Juneteenth marks an important (and sad) moment when all slaves were finally freed (at least on paper). Texas was a hold out for nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the end of the Civil War. The emancipating of a quarter-million slaves in Texas had to be enforced by some 2000 Union troops arriving in Galveston on June 19, 1865. Still, Juneteenth may have remained a little-known holiday but for the efforts of one woman: Opal Lee. The 99 year-old known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” was key to recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday.

Juneteenth celebrations in Utah go all day and include a walk from the state Capitol to The Gateway, where the party continues until dusk. You can also celebrate World Refugee Day tonight from 5-11 pm at Big Cottonwood Regional Park, 4300 S 1300 E, Millcreek.

Lt. Governor defends Utah’s mail-in voting system after President Trump criticizes it in push to end filibuster on SAVE America Act (ABC4)

The kind of Democrat Utahns want to send to Washington, D.C. (Deseret News)

San Juan County assessor resigns after allegations of being 'unfit' for office (KSL)

Will Republicans decide Utah’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary? (Deseret News)

Trump endorses all 3 Republican incumbents in Utah’s primary elections (Deseret News)

Trump attacks reliably Republican Utah for vote-by-mail, which helped him win election (Fox13)

Democrats trailing Ben McAdams in fundraising say he’s raising the wrong kind of cash (The Salt Lake Tribune)

There’s still time to vote in Utah’s primaries — but use a drop box, not the mail, officials say (The Salt Lake Tribune)

What the Salt Lake City Council’s newest member says are the most significant challenges in Utah’s capital (Salt Lake Tribune)

New elections official said women in office ‘do not have what it takes.’ They returned the criticism (Utah News Dispatch)

Will this be America’s best birthday celebration, or perhaps, the worst? (Deseret News)

Utah teen musicians to perform on National Mall stage for America 250 celebration (Deseret News)

Iran tied New Zealand, and it felt like everyone won (Deseret News)

Have You Seen This? Mother Nature plays soccer (KSL)

Here’s how a Utah defense company is protecting 2026 FIFA World Cup venues from potential drone attacks (Salt Lake Tribune)

Voices: This Juneteenth, let’s resist the impulse to explain racism away (Salt Lake Tribune)

Utah’s Redemption Bank launches card program to steer money to single mothers in poverty (KUER)

‘Bittersweet’: What it’s like to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah in 2026 (Utah News Dispatch)

Juneteenth reminds us of Black Americans’ long struggle for education following end of slavery (Utah News Dispatch)

Valar Atomics’ nuclear reactor reaches criticality in Utah (Deseret News)

AI deepfake media can sway public opinion as effectively as real media, UVU study finds (KSL, KUER, Fox13)

Facial recognition AI misidentifies Utah man in felony vandalism case (KUTV)

Case dismissed against former BYU football player after judge denies delay of July trial (KSL)

State says it will re-file rape charges against former BYU football player Parker Kingston (ABC4)

Family of alleged victim in former BYU football player rape case speaks out after case is dismissed (ABC4)

Man accused of stealing paintings, forging checks from mother to open restaurant (KSL)

Mother who vanished with 4 children following TikTok posts booked into Davis County jail (KSLNR)

New technology helps law enforcement hone in on illegal drone use (KSLNR)

Bees crown Utah's best fry sauce on night celebrating condiment (KSL)

Brandon Sanderson’s fan convention is leaving Utah — at least temporarily (Deseret News)

Another Salt Lake City restaurant shuts down, but industry still sees life downtown (KSL)

The ‘gatekeepers’ are gone: What that means for Utah musicians (KSLNR)

West Valley City removes Cesar Chavez Drive signs; Ogden leaders still mulling issue (KSLNR)

Gas prices fell below $4 this week, but when will grocery costs go down? (Deseret News)

Utah regulators place strict restrictions on Provo Canyon School license (KSL)

