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 →
BYU Has Published Education Week 2027 Dates — On a Page Almost Nobody Reads
As Education Week 2026 closes, BYU has already set next year's dates: August 16–20, 2027. They are published in a parenthesis on the Apply to Teach page, while the homepage, registration and schedule pages all still show 2026.
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 surprise: Halloween's Arizona State game is the cheapest weekend we measured. Here are the numbers and the method.
The Covey Center's 2026-27 season is out: country co-headliners, Kyiv ballet, and a world-premiere Boléro in downtown Provo
Provo's Covey Center for the Arts has announced its 2026-27 season — Whitney Lusk & WILDWOOD, Grand Kyiv Ballet's Swan Lake and a world-premiere Boléro, Whose Live Anyway comedy, and free holiday concerts downtown.
Domo Is Selling Itself to Progress Software for $400 Million. Here's What That Actually Means.
American Fork's Domo has agreed to sell substantially all of its assets to Progress Software for $400 million. It's not a normal acquisition — Domo the public company survives. Here's the deal, the backdrop, and what's still unknown for Utah Valley.
Vesper Amphitheater: August 11 Is Not the Vote — Provo City Says the Earliest Is August 25
Provo City's own project page now says the August 11 council meeting is initial consideration, not a vote, and that the earliest a vote can happen is August 25 — possibly September. Here is what actually happens on the 11th, and what moved in the meantime.
The BYU School of Medicine, Explained: Accreditation, Timeline, and What It Means for Provo
BYU is building Utah's next medical school on its West Campus in Provo. Here's the full picture — where accreditation stands after the June 2026 site visit, when the first class of 60 students could start, the Intermountain and University of Utah partnerships, and what a medical school means for the city.
The Provo River Delta's Last Construction Summer: What's Finishing, What's Detoured
The $53 million Provo River Delta restoration enters its final stretch — Old Provo Channel recreation amenities wrapping by mid-summer 2026, county trail paving from Lakeshore Drive to Utah Lake State Park to follow, and a couple of detours to know about in the meantime.
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. Here's the full picture — the plan, the Shady Acres mobile home park question, where the approvals stand, and what happens next.
The USYS Boys National Championships Arrive at Epic Sports Park July 13–23
One of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the country splits its 2026 boys national championships between Salt Lake City and Provo's Epic Sports Park, July 13–23 — here's what it means for hotels, restaurants, traffic, and the drop-in field.
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 Jazz just compressed a whole rebuild's payoff into five months. What the 2026–27 season means for Utah Valley fans, and when the AJ Dybantsa reunion game hits the Delta Center.
The Vesper Amphitheater Fight, Explained: What's Actually Proposed in Provo Canyon
A 20,000-seat amphitheater, a hotel, and a century-old gravel pit at the mouth of Provo Canyon. Here's what the Vesper Amphitheater proposal actually includes, who's for and against it, what the Planning Commission decided, and where the City Council process actually stands now that the August 11 meeting has been confirmed as initial consideration rather than a decision.
BYU Football 2026: The Complete Schedule, Home Games, and Season Preview
Cougar football returns to LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 5. Here's BYU's full 2026 Big 12 schedule, a breakdown of all seven home games — including Notre Dame — and what to know before kickoff.
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. Here's what's being built, the timeline, and what it means for Provo's tight student-housing market.
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. Now Dybantsa is a Wizard and Peterson is a Jazzman, and Utah fans are pulled in two directions. The full story of the rivalry, and the split it created.
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. A remembrance from Provo.com, including a personal note from an editor who grew up alongside the Oscarson family.
Golden Onion Days: Inside Utah's Oldest Labor Day Celebration
Payson's Golden Onion Days has welcomed families back to the same streets on Labor Day weekend since 1929. Here's what to expect in 2026 (Sept 4–7) — the parade, the fireworks, the Onion Days 5K, the Treasure Adventure, and how to make a day trip of it.
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. Here's what the ranking measures, why Provo keeps winning it, and what it says (and doesn't say) about life here.
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 — where prices actually are, why Provo stays expensive, and where priced-out buyers are moving across Utah Valley.
