Utah
Peak river flow, and a drone, brought a unique chance for study of Logan floodplain

LOGAN, Utah — Cities typically use satellite imagery to study a floodplain, but those areas are often blocked by trees and vegetation. A drone from Utah State University is cutting through all of that.
As the Logan River moves to more average flows, from peak flows seen during May, Ian Gowing said those major events brought a rare opportunity.
“We saw that the Logan River had reached 1,750 cubic feet per second,” Gowing said, it’s highest flow. The drone could launch as the river flow peaked. Two Utah cities, Logan and Nibley, were eager to have the detailed high-resolution images of the floodplain.
Drones launched during peak flow of the Logan River brought a new, clearer map of the floodplain. (USU)
Gowing is a research engineer at USU’s Water Research Laboratory. On May 24, he got the lab’s director on board with getting very detailed maps of the waters flowing over the banks, using infrared technology. Approximately 19 miles of the Logan River was mapped during a flight while typically, researchers are only able get points along the river.
Darren Farar, Logan City engineer said it was a major opportunity to now be able to pour over 19 miles of mapping and data not available before.

Drones launched during peak flow of the Logan River brought a new, clearer map of the floodplain. (USU)
“That (infrared) spectrum allows us to be able to see into the foliage and kind of see exactly where that water is,” Farar said. Ideally, it will give them the chance to better see what homes might be at risk in future major events.
“That has huge ramifications in terms of properties … Are they in the floodplain or are they not in the floodplain?”
Providing a clear picture of where the water is flowing, and cutting out anything that might get in the way, provides important data and there are plans for that important data.
“We have a number of Ph.D students that will be doing some hydraulic modeling, using the imagery that we provided.”
Those two cities and researchers will be looking over that data for months to come. Farar says that their mitigation system for the flood waters performed as they expected for this year, but they’ll be able to better prepare for the future in adjusting those floodplain maps.

Utah
Video shows dramatic rescue of Utah family whose car rolled into the Snake River – East Idaho News

A Utah family narrowly escaped after driving into the Snake River Monday afternoon. | Courtesy Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office
IDAHO FALLS — A newly released video shows the dramatic rescue of a Utah family whose van ended up in the Snake River after veering off the road.
Officials responded to the incident around 12:20 p.m. Monday after the driver called for help, advising they rolled into Snake River downstream from the Fall River Campground, about 45 miles from Idaho Falls.
RELATED | Utah family rescued from Snake River after vehicle veers off road
The driver said his wife and four children were still inside the van floating downstream, and they were having difficulty getting out while water was filling up inside.
The Swan Valley Fire District posted a video of the rescue to their Facebook page Tuesday, saying they were able to save the family of 6 after the van floated 100 yards and landed on top of a high gravel bar.
“One by one they were safely extracted from the vehicle and brought back to land,” says the Facebook post. “This was an extremely lucky accident for them all to walk away unharmed and we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome!”
KSL TV reports Susan Richardson saw the van in the water and recorded the rescue.
“I always get nervous about that,” Richardson said about driving the narrow road through the Fall Creek area. “It’s scary sometimes.”
Richardson told KSL that she and her husband were relieved that the family made it out safely.
“We feel like they were very fortunate that things didn’t take a more serious turn.”
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
Utah
A look at which Utah, BYU players were picked in this year’s MLB draft
The MLB draft wrapped up Monday night after 20 rounds and 615 picks.
Four local players were selected, including two from the University of Utah, one from Salt Lake Community College and one from BYU.
Utah’s Core Jackson was the first local player off the board, selected by the New York Yankees in the fifth round with the No. 164 pick.
Special Collector’s Issue: “1984: The Year BYU was Second to None”
Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football’s 1984 National Championship season.
Jackson starred at Utah for two seasons at shortstop, earning first-team all-conference selections in the Pac-12 and Big 12. He batted .364 in 2025, hitting 12 home runs, driving in 44 runs and hitting 19 doubles.
Nine rounds later, another Ute came off the board in pitcher Merit Jones, who was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the No. 419 pick.
Jones started 14 games for Utah, posting a 6.95 ERA and a 4-6 record. He struck out 58 batters during his 79 innings pitched this season for the Utes. He ended his time with Utah ranking No. 10 in career strikeouts with 175.
Pitcher Jaxon Grossman from Salt Lake Community College went 56 selections later to the Texas Rangers. Grossman, who began his career at Utah in 2023, had a 5.15 ERA over 50.2 innings pitched, with 55 strikeouts. He allowed just two home runs this season.
BYU pitcher Garrison Sumner rounded out Utah ties in this year’s MLB draft after being selected with pick No. 598 by the Boston Red Sox.
Sumner, who pitched at Utah in 2023 and Salt Lake Community College in 2024, had an 8.32 ERA and went 3-3 in 2025 for the Cougars. He struck out 60 batters in 61.2 innings pitched for BYU this season.
Utah
Wildfire threatens Utah family’s 40-year mule ride business at Grand Canyon

TROPIC, Utah — For over 40 years, Canyon Trail Rides, a family-run business based in southern Utah, has been a beloved fixture at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
“I started this business in 1983, and it’s been a really good business,” said company founder Paul Mangum.
Paul began offering mule rides in Zion and Bryce Canyon in 1973, expanding to the North Rim a decade later.
However, on July 4, everything changed when lightning sparked the Dragon Bravo Fire.
National News
PHOTOS: Historic Grand Canyon lodge, other structures destroyed in wildfire
“The smoke was so thick you could hardly breathe,” said Paul’s son, Tawn Mangum.
On July 11, the Mangums evacuated their mules and staff and shut down operations at the North Rim.
“We take 70 to 80 people a day from May to October, and we’re shut down,” Tawn said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
The fire has burned over 5,700 acres and destroyed dozens of structures — including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the only hotel on the North Rim, along with the visitor center and employee housing.
WATCH: Massive ‘Firenado’ awes, frightens over Deer Creek Fire in southeastern Utah
Massive ‘Firenado’ awes, frightens over Deer Creek Fire in southeastern Utah
It’s the second time the lodge has burned since it was built in 1927; the first fire was a kitchen fire that damaged it in 1932.
Even though the North Rim sees only 10 percent of the park’s visitors, it’s home for the Mangums.
“I met my wife there, raised our three kids there. It’s our second home,” Tawn said.
With the fire still burning, the future of Canyon Trail Rides at the Grand Canyon’s north rim is uncertain.
“It’s real sad,” Paul said. “What I feel most bad about is my employees, because they’re out of a job now.”
-
Culture1 week ago
Try to Match These Snarky Quotations to Their Novels and Stories
-
News6 days ago
Video: Trump Compliments President of Liberia on His ‘Beautiful English’
-
Finance1 week ago
Do you really save money on Prime Day?
-
Technology1 week ago
Apple’s latest AirPods are already on sale for $99 before Prime Day
-
News1 week ago
Texas Flooding Map: See How the Floodwaters Rose Along the Guadalupe River
-
Business1 week ago
Companies keep slashing jobs. How worried should workers be about AI replacing them?
-
News6 days ago
Video: Clashes After Immigration Raid at California Cannabis Farm
-
Politics1 week ago
Journalist who refused to duck during Trump assassination attempt reflects on Butler rally in new book