Elizabeth Grace Matthew: Bring back ‘happily ever after’ in the movies (Deseret News)
Science & Tech
Artificial intelligence was all the rage in ’23, as were concerns about where it is headed (Deseret News)
Cars are getting bigger. Can smarter software make them safer? (Wired)
Entertainment
What Deseret News reporters read in 2023 (Deseret News)
What is the most popular Taylor Swift era in each state? (Deseret News)
Politics
Special counsel Jack Smith asks judge to limit Trump’s speech in 2020 election trial (Deseret News)
Christine Cooke Fairbanks: What Democrats and Republicans have in common on education curriculum beliefs (Deseret News)
The West
City removes Seattle’s Black Lives Matter memorial garden (Seattle Times)
At crime scene, 'Gilbert Goon' girlfriend recounts deadly Halloween party (Arizona Republic)
Utah’s 2023 season began full of hope, but ended with a thud in Las Vegas.
Allegiant Stadium, which provided Utah fans with some great memories during the Utes’ back-to-back Pac-12 championships, was the site of another bad offensive performance in a season that had its fair share of them.
Season-ending injuries aplenty hampered the Utes — quarterback Cam Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe, tight end Thomas Yassmin, running back Chris Curry, wide receiver Mycah Pittman, linebacker Lander Barton, defensive end Logan Fano and defensive end Jonah Elliss (missed last two games), plus running back Micah Bernard, who missed all but two games.
What the Rams gave Puka Nacua for Christmas (Deseret News)
Where do BYU and Utah fall within the Big 12’s recruiting ranks? (Deseret News)
Photo of the Week
Jessica Fairbanks and Kristen Allen hold candles during the Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil in Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!