Month: December 2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Utah Jazz, winning 131-101, on Friday night at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The win was OKC’s 23rd in 24 games and 15th consecutive.

The Thunder’s 15-straight victories tie the franchise record. OKC is the third team to start a season 23-1 or better, with the 1969-70 New York Knicks starting 23-1 and the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors starting 24-0.

The Thunder had seven names on the injury report tonight, including superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The heavy injury burden didn’t matter, as OKC danced to a 30-point victory.

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each scored 25 points on the night, showcasing their elite abilities as draft classmates. Aaron Wiggins scored 19.

Here are three takeaways from the dominant Oklahoma City victory.

1. A Thunder Avalanche

Without Gilgeous-Alexander, it was a question of how the Thunder would start on offense. From the opening tip, shots rained from all across the perimeter for Oklahoma City.

In the first quarter, the Thunder set a franchise record on three-pointers made in a single period with 11. On 17 attempts, the Thunder shot 64.7% from distance.

Shooting wasn’t the only efficient aspect for OKC, as the team assisted on 15 made shots, while turning the ball over once. Jaylin Williams, in his second consecutive start, led the charge as a facilitator for the Thunder with three early assists in the period.

No player was hotter than Branden Carlson, a native of Utah, who scored 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter, knocking down three triples in the period.

In all aspects of the game, the Thunder dominated the Jazz in the first quarter, which carried on the rest of the way. An immaculate aerial assault from all angles was a big reason why.

2. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams Dominate

In the absence of an MVP, the Thunder’s two young stars controlled the pace of the game to will the Thunder to another dominant victory. Holmgren and Williams combined for 50 points in Oklahoma City’s 30-point win.

Neither player touched the floor in the fourth quarter, as Holmgren played 23 minutes and Williams played 25.

Holmgren dominated from two-point range, scoring 25 points on 12-of-15 shooting, 1-of-2 from three. He added nine rebounds and two blocks to his statistical totals as well.

Williams looked the most comfortable he has looked since coming back from surgery, scoring 25 points as well. He shot 11-of-19 from the floor and added eight assists, two steals and three rebounds.

Holmgren adds to his All-Star resume, while Williams continues to get into midseason form.

3. The Thunder Have a Ridiculous Abundance of Depth

The Thunder injury report contained seven names, which included Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe. Despite the large tally of key rotation players sidelined, the Thunder played one of the most dominant games of the entire season.

From the top to the bottom of their rotation, the Thunder had elite performances. 6-of-11 available Thunder players scored in double-digits, 54.5%.

For the second straight game, every active Thunder player scored a point.

Cason Wallace had a complete performance, scoring six points, grabbing two rebounds and picking up four assists and five steals on the night as a game-high +32. The reigning Defensive Player of the Month continued his push for his first All-Defensive team nomination.

Wiggins racked up another solid performance since returning from injury, scoring 19 points while hitting five triples. Ousmane Dieng had his best performance of his season in an extended run, scoring 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Kenrich Williams played his best game of the season, tallying 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 24 minutes. Carlson was active early, scoring 13 points in his home state.

The Thunder do not have an unplayable player on the roster, fully boasting one of the deepest rosters the league has ever seen.

Dec. 7, 2025, 11:05 p.m. CT

College football’s bowl season is upon us. The 2025-26 College Football Playoff field was unveiled on ESPN on Sunday. Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma, Miami, Tulane and James Madison will make up the 12-team field. Notre Dame, which went …

WINTERBERG, Germany (AP) — Austria’s Hannah Prock and Germany’s Merle Fraebel both won a pair of medals Sunday in World Cup luge races.

Prock won the women’s singles race with Fraebel finishing second. Austria’s Dorothea Schwarz took third for the first World Cup singles medal of her career.

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In the team relay, Fraebel and Germany took the gold, with Prock and Austria placing second. Latvia was third, the only medal out of 15 awarded during the weekend that wasn’t won by either Germany or Austria.

USA Luge did not compete in Winterberg, opting instead to stay home and prepare for World Cups over the next two weeks on their tracks in Park City, Utah, and Lake Placid, New York. This weekend’s races are not part of the Olympic qualifying system, another reason why the Americans opted to pass.

