Author: Jesse

University of Utah Health has amassed record research funding totals, surpassing the half-billion mark for 2025, reaching $531 million.

“Securing competitive funding is essential to the University of Utah’s mission of delivering exceptional societal impact. These investments fuel research, advance knowledge, improve health in Utah and worldwide and support the training of future scientific leaders,” the U. said in a statement.

The National Institutes of Health was once again the largest source of funding support, providing $264.1 million.

That chunk comes despite the NIH cutting billions of dollars in research projects under the Trump administration, a move U. President Taylor Randall described in February as an “imminent threat” to the university’s mission as a research institution.

Bob Carter, senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health, said, “Research, innovation and advancing knowledge is an uncompromising part of who we are as an institution, a culture and a nation,” when the cuts were announced.

Challenges to NIH’s attempted cuts to funds known as “indirect costs” of medical research are currently making their way through the courts.

Carter added that in Utah, National Institutes of Health funding supports over 45,000 jobs and nearly $785 million in economic activity.

Still, the U. secured the bulk of its funding from the NIH, with industry partnerships making up the second-largest funding category at $99 million.

Other federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Defense contributed $57.4 million, and additional contributions from the state, other universities and various foundations totaled $110.7 million.

Dr. Rachel Hess, system chief research officer for University of Utah Health, said faculty submitted $2.3 billion in research proposals in 2025 — a $500 million increase compared to the previous year and a testament to the perseverance of the research community.

Notably, research in the health sciences sector continued its rise, growing 24% over the past five years and more than doubling since 2014.

This year, health sciences funding accounted for 68% of the university’s total research portfolio that totaled $782 million, the university said.

Utah was one of GoFundMe‘s most generous states of 2025, the global crowdfunding platform revealed Tuesday.

The Beehive State ranked 10th in the company’s 2025 Year in Help report, which analyzed data from Dec. 4, 2024, to Dec. 2 of this year. Utah’s ranking was calculated based on the percentage of repeat donors.

California was the nation’s most generous state.

The report also listed some of Utah’s most notable fundraisers from the past year. One raised over $438,000 for the family of late Utah fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was killed during the June “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, while another generated more than $80,000 to give an 8-month-old baby who was killed in a West Valley City shooting a “proper farewell.”

Here’s how Utah showed up in 2025:

• Utahns made more than 330,000 donations to individuals and nonprofits through GoFundMe.

• Donations exceeded $30.7 million.

• Fundraisers for charities increased by nearly 2.5 times.

• The categories of Charity, Competitions and Monthly Bills were the fastest-growing in 2025.

• GoFundMe’s most generous donor is from Utah — an individual who gave more than 1,200 times.

• Fundraisers to help Utah businesses grew by 25%.

Here are the 10 most generous states, according to GoFundMe’s report:

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-5) are playing in the postseason for the second year in a row. The Huskers have accepted an invitation to play in the 2025 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.

Nebraska will face the Utah Utes (10-2) at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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This is Nebraska’s first-ever appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl and the 55th bowl game in school history. The Huskers are 27-27 all-time in the postseason.

This will be the fifth time that Nebraska and Utah have played. The Huskers are 4-0 with all four games taking place at Memorial Stadium.

Utah enters the game with one of the top offenses in the nation. The Utes rank second in the nation in scoring offense at 41.1 points per game and sixth in the nation in total offense with an average of 478.6 yards per game.

The rushing offense averages 269.8 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry. The Utes will face a Nebraska defense that struggled against the run this season, surrendering 171.2 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: When does Nebraska football play Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl?

LIMA — For nearly two centuries, the United States has enjoyed diplomatic relationships with Peru.

But events in recent days are penning a defining chapter in bilateral relations between the two regions — particularly for Utah.

On Thursday, a delegation of high-ranking, bipartisan Utah government and business leaders joined scores of Peruvians and Peruvian Americans (including many living in the Beehive State) on Delta Air Lines’ inaugural direct overnight flight from Salt Lake City to Lima.

The Utah delegates arrived in Lima early Friday, a bit bleary-eyed — but with clear vision of the possibilities from the unique business trip.

Delta Flight 193 marks the first time an airline is offering nonstop commercial flights from Salt Lake City to a South American destination — even while signaling emerging market momentum between Peru and Utah.

“This is an opportunity to do what’s best for Utah,” Utah House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, told the Deseret News.

“I’m happy to be here in Peru with the World Trade Center Utah (WTC-Utah) and others to have these conversations and to make it a more intimate partnership.”

