Your Daily Guide

It’s been almost four years since Miller Sports + Entertainment announced plans to leave the Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City and build their team a new stadium in Daybreak. Now, 13.5 acres sit largely unused and it’s a sore spot for Ballpark neighborhood residents. Monday night, I attended a town hall where Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared some updates.

• Expectation is the mother of disappointment. You may remember renderings from the Ballpark NEXT Design Competition and the finalized Ballpark NEXT Community Design Plan, but those were just brainstorms. The city is about to launch a feasibility study which will determine what’s economically viable for the area. [Salt Lake Tribune, KSL]
• Strategies to attract developers include rezoning the Ballpark from “public land,” while pledging 5 acres of green space. The City Council asked the feds to make Ballpark an “opportunity zone.” Meaning, developers get federal tax breaks if they take on projects in the neighborhood. [KSL, Salt Lake City]
• I was interested to hear some Ballpark residents ask for market-rate housing, something the Mayor acknowledged in her speech. When I asked some attendees about it, they shared hopes that more money flowing into the neighborhood could attract new businesses.
• Timelines: The city might request proposals for the parking lot north of the stadium by late 2027, but if the feasibility study encourages partial or full demolition of the ballpark, it won’t happen until 2028. The ballpark will continue to be a venue for occasional community events, and the Smith’s logos will be coming down. [Salt Lake City]

Utah Republicans Lose Their Supermajority

Democrat Jess Birtcher has officially defeated Republican Jordan Teuscher in Utah House District 44, marking the 14th GOP-held legislative seat to flip this election. Democrats are now projected to hold 28 seats in the Utah House, their largest share since 1992. [Utah Political Watch on X]

Charlie Kirk Trial Date Set

The trial for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, is set to begin in June 2028 and could last about five months. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he’s convicted. [Salt Lake Tribune, City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

A Break at the Pump

Gas prices are finally dipping below $4 a gallon at some Utah stations, with Salt Lake City’s average dropping more than 22 cents in the past week. Experts say the relief is mostly seasonal, though prices are still well above pre-Iran War levels. [FOX 13]

Making the Most of Dark Evenings

While Utah leaders decide whether we should remain in MDT or MST, we all agree the clock changes are rough. Here are some ideas for when it’s dark at 5:30 p.m. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]