Up next

Bobsled: World Cup racing resumes Saturday and Sunday at Lillehammer, Norway.

Skeleton: Men’s, women’s and mixed team races on Friday at Lillehammer, Norway.

Luge: World Cup racing resumes Friday and Saturday at Park City, Utah.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Utah is at a crossroads in its energy future. Our state is growing, technology is advancing and communities are demanding reliable, affordable and forward-looking energy solutions. These changes require open dialogue, strong collaboration and a willingness to adapt — not the heavy-handed tactics of the past.

Unfortunately, recent events have shown that not all participants in Utah’s energy landscape are committed to those principles.

In recent weeks, representatives of Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) — Utah’s largest regulated monopoly — took actions that undermine fair dialogue by pressuring industry organizations to remove members of the Beehive Energy Alliance from their boards. The reason? Our independent efforts to advance energy innovation, diversification and modernized infrastructure across Utah.

Let me be clear: We do not believe these actions represent the entire organization or its workforce. RMP employs thousands of dedicated, mission-driven professionals — engineers, planners, line workers, analysts and managers — who work tirelessly to serve Utah’s families and businesses. Our concern is not with them. Our concern is with the actions of a small number of individuals in leadership or legislative affairs who used institutional influence in ways that discourage constructive dialogue and weaken trust across the energy community.

This behavior is harmful, unnecessary and inconsistent with the responsibilities of a regulated monopoly entrusted with serving millions of Utahns. When a monopoly uses its influence to silence policy discussion or punish groups offering new ideas, the entire state loses.

The Beehive Energy Alliance was created to unite the full spectrum of Utah’s energy ecosystem: private-sector innovators, utilities, community leaders, energy developers, grid-technology pioneers, researchers, manufacturers and policymakers. Our mission is to strengthen Utah’s long-term energy reliability and accelerate the world-class solutions being built right here in our state.

We support electrification, distributed energy, microgrids, advanced storage systems, emerging reactor technologies and policy frameworks that allow new ideas and technologies to thrive alongside traditional energy infrastructure.

We believe Utah is strongest when ALL VOICES — utilities, independent developers, researchers, universities, local governments, small businesses and community groups — are at the table.

And now more than ever, Utah needs more voices at that table.

Recent events have highlighted the need for greater transparency, broader collaboration, and more partners willing to step forward to help shape Utah’s energy future. That is why the Beehive Energy Alliance is extending an open invitation to organizations across the state — industry groups, nonprofits, research institutions, tribal partners, technology companies, municipalities and energy innovators — to join this coalition.

There is room for everyone. And the work ahead is far too important for anyone to be left out.

Of course, collaboration only works when all parties act with integrity. When Rocky Mountain Power pressures partner organizations to punish or remove dissenting viewpoints, it signals a deeper institutional issue: resistance to innovation, fear of competition or an unwillingness to accept that Utah’s energy landscape is rapidly changing.

Energy policy is not a zero-sum game. Utah’s future is big enough for utilities, innovators, new technologies and emerging industries. What matters is that every participant contributes honestly, transparently and with a shared sense of responsibility.

Despite recent events, the Beehive Energy Alliance remains committed to collaborating with RMP as an institution. We believe in working with all Utah energy stakeholders — including those who may disagree with us — to find real solutions. That includes extending an open invitation to RMP’s policy, legislative and strategic leadership to work alongside our board, which includes state legislators, researchers, developers and grid technology innovators. When we sit at the same table, we all win.

Several Utah leaders and organizations have already reaffirmed their support for the Beehive Energy Alliance following these events. They understand that innovation thrives when diverse voices participate freely and when policy discussions happen in the open, not behind closed doors.

The Beehive Energy Alliance remains fully committed to constructive engagement. We welcome disagreement. We value debate. We believe that the best solutions emerge when ideas are tested — not suppressed.

Utah deserves an energy ecosystem built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation. It deserves institutions that lead with integrity, not intimidation. And it deserves a future where new ideas are encouraged — not punished.

December is here, and that means it’s time for one of our favorite KSL traditions: celebrating the most festive Utah Christmas lights, neighborhood decorations and holiday events across the state.

