Latest news with #BeehiveState
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Squeaky clean Utah shuns booze and drugs - but why are its residents addicted to 'dirty sodas'?
Utah is battling an addiction crisis - but it's nothing to do with booze, drugs, or fast food. Instead the Beehive State is hooked on soda. Now YouTuber Tyler Oliveira has delved deeper into why the sugary drinks have thousands in their grip, and what inspired the craze. In his film, one man named Steve Kinyon admits sometimes he guzzles more than 5 gallons of diet soda a day and he spends $300 a week on soda alone. Steve, a father-of-two with over 66,000 Instagram followers on his food-centric account, says even his young sons — ages four and two — love soda. His wife, Kephren, is 'concerned' about the habit. Tyler explains that the state's large Mormon population plays a central role. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are typically forbidden from drinking alcohol and hot caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea. But soda, especially cold caffeinated soda, falls into a gray area — one that many Utahns have embraced enthusiastically. Enter 'Dirty Sodas,' a wildly popular beverage trend in the state. These are essentially soda-based mocktails, with concoctions made using base sodas like Dr Pepper, Sprite, or Coca-Cola, spiked with flavored syrups, purees, creams, and fruit. 'These are basically cocktails without the alcohol,' one woman explains in Oliveira's documentary. A popular pick at the soda drive-thru chain Swig is the Mojito Mama, a tropical mix of lemonade, coconut puree, coconut cream, mint, and fresh lime. A 44oz cup can pack more than 600 calories — similar to a fast food meal. But while many in the community view their vice as much safer than drugs or alcohol, copious amounts of soda has its risks. Obesity, diabetes, increased blood pressure, and kidney disease are just some of the hazards. Meanwhile, caffeine in caffeinated soda drinks can cause anxiety, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. Along with the health impact of drinking so much soda, there is also a financial repercussion. 'If he started going into debt for this, it would be divorce,' Kephren says in one scene, as Steve is seen unloading a haul of soda from the trunk of his car. When Oliveira visits several soda drive-thrus across Utah one morning, he finds long lines and loyal customers who say they rely on their daily fix. One woman reveals her boss drinks two 44oz sodas every day. Another says her workplace caters to the habit with built-in 'soda breaks.' She tells Tyler outside a drive-thru in the largely Mormon city of Provo: '[Soda is] literally people's entire world. 'I'm [working] at an office right over here. We shut down twice a day so that everybody can go get their dirty sodas.' Meanwhile, one man likens soda culture in Utah to coffee culture in other parts of the world, but he highlights that soda culture is even more unique as it is 'much more customizable'. 'There's nothing else like it,' he says. But while it may feel like a harmless cultural quirk, the habit could be taking years off people's lives. A University of Michigan study found that just two sugar-sweetened beverages per day could cost someone 24 minutes of life expectancy. Over time, that adds up. If someone starts drinking soda at age five and continues for 50 years, they could lose nearly a year off their life — about 304 days. Getting their hit: Many people reveal that they drink soda on a daily basis and one woman says that her boss drinks two 44oz servings a day According to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics, roughly half of Americans over the age of two drink two sugary beverages a day on average. The health risks are well documented: added sugars are linked to obesity, certain cancers, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease. And even artificial sweeteners may carry similar risks. Despite its booming soda craze, Utah's obesity rate is slightly lower than the national average. In 2023, the age-adjusted obesity rate in Utah adults was 31 per cent, while the prevalence for US adults was 33.1 per cent. Meanwhile, the American Diabetes Association reports that 191,658 people in Utah, or 7.9 per cent of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. This is also below the national average, which is currently just over 11 per cent. However, experts believe the number of people suffering with diabetes could be much higher with an additional 51,000 people in Utah going undiagnosed, 'greatly increasing their health risk.' Diagnosed diabetes costs an estimated $1.7 billion in Utah each year. Commenting on the University of Michigan findings, food safety expert Dr Darin Detwiler previously told 'This study reinforces that making small, consistent changes in beverage habits may add years to life expectancy and improve overall health.' He added: 'Taking this study literally, a healthy 20-year-old person — whose life expectancy may be 79 years — who starts drinking two sodas a day may, according to the study, lose three to four years of life due to the impacts of those drinks.' Still, Dr Detwiler emphasized that the study's findings are 'observational not scientific,' meaning they don't prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Even so, he urges the public to take the results seriously. 'Cutting out soda or reducing consumption might extend life expectancy,' he said. 'But one thing that is for sure, is that removing these sugary drinks will definitely improve your quality of life, including reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.' He also points to better weight management and overall health as benefits of quitting soda, using a vivid analogy: 'Think of soft drink consumption as driving a car without regular maintenance. 'While it doesn't guarantee a breakdown, over time the likelihood of a serious problem increases - especially if combined with other unhealthy habits.' Dr Detwiler added that the findings could support new public health messaging: 'Perhaps this study could support public awareness campaigns about risks. 'I could also see this as a driving force behind policies to reduce soft drink availability in schools and workplaces.' For now, Utah's Dirty Soda craze shows no signs of slowing down. But with new health warnings and rising awareness of the long-term costs, the state's sugar-fueled habits may soon be put to the test.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Daiso, a popular Japanese store chain, is opening the first of 3 locations in Utah — What to know
