AGP Executive Report

Back-to-school safety: Utah parents are being urged to talk with kids about fentanyl as the school year begins, with the DEA warning that social media and coded emoji messages can make drug dealing easier to hide. Community resilience: After a fatal shooting outside a Tongan funeral in Kearns, Utah’s Tongan community is processing the loss and weighing next steps, including a possible town hall. Culture in the classroom: “Navajo Highways,” a Utah-filmed children’s puppet series that teaches the Navajo language, is bringing Emmy-winning storytelling to young learners. Local arts calendar: Utah State Theatre Arts has released its 2026–27 production schedule, including new student performances and readings. Sports & pride: The Utah Royals set a club record with a 3–2 win, while Snow Canyon’s Millie Nadauld was named Utah’s Gatorade Player of the Year in girls track. Public lands debate: A new poll finds Utahns largely oppose Trump’s monument cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, even as many support more local control of public lands.

Local Education: Cache County School District is rolling out two new middle schools—Juniper Ridge in Hyde Park (grand opening Tuesday, 5 p.m.) and Maple View in Nibley (7:15 p.m.)—with ribbon cuttings, tours, and drumline performances. Community Learning: BYU’s Education Week 2026 kicks off Monday (Aug. 17–21) with nearly 1,000 classes on topics from family and communication to health, finance, and gospel study. Youth & Global Perspective: Utah 4-H youth are bringing home big takeaways after trips to Ireland and Peru, focusing on agriculture, innovation, leadership, and cultural understanding. Public Health: CDC data shows kindergarten vaccination rates dipped in 2025–26 as exemptions hit a record high, raising concerns amid measles risk. Utah Culture & Care: Salt Lake City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Cerrati’s team closed for a day to cook for families at the Ronald McDonald House. Safety & Wellbeing: Castle Dale declared September Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, highlighting local resources and free community events. Utah Justice: A former BYU math professor in Box Elder County got three years probation after sexually explicit messages sent to an undercover investigator.

Housing & Cost of Living: A new report says federal HUD spending hasn’t closed the affordability gap—home prices have outpaced wages in every state, with Utah among the worst. Local Community Resilience: Hurricane flooding displaced Utah Tech Police Chief Wes LiCalzi, and neighbors are rallying to help his family recover. Back-to-School Mental Health: Utah therapists say “back-to-school jitters” are normal, but families should watch for when anxiety needs extra support. Utah Culture & Faith: Temple Square is gradually reopening with new Christ-focused exhibits and dome projections as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expands guest experiences. Sports & Community Pride: The Jonas Brothers announced a Salt Lake City stop on their “Burning Up Tour All Over Again,” and Utah Tech named Josh Thompson director of track & field and cross country. Public Health & Policy: CDC data shows childhood vaccine exemptions hit a new record, while Utah’s pro-nuclear billboard campaign faces an FTC complaint over misleading claims. Safety & Justice: Cedar City police evacuated nearby buildings during an armed mental health crisis that ended with the man surrendering.

Hate Crime Case: A Utah man accused of an anti-Muslim stabbing at Valley Fair Mall in Salt Lake City is facing attempted murder charges with hate-crime enhancements, after police say he targeted victims because they were Muslim; a federal grand jury also indicted him on a separate hate-crime charge. Public Health & Regulation: A Utah lawmaker is pushing for a total kratom ban after a reported death tied to a mislabeled product, with state agriculture officials saying they found additional problematic items. Local Culture & Community: Ogden Contemporary Arts named Zachary Fabri as its 2026 artist in residence, continuing the city’s arts-forward momentum. Utah Lifestyle & Food: A Wellsville agritourism spot, Little Bear Bottoms, is taking its corn maze and farm fun to the next level, drawing thousands of visitors a year. Sports & Identity: Utah’s women’s equality ranking landed near the bottom nationally in a new WalletHub study, while the state’s measles outbreak coverage continues to raise vaccination questions for back-to-school season. Business & Growth: 24hourEDU says it has secured full 50-state approval capability for mortgage pre-licensure education, including a new Utah DRE course for mortgage brokers. Arts & Entertainment: Brandon Flowers talked about his solo direction and the country-leaning vibe of his new album, a reminder that Utah’s music scene keeps expanding beyond the usual lanes.

