Utah
Fighter Jets Scramble Toward a Balloon Over Utah
It was spy balloon deja vu on Friday, when fighter jets rushed to intercept a small high-altitude balloon in the skies over Utah, reports the Deseret News. Per a statement later that day from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, the balloon was at between 43,000 feet and 45,000 feet when it was intercepted, but once it was checked out, concerns died down. “NORAD fighters over Utah … determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security,” the statement notes, adding, “NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon.”
An official tells CBS News it should have made it to the skies above Georgia by Friday night. On Saturday morning, there was further clarification, with a Defense Department official telling CBS News that the object was a hobbyist balloon. The outlet reports that the balloon was said to be made of Mylar and featured a 2-foot-by-2-foot box hanging underneath it. The AP notes that at one point, the balloon had also been spotted flying over Colorado. The balloon hullabaloo comes just over a year after a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina. (More balloon stories.)
Utah
Embattled Utah Rep. Trevor Lee loses county GOP convention — but wins enough support to make primary
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Schultz said lawmakers asked the attorney general to investigate allegations of fraud and bribery against Lee.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, running for reelection, addresses delegates during the Davis County Republican Party nominating convention at Syracuse High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Utah
A new bar brings the Himalayas to the foot of Big Cottonwood Canyon
Also from Utah Eats: A Utah baker ends his run on a Food Network competition; Lucky Slice’s territory grows.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Yeti, a Himalayan-themed bar in Cottonwood Heights, is pictured on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Utah
Zion National Park closes popular trail during ongoing search and rescue operation – KSLNewsRadio
FILE: An entrance to Zion National Park is pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. The West Rim and Angel’s Landing Trails are temporarily closed in Zion National Park for an ongoing search and rescue operation. (Ravel Call, Deseret News)
(Ravel Call, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The West Rim and Angel’s Landing Trails are temporarily closed in Zion National Park for an ongoing search and rescue operation.
According to park officials, an incident occurred on the Angels Landing trail at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17.
At the time of publication, emergency services and search and rescue officials were on the scene.
Views along the Angel’s Landing Trail, Zion National Park. (KSL)
No further information was available.
Other reading: Supreme Court, Justice Hagen respond to state investigation into misconduct allegations
This story is developing and may be updated.
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