Southern Utah

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute has reduced its Washington County future population forecast. That could have ripple effects for southwest Utah’s water needs.

Tour buses, RVs and trailers that exceed size limits won’t be allowed on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway as of June 7.

“I just don't buy anything that's not something that I need to breathe, live and survive,” said one St. George resident about affording her apartment. Rents in this part of southwest Utah have doubled in the past decade.

In Washington County, projects like townhome developments are less common than they were two years ago. In 2023, two out of every five new homes built in Washington County were condos and townhomes. Now, it’s just one in five.

The new Zion Discovery Center is under construction on Zion National Park’s less-crowded east side. The park hopes it will relieve congestion in Zion Canyon and offer visitors a different experience.

The great horned owl was partially covered in concrete. Sanctuary workers removed the concrete after several grooming sessions. Its feathers are frayed, but the bird is expected to be released in late spring or early summer of next year.

October set the stage for Utah to have a solid spring snowmelt runoff. That is, if the state can catch enough snow this winter.

During droughts and disasters, the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s draft plan could cut up to 60% of the water cities get and leave it up to city leaders to figure out how to get by with less.

Incumbent Mayor Michele Randall faces a challenge in November from city councilor Jimmie Hughes. Both met in a debate at Utah Tech University the day before ballots were mailed.

KUER will have online coverage of the St. George City Council debate between Michelle Tanner, Natalie Larsen, Jami Leavitt and Greg Aldred on Monday, Oct. 13 at 6:00 p.m. MT.

KUER will have online coverage of the St. George mayoral debate on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. MT.

As a radio host and event organizer, Suleyma Plancarte wants the next generation to enjoy cultural spaces she longed for while growing up in southwest Utah.