MIDVALE, Utah () — It's official: The first store in Utah is set to have its grand opening on May 17 and May 18. Here's what you should know. The Beehive State's first Daiso store will be located in the Shops at Fort Union in Midvale (1110 E Fort Union Blvd) and will be holding a grand opening event from 9 a.m. on May 17 until 9 p.m. on May 18. The event is the chain's . The first 200 customers who make a $20 purchase on May 17 at the Midvale store will receive an exclusive tote bag. On Sunday, May 18, every $20 purchase will come with a 'special gift,' while supplies last. How to visit Utah's 'Mighty Five' national parks in one trip The store will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Two other Daiso locations are set to open later this year, according to Daiso's : One in Park Plaza in Clinton/Clearfield (both cities are listed on Daiso's website) and one in Provo's Riverside Plaza, with both stores set to open later this summer. 'Daiso is a Japanese value store with unique, affordable products, from household goods to stationery, beauty, snacks, and more,' the company explains in the . The company is family-owned and operates more than 6,000 stores across the world — with more than 150 open in the United States, according to . The store boasts more than 100,000 products and offers 'quality merchandise at affordable prices.' The stores are known for their low prices — items without a price tag are a standard price of about $1.75, but prices may vary by location. The stores often have conversion charts for customers to see what the price in Yen (Japanese currency) would be in USD. According to one of the , products may range from under $2 to just over $15. However, low prices also mean no returns or exchanges — unless the item is and you have the receipt, the store says. To learn more about Daiso and its offerings, visit the Midvale store after it opens or look at its . Daiso, a popular Japanese store chain, is opening the first of 3 locations in Utah — What to know Crews investigating house fire in South Jordan How to visit Utah's 'Mighty Five' national parks in one trip Republicans unveil steep cuts to Medicaid in portion of Trump tax bill 8 injured in 2-car crash, Salt Lake intersection closed Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Above-average warmth with increasing wind for Mother's Day weekend
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy weekend, Utah! A ridge of high pressure builds today with plenty of sunshine and a solid warming trend with our temperatures. We will see daytime highs climb between 15-20 degrees above seasonal norms with highs about ten degrees above average in the southern part of the state. When high pressure builds, we see clearer skies so more sunshine and overall dry conditions. Expect daytime highs to hit the mid to upper 80s today along the Wasatch Front and high 80s on Mother's Day. St. George will reach the mid 90s through the weekend. When it comes to winds and wet weather potential, the chance for thunderstorms begins to uptick as we get into Saturday afternoon. Our ridge of high pressure slides east, and we begin to see southwesterly winds crank up. Gusty winds, especially on the western side of the state, will increase with the potential of blowing dust. These winds pick up ahead of a trough that moves into the Beehive State. The Mother's Day trough is expected to impact Northern Utah with isolated thunderstorms and a cold front arriving by the evening, with winds keeping daytime highs well above average Sunday. The front will cool highs into the beginning of the work week, with the trough increasing precipitation potential and allowing temperatures to drop well below average. Right now, it looks like the Wasatch Front could see several days with highs in the low to mid 60s with scattered/isolated storm and shower potential next week. A shift is underway so stay tuned. We'll keep you up-to-date on the latest developments in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! West Valley mom charged with attempted murder after trying to drown 7-year-old son: police Best Small Cars for 2025 Chris Buescher is back at Kansas Speedway, reliving the closest Cup Series finish in NASCAR history Vietnam War: Nurses reflect 50 years later Above-average warmth with increasing wind for Mother's Day weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nation's report card: Reading skills slipping for many Utah students
