Good morning, Provo.

Utahns have raised over $300,000 in an online fundraiser to aid the family of suspected shooter Thomas Sanford after a Michigan shooting, with local church members & YouTube hosts joining forces to ease pain and show care.

Following the Sept. 10 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at UVU, the Utah Board of Higher Education directed Commissioner Geoffrey Landward to form a campus safety task force—this group will review security at 16 public colleges and gather input from students, college presidents and law enforcement. The task force will focus on assessing safety measures at large gatherings and work with stakeholders to enhance protection across campuses.

As October begins, residents can enjoy local hikes and scenic drives that show bright fall colors on our mountain trails.

Routes like Buffalo Peak Trail, Silver Lake Loop and Guardsman Pass offer clear views of changing leaves—options like Kyhv Peak Road and the Alpine Loop widen choices— and invite outdoor activity.

About one month after a mudslide filled a church with mud following heavy rains on a burn scar, residents are worried about more mudslides as weekend storms approach—Provo Public Works has set up three debris basins and kept barriers in place.

Contractors are building a permanent basin to handle larger debris flows while locals fear another event.

On Friday, firefighters reported that the Cherry Fire reached 450 acres along the Right Fork of Hobble Creek Canyon as strong winds forced lighter aircraft to pause until later in the afternoon—officials said weather changes and incoming rain are expected to help control the flames over the weekend. Crews continue to monitor the blaze and maintain a 'Ready' status with no evacuation order issued.

Gov. Spencer Cox has called lawmakers to a special session on Monday for new congressional maps & other issues.

The Legislative Redistricting Committee will meet at 9 a.m. to offer a recommended map while more than 5,300 public comments and proposals from plaintiffs are being reviewed.

Two Utah residents became addicted to the herbal supplement kratom, known as gas station heroin because it acts like opioids and can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms (one in eight users may become dependent).

Local health experts and lawmakers say Utah’s consumer protection law, which limits synthetic compounds, may not be enough to curb kratom’s dangerous effects as users continue to struggle with its impact.

Spanish Story Time

6:30-7:00 p.m. — Provo City Library at Academy Square — Free entry — Enjoy music, stories, and activities for children and their guardians in Spanish.

Girls Academy Aspire West Regional

October 9-12 — Epic Sports Park — More info — Kicking off the inaugural season of Girls Academy Aspire with exciting regional games in Provo.

Teen Takeover

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Provo City Library at Academy Square — Free entry — An after-hours event where the library is exclusively open for teens to explore Dungeons & Dragons themed activities.

Swan Lake

5:30-7 p.m. — Covey Center for the Arts — $28-$58 — Experience the enchanting tale of a prince and a swan princess through Tchaikovsky’s memorable music and breathtaking choreography.

The Doo Wop Project

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Covey Center for the Arts — Ticket required — Broadway stars revive the beloved sound of doo-wop with classic harmonies and high energy.

Coffee and Craft Crawl: Java Junkies

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Java Junkie — Craft and enjoy delicious coffee with fellow creatives.

Halloween Concert

7-8 p.m. — Provo City Library at Academy Square — Free entry — Celebrate spooky season with Halloween classics performed live for all ages.

Read Local Book Festival

10 AM – 1 PM — Provo City Library at Academy Square — Free entry — Celebrate local authors with activities, giveaways, and signings across various genres.

Runtastic Haunted Half Marathon

Various times — Provo Utah — Entry fee varies — Dress up for Utah's favorite Halloween costume party run with courses for all ages.

FilmQuest Brunch

1:30-3:30 p.m. — The Continental, Provo — $30 and under — Celebrate FilmQuest with a delightful brunch featuring indigenous cuisine in a modern setting.