Paighten Harkins
@paighten.bsky.social
"Changing Utah" reporter with The Salt Lake Tribune, focusing on Utah's — and this year Utah County's — growing pains and peculiarities. I also have interests outside of work.
I stg if I click on another ad for pants or shirts I think are cute that are actually children's clothes (for children) I'm gonna... reevaluate my life
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I stg if I click on another ad for pants or shirts I think are cute that are actually children's clothes (for children) I'm gonna... reevaluate my life
You trying to uh....get a secret pizza???? I know a guy... www.sltrib.com/news/2025/10...
How to get into Sam’s Secret Pizza Club and other SLC pizza pop-up tips
From Sam's Secret Pizza Club, to Baby's Bagels after-dark and other pizza pop-ups, here's how to get some of Salt Lake City's best (and most popular) slices of pizza.
www.sltrib.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
You trying to uh....get a secret pizza???? I know a guy... www.sltrib.com/news/2025/10...
Pizza is a unifier, meant to be shared. The more good pizza in a city, the more people will gather around it, and the better the city will be. At least, that’s what pop-up owners believe.
“There’s the sentiment,” one said, “of wanting to improve Salt Lake City as a whole.”
One slice at a time.
“There’s the sentiment,” one said, “of wanting to improve Salt Lake City as a whole.”
One slice at a time.
A slice of passion: How SLC’s pop-up pizza makers are changing the city’s food culture
One Salt Lake City chef launched "Secret Pizza Club." Others are turning a bagel shop into a pizza joint. And Utah food fans are delighted with the off-the-wall alternatives to ordinary pizza.
www.sltrib.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Pizza is a unifier, meant to be shared. The more good pizza in a city, the more people will gather around it, and the better the city will be. At least, that’s what pop-up owners believe.
“There’s the sentiment,” one said, “of wanting to improve Salt Lake City as a whole.”
One slice at a time.
“There’s the sentiment,” one said, “of wanting to improve Salt Lake City as a whole.”
One slice at a time.
Check out my dispatch from inside Salt Lake City's not-secret-pizza clubs and learn about the galvanizing influence of East Coast nostalgia, principles behind managing hype and why and how these small but passionate crews do what they do:
[Spoiler: It's for the love of the (pizza🍕) game]
[Spoiler: It's for the love of the (pizza🍕) game]
A slice of passion: How SLC’s pop-up pizza makers are changing the city’s food culture
One Salt Lake City chef launched "Secret Pizza Club." Others are turning a bagel shop into a pizza joint. And Utah food fans are delighted with the off-the-wall alternatives to ordinary pizza.
www.sltrib.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Check out my dispatch from inside Salt Lake City's not-secret-pizza clubs and learn about the galvanizing influence of East Coast nostalgia, principles behind managing hype and why and how these small but passionate crews do what they do:
[Spoiler: It's for the love of the (pizza🍕) game]
[Spoiler: It's for the love of the (pizza🍕) game]
The Utah state prison launched a new course to teach inmates how to start a business upon release, using the "transferable skillset" many already have.
This month, I observed the last day of the program. Inmates took this class to hone business skills, but they left, I learned, with hope.
This month, I observed the last day of the program. Inmates took this class to hone business skills, but they left, I learned, with hope.
‘Hustler’ to ‘entrepreneur’: What Utah women learn in prison business school
Inmates at the Utah State Correctional Facility got a seven-week crash course in entrepreneurship through a "Shark Tank"-like program that aims to also teach life skills to help build a new life outsi...
www.sltrib.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Utah state prison launched a new course to teach inmates how to start a business upon release, using the "transferable skillset" many already have.
This month, I observed the last day of the program. Inmates took this class to hone business skills, but they left, I learned, with hope.
This month, I observed the last day of the program. Inmates took this class to hone business skills, but they left, I learned, with hope.
Here's my dispatch from the meeting hundreds attended to speak out against proposals would allow the Utah Co. Sheriff's Office to work more closely with ICE.
