What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Salt Lake County Affordability

New research shows that despite Utah’s growth overall, it seems that folks are moving out of Salt Lake County and heading to counties in the north and south. This is due largely to affordability, congestion, and seeking a higher quality of life. [KUTV]

• Related: Who can afford Salt Lake? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Jail Time For Banned Books in Classrooms?

There’s a proposed bill that would charge public school teachers and employees with a class A misdemeanor for keeping certain banned books available to students. Violators could face fines and even jail time. A separate bill would make it easier to remove these “objectively sensitive” materials from Utah schools statewide. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Utah Jazz Stanley Cups

The Utah Jazz and the Stanley brand are joining forces to create a limited-edition Stanley cup. Tbh, I’m not a sports fan or Stanley fan (Owala forever!), but I weirdly wanna get my hands on one. The power of the Stanley craze is really something else. [Instagram]

• Related: How Stanley drinkware built an empire in Utah. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Salt Lake City Council

A new year means inaugurations and new roles for our local electeds. In a notable maneuver, both members of our Salt Lake City Council in leadership roles are representing the west side of the city. Council Member Victoria Petro is the council chair, and Council Member Ale Puy is leading the city’s redevelopment agency. So how could this shift the vibe? And what issues do they plan to take on with fervor? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

What are Hey Salt Lake readers up to lately? They’re picking up new hobbies, eating good food, and heading to Pleasant Grove to visit their favorite haunts.

🎸 On Hobbying

“I decided to try new things over the last year. I tried snow skiing, pickleball, and playing guitar. I am glad I tried multiple things at once because that’s the best way to find something that sticks. Snow skiing, probably not for me. But pickleball and guitar have been fun.“ — Ben C.

“Please include Make Salt Lake on this list! They are an incredible local nonprofit, and they host a million different crafts, from woodworking to using 3D printers.” — Irene

“Sometimes, Tandy Leather will have in-store classes where you can work on kits (i.e. leather items). I've done it a couple times and found it fun. Tandy Leather is really awesome and their staff is super nice and will take their time to help you.” — Sunshine C.

🍩 On the Best Salt Lake Food

“Donut Star is a local business. They makes donuts with all the care of a local bakery. All the donuts are handmade from scratch and melt in your mouth! (Not factory-made and shipped frozen).” — Lore B.

“Here are my favorite go-over-and-over SLC restaurants: Red Iguana, Trio, Oasis Cafe, and Tsunami.” — Kalyn D.

💎 On Hidden Gems in Pleasant Grove

“In Pleasant Grove my favorite place is the Grove Vintage Collective. Such a hidden gem.” — Heather R.

“Cravings Bistro is the only thing that can get me out to PG :)” — Lauren D.

SLC Council Duo on Setting the Westside Agenda

Salt Lake City’s east-west divide often makes headlines, from disparities in air quality to getting stuck behind trains to displacement due to gentrification. But what does the Westside really need? District 1 Council Member Victoria Petro and District 2 Council Member Ale Puy join host Ali Vallarta in their new leadership roles to talk about how they’ll advocate for Westside residents.