There’s already a long list of export/import items waiting to be better developed through strengthened partnerships — including agricultural products such as blueberries, asparagus, mangos, cacao and coffee, according to WTC-Utah President and CEO Jonathan Freedman.

The Utah delegation is also hoping to optimize opportunities in Peru in mining areas such as critical minerals, mining equipment and explosives and textiles such as high-quality Pima cotton being harvested in Peru.

Logistically, Peru also offers a prized supply chain advantage. Time-sensitive products can be shipped from the western South American nation to the U.S. West Coast in four days, port to port.

Bipartisan lawmakers to Peruvians: ‘Utah’s open for business’

Romero is joined here by a politically diverse group of Utah lawmakers — including Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, and others.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Moss from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity also traveled to Peru on Delta Flight 193.

The Utah/Peruvian business trip, noted Romero, “is really important to my constituency where people of color are the majority — and 50% of my district is Latino.

“Many of those people within my district own small businesses, so I wanted them to know I’m just as invested in them. … The message I want to send here (in Peru) is: We’re here. We’re a community. We work together.”

At a reception Friday in Lima’s bustling San Isidro business district, the Utah delegation networked across a crowded reception room filled with Peruvian government and business officials.

Joan Perkins, the chargé d’affaires at the United States Embassy in Peru, saluted the Beehive State visitors.

“Your presence underscores Utah’s commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations — which is really important to us at the embassy — in building commercial partnerships and expanding mutual economic opportunities.”

Perkins noted that next May the two nations will celebrate their bicentennial of bilateral relationships. Aviation has long been a key link fortifying those connections.

Now Delta’s new SLC-Lima flight marks another leap forward.

“Lima has been a sought-after destination for travelers connecting through Salt Lake City — and the launch of this nonstop service fills a very important gap,” said Perkins.

“The direct connection is going to make it easier than ever before for business and leisure travelers to connect through the Western United States — including people traveling from cities like San Francisco, Portland, Denver and Las Vegas, to reach Peru with efficient one-stop connections.”

Approximately 600,000 U.S. citizens travel to Peru each year — the Andean nation’s second-largest source of tourists.

“This (Delta flight) collaboration is so important because it opens the door to increased commerce and investment between our countries,” said Perkins.

“This launch also reinforces the impact of the U.S. private sector and how it has the power to shape partnerships and generate mutual economic prosperity.”

Linking two hubs: Salt Lake City and Lima

Juan Pablo Guerrero of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs office said the new Delta flight and the Utah trade delegation tells the story of two hubs.

“Salt Lake City is positioning itself as an economic, technological and logistics hub in the Western United States — just as Lima has become a key hub for trade within South America and between South America and Asia,” Guerrero said.

Peru, the U.S. and Utah share fundamental values such as democracy, hard work, free trade, the rule of law and perhaps most importantly, strong people-to-people ties across the Americas, added Guerrero.

Utahns, including many from the Latter-day Saint community, have demonstrated solidarity with Peru over many years — especially in times of need.

“As we explore a concrete path to expand trade and investment through mutually beneficial initiatives in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, energy and tourism, Peru firmly believes there is significant potential to deepen business relations between our leading companies,” he added.

Guerrero also pointed to the recent opening of Peru’s consulate general in Salt Lake City as “a clear expression of our commitment to strengthening political and economic and social engagement at a higher level, reflecting the importance we attach to our ties with Utah.”

Peru’s Congress lauds Utah’s Senate leader

Utah’s ranking state senator, Adams, thanked Delta for launching Salt Lake City’s first-ever direct commercial flight to South America — and for the welcome the Utahns received during their Peru trip by legislative counterparts in the Peruvian government.

Adams was honored Friday by the Peruvian Congress.

Fernando Rospigliosi, Peru’s acting President of Congress, presented Utah’s Senate president with the Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic in the rank of Grand Cross for his civic service and work to strengthen global partnerships.

The honor is awarded to Peruvians and international figures such as heads of state making significant contributions to culture, politics or development.

In his remarks, Adams noted “a different feeling” during his first visit to this South American nation.

“Being in Peru is different,” he said. “I’ve been able to feel a spirit here that is different. I’m so glad I came because there’s a spirit here that reminds me a lot of Utah.”

Adams then touted Utah, saying it has “the best business environment of all 50 states.”

The state, he said, offers global opportunities in mining and critical mineral and other economic endeavors.

Both Peru and Utah, he added, boast natural beauty that draw tourists from across the globe.

“We have five national parks in Utah. People come from all over the world to see those parks. But Peru is also beautiful — and Utahns and people in the Western United States want to come here.

