☀️ Heat wave hits Salt Lake

Gird your loins, this week’s about to be a scorcher! Salt Lake will spend most of the week in the upper 90s before temperatures likely climb to the triple digits this weekend. Some forecasts suggest we could come close to record-breaking heat. [ABC4]

• Salt Lake City warms up fast: This is in part because of the urban heat island effect, which traps heat and makes some neighborhoods up to eight degrees hotter than others, thanks to all the pavement, buildings, and lack of tree cover. [Salt Lake City]
• It’s already been a devastating wildfire season: More than 400 wildfires in Utah have burned a total of 347,000 acres this year — to give you some perspective, Salt Lake City covers about 71,000 acres. The Babylon Fire in southeast Utah has burned more than 96,000 acres alone, and is currently the largest wildfire in the nation. Several large fires remain active, prompting evacuations and road and forest closures across the state. [KSL]
• Extreme heat can quickly become dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, and anyone without reliable air conditioning. Salt Lake County opens its network of “Cool Zones” (libraries, senior centers, and other public buildings) during extreme heat to help residents stay safe. [Salt Lake County]
• Ways you can help: Now is an especially great time to donate to local shelters and organizations. Mutual aid group Coconut Hut is collecting survival supplies including water, electrolyte packets, sunscreen, hygiene items, and other heat essentials for unsheltered folks. [Instagram]

Protect the Peacocks

Poplar Grove’s famous neighborhood peacocks are mysteriously turning up dead, leaving residents searching for answers. Do you know who’s to blame? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Local Sub Shop Struggles To Stay Open

The future of Gaetano’s Sub Shop is up in the air after the longtime sandwich shop closed its Murray location and is considering selling its Salt Lake City restaurant. Owner Curis deLagerheim attributes their struggles to a tough economy, increased competition, and low foot traffic. [Salt Lake Tribune]

What Makes a Park Great?

Our own City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta spent two years visiting every park in Salt Lake County. Along the way, she uncovered surprising insights about the parks we have, the amenities we’re missing, and what helps turn a patch of grass into a place where people want to hang out. [SLUG Mag]

• Check out the City Cast Salt Lake parks map: It's a handy guide to all 511 parks and what they offer. [City Cast Salt Lake]

Battle Over Backyard Gardens

South Salt Lake plans to fence off an eight-acre strip of land that Parkway Avenue residents have gardened and cared for for decades. Neighbors say they’ll lose beloved green space and a wildfire buffer, while the city says it needs to secure the property and protect its infrastructure. [Salt Lake Tribune]

AI Prescription Refills?

Utah is testing an AI-powered prescription refill program that lets patients renew certain medications without seeing a doctor, making it one of the first states to allow AI to take on a traditionally physician-only task. [FOX 13]