The holidays are over, and no one needs to tell that to the Utah Food Bank.

“We run with our hair on fire during November and December,” says Heidi Cannella, the Utah Food Bank’s communications director.

But in January, “Oh man, it’s quiet here,” says Heidi.

And while it would be disingenuous to suggest there’s anything approaching a food crisis, now or ever, at the Utah Food Bank, it’s a fact that the problem of food insecurity is a constant that never goes away. Highlighting the year-round need to help never goes out of style.

Banning phones in class? Cheaper homes? 5 things to watch for in Utah’s upcoming legislative session

Utah’s 2024 legislative session begins in just over a week. As of this writing, there are 238 numbered bills, but if recent history holds, there will be over one thousands bill files opened, over 900 introduced and close to 600 passed into law.

Here are five broad categories to watch this legislative session:

• Education: Lawmakers will look at banning phones, absenteeism
• Social media for minors
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Water
• Affordable housing 

Read more about each category.

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

• Safe on the slopes: How to prevent winter sports injuries (KSL)
• Coronavirus FAQ: My partner/roommate/kid got COVID. And I didn't. How come? (NPR)

Faith

• A look back at messages geared toward young adults the past year (Church News)
• Rabbi Shmuley Boteach: Choosing life amid the loss of a parent, spouse or child (Deseret News)

Utah

• Not a mythical creature, but maybe a planet-saver: Methanotrophs and climate change (KSL)
• Art Lake City? Why Salt Lake is turning to more art as it grows (KSL)
• Emergency shelters overflow as most of Utah remains under ‘Code Blue Alert’ (KSL)
• Shawn Teigen: How do we improve Utah? Think tank’s top 2023 findings reveal where legislators should start (Deseret News)

The West

• Utah sees less homelessness than other western states (Axios)
• Phoenix mulls new homeless camping ban near schools, day care, despite legal perils (Arizona Republic)

The Nation

• Mid-air blowout puts Boeing back in the hot seat (Reuters)
• First US moon landing in decades to launch with NASA science, human remains on board (CNN)

The World

• Palestinians must be able to stay in Gaza - Blinken (BBC)
• The rebranding of Xinjiang (CBS)

Sports

• Puka Nacua breaks NFL rookie receiving yards and rookie receptions records (Deseret News)
• How meditation helped Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy reach the CFP National Championship (Deseret News)
• Meet the Utah Jazz staff member behind coaches challenges (Deseret News)