1 / 2

A cat named Zuko is up for adoption. (Humane Society of Utah)

2 / 2

Sen. John Curtis (left) discusses water and the future of the Great Salt Lake with an assembled group of Utah leaders in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2026. (Courtesy Office of Sen. John Curtis)

❮ ❯

Here are a collection of announcements and statements released by local organizations that may be of interest to Utahns:

MURRAY, Utah — Cats from across Utah have landed at the Humane Society of Utah following requests for help from shelter partners whose cat housing is at capacity.

As part of its commitment to supporting local communities, Mountain America Credit Union is sponsoring the event and covering the cost of every cat and kitten adoption during the special. Its generosity will allow adopters to welcome a new companion at no cost while helping HSU and its shelter partners create urgently needed space for more cats throughout Utah.

“Working alongside community partners to strengthen the places where our members live and work is central to who we are at Mountain America,” said Rob Brough, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Mountain America Credit Union. “As a longtime partner of the Humane Society of Utah, we’re pleased to support the ‘SOS from Outer Space’ adoption campaign by covering adoption fees, helping more cats and kittens find loving homes while creating critical shelter space for animals in need across Utah.”

To create space for more cats throughout the state, HSU is transferring cats from West Valley City Animal Services, South Utah Valley Animal Shelter, Emery County Animal Shelter, Roosevelt Animal Shelter and Uintah Animal Control and Shelter Special Service District.

HSU will then host its “SOS from Outer Space” adoption special from Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 30.

“When several of our shelter partners told us they were out of space for cats, we knew we had an opportunity to help,” said Guinnevere Shuster, director of marketing and communications at the Humane Society of Utah. “By transferring cats to HSU and finding them loving homes, we can create space here and at our partner shelters for more cats who need care. Utah’s shelters are connected, and our community has the power to make a big impact across the state.”

— Humane Society of Utah

Near-total eclipse of the moon coming Thursday

While it’s true Utahns missed out on this month’s total eclipse of the Sun and clouds spoiled the view for many of February’s total eclipse of the Moon, Utah “eclipsophiles” will have a chance to a near-total eclipse of the Moon the night of Thursday, the 27th.

According to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador to Utah Patrick Wiggins, “The eclipse will start Thursday evening just after 8:30 when the Moon enters Earth’s dark, umbral shadow.” But Wiggins cautions that the Moon will be very low in the eastern sky at that time when mountains may block the view.

However by the time of maximum eclipse at just after 10:00 the Moon should be high enough in the sky for all Utahns to get a good view.

Unfortunately at maximum eclipse a small sliver of the Moon will miss Earth’s dark shadow. However enough of the Moon will be covered that those observing away from light polluted areas could have a good chance of seeing some of the lunar colors associated with total eclipses of the Moon.

The Moon will leave the dark portion of Earth’s shadow just before midnight but some very light shading may be visible for another hour as the Moon makes its way through Earth’s faint penumbral shadow. “Not much to see then.” Notes Wiggins.

Utah will have to wait until 2029 for the next total eclipse of the Moon (and a partial eclipse of the Sun).

The next total eclipse of the Sun visible from Utah will be in 2045. “Mark your day planners.” Jokes Wiggins.

Unlike eclipses of the Sun that require special viewing equipment, eclipses of the Moon are safe to observe with no special equipment and require nothing more than a desire to look (and clear skies).

— NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador to Utah

DUI enforcement increasing statewide now through Labor Day

Utah law enforcement prepared to bring the 100 Deadliest Days to a safe close through a national campaign

SALT LAKE CITY  – Starting last Wednesday, law enforcement agencies statewide are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” National Labor Day DUI Enforcement Mobilization. As the holiday approaches, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) is ramping up enforcement efforts and partnering with police agencies across the state to seek out and remove impaired drivers from Utah’s roadways. Labor Day brings the “100 Deadliest Days” to a close – this campaign aims to end the summer safely for everyone in Utah.

Utahns can expect increased enforcement through September 7th. Along with the Utah Highway Patrol’s Labor Day weekend DUI blitzes, 39 law enforcement agencies are working more than 245 extra DUI overtime shifts statewide. Extra enforcement is funded through grants from the Utah Highway Safety Office. Paid media will run online and outdoor advertising to remind drivers that enforcement is happening now.

Data Insights:

• Preliminary 2026 data shows there have been 416 alcohol-related crashes YTD
• Utah crash data from 2021-2025 shows that alcohol related driver crashes are 15 times more likely to be fatal than other crashes.
• In 2025 (SFY), there were 10,923 DUI arrests in Utah; that’s an average of 30 arrests per day.
• So far during the “100 Deadliest Days” this year, there have been 58 fatal crashes resulting in 61 fatalities.

For a safe Labor Day holiday weekend, being a responsible driver is simple:

• Have a plan for a designated driver before you begin drinking.
• If someone you know is impaired, take their keys and arrange a sober ride.
• If you drink, don’t drive – Utah’s BAC limit is 0.05; impairment starts with the first drink.
• ALWAYS buckle up; it’s your best defense against impaired drivers

— Utah Department of Public Safety

Sen. Curtis convenes Utah leaders to explore bold solutions for Great Salt Lake, Utah’s water future

SALT LAKE CITY–U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) convened a group of experts–including state elected officials, water experts, researchers, conservation leaders, and members of Utah’s technology sector–for a roundtable discussion on bold, long-term solutions to strengthen Utah’s water supply and protect the Great Salt Lake.

