Great Salt Lake Policy Push: Utah senators toured the lake in airboats with the new Great Salt Lake commissioner, Hannah Freeze, as lawmakers weigh next steps to keep the water level from sliding back toward 2022’s record lows. Wetlands Funding: The EPA awarded nearly $3 million in wetland program development grants across the Mountain West, including Utah State University, to strengthen wetland health, water quality, and flood protection. Wildlife & Outdoor Access: Utah rolled out a new free digital access permit rule for adults visiting certain Wildlife Management Areas, aiming to keep public access while supporting wildlife management. Climate Signals for Utah: A new National Weather Service winter outlook points to no clear temperature preference for Utah, but highlights precipitation patterns tied to El Niño that could shape snowpack. El Niño Intensifies: Reports say a rapidly strengthening “Super El Niño” is likely, with major heat impacts already logged across the West. Hungry Bears in the Rockies: Wildlife officials warn that drought-driven food shortages are pushing bears into more human areas, with Utah reporting record bear conflicts. Great Salt Lake Dust Concern: Solutions journalism coverage notes new state leadership as the lake dips again, raising public health worries from dust off the exposed lake bed. Affordability Pressure: New Utah housing data finds 91% of renters can’t afford a median-priced home, underscoring the squeeze on families. UFO Files (Utah 1952): The Pentagon released another batch of declassified UFO records, including digitized footage tied to a 1952 sighting near Tremonton, Utah. Poaching Case: Utah DNR says two nonresident hunters were convicted after helicoptering into eastern Utah and illegally killing bull elk on land where their permits didn’t allow it. Wildland Firefighter Safety: Senators announced bipartisan legislation aimed at closing long-standing health and safety gaps for federal wildland firefighters.