“Because of this flight, people will be able to come to Utah from South America — and from South America to Utah.”

‘Building bridges between Utah and the world’

In his remarks, Moss noted the bipartisan collection of Utah lawmakers connecting with their Peruvian counterparts. He said Utahns are committed to working together to make the world a better place.

“And we feel a similar environment when we come to Peru,” he said.

Utah’s economy, added Moss, is the best in the nation — citing data provided by U.S. News & World Report.

“Over the last three years in a row, Utah has been ranked No. 1,” he said. “We’re the youngest economy. We’re the fastest economy. There are a number of factors that make Utah a really good place to do business.”

World Trade Center Utah chief Freedman said the Salt Lake City-based organization “builds bridges between Utah and the world.”

He also noted that Utah’s government leaders — including those represented in the Peruvian trade mission delegation — make it easy to do business.

Freedman thanked Delta for their historic call to offer the SLC-to-Lima direct flight. That flight will benefit tourists and individuals doing business in those respective communities. But that flight also created new opportunities for shipping freight.

“(We) saw today blueberries and grapes and asparagus and mangoes all get loaded onto that first nonstop Delta flight to Salt Lake City,” said Freedman.

“We are thrilled to have Peruvian produce in Utah.”

Such cargo shipments, he added, also produce a “magnifying effect” — benefiting both communities.

“Because we have other Delta nonstops from Utah, those blueberries are going to, say, Amsterdam. That asparagus is going to Paris. Those mangoes are going to Seoul, Korea,” said Freedman.

“We connect throughout North America, Asia, Europe. Delta and Utah are helping Peruvian companies expand their footprint globally.”

While scanning the collection of Peruvian and Utah government and business leaders gathered together, Sandall marveled at the possibilities that await.

“Fifteen to 20% of our population in Utah speak Spanish — and that’s important,” said Sandall, who learned the language while serving a Latter-day Saint mission in Venezuela.

“We want to be partners. We want to connect in 8½ hours. We want to do this thing. … We’re ready to do business.”

According to Ben Anderson of KSL, the Indiana Pacers have interest in Walker Kessler. On the most recent episode of the Jazz Notes podcast, he talked about what he’s heard about the Utah Jazz center.

From Anderson

“I’ve heard the Indiana Pacers have inquired about Walker Kessler for a long time …. a lot. That’s going back to the summer, they’ve lost Myles Turner… before the injury and even after the injury… This is no one with the Jazz but other people who have similar jobs to me have heard similar things.”

It’s an interesting revelation and something that makes sense for the Pacers. What adds more interest is that Utah was unable to reach a contract resolution with Kessler last offseason. Yes, the Jazz can match any offer for Kessler because he’s a restricted free agent, but it’s a shaky situation. There could be some teams out there willing to test Utah’s resolve with a huge contract that Utah might now want to match.

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In the end, this all boils down to interest in Kessler from the Pacers. But because of the situation the Jazz are in, you can see motivation for something if they wanted to. Could Utah potentially be interested in one of the Pacers’ young players, like Jarace Walker? Or maybe the Pacers might be interested in trading their pick if it doesn’t jump into the top four of the lottery. We have heard that Utah wants to be competitive next season so they may want a good player in return. Would that mean someone like Andrew Nembhard?

What do you think? Is there anything that would interest you from the Pacers enough to trade them Walker Kessler?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked the Utah Supreme Court on Monday to lift the injunction that halted construction of the Heber Valley Utah Temple while four men appeal the dismissal of their lawsuit seeking to stop it permanently.

If the court refuses to lift the injunction during the appeal, the attorney representing the church asked the justices to increase the bond the men posted to protect the church during the appeal from $10,000 to at least $7.5 million.

That would cover the likely increase in the cost of construction supplies if work was halted for 12 months, said David Jordan, the attorney who represented the church.

Jordan told the court during oral arguments Monday afternoon that an 18-month delay is estimated to cost the church $11.4 million. He asked for a ruling instituting a bond for that amount if the appeal runs that long and the church prevails.

The church began construction in late August, a month after a district judge gutted a lawsuit by four men seeking to overturn the approval of the temple’s location by the Wasatch County Council.

The men appealed their case to the Utah Supreme Court in September. Days later, the same district court judge who had ruled against them last summer granted the men an injunction to stop the temple’s construction while the Supreme Court considers the appeal.

That could take a year or more. The appeal is still in its earliest stages. Neither side has filed briefs, and it is expected that oral arguments won’t be scheduled for months.