For 4 hours, attendees spoke, quoting the Bible and Anne Frank, sharing personal stories and shedding tears. Then commissioners all voted yes
For 4 hours, attendees spoke, quoting the Bible and Anne Frank, sharing personal stories and shedding tears. Then commissioners all voted yes
Utah County Sheriff’s Office agrees to work with ICE, but says no to labor raids
Dozens of people during public comment Wednesday said they didn’t trust ICE and didn’t support the plan, which Utah County commissioners ultimately approved.
www.sltrib.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Here's my dispatch from the meeting hundreds attended to speak out against proposals would allow the Utah Co. Sheriff's Office to work more closely with ICE.
For 4 hours, attendees spoke, quoting the Bible and Anne Frank, sharing personal stories and shedding tears. Then commissioners all voted yes
For 4 hours, attendees spoke, quoting the Bible and Anne Frank, sharing personal stories and shedding tears. Then commissioners all voted yes
Utah County is Utah's second-largest county — and amassing new people faster than crews can build homes, state data shows. There are also now more homeless people looking for services and still no drop-in shelters
“This ain’t really a good place to be if you’re homeless, in my opinion,” I was told.
“This ain’t really a good place to be if you’re homeless, in my opinion,” I was told.
While officials stay silent, demand for homeless services has grown in Utah County. Everyone’s struggling with the influx.
Utah County's warming centers reportedly brought in hundreds of unsheltered people. After those facilities closed, the homeless and service providers are struggling to get by.
www.sltrib.com
July 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Utah County is Utah's second-largest county — and amassing new people faster than crews can build homes, state data shows. There are also now more homeless people looking for services and still no drop-in shelters
“This ain’t really a good place to be if you’re homeless, in my opinion,” I was told.
“This ain’t really a good place to be if you’re homeless, in my opinion,” I was told.
A wedge of parmesan cheese was one of the best investments I've ever made (no I do not own property)
June 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A wedge of parmesan cheese was one of the best investments I've ever made (no I do not own property)
Arturo Gamboa is a punk rock drummer who cares about his community. He also likes guns, and at least 12 times he’s brought one to a protest. When Gamboa did this, he never aimed it at anyone, his friend told me. And no one ever fired thinking he was about to.
Not until the “No Kings” march in SLC
Not until the “No Kings” march in SLC
What we know about Arturo Gamboa, the man arrested after the Salt Lake City ‘No Kings’ shooting
Arturo Gamboa is a 24-year-old local punk rock drummer who deeply cares about his community. He also likes guns, and at least a dozen times, he’s brought one to a protest, his longtime friend and room...
www.sltrib.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Arturo Gamboa is a punk rock drummer who cares about his community. He also likes guns, and at least 12 times he’s brought one to a protest. When Gamboa did this, he never aimed it at anyone, his friend told me. And no one ever fired thinking he was about to.
Not until the “No Kings” march in SLC
Not until the “No Kings” march in SLC
My emotions are such that any time I see any OKC Thunder championship content I cry at least some
June 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My emotions are such that any time I see any OKC Thunder championship content I cry at least some
Reposted by Paighten Harkins
A trio of BYU students are putting drive-in movies back on the date night rotation this summer — and, in the process, making malls cool again.
This Utah County business is banking on retro vibes — by bringing date night back to the mall
Cozy Filmz is offering a drive-in movie date night experience in Provo this summer, and the company may be making it cool to hang at the mall again in the process.
www.sltrib.com
May 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A trio of BYU students are putting drive-in movies back on the date night rotation this summer — and, in the process, making malls cool again.
Reposted by Paighten Harkins
Sugary drinks may not be such an innocuous vice, according to a new study from Brigham Young University researchers. The study’s lead author hopes the findings lead to more “awareness and moderation.”
Attention ‘dirty soda’ lovers: It’s healthier to eat sugar than drink it, BYU researchers find
Utah is known for its "dirty soda" habit, but new research from Brigham Young University shows these sodas might not be as harmless a "vice" as some assume.
www.sltrib.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Sugary drinks may not be such an innocuous vice, according to a new study from Brigham Young University researchers. The study’s lead author hopes the findings lead to more “awareness and moderation.”
Reposted by Paighten Harkins
Utah Lake has a reputation problem. But one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi River also has “endless opportunities.”