Arts & Identity: Ogden Contemporary Arts named Brooklyn artist Zachary Fabri its 2026 artist in residence, with a project tracing Utah salt extraction from colonial histories to Black culture, including work tied to Great Salt Lake waters and Compass Minerals ponds. Community & Culture: Centro Civico Mexicano in Salt Lake City is pushing a $27M replacement facility to keep its Hispanic community services—like language learning and youth programs—growing in the Depot District. Civic Life: A Deseret News-Hinckley Institute poll finds Utah voters strongly back proof of citizenship and photo ID for voting, aligning with Sen. Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act. Faith & Global Reach: President Dallin H. Oaks dedicated the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple, highlighting Jesus Christ at the center of temple worship. Local Health: Intermountain’s St. George Regional Hospital begins using daraxonrasib, a targeted therapy showing major promise for pancreatic cancer. Back-to-School Pressure: Utah parents and teachers report costs are squeezing budgets as the new school year ramps up. Women’s Rights Activism: The Women’s Walk Across America relay passed through St. Louis, continuing a cross-country protest against attacks on women’s rights. Sports & Youth: Weber State men’s basketball will open at Oregon State and add another D-I home game vs. CSUN, while BYU women’s volleyball kicked off with a Blue-White scrimmage.

Civic Education: Logan’s Mount Logan Middle School social studies teacher Ryan Mueller is one of eight Utah educators to win the inaugural Founders’ Five Excellence in Civic Education Award, praised for getting students to dig into primary sources and civic responsibility. Local Governance & Privacy: Davis County commissioners approved an accord with the Utah Department of Public Safety on automatic license plate readers, setting “law enforcement only” rules while residents and officials spar over safeguards. Faith & Community: Salt Lake’s Cathedral of the Madeleine marked 117 years since its 1909 dedication, highlighting its long-running bells, murals, and renovations. Utah Culture & Identity: A new story spotlights how an ancient religion is taking root in southern Utah, moving into new digs. BYU & Roots: BYU coach Kalani Sitake returned to Tonga for the first time since birth, pairing recruiting with service tied to the We Are One Tonga Center. Tech Backlash: A report on a massive Great Salt Lake-area data center frames Utah’s AI boom as a fight over land, power, and community consent. Sports & Pride: Mark Few was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, with a spotlight on his journey from a small Oregon town. Family Affordability: Heber City residents pushed back on a proposed 4.8% property tax hike, arguing the “burrito meal” framing doesn’t match real household costs. Church Life: Utah Area Young Single Adults wrapped its conference with a focus on connection “in Christ,” with attendees naming loneliness as a major challenge.

Faith & Community: The Cathedral of the Madeleine marked its 117th anniversary in Salt Lake City, celebrating more than a century of bells, murals, and Romanesque history. Local Faith Online: Family and followers honored Chandler Hendry, the Idaho-born Latter-day Saint known for defending his faith online, who died in a Utah County crash. Young Adult Life: Utah’s Latter-day Saint young single adults wrapped up the “Together in Christ” YSA conference, with attendees naming loneliness as a key challenge and faith as the biggest hope. Culture & Arts: UVU and FanX Studios team up to bring “Humbug! The Musical” to the Noorda Center, a Dickens prequel built with students at the core. Health & Family: A new map on children’s dental health puts Utah among the states with higher rates of tooth decay, underscoring a preventable public-health gap. Sports (Utah): Cedar and Canyon View opened the 2026 3A football season with road wins, while Utah Valley’s calendar is packed with concerts, theater, and community events. Public Safety: A 17-year-old was charged in the 2025 double murder of a Utah mother and her 8-year-old son.

Back-to-school culture: A new guide offers eight practical ways to make the school return feel less stressful for students and parents. Public schools, local pride: A guest piece argues for the “undervalued” role of public schools beyond test scores, including arts, music, languages, and PE. Community health & recovery: Utah communities are uniting for International Overdose Awareness Day, with USU Extension highlighting “A Light to Remember” events and overdose-prevention education. Local governance: Logan City Council voted to raise property taxes by about 23% to fund a new fire station, a police officer, and streetlight cost increases—while officials say broader county shifts may soften the impact. Utah arts & entertainment: “Anna Pigeon” returns with Episode 2, using equine air-scent detection to track a missing child. Northern Utah events: A week of listings spotlights Ogden happenings like art shows, farmers markets, theater, and family-friendly storytime. Sports (Utah): Utah Royals FC rallied past Bay FC 3-2, with Japanese internationals driving the comeback.

