AGP Executive Report

Data Center Rules: Iron County commissioners are weighing changes to proposed rules for large data centers before a development moratorium expires Nov. 22. Some officials want tighter oversight; others warn strict limits could cost the county jobs and investment. Cost of Living: A new Utah Foundation survey found the state’s quality-of-life score at its lowest level since tracking began, with housing costs and affordability among persistent pressures. Development Policy: House Speaker Mike Schultz says lawmakers should consider changing or repealing a 2024 law that lets developers create new towns, amid concerns it bypasses local oversight and infrastructure requirements. Transit: Utah Transit Authority’s proposed fare increase to $3 is drawing objections, with riders urging officials to consider free fares instead. Washington: Sen. John Curtis joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse plans for Russian diesel imports, arguing the move could violate federal law and give Moscow a financial boost. Community: Pamela Atkinson, a longtime advocate for Utahns experiencing homelessness and poverty, has died at 93.

Energy Politics: Utah Sen. John Curtis joined six bipartisan senators urging President Trump to reverse a plan to import Russian diesel, arguing it conflicts with sanctions law and could finance Russia’s war. An analyst doubts the deal will meaningfully lower fuel prices. Utah’s Economy: Five Wasatch Front counties—Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah and Weber—rank among the nation’s top 10 for rising shares of homes listed below their original asking prices, as buyers weigh high mortgage rates and builders’ incentives. Utah also has the nation’s highest renter mobility rate, at 30.8%. Transportation Innovation: Electric-aircraft maker BETA completed five days of Utah test flights, moving medical cargo between Salt Lake City, Provo and Logan as the state explores new logistics options ahead of the 2034 Olympics. Election Guide: With 57 judges on Utah ballots, voters can review performance evaluations from the state’s Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission before deciding whether judges should keep their seats.

Data Center Debate: Iron County’s planning panel advanced proposed data-center rules unchanged despite calls for stronger water safeguards and more time. County commissioners will discuss the proposal Monday, but have scheduled no vote. Great Salt Lake: More than 800 square miles of lakebed are exposed, including 70 square miles researchers identify as active dust hotspots. University of Utah experts say work to limit the air-quality threat must start now. Housing Affordability: A Plain City development is building 275 starter homes priced below $450,000, with smaller garages and lots to keep costs down. Washington: Utah Sen. John Curtis joined five colleagues from both parties urging President Trump to drop a plan to import Russian diesel, saying it could violate federal law and funnel money to Moscow. Public Health: Utah has recorded 535 measles cases this year, among the nation’s highest totals, though its count did not rise in the latest weekly report. Utah Remembers: Pamela Atkinson, a longtime advocate for children and people experiencing poverty, has died at 93.

Utah Politics: Sen. John Curtis joined five colleagues from both parties urging the Trump administration to reverse its plan to buy Russian diesel, saying it would send money to Moscow without congressional approval. Utah State University also scheduled a civil debate between House leaders Casey Snider and Angela Romero ahead of the general election. Public Health: Utah has reported 535 measles cases this year, among the highest totals in the country. Homelessness: A University of Utah report says unsheltered people in the Salt Lake Valley face dangerous heat with limited access to shade, water and restrooms, and recommends a “Code Red” policy. Community: Pamela Atkinson, a longtime advocate for Utahns facing homelessness and poverty, has died. Sports: Michael Brennan won the Baycurrent Classic for his third PGA Tour title; he broke through at last year’s Bank of Utah Championship.

Utes Win: No. 12 Utah beat Kansas 41-24 in Salt Lake City, pulling away with a 90-yard touchdown after stopping the Jayhawks at the goal line. Baseball Bid: Salt Lake City is emerging as a frontrunner for one of two potential MLB expansion teams, though the league’s commissioner says expansion comes after labor negotiations are resolved. Data Center Pushback: Mona residents are fighting a proposed 3-million-square-foot facility approved without notice to nearby landowners. A USU study found 68% of Utahns oppose data centers within three miles of their homes, and the issue has already cost some county commissioners their seats. Public Safety: Salt Lake County prosecutors filed the first charges under a new state law making it a felony to recruit minors into gangs; three men are accused. Utah Politics: Sen. John Curtis urged the Pentagon to reconsider plans to livestream the Fort Hood shooter’s execution, saying he supports the death sentence but that broadcasting it is wrong. Banking: American Express National Bank, based in Utah, was fined $350 million by federal regulators over failures in its anti-money-laundering controls.

Election Watch: Wasatch Back county clerks begin mailing ballots Oct. 13. Voter registration is due by Oct. 23, and mailed ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Utah’s 4th District candidates also sparred over housing costs, data centers and gas prices. Public Safety: Utah has linked four deaths to products sold as “kratom-free” cat’s claw supplements; state testing found Schedule I compounds, and investigators are working to identify the suppliers. Housing: A Plain City development shows how smaller homes and lots can bring prices within reach: one 1,900-square-foot home sold for under $450,000, with state down-payment assistance helping its buyer. Law and Order: Anti-government activist Ammon Bundy was arrested in Iron County after driving an unregistered truck; he disputes the registration requirement and says he will appear in court.

