Utah News

Utah taxpayers are on the hook for Charlie Kirk‘s alleged assassin’s defense team, which has the potential to reach eight figures, criminal defense attorneys told Fox News Digital.

After the shooting on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Kirk was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he died, officials said. Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Kathryn Nester, a former federal public defender with more than 30 years of experience, was appointed to be Robinson’s attorney on Wednesday, according to a Utah County spokesperson. While the Utah County Commission approved $1 million in initial staffing additions to go towards the prosecution and defense team in Robinson’s case, local attorneys told Fox News Digital that they expect the total amount spent defending the murder suspect to be much higher.

Charlie Kirk Assassination: Timeline Of Utah Campus Shooting Details Attack, Manhunt For Suspect

“This action fulfills the commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure that individuals accused of a crime — who cannot afford legal representation — are provided with a qualified defense,” the Utah County Commission said in a news release.

Utah defense attorney Greg Skordas appeared on behalf of Utah County on Sept. 16 and was helping the county find a lawyer for Robinson. He told Fox News Digital there are specific requirements for an attorney appointed to Robinson since it’s a death penalty case.

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“They have to be what’s called death qualified. I know that’s weird, but we have a rule in Utah called Rule 8, which says in order to be court-appointed on a death penalty case, you have to accomplish certain things. In other words, you’ve done so many criminal cases. You’ve gone to trial on murder cases. You’ve taken classes in death penalty representation,” Skordas said.

While there’s a contract in place that touches finances, Skordas said there’s “no ceiling” on it.

Criminal defense attorney Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital that if Robinson is handed the death penalty by a Utah jury, the potential amount spent on his defense could be “north of $10 million” because of the appeals process.

Ex-us Attorney Warns Prosecutors Could Face Many Hurdles In Case Against Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Killer

“I think when we’re all said and done, this will cost the state much more than $500,000. We’re talking about seven or even eight figures,” Rahmani said. “But if Tyler Robinson is sentenced to death, and he has to go through the mandatory Utah state and federal appeals, we’re talking about millions of dollars, potentially even north of $10 million.”

Rahmani said the number spent by Utah taxpayers will be less if jurors don’t return a death sentence, but would still be in the millions.

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Skye Lazaro, a Utah-based criminal defense attorney, told Fox News Digital the case will cost Utah taxpayers “at least a couple million dollars” to pay for Robinson’s defense, but that’s if a jury doesn’t hand down a death sentence. That number would be much higher if a death sentence is given to Robinson because of the appeals process, Lazaro said.

“I don’t even know how you’d put a dollar amount on that,” Lazaro said, adding that the $10 million figure given by Rahmani isn’t “off base.”

Original article source: Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson’s defense could cost Utah taxpayers ‘eight figures’: Experts

Alex Jensen has a picturesque view from his office in the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Basketball Facility on the University of Utah campus.

Beyond the all-glass facade at the west end of the office, the Salt Lake Valley can be seen from an elevated view on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains.

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That view also includes an overhead look at the building next door, the Jon M. Huntsman Center, where Jensen, the first-year Runnin’ Utes head coach, made a name for himself as a championship-winning, all-conference player under Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus.

Like that expansive view Jensen has from his office, he has a long-term view in mind for the Utah basketball program.

Time will tell how successful Jensen is in bringing back the glory of years past to a moribund program that is nine years and counting since its last NCAA Tournament appearance.

Since his hiring in March, though, the buzz has been palpable for the return of a coach renowned for his player development skills.

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“This is going to be an advantage for the University of Utah and the men’s basketball program,” Utah basketball general manager Wes Wilcox told the Deseret News in an exclusive interview.

“Al (is) incredibly competent and with a track record of helping the highest level players in the world get better and improve their games at a variety of positions, not just at the big-man positions, because Al’s 6-9, but at every position, because Al has done it at a bunch of different levels, be it the G League, international competitions, the NBA.”

Jensen, too, is known for his people skills and understands “the importance of building a relationship with the individual player,” Wilcox said.