Back-to-school mental health: Intermountain Health says “butterflies” are normal, but persistent refusal, sleep/eating changes, and daily morning battles can signal something more serious—parents are urged to keep routines and make space to talk. Local healthcare planning: New documents detail Intermountain’s downtown Salt Lake City “LDS Hospital replacement” concept, including a 24/7 main operation plan, outpatient hours, parking, and a helipad. Education & community services: Utah Valley University is expanding cooking classes and pantry support as food insecurity hits nearly half of Utah college students. Native culture in the spotlight: Paiute youth share their restoration story at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, using performance to teach neighbors in their own words. Arts & place-making: Plans are out for “Sphere of Light,” a multistory stained-glass center at Thanksgiving Point. Campus life updates: The U’s new Answer U service aims to help students navigate resources, while USU faces backlash over a newly formed Heritage & Culture sub-unit. Sports culture: A Deseret News/Hinckley poll finds 56% of Utah voters are college football fans, with Utah, BYU, and Utah State all pulling support. Utah safety for teens: AAA and state agencies roll out “Please Be Patient” learner-permit magnets to reduce teen-driver crash risk.

Community Access: North Ogden parents at Green Acres Elementary celebrated a hard-won all-abilities playground after years of fundraising, grants, and local support—proof that “we can’t afford it” can be challenged. Retail & Everyday Convenience: Macey’s remodeled Lehi store reopened with modern perks like an in-store Starbucks, seating upgrades, a BreadBot for fresh loaves, and a drive-thru pharmacy slated to expand health services. Tech in the Real World: A look at drone delivery’s promise—and the regulatory hurdles that keep it from becoming everyday normal. Public Health & Kids: Utah parents are pushing back on proposed Head Start changes, while broader measles concerns keep vaccination on the front burner. Local Campus Life: “Welcome to Utah” guides and events are rolling out for new University of Utah students, with free food, tours, and on-campus activities to help everyone find their footing. Sports & School Spirit: Utah Valley University and BYU women’s soccer open seasons with big matchups and early results, keeping fall energy high.

Education & Family Policy: Utah parents are pushing back on proposed changes to Head Start, warning the overhaul could hit kids and working families hardest. Public Health: Utah’s measles situation is still front-and-center as health officials urge families to check vaccinations amid a wider national surge. Weather & Safety: Southern Utah saw severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings, with officials flagging burn-scar areas and Zion-area flooding risks. Community & Culture: Logan’s Center Street Art-Beat returns with local music, art, and a family-friendly festival vibe, while River Heights’ Apple Days brings parades, a 5K/10K, and kid-focused events. Sports & Local Pride: The Utah Open marks its 100th anniversary with a “100 for 100” charitable push for Special Olympics Utah. Justice & Community Impact: In the Charlie Kirk case, defense attorneys argue against the death penalty, saying the shooting didn’t endanger others. Local Business & Trust: A Utah-based mortgage company faces a major penalty for failing to protect Californians’ personal information.

Japanese-American History on Screen: Filmmakers behind Kintsukuroi are bringing a story of Japanese-American internment to Utah-area audiences, with the film screening at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts in Yuba City Saturday—highlighting Topaz, Utah ties and survivor-linked cast connections. Courtroom Drama in Utah: Tyler Robinson’s defense in the Charlie Kirk case argues prosecutors can’t prove the aggravated-murder “zone of danger,” pushing to block the death penalty. Utah Sports Culture: Real Salt Lake unveiled its new adidas “Black Diamond” third kit, continuing the club’s fauxback/Archive Collection vibe ahead of a home debut. Community Service: Cache Valley is gearing up for a 25th-anniversary Sept. 11-12 Day of Service with nearly 50 projects planned. Health & Daily Life: A new study links endometriosis with a 46% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, adding urgency to long-term care conversations. Back-to-School Reality Check: Utah teachers are addressing how immigration crackdowns are affecting students as school starts.

