Utah
As Denver sends immigrants to Utah, Cox pushes back
SALT LAKE CITY — The City of Denver is bussing immigrants to Utah and now Gov. Spencer Cox’s office says it’s doing everything it can to stop the practice.
Senior Advisor and Director of Communications for the governor’s office, Jennifer Napier-Pearce, said in a statement sent to KSL NewsRadio that the City of Denver did not consult with them about sending immigrants to Utah.
“Just over two weeks ago we learned of an immigrant family at the Salt Lake City airport who had been sent by Denver officials with no resources and no place to go,” Napier-Pearce said in the statement.
It goes on to say that since learning of Denver’s policy, “We’ve worked with Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City to push back on the Department of Homeland Security, the city of Denver, the state of Colorado and the Biden administration demanding they immediately stop this practice.”
Has Denver been bussing immigrants to Utah?
Jon Ewing with the Denver Department of Human Services confirmed to KSL NewsRadio that they have paid for tickets to send 59 people to Salt Lake City in the past month and paid for 2,000 tickets for people in the past year and a half.
Ewing said in a statement that Denver has been incredibly transparent with all their newcomer operations, including onward travel efforts.
“The vast majority of newcomers arriving in Denver do so on buses chartered from Texas and had no intention of ever coming to Denver,” Ewing said. “That’s why part of our operations include purchasing tickets for newcomers to get to their desired location, where they may have support networks or job opportunities. In all cases, the destination is solely chosen by the newcomer.”
Ewing went on to say that they “Remain in close communication with officials to provide notification if larger groups are traveling or in the exceedingly rare occasion that a flight is booked.”
Cox speaks out
But that differs from what Cox said earlier today on X.
“Recently learned that the Democrat mayor of Denver has been sending illegal immigrants to Utah without proper notification or approval,” Cox’s post read.
We recently learned that the Democrat mayor of Denver has been sending illegal immigrants to Utah without proper notification or approval. This is completely unacceptable and follows on the failed catch-and-release policy of the Biden administration. Every state has received… https://t.co/pL4pShMTn2
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 14, 2024
Cox went on to say that “all 50 states, including Utah, are now border states due to the failed immigration policies of President Biden and Congress. Once again we call on the Biden administration and Congress to solve this crisis.”
Cox said the state’s resources are completely depleted.
A lack of immigration resources
Depleted resources are something immigration attorney Carlos Trujillo said he’s seen firsthand.
“I have been in a couple of the shelters. I have worked with the governor’s office for new immigrants, new Americans, and you can see how these people are sadly here in this country with nothing,” Trujillo said.
Trujillo agrees that the resources have been used up.
“The situation really is dire. And a lot these people also have children,” Trujillo said. “And that has been the concern of the many organizations that have been trying to help, is that we don’t want to see children on the street.”
Trujillo was hopeful that there were solutions to this problem. One thing he said needs specific attention is the current process for asylum seekers.
“It’s a very different wave of immigrants than before,” Trujillo said. “A very high percentage, I would say about 70%, if not higher, of these people arriving at the border, they are turning themselves in. They’re not coming in the shadows or anything like that.”
Another local response
The President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, State Rep. Angela Romero also weighed in today.
She said her office has been in close communication with the Denver mayor’s office. She said that when asylum seekers come into the country, they are asked where they want to go.
Romero asked that people not place blame on Colorado leadership and avoid dehumanizing families that have come into our communities.
Utah
San Antonio puts home win streak on the line against Utah
Utah Jazz (14-28, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (29-13, second in the Western Conference)
San Antonio; Monday, 5 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio will try to keep its three-game home win streak alive when the Spurs take on Utah.
The Spurs have gone 16-11 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio ranks seventh in the NBA allowing just 112.7 points per game while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The Jazz have gone 8-20 against Western Conference opponents. Utah is 4-5 in one-possession games.
The Spurs average 117.8 points per game, 9.8 fewer points than the 127.6 the Jazz allow. The Jazz average 6.7 more points per game (119.4) than the Spurs allow (112.7).
The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Jazz defeated the Spurs 127-114 in their last meeting on Dec. 28. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points, and Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Wembanyama is averaging 24.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks for the Spurs. Julian Champagnie is averaging 3.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Markkanen is averaging 27.9 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 6-4, averaging 112.5 points, 48.2 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.0 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 115.9 points, 41.8 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 8.0 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.3 points.
INJURIES: Spurs: Devin Vassell: out (thigh).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: day to day (illness), Georges Niang: day to day (foot), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah
Utah Jazz Trade Candidates to Watch Before NBA Deadline
Now over halfway into the 2025-26 regular season, the NBA trade deadline now sits just under a month away from transpiring. And if this year’s edition looks anything like last February, the Utah Jazz are bound to include themselves in a few trade talks, even if the moves to be made are minor ones in the grand scheme of the shuffling around the league.
Last season, the Jazz made five total trades at the deadline, largely to bring in future second-round draft capital and shed some of their veteran talent from the roster. They also found their way into multiple deals around the league as a third team, with the biggest of those being the blockbuster that sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers..
We might not see a trade of that magnitude for this year’s trade deadline, but for the Jazz in particular, a few names around the roster stick out as players to watch who could be on the move if the right deal comes across the table.
With that in mind, here are three Jazz players to watch on the trade market before the NBA deadline strikes in February.