A ‘thoughtful thinker, processor’

It’s been more than a dozen years since the 49-year-old Jensen was last coaching at the collegiate level, when he worked under Majerus at Saint Louis.

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Since his hiring in March, Jensen and his staff have gotten a crash course on the new-age college game.

“The game’s different. Obviously, recruiting, there’s a learning curve, definitely. And then I keep learning, a lot better off than I was three, four or five months ago,” Jensen told the Deseret News in an exclusive interview, two days after Utah started official practices ahead of his first season as coach.

There’s no question, though, that Utah found the right man for the job.

When Utah athletic director Mark Harlan was asked during Jensen’s introductory press conference in March what impressed him most about Jensen, Harlan gave a telling answer into why the Utah native fit so well into what the university was looking for.

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“It wasn’t X and O’s, it had nothing to do with that. When we went face-to-face, it was just getting to know each other better. We’ve had a chance to meet on more than a few occasions,” Harlan said. “When you make these hires, you become a partner with somebody that you’re investing with.”

Part of what made him worth investing in became clear in those discussions.

“As the process went on, he just asked such thoughtful questions,” Harlan said. “I can tell his excitement was there, but he’s just a very thoughtful thinker, processor.”

Shaping a basketball identity

Jensen’s basketball path has been paved with successes.

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It’s taken him from starring at Viewmont High, where he was named Deseret News’ Mr. Basketball in 1994, to a successful run at the University of Utah, where he helped the Utes reach the 1998 national championship game and earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors in 2000.

Following that, the tough-minded forward spent seven years playing internationally in Europe.

Then his old coach, Majerus, reeled him into coaching.

Jensen spent four years as an assistant coach under Majerus before jumping to the pro level and becoming better acquainted with his GM at Utah, Wilcox, when Jensen worked alongside him for two seasons as the head coach of the NBA D League (now G League) Canton Charge.

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“Man, that was some of the best basketball experiences in 25 years in the business,” said Wilcox, the former NBA executive who hired Jensen as Canton’s head coach. “Very early on it was clear that Al was going to have an incredible future as a head coach, whether that was in the G League, international basketball, the NBA or a major college.”

That first taste of coaching at the pro level is something Jensen can lean on as he enters his first season at Utah.

“The D League for me, I think the best part about it was … it was my first head coaching job, so I just came from Majerus, and I realized quick that I’m not Majerus. You learn to be yourself, so your personality comes out and it becomes more authentic,” Jensen said. “And the beautiful thing about the D League is you get to make mistakes. In my case, it wasn’t broadcast on TV. Unless you read the Canton Repository, you didn’t know if I messed up.”

That set the stage for Jensen’s path to bring him closer to him, as he followed that by working for 10 years as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz — where his player development chops were on full display, with guys like All-Star center Rudy Gobert — before coaching the last two years as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks.

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It’s a road that’s prepared Jensen for this moment, taking on the challenge of building a winner during the name, image and likeness era where revenue sharing and the transfer portal are critical parts of the roster management process.

“No matter what level of basketball, it’s still the guts of it. The things I learned from Majerus are still the core,” Jensen said. “It’s interesting being here now, because I think college, it’s evolving, but it’s kind of like a combination of the D League and Europe, the NBA a little bit, and it’s going to continue to change. It’s kind of like there’s different aspects of all that that’s true in college now.

“I played in Europe, I coached NBA, in the D League, in college, so it’s kind of like you have memories or situations that are similar that you learn from and pull from, and same goes for my staff.”

Influences in his coaching life

Understandably, conversations about Jensen’s playing and coaching career bring up a key figure in his development: Majerus.

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The former Utah coach turned the program into a juggernaut during his time as the Runnin’ Utes coach from 1989-2004. Utah made the NCAA Tournament 10 times under Majerus, including the school’s most successful run during the mid-to-late 1990s, when Jensen played a key role on teams that also featured talents like Andre Miller, Keith Van Horn, Hanno Mottola and Michael Doleac.

Those times, and the subsequent years working with Majerus at Saint Louis, have helped influence who Jensen has become.