Utah Lake isn’t ‘gross’ anymore. Here’s why, officials say.
Utah Lake has a reputation problem. But one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi River also has “endless opportunities.”
www.sltrib.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Utah Lake has a reputation problem. But one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi River also has “endless opportunities.”
The largest annual convention for/by autistic people takes place in Provo. With sessions like “Networking for the Neurospicy” it aims to help autistics thrive in a world built for neurotypicals. It's not a political space, but recent comments by RFK Jr. have some worried.
My dispatch from AutCon:
My dispatch from AutCon:
‘Why not Utah?’: Inside the world’s largest convention for autistic people, where diagnoses are celebrated
AutCon is an “unconventional convention for unconventional people,” its co-chair said. The annual Utah event draws crowds of autistic people looking for connection, "Love on the Spectrum" stars and ha...
www.sltrib.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The largest annual convention for/by autistic people takes place in Provo. With sessions like “Networking for the Neurospicy” it aims to help autistics thrive in a world built for neurotypicals. It's not a political space, but recent comments by RFK Jr. have some worried.
My dispatch from AutCon:
My dispatch from AutCon:
Reposted by Paighten Harkins
AutCon is an “unconventional convention for unconventional people,” its co-chair said. The annual Utah event draws crowds of autistic people looking for connection, "Love on the Spectrum" stars and has piqued the interest of other cities and states.
‘Why not Utah?’: Inside the world’s largest convention for autistic people, where diagnoses are celebrated
AutCon is an “unconventional convention for unconventional people,” its co-chair said. The annual Utah event draws crowds of autistic people looking for connection, "Love on the Spectrum" stars and has piqued the interest of other cities and states.
www.sltrib.com
May 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
AutCon is an “unconventional convention for unconventional people,” its co-chair said. The annual Utah event draws crowds of autistic people looking for connection, "Love on the Spectrum" stars and has piqued the interest of other cities and states.
I reported how Utah's two busiest airports are in prime wildlife habitat, which puts planes in conflict with birds, etc.
So... Why did the feds recently pour millions into revitalizing more habitat — and potentially attracting more birds — near the Provo Airport? www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
So... Why did the feds recently pour millions into revitalizing more habitat — and potentially attracting more birds — near the Provo Airport? www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
Why the feds poured millions into expanding habitat near Provo Airport, where crews work to keep wildlife away from planes
A project to restore the Provo River delta was meant to help the threatened June sucker fish, but it also built wetland habitat birds love — right near the busy Provo Airport.
www.sltrib.com
May 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I reported how Utah's two busiest airports are in prime wildlife habitat, which puts planes in conflict with birds, etc.
So... Why did the feds recently pour millions into revitalizing more habitat — and potentially attracting more birds — near the Provo Airport? www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
So... Why did the feds recently pour millions into revitalizing more habitat — and potentially attracting more birds — near the Provo Airport? www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
Utah and Great Salt Lake are perfect habitat for birds. Their shores are also home to Utah's *two* busiest airports. And we know birds and planes don't ❌ mix.
I recently learned A LOT about airport staffs' Sisyphean battle for clear skies and runways. Check it out: www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
I recently learned A LOT about airport staffs' Sisyphean battle for clear skies and runways. Check it out: www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
Inside the 24/7 fight at Utah’s 2 busiest airports to keep migrating birds out of airplane engines
Utah’s two busiest airports both sit next to wetlands — major pit stops along a migratory bird superhighway that make it tricky to keep airplane traffic from colliding with cruising waterfowl. Here's ...
www.sltrib.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Utah and Great Salt Lake are perfect habitat for birds. Their shores are also home to Utah's *two* busiest airports. And we know birds and planes don't ❌ mix.
I recently learned A LOT about airport staffs' Sisyphean battle for clear skies and runways. Check it out: www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
I recently learned A LOT about airport staffs' Sisyphean battle for clear skies and runways. Check it out: www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
Thinking of buying your mom flowers for Mother's Day? Or anyone else flowers at any time? Let me introduce you to local flower farming after I spent a lovely morning at the Utah Flower Market this week, learning the pros of paying a little more for local flowers www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
These Utah-grown flowers are unusual, last longer and are more sustainably planted. Find them here.
