Utah

Opinion: Utah’s commitment to true conservation

Published

3 months ago

October 5, 2024

Opinion: Utah’s commitment to true conservation

Generations ago, pioneers arrived in the harsh yet beautiful terrain of the Utah desert, determined to make a home. They faced countless challenges, but through collaboration and respect for the land, they cultivated thriving communities. Those who called this place home before us understood the delicate balance between using the land for survival and preserving it for future generations. This principle of stewardship has guided Utahns ever since.

Unfortunately, this code has been eroded by a recent federal rule adopting a “look, but don’t touch” approach that has left outdoor enthusiasts feeling excluded. The federal government’s approach underscores a troubling trend that makes it clear that managing Utah’s public lands from Washington, D.C., is not the solution. That’s why Utah is asserting its right to manage our lands. We believe in local stewardship, proven through our track record of responsibly managing state lands for the benefit of all Utahns and future generations.

The new version of the Public Lands Rule released earlier this year redefines conservation. This fundamental change of course from the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), enacted without congressional approval, now includes “conservation” as a defined “use” and allows special interest groups to close down access to public lands across Utah. The federal government claims the Public Lands Rule will safeguard public lands. In reality, it restricts local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employees and their partners at the state and local levels from improving and restoring Utah’s landscapes and watersheds effectively. This new rule will shut down access to Utahns’ favorite spots and limit activities we’ve done for generations on public lands like camping, hiking, biking, fishing and driving off-highway vehicles.

Most people know me as a conservative, but I’m also a conservationist — the two are not mutually exclusive. Activist companies and organizations have hijacked the meaning of true conservation, pushing for strong environmental regulations that misuse the terms “preserving” and “protecting” the land, with the real goal being to restrict access from nearly every possible angle. The way I see it, the best kind of environmental conservation stems from being a wise and respectful steward of the land, working to make it better, and not keeping it closed from public access.

The federal government has not always had such a radical approach. Fifty years ago, they took a much more common sense approach with FLPMA, which “required lands to be carefully managed to balance uses such as livestock grazing, thinning woodlands, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and riding recreational vehicles.” We’ve strayed well off of that balance, and it’s time to get back on track.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve spent time working and playing on Utah’s land. I love Utah’s lands. Ranching, hunting, fishing and growing crops are in my blood. This deep-rooted connection has fostered respect and appreciation for our land. I feel the weight of wisely managing our resources, protecting wildlife and proudly preserving our natural heritage for the generations to come, just as well as those who came before me did.

Already, Utah’s state and local governments bear the brunt of the management burden, a nearly impossible task made even more daunting under the new, restrictive regulations. When a crisis strikes, like a raging wildfire or spring flooding, our hands are bound with red tape, forcing us to seek permission before deploying critical resources. The federal government’s failures in wildfire control, flood prevention and water management are both a burden on our state and proof that Utah can do it better.

That’s why Utah has filed a legal suit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to address whether the federal government can simply hold unappropriated lands within a state indefinitely. Federal lands dominate Utah’s landscape, with the federal government controlling two-thirds of the state’s entire land.

From their offices in Washington, D.C., the federal government insists it knows best while forcing policies that leave locals to pay the price. Conservation should involve both protecting the land and allowing for sustainable use. We have proven our public lands can remain accessible and productive for all. The short-term thinking of people who suggest that locking the gate and throwing away the key, restricting access, could only come from people who have never experienced a night under Utah’s stars.

It’s time for a different approach. By fostering collaboration and respecting multiple-use principles, we can conserve and actively manage our lands. The State of Utah can and will apply policies that benefit the environment and support Utahns’ tradition of spending time on our beloved public lands.

Rep. Mike Schultz is the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives

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Utah

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Florida State came up short in its pursuit of a top running back transfer.

On Tuesday, Utah State running back transfer Rahsul Faison announced he was committing to South Carolina. Faison chose the Gamecocks over FSU, Alabama, North Carolina, UCLA, and UCF.

The Seminoles hosted Faison for a visit last weekend but he continued to take trips elsewhere. Florida State could very well kick the tires on another transfer during the spring window.

Faison spent two seasons with the Aggies and had a career year in 2024 where he rushed 198 times for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 99 yards. He had five games of 100+ rushing yards, including a season-high 20 carries for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 55-10 victory against Hawaii on November 16. He was named second-team All-Mountain West for his performance last fall.