“A rich part of Utah’s heritage is our ingenuity and determination to solve societal challenges, particularly when it comes to water, and protecting the Great Salt Lake is no exception,” said Senator Curtis following the event. “This roundtable was focused on putting every idea on the table, bringing the right people together, and thinking boldly about what’s possible. There won’t be one silver bullet, but I’m confident that Utah can lead the way, and I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government is a strong partner in getting it done.”

The discussion focused on both immediate and long-term strategies to strengthen Utah’s water supply and protect the Great Salt Lake. Participants explored ideas ranging from desalination and interstate water infrastructure to expanded cloud seeding and improved forest management. The group also discussed reducing water loss from evaporation and mineral production, and engaging Utah’s technology sector to develop new solutions. Throughout the conversation, participants emphasized that no single approach will solve the challenge and that progress will require a combination of innovation, conservation, infrastructure, and continued federal, state, private, and philanthropic partnership.

The roundtable group included Hannah Freeze, Great Salt Lake Commissioner; Clint Betts, CEO and Co-Founder of Silicon Slopes; Dr. Kevin Perry, Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah; Dr. Ben Abbott, Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Ecology at Brigham Young University and Executive Director of Grow the Flow; Scott Sandall, State Senator; Jill Koford, Utah Representative; Tim Hawkes, Great Salt Lake Advisory Council Chairman; Dr. Brian Steed, Vice President for Government and External Relations at Utah State University; Marcelle Shoop, Executive Director of the Saline Lakes Program for the National Audubon Society; Megan Nelson, Director of Policy and External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy in Utah; Jordan Nielson, Executive Director of Great Salt Lake Rising; Gene Shawcroft, Chair of the Colorado River Authority and General Manager at Central Utah Water Conservancy District; Joel Ferry, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and Ben Stireman, Deputy Director of DNR.

Curtis plans to convene similar discussions and continue soliciting ideas from state, federal, private-sector, and community partners on both immediate and long-term approaches to Utah’s water future.

— Office of Sen. John Curtis

Utah unemployment remains steady, according to July 2026 report

SALT LAKE CITY  — Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for July 2026 increased an estimated 1.4% across the past 12 months, with the state’s economy adding a cumulative 25,200 jobs since July 2025. Utah’s current job count stands at 1,778,300.

July’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 3.6%, unchanged from its level in June. Approximately 64,800 Utahns are unemployed. The July national unemployment rate is estimated at 4.1%, a tenth of a percentage point below its level in June.

“Utah’s labor market continues to show resilience through robust job growth and low unemployment,” said Ben Crabb, chief economist with the Department of Workforce Services. “Even as constrained hiring rates and slowing labor force growth present clear headwinds, employers across major industrial sectors continue to expand payrolls.”

Utah’s July private sector employment recorded a year-over-year expansion of 1.9%, or a 28,900-job increase. Eight of the 10 major private-sector industry groups posted net year-over-year job gains. The overall gains are led by professional and business services (11,400 jobs), education and health services (5,900 jobs), and construction (4,300 jobs). Information (-2,000 jobs) and natural resources (-300 jobs) experienced the largest year-over-year job losses.

— Utah Department of Workforce Services

Utah’s economy continues to show underlying strength

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Chamber, in partnership with the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has released the July 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Economic Dashboard to inform business leaders’ understanding of Utah’s economy. This tool prioritizes key data on the state’s economic outlook and actionable context for decision-makers.

“Utah added more than 26,000 jobs over the past year and ranked third highest among states for job growth,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber. “That kind of strength is what keeps our economy resilient when the national picture stays mixed. It’s also a reminder to continue investing in our workforce and creating the opportunities that make Utah a place where people want to come and contribute.”

Three essential insights from the July 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Dashboard include:

Despite employment declines in four of Utah’s 11 major industries, total employment grew 1.5%. Professional and business services expanded the most, growing 4.7% from June 2025 to June 2026. In total, Utah added more than 26,000 jobs and ranked third highest among states in percentage employment change.

Headline inflation fell from 4.2% in May to 3.4% in July as energy prices eased. Ongoing volatility related to the Iran war threatens further reductions in inflation. Over time, raised energy prices may feed into higher prices of other goods and services.

Year-to-date passenger traffic at Salt Lake City International Airport grew 2.2% relative to 2025. Through June, the airport served 14.3 million passengers, up from 14.0 million a year earlier. Utah’s travel industry continues to grow, in part due to increased airport capacity.

The Dashboard is updated monthly, providing essential insights, tracking timely and leading measures, and sharing pertinent indicators. This provides leaders with critical and timely information to make informed decisions.

“Utah’s economy continues to show underlying strength, with employment growth in most sectors providing important sources of resilience,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, and associate dean at the David Eccles School of Business. “The broader economic picture remains uncertain with a variety of mixed signals. As the Fed holds steady, but questions linger, and oil prices rise and fall, I expect the U.S. and Utah economies to be fundamentally sound but to operate at a more measured pace.”

— The Utah Chamber