The KSL 2025 Utah Christmas lights and holiday events map is officially live, and now we need your help filling it with the best displays across the state. Whether your home shines with thousands of bulbs or your street features a long-loved neighborhood tradition, we want to feature it. (With permission from the homeowners, of course).

Help us build Utah’s brightest holiday map — your submissions make this statewide guide possible for families across Utah.

Explore the 2025 Utah Christmas lights and events map

New displays are added regularly — check back often to see what’s lighting up Utah.

The map is also available here.

Submit your Christmas lights display

Want your home or neighborhood featured on the KSL Christmas Lights Map?

Email your display to holidaydisplays@ksl.com.

Include the following:

• Full address

• At least one photo of the display (night shots preferred for clarity)

• Any special notes: music-synced lights, walk-through details, hours, FM station, themes, etc.

• Optional: Include a name for your display; we may use it as part of your listing

Submission guidelines:

Only submit your own decorations or obtain permission from the property owner.

• Displays will be reviewed and added throughout December.

• Early submissions help more visitors find your display.

What kind of Utah Christmas light displays are we looking for?

We welcome all types of holiday displays across Utah, big or small.

This includes:

• Fully decorated homes

• Synchronized musical Christmas light shows

• Neighborhood or cul-de-sac displays

• Walk-through light experiences

• Nativity scenes

• Large inflatables and themed characters

• Animated or color-changing displays

• DIY or handmade light creations

• Community Christmas light shows and holiday events

If it spreads holiday cheer, we want to help people discover it.

Tips for submitting a great display

Help your home shine on the map:

• Take photos after dark for the best visibility.

• Capture the entire house or the main feature of your display.

• Mention if the lights sync to a radio station or playlist.

• Include details about unique elements or homemade pieces.

• Note whether the display is walk-through, drive-by, or both.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the best Christmas lights in Utah in 2025?

The KSL Christmas lights map highlights popular displays across Utah, including neighborhood homes, community shows and large attractions.

How do I submit my Christmas light display to KSL?

Email your address, photos and details to holidaydisplays@ksl.com. New displays will be added throughout December.

Do I need to pay to get my house on the KSL Christmas Lights Map?

No. Submitting a display to the KSL Christmas lights map is entirely free.

How often is the Utah Christmas Lights Map updated?

Updates happen regularly as new submissions come in.

Can I submit someone else’s Christmas light display?

Yes — but please first get the homeowner’s permission.

Does the map include Utah holiday events, too?

Yes! Tree lighting ceremonies, holiday markets, parades and other festive events may be added as they are submitted.

Are there free Christmas light displays in Utah?

Absolutely. Many of the most popular Utah Christmas light displays on the map are free for families to visit.

Hours after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, FBI Director Kash Patel told the world: “The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.”

But the attorney appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the bureau posted a correction less than two hours later, saying that person had been released. The alleged shooter was not arrested until more than 24 hours after that post.

Within a week, Patel faced questions on his handling of the incident during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. A report submitted by “a national alliance of retired and active-duty FBI agents and analysts” to that body and the House Judiciary Committee, and leaked to the New York Post this week, raises more concerns about Patel’s approach to the Kirk slaying investigation.

The Utah anecdotes in the 115-page report were relayed by two FBI veterans who each spoke with separate agents who had ties to the Kirk case.

One agent was described as someone who has worked in the bureau for multiple decades. The second, who the report described as a Trump supporter, is also “a highly decorated, respected leader with extensive experience conducting a wide variety of complex criminal and national security investigations, including investigations conducted overseas.”

Utah’s only member of Congress on either of the judiciary committees is Sen. Mike Lee. His office did not respond to multiple questions about whether the senator read the November report, his opinions on it and if he has discussed the case with agents from the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office.

The Republican majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee has not released any statements on the report.

Ranking member Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., however, wrote, “This stark assessment of the damage Kash Patel has done to the nation’s leading law enforcement agency cries out for one—just one—Republican Senator to break the ranks of silence and demand that Kash Patel be held accountable for his mismanagement of the FBI.”

Since the report’s release earlier this week, Patel has given interviews to multiple right-leaning media outlets, denying many of its claims.