Swiss Days in Midway: Utah's Best Labor Day Day Trip from Provo
Every Labor Day weekend, tiny Midway hosts one of Utah's biggest festivals. Here's what makes Swiss Days worth the 45-minute drive from Provo in 2026 — the crafts, the food, the parade, and how to build a full day around it.
The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival: The West's Biggest Story Party
For 37 years, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival has turned a September weekend at Thanksgiving Point into three days of storytellers, music, and family magic. Here's what a day is really like — and how to do the 2026 festival (Sept 10–12) right.
Utah Valley Events: Your Guide to August and Labor Day 2026
The Fourth is over, but Utah Valley's best stretch of festivals is just getting started. From the August city days (Lindon, Salem) to Golden Onion Days and the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, here's everything worth putting on your calendar through Labor Day 2026.
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. Here's what's actually legal in Provo, Orem, Lehi, and every Utah County city — and where to see a professional show instead.
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 — Spanish Fork's Fiesta Days, American Fork's Steel Days, and the parades, rodeos, and fireworks worth planning around.
Thanksgiving Point's Freedom Celebration: The North Valley's Free Fourth of July Fireworks in Lehi
With personal fireworks banned across most of Utah Valley, Lehi's free Freedom Celebration at Electric Park becomes the north valley's go-to Fourth of July show. Gates 4 p.m., fireworks 10 p.m., free admission, food trucks, and music synced to FM100.3.
The Most Jaw-Dropping Homes of the 2026 Utah Valley Parade of Homes
A 26,000-square-foot Provo mansion, a 16-foot sauna, a glass-floor basketball court. A tour of the standout homes in the 2026 Utah Valley Parade of Homes — and how to still see them virtually through August 31.
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. A full day-of itinerary with times, tips, and where to be.
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. Here's what's inside — and how to tour it before the parade closes June 20.
New FEMA flood maps take effect in Provo on June 23 — what homeowners and renters should know
Updated Federal flood maps become official across Provo and Utah County on June 23, 2026. Some properties will be newly mapped into flood zones, which can change insurance requirements — here's 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 — a sign of how fast air travel out of Utah Valley is changing.
Provo River Delta keeps getting better: new fishing platforms, boat ramps, and fresh trout
The restored Provo River Delta on the west side keeps adding amenities into 2026 — new fishing platforms, non-motorized boat ramps, freshly stocked trout, and newly paved trail connecting Delta Gateway Park.
Provo's Covey Center is bringing Broadway-caliber shows downtown — at half the price
The Covey Center for the Arts just topped Utah Valley Magazine's 2026 'Best Of' as Best Music Venue, and its new transparent ticket pricing puts national touring shows downtown for up to 50% less than bigger Utah venues.
Utah Valley Marathon returns to Provo Canyon June 6 — what runners and drivers should expect
One of the country's fastest downhill Boston qualifiers runs down Provo Canyon on Saturday, June 6, 2026, finishing in historic downtown Provo. Here's the race-weekend rundown, plus the canyon traffic to plan around.
Stadium of Fire 2026: Brad Paisley, the Full Lineup, and Your Fourth of July Game Plan
Everything to expect at the 2026 Altabank Stadium of Fire in Provo — Brad Paisley headlines, plus Nitro Circus, GENTRI, the night-of schedule, tickets, parking, and the free street dance after the fireworks.
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.
The Rooftop Concert Series Is Back in Provo: 2026 Dates, Times & What to Know
Provo's free downtown concert series returned in 2026 after six years dark. All five 2026 dates, the 7 p.m. start time, where it happens at Nu Skin Plaza, and what to expect if you have never been.
Cheesecake Factory Coming to University Place This Fall
The Cheesecake Factory announced its first Utah County location at University Place in Orem, opening fall 2026 next to Dillard's. Here's what it means for the local dining scene.
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.
Sunset Farmers Market Returns to Orem City Center Park for 2026 Season
The Orem Sunset Farmers Market is back every Wednesday evening from May through October at City Center Park, featuring around 200 local vendors.
Orem Asian Festival Returns May 9 — A Sign of Where Utah Valley Is Heading
The second annual Orem Asian Festival at The Orchard at University Place is part of a quietly important shift in Utah Valley's cultural identity.