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Barstool president Dave Portnoy defended his positive experience at Rice Eccles Stadium and pushed back on Pat McAfee's criticism, saying he'd return with the Barstool Football Show; the university said it missed the mark with a social post and has reached out to McAfee as ESPN has not confirmed a College GameDay return when Utah meets BYU.

Bluffdale singer Cade Mower won his Battle round on The Voice after dueting on “Wondering Why” with Brayden Howell, and coach Riley Green sent him forward while Kelly Clarkson praised his vocals; Mower, a 35-year-old wealth adviser and father of two, said advancing brings him closer to a full-time music career.

BYU dropped to No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 after Saturday's double-overtime loss at UCF, while Utah rose to No. 6 after beating Houston to become the Big 12's lone unbeaten team.

BYU will host Arizona State this weekend, and Utah will travel to Cincinnati for a crucial road test.

Mortgage rates dropped to 7.32% Thursday — offering brief relief to homebuyers as forecasts predict rates and home prices will rise soon; in Utah, the median sale climbed to $530,000 in September.

Fall 2026 data shows Utah public college enrollment increased less than 1% from 216,117 to 217,864 — technical colleges grew by about 5.7%, with some reporting nearly 20% gains.

Higher education officials warn that declining college-age populations may test enrollment numbers starting around 2029.

Data from Redfin shows home prices nationwide increased 0.25% in September while Salt Lake County saw single-family homes climb 1.5% to a median of $650,000 as overall sales dropped by 10% from last year; statewide, Utah home prices rose 1.9% compared to last September.

Researchers Patrick Bishop and Joseph Brickey showed their film Brother Joseph Again at Noorda Center (Orem) in June, using 3D skull reconstructions to explore if a daguerreotype depicts Joseph Smith, though its true identity remains unclear.

ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast in Provo on Oct.

17 highlighted Latter-day Saint themes during the Notre Dame-BYU game, featuring a Book of Mormon reading by Pat McAfee (a nod to local faith) amid reactions to the religious references. The show will next cover the University of Utah team this weekend.