Hate Crime Case: A federal grand jury indicted Peter Michael Larsen of Orem for allegedly stabbing a Muslim man at West Valley City’s Valley Fair Mall, with prosecutors saying he targeted the victim because of religion. Local Education & Immigration: Utah teachers say the immigration crackdown is reshaping classrooms, with students afraid of government actions and families facing detention fallout. Courtroom Drama: In the Charlie Kirk murder case, Tyler Robinson’s defense argues the state hasn’t shown the aggravated-murder elements needed for the death penalty, saying the shooter “hit the intended target.” Community Memory: In Salt Lake City, a nonprofit is installing memorial markers for pioneers buried in unmarked pauper’s graves—honoring more than 500 people. Arts & Architecture: Thanksgiving Point is set to build “Sphere of Light,” a massive stained-glass “living canvas” landmark. Books & Culture: John Green’s Salt Lake City stop will feature Brandon Sanderson as a special guest at The King’s English Bookshop event. Lifelong Learning: Utah Tech’s Institute for Continued Learning opens fall registration with 70+ noncredit classes and clubs. Public Health: The U.S. plans to withdraw certain prescription fluoride products for children as safety reviews ramp up.

Utah Culture & Lifestyle: Bonneville Salt Flats Tech: British driver Andy Green set a new hydrogen-powered speed record at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, hitting 406.320 mph in a JCB-built car—another big moment for Utah’s science-and-spectacle tourism. Community & Faith: Salt Lake Temple Celebration: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened applications for volunteers and performers for the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration, with roles ranging from welcoming guests to guiding tours. Local Connections: Human Connect Project: A Cache Valley group is hosting face-to-face events like speed friending to help adults build real friendships beyond work and screens. Education & Youth: Back-to-school safety: New data finds many Americans—especially women—avoid retail parking lots after dark due to safety concerns, spotlighting a familiar school-year stress point. Health & Tech Debate: AI in rural care: Rural residents and officials weigh promises of AI “concierge” health support against worries about real-world access and outcomes. Sports & Culture: Soccer: Former Illinois State defender Jade Rehberger signed with Galway United FC, continuing her pro career in Ireland.

Rocky Canyon Fire Update: Favorable winds helped slow the Rocky Canyon Fire near Henefer, but evacuations and road closures remain, with officials still watching the ridge and urging residents not to linger on SR-65. Public Health & Schools: Utah braces for the school-year measles risk as cases stay high, with doctors urging families to get up to date on MMR. State Budget Watch: Utah’s Medicaid program is facing a reported $100–200 million shortfall, raising questions about whether lawmakers will tap rainy-day funds while benefits are said to remain unchanged. Campus Life: The University of Utah is rolling out “Trailhead,” a new residence hall aimed at turning the commuter campus into a more community-centered “college town magic.” Community & Culture: Park City’s Bonanza Park development fight heats up as a group prepares a petition opposing the city’s “more park, less city” direction. Utah Faith & Education: UVU will cancel classes on Sept. 10, marking the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s killing with reflection and service. Local Leadership: The University of Utah mourns Linda Amos, a longtime nursing dean and health-sciences advocate. Science & Speed (Utah): Hydrogen land-speed records keep rolling at Bonneville Salt Flats as Andy Green and JCB’s Hydromax hit 406.320 mph.

Utah Culture & Community: The University of Utah and the U.S. Army Reserve officially finalized the transfer of the last 50 acres of historic Fort Douglas, marking a new chapter for a site tied to generations of service. Arts & Music: Salt Lake City’s Florestan Festival brought a “Fairy Tales” theme to a classical repertoire night, blending string performances with poetry and Arthurian storytelling. Local Economy & Belonging: At Odd Lots Community Value Market in Salt Lake City, a neighborhood shop is trying to fight rising costs and loneliness by hosting community events and keeping prices low. Health & Innovation: Huntsman Cancer Institute performed the Mountain West’s first robotic mastectomy, aiming to reduce scarring and recovery time for some breast cancer patients. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños has expanded across 27 states, including Utah, with children and immunocompromised people flagged as higher risk. Tech & Safety: A Summit County man and former USA Climbing coach pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation videos, with most charges dismissed in a plea deal. Privacy Watch: Ogden City’s use of Flock privacy concerns is back in focus as residents question how license-plate cameras collect and store data. Culture Beyond Utah: Chef Tita is set to make history as the first Dominican chef at Chef’s Table Festival in Park City, spotlighting Dominican cuisine on an international stage.