2+ mon, 5+ day ago (266+ words) Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a proclamation designating Wednesday, Sept. 24, as "Deseret News " Voice of the West Day in Salt Lake City," following its 175th birthday in June. Mendenhall's announcement references Deseret News reporter Bob Mullins's Pulitzer Prize, won in 1962. Mullins was able to gather and publish information the FBI wasn't even able to get in the case of a murder and kidnapping at Dead Horse Point in July 1961. Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver expressed gratitude for the mayor's proclamation. "We're so grateful that Mayor Mendenhall and Salt Lake City would recognize Deseret News' work and legacy," Weaver said. "After 175 years, we're still happy to call Salt Lake City Deseret News' home." The Deseret News serves "as a window for the nation to see all the good that is happening in Utah and a window out for Utahns…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (320+ words) Editor's note: This story was originally published on Nov. 22, 2024. On Nov. 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was shot to death in a motorcade in Dallas. And a nation moved from shock to grief to, well, back to normal. Kennedy was sitting beside first lady Jackie Kennedy as the motorcade moved through downtown Dallas on that fateful day. Texas Gov. John B. Connally, riding in the same car as Kennedy, was seriously wounded. Suspected gunman Lee Harvey Oswald was soon arrested for the crime, but died by gunfire at the hands of Jack Ruby within days. Within hours of the shooting, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president. The Deseret News printed an "Extra," a quick edition of the news of the day. Coverage was extensive for weeks. The headlines read: "Kennedy assassinated"; "President killed by Texas…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (384+ words) Utahns, Americans for that matter, love a parade, a fireworks show, a chance to display their patriotism. The Deseret News, through its 175 years, has captured those Independence Day images in many ways. According to Deseret News archives, Utahns have been celebrating Independence Day since 1852. In previous reporting, in her column in the July 4, 1954, edition of the Deseret News, Inez Robb wrote: "I want a Fourth of July complete with parade, a community picnic with foot races in the town park, fireworks and, to top it all off, some inspired orator to speak well of Uncle Sam." Here are some fun facts: - According to a historical column in the July 4, 1947, Deseret News, the first Independence Day observed in Utah was not until 1852. "Until this time, since entering the Salt Lake Valley, the pioneers had blended their July 4 and 24 celebrations into one,…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago (418+ words) Rare and iconic World War II aircraft will grace the skies above the Spanish Fork Airport in September for the city's annual military vehicle event. The Wings and Wheels Airshow is planned to be bigger than ever this year with aviation performances, historic warbirds, classic cars, World War II military vehicles, autocross races and more. Wings and Wheels started about a decade ago to help connect residents to the small airport, airport manager Christian Davis said. "Over the course of the last three years, in conjunction with the city and growth of the airport, we've really ramped up the event to be a full-on air show with really neat aerobatic events, historic and one-of-a-kind World War II aircraft, neat car shows, cars racing down our taxiway, and vendors. It's a really fun, full-color air show," Davis said. Aircraft included in…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago (399+ words) SALT LAKE CITY " Utah's Pioneer Day holiday celebrates the arrival of the first group of pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Cities across Utah are celebrating with unique events to mark the holiday. The week of festivities starts with the Float Preview Party on Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22 from 11 a.m.to 9 p.m. at the Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State. The Utah Days of '47 Rodeo will kick off with a cattle drive through Salt Lake streets at 9 a.m. on July 21. Then, nightly shows will take place at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 S. 1000 West, from Tuesday, July 22 to Saturday, July 26, with each show followed by fireworks and drone displays. The Deseret News Marathon is the longest-operating marathon in Utah and it kicks off early (5:30 a.m.) on Thursday, July 24 with full, half, 10K, 5K, 1K and the new relay races. Online registration closes at 5 p.m. on July 23. The multiple-day festival…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (357+ words) The Utah State Fair is back for another year, and KSL.com has all the details you'll need to know. Whether it's for funnel cake or giant Ferris wheels, rodeos or live music, Utahns flock to the annual funfair. Check out the specifics below. The Utah State Fair 2025 is taking place at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West in Salt Lake City. It runs for 11 days, from Sept. 4-14. While some folks may want to go on fair rides until the cows come home, there are only so many hours left in the final seven days of the event to squeeze in all that fun. Prices vary by event, but all arena tickets will include Utah State Fair 2025 admission. No fees will be added. Planning to drive to the fair? Here's where to go and how much it costs. Barrel races and…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (295+ words) Christmastime is here " and so are "The Nutcracker" and many more performances to get you in the holiday spirit Here's where you can find Christmas plays and concerts in Utah this year Christmastime is here " and so are "The Nutcracker' and many more performances to get you in the holiday spirit Christmastime is here " and so are "The Nutcracker," "A Christmas Carol," the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and many more performances to get you in the holiday spirit. Here's where you can find theater, dance and concerts this Christmas season. Note: This list is not all-inclusive and events are subject to change. Christmas theater performances in Utah - "Bandito's Holiday Heist," Nov. 22 and Dec. 19-23 - "Park City's Holiday Spectacular and Sing-a-Long," Dec. 12-21 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage," Dec. 22-23 - "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical," Dec. 5-20 "Star of Wonder," Dec. 15-20 Christmas concerts…...

6+ mon, 1+ week ago (336+ words) Chris is assistant editor with the Politics and the West team, and also writes a daily Deseret News archives story. Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 20, 2024. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Charlie Chaplin, Duke Ellington, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. On May 20, 1927, Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, aboard the Spirit of St. Louis on his historic solo flight to France. Here is the next day's front page of the Deseret News. "Dream of year comes true for Lindbergh in flight across ocean," read one of the many headlines. The former military officer was the first to accomplish a solo transatlantic flight, and is considered by many to have ushered in a new era of air transportation. While hailed as…...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (370+ words) Author Margaret Mitchell's quiet philanthropy perhaps overshadowed by book, film's success. Book won Pulitzer Prize on this day in 1937 Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 3, 2024. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. Talk about a one-hit wonder. On May 3, 1937, American author Margaret Mitchell learned her novel "Gone with the Wind" had won a Pulitzer Prize. It was the only book she published in her lifetime. In 1939, the motion picture, starring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable, won eight Academy Awards. Not too bad for a former newspaper reporter. In 1989, this 50-year recollection by the Deseret News' Steve Lawrence Peterson shared plenty of details about the author and how her novel chronicled the South during and after the Civil War. Mitchell, a private person then, became even more selective in her appearances in…...

1+ mon, 6+ day ago (108+ words) Check out our interactive map to see how Utahns are getting into the Halloween spirit this year, or find a local haunted house or pumpkin patch to enjoy some fall fun. Spooky season has officially arrived. Pumpkins are popping up on porches, Halloween lights are glowing and yards across Utah are transforming into scenes that range from fun to frightening. Check out our interactive map to see how Utahns are getting into the Halloween spirit this year, or find a local haunted house or pumpkin patch to enjoy some fall fun. Another way to find fun Halloween happenings across Utah is to check the KSL Events calendar, here....