DRAPER, UTAH — You otter see this! Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is excited to announce the birth of two Asian Small-Clawed Otter pups, marking the first time the species has been born at the Aquarium.

The litter, one male and one female, was born on June 6, 2026, to parents Kai and Emmie. Since their arrival, the pups have been growing and developing behind the scenes with mom and dad, giving the family time and space to bond together. As the pups adjust to their habitat and begin training with the Aquarium’s animal care team, they will periodically spend time behind the scenes and may not always be visible to guests. These babies continue to reach important developmental milestones under the watchful care of their parents and the Aquarium’s animal care and veterinary teams.

“The birth of these pups is a very special milestone for Loveland Living Planet Aquarium and a testament to the dedication of our animal care team,” said Michelle Kaylor, Director of Zoological Operations. “We’re thrilled to watch them grow alongside Kai and Emmie and to share their story with our guests.”

There’s just one thing these little otters are still missing: names! In the coming weeks, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium will invite the public to help name its newest residents through a special naming contest.

“The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation is proud to support the Aquarium’s work to expand educational opportunities for students throughout Utah, particularly those in underserved communities,” said Keri Hale, Cochair of the Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation. “These Asian small-clawed otter pups provide a unique opportunity to inspire curiosity, connect students with the natural world, and teach the importance of protecting biodiversity. We believe experiences like these help educators bring science to life while building more informed and engaged communities.”

Guests are encouraged to follow the Aquarium on social media or visit their website for details about the naming contest and more “otterly” adorable content. The Asian Small-Clawed Otter habitat is presented by The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

The Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. A world-class facility, LLPA provides learning opportunities at all levels, interests, and ages. The Aquarium has welcomed ten million guests since opening in Draper in March 2014. In addition, the Aquarium provides 150,000 student experiences by visiting every public elementary school in the state each year. LLPA is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

American Red Cross of Utah honors Sickle Cell Awareness Month

During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the American Red Cross of Utah is asking all Utahns to give blood because a diverse blood supply is important to the health of the community. Today, the Red Cross is also premiering Iconic Excellence: The Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew, a new documentary about the pioneering African American physician and researcher whose work helped advance modern blood collection and storage.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Dr. Drew’s appointment as the first medical director of the Red Cross Blood Program. The documentary highlights his breakthroughs in blood plasma preservation, his leadership in medicine and his opposition to policies that segregated blood by race. The film is available beginning Sept. 18 on the American Red Cross YouTube channel. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/IconicExcellence for more information.

“Many people with sickle cell disease depend on regular transfusions, and the closest possible blood match can be especially important,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “A diverse donor base gives us a better chance of finding those matches. That is one reason Dr. Drew’s legacy still resonates 85 years later.”

Blood Donations and Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States, the majority of whom are Black or African American. Many people with sickle cell disease rely on regular blood transfusions as part of their treatment.

Because repeated transfusions can increase the risk of complications, closely matched blood can be especially important. Black or African American blood donors are nearly three times more likely than donors of other races or ethnicities to provide the blood most commonly needed by people with sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Trait Screening

During National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Red Cross is screening blood donations from self-identified multiracial and Black or African American donors for sickle cell trait. The screening can help identify blood that is especially compatible for people with sickle cell disease. More information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/SickleCell.

Appointments to give blood or platelets can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who come to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-20, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross �– Hello Kitty® plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty. Those who come to give Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Utah Department of Workforce Services releases August 2026 employment summary

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for August 2026 increased an estimated 1.2% across the past 12 months, with the state’s economy adding a cumulative 20,600 jobs since August 2025. Utah’s current job count stands at 1,788,800.

August’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 3.5%, down a tenth of a percentage point from its level in July. Approximately 64,100 Utahns are unemployed. The August national unemployment rate is estimated at 4.1%, unchanged from its level in July.

“Utah’s economy continues to demonstrate fundamental stability as our prime-age workforce expands and secures employment at very high rates,” said Ben Crabb, chief economist with the Department of Workforce Services. “However, the broader hiring landscape has cooled around the edges, leading to a more competitive environment for secondary hours, part-time shifts, and those just entering the workforce.”

Utah’s August private sector employment recorded a year-over-year expansion of 1.6%, or a 23,600-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 (8,500 jobs), education and health services (4,900 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (4,000 jobs). Information (-2,300 jobs) and natural resources (-200 jobs) experienced the year-over-year job losses.

• Additional analysis and tables at https://jobs.utah.gov/wi/update/index.html

• County unemployment rates for August will post on or shortly after September 21, 2026, at https://jobs.utah.gov/wi/update/une/season.pdf

• Statistics generated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D.C., modeled from monthly employer (employment) and household (unemployment) surveys.

• Listen to Chief Economist Ben Crabb’s analysis of the August 2026 employment report here: soundcloud.com/utahdws/utah-employment-report-august-2026.