In a post on the social media platform X with a clip from an appearance on Fox News, Patel said, “Fake news can spread false stories from anonymous sources about me and a jacket all they want — when they come for you it only means you’re hitting the target. Pound sand. Mission and results are the only things that matter and @FBI team is crushing it.”

Delayed by a missing FBI raid jacket

According to one FBI agent, when Patel arrived at the Provo Airport in Utah the day after Kirk was shot — and the suspected shooter was still at large — the director would not disembark from his plane without an FBI raid jacket. Patel did not have his own jacket with him.

“Many FBI Special Agents (and other FBI personnel) were busy working in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and … FBI personnel had to (stop and) ask around to find an FBI raid jacked — a medium-sized one — that would fit FBI Director Kash Patel,” the report says.

There were reportedly “many large and extra-large FBI raid jackets available” that were not suitable for the director. Ultimately, agents “finally found” a medium-sized jacket belonging to a female FBI Special Agent that Patel could borrow.

Patel noticed that jacket, though, did not have Velcro patches on the upper sleeves, and allegedly demanded patches be added before he left the plane. The report says members of an FBI SWAT team “took patches off their uniforms and ran those patches over to FBI Director Kash Patel at the airport.”

Patel has repeatedly characterized the episode as “100% false.”

Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote of the incident in his statement, “America deserves better than this self-absorbed FBI Director fussing over his wardrobe in the midst of a national crisis.”

‘Expletive-laden tirade’

Prior to Patel’s arrival in Utah, one agent said he “was not happy with how the FBI investigation was going and the information he (the FBI Director) was receiving.”

That agent reported Patel called Salt Lake City’s special agent in charge Robert Bohls, yelled, and asked if he needed to travel to Utah to run the investigation.

The report says Patel at one point went on an “expletive-laden tirade … regarding perceived blunders” in the Kirk shooting investigation when speaking with Bohls. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly later called Bohls to apologize, “saying that never should have happened.”

‘Motivated by his desire to draw attention’

Both sources who discussed Patel’s performance during the Kirk shooting investigation commented on local agents’ negative impression of the director following his time in Utah.

The agent that expressed support for Trump described Patel as “not very good.”

That source, according to the report, “likes FBI Director Kash Patel’s aggressiveness (i.e., how the Director pushes back against critics to move the FBI in a new direction), but … said Director Patel strikes him/her as ‘odd,’ adding that he/she believes Director Patel’s performance to date in his role as the leader of the FBI is ‘concerning.’”

The agent said Patel appears to lack self-confidence, pointing to his presence at a news conference where the director stood alongside Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. The source observed “the Director’s eyes darting around the room,” saying he looked “uneasy.”

“[The source] said he/she believes former FBI Director James B. Comey made some bad decisions and was not good for the FBI, but even former Director Comey … appeared to possess the kind of demeanor and FBI Director should have, which FBI Director Kash Patel does not,” the report says.

They also believe Patel is inexperienced, according to the report, and cited the director’s communication with the public in the wake of Kirk’s killing, saying he revealed too much about evidence collected during the investigation. Patel’s actions “strayed from … proper protocol,” the report said, with the source adding that Patel “should know better” because of his background as an attorney.

“Patel may have been motivated by his desire to draw attention to himself or by his desire to glorify his performance as FBI Director,” the agent speculated in the report.

When Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced charges against suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, a reporter asked why his office was more measured than federal officials in distributing information about the case. Gray responded, “As attorneys, we typically like to control that information to preserve an impartial jury and a fair trial.”

The source later agreed that “Patel may have been selected above all else for his loyalty to the President and not necessarily because Director Patel checked all the boxes required for anyone to effectively serve as the leader of the FBI.”

The second agent who was cited as a source in the report said Patel seemed to take undue credit “for the good work by other agencies” in the case.

“Patel seemed to imply the results achieved in the investigation would not have been possible without his (the Director’s) involvement,” the report said.

When Patel spoke at a news conference announcing Robinson’s arrest two days after the shooting, he stood in front of cameras and addressed FBI employees, saying, “You have done monumental work in historic time when the public, who had a right to demand such an expeditious solving of an investigation — the FBI answered that call diligently. [It was] critically important to our nation, and we delivered. And I’m proud to be their leader, and I’m proud to be the director of the FBI.”

Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke contributed to this story.