Utah
Opinion: What makes the ‘Utah Way’ a model for the nation?
As usual, Utah is leading the nation on key issues. We explore the importance of this and the political impact.
The Utah Foundation released a report stating Utah leads the nation in social capital, defined as how people use networks and social connections to benefit themselves and their communities. Why is this important to citizens and voters?
Cowley: Strong communities are the result of strong families and strong churches. Lucky for us, Utah has both. When social networks are robust, there is less need for the government to serve as a social safety net (more on this topic later). The holidays are especially tough. I encourage readers to reach out to that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, send a “thinking about you” text to a loved one or ask your dad/aunt/co-worker/cousin/neighbor/sister-in-law how they are doing, but actually mean it. Sometimes small things have the largest impact.
Pignanelli: “Robust social capital translates into heightened economic prospects and lower demands on the public sector. The Beehive State is thriving, but we still have work to do.” — Shawn Teigen, President, Utah Foundation
The release of this study was significant for several reasons. In this acerbic political environment, we needed a reminder that Utahns are an amazing people. The elements of the “Utah Way” are reinforced by metrics covering civic engagement, social cohesion, health, community and economic mobility. For 12 years, Utah has been among the leading states for social capital, demonstrating a deeply ingrained characteristic of our people.
Utah’s score is twice the national average, a mixed result that highlights our performance but also raises concerns about fellow Americans. Low social capital causes weaker economies and troubled communities, prompting legitimate bipartisan concern in the United States.
Local politicians need to address policies that continue this strength but at the same time take nothing for granted. Voters are hungry for such substance.
We should celebrate, but we should also share the secret of our success with other states. That is also the “Utah Way.”
Gov. Cox and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro joined forces on CNN to discuss the future of politics and what they are looking for in candidates to “lower the temperature” of political discourse. Will this have an impact on upcoming elections?
Cowley: There is a lot of political rhetoric circulating about protecting the Constitution, but just as important is protecting the soul of our nation.
These leaders from opposing parties and different religious affiliations find commonalities in their devotion to faith and patriotism, but unfortunately share something else — the experience of leading their respective states through politically motivated violence with strength, respect for humanity and a desire to “disagree better.” It’s a reminder to show respect to those across the aisle as we are all Americans, endowed with the same unalienable rights from our Creator.
This compassionate approach is where Cox differs significantly from Trump, and it plays well with Utahns who may support Trump’s policies but find his decorum lacking. Case in point: Trump’s vicious response to the murder of Rob Reiner. Not cool, Mr. President. Not cool at all.
Pignanelli: I consistently hear criticism from the left and the right toward Cox and his “disagree better” initiatives. When challenging these critiques, I never receive a rational explanation of why Cox is wrong. However, he provided the reason in his 2024 Republican convention speech: “You hate me because I don’t hate enough.”
Cox’s critics publicly and appropriately protest the vitriol directed at them by their ideological opposites. But they are frustrated that Cox is doing more than just “talking nice.” He is “walking the walk” by challenging all members of the political class (officials, pundits, media, etc.) to be respectful. Cox’s efforts will pay dividends through a subtle influence on the many voters who admire his admonitions.
Gail Miller announced a philanthropic gift from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation of $10 million for homeless services in Salt Lake City. Will this have an impact on homelessness in Utah’s capital city?
Cowley: Utahns’ commitment to neighbor-helping-neighbor is unmatched. It is families like the Millers that help make Utah special, and we are blessed to have them. Unfortunately, this problem cannot be solved with more money, by any one organization or by the government alone. It’s a community problem that requires community solutions.
Homeless Coordinator Tyler Clancy’s focus on cracking down on crime while connecting first responders with mental health resources will help cut the head off the snake. Rep. Melissa Garff-Ballard’s focus on connecting individuals to employment opportunities is also an important tool. But the most important intervention, as the Utah Foundation survey details, is family and neighbors caring for one another. This first line of defense can lessen the need for government to intervene after problems have festered.
Pignanelli: As someone who lives, works and recreates in Salt Lake City, I encounter homeless individuals every day. I hear their pleas for spare change and often clean the waste they leave behind. Along with other residents and fellow business owners, we yearn for a solution. The continued generosity of the Miller family and many other Utahns, combined with practical public policies enacted by officials, will make a significant impact.
UTAH COUNTY, May 11, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Two males, ages 14 and 19, were transported to area hospitals Sunday after the side-by-side they were riding rolled down the side of a mountain.
Utah County Sheriff deputies and Santaquin police responded to the 6:07 p.m. call. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene, in the Pole Canyon area, as was a Department of Public Safety helicopter with a hoist in case it was needed, Sgt. Austin Edwards, Utah County Sheriff‘s Office, told Gephardt Daily.