“You know there’s phrases that he would use all the time that still echo in my head. And being back here, it’s been kind of interesting that we’ll be talking about something or we’ll go somewhere, and I’ll be reminded of a teaching moment or a story,” Jensen said.

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“As far as coach Majerus goes, I’ve never been around a better teacher of the game. He was a savant — he lived it, breathed it — but even if you were his assistant, you learned the game and how it was supposed to be played.”

“As far as coach (Rick) Majerus goes, I’ve never been around a better teacher of the game. He was a savant — he lived it, breathed it — but even if you were his assistant, you learned the game and how it was supposed to be played.”

Utah basketball coach Alex Jensen

There’s been other figures, too, who’ve been influential in Jensen’s career, many of which have come through his time working in the NBA.

“As far as my coaching progression has been, it’s been wonderful,” Jensen said. “I remember, I went to the D League and I would learn a ton. Byron Scott was the coach of the (Cleveland) Cavaliers, (Canton’s NBA affiliate). His son was my assistant, learned a lot from him and his assistants.”

Jensen spent eight years working as an assistant for former Jazz coach Quin Snyder, who’s now the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

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“I came here, and his first year was kind of a transition from the Sloan era (following) coach (Tyrone) Corbin. I learned a lot, because that was kind of similar to the Sloan era that had been so consistent, so good for 30 years. But then I also got the opportunity with Quin to go through that change, to start off not being very good, to build it up,” Jensen said.

“I learned a ton from Quin, great mind, great coach. That was a fun eight years with the Jazz. And then my last year with Will (Hardy), learned a lot, kind of came from a different background. And then I was lucky enough to go to Dallas with coach (Jason) Kidd, be around Luka (Doncic) and Kyrie (Irving).”

The values Alex Jensen brings to Utah basketball

Like Majerus, those who know Jensen recognize his abilities to teach the game.

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“In many ways, he was Rick Majerus’ brain on the court. Given his vast NBA coaching experience and his knowledge of Utah basketball, this is a great fit,” ESPN basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla said of Jensen in a quote the program shared when he was hired.

During the team’s first official day of practice on Sept. 22, there was a moment when the assembled media had a chance to see his teaching in action.

He pulled fifth-year senior James Okonkwo aside for a quick conversation, and even from more than 100 yards away, it was clear from the body language the respect that both men had for each other as they discussed whatever nuances of the game were being verbalized.

“I think this probably goes across all sports, but especially basketball. I think a player, every player, knows two things — if you care about them and if you know what you’re talking about. I learned that in the D League as well. It’s hard to teach or coach somebody without a relationship,” Jensen said.

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“If they know that you care and you know what you’re talking about, then teaching can happen.”

“If they know that you care and you know what you’re talking about, then teaching can happen.”

Utah basketball coach Alex Jensen

Building relationships is another Jensen speciality, one that makes him so good at his job.

“The combination of incredible basketball acumen, just deep personal integrity and character with relentless work effort and competitive makeup, along with the highest level social skills to understand and lead a group in a way that is super unique,” Wilcox said of what stands out about Jensen’s ability to build relationships.

“Yeah, he’s one of the best. He’s one of the best who can do it.”

Jensen thrives in these environments — that’s the fun part, getting to know the individuals on his team and on his staff, and it extends beyond the game.

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“(My) first year, I knew it was going to be like that, but (the) majority of my time isn’t spent coaching,” he said. “I remember in the D League, the funnest part was, even in my first few years with the Jazz, I remember I was in Canton coming back with a player at night — because they didn’t have a car, so you’d go pick them up — and you’d come back and it’s just you and the player in the gym. Like, that’s the fun part.”

Again, Jensen harks back to Majerus when discussing the importance of growing together as a team.

“Majerus always had a great line. He said, ‘There’s nothing like being on a team.’ He said, ‘In three months none of you guys are going to be on a team again.’ There’s nothing like it because during the season, you spend more time with your players and fellow coaches and staff than you do with your family, so you get to know somebody really quick, and that’s the fun part — the learning, the relationships and actually, coaching, helping,” Jensen said.

