The Local Wire is Provo.com's news desk — short, original write-ups of stories that matter to people who live in, study in, or visit Utah Valley. We curate from Daily Herald, Provo.gov, BYU Daily Universe, KSL, and local outlets — then write everything in our own words with credit and links to the original sources.
We don't cover crime, individual high school sports results, or partisan politics. We focus on the stuff that moves the needle: new business openings, civic announcements, recreation programs, cultural events, and the everyday changes that shape the area. Read more about our editorial standards →
Provo City Council Approves Provo Towne Centre Redevelopment 5-1; Shady Acres Residents Get 18 Months and $10,000
On Oct. 20, 2026, the Provo City Council voted 5-1 to approve the changes for the Provo Towne Centre redevelopment, including Shady Acres. What passed, what residents get, and what comes next.
Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel Is Buying the Old Evermore Park Land in Pleasant Grove. Here's What Is Planned
Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel is buying the former Evermore Park land in Pleasant Grove for its HQ, a bookstore and event space. The park won't reopen.
BYU Stuns No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo: Bear Bachmeier Scores Three Ways, Walker Lyons Catches the Winner
No. 8 BYU beat No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Walker Lyons' late TD catch and jumped to No. 2 in the AP poll. Full recap, stats, quotes and what's next.
BYU Student Carter Smith Wins $3 Million With One Kick at College GameDay in Provo
BYU freshman Carter Smith, in a Spider-Man suit, made a 33-yard kick on his second try at College GameDay in Provo to win $3 million. How it happened.
Provo's October: The Big Leaguers With Utah Roots in the 2026 MLB Playoffs, From Cooper Pratt's Fanta to BYU's Daniel Schneemann
Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt, nephew of BYU's baseball coach, is headed to the World Series. The Utah and BYU threads running through the 2026 MLB postseason.
Utah Jazz Training Camp and Preseason Review: What We Learned About Peterson, the Center Question and Will Hardy's Defense
The Jazz finished the preseason 3-1 with a 119-116 win at Phoenix. Darryn Peterson's debut, Nurkic's foot injury, the likely opening lineup and what's next.
Your Utah County Ballot Is in the Mail: What to Do Before Nov. 3, 2026
Utah County ballots went out Oct. 13. Key dates, Provo and Orem drop boxes, early voting, Election Day vote centers and Amendments A and B, explained.
BYU Women's Basketball 2026-27: Lee Cummard's Second Season, the Schedule, and the Marriott Center's Other Team
BYU women's basketball won 26 games and reached the WBIT final in Lee Cummard's first year. The 2026-27 schedule, the roster, tickets and the games to see.
BYU Women's Soccer 2026: Jennifer Rockwood's Final Season, South Field, and How to Go
BYU soccer is 8-3-2 in coach Jennifer Rockwood's final season. Results, players, the last home matches at South Field, tickets and the Big 12 tournament.
BYU Women's Volleyball 2026: Rob Neilson's First Season, the Smith Fieldhouse, and How to Get In
BYU volleyball is 13-1 and No. 14 in Rob Neilson's first season. The results, the players, the rest of the schedule and how to get into Smith Fieldhouse.
ESPN College GameDay Is Coming to Provo for BYU vs. Notre Dame: Time, Location and What to Know
ESPN College GameDay broadcast from BYU on Oct. 17, 2026, its first Provo visit since 2009. That night No. 8 BYU beat No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24.
US-189 at Deer Creek: The Widening Now Runs Into 2028. What Provo-to-Heber Drivers Should Know
UDOT's US-189 widening along Deer Creek Reservoir now finishes in 2028, not fall 2027. What's built, why it slipped, blasting stops and how to get updates.
UVU Men's Basketball 2026-27: The Big West Debut, the New Roster, and Every Home Game
UVU basketball starts its first Big West season on Nov. 2 after back-to-back WAC titles. Todd Phillips' new roster, every home game and how to go.
UVU Women's Soccer 2026: Unbeaten in Its First Big West Season, and the Home Stretch at UCCU Stadium
UVU soccer is 3-0-2 in its first Big West season after four straight WAC titles. The results, coach Chris Lemay, the last home matches and how to go.
UVU Women's Volleyball 2026: A First Season in the Big West, and Why the Future Looks Bright
UVU volleyball's first Big West season: an honest look at the record, the young roster, coach Sam Atoa's 28th year, the home schedule and Lockhart tickets.
BYU's New Arts Building Is Open: Four Theaters, Six Galleries and a Fine Arts College Turning 100
BYU's new Arts Building replaced the Harris Fine Arts Center this fall: four theaters, six galleries, and more than 500 performances a year. What's inside.
Provo Weighs a Hotel Deal Next to Epic Sports Park: What Is Proposed and What the City Would Give Up
Provo is weighing a 137-room hotel, restaurant and retail on city land near Epic Sports Park. What is proposed, the tax incentives and what comes next.