“It’s some months down the road before all the briefing is done,” Jordan said. “We anticipate a decision from this court on the ruling regarding the injunction much sooner.”

Jordan told the Supreme Court justices that the church is confident it will win the appeal. He said the church is willing to assume all risks that might happen if it continues construction and the court eventually rules for the four men — Bruce Van Dusen, Bruce Quade, Shawn Savarinos and Dominic Savarinos.

That includes the possibility the church would have to demolish the temple if the Supreme Court eventually ruled against it, Jordan told the justices.

Of course, if it lost, the church first would seek to correct whatever flaws the Supreme Court might find in Wasatch County’s process or the church’s proposal to the council to build the temple, Jordan said.

An attorney representing Wasatch County sat with the church’s attorneys at their table during Monday’s hearing.

Chief Justice Matthew Durrant and Justice Jill Pohlman have recused themselves from the case. They were replaced by Utah Court of Appeals Judge David Mortensen and Second District Judge Camille Neider.

Justice Paige Petersen acted as chief justice. She was joined by Justice Diana Hagen and new Justice John Nielsen on his first day of oral arguments.

All five each asked questions of both Jordan and Robert Mansfield, who represented the four petitioners.

Many of the questions were technical, about whether the Supreme Court should use Rule 8 or Rule 62 of the state’s rules of civil procedure to determine whether Third District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey correctly issued the injunction against construction.

Many of the justices wanted to know if they needed to remand the case back to Mabey if they ruled in the church’s favor on the injunction or if they could rule on their own.

“The court wanted to consider what would be the appropriate standard of review in this case and what elements should be used in order to determine whether the trial court’s decision was or was not correct,” Mansfield told the Deseret News.

Mansfield asked the justices to uphold Mabey’s injunction and reject the request for a larger bond.

He said after the hearing that the case includes a number of novel legal questions the Supreme Court has not considered or decided.

“These are issues that have not been presented to the Supreme Court previously, and so these are factors that they’re going to have to weigh in on and let us know what those standards are,” Mansfield said.

“There’s a lot of issues of first impression in this whole case,” he added, “and I think that’s primarily the reason why the Utah Supreme Court retained jurisdiction of this case. They want to opine on those factors.”

One justice asked if the four petitioner’s would meet the larger bond if it were imposed. Mansfield said he would have to confer with his clients if that happened.

He called it a significant and impractical amount during the hearing, then went farther outside the court chambers.

“Candidly,” Mansfield said, “that would likely be an overly restrictive number that, from a practical point of view, just may not be feasible, but we’ll have to wait and see what the court says and what they do.”

Fewer than 25 people attended the hearing, including the petitioners and church representatives. The justices sat in tall leather chairs in front of the 19-foot-tall mural “Capitol Reef.”

Mansfield and Jordan separately made their arguments at a pulpit between the attorneys’ tables.

Mansfield said allowing construction to continue jeopardized the water table. He said the site is a flood plain and that the church would redirect 1 million gallons of water a day during construction. Construction would permanently redirect 750,000 gallons a day once the temple is complete.

Jordan said Wasatch County considered the environmental impact and approved the plan. Mabey found in her July ruling that the county council’s decision was legal.

President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build the temple during the October 2021 general conference. The First Presidency announced the temple’s location in September 2022.

Protesters picketed across the street when President Nelson dedicated the site at a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2022.

“We pray that the construction of this temple may be completed to accommodate thy divine purposes,” he said.

The county council determined the church’s proposal for the temple met its land-use rules and enacted an ordinance for construction in November 2023.

The four men sued Wasatch County, alleging that the county council broke Utah and federal law when it allowed the temple’s construction.

The church said it voluntarily postponed construction at that stage to allow a judge to review the lawsuit.

Save Wasatch Back Dark Skies attempted to reverse the Wasatch County Council’s unanimous approval of the temple by adding a referendum to the 2024 general election ballot. The effort required 3,235 signatures but fell 25% short of that number.

In a hearing on June 2 this year, Wasatch County argued the men didn’t have standing to sue, but Mabey ruled the following month that they did.

It was the only argument the men won. Mabey ruled for the county on every other issue, clearing the way for construction, pending appeals.

The temple project combines two lots for a total of 18.17 acres. Plans call for a footprint of 26,089 square feet. The proposed temple would have three floors, for a total of 87,626 square feet.

As Republican-dominated states like Texas and Virginia, pressed by President Donald Trump, redraw their congressional boundaries to shore up a GOP majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, a Trump-affiliated dark money group is paying to deploy out-of-state signature gatherers to Utah in hopes of rescinding a court-imposed map that could yield a seat for Democrats.

Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson said recently that the party is taking an “all-of-the-above strategy” when it comes to gathering the nearly 141,000 valid signatures it needs — to include using hundreds of volunteers, as well as paid signature gatherers, both from Utah, as well as many brought into the state.

If the effort is successful, voters will decide next year whether to repeal Proposition 4, also known as the Better Boundaries initiative, clearing the way for the Legislature to repeal new court-ordered congressional boundaries that create a Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County district.

Legislative leaders, meanwhile, have said they will also continue their court fight to try to block the judge’s chosen map from being used in the 2026 election.

The paid signature-gatherers, inside Utah and outside of the state, are being recruited by Patriot Grassroots, a political consulting firm registered in Wyoming and headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Patriot Grassroots was paid more than $27 million in 2024 by Turnout for America PAC, an organization affiliated with the Trump campaign that spearheaded a door-knocking blitz bankrolled by Elon Musk ahead of the presidential election.

Axson said that about half of the permanent staff at Patriot Grassroots are returned missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or went to school in Utah. For example, Elijah Day, who is the company’s president, according to Day’s LinkedIn profile, attended Southern Utah University.

“You knock doors for Jesus,” Axson said, “it becomes a lot easier to knock doors for pest control or gathering signatures.”

About half of the signature gatherers being paid are from outside the state, Axson said, which he acknowledges costs more than hiring in Utah, because importing workers means having to pay for lodging and per diem.

“From an efficiency perspective, hiring local is the more efficient thing to do,” he said.

The Utah GOP’s efforts are being run through a Utah-based political issues committee, Utahns for Representative Government, which thus far has been bankrolled exclusively by Securing American Greatness, Inc.

“That’s obviously one of the Trump-aligned [nonprofits] that exist,” Axson said. “It’s one of the vehicles that Elon Musk worked with on a lot of the voter turnout in the 2024 election cycle, definitely an entity out there that cares about issues on the political right and securing American systems of government.”

It is a “dark money” group, so-called because it is not legally required to disclose its donors. In 2024, it was run by Taylor Budowich, who went on to become deputy chief of staff overseeing communications and personnel in the Trump administration until his September departure. The entity also spent millions advocating for passage of Trump’s budget bill earlier this year.

Securing American Greatness has channeled more than $4.3 million to the Utahns for Representative Government committee, which does not have to disclose how it has spent the money — including how much was paid to signature gatherers — until Jan. 12, 2026.

Elsewhere around the country, Republicans are trying to increase their advantages ahead of next year’s midterm congressional elections. This week, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas, at least for now, to use a redrawn U.S. House map aimed at adding five new GOP seats. Other states are also attempting to do the same. Democrats in states like California are attempting to retaliate by redrawing their maps, as well.

But the efforts by Utah Republicans to bring paid signature gatherers into the state is rubbing some in the party the wrong way.

Former GOP state Rep. Phil Lyman — who ran an unsuccessful Republican, then independent, campaign for governor last year —posted on social media that one of his followers was asked to sign the repeal initiative outside a Salt Lake City grocery store by a woman who said she is from Michigan and was working with a team of 22 out-of-state signature gatherers.

“Is this really the state of the Utah Republican Party?” Lyman posted.

Republican legislative leaders, like Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, have railed against what they said were out-of-state interests fueling ballot initiatives in Utah.

“We cannot let unelected special interest groups outside of Utah run initiatives and override our republic, destroy our businesses, demean, impugn and cast aside those who are duly elected to represent their neighbors and friends in Utah,” Adams said earlier this year. “We will not let initiatives driven by out-of-state money turn Utah into California.”

Axson said he agrees with the sentiment. “I don’t like the idea of things going to the highest bidder … and especially folks outside of Utah dictating to Utah how things are done,” he said.

But when “those outside forces” on the other side are still able to pour money into the state, it doesn’t make sense for the party to tie its hands when it comes to fighting back. And since the GOP’s initiative seeks to undo Proposition 4, “this is really just an effort to get back to where Utahns decide to be.”

Defenders of Proposition 4 have begun raising money to oppose Republicans’ efforts. Former Democratic Salt Lake County Council member Jim Bradley has formed a political issues committee Defend Utah’s Ballot, which has brought in about $100,000 so far. All of that money is also from political nonprofits outside the state — Western Leadership and Western Futures Fund.

When the Better Boundaries initiative passed in 2018, about half of the $2.8 million raised came from entities outside of Utah.

Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, said Axson is right that meeting with voters and gathering signatures is expensive, and her group raised the money needed to communicate its message.

