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Local News

Massive Tires Removed from Utah Lake in Saratoga Springs Cleanup

A homeowners association in Saratoga Springs, Utah, removed 21 massive tires from Utah Lake as part of a cleanup effort. The tires, some over seven feet in diameter and weighing more than 1,000 pounds, were originally placed in the 1960s or 1970s to reinforce dikes. Tye Bratton, a resident, led the effort with approval from Utah Lake Authority, the Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The cleanup took 60 man-hours, eight volunteers, a mini-excavator, and scuba diving. More tires remain, with plans to remove them during future droughts. The Utah Lake Authority praised the effort as a step toward preserving the lake’s ecosystem.

National News

Convicted Murderer Aaron Gunches Executed by Lethal Injection in Arizona

Aaron Gunches, a 53-year-old convicted murderer, was executed by lethal injection in Arizona after requesting his own execution. Gunches was convicted of the 2002 murder of Ted Price, whom he kidnapped and fatally shot in the desert. After pleading guilty in 2007, he spent over a decade fighting for execution, waiving his right to clemency. The execution, which lasted 17 minutes, took place at Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence. Price’s family, present at the execution, expressed relief and closure. Gunches was the third person executed in the U.S. this month. Two other executions occurred recently: one by nitrogen gas in Louisiana and another by firing squad in South Carolina.

International News

Hong Kong Billionaire Faces Beijing’s Wrath Over Panama Ports Deal

Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings is facing backlash from Beijing after selling its Panama Canal port assets to a consortium that includes U.S. investment firm BlackRock. Beijing-backed media criticized the deal as a betrayal, highlighting tensions between Chinese nationalism and Hong Kong’s capitalist interests. The deal, worth $23 billion, grants the consortium control over 43 ports worldwide but excludes China and Hong Kong. The U.S. welcomed the sale, while China sees it as a geopolitical loss. Experts warn that Beijing may pressure Li to cancel the deal, which could provoke retaliation from Donald Trump’s administration. The controversy raises concerns over Hong Kong’s business autonomy and the future of private enterprises under Beijing’s control.

Sports News

Texans Extend Danielle Hunter with $35.6 Million Contract Boost

The Houston Texans have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension with Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, increasing his 2025 salary to $32 million and extending his deal into 2026. Hunter, who signed a two-year, $49 million contract in 2024, played a crucial role in Houston's defense, finishing fifth in the NFL in sacks (12) and second in pressure rate (23.9%). His performance helped the Texans rank fifth in total defense, force 29 takeaways, and secure the AFC South title. This deal follows Houston’s recent three-year, $90 million extension with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

Events  

March 20th

• BYU Jazz Ensemble - March 20 Thursday, 7:30 p.m

• Classic Rock Jam - March 20 Thursday, 7:30 p.m

March 21st

• CARDINAL BLOOM + SEGO - Friday, March 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM

• Come Play Board Games - Friday, March 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM

March 22nd

• Provo Farmers Market - Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM

• Arctic Rescue Pack Hike - Rock Canyon Trail, Provo - Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM

March 24th

• Power Up Your Future - Monday, March 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM

• Legacy Scholarship Dinner - Monday, March 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Laugh Lounge

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