🥤 Your guide to Salt Lake in August

Update on Utah’s Book Ban Law

Students are once again allowed to bring personal copies of banned books to school, after the State Board of Education reversed a previous interpretation of a 2024 law. While these books still can’t be used for assignments, updated guidance clarifies that the law only applies to instructed materials. [KUER]

Obama Pod Bros Put $$ In Salt Lake

A national political group wants to flip 10 Utah legislative seats from red to blue in 2026 — and most of them are in Salt Lake. Vote Save America, the advocacy arm of a podcast company run by former Obama staffers, is pumping $20,000 into recruiting candidates in "swing" districts currently held by Republicans. [Utah News Dispatch]

Salt Lake City, Home of the Gila Monster

New nightmare fuel just dropped: Gila monsters may migrate to the Wasatch Front as the climate warms. The venomous lizard currently resides in southwestern Utah, but by the end of the century, it just may be hot enough for them to thrive in Salt Lake. [KUER]

Public Art or Playground?

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … actually, it is a bird! Salt Lake City is installing a giant sandhill crane as part of a "nature-inspired playground" at the Glendale Park on the Westside. [Instagram]

• 🌳 Check out what else is in store for Glendale Park. [Hey Salt Lake]

Salt Lake’s got heart and it shows in our neighborhood shoutouts. Here are the local legends getting love this week from City Cast Salt Lake Neighbors.

📣 Whitney F. wants to shout out Phoebe Elise the best hair and lash tech in town! She specializes in vibrant hair color and has an adorable new location next to the 400 South Walgreens (the one blaring the symphony music).

📣 Sierra H. loves Sageland Collaborative, a local wildlife conservation nonprofit. Check out their latest projects!

Do you wanna spotlight your favorites? Become a member to help us celebrate the best of our city.