Newsroom
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Nick Thiriot
Communications Director
nick.thiriot@utah.edu
801-587-3717
News Releases
Utah’s colleges and universities drive earnings, research, and social capital
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 Trisha Dugovic, Utah System of Higher Education, tdugovic@ushe.edu, 801-717-8451 March 31, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Higher education remains a cornerstone of personal opportunity and statewide prosperity, according to a new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The brief highlights the state’s well-trained workforce, robust economic performance, and strong social fabric, all linked to a long-standing educational commitment. This emphasis on higher education extends beyond economic impacts, contributing to social well-being, civic engagement, and innovation. […]
Birth Trauma: Utah Mothers Call for Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 Sophie Silverstone, Division of Family Health, ssilverstone@utah.gov, 385-270-1196 March 18, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – Birth trauma, or having a traumatic childbirth experience, is common, but largely remains unrecognized within maternity care. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, produced in collaboration with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, draws on interviews with Utah women who experienced birth trauma to better understand its causes, impacts, and opportunities to improve care. […]
Northwest Salt Lake Valley’s Housing Landscape: Expansion with Affordability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 March 3, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about the communities of West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, Magna, and Salt Lake City west of I-15. This fifth installment details the region’s housing landscape. […]
Northwest Salt Lake County’s Economy Shows Promise and Pressure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150 February 10, 2026 (Salt Lake City) – To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about the communities of West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, Magna, and Salt Lake City west of I-15. The fourth installment presents economic data for the region, including findings around income, poverty, employment, commuting, and business composition. […]
Recent Media Mentions
Utah consumer sentiment still lower than a year ago; 3rd consecutive month of slight uptick
SALT LAKE CITY — For the third consecutive month, Utah's consumer sentiment ticked upwards with a modest 0.9% increase in January. From December to January, Utah's sentiment increased from 79.9 to 80.6, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey. The increase, as noted in a Zions Bank release, is within the survey's margin of error.
New report outlines University of Utah’s economic, societal contributions
SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah's flagship institution and second-largest university in the state, the University of Utah is a significant contributor to the state both economically and socially.
New research reveals thousands of older adults in Salt Lake County can’t afford groceries
SALT LAKE CITY — New research from Salt Lake County and the Department of Aging and Adult Services shows thousands of older adults can’t afford groceries. But county officials say a new year-long plan will aim to address the issue.
Wasatch Front, southern Utah cities are still the fastest growing. See how your hometown compares.
SALT LAKE CITY — Communities along the Wasatch Front and in Washington County led Utah again for growth in 2024. Cities, towns and metro townships added about 59,000 people in 2024, according to American Community Survey estimates released Thursday.
Utah’s population growth is slowing down. Here’s how it compares with other states
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's growth is slowing down, but it still remained one of the fastest-growing states in the nation last year. Utah gained nearly 36,000 new residents between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, representing a growth rate of 1%, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released on Tuesday.
New study highlights increased health issues in Northwest Salt Lake County
SALT LAKE CITY — A new study from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute highlighted some potential health challenges for Northwest Salt Lake County, including a lack of access to affordable healthcare.