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“That was the fun thing about college, when I was last there. You had a kid for more than one year and they were young, and you saw him grow and then at the same time, you learned as a coach.”

What Utah’s players have already learned

Over the summer and into the fall, Jensen has had those opportunities to work, many times one-on-one, with his newly assembled group of players that will make up the Utes’ 2025-26 roster.

It’s a group that includes 12 new faces — ranging from players who joined Utah from other power conferences to smaller-college schools to international players and even high school talents — and a group of three returnees headlined by junior forward Keanu Dawes.

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He has a vision for how he wants the Utes to play: with confidence, while emulating the Runnin’ Utes mantra.

“I want to play fast,” he told the Deseret News in June. “I think that could be interpreted in a lot of different ways. But I want to run. I want to pass the ball. And I want guys to be confident, not be afraid to make mistakes. I think that all ties into the Runnin’ Utes.

“I want to let my players play instinctually.”

From speaking with his players, that reputation of being a “consummate player development coach,” as Utah president Taylor Randall put it, is shining through, even before the Utes’ first game.

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The identity they want to showcase is already hitting home.

“We’re going to play with grit, we’re going to play hard,” said forward Seydou Traore, a transfer from Iowa. Added guard Elijah “Choppa” Moore, a Syracuse transfer, “It’s one of those things where I’d rather just allow our game to do the talking, and you guys to just see it when it happens.”

Behind the scenes, that work has been going on for months, and players have appreciated the opportunities to learn from someone with a vast array of experience, including more than a decade at the NBA level.

“Coming in and being able to pick his brain every day, being able to listen to him, has been huge for me and my game and us as a team,” Moore said.

“Coming in and being able to pick his brain every day, being able to listen to him, has been huge for me and my game and us as a team.”

Utah guard Elijah “Choppa” Moore, on Alex Jensen

Added Dawes: “For me, (it’s) just his level of IQ basketball-wise, just keeping the game simple but also expanding my knowledge of the game. And even just the little things, like spacing, getting deep corners and being efficient with your dribble when you’re getting to the basket, really seeing how much he knows about basketball.”

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He’s building a culture of maximum effort, forged in communication and trust.

“He’s patient, and he’s trusting. He will empower his staff to do their jobs,” Wilcox said. “And if you come to watch a practice, he’s constantly saying to an assistant, or, you know, for instance, Kim Tillie, who’s a graduate manager, he’ll say, ‘Kim, what’d you say? Say it. Please. Everybody listen to Kim.’ Or Jordan (Mason), our video coordinator, ‘Jordan, please speak up, say it to the team.’ Or ‘coach (Eric) Daniels, make the point to the group.’

“And you’ll oftentimes see Alex very present, observing, empowering the group, but then very quick to step in and to command the attention and to make decisions or to lead as necessary.”

From family man to forging bonds

Jensen’s approach to coaching and building relationships has a trickle-down effect outside of the game as well, even if his profession can make family life a balancing act.

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Jensen served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after his freshman year at Utah. Now, he and his wife Natalie are the parents of three daughters.

In the busy world of coaching, family time together comes at a premium.

Natalie Jensen, a former Broadway actor, talked about the challenge of balancing a demanding lifestyle during an interview with LDS Living’s Morgan Pearson on an episode of the “All In” podcast in April 2024, when the family was still in Dallas.

“I think it’s really hard to be in this industry, because he’s gone so much. I’m really a single mom most of the time. I learned from my friend Michelle Obama … she basically was like, I create the home culture and when he comes home we welcome him but we don’t wait for him,” Natalie told Pearson.

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“That’s kind of hard for him, but I’ve had to with the kids just be like, we have dinner and if he’s here, great. … We’ve had to create a normal space for their lives and then when he’s there, he’s actually incredibly hands-on.”

The job also creates difficulty in finding time for Alex and Natalie to connect, though they’ve found a solution that works for them.