Timpanogos School District Is Studying 13 Schools for Possible Closure: What Orem, Lindon, Pleasant Grove and Vineyard Families Should Know
The new Timpanogos School District is studying 13 schools and may close 3 to 5 elementaries and merge a junior high. Which schools, why, and how to weigh in.
October 2026 General Conference: The Sunday Afternoon Session, Talk by Talk
Who spoke in the Sunday afternoon session of October 2026 general conference: President Oaks, President Uchtdorf, Elder Gilbert and more.
October 2026 General Conference: The Sunday Morning Session, Talk by Talk
Who spoke in the Sunday morning session of October 2026 general conference: President Oaks, President Eyring and the rest, talk by talk.
October 2026 General Conference: The Whole Weekend in One Read
October 2026 general conference in one place: the headlines, the themes across all four sessions, the Utah Valley connections and every session recap.
October 2026 General Conference: The Saturday Afternoon Session, Talk by Talk
Who spoke in the Saturday afternoon session of October 2026 general conference: a talk-by-talk recap with Elder Renlund, Elder Kearon and more.
October 2026 General Conference: The Saturday Morning Session, Talk by Talk
Who spoke in the Saturday morning session of October 2026 general conference: President Christofferson on gambling, Elder Gong on temples, more.
BYU Basketball 2026-27: The Schedule, the New Roster, and What Provo Should Expect
BYU basketball 2026-27: Kevin Young's rebuilt roster, the non-conference schedule, home games at the Marriott Center and the Maui Invitational.
Vesper Amphitheater: The Application Is Withdrawn, and Orem Has Formally Voted No
The Vesper Amphitheater proposal was pulled from Provo's agenda before a vote, and Orem passed a resolution opposing it. What happened.
One Year After Charlie Kirk Was Killed at UVU: What Happened, and What It Left Behind
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem. A year later.
Vesper Amphitheater: No Vote on August 25 Either — Provo City Now Says the Earliest Is September 8, and the Proposal Has Changed
Where the Vesper Amphitheater stood before the withdrawal: Provo's August work sessions, the changed proposal and the planned September vote.
Detached ADUs Become a Right on October 1 — and Provo's Ordinance Is Still Not Written
Utah's detached ADU law takes effect October 1, 2026: cities over 5,000 must allow one on lots of 11,000 sq ft or more. Where Provo, Orem and Lehi stand.
Provo Airport Now Says Gates 6–8 Open December 2027 and the Last Two in 2029 — Not 'Late 2028'
In a written statement to the Lehi Free Press, Provo Airport put dates on each half of its ten-gate expansion for the first time.
The Delta's Boat Ramps Are Open, the Fishing Piers Are Fenced, and the Repaving Is Still Ahead: Where the Old Provo Channel Work Stands
Provo River Delta update: the non-motorized boat ramps are open, the new fishing piers stay fenced during repairs, and trail repaving.
Thanksgiving Point Wants to Build a Stained-Glass Sphere With 300 Windows — and Finish It Before the 2034 Olympics
Thanksgiving Point's planned Sphere of Light: a multistory building in Ashton Gardens wrapped in Holdman Studios glass.
UVU Will Now Pay High Schoolers Up to $20,000 for Taking Its Classes Early
UVU's Freshman Concurrent Enrollment Merit Scholarship: two tiers, renewable for four years, who qualifies and when transcripts are due.
We Measured What Notre Dame Weekend Does to Provo Hotel Prices — and What Halloween Weekend Does Not
Provo hotel rates for BYU–Notre Dame weekend run about 27% above a matched no-game weekend, and every hotel in our panel moved the same direction.
The Covey Center's 2026-27 season is out: country co-headliners, Kyiv ballet, and a world-premiere Boléro in downtown Provo
The Covey Center's 2026-27 season in Provo: Whitney Lusk & WILDWOOD, Grand Kyiv Ballet's Swan Lake, comedy and free holiday concerts.
Domo Sold Itself to Progress Software for $400 Million. Here's What That Actually Means.
American Fork's Domo sold substantially all of its assets to Progress Software for $400 million.
Vesper Amphitheater: August 11 Is Not the Vote — Provo City Says the Earliest Is August 25
WITHDRAWN as of September 2026 — no Provo council vote will happen on this application. This is the August 2026 record.
BYU School of Medicine, Explained: Preliminary Accreditation, the July 2027 First Class, and What It Means for Provo
BYU's School of Medicine won preliminary accreditation on Oct. 14, 2026. The first class of 60 starts July 2027. Applications, location and what comes next.
The Provo River Delta's Last Construction Summer: What's Finishing, What's Detoured
The Provo River Delta restoration's final stretch: Old Provo Channel recreation amenities and county trail paving to Utah Lake State Park.
The $500M Provo Towne Centre Redevelopment: What's Planned, What's Decided, What's Not
Brixton Capital and PEG Companies want to turn the Provo Towne Centre mall into an indoor-outdoor 'mini town' with 1,300 apartments and 83 townhomes.
The USYS Boys National Championships Arrive at Epic Sports Park July 13–23
USYS boys national championships at Provo's Epic Sports Park and Salt Lake in July 2026: what it means for hotels, restaurants and traffic.
