Post expires at 1:37am on Monday July 6th, 2026

The annual My Utah Photo Contest, hosted by Bank of Utah, is open through July 6, 2026. Amateur and professional photographers statewide are invited to submit their best outdoor landscape or activity photos that answer the question: “My Utah is ____.”

• 1st Place: $500 + Featured on Bank of Utah billboards + Front cover feature in Bank of Utah’s Annual Photo Contest Calendar.
• 2nd Place: $300 + Featured in Bank of Utah’s Annual Photo Contest Calendar.
• 3rd Place: $200 + Featured in Bank of Utah’s Annual Photo Contest Calendar.
• 9 Honorable Mentions will also be chosen and featured in Bank of Utah’s Annual Photo Contest Calendar.
• Best in Show Award: The entrant with the top votes wins $150 + Back cover feature in Bank of Utah’s Annual Photo Contest Calendar.

Post expires at 12:14pm on Tuesday July 7th, 2026

Ever wondered what it’s like to be in a movie? 

Popcorn Media is bringing Movie Star Camp to Heber City, and it’s your kid’s chance to shine on screen!

 Learn film acting
 Star in your own movie premiere
 Make new friends and have tons of fun

No experience needed.

Spots are very limited, so grab one fast!

 https://www.popcornmedia.net/movie-star-camp

Post expires at 6:57am on Saturday July 11th, 2026

Post expires at 10:24am on Sunday July 12th, 2026

Post expires at 12:33pm on Friday July 31st, 2026

Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday?   Let Freedom Ring 250 is a FREE virtual Discovery Hunt encouraging you to explore the history and local landmarks that shape our story. It’s a year-long mission to strengthen families and honor our nation’s founding principles. This initiative is proudly sponsored by the Discovery Family Coalition, Wasatch Behavioral Health, and the Caring Community Coalition.

Post expires at 10:59pm on Friday July 31st, 2026

Post expires at 6:17am on Sunday August 2nd, 2026

Post expires at 10:15am on Monday August 24th, 2026

Hiking or trail running in Utah this summer? How to prevent conflicts with mountain lions and stay safe

SALT LAKE CITY — Cougars, mountain lions, pumas: They have several different names, but these elusive predators can be found throughout Utah. While cougar attacks are quite rare in the U.S., there is always the chance you may see a cougar on your doorbell camera footage — especially if you live in the foothills — or while you are out hiking this summer. If you do happen to encounter a cougar, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your pets safe.

Cougars can be found throughout Utah, usually in the foothill and canyon areas, but also sometimes down in the valleys — especially during the winter months when they follow food-seeking deer to lower elevations.

The main prey of cougars is deer, so they can be found wherever deer are. They will also eat elk, pronghorn, small mammals and sometimes birds. After making a kill, a cougar will often hide or cache the carcass by covering it with soil, leaves or snow, saving it to feed on later.

“People are most likely to encounter cougars in areas frequented by mule deer, and at dawn and dusk, which is when cougars typically hunt,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Game Mammals Coordinator Chad Wilson said.

Tips to prevent conflicts with cougars

• Do not hike or jog alone.

• Maintain awareness in cougar country while hiking or jogging, and avoid using headphones that block out your surroundings.

• Travel in groups and keep everyone together, including children and dogs.

• Make noise while hiking to alert cougars of your presence.

• Leave the area if you find a dead animal, especially deer or elk, since it could be a cougar kill.

• If you live in an area near deer habitat, do not leave children outside unattended, especially at dawn and dusk.

• As a deterrent, install outside and motion-sensitive lighting around your property.

• Trim vegetation and remove wood piles to reduce hiding places for wildlife.

• Bring pets and livestock inside at night or secure them in a barn or kennel with a top.

In the rare event that you do happen to encounter a cougar, here are some tips to help keep you safe:

• Never run from a cougar, since that could trigger the cougar’s instincts to chase.

• Maintain eye contact.

• Pick up children and pets or keep them very close.

• Stand up tall.

• Do not crouch or squat.

• Make yourself look bigger by raising and waving your arms or jacket above your head.

• Talk firmly in a loud voice, back away slowly and leave the area.

• Fight back if you are attacked! Protect your head and neck.

• If you are aggressive enough, the cougar will probably flee.

“Typically, a cougar that is trying to prey on something will sneak up and ambush them,” Wilson said. “When a cougar lunges or bluffs a charge at someone, they are typically just trying to drive them out of the area because they have kittens or a kill nearby that they are trying to protect.”

When to report a cougar sighting

There has been an increase in cougar sightings over the last few years, due to an increase in doorbell and security cameras and an increase in the number of people moving into cougar and deer habitat areas.

You should report a cougar sighting if:

• It has killed something in a neighborhood or yard.

• It exhibits aggressive behavior.

• It appears several times on your security cameras.

If you capture footage of a cougar on security cameras one time or see one from a distance in foothill areas, you do not need to report it. One-time sightings of cougars are typically when the animal is moving through an area, and it has often left by the time DWR biologists and conservation officers can respond.

For more safety tips, visit the Wild Aware Utah website.

Post expires at 10:35am on Monday August 31st, 2026

DWR issues emergency changes to increase daily fishing limits at 2 waterbodies due to low water levels

SALT LAKE CITY — Due to current low water levels, poor snowpack and anticipated drought impacts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes to increase the daily fishing limits at Crouse Reservoir and Nine Mile Reservoir, effective immediately.

DWR Director Riley Peck issued the emergency changes to the Utah Fishing Guidebook on May 11, allowing for increased angler harvest at the two waterbodies.

“With the drought-related low water levels at Crouse Reservoir and Nine Mile Reservoir, we want anglers to be able to harvest these fish so they can be used and not wasted as water levels continue to decline throughout the summer,” Peck said. “We hope anglers can prioritize fishing at these waterbodies because increased harvest will hopefully improve the survival of any remaining fish, as well.”

The daily fish limit for Crouse Reservoir in Uintah County has been increased to eight trout (any species) and will be in effect from May 11 to Dec. 31. The daily fish limit for Nine Mile Reservoir in Sanpete County has been increased to 16 trout and will be in effect from May 11 to Oct. 1.

All other rules established in the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook remain in effect.

For more information about drought impacts on fish and fishing in Utah, visit the DWR website.

Post expires at 10:07am on Thursday October 1st, 2026