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What Utah could look like in 2026, in this week’s Inside Voices

Conspiracy theories, nuclear energy billboards and more.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Paraglider Ben Walker takes advantage of mild temperatures in the Salt Lake Valley to launch off the dry slopes of Mount Wire on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

Happy new year, readers! To help ring in 2026, I asked you to share what you see happening — or what you’d like to see happen — in our state this year. Here’s what you said:

  • “I want to see the end of party choke-holds on elections in the form of primaries,” wrote Mary in La Sal. “I want to see ranked preferential voting that includes all candidates. I want to see the Legislature actually respond to the voters instead of fighting voters. I want to see more respectful legislation that reflects not quantity of bills, but quality of bills, given the short sessions. I want to see more women and people of color encouraged to run.”

  • “I’d like to see more affordable housing, and I’d love to see less blind following of one party’s dogma,” Steve in Sandy said.

  • “I would by far most want to see a majority of the Utah legislators consult with and give heed to the opinions of subject-matter experts: economists, educators, health professionals, agronomists, hydrologists, immunologists, psychiatrists — among many others — rather than to the billionaires and religious extremists and conspiracy theorists, or anyone else who would buy their votes,” wrote Steve in South Jordan.

    • I also asked our southern Utah readers, specifically, what they hope to see in their community this year. They shared the following:

  • “I hope that people here in southern Utah come to realize the affordability crisis which grips the nation and has arrived, too, in Washington County,” Rachel in St. George wrote. “While the average home price surges over half-a-million dollars and with rents climbing higher each year with no meaningful increase in wages, how can we expect working-class residents to afford to stay? The folks who are hit hardest by this affordability crisis are not retirees nor tourists, but workers in service industries — those in tourism, health care, education and construction.”

  • “A Washington County-wide plan to address smart growth,” David in Ivins said. “Not just growth, per se. A vision that reflects the reality of water, attainable housing, green spaces and transportation.”

  • “That the Northern Corridor is NOT approved,” Barbara in St. George wrote. “That growth is dictated by water availability, not greed or good ole boys of St. George.”

  • “I hope our local leaders will stop approving continued sprawl developments that violate the Vision Dixie principles and that are cumulatively turning Washington County into another Los Angeles County,” Richard in St. George said.

    • I also asked some local experts to predict what could happen in their respective fields in 2026. Here’s what they had to say:

    Nuclear energy billboards may come to a freeway near you

    “Initiating a PR campaign seems to have bypassed a public participation process about whether nuclear energy is what the people want in favor of a campaign to persuade them that it is right for the state,” writes Danielle Endres, a professor of communication and Director of the Environmental Humanities Program at the University of Utah. “Instead, the state should create a robust process for Utahns to engage in a research-informed dialogue about our state’s energy future. A decision as significant as whether to move forward with nuclear energy deserves public input.” Read more.

    Utah’s housing crisis will outgrow local control

    “The Utah Legislature will follow the lead of other red states, such as Texas and Montana, and finally implement zoning guardrails that facilitate the construction of more for-sale starter homes,” writes Alessandro Rigolon, an associate professor in the Department of City and Metropolitan at the University of Utah. “This will happen despite calls for local control by several legislators and the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Led by GOP legislators such as Ray Ward, housing bills will likely pass with support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.” Read more.

    Utah educators will put aside ideological and political differences

    “2026 will be the year in which higher education professionals across the state come together across ideological and political differences to reify our commitments to the educational endeavor and public purpose of higher education,” writes Sean Crossland, an assistant professor for Higher Education Leadership and the Director of Academic Service Learning at Utah Valley University. “This renewal will take many forms and will necessarily be complex and messy. It will at times appear as dissonant and without resolution, however, seemingly unanswerable questions and debates have long been a central focus of the academy.” Read more.

    Despite an increase in book bans, romantic stories will thrive in Utah

    “The more books are banned, the more romance books there are. Like a hydra, for every book banned, two more show up in its place. It’s as though book bans have actually helped legitimize romance,” write Melissa Schack and Keyra Kristoffersen Allred, co-presidents of the Romance Chapter for the League of Utah Writers. “As such, we’re also seeing romance become less stigmatized as a genre.” Read more.

    Utahns will need to be extra vigilant to avoid falling for conspiracy theories

    “In 2026, we predict that an increase in the number of conspiracy theories will lead to further distrust in expertise,” write Richard Greene, a professor of philosophy at Weber State University, and Rachel Robison-Greene, an assistant professor of philosophy at Utah State University. “This will undermine the public credibility of medical experts, scientists, other academics and the media. Conspiracy theories will be used to demonize minority groups including immigrants, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Inextricably linked to these concerns, and perhaps most troubling of all, conspiracy theories will be used to undermine the stability of our democracy.” Read more.

    Utah will prioritize public health funding and the workforce that protects us all

    “As Utah looks toward 2026, the state’s public health system stands at a pivotal moment,” write Caitlyn Jasumback, the Immunization Advocacy Coordinator at the Utah Public Health Association, and Morgan Hadden, the Executive Director of the Utah Public Health Association. “New priorities and opportunities are emerging, even as growing pressures threaten to limit public health’s capacity. The choices made now will shape the health and wellbeing of Utahns for years to come.” Read more.

    As for me, I’m predicting a more robust and representative Voices section in 2026. I’m looking forward to sharing more perspectives from all kinds of Utahns. Read more about what we’re looking for, and reach out to me with any questions or ideas!