1. Jusuf Nurkic
One of the more pleasant surprises on the Jazz’s roster this season, Nurkic has found his way into being a strong contributor when he’s on the floor, having started in 27 games on the year since Walker Kessler’s gone down with his shoulder injury to average a double-double of 10.4 points and 10.0 rebounds a night, while also leading the team in total rebounds (320).
However, over their past couple of games, Nurkic has been deemed a DNP-coach’s decision despite his solid production. It could be a sign of the Jazz wanting to lean further into their younger talent, a desire to move off of their veteran big man in the coming weeks via buyout or trade, or a combination of both.
Regardless, Nurkic’s age, expiring contract, and quality production through the first half of the year make him an appealing trade candidate to watch before the deadline hits. Considering his contract nets him $19.3 million, a trade could be tougher to iron out compared to a simple buyout.
So both directions for a split remain on the table, though ultimately a move out of Utah appears to be more and more likely the deeper into the season we get.
2. Kyle Anderson
Another veteran that’s been productive when given an opportunity this year is Kyle Anderson, who has only played 14 games for the Jazz within their first half of the season, but has been a quality veteran fill-in during those minutes. He’s averaged 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, shooting 51.8% from the field.
Anderson hasn’t gotten the PT he’s probably deserved due to the Jazz’s broader intentions of getting their young talent extended opportunities, but based on his sample size from this season, Anderson could have a spot on a competitive team as a depth component in the frontcourt, and perhaps could have some trade value because of it.
Anderson’s contract, like Nurkic’s, could complicate things. He’s due $9.2 million on the books this season, and could be due $9.6 million come next year, though that year of his deal is non-guaranteed. If a team finds his presence as a value add, though, they could find that investment worthwhile.
Therefore, don’t be surprised to see him as a moving piece for the Jazz in a trade over the coming weeks.
3. Svi Mykhailiuk
Svi Mykhailiuk, one of the Jazz’s more productive veterans of this season, is in a similar position as his big man teammate Jusuf Nurkic. He’s been a quality starter for over half of the year in his opportunities, but with the bigger rebuilding implications in play for Utah, he’s seen his recent share of minutes decrease quite drastically.
Despite averaging 9.0 points per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 38.5% from three in 36 appearances, he’s been a DNP in four of the Jazz’s past five showings. A good floor-spacer and experienced vet on the wing, there might be a market around the league for someone of his caliber, and especially on the team-friendly contract that he’s signed to.
Mykhailiuk is making $3.6 million this season, $3.8 million for the year following, and is on a team option worth just over $4.0 million in the summer of 2027. Especially in an NBA world of the new CBA and the cap-constrained teams that come with it, there could be some added traction on the Jazz’s veteran guard as a plug-and-play wing who can be added for a cheap cost.
Of all of the Jazz’s trade candidates, I’d circle Mykhailiuk as the most intriguing option to keep an eye on, and perhaps the most likely of all to find a new home before February 5th.
Be sure to bookmark Utah Jazz On SI and follow @JazzOnSI on X to stay up-to-date on daily Utah Jazz news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
Utah
Salesi Moa, Utah four-star athlete, picks Michigan football
Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham introduced to Crisler crowd
Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham introduced to Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
The Michigan football family has landed a new addition.
Salesi Moa, a recruit previously committed to Utah who entered the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 12, has committed to the Wolverines, he announced at the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu on Friday, Jan. 16.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete from Ogden, Utah, was one of the premiere recruits in the class of 2026. The four-star recruit is the No. 1 player in Utah, No. 3 athlete in the nation and No. 45 player overall, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings.
Moa is the fifth former Utah player or recruit to come to Michigan since the program hired Kyle Whittingham on Dec. 26.
Moa was aggressively recruited by the previous Wolverines staff. He had U-M in his final handful of schools and visited Ann Arbor during U-M’s 27-9 loss to Ohio State on the final weekend of November. He then committed to Tennessee, then flipped to Whittingham in his home state.
That was before Whittingham stepped down as the Utes’ head coach. Since than, he has been hired in Ann Arbor, and brought with him EDGE coach Lewis Powell – Moa’s uncle.
There could be more family connections to come: Moa’s brother, Aisea, a linebacker who previously played for Michigan State, has also been targeted by the Wolverines this cycle.
Whittingham also brought former Utah wide receivers coach Micah Simon with him. Listed as an athlete, Salesi Moa projects to play wide receiver – the position he was going to play for Simon in Provo. U-M’s previous staff originally recruited him as a defensive back.
Moa starred at both Weber and Fremont high schools, amassing 226 career catches for 3,757 yards and 44 touchdowns. That included a 2025 senior campaign in which he had 63 catches for 1,272 yards (20.2 yards per catch) and 16 touchdowns. He also played defense as a senior and recorded 57 tackles and three interceptions.
“Productive two-way athlete with slick athleticism that could play on either side of the ball in college, but might make the most sense at wide receiver,” wrote 247 Sports’ Andrew Ivins. “Finds ways to slip behind defenders and race into the deeper third as he’s a technically advanced route runner that can mix gears and create separation.
“Might not profile as a true WR1, but can emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level with his skill set.”
Michigan has loaded up on wide receivers this cycle, first landing former Texas wideout Jaime Ffrench Jr. and more recently receiving a commitment from former Utah tight end JJ Buchanan, who will also join Simon’s unit.
The Wolverines have made a concerted effort to surround quarterback Bryce Underwood with talent – they brought back five of their top offensive line recruits plus running back Jordan Marshall, then added five-star incoming freshman Savion Hiter into the backfield with him.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
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