Your Daily Guide

Last summer, Kevin O’Leary, aka “Mr. Wonderful,” promised Utahns that Stratos Data Center would be the largest in the world, larger than Bryce Canyon National Park. The fallout taught us what the Utah Legislature’s Military Installation Development Authority is, and their power to fast-track projects without public input. Now, just before Election Day, we’ve got some eye-opening research about environmental impact — and it’s not about water!

• What’s new: A study found that pollution from Stratos could cause an additional five to 45 premature deaths each year, and up to $695 million in health-related economic damages annually. That pollution would travel, affecting also Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. [EmPower Analytics Group]
• What we already knew: Using methane gas to power Stratos at the full proposed 9 gigawatts would increase our state’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50%, according to University of Utah professor of atmospheric sciences Kevin Perry. [Utah News Dispatch]
• Stratos’ developers refute the stats. Environmental reports are modeling scenarios based on commonly used equipment for data center projects. Stratos’ developers have not shared how they plan to power their project. [KSL]
• The state’s divisions have some oversight. Stratos will need varying levels of approval from the Utah Divisions of Air Quality, Drinking Water, Water Quality, Water Rights, and Wildlife Resources. [Office of the Governor]
• It’s an Election Day issue. 60% of Utah voters oppose the construction of large data centers in our state. In their 2026 voter guide, the Salt Lake Tribune asked almost every candidate about them. [ABC4, Salt Lake Tribune]

We get into much more detail on today’s episode of City Cast Salt Lake:

New Magazine in Town

Magazines are so back, baby! A new independent print magazine, Cousin, is coming to Salt Lake City. Sign up for updates now as the team prepares to release the first issue. [Cousin Magazine]

Restaurant Closures & Moves

After five years, Carson Kitchen has permanently closed its downtown SLC location. Sugar House’s O’Falafel is moving south to 3300 South, and Chez Nibs on 500 South is also closed while seeking a new location. [Gastronomic SLC]

Volunteers Needed for Code Blue Nights

Winter weather is around the corner, and the 2nd & 2nd Coalition is pre-training volunteers for their emergency homeless shelter on Utah’s Code Blue nights — when temps drop to 18 degrees for two hours or more. Sign up to volunteer here. [State of Utah, 2nd & 2nd Coalition]

Kensington Street Festi-Fall Seeks Vendors

Kensington Street is assembling a Festi-Fall and looking for vendors. The vendor fee is $25, and priority is given to Ballpark businesses. Apply here. [Kensington Festi-Fall]

What Utahns Want to Pronounce

According to Google Trends, the word Utahns are most Googling for the correct pronunciation is data. Bookmark this: It’s pronounced DAY-tuh center. [Deseret News]