The Jazz Rebuilt Themselves in Five Months: A Utah Valley Fan's Guide to 2026–27
Jaren Jackson Jr. in February, Darryn Peterson at No. 2 in June, Walker Kessler traded to the Lakers in July.
The Vesper Amphitheater Fight, Explained: What's Actually Proposed in Provo Canyon
The Vesper Amphitheater proposal at the mouth of Provo Canyon explained: what was proposed, who supported and opposed it, and what happened.
BYU Football 2026: The Complete Schedule, Home Games, and Season Preview
BYU's 2026 football schedule: the seven home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Notre Dame on Oct. 17 included, road trips, kickoff times, TV and game-day tips.
BYU Is Rebuilding Wymount Terrace: 240 New Apartments for Married Students
BYU is deconstructing nine aging buildings at Wymount Terrace and replacing them with 11 new ones — 240 apartments for married students and student families.
AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson: How the 2026 NBA Draft Left Utah Caught in the Middle
AJ Dybantsa spent two years becoming a hero in Utah — at Utah Prep, then at BYU. Darryn Peterson was his rival every step of the way.
Remembering Paul Oscarson: A Life of Faith, Family, and Quiet Devotion
Paul K. Oscarson — a former mission and temple president, and husband of former Young Women general president Bonnie L. Oscarson — died July 3, 2026, at 80.
Provo Is the Best-Run City in America Again — Here's What That Actually Means
For the second year in a row, WalletHub has ranked Provo the best-run city in America out of 148 large cities.
The Provo Real Estate Market in 2026: What Buyers, Renters, and Investors Are Seeing
Provo home prices have cooled from their peak while demand stays stubbornly high. Here's an honest read on the 2026 market.
Utah Valley Events: Your Guide to August and Labor Day 2026
Utah Valley's August festivals: Lindon and Salem city days, Golden Onion Days, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and more.
Fireworks Are Banned Across Most of Utah Valley This Fourth of July — Here's Where the Rules Stand
Gov. Cox's emergency order made 'no fireworks' the statewide default through July 5 amid record wildfire danger.
Pioneer Day 2026 in Utah Valley: Parades, Rodeos, and Fireworks Across the County
Utah's other big summer holiday lands July 24. Here's your guide to Pioneer Day 2026 across Utah County.
Thanksgiving Point's Freedom Celebration: The North Valley's Free Fourth of July Fireworks in Lehi
Lehi's free Freedom Celebration at Electric Park on the Fourth of July: gates, fireworks time, food trucks and why it draws the north valley.
The Most Jaw-Dropping Homes of the 2026 Utah Valley Parade of Homes
The standout homes of the 2026 Utah Valley Parade of Homes, from a 26,000-square-foot Provo mansion to a glass-floor basketball court.
Fourth of July in Provo 2026: An Hour-by-Hour Guide to the Big Day
How to spend July 4, 2026 in Provo — from the morning Grand Parade to Stadium of Fire and the free street dance.
Inside Oxford Road Estate: the 26,000-Square-Foot Provo Mansion Stealing the 2026 Parade of Homes
Home #23 in the 2026 Utah Valley Parade of Homes is a 26,573-square-foot Provo estate built for Crumbl co-founder Jason McGowan, designed by Studio McGee.
New FEMA flood maps take effect in Provo on June 23 — what homeowners and renters should know
Provo's updated FEMA flood maps took effect June 23, 2026. Some properties moved into flood zones, which can change insurance. How to check yours.
Provo Airport is growing up: mainline jets, more routes, and a push to 10 gates
American Airlines has upgraded its Provo–Dallas route to full-size mainline jets, and the airport is mid-build on an expansion toward 10 gates.
Provo River Delta keeps getting better: new fishing platforms, boat ramps, and fresh trout
The restored Provo River Delta keeps adding amenities: fishing platforms, non-motorized boat ramps, stocked trout and new paved trail.
Provo's Covey Center is bringing Broadway-caliber shows downtown — at half the price
The Covey Center for the Arts was named Best Music Venue in Utah Valley Magazine's 2026 Best Of, and its new ticket pricing undercuts bigger venues.
Utah Valley's summer outdoor concert season is taking shape
Sundance's mountainside amphitheater and Orem's SCERA Shell have set their summer 2026 lineups — here's what's on and how to plan the perfect open-air show.
Correction: Orem's Cheesecake Factory Opened in 2024
We reported in May that The Cheesecake Factory was coming to University Place in Orem this fall. It opened there on July 2, 2024.
Provo Rec Center Drops Student Membership to $25/Month for BYU and UVU
Provo's Countdown to Summer promo offers BYU and UVU students $25/month gym memberships from May 13–22, plus 10–20% off longer-term plans for residents.
EPIC Sports Park Opens for Free Drop-In Play Through Mid-October
Provo's EPIC Sports Park and select city fields are open for free community drop-in play from April through mid-October. Here's how to use them.