The only BYU scoring performances topping AJ Dybantsa’s 43 points today:
Jimmer Fredette 52
Jimmer Fredette 49
Tyler Haws 48
Jimmer Fredette 47
Bob Skousen 47
Jimmer Fredette 45
Dave Eastis 44 pic.twitter.com/wv8cRlPfNV— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) January 25, 2026
Utah
Opinion: Let's work together to develop solutions for immigration
With the new administration officially taking the reins, the future of immigrants in the United States is precarious. Immigration was a significant factor for about 6 in 10 voters in the presidential election, and they will be looking to newly minted leaders — who ran on a platform promising to address it — for action. But as we begin to explore the immigration issue in Utah and across the country, we need to remember the benefits that immigrants bring to our country and work together to develop comprehensive, bipartisan solutions.
Immigrants’ contributions to our country’s economic growth cannot be understated. As of last year, there were 31 million immigrants working in the United States — or 18.6% of the total labor force. In Utah, almost 10% of our population is foreign-born. These immigrants are essential workers, accounting for 14.7% of entrepreneurs, 10.6% of STEM workers and 20.5% of the construction workforce in the state. To sustain this growth and allow our economy to thrive, our legislators must simplify and create more legal pathways for immigrants to come to the United States. But our communities need immigrants for more than the economic benefits. These individuals and families contribute to our society as neighbors, friends, students and much more.
Communities are stronger when they consist of people with diverse ideas, backgrounds and perspectives. Our businesses, schools, churches and communities are made better by acceptance and openness. To be sure, there are steps that we must take to strengthen immigration policy, but as our elected leaders take these steps, they must endeavor to better understand these issues and develop more comprehensive solutions that foster creativity, innovation and better decision-making in our workplaces, schools and neighborhoods.
Having lived overseas for several years because of my husband’s work, I can sympathize with the immigrant experience. It is difficult to be a foreigner in an unfamiliar land. You’re functioning in an entirely new language. You lack the cultural cues and shared experiences that are crucial for navigating the school system, health care and everyday life. Still, I was fortunate to have the support of my husband and family, which not everyone does. This experience made clear to me just how much courage it takes to move to another country permanently. I admire immigrants — in the United States and beyond.
For instance, while living in the Middle East, I met families who fled their native countries for their safety and religious freedom. Many individuals fled their countries due to political instability or because they were driven by their most deeply held beliefs. They faced incredible danger to reach safety. Hearing their touching stories about escaping their countries was humbling and inspiring.
They were allowed temporary refugee status in neighboring countries, but many were applying for asylum in the United States, Canada or other countries that offered more stability and opportunity. This process was long, expensive and filled with uncertainty. Some waited years — and others are still waiting. According to the International Rescue Committee, there are currently “more than two million pending asylum cases in the U.S. The backlog of asylum cases has led to unprecedented waiting times, forcing asylum seekers to endure waits of up to seven years.”
These families live in limbo: They can’t return to their home countries due to the danger they face, and they can’t stay permanently in their current country. The long, arduous pathway to citizenship in the U.S. often puts people in difficult positions, even if they are trying to do things legally.
When I moved back to Utah, I was welcomed by my neighbors, my church and my community at large. Every immigrant who is here to contribute should be met with the same receptivity. Our laws and communities must be more open to people from other countries. Change and growth are difficult, but integration makes us stronger — and immigrants aren’t the only ones who benefit. Regular interactions with people from different cultures promote tolerance and challenge stereotypes, helping us see each other as individuals, neighbors, co-workers and friends. Accepting others into our communities doesn’t mean betraying our beliefs or traditions; it means recognizing that, as humans, we share more in common than we differ.
We need immigrants as workers — but moreover, for their ideas and friendship. Legislators must create more legal pathways for immigrants — and as citizens, we must welcome them when they arrive.
Utah
Missing Utah children located in Croatia; woman arrested, family members say
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Four Utah children who disappeared with their mother in November have been located in Croatia, according to various updates shared by family members.
The children were seen on surveillance video at Salt Lake City International Airport boarding a plane for Europe with their mother Elleshia Seymour in late November, 2025.
An ‘Endangered Missing Advisory’ for the four children was issued on December 10 by the Utah Department of Public Safety.
“The kids are trapped in Croatia in a state-run orphanage,” wrote the family in an update on a GoFundMe page on January 25, 2026. “We are in the country, trying to get the kids out of the custody of the local government.”
According to another family member, who shared an update in the early morning hours of Jan. 26, 2026, Elleshia Seymor was arrested on Jan. 15 in Dubrovnik, a coastal city on the southern tip of Croatia.
“We are only allowed to see the kids for two hours a day, which we do to keep up their spirits,” wrote the family member. “I cannot understand why they haven’t released the kids to us, as no one else is requesting custody, but we will keep working to get the kids released. If all else fails, we will apply through the International Court at the Hague. Once that application is sent in, they have six weeks max to decide on the matter. So we are still working daily, but prepping for the long haul.”
Elleshia Seymour was charged on December 16, 2025, with four counts of third-degree felony custodial interference by removing a child from the state. A warrant for Seymour was issued on December 17, 2025.
2News spoke with Kendall Seymour just days later, as he continued to search for his children and his ex-wife.