“We’re trying to do a weekly date, we’re trying to do that. And he started this when we were dating, he’d be like, ‘I just need five minutes,’ and we would just lay down and talk to each other for five minutes. But we had to be laying down and just talking,” Natalie said. “We need to really make sure we get our five minutes in every day because it’s just so easy to just go in separate directions completely when you’re not being incredibly intentional about it.”

The work-life balance of the college game vs. the NBA life — where the season is several months longer — was a factor for Alex Jensen in choosing to take over as Utah’s coach.

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He also fully understands that rebuilding the Utes’ foundation will require additional time in the office or on the road recruiting, particularly in these first few years.

“I knew my first few years it wasn’t going to be like that, because to get it started and get rolling to help me get to a point (takes time),” Jensen said. “The players are new, everybody on my staff is pretty much new. They come from different arenas in basketball, so that’s actually been fun to watch. So I think it’s a really good group, and we’re all learning together.

“I’ve got three young girls, and it was definitely one of the big factors in coming, with the work-life balance.”

Jensen’s players have also been drawn to his approach and how it focuses on building a family-like atmosphere.

“It’s always about family with me. I always want to go and be somewhere where it’s a family atmosphere,” said Auburn transfer forward Jahki Howard.

The sophomore who’s expected to play a pivotal role on this year’s team found what Jensen and his staff were selling was appealing. So, too, did Traore.

“I think I’m learning a lot on the basketball standpoint, but also like life. He just plays a good role in teaching us a lot of things, just picking his brain every day,” he said.

“As you go through basketball, the one thing that makes it worth it, ’cause of all the time you spend away from your family, is relationships and the people you do it with.”

Utah basketball coach Alex Jensen

Those values are something Gobert noticed during his time working with Jensen while the two were with the Jazz.

“It’s a new era for college basketball, and I think Alex really understands that aspect of the game, and outside of the game. He will be a great teacher for these young men to teach them good values,” Gobert said in a message shared by the university.

In a profession that demands a lot of time away from family, Jensen recognizes the value of relationships, not just with players and staff, but with those surrounding the program.

“As you go through basketball, the one thing that makes it worth it, ’cause of all the time you spend away from your family, is relationships and the people you do it with,” he said.

Realistic expectations for Year 1

Jensen is entering a situation at Utah where there are expectations for the former Runnin’ Ute great to bring back a semblance of the program’s glory days, ones he is all too familiar with as a player during that time.

With social media and other avenues so readily available nowadays for criticism to be found or amplified, Jensen’s focus is on making sure outside expectations don’t make the team lose sight of its “do things the right way” mentality.

“I’ve told them many times, if you want to play, this is what’s going to get you on the court,” he said.

“I haven’t necessarily alluded specifically to social media or anything but I’ve made the point — outside the confines of this, it’s not going to affect how I feel is the right way to do things.”

Jensen has been measured in his approach to discussing expectations for his first season as head coach. It makes sense, given the Utes’ struggles in recent years and the fact Utah plays in the Big 12, one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.

“I think it started when I was thinking about coming because I didn’t take that lightly. … I knew if I took the job that I wasn’t coming here to go somewhere else,” Jensen said.

“Too many times in coaching, you want to hit it big one year and use it as a launching pad. And I say it to the recruits all the time, I think the same goes for my staff, is like, we had jobs. We came here — it wasn’t a money thing, but we wanted to be here, which kind of naturally talks about being here for a while and doing it right.”

Jensen knows he can’t rush the process to building a foundation of success at Utah. But don’t mistake that learning curve for a lack of competitiveness.

“When I think about taking the job, building my staff and the roster, I remember (thinking), I’m not going to be rushed. I’m going to do it the right way. Nobody hates losing more than me, but also I was smart enough to realize there’s going to be a learning curve. I knew I was going to be better now than I was three months ago, I’ll be better in six months or a year,” he said.

“It’s no excuse. I still want to win every game that we play. That’s the goal.”

PROVO, Utah — Newly released surveillance video obtained by Fox News Digital shows Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin at a Utah gas station one day after the conservative influencer was gunned down while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

Local authorities were initially called to a Maverik gas station in Cedar City, roughly 215 miles from where Kirk was shot, after Utah state officials alerted police that alleged shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, may have dumped evidence in a nearby trash can.

