Salt Lake City

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Salt Lake City with Kim Bojórquez and Erin Alberty.

Axios Salt Lake City

Standard

Get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in Salt Lake City

Axios Salt Lake City Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Salt Lake City Partners

Salt Lake City Alerts

Alert

Salt Lake City Members

Membership

No Kings rallies planned across Utah

From Logan to Kanab, marches are scheduled throughout the state on Saturday.

News

Rallies are planned around Utah during Saturday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings nationwide day of protest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/utah-protest-legal-rights" data-vars-content-id="cdfd26a1-871a-4c93-aad6-50bbc444b582" data-vars-headline="No Kings rallies planned across Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/01/29/utah-protest-legal-rights" target="_self">No Kings nationwide day of protest</a>.Why it matters: Political groups in Utah have leveraged the anti-Trump demonstrations to organize progressive residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="even in counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/21/no-kings-protests-rural-utah-trump-democrats" data-vars-content-id="cdfd26a1-871a-4c93-aad6-50bbc444b582" data-vars-headline="No Kings rallies planned across Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/21/no-kings-protests-rural-utah-trump-democrats" target="_self">even in counties</a> where Republicans have won by double-digit margins for years.

Five new restaurants opening in Salt Lake County

A wave of new restaurants are opening in Salt Lake County this spring, from a

A wave of new restaurants are opening in Salt Lake County this spring.<ul><li>Here are the openings we&#x27;re most excited about.</li></ul>

HOAs gain ground in Utah

Utah has one of the highest rates of home listings with HOA dues, data shows.

Utah has one of the highest rates in the nation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home listings with HOA dues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/12/salt-lake-hoa-fees-home-listings" target="_self">home listings with HOA dues</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> data shows.Why it matters: Those dues are also rising, adding to housing costs just as prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stabilize" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">stabilize</a> in Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cooling market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="e3b03571-531e-4e41-82f8-b7b03aed5775" data-vars-headline="HOAs gain ground in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2026-01-07/utahs-housing-market-is-expected-to-be-running-in-place-in-2026" target="_blank">cooling market</a>.

Utah's anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP's repeal push

Too many voters removed their signatures from the petition to put the proposal on the ballot.

Utahns won&#x27;t vote on a measure that would effectively legalize gerrymandering, now that thousands of people have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="removed their signatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/03/23/utah-gerrymandering-ballot-measure-prop-4-signatures" target="_self">removed their signatures</a> from the petition to include it in November&#x27;s election.Why it matters: That ballot measure was the most direct way for the GOP to undo Utah&#x27;s new congressional map, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="created a Democratic-leaning district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" data-vars-content-id="10d37688-9cb0-4579-a490-32256081e0f7" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s anti-gerrymandering law survives GOP&#x27;s repeal push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/13/utah-democrats-congressional-district-map-mcadams-riebe" target="_self">created a Democratic-leaning district</a>.

Utah's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A report last year found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care and costs "increase significantly for neighboring hospitals."

Health

Utah&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among a few hospital systems — a dynamic associated with rising costs, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">analysis</a> from Yale&#x27;s new Health Care Affordability Lab.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal report last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6cbdca2f-af2c-4cb3-9fec-9e199a243bfc" data-vars-headline="Utah&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-consolidation-health-care-markets-rfi-response-report.pdf" target="_blank">federal report last year</a> found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care — 6% to 65% — and costs &quot;increase significantly for neighboring hospitals as well.&quot;

19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah

Six Western states, excluding Utah, will see wage increases on New Year's Day.

Sorry, folks, Utah is not among the 19 U.S. states <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boosting their minimum wage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/18/states-where-the-minimum-wage-is-going-up-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="c8d11766-b2f9-464e-a345-01e9f1ca0dbe" data-vars-headline="19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/18/states-where-the-minimum-wage-is-going-up-in-2026" target="_self">boosting their minimum wage</a> next year.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s $7.25 hourly minimum wage will hold steady heading into 2026, even as the cost of living <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues to climb" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/west-coast-layoffs-inflation-economy-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="c8d11766-b2f9-464e-a345-01e9f1ca0dbe" data-vars-headline="19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/05/05/west-coast-layoffs-inflation-economy-slowdown" target="_self">continues to climb</a> across the West.

Holiday markets in and around Salt Lake

There are tons this weekend, from a brewery's Christkindlmarkt to one for Veteran-owned businesses.

There are tons of holiday markets this weekend for anyone who needs to catch up with their shopping.

What to expect from Salt Lake's housing market in 2026

Salt Lake's housing market is expected to stabilize in 2026, with more inventory and easing mortgage rates.

The Salt Lake metro <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/11/02/affordable-home-slc-house-mortgage-prices" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2023/11/02/affordable-home-slc-house-mortgage-prices" target="_self">housing market</a> is expected to stabilize next year as more homes come on the market, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/2026-national-housing-forecast/" target="_blank">Realtor.com forecast</a>.Why it matters: Utah — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ninth-most-expensive state to buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://gardner.utah.edu/news/utah-ranked-as-the-9th-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-country-in-2024/" data-vars-content-id="9764c2ba-1215-4f36-9594-6c9a95179d08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Salt Lake&#x27;s housing market in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gardner.utah.edu/news/utah-ranked-as-the-9th-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-country-in-2024/" target="_blank">ninth-most-expensive state to buy a home</a> last year — saw housing prices surge during the pandemic, straining affordability for prospective homebuyers.