“She forged my signature on passports and took them early Sunday morning,” he said on December 20. “Once someone leaves the country, it becomes months instead of weeks.”
According to a family member, Kenny arrived in Croatia on January 18, 2026, along with other family members, and they’ve been trying to get the children released.
2News reached out to West Jordan Police for additional information and is awaiting a response.
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Utah
Utah misses national winter storms as dry, cold conditions persist
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — We saw the coldest temperatures of the season Sunday morning after SLC hit 18 degrees, and we will get close to it again Monday morning, dropping to 20 degrees.
While the eastern half of the country deals with ice, snow and extremely cold temperatures, generally our weather stays dry and cold, which is expected for the upcoming work week across Utah.
Monday is dry and mostly sunny with high temperatures getting warmer than the weekend. Highs will hit the mid-40s Monday afternoon.
Air quality improved over the weekend. As we head into Monday, the Utah Division of Air Quality has forecasted moderate air—yellow air—starting Monday into Tuesday.
A little bit of haze tries to form, but a couple disturbances, mostly bringing clouds from the northwest, keep our air moving just enough that the inversion might not get as bad as last week.
After the coldest temperatures of the season this weekend, temperatures slowly warm over the next seven days, and no significant precipitation is expected anywhere in Utah through at least the next work week.
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Utah
‘This is a special player’: AJ Dybantsa saves his best BYU performance for rival Utah
Before arriving at BYU, AJ Dybantsa admittedly didn’t know much about the school’s fierce rivalry with the University of Utah.
But fans in the Beehive State and beyond won’t be forgetting about Dybantsa’s Saturday performance anytime soon — if ever — as the freshman phenom forcefully entered rivalry lore by pouring in a career-high 43 points against the Runnin’ Utes.
“I (didn’t) know too much about the rivalry. Like, I’m from Boston, but people were just dragging it the whole time, talking about Utah this, Utah that, so I was like, ‘I guess I’ll go off for y’all,’” Dybantsa said, drawing laughs from those gathered around him postgame in the media room.
Dybantsa earned his 43 points on 15 of 24 shooting from the field, repeatedly outmaneuvering Utah’s attempts to double-team him.
Additionally, he hit 4 of 5 3-pointers — a new personal best — and 9 of 10 shots from the foul line, also adding six rebounds, three assists and a block to his superb stat line.
“That was impressive. In my mind I was thinking, ‘Man, this is a special player,’” BYU head coach Kevin Young said.
“I’ve said it a lot, I think he is the clear cut No. 1 pick in the NBA draft coming up. It was on full display tonight. He was doing it every which way.”
While Dybantsa did score 19 points in the first half, it wasn’t until after halftime that he realized exactly what he was doing.
“When I hit like 26, Rob (Wright III) and Tyler (Mrus) were like, ‘Keep being aggressive,’ but then Tyler said, ‘You better get 40,’” Dybantsa said.
“I looked up at the scoreboard, and I was like, ‘I might be able to get it.’ Then I kept going off and making shots. … I just thank my teammates for just giving me the ball in the right spots, and God was on my side. I was hitting shots.”
Dybantsa’s 43 points — the most at BYU since Chase Fischer’s 41 in 2015 — broke the program’s single-game freshman scoring record of 36 points that was previously set by Danny Ainge in 1977.
But Ainge, in any of his four years as a Cougar, never scored 43 points in a game.
In fact, there have only been seven better scoring performances in BYU history than that of Dybantsa on Saturday, with four coming from Jimmer Fredette alone.
“It feels good to break any record, even if it was Danny’s or not,” Dybantsa said.
For Young, the most impressive aspect of Dybantsa’s day was his response to a season-worst 13 points and loss at Texas Tech the week before.
“He was coming off his worst performance of the year. He wasn’t good at Texas Tech, and he came out tonight unfazed and clearly wanted to just go out and dominate,” Young said.
Utah’s own head coach with NBA experience, Alex Jensen, made sure to give Dybantsa his flowers as well.
“He’s a generational talent, and he showed what he’s capable of tonight,” Jensen said. “There’s no telling how good he could get. … Great player, and he can do a lot of things. Sky’s the limit.”
Dybantsa wasn’t the only freshman in the country to go crazy on Saturday. Fellow Big 12er Kingston Flemings posted 42 points for Houston in a close loss at Texas Tech, while Keaton Wagler of Illinois exploded for 46 points in an upset at No. 4 Purdue.
“We were actually watching (Texas) Tech vs. Houston (before playing Utah), so I saw Kingston when he hit that 42 mark,” Dybantsa said. “I was like, these freshmen are going crazy.
“We have a crazy class, I think one of the best in recent years. It feels good. I’ve been playing against these guys since I was 15, so I’ve seen these guys grow, and it’s amazing to be a part of it.”
Immediately following the win over Utah will be BYU’s toughest test yet — hosting No. 1-ranked, 20-0 Arizona Monday night in the most highly-anticipated Marriott Center matchup since Fredette faced off with Kawhi Leonard and San Diego State in 2011.
But Dybantsa is ready to rock.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but that’s what you live for,” Dybantsa said. “This is why I came to the Big 12, to play teams like this.
“… We’re looking to hand (Arizona) their first loss. The Marriott Center is going to be behind us and we’ll be prepared for them.”
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