Can the 2034 Winter Games help preserve Utah’s quality of life? Here’s what a former governor says
| Desert News
| May 28, 2025 |
| Lisa Riley Roche |
“Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has a long list of ways the 2002 Winter Games moved Utah forward, including the rapid rebuilding of I-15, and wants to see the same from the next Olympics.
At an Envision Utah breakfast Wednesday in the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium tower, Leavitt recalled a moment from the finale of the 2002 Closing Ceremonies held there that made it clear the efforts were appreciated. ”
‘It hurts my heart’: A housing crisis is unfolding in Utah as 27 people found living crammed into 1 house — and advocates say soaring costs mean some families simply ‘cannot afford to live’
| Money Wise | June 4, 2025
| Sarah Sharkey |
“The heartbreaking reality of people packed like sardines into an unsafe living situation is not new to Tara Rollins, executive director of the Utah Housing Coalition.
She told KUTV her organization hears from people in such living situations.
"When you look at families doubling or tripling up, they're trying to stay under the radar," she said. "The problem is people cannot afford to live in our community. It's so expensive."
Most Utah residents agree that the state is “in a major housing crisis” or “facing serious housing challenges,” according to a Q4 2024 survey by Envision Utah and Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy. This can make keeping a roof over your head without breaking the bank an almost impossible challenge in the state. The causes cited included interest rates, construction costs, developer or landlord greed, too many people moving to Utah, and insufficient housing supply. ”
More growth is coming with or without the 2034 Olympics. Organizers say the Games will only help Utah.
| The Salt Lake Tribune | May 29, 2025 | Julie Jag |
“Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt thought back to the night of the Closing Ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics. From where he sat in the south end zone of Rice-Eccles Stadium, the fireworks were abundant, bright and loud. But they were not as loud as a man in front of him who, Leavitt said, stood up at the climax of the finale and shouted “U-tah! U-tah! U-tah!”
Upon turning around and realizing the governor was behind him, the man became embarrassed, Leavitt told a crowd at a breakfast hosted at the stadium Wednesday by the nonprofit networking group Envision Utah.”
Why should I talk to my baby?' Washington County School District hosts new parents
| St. George News | May 11, 2025 | Nic k Fiala|
“Sandstone Elementary School hosted a Birth to Big Kid event last week, intended to provide needed supplies and helpful information to parents of newborns and 1-year-old children.
The event was made possible by a collaboration between the Washington County School District and several organizations that provide baby supplies to needy families, as well as others that collect statistical data to find the best solutions for common child-rearing problems...
The nonprofit community planning organization Envision Utah was represented at the event by Senior Early Learning Project Manager Laurell Miller-Jones, who said data from the app and the event analysis will be compiled in September to measure success.”
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