UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 03, 2025

Author: Annie Muirbrook

Posts by Annie Muirbrook:


LDS church mourns death of President Russell M. Nelson amid tragic Michigan shooting

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced heartbreak this weekend with the death of President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson and a deadly shooting at an LDS church in Michigan. President Russell M. Nelson Nelson was 101 years old and the oldest president in church history. He is remembered for both […]

Encircle closure, tensions leave LGBTQ+SO students feeling cautious but resilient

Reports that the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting had a relationship with a transgender individual have created tension and raised concerns among some LGBTQ+ community members on and off campus. Encircle St. George, an organization united to bring the LGBTQ+ community together, went virtual, as they closed the house Sept. 15 and reopened Sept. 22. […]

More than a pastime: Utah Tech pickleball claims the spotlight

The pop of a plastic ball against paddles echoes through the Human Performance Center on Thursday nights. For some, it’s just another chance to unwind with friends. For others, it’s practice for dominating the fastest-growing sport in America. Utah Tech University has a pickleball team, even though it is not sanctioned by the university, it […]

Utah Tech Community Mourns Loss of Freshman Jordan “Don” Konanui-Kong

On the night of Aug. 31, 22-year-old Jordan “Don” Konanui-Kong from Las Vegas fell from his balcony on the fifth floor of Campus View Suites II. Freshman Konanui-Kong was transported to St. George Regional Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. In a statement from Utah Tech University published to students and faculty, “Utah […]

OPINION | My faith is not your reality show

“So, you do ketamine?” is what a colleague asked when he found out I was from Utah and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This colleague, casually asking this question, didn’t realize the frustration I have with the popular show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The “Secret Lives of […]

Utah Tech welcomes President Shane Smeed

With over 25 years of experience in higher education, President Shane Smeed is dedicated to providing quality growth and commitment to Utah Tech University. On Feb. 26, Shane Smeed was elected the new president of Utah Tech. Smeed said, “For this particular position, after spending 27 years in the private sector, I really felt a […]

OPINION | Coachella: The overpriced, overpacked, dusty music festival

Every April, our timelines get blasted with sun-drenched influencers in boho fringe, pastel hair and glitter that will haunt us for the next six months. The caption? It’s some variation of “Living my best life in the desert.” But let’s be honest—Coachella has been looking more awful year after year. On paper, Coachella looks like […]

From Moo-Foo to Live and Local: How this student favorite event came to be

Students cheered, local bands showed off their talent and phones were set aside at the biannual Live and Local event hosted by the Utah Tech Student Association. Different variations of this event have been seen throughout the years. It hasn’t always been called Live and Local, and it hasn’t always been what this beloved event […]

Utah Tech students struggle with parking near Russell C. Taylor Health Science Building, safety concerns rise

Students and faculty at the Russell C. Taylor Health Science Building are facing ongoing parking challenges with limited available spaces, forcing many to park on nearby streets. Despite designated lots for students, faculty and visitors, overcrowding has made it difficult to find parking, raising concerns about safety and convenience for those in the College of […]

OPINION | How superhero movies struggle for relevance

I still remember the first time I watched “The Avengers.” I saw it three times in the theater, each time gaining more excitement and thrill. Not because of the action or the insanely hot Chris Evans, but because it felt like something special. For years, it was. Each Marvel film built on the last, intersecting […]