“Eventually, rescue workers were able to make it to the spot on the hill where the vehicle had come to rest, and they were able to secure the victims, stabilize the victims, and get them back down the hill again to where the helicopters were waiting,” Edwards said.
“The 19-year-old male was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, and the 14 year old was transported to Primary Children’s in Lehi.”
Both were said to have critical injuries, which were not considered to be life threatening, Edwards said.
“The cause of the rollover is still under investigation, so we don’t have that information available just yet.”
Photos: Utah County Sheriff
In what has a chance to be one of the most important nights in Jazz history, the Utah Jazz jumped in the NBA Lottery to the #2 spot for the upcoming NBA draft.
Here are the final results, which show all the movement.
Aside from it being a massive night for the Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies, and Bulls, it was a devastating night for a few teams, but no one more than the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers, in their trade for Ivica Zubac, had a stipulation on their pick that if the pick was top-4 they kept it. But if it fell below 4, they would give it to the Clippers which is exactly what happened. Now, the Clippers, who are without Zubac, find themselves with a #5 pick to build around.
For the Jazz this is a culmination of four years of rebuilding that ends with an extremely satisfying end. Utah will now have one of the tier-1 players from this draft: AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson. The player Utah drafts will be one of their cornerstone pieces and will have the chance to not only play, but be a part of a team that will be competing for the playoffs this season.
The Utah Jazz now have a Sinister Six core: Darryn Peterson (If AJ Dybantsa goes #1), Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler (if he signs). It’s quite the core with a mix of youth and veterans in their prime. With this group, the Jazz will have a chance to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Yes, the Thunder and Spurs are going to be difficult to beat, but Utah has the mix of talent, coaching, and depth that could absolutely do the trick.
Now the Utah Jazz look forward to the NBA Draft that be on June 23rd. Let the posturing begin!!
PROVO — An organization that has been a beacon of hope for Utah children and families just got a big upgrade in Provo.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest facility, marking the start of a new chapter in providing support for those who need it the most.
The new Kent B. Nelson Clubhouse, 131 N. Olympic Blvd., replaces the organization’s former Provo clubhouse, which had been in operation for more than 50 years. Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County leaders said they had outgrown the aging facility and needed a larger, more modern space to support more community members.
“This new clubhouse is more than a building — it’s a central place where we can coordinate programs, support our staff, and amplify our impact across the region,” said David Bayles, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County, in a statement.
The organization’s mission was something the late former Utah County Commissioner Tom Sakievich was passionate about. His wife Marji and daughter Emily Sakievich attended Friday’s grand opening ceremony just as if he would’ve wanted to.
“He loved this project, and it meant the world to him,” Emily Sakievich told KSL. “This was actually one of the last places he went before he passed. (He) and my mom stopped by to just see how progress was going; he would be so excited to see this come together.”
The former commissioner died last December at the age of 72. Tom Sakievich resigned from the seat in September 2024 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Emily Sakievich said her father was a big supporter of helping children in the Boys & Girls Clubs feel supported while he was in office.
“He would have all of them come to his office and talk about how government works and how they can be a part of it someday,” she said.
The new 20,000 square-foot facility expands on resources and programs offered at its previous site for community youth and families experiencing hardships.
The clubhouse will provide safe, engaging, and educational programs in a modernized building fit to serve more than 14,000 Utah children and teens.
A variety of programs including after-school, summer activities and STEM learning will be offered at the new facility. Other resources include internet safety programs, mental health support, nutrition initiatives, and housing assistance for families experiencing homelessness.
“We’ve been able to increase the capacity so much and add preschool and other things; we can even benefit more families — and we can benefit them for a longer period of time, from younger to older, where there are no gaps.” Provo City Council Chair Katrice MacKay told KSL. “So I’m really excited. It’s a fantastic thing for the city and for our residents.”
Leaders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County say the new $6 million Provo clubhouse was designed as a welcoming space where children and teens can explore new interests, build life skills, and receive mentorship from caring staff.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs have been a cornerstone of youth development in Utah County for decades,” said Janet Frank, board president, in a statement “This new clubhouse strengthens that mission, allowing the organization to extend its reach and impact across the entire region.”
Friday’s event took place while children who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs were in school, so another ceremony for kids and their families is planned for the end of the month.
“The Boys & Girls Club is for every kid out there,” Bayles said. “We want to accomplish what every parent wants for their kids — we want them to have a safe place to learn and grow, to be successful in school, to build social skills and to go on and be great members of society.”
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
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