Salt Lake City Council member Alejandro Puy, whose firm Landslide Political was hired to gather signatures for Better Boundaries in 2018 and has worked on dozens of other initiatives across the country, said there are professional signature gatherers who make a living traveling around the country working on initiatives, but hiring them “often is done either in desperate moments or when you need a boost.”

“It’s more expensive that way,” he said. “It’s also not a preferred way of doing it, because you have people from outside of the community talking about issues that are going to impact the community.”

When Puy’s firm worked on the Better Boundaries initiative, all of the canvassers were hired locally, he said.

Earlier this year, the labor-backed Protect Utah Workers committee hired Landslide to handle signature-gathering logistics for union groups collecting signatures to repeal a law banning public employee unions from negotiating contracts with their government employers.

That effort relied mainly on volunteers — some of whom were union members who traveled to the state at their own expense, staying in the homes of fellow union workers.

Axson said the party has “strong support” for its efforts to repeal Proposition 4 and, while pushing a new initiative has been a “Herculean effort,” he is confident it will have the resources it needs to succeed.

Gatherers are expected to begin submitting signatures for verification by the county clerks within the next few weeks.

Emily Andersen contributed to this reporting.

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Logan • Brad Mortensen is both one of Utah’s longest-serving public university presidents and among the state’s newest appointments.

That’s because he’s new to Utah State University but came to the helm after serving nearly seven years as president of Weber State University in Ogden.

Mortensen sat down with The Salt Lake Tribune in his recently unpacked Logan office to talk about how he’s walking that line between new and familiar — and how it will help him tackle a position marked in recent years by controversy.

Already, he’s got a Utah State football jersey on the wall with his name on it and a shelf with mementos from his time at Weber, too. He also brought books from his undergraduate philosophy and political science classes at USU, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1995. “The Prince” sits at the front.

“There’s a little Machiavelli in all of us,” Mortensen said with a wink and a laugh. “I just don’t know that we always acknowledge that.”

The new president — a tall, marathon-running alum — will now oversee a sprawling enterprise at USU, with nearly 30,000 students and 30 locations across the state.

These are his thoughts, lightly edited for clarity and length, on the university’s future, as well as how he plans to respond to state-imposed budgets cuts, concerns about presidential spending and threats to research funding.

You’re coming into a job that’s been marked by turmoil over the past few years, including concerns with athletics and mishandled sex assault cases. How will you resolve the issues you’re inheriting?

I was aware of some of the struggles that have happened here at Utah State in the past. At the same time, since it’s my alma mater, I know how many great things are happening here. And I felt like, because I am an alum, I am an Aggie, and I’m familiar with the climate here in Utah for higher education, that I could help. …

I wasn’t looking to leave Weber State. But this was a very unique opportunity. And I just saw it as an opportunity to really elevate higher education in the state, which is one of the core values I have from when I was a student on this same floor in this same building taking classes here.

One concern with USU’s past president was unchecked spending. What is your view on what’s necessary to buy in this job?

To me, these are important public positions at a public institution. It’s critical that you realize that and represent that.

Because of that, there can be some criticism and some oversight. … I always try to present myself so that I don’t have anything to hide. Sometimes you do have to spend some money when you’re in these positions to move things forward, but when we do that, we want to make sure we follow all the procedures and the protocols, and there’s a solid business case for it, and we spent the money in an appropriate way.

You are tasked with amending USU’s budget cut plans. Lawmakers specifically questioned if the school needed to add more nursing majors. Do you have ideas for what changes you’ll make?

That’s one of my first tasks. It’s important to get that plan approved before the 2026 legislative session starts so that’s not hanging over the university.

Legislative sessions can be difficult, but I view them as we have 45 days for the Legislature to help us. We need to position ourselves to be able to do that. I think getting the strategic reinvestment plan approved is critical for that.

We’ve reconvened the group that developed the initial plan, and then have had a working group to address some of the concerns that the Legislature has talked about.

I think nursing — there was some attention around that just because it’s not seen as core to USU as some of the other programs are, like engineering or agriculture, or the research that happens around air, water and land, or some of the things that we’re doing around AI (artificial intelligence), or to reflect some of our statewide role as a land-grant institution. So we’re really talking about — what is in the plan that addresses those issues? … We do have this new Center for Civic Excellence, and what we have there is really innovative. And does that need some resources?

So we’re taking a look at all of that now. We’re hoping to take that back to the Executive Appropriations Committee on Dec. 9 to get their final approval. There’s still a lot of work to do.