A Utah book-ban advocate was given access to a school library system with private student data. The district says there was ‘no breach.’ (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Salt Lake City students ‘significantly outperform’ demographics-based expectations, researchers find in state audit (Salt Lake Tribune)

SUU introduces redesigned, 'vital' new master’s degree in student affairs (St. George News)

Apple Valley mayor urges immediate water conservation amid concerns over aquifer depletion (St. George News)

Utah DNR rejects recommendation to ban cougar trapping on public lands (Deseret News)

Utah moves forward with $30 million Book Cliffs land transaction (Deseret News)

A plan to keep northern Utah lawns green could drastically cut flows in a river that feeds the Great Salt Lake (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Are you related to a soccer legend? Find out through this new FamilySearch feature (Deseret News)

Opinion: Will Britain find the way to protect children online? (Deseret News)

This nonreligious researcher says religion is important to society. Here’s why (Deseret News)

Unexpected ally defends Latter-day Saints in Christianity debate (Deseret News)

‘It felt like a miracle’: Sheri Dew and Dallas Jenkins on the path that led ‘The Chosen’ to a Utah film set (Deseret News)

Pope Leo, who has criticized Trump, is popular with U.S. Catholics — Republicans and Democrats (Salt Lake Tribune)

Take a look inside the Obama Presidential Center, opening this weekend (Deseret News)

The paint is already peeling in Trump's renovated Washington Reflecting Pool (Reuters)

How the Education Department continues to march to a Trump-ordered demise (Deseret News)

Supreme Court rules marijuana users can own guns (Deseret News)

White House delays release of US voting machine study as midterms near (Reuters)

US judge allows challenges to Trump's mail-in voting order ahead of November elections (Reuters)

Georgia GOP drops redistricting plan that would hurt Black representation (Washington Post)

Flesh-eating maggot outbreak puts Trump administration response under scrutiny (Washington Post)

Proposed immigrant detention center site in Salt Lake City to be offloaded, newspaper reports (KSL)

Immigration judges are denying ICE detainees release. Federal judges are stepping in. (Politico)

‘Game Changer’? Too Soon to Tell. But Ukraine Flexed in Striking Moscow. (New York Times)

‘This War Has Now Reached Your Homes’: Ukraine’s Startling New Message for Russia (Politico)

Trump signs deal with Iran — but Republicans still have questions (Deseret News)

Opinion: Iran found Trump’s bone spur (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Lebanon ceasefire agreed, US official says after US-Iran talks in Switzerland scrapped (Reuters)

Iran's Revolutionary Guards set up covert Iraqi cells to attack Gulf neighbors, sources say (Reuters)

Trump condemned Obama’s Iran deal. Here’s how his own compares. (Washington Post)

At least 30 deaths at Congo camp show Ebola could be spreading fast (Reuters)

Australia, last continent without H5 bird flu, detects first suspected case (Reuters)

June 23 — Utah primary election

Aug 4-6 — One Utah Summit, SUU America First Event Center, Register here

Aug 13 — Titan of Public Service Gala with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America

Aug 18-20 — August Interim

Nov 3 — General election

1778 - George Washington's Continental Army troops finally leave Valley Forge, their winter encampment

1846 - The first modern baseball game is played between the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Nine. Using an established set of rules to define the game, the Nine defeated the Knickerbockers 23-1.

1865 - The first “Juneteenth” as the abolition of slavery is announced in Texas as Union soldiers arrive in Galveston with the news that the Civil War is over and slavery is abolished, even though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued 2 ½ years earlier. 

1898 - A fire turns Park City into a “fiery furnace,” burning 119 buildings and almost completely destroying the city.

1941 - US President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Two Ocean Navy Expansion Act - increases the size of US Navy by 70%

1953 - Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are executed for treason.

1964 - The Civil Rights Act of 1964 passes 73-27.

2013 - Jerry Sloan returns to the Utah Jazz as an adviser and scouting consultant