Can you get Lyme disease from Utah ticks?

Affordable Homeownership?

Utah is taking steps to tackle its housing crisis with a goal to construct 35,000 new starter homes within five years. Legislators have allocated $300 million in subsidized loans for builders and introduced new zoning tools to facilitate this initiative. The focus is on smaller, more affordable homes to boost homeownership. The Utah Home Investment Program requires developers to commit to building homes priced around 80% of the county’s median price. [Salt Lake Tribune 🔒]

Robot Surgeon

The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City is the first in the Mountain West to use the Da Vinci SP Robotic Surgical System, a medical robot. The technology has been used for 10 head and neck surgeries since January. [FOX 13]

Pedestrian-Friendly SLC

Salt Lake City is planning to improve safety for pedestrians and bikers along 500 S. and 600 S., two roads that move fast and wide. Speeding cars have prompted calls for lower speed limits and infrastructure changes to make the city more walkable and bike-friendly. The planning phase could begin as early as July with construction starting 2027 pending final approval and funding. [KUER]

U of U DEI Office to Close July 1

The University of Utah is preparing to close its Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on July 1. And one employee gave kind of a tell-all to SLUG Magazine. Plus, Utah families are doing big numbers on school lunch debt. What does that say about us, and what can we do? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Utah’s Big Debt, DEI Office Chaos, and Neighborhood Free Stuff

The University of Utah will shutter its Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to comply with a new state law. Producer Ivana Martinez joins host Ali Vallarta to break down what’s at stake for employees. Plus, Utah families are $2.8 million in debt for school lunches. And, we shout out some bagel news in Holladay and a neighborhood resource for free stuff.