Colobus monkeys are born with white fur that transitions to their adult black-and-white coloration as they mature. Colobus monkeys engage in alloparenting, where females in the troop share in the care of infants. Alloparenting allows young female colobus monkeys without babies to observe and practice maternal care.

— Rachael Eames, Utah’s Hogle Zoo 

Mountain America Credit Union partners with Show Up for Teachers to launch $40,000 grant program

Mountain America Credit Union is proud to announce its partnership with Utah First Lady Abby Cox’s Show Up for Teachers initiative with the launch of Show Up for Teachers Grants.

This program through the Mountain America Foundation will award $40,000 in grants with forty educators each receiving $1,000 to spark classroom innovation and boost student success.

This marks the first year of the partnership between Mountain America Credit Union and Show Up for Teachers, furthering their joint mission to support educators.

— MACU public relations

BLM geothermal lease sales in Utah net over $5.6 million

SALT LAKE CITY – The Bureau of Land Management leased 14 parcels in Utah totaling 50,961 acres for $5,663,890 in total receipts for a geothermal lease sale. This sale generated the most per acre revenue of any previous geothermal lease sale on BLM public lands in Utah in recent history, averaging $111.47 per acre. The combined bonus bids, rentals, and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the State of Utah, and the counties where the leases are located.

Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the BLM’s geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future and achieve American Energy Dominance.

Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal geothermal resources. The BLM ensures geothermal development meets the requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable legal authorities. Planning documents for this sale are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. The BLM’s lease sales are held online through EnergyNet.

Geothermal is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal resource leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres of public lands and the 700 million acres where the United States owns the subsurface mineral estate.

— BLM Headquarters

U.S. Congressman Burgess Owens introduces, advances bills on education practices

On Wednesday, Higher Education and Workforce Committee Vice Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT) introduced the Accreditation for College Excellence Act to prohibit accrediting agencies from requiring, encouraging, or coercing institutions to adopt political litmus tests or violate constitutionally protected rights as a condition of accreditation.

In addition, Owens successfully advanced the Say No to Indoctrination Act out of the House Education and Workforce Committee. The legislation codifies President Trump’s Executive Order issued on January 20, 2025, ensuring that no school receiving federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act may use those funds to teach or promote radical gender ideology.

— Rep. Owens Press Office

BLM seeks public input on proposal to improve access to Ashley Springs Via Ferrata

The Bureau of Land Management Vernal Field Office is seeking public input on a proposal to authorize construction of a parking area and hiking trail near the Ashley Valley Water and Sewer Improvement District’s water plant in Uintah County.

The 30-day public comment period begins today, April 9, 2025, and the proposal aims to improve access to the Ashley Springs Via Ferrata climbing route in Ashley Gorge.

Uintah County constructed the Via Ferrata route and is requesting a right-of-way from the BLM to build the trail and parking area, enhancing recreational access and improving safety for visitors.

Comments will be accepted through May 9, 2025. Interested individuals may submit input online through the BLM’s National NEPA Register.

For additional information, please contact the BLM Vernal Field Office at 435-789-4400.

— BLM Green River District