Officers subsequently responded to the tip, where they uncovered surveillance video of Robinson but confirmed that he did not throw anything in the gas station’s trash during his stop.

Timeline Of Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin From Campus Shooting To Sheriff’s Office Surrender

The video shows Robinson’s Dodge Challenger arriving at a Maverik gas station at around 7:15 a.m. on Sept. 11, in Cedar City, less than 24 hours into authorities’ manhunt for the alleged assassin.

Robinson can be seen exiting his vehicle and paying for gas using a credit card before standing next to the car as he pumped fuel.

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“Once the tank was full, he removed the nozzle, closed the gas cap, got back into his vehicle and left the gas station,” the Cedar City Police Department said in an incident report. “At no time did Tyler approach or use any trash cans to dispose of items.”

Charlie Kirk’s Accused Assassin Encountered By Police During Return To Crime Scene: Law Enforcement Sources

The video is one of the first glimpses into Robinson’s alleged getaway route from Orem to St. George as authorities raced to track down Kirk’s accused killer.

Robinson was arrested later that day in St. George after he allegedly confessed or “implied” guilt to his parents, romantic partner and friends, according to court documents.

New Video Appears To Show Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin Near Campus Hours Before Shooting

Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated homicide, which carries the potential death penalty; felony discharge of a firearm; obstruction; and witness tampering. He has not yet entered a plea.

On Monday, Robinson’s attorney asked a judge for more time to review evidence before deciding if his legal team will request a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors have previously said they plan to seek the death penalty in Robinson’s case.

Original article source: Video captures Charlie Kirk assassination suspect Tyler Robinson during police manhunt in Utah

Note to readers • This story discusses suicide. If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour support. Call or text 988.

For many, Utah has become the place to settle down, raise a family, pursue dreams and embrace all that life has to offer. This trend has only accelerated in the past decade. From 2010 to 2023, Utah was the fastest-growing state in the nation, driven largely by its high birth rate.

The state also ranks fourth overall in happiness, thanks to its first-place standing in both work environment and community/environment categories — two of the three major measures used by the World Population Review. With a thriving economy and countless opportunities to enjoy its breathtaking landscapes, it’s no wonder so many call Utah home.

Yet behind the glossy brochures highlighting skiing, hiking, and scenic views lies a reality many Utahns either fail to recognize or choose not to address: Utah has a mental health crisis. Despite ranking first in two out of three happiness categories, Utah slips to fourth overall due to its 27th ranking in emotional and physical well-being. More troubling, the state ranks 46th nationally in adult mental health prevalence and care access.

The consequences are glaring. In 2022, Utah recorded a suicide rate of 22.1 per 100,000 people, making it the seventh highest in the nation. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Utahns ages 10–44. These statistics also fail to account for the far larger number of individuals who require hospitalization or medical care following suicide attempts. Utah thus faces a troubling paradox: how can one of the nation’s “happiest” states also struggle with one of the highest suicide rates?

The mental health challenges facing Utah are not distributed equally across its communities. As is true in most of the United States, health disparities are often more severe in rural and underserved populations. Utah is divided into 29 counties, 24 of which are classified as rural due to their population densities below 99 people per square mile. While these counties make up the vast majority of the state’s land, they account for only approximately 20.7% of Utah’s total population.

In Utah’s rural counties, the burden of mental health challenges is notably severe. In 2023, suicide mortality reached a decade-high of 26 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared with 18.6 per 100,000 in urban areas. The suicide rates remain consistently higher in rural communities across all age groups when contrasted with their urban counterparts year after year.

Multiple factors help explain the disparity in suicide mortality between rural and urban Utah. One important contributor is the higher prevalence of gun ownership in rural communities. This likely accounts for the higher proportion of suicide deaths involving firearms (63.3% in rural areas compared with 53.6% in urban areas). The favorability of more lethal means of suicide increases the likelihood of death.