During his first season at Utah State, Faison rushed 118 times for 736 yards and five touchdowns. In total, he appeared in 25 games, making 13 starts, and totaled 316 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Faison also caught 33 passes for 151 yards.

The Pennsylvania native signed with Marshall as a two-star prospect in 2019. He ultimately spent that season at the junior college level at Lackawanna College and was with the Thundering Herd in 2020. Faison didn’t appear in a game with either program and elected to go back to the JUCO level with Snow College. He rushed 88 times for 355 yards and six touchdowns prior to transferring to Utah State.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back has at least one season of eligibility remaining due to the new junior college ruling.

READ MORE: Elite FSU Quarterback Commitment Gets First Chance To Meet New OC Gus Malzahn

Florida State has six scholarship running backs eligible to return in 2025; redshirt senior Roydell Williams, redshirt senior Caziah Holmes, redshirt junior Jaylin Lucas, redshirt sophomore Samuel Singleton Jr., sophomore Kam Davis, and redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy.

The Seminoles signed four-star Ousmane Kromah during the Early Signing Period.

READ MORE: Standout Utah State Running Back Transfer Lists Florida State In Top-Six

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

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• Florida State Adds FCS Quarterbacks Coach To Off-Field Staff

• Florida State Lands Explosive Tennessee Wide Receiver Transfer Squirrel White

• Florida State Secures Veteran Memphis Linebacker Transfer Elijah Herring

• Former FSU Defensive End, Seminole Legacy Transferring To Third School In Three Years

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Utah

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

Published

12 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

PROVO, Utah — A teacher within the Alpine School District is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after allegedly uploading child porn to the internet. Travis Adamson, 49, is currently being held without bail.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 News, investigators were first notified of the potential crime at the end of April 2023. Adobe Inc. reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via CyberTip that a user had uploaded files containing depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on their account.

The CyberTip also included account information regarding the suspect user, including an IP address and email address that belonged to a teacher within the Alpine School District. Detectives used geo-location to trace the suspect’s IP address and found it was located within or near the city limits of Provo.

The school district confirmed to investigators that Adamson was still an employee within the district.

On Monday, detectives interviewed Adamson at the school where he confirmed that he was the sole user of the Adobe account and admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material.

Adamson also told detectives that he had downloaded several thousand images and videos onto his hard drive which is located at his home. He denied ever photographing or doing anything sexual or inappropriate with his students or other kids.

Detectives are now working to get access to Adamson’s hard drive and more charges could be coming.

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Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

Published

20 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

The Utah Utes have made headlines by cracking the AP Top 25 at No. 22 for the first time this season, following a hard-fought 75-67 win over Iowa State. This marks Utah’s third consecutive season being ranked, despite an unexpected coaching change early in the season. Head coach Lynne Roberts departed for the WNBA, leaving longtime assistant Gavin Petersen to step in. Under Petersen’s leadership, Utah has thrived, demonstrating resilience and cohesion.

Petersen credited the team’s ability to stay focused and overcome adversity. “Our resilient crew has stepped up and faced the adversity that’s in front of them,” Petersen said. Utah’s win over Notre Dame during a Thanksgiving tournament was a pivotal moment that signaled their strength and potential.

Utah has ‘big money’ problem with a billionaire calling NIL shots for rival

The competition for dominance in women’s college basketball continues to intensify as the Big Ten and SEC assert themselves as the sport’s premier leagues. This week’s Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll highlights the strength of both conferences, with each boasting seven ranked teams, including four in the top 10.

The Big Ten’s recent expansion with the addition of No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 USC has bolstered its claim as the top league. UCLA’s consistent performances, including a victory over South Carolina, solidify their place at the top of the rankings, earning 30 of 32 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the SEC has also grown stronger with No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Oklahoma joining the conference. South Carolina, a perennial powerhouse, remains No. 2 and will face Texas in a highly anticipated showdown.

This week, the Utes prepare for a marquee matchup, hosting No. 12 Kansas State at the Huntsman Center. This game not only pits two top-25 teams against each other but also serves as a litmus test for Utah’s aspirations in the Big 12.

As Utah continues its unbeaten run in conference play, upcoming matchups against No. 11 TCU and No. 17 West Virginia will provide further opportunities to climb the rankings and solidify their standing among the nation’s elite.

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