Assessing Utah students' overall performance on a recent national test is akin to countless parent-teacher conference reports: doing well overall — but some areas need improvement. Earlier this week, results from The National Assessment of Educational Progress 2024 scores — aka 'The Nation's Report Card' — were released, revealing mostly steady performance for Utah fourth- and eighth-grade students who participated in the test. In fact, only three states or jurisdictions outperformed Beehive State students. But the decline in Utah's eighth grade reading scores — reflecting national trends in declining reading performances — caught the attention of the state's education leaders. 'More children are falling below the proficient level, underscoring the critical need to double down on effective reading interventions and support for our students,' said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sydnee Dickson in a Utah State Board of Education release. In other areas such as math, Utah students are holding steady. 'Fourth grade reading levels remained unchanged, and no other significant shifts were observed in the state's scores,' the board of education report noted. Utah males outperformed their Utah female counterparts in math in both fourth and eighth grade. Conversely, Utah females scored higher than Utah boys in reading in both fourth and eighth grade. Approximately 2,000 fourth and eighth grade Utah students participated last year in the national assessment group's math and reading portions of the test. The same tests were administered in 2024 to students in all states, the District of Columbia and Department of Defense schools. The group's 2024 reading assessment included literacy and informational texts to assess students' reading comprehension skills. Meanwhile, the math assessments measured students' knowledge and skills in mathematics — and their ability to solve problems in mathematical and real-world contexts. In 2024, the average math score of fourth grade students in Utah was 242 — higher than the average score of 237 for students in the nation. The average score for Utah fourth grade students in 2024 (242) was not significantly different from their average score in 2022 (240). The average math score for Utah fourth grade males was 245. For females, 238. In 2024, the average math score of eighth grade students in Utah was 282 — higher than the average score of 272 for students in the nation. The average math score for Utah eighth graders (282) was not significantly different from their average score in 2022 (282). The average math score for Utah eighth grade males was 283. For females, 280. In 2024, the average reading score of fourth grade students in Utah was 219 — higher than the average score of 214 for students in the nation. The average reading score for fourth grade students in Utah in 2024 (219) was not significantly different from their average score in 2022 (221). The average reading score for fourth grade female students in Utah was 223. For males, 216. In 2024, the average reading score of eighth grade students in Utah was 261 — higher than the average score of 257 for students in the nation. The average reading score for eighth grade students in Utah (261) was lower than their average in 2022 (265). The average reading score for eighth grade females students in Utah was 265. For males, 258. Responding to the NAEP results, the state board of education has committed to identifying the causes of declining reading scores — while implementing 'targeted efforts and proven strategies. 'Our focus is on ensuring measurable improvements in reading outcomes by working with schools to equip educators and students with tools and targeted training,' said Darin Nielsen, deputy superintendent of student learning in the state board report. 'We are committed to implementing evidence-based programs that address reading challenges early, providing intensive support where it's needed most, and tracking progress to make sure every student has the opportunity to improve and succeed.' Across the United States, reading scores are plunging. The national results from the 2024 national assessment indicate a two-point drop, on average, for both fourth and eight graders across the country — sustaining a steady decline in the subject that predates COVID-19-era disruptions, according to an Education Week report. In math, eighth grade scores were unchanged from 2022, the last time the test was given. Fourth graders' scores rose two points, but remained below their performance in a similar test administered in 2019. 'The news is not good,' Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which administers NAEP, said in the Education Week report. 'We are not seeing the progress we need to regain the ground our students lost during the pandemic, and when we are seeing signs of recovery, they're mostly in math, and largely driven by high-performing students,' Carr added. 'Low performing students are struggling, especially in reading.' Carr's words echo local concerns shared last month by state auditors in a report presented to Utah's Legislative Audit Subcommittee. The audit revealed a 'statewide gap between the performance of students who are in a group that traditionally struggles with academic proficiency, and those who aren't.' The report classified 'underperforming student groups' as those who have a higher than typical chance of performing below proficiency 'and who are economically disadvantaged, learning English, or racial or ethnic minorities.' Such 'underperforming student groups' frequently need the most growth and support, the report added. Auditors reviewed five years of data showing how many Utah students moved from 'below proficient' to 'proficient,' and vice versa. 'Looking at the net percentage proficiency change each for five years, the percent of students who changed their proficiency status remained problematically low,' their report noted. 'Both state and local education agency level observations create a case for school districts and charter schools to reevaluate the effectiveness of their student intervention programs.' Local education agencies such as school districts and charter schools, the report recommended, should make an effort to identify students in need 'and intervene quickly at the first signs of difficulty.'