To me, that’s one of the three or four things that are vital that students should walk away from a college education with: To learn how to debate difficult subjects, to have that broad liberal arts education.

What’s happening here — I’m super excited to come to USU to be a part of this. We have some great folks leading out on it. It’s not just about civic education, but how do we reformulate general education so it’s not just a checklist of things you have to do. … It’s helping students have those civic and durable skills to be successful, no matter what their profession is afterward.

Whenever there are faculty concerns, I know faculty are coming from a legitimate place. We try to listen and work with those and find areas of compromise where can move forward together.

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t have applied if it was an open process. … I was very happy at Weber State and still felt like I had a lot to do there. … I had been there a long time, almost seven years. I really wasn’t looking to leave.

It’s a balancing act, I know, because these are important positions where you’re a steward of the public trust. But my perspective is, if you want to have good candidates, you need to be able to provide them that opportunity to not put their current position at risk to apply.

I appreciated the process. I was honestly a little bit skeptical that word would not trickle out. And I felt like folks honored the requirements of keeping it confidential throughout, which I appreciated.

You’re the second longest-serving public university president in the state. That’s at a time when there’s been a lot of turnover in Utah higher education leadership, with the most at USU. How does that shape your role here?

The day of the announcement, I had a couple people [at USU] say this to me: “You’re going to be my fourth president in three years.” I felt that from people not just on campus but in the community.

When people ask me: How long are you going to do this job? My answer is: I hope I make it to Friday. Given the landscape, I always try to keep that in mind. Any of us are one decision or event that might be in our control — but might not be in our control — that would cause us to not be able to be in these roles.

Despite folks saying, “You have a tough job,” — and it is tough — it’s also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. You get to see students come and just invest their wholes lives in this process that really is transformative.

USU is known for its agriculture programs. And you grew up on a farm. How does that play into your work?

So we grew alfalfa and barley. And [my dad] had about 50 head of cattle — just beef cows — so he didn’t have to milk them every day.

Calving season was always fun. If a calf was born during a snowstorm, I’d wake up to a calf in the bath tub in the morning. It was very much a rural upbringing, which I think helps — even though I didn’t study agriculture and didn’t go into that. … It grounded me into hard work and to appreciate some of the things that our extension programs do, to pivot this back to USU.

We flood-irrigated our fields growing up. Once I got older, like once I was 12 and my dad was working at the potato plant as well in town, that was my summer job. I was a kid and if there was something happening, I didn’t want to change the water when it was time, so I would waste so much water. I think about that.

There are other technologies and practices we can use, and water is such a valuable resource. Families that are spread all across Utah might not be aware of the technology or the grants or other stuff that might be available — stuff that’s being developed here — and that we can have that impact.

Utah’s higher education environment was rocked by the recent killing of commentator Charlie Kirk, who was later scheduled to speak at USU. There are concerns about having divisive speakers on campus, as well as schools being a place for free speech. How do you balance that?

It’s super important that we figure out how to provide the safety. Safety always has to be our No. 1 priority for folks. But we can’t not have speakers come to campus who speak on controversial topics. And so we have to make sure we’re doing all the appropriate things to provide as much safety and protocols as we can.

That’s one of the questions I’ve asked early on in these first few days. We have a good team; we’re used to doing large-scale events, between sporting events and other things. We know it’s critical to be able to partner with other law enforcement agencies in the community. …

To me, the funny thing about freedom of speech is everybody is for freedom of speech as long as they agree with the speech. And we, at universities, need to be the places that demonstrate that we can respect and listen to folks who have other opinions. That’s just something that’s severely lacking in society right now. I’m really committed to that.

The role of tuition is different at different types institutions. And USU is different types of institutions within itself. Part of what we did at Weber, around the associate degree tuition, was modeled after what’s happening at Price, because USU Eastern has that associate degree tuition there, and then a [separate] bachelor’s degree tuition. …

Across the board, sometimes it’s not just the cost but the transparency of the cost that is a hangup for students. I’ve already heard from some students here that sometimes, with different charges that we have around differential tuition or around course fees or other things, that we could be more transparent with that up front. I want to learn more about that, and look at how we can maybe help students be better aware when they’re seeking scholarships.

Scholarships are still a super important part of that plan. I’ve already met with some more donors here who are big scholarship supporters and heard some of the stories about why they do what they do. I want to continue to grow that base of scholarship support through philanthropy at USU, even though that is very strong already.

Overall in higher education, some of the criticisms that are out there nationally we deserve, because we haven’t been as cost-conscious as we should’ve been over time. Continuing to advocate for low tuition increases is something that is important to me.

