Eric Whitaker, 41, was charged with 75 counts of manufacture, possession, sale, use, or attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction by the Utah County Attorney’s Office in Provo’s Fourth District Court.

Whitaker was detained Friday by Provo Police after he was reportedly brandishing a gun near the Provo Towne Center Mall. Police said they found four explosive devices in his car, and later discovered 71 homemade bombs in his apartment.

Whitaker is being held without bail. According to Provo Police, there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public.

– Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

Earth Day Birthday event to be held at the USU Ogden Botanical Center

Utah State University Extension sponsors Earth Day Birthday, a family-friendly celebration of planet Earth at the USU Ogden Botanical Center held Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy hands-on activities, community connections, and expert gardening advice in an outdoor setting.

Activities include a plant sale and swap, community booths, and earth-friendly crafts and games. In addition are educational classes on composting, herbs and water-wise gardening, a diagnostic clinic, and food trucks from local vendors.

“We’re excited to kick off our season by welcoming the community to celebrate Earth Day with us,” said Alex Zesiger, USU Extension outreach manager for the gardens. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn gardening tips, and support local green initiatives.”

The event is free and open to the public.

The Ogden Botanical Center is located at 1750 Monroe Blvd. in Ogden.

– Utah State University Extension press release

Utah leaders celebrate landmark energy legislation to power Utah’s future

State leaders gathered Monday for the ceremonial signing of several energy bills passed during the 2025 General Session, reaffirming Utah’s commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy–one that includes geothermal, natural gas, coal, advanced transmission technologies and the continued development of small modular nuclear reactors. This balanced, pragmatic approach ensures Utahns have access to safe, affordable and reliable energy while positioning the state for long-term economic strength.

As Utah continues its rapid economic expansion, especially in high-demand, energy-intensive sectors such as artificial intelligence, the state must significantly scale its power generation. Utah needs to triple its current energy production by 2050 to meet the demands of a fast-growing population and economy. With minimal excess energy available in both Utah and across the country, the urgency to build reliable, resilient energy infrastructure has never been greater. Utah is answering that call with bold leadership and a clear vision.

The legislation signed Monday includes:

• H.B. 212 Advanced Transmission Technologies prioritizes the approval of cutting-edge grid infrastructure technology that will ensure a reliable flow of energy across the state.
• H.B. 249 Nuclear Power Amendments positions Utah as a future energy innovation hub by jumpstarting the development of more power generation to drive economic growth and provide reliable, affordable power. Through the Utah Energy Council, Energy Development Zones, the Nuclear Energy Consortium and the Utah Energy Research Board, the bill supports project financing, workforce development, policy recommendations and regulatory frameworks to advance the deployment of nuclear and other energy technology in the state.
• H.C.R. 9 H.C.R. to Create Energy Compact with Idaho and Wyoming promotes collaboration between Utah, Wyoming and Colorado to align energy policies, strengthen regional infrastructure and address shared energy challenges.
• S.B. 132 Electric Utility Amendments modernizes Utah’s energy framework by allowing large load energy consumers–those needing 100+ megawatts –to enter into flexible contracts with existing utilities or alternative energy providers. These contracts allow providers to meet growing demands outside of normal regulatory processes while ensuring that large load consumers bear full costs and existing ratepayers are not negatively impacted.

— Utah State Legislature press release

Statewide virtual job fair to be held on May 1

The Utah Department of Workforce Services is hosting a statewide virtual job fair, Thursday, May 1. Approximately 40 Utah employers will participate in the no-cost online event. Employers at the fair are hiring for more than 2,000 open positions statewide.

“We are excited about the variety of industries represented at the virtual job fair, with employers participating from Logan to St. George,” said Liz Carver, Workforce Development Division director. “Whether you are a recent graduate or exploring a new opportunity, the virtual job fair is a convenient way to connect with employers and discover what’s available.”

The virtual job fair will feature open positions in education, health care, banking, hospitality construction, government and more. Find a complete list of participating employers at jobs.utah.gov.

Job seekers should come prepared with their resume and a professional photo to upload to their profile. They can participate in the fair from their own computer or smartphone. After logging in, participants will be able to see a digital floor plan with rows of booths, each representing an employer. After clicking on an employer booth, the job seeker can see the company profile, job openings and social media. They can also start a live chat with a hiring representative and share their resume. Employers can schedule interviews, start one-on-one video chats or even make job offers on the spot.

The statewide virtual job fair is Thursday, May 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. To participate, job seekers should pre-register at jobs.utah.gov and create an account or sign in to ‘my Job Search.’ Find the event on your dashboard and select it. On the day of the event, sign back in to ‘my Job Search’ to join. The department is also offering two online workshops the day before, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to help job seekers get the most out of the virtual job fair.

— Utah Department of Workforce Services press release