This week's holiday markets in Salt Lake

Meet Santa, enjoy a hot drink and buy gifts from local artisans.

If you&#x27;re like us, you&#x27;re still working your way through your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday shopping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/21/we-aint-buying-it-boycott-utah-holiday-shopping-trump" data-vars-content-id="d088edac-c128-493b-ad27-fbc0d35afdcb" data-vars-headline="This week&#x27;s holiday markets in Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/11/21/we-aint-buying-it-boycott-utah-holiday-shopping-trump" target="_self">holiday shopping</a> list. Here are some winter markets where you can support local artists, enjoy treats and maybe even meet Santa during the coming week:

Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros

Job postings in St. George jumped 55% since early 2020 amid population growth.

Business

St. George, Utah, is among the nation&#x27;s top metros for job growth, according to new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report/" data-vars-content-id="06d8be98-a32e-4041-aba4-472654811ef4" data-vars-headline="Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report/" target="_blank">data</a> from jobs site Indeed.Why it matters: Formerly a retirement town, the southern Utah city has more than doubled in size since 2000 and is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attracting small business owners, tourists and remote workers" data-vars-click-url="https://ksltv.com/local-news/growing-pains-inside-st-georges-surge/782919/" data-vars-content-id="06d8be98-a32e-4041-aba4-472654811ef4" data-vars-headline="Job growth in St. George outpaces major U.S. metros" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ksltv.com/local-news/growing-pains-inside-st-georges-surge/782919/" target="_blank">attracting small business owners, tourists and remote workers</a>.

Utahns join "We Ain't Buying It" boycott as holiday shopping begins

Some are focusing on Target, Amazon and Home Depot while others are calling for a bigger "blackout."

Utah&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday shopping season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/holiday-shopping-forecast-inflation" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/holiday-shopping-forecast-inflation" target="_self">holiday shopping season</a> will kick off alongside a boycott of corporate purchases, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKMvirDdDL/" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKMvirDdDL/" target="_blank">some</a> progressive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="groups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/703384402815581?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" data-vars-content-id="54448191-c9c4-461f-a017-6dc589b52ecd" data-vars-headline="Utahns join &quot;We Ain&#x27;t Buying It&quot; boycott as holiday shopping begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/703384402815581?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D" target="_blank">groups</a> making &quot;buy local&quot; the season&#x27;s greeting of 2025.State of play: The boycott focuses on three corporations that organizers say have enabled &quot;the Trump administration&#x27;s abuses of power,&quot; according to a statement this week from No Kings:

Check out these early holiday markets in Salt Lake

It's the first big weekend for holiday shopping from local artisans and vendors.

Holiday markets are already starting, with several planned this weekend in and around SLC.As the season progresses, we&#x27;ll tell you about more of Salt Lake&#x27;s best markets.

Toys "R" Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah

Millennials and Gen X'ers can relive the mechanized, electronic joy.

From bikes to trains to video games, it was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest toy store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUL4a45c3M" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUL4a45c3M" target="_blank">biggest toy store</a> there was — and now it&#x27;s back in Utah.Why it matters: Toys &quot;R&quot; Us — the toy retailer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that dominated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2018/03/15/toys-r-us-blame-1521125953" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2018/03/15/toys-r-us-blame-1521125953" target="_self">that dominated</a> the 1980s and &#x27;90s — is opening a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pop-up store in Farmington" data-vars-click-url="https://crockerpark.com/tenant/toys-r-us/" data-vars-content-id="7da81688-a078-400b-8470-173da8458f1d" data-vars-headline="Toys &quot;R&quot; Us opens holiday pop-up in Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://crockerpark.com/tenant/toys-r-us/" target="_blank">pop-up store in Farmington</a>, offering a nostalgic trip for Gen X and millennial parents.

Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City

"Women Preferences" joins Lyft's "Women+ Connect" service amid safety concerns.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Uber" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/uber-app-senior-account-simple-mode" target="_self">Uber</a> is rolling out its Women Preferences tool in Salt Lake, the ride-hailing company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" data-vars-content-id="6bab9f3f-92c0-4804-be7f-b8c23394132d" data-vars-headline="Uber expands women-only ride feature to Salt Lake City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/expanding-women-preferences/" target="_blank">announced</a> Wednesday.Why it matters: Safety and comfort have long been top concerns for women who use rideshare services, both as riders and as drivers.

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or part of a monopoly in 2025. In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all hospitals are highly concentrated or part of a monopoly. In D.C., none are. Market concentration is particularly high in the mountain west and coastal south.

Share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or are part of a monopoly, 2025

Data: Yale Health Care Affordability Lab; Map: Axios Visuals

A map showing U.S. states that are expected to raise the minimum wage in 2026. As of December 2025, 22 states will raise wages. Hawai'i will have the biggest increase, from $14 to $16 an hour. By the end of next year, 13 states will have wages of at least $15 an hour.

Business 🏦

Utah's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

19 states to raise minimum wage in 2026, except Utah

Holiday markets in and around Salt Lake

What to expect from Salt Lake's housing market in 2026

This week's holiday markets in Salt Lake