However, the problem is far more complex. Accessing health care services is often a significant challenge for rural communities. They often face lower insurance coverage rates, fewer available providers, lower health literacy, and major geographic and transportation barriers.

The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data indicate that individuals who died by suicide in rural Utah were more likely to have a physical health problem (27.8%) compared with their urban counterparts (21.8%). These disparities in health care access are likely a partial driver of the higher suicide mortality observed in rural settings.

Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. The most urgent need in rural Utah is to expand access to both general and behavioral health care. Long-term solutions must focus on increasing the physical presence of providers in rural and underserved communities. This is especially critical because three out of four people who die by suicide have seen their primary care provider within the year prior to their death. These visits are valuable opportunities to address mental health concerns and provide mental health resources early on — a resource not easily accessible in these communities.

In the short term, virtual options have emerged as an important tool for bridging the gap. Telehealth and telemedicine initiatives by the University of Utah and Intermountain Health now allow patients in remote areas to connect with specialists through video or telephone visits. Thus, they have effectively opened the clinic door to communities across the state.

Mental health should be a priority for all Utahns. The crisis is most acute in rural areas, where suicide mortality rates are significantly higher and compounded by limited access to care. Continuing and working to expand efforts is essential to address the silent but pressing mental health challenges facing rural Utah and its broader population.

To truly honor both its majestic landscapes and the people who call them home, Utah must transform happiness from beyond breathtaking landscapes to encompass a lived reality by guaranteeing access to mental health care.

Briggs Miller is a second-year medical student at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah and was raised in Grantsville.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — You can collect ten pieces of Utah history this fall, thanks to the Utah Historical Society. They are restocking pins for the fun and free Utah Pin Quest on Friday, October 3 in preparation for the opening of the Utah Museum next year.

In the Utah Pin Quest, there are 10 pins you can collect at locations across 20 counties, so you can participate wherever in the state you happen to be. The pin designs commemorate unique historical and cultural aspects of Utah, from green Jell-o to the Bonneville cutthroat trout.

The Utah Pin Quest first began in July of this year, and it was so popular that many locations gave out all their pins within the first 48 hours. The Historical Society is restocking pins on Friday, October 3, and they will be available until supplies run out.

The Historical Society said that they are bringing it back because of the overwhelming demand, and this time, they’re going to have more than double the number of pins to give out. The pins are still free to collect.

The pins will be available at Utah cultural spaces, including state museums, visitor centers, state parks, and historic sites. There will be 37 locations, and we have included a full list below.

When you arrive, look for the Utah Pin Quest poster to find the pickup site.

According to the Utah Historical Society, the pin designs also provide a preview of some of the content that will be featured in the Museum of Utah, which will be opening in June 2026 on the Utah Capitol Complex.

For updates on the pin quest, you can follow the Utah Historical Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Pin Quest designs and where to collect them

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, Utah’s state fish that was historically found in the Bonneville basin

Brine Shrimp, Utah’s state crustacean that makes a valuable food source for migratory birds at the Great Salt Lake

California Gull/Seagull, Utah’s state bird that is commemorated for its role in saving the Mormon pioneers from a plague of katydids in 1848

Fry Sauce was created in the late 1940s by the founder of Utah-based fast food chain Arctic Circle, Don Carlos Edwards. It is a mix of ketchup, mayonnaise, and spices.

Golden Eagle, Utah’s state bird of prey that is most commonly found in mountain regions, playing an important role in Utah’s ecosystem

Green Jell-O, Utah’s state snack food. According to sales figures released by Kraft in 1997, Salt Lake City had the highest per-capita consumption of Jell-O.

Porcini Mushroom, Utah’s state mushroom that can be found in mid-to-high-elevation conifer forests in Utah and provides 70-80% of the nutrients needed for trees to survive

Sego Lily, Utah’s state flower that is considered sacred by some Native American Tribes from the region

Sugar Beet, Utah’s state historic vegetable. Utah produced sugar from sugar beets in the nineteenth-century, and the production of beet sugar contributed to Utah’s economy for nearly a century

Utahraptor, a dinosaur whose fossils have only been found in Utah. It was first found by American scientist Jim Jensen

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.