Each week from April through October, the Utah Flower Market in Pleasant Grove opens early to florists and later to the public. Its farmers say the locally grown blooms are fresher, come in more varie...
www.sltrib.com
May 11, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Thinking of buying your mom flowers for Mother's Day? Or anyone else flowers at any time? Let me introduce you to local flower farming after I spent a lovely morning at the Utah Flower Market this week, learning the pros of paying a little more for local flowers www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Paighten Harkins
If you've noticed a recent fall off in quality from the Sundance catalog, you're not alone. Designers say the company owes them millions, as it appears to stray from its core values.
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Sundance catalog: As customers complain, jewelry designers say they’re owed millions
Working with Sundance catalog has been “the gold standard" for artists — but jewelry designers say that's changed, as their invoices go unpaid and they demand their samples back.
www.sltrib.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
If you've noticed a recent fall off in quality from the Sundance catalog, you're not alone. Designers say the company owes them millions, as it appears to stray from its core values.
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Just received an *incredibly* startling email
May 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Just received an *incredibly* startling email
If you've noticed a recent fall off in quality from the Sundance catalog, you're not alone. Designers say the company owes them millions, as it appears to stray from its core values.
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Sundance catalog: As customers complain, jewelry designers say they’re owed millions
Working with Sundance catalog has been “the gold standard" for artists — but jewelry designers say that's changed, as their invoices go unpaid and they demand their samples back.
www.sltrib.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
If you've noticed a recent fall off in quality from the Sundance catalog, you're not alone. Designers say the company owes them millions, as it appears to stray from its core values.
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Here's what I know about those issues and its plans for the future: www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Thank you to everyone who has ever responded to my periodic asks for experiences on seemingly random subjects. I'm not stopping any time soon, but just wanted to say thanks. The conversations have been so helpful, and you'll start seeing the results (re: Utah Lake and Eagle Mountain asks) soon!!
May 8, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Thank you to everyone who has ever responded to my periodic asks for experiences on seemingly random subjects. I'm not stopping any time soon, but just wanted to say thanks. The conversations have been so helpful, and you'll start seeing the results (re: Utah Lake and Eagle Mountain asks) soon!!
Fed pelicans with my bare hands this morning and idk that they'll ever lose the smell of capelin
May 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Fed pelicans with my bare hands this morning and idk that they'll ever lose the smell of capelin
For the last year, designers say the Sundance catalog they know and love has changed for the worse, straying from its values as it seemed to struggle financially.
Can it bounce back? The designers who made their name selling products within its pages sure hope so
www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Can it bounce back? The designers who made their name selling products within its pages sure hope so
www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Jewelry designers say Sundance catalog owes them millions
Working with Sundance catalog has been “the gold standard" for artists — but jewelry designers say that's changed, as their invoices go unpaid and they demand their samples back.
www.sltrib.com
May 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
For the last year, designers say the Sundance catalog they know and love has changed for the worse, straying from its values as it seemed to struggle financially.
Can it bounce back? The designers who made their name selling products within its pages sure hope so
www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
Can it bounce back? The designers who made their name selling products within its pages sure hope so
www.sltrib.com/news/busines...
I spent some time at Utah Lake, and...it was so nice? I'm writing a story about the lake's past/present as it tries to lure locals back.
I want to talk to folks who spend time here (or maybe avoid doing so?). Do you have Utah Lake memories you cherish? Or maybe some to forget? I'm listening!
I want to talk to folks who spend time here (or maybe avoid doing so?). Do you have Utah Lake memories you cherish? Or maybe some to forget? I'm listening!
April 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I spent some time at Utah Lake, and...it was so nice? I'm writing a story about the lake's past/present as it tries to lure locals back.
I want to talk to folks who spend time here (or maybe avoid doing so?). Do you have Utah Lake memories you cherish? Or maybe some to forget? I'm listening!
I want to talk to folks who spend time here (or maybe avoid doing so?). Do you have Utah Lake memories you cherish? Or maybe some to forget? I'm listening!