🧑‍⚖️ Utah's bigger, more male Supreme Court

The Utah Supreme Court is entering a new era with seven members on the bench instead of five. And the last two were just confirmed on Wednesday. The appointments come amid political tension between Utah's judicial and legislative branches.

• The Utah Senate confirmed civil litigator Michael Menssen and 5th District Judge Matthew Bell as the final additions to the bench last Wednesday. The pair fills vacancies left by Chief Justice Matthew Durrant’s retirement and Justice Diana Hagen’s resignation. [KUER]
• Gov. Spencer Cox has reshaped the court by expanding the bench and appointing seven justices during his tenure. Critics see it as packing the court in response to recent decisions on redistricting and abortion. Sen. Todd Weiler, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says growing the court is about efficiency, though he admits it's “partially politically motivated.” [Salt Lake Tribune, City Cast Salt Lake, New York Times 🔒]
• A gender battle is brewing. The court went from its first-ever female majority — created by Cox — to just two women on the bench. He's filled every new seat with a man. Hagen said she’s heard from both men and women who are upset about the “gender dynamic.” [New York Times 🔒]
• On the horizon: One of the Supreme Court's first cases will likely decide the constitutionality of a new judicial panel created to review lawsuits challenging state legislation. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Ikon Adds 3 Ski Areas

Alterra just added three more ski resorts — two in China and one in Japan — to its popular (and very expensive) Ikon Pass. The seasonal ticket gives skiers and snowboarders multi-day access to over 70 mountains across the U.S. and the globe, including six of Utah’s resorts. [Ikon Pass]

The LDS Church’s Real Estate Empire

The real estate arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing and reshaping entire regions in places like central Florida, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Author Gabrielle Zevin in SLC

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” author Gabrielle Zevin will give a free talk and sign books at the Salt Lake City Library on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The movie adaptation of Zevin’s book is set to be released in fall 2027, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and directed by Siân Heder, the Oscar-winning director of “CODA.” [Eventbrite, Variety]

Utah’s Fifth Whole Foods

Taking a cue from South Park’s “The City Part of Town,” Utah County is set to get its first Whole Foods in 2027. There are currently only four Whole Foods in Utah; the Lehi addition will make five. [ABC4]

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