Local Finances: Cedar City has set targets for its cash reserves, aiming to protect essential services from emergencies and revenue shortfalls while staying within Utah’s legal limits. Campaign 2026: Utah’s 4th District candidates Mike Kennedy and Jonny Larsen clashed over affordability, gas prices and the Iran war; Amendment B is also drawing a fight over changes to the state’s ballot initiative process. AI and Health Care: Utah is expanding its health-care AI sandbox, including a pilot that could let AI prescribe some acne treatments, while Gov. Spencer Cox’s “pro-human” AI order calls for responsible use in state government. Growth and Local Control: Candidates at a Park City forum criticized MIDA’s role in major development, including a proposed Box Elder County data center, arguing local communities lack a say. Tooele County officials have also tabled a draft data-center ordinance. Water: Great Salt Lake levels have fallen below 30% of full, while a study behind proposed water-fee increases did not account for existing revenue. Business and Sports: Utah-based Crumbl’s CEO took responsibility for missing industry headwinds as store closures mount nationwide. BYU, meanwhile, announced a major partnership bringing investment in football facilities and NIL opportunities for more than 40 athletes.

Congressional Race: Rep. Mike Kennedy and challenger Jonny Larsen clashed in Utah’s 4th District debate over Iran, gas prices and affordability, with data centers and public lands also in play. AI and Health Care: Utah’s new pilot allows an app to prescribe topical acne treatments to adults, but physicians review every prescription in its first stage; later, less-supervised steps need state approval. Data Center Rules: After hours of public comment, Tooele County commissioners tabled a draft ordinance, keeping developer applications on hold until rules are adopted. Water Costs: A study behind Utah’s proposed $1.2 billion water fee did not account for existing revenue, prompting questions about how the charge was calculated. Local Businesses: Salt Lake-based Venezuelan restaurant Arempas has closed three of six locations; its owners say immigration enforcement has scared off customers and cost them workers.

Water Funding: A $170,000 state-backed study estimated Utah needs $1.2 billion a year for water infrastructure but did not examine providers’ existing revenues, raising questions as lawmakers revisit how to pay for repairs. Wasatch County: Sheriff Jared Rigby and former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds pleaded not guilty to obstruction charges tied to the Kouri Richins investigation; Rigby’s plans to stay in office are unclear. Utah Business: Crumbl’s downturn has brought 57 store closures this year and an August traffic drop of 32% from a year earlier. CEO Jason McGowan took responsibility for the troubles. Energy Costs: Sen. Mike Lee joined a bipartisan bill requiring data centers to pay for grid upgrades they need, rather than passing the costs to households. Consumer Protection: Utah’s attorney general joined the FTC and Nevada in suing Lens.com, alleging it hid mandatory fees behind advertised contact-lens prices. Rural Health: The University of Utah has enrolled its first 10 medical students at its Southern Utah campus, but leaders say securing residency placements will be key to training more doctors for underserved areas.

Water Costs: A $170,000 study backing a proposed Utah water-rate policy did not account for providers’ existing revenue, raising questions as lawmakers revisit funding for infrastructure that could increase household bills. Data Centers: Utahns broadly oppose building more data centers, while Iron County residents and tribal leaders seek a delay as county rules head to a public hearing. The issue is also surfacing in congressional debates. Great Salt Lake: The lake has fallen below 30% full as researchers look for answers about dust from its exposed lakebed. Courts: Kouri Richins was ordered to pay $55 million to her late husband’s estate in a wrongful-death case. Higher Education: The University of Utah is weighing workforce cuts of up to 15% as part of a modernization effort; separate federal funding cuts have reduced child-care subsidies for thousands of Utah families. AI Policy: Gov. Spencer Cox’s new order directs state agencies to use AI responsibly, as Utah’s pilot allowing AI to prescribe acne treatments draws attention.

Household Costs: Utah consumer sentiment fell in September after three months of gains, with higher gas and grocery prices, mortgage rates and housing costs weighing on families. Local Development: Provo is considering a deal to trade five acres of city land for a hotel, retail and other amenities near Epic Sports Park, backed by tax incentives. Energy and Data Centers: Carbon County commissioners tabled a proposed technology park east of Wellington pending more information; its first phase would include a 250-megawatt gas plant, with data centers among possible future tenants. Public Integrity: Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby and former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds pleaded not guilty to obstruction charges tied to the Kouri Richins murder case. Research: A University of Utah-led team won a $7.5 million federal award to study whether coal, mining waste and industrial wastewater in the Rocky Mountain region could yield critical minerals. State Government: Gov. Spencer Cox’s new executive order directs agencies to set AI safeguards and train state employees.