Trying to figure out or make sense of who exactly is the best team when it comes to Utah high school football became the equivalent to answering a trigonometry question with one of the state’s Thursday night results.

Skyridge pulled off a thrilling 37-34 overtime victory over Lone Peak at The Nest. Lone Peak had previously defeated a former Top 25 nationally ranked Corner Canyon, which Skyridge lost to last week in a 49-14 decision. The Knights followed up the huge win over the Chargers with back-to-back-losses now to American Fork and Skyridge, respectively.

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Leading the charge for the Falcons (6-2) was the play of senior running back Lincoln Tahi, who ended the night rushing for a game-high 213 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Also a big contributor on the evening was three-star quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne, who finished the game completing 28 of 40 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Sweetwyne also added 81 yards on the ground and a score.

The Falcons went into intermission trailing 10-0, but began clawing their way back into the game in the third period when Sweetwyne connected on a 36-yard scoring pass to Davis Fyans with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Just a few minutes later, Skyridge would tie things up at 10-all on a 30-yard Crew Odom field goal make.

After a Knights’ touchdown pass gave Lone Peak the lead back at 17-10 would begin a series of the two Utah powerhouses trading blows throughout the second half. With the game tied up at 24-all after regulation, the Falcons and Knights would settle everything in overtime.

Lone Peak would take a 34-31 lead in the second session of overtime, but it would be Tahi becoming the hero in Lehi as he scampered into the endzone from 16 yards out to give Skyridge the win.

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How to Follow Utah High School Football

For Utah high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the state, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Beehive State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the state of Utah.

Utah may not have an NFL team, but that isn’t stopping Prime’s “Thursday Night Football” from coming to the Beehive State this week.

Former NFL players and current “Thursday Night Football” analysts Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth will attend Park City High School’s football game against Provo High on Friday, according to the Park City School District.

The visit came “kind out of nowhere,” Park City head coach Josh Montzingo told the Deseret News on Thursday, with “Thursday Night Football” being the one to reach out to Park City High.

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Footage from Friday’s game will air during the Oct. 9 “Thursday Night Football” pregame broadcast. That night, Utahn and former Roy and Corner Canyon quarterback Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants will host the Philadelphia Eagles.

Montzingo‘s players were surprised when they heard the news.

“It was cool. They were trying to figure out how that came about, too. They were asking the same questions. I said, ‘I don’t know. They reached out to us,’” Montzingo said.

The footage will be part of the new segment, “Whit & Fitz the Roadtrip.”

As part of the segment, Fitzpatrick and Whitworth will drive from Thursday’s San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game in Los Angeles to the Giants’ MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to a video NFL on Prime Video shared on X.

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Along the way, they’ll stop in Salt Lake City as well as other destinations.

“This is such a special opportunity for our student-athletes to be recognized beyond our community,” Park City School District Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman said in a statement, per The Park Record.

“We’re grateful to the NFL and Amazon’s Thursday Night Football team for stopping by to celebrate our students and the incredible effort they put in, both on and off the field.”

The student-athletes participating have signed appearance releases and a filming notice will be posted around the field to notify spectators, per the Record.

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Friday’s game for Park City is against Region 8 favorite Provo. While being on the broadcast is “definitely neat,” Montzingo thinks facing Provo is enough motivation for his team to show out.

“I think that’s more motivation than anything else, is trying to knock off the big dog and try to hopefully win a region championship, but I think, they’re kids, so it definitely could make them want to try to show up a little bit more. Who knows? I think I’d be no different if I was in their shoes,” he said.

Montzingo said he is grateful for the opportunity to represent Utah on the national stage.

“We’re blessed and we’re grateful for the opportunity. I’m just really excited for our kids to be able to show up and show out,” he said.

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The game will be played at Park City High’s Dozier Field on Friday at 7 p.m.

“Just excited to go play, and hopefully, we have a great time and represent well,” Montzingo said.