At Weber, you defended the humanities during state-imposed budget cuts. Do you still have concerns there?

The humanities are undervalued right now. If you look at a lot of folks who are doing innovative things all across the world, they got their initial training in the humanities. There’s such a rich and fertile ground to teach people how to think and ask questions and to write.

Even in a world of AI, it becomes increasingly important that we don’t lose that human connection. So figuring out how to keep the humanities front and center as part of higher education is important.

The Center for Civic Excellence gives us an opportunity to reinvent that in a different way. … The way we teach humanities might need to evolve as technology and artificial intelligence and other things come into play, but still, I think, the humanities are going to be fundamentally important.

Higher education is in a tumultuous place right now, including significant cuts to federal research funding, which affects USU as an R1 institution. How do you plan to navigate that?

When I was back in [Washington,] D.C., I had a chance to meet with all six members of our [federal] delegation and talked about the importance of research funding. …

There’s a much more direct connection with Utah State than there was at my previous institution, with regard to the federal government. That is evolving right now. We need [them] to be our advocate and our champion.

I had some really good conversations, especially with the staff on the Senate side, about them recognizing the importance of maintaining research funding and thinking about the vital role. It’s going to help us come up with solutions for our air quality, for our utilization of our water and land and the better use of critical minerals. We have to keep that pipeline going, even though it’s under attack. …

I just hope that we can have a seat at the table and not have things imposed on us from folks who may or may not actually understand how public land-grant institutions like Utah State are working — or institutions all across the state of Utah, for that matter.

USU has a unique land-grant mission. What do you want to do to support and expand on that?

It does create that opportunity to have a positive impact on every family and household across the state — even if they don’t recognize it or see themselves as associated with USU. But that’s part of our charge and responsibility.

It’s through the extension programs, where we reach out and support 4H programs in the community, or master gardeners, or those other enriching parts of peoples’ lives that get them out from behind their screens and just connecting with the beautiful world that we live in. I think that’s a great thing.

We also have that obligation on the research front. I haven’t even talked about energy yet. But that’s another huge area as we partner with folks in Uinta Basin and eastern Utah, where we have a lot of really rich resources.

What are the best ways we can utilize those responsibly, as stewards, and still help meet growing energy needs of our state? [How can we] also look at developing other energy applications, whether that’s nuclear, or renewables, and all of these other things that the governor and our state leaders are talking about?

Our land-grant mission really positions Utah State to be a leader in those areas. If we’re not being a leader, then we’re not doing our job. … I’m going to be the advocate in helping our expert researchers have the resources and support and connections they need to make a difference.

I don’t want it to come across as bragging, but if you’re a first-generation college student, that shouldn’t stop you from reaching anything.

I mean, not only was I a first-generation college student, but I basically flunked my first two colleges classes, so I did not start out well. … I just want students to know — if they can just see me and think, “Man, a first-generation student can become the president of the university that he’s at. If he can do that, anybody can, and I can do anything.”

I just think students don’t understand how much potential they have. I want them, if they can see that through me a little bit, to have me as their biggest cheerleader and supporter. And just knowing that there’s some stability in the president’s office — and the president was once a student who walked these same sidewalks like they’re walking — is important.

When you think back on your time as a student at USU, what was your favorite part?

I just remember sitting here [in this same building], studying between classes and seeing administrators walk back and forth, because these offices were still here, and they were walking in the halls between meetings. … I thought I knew what surreal meant, but it’s been a whole different level of surreal to be back.

I think about printing off a paper in the old library and sprinting across the quad to turn it in on the third floor, upstairs, at the last minute. I still procrastinate. Even walking across the sidewalk, I remember, “Hey, this is where I saw a friend and visited with them.” All of these memories just kind of come rushing back. They’re all just these little treasures, and make me feel really honored and humbled to be here now.

I hear the new president at USU gets to create a new flavor of Aggie ice cream. What is your current favorite flavor? And what new flavor are you considering?

I have always loved Aggie Blue Mint. I just don’t know how you could ever even improve upon it. But apparently this is a thing.

I have a text message, because I know one of the guys who works over in the creamery, and he was like, “OK, so we have to talk about your ice cream flavor.” We’ll see where this goes. To be continued.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I know there will be challenges that happen again. I don’t imagine that I will handle every situation perfectly, but we want to learn from those and we want to be transparent about it.

We also want to highlight all the great things that are happening here. There are so many amazing faculty and staff and students and researchers and community partners who are investing a lot because they believe in Utah State.

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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