Your Daily Guide

The fastest man on earth is headed back to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats on Wednesday, Aug. 12, this time with hydrogen under the hood. Twenty years after making history there in a diesel-powered car, British driver Andy Green has a need for even more speed.

• Meet the driver: Not only does Andy hold the outright world land speed record, he remains the only person to break the sound barrier in a car. In 2006, he drove the JCB Dieselmax to 350.092 mph at Bonneville, setting the record he’s now trying to surpass. [ABC News]
• The car facts: Andy will pilot JCB’s 32-foot Hydromax, which is lighter and more powerful. Instead of diesel, it runs on hydrogen combustion engines. JCB has invested more than $134 million in hydrogen-powered engines, which they argue could offer a lower-emissions alternative to fossil fuels for heavy machinery. [JCB]
• Why Bonneville? Drivers have been pushing the limits of speed at the Salt Flats since 1914, but the pursuit obviously comes with serious risks. Just last year, veteran racer Chris Raschke died after losing control of his vehicle, Speed Demon, at 283 mph during Bonneville’s annual Speed Week. [U.S. News]

False Evacuation Alerts Sent

Emergency evacuation alerts were accidentally sent across several Utah counties over the weekend due to a Park City Dispatch system glitch. Evacuations only remain in place for areas near the Rocky Canyon Fire (about an hour northeast of Salt Lake City). [ABC4]

Homelessness Declines Overall in Utah

Utah homelessness dipped for the first time in six years, though the decline wasn’t across the board. Homelessness increased among families with children, young adults, seniors, and for the chronically homeless in rural towns. [Axios Salt Lake City]

Park City’s New Film Festival

Park City is getting a new film festival after Sundance's departure. The inaugural Park City Film Festival kicks off Oct. 23 with eight indie films, filmmaker panels and Q&As, and plans to keep growing. Tickets go on sale Aug. 17. [Park City Film]

Utah Bets Against Kalshi

Should Utah be fighting with Kalshi? We discuss how the state is seeking to tackle the prediction market craze. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Twenty-seven years ago today, a destructive tornado tore through downtown Salt Lake City and left behind an unusual piece of history: a desk. In honor of the anniversary, we’re looking back at that story and a few other Utah deep cuts.

The Tornado Desk

On Aug. 11, 1999, an F2 tornado in Salt Lake City killed one person, injured more than 80, and damaged 300 buildings and homes. Salvaged wood from uprooted trees at the Capitol was turned into a “tornado desk” that now sits in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office. Then-first lady Jacalyn Leavitt even turned the story into a children’s book.

Destiny’s Child at the State Fair

Destiny’s Child headlined the Utah State Fair in 2001, with tickets starting at just $29. Fair organizers at the time loved booking “rising stars,” including the likes of NSYNC and Britney Spears.

Zendaya at the Outlets

Long before “Euphoria,” 17-year-old Zendaya gave a free performance at the Outlets at Traverse Mountain’s 2013 Christmas tree lighting. What are the chances we’ll get her for the 13th anniversary?

The Salt Lake-to-Cuba Hijacking

In May 1972, Salt Lake man Michael Hansen hijacked a plane in protest of the Vietnam War, and redirected it on a Salt Lake City → Los Angeles → Dallas → Tampa → Havana joy ride.