Amid all the horrible news coming out of Israel and Gaza, you're not alone if you're feeling a bit of "news exhaustion."
But here's a news story you won't want to miss — one filled with hope and unity. Read this Deseret News summary of a video posted on X with the caption, "Beautiful: an entire Israeli neighborhood gathers on their balconies to sing Hatikva, our national anthem. We will not be broken."
Utah, Idaho among top 10 states with most ‘severe’ housing underproduction
A new report issued Thursday found the U.S. housing shortage has “accelerated” in suburbs and small towns — a shift from earlier findings that revealed a housing crisis primarily centered in U.S. coastal and urban areas.
In order of severity, here are the top five states with the most severe housing underproduction, according to the report:
California, with a shortage of over 881,000 homes
Idaho, with a shortage of over 42,000 homes
Utah, with a shortage of over 61,000 homes
New Hampshire, with a shortage of over 31,000 homes
Oregon, with a shortage of over 87,000 homes
Utah actually made a sizable dent on its housing shortage in 2021, according to more local estimates, bringing it to 31,000 in 2021 compared to about 56,800 in 2017.
However, as homebuilding activity contracts amid today’s high mortgage interest rates, researchers now expect Utah’s housing shortage will worsen, likely to increase to over 37,000 units by 2024.
It’s also worth considering that even though states like Utah and Idaho continue to have a housing shortage problem like other states across the U.S., they’re also among the top states that have built the most housing over the past decade. Their housing shortages are largely due to the fact that they’re among the fastest growing states in the nation.
Read more about housing underproduction at the national level.
As news continues to come out about the atrocities committed in Israel, Utah Rep. Blake Moore says urgent action is needed to overcome the House GOP’s paralysis and provide aid to the Jewish nation.
The U.S. House of Representatives has been all but incapacitated for the last two weeks, with conference members failing to unite around the nominee who won Wednesday’s GOP election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
But among a majority of House Republicans “there is a sense of urgency” to settle on leadership and address the issues that are currently being delayed, said Moore, who represents Utah’s 1st Congressional District.
That sense of urgency is all the more acute for Moore, who remembers being on a bipartisan trip to Israel speaking with the residents of Kfar Aza, a small southern Israeli town two miles from Gaza, and the site of some of the most unspeakable crimes from Saturday’s massacre.
“It would be horrifically tragic whether I’m a congressman or not, but the fact that I was in one of these kibbutzes that got terrorized less than 18 months ago? It makes it real,” Moore said. “I don’t get to just say I stand with Israel. In this role, I get to vote for Israel, and I will.”
Read more about Moore's visit to Kfar Aza and how he hopes Congress will act to support Israel.
More in Politics
Rep. Blake Moore: House must elect speaker so it can aid Israel (Deseret News)
As VP, Biden emailed his son, brother and the Biden business entities 29,000 times (Deseret News)
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry attends pro-Israel rally in Utah (Deseret News)
Utah 2nd District debate candidates revealed as commission releases new poll (Deseret News)
Lawmaker proposes having Utah attorney general be appointed, not elected (FOX 13)
FROM UTAH BUSINESS
Are you ready to drive your business to new heights? Join us at Utah Business Forward on Nov. 16
Designed exclusively for executives to discover cutting-edge strategies, engage with industry experts, and network with like-minded professionals. Tracks include Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing, People & Culture, and Strategy. Purchase tickets now at forward.utahbusiness.com.
Health
Stroke predicted to kill 10 million a year by 2050, study says (Deseret News)
Ray Ward: Opioid epidemic deaths are higher than they have ever been. The CDC is not helping (Deseret News)
Faith
‘Our hearts ache’: Latter-day Saint leaders issue statement calling violence in Middle East ‘abhorrent’ (Deseret News)
The Little-Known History of Evangelicals’ Changing Israel Views (Christianity Today)
Salt Lakeand Uintah Counties
Gov. Cox says U. Health Population Center provides a model of health care for Utah and the U.S. (KSL)
Former Vernal city attorney accused of secretly filming female employees in restroom (KSL)
Utah County
Itzhak Perlman is a classical music rock star. His return to BYU was a reminder (Deseret News)
Heidi Balderree wins the special election to replace Sen. Jake Anderegg (Deseret News)
The West
Utah’s clawing way out of an extreme water deficit. Will it last? (Deseret News)
California Gov. Newsom signs law fast-tracking affordable housing on surplus land owned by churches, colleges (Fox News)
The Nation
How this proposed change could dramatically shift U.S. marijuana policy (Deseret News)
Jay Evensen: Why are so many young students carrying guns to school? (Deseret News)
The World
The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee. Here’s why (Deseret News)
As desperation in Gaza grows, Israel says it won’t allow aid to flow until Hamas releases hostages (Religion News Service)
Sports
It might take time for John Collins to find his footing with the Jazz, and that’s OK (Deseret News)
Kyle Whittingham explains why he does what he does (Deseret News)
Does the Big 12 have a legitimate Heisman hopeful? After last week, it just might (Deseret News)
NFL player says ‘God is good’ after parents find way home from Israel (Deseret News)
That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!