Great Salt Lake: The lake has fallen below 30% full, and researchers are working to identify how much Wasatch Front dust comes from the exposed lakebed. Health risks remain unclear, including how much arsenic and lead reach the air. Utah Politics: House District 14 candidates John Taylor and Brandon Young shared their priorities, while independent Patrick Belmont again challenged incumbent Jason Thompson to debate. The Utah Supreme Court also heard challenges to the Legislature’s new constitutional court. AI & Health: Gov. Spencer Cox’s new order directs state agencies to use AI responsibly, as Utah’s first pilot for AI-prescribed acne treatments gets underway. Growth & Affordability: Utah data centers are raising local concerns about power and water use, while a new report urges a “Code Red” policy to protect homeless residents from extreme heat.

Utah AI in healthcare: Gov. Spencer Cox signed a “pro-human” executive order to guide state agencies as Utah expands AI pilots, including prescription refills and acne/women’s health tools, with outside evaluators paid by the companies being reviewed. Great Salt Lake: The Great Salt Lake Tracker is back as the lake drops below 30% full, renewing pressure ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Local food for schools: Utah’s education board is seeking beef and fruit tree vendors to feed school meal programs, building on a 2023 effort that already drove $1.9M in local purchases. Data center debate: Residents near a West Jordan data center say the facility itself isn’t the biggest issue, while Logan City hosted a data center open house with USU researchers and a focus on what people want to avoid near homes. Politics & accountability: Utah AG JB McCuskey joined a coalition urging the Supreme Court to let 9/11 victims access frozen Taliban funds. National politics spillover: Trump Jr.’s wedding after-party controversy continues as a Russian tycoon says the money was repaid.

3rd District politics: Rep. Jason Thompson faced a tougher-than-usual crowd at a Utah State University town hall, with questions turning sharp on the environment and climate change as he defended an “all-of-the-above” energy approach against a more hostile tone from attendees. Healthcare & AI: NIH is accused of censoring or terminating grants tied to “disfavored viewpoints,” raising First Amendment concerns for researchers, while Utah expands AI into clinical care with new pilots and automated prescription permissions for acne treatments. Utah workforce bottleneck: Utah’s technical colleges report more than 8,000 students stuck on waitlists, including thousands of adults and high schoolers, as the state releases the first official queue counts. Local business & tech: ExtraMile rolls out a digital commerce system to sync online ordering with real store inventory, and GFiber selects Alianza One for cloud-based phone service. Energy & infrastructure: Counties in two states are trying to slow data center growth, but projects already underway often keep moving—fueling local anger over power and water strain. Sports (Utah): BYU’s Kihei Akina is halfway to a PGA Tour card after a top-10 finish at the Bank of Utah Championship.

Great Salt Lake Dust: University of Utah researchers mapped 70 square miles of “active dust hotspots” on exposed lakebed, warning the area could grow past 100 as water levels keep dropping—while Utah leaders debate whether refilling is the cheapest fix versus far pricier engineering options. AI in Utah Health Care: Utah became the first state to let an AI startup (Nolla Health) automate acne prescription approvals with staged physician oversight, aiming to expand access while keeping humans in the loop for safety. Utah Courts: The Utah Supreme Court heard challenges to the legislature’s new “constitutional court,” with arguments focused on whether the special court is legitimate—not the underlying cases. Local Government & Housing: Salt Lake City quietly removed a promised pool from Glendale Park’s next construction phase, reigniting frustration over broken west-side promises. Food & Consumer Relief: Utah Food Bank received its first shipment of 1.5 million eggs tied to Utah’s price-fixing settlement. Public Safety: A fatal crash shut down all lanes at 400 South and West Temple in downtown Salt Lake City, snarling traffic. Business & Growth: Provo Towne Centre redevelopment heads back to the City Council work session as approvals remain in play. Sports: BYU golfer Kihei Akina posted a first PGA Tour top-10 finish, placing ninth at the Bank of Utah Championship.

Utah Election Watch: Utah’s top election official says Trump administration “gamesmanship” with voting keeps her up at night, as Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson fights federal pressure over voter data and mail-ballot rules. Consumer Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including Utah, after undeclared yellow dyes were found. Online Scams: A national study ranks Utah among the most likely states to be scammed online, with big losses tied to non-delivery and fraud. Business & Jobs: Wize Solutions says it’s growing fast after acquiring multiple warehouse-installation firms, expanding automation and material-handling services. Sports (Local Pride): Austin Smotherman won the Bank of Utah Championship, taking his first PGA Tour title at Black Desert Resort in Ivins. Health Policy: Utah’s gambling and prediction-market debate continues as LDS leaders renew warnings about betting’s moral and youth impacts. Local Finance: Utah Medical Products extended its tender offer deadline, offering to buy up to 650,000 shares at $75.