“The Drought Response Committee (DRC) has been meeting more regularly to address concerns in drought-impacted areas,” Candice Hasenyager, director at the Utah Division of Water Resources, said. “Many state agencies are coordinating their response to drought conditions that will likely intensify heading into summer.”

During this time of year, there are a lot of swift water incidents with the spring/summer runoff. Rivers and streams are running high, fast and cold-even with air temperatures rising. Safety is a top priority as recreators head outside for much-needed sunshine. Check out the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s boating webpage for further tips and their free online boating course.

All boaters — whether you are a Utah resident or nonresident — must take the annual Utah mussel-aware boater course and have proof of course completion in your launch vehicle (a printed copy or downloaded to your DWR Hunting and Fishing mobile app). This includes users of all kinds of watercraft, including motorized boats and human-powered kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, etc.

— Utah Department of Natural Resources press release

Dinosaurs for autism

George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park will be hosting the 8th Annual Awesome Autistic Ogden event on Saturday, April 19. The event will take place from 11 am to 2 pm and attendance is free with optional purchases available from vendors.

Dinosaur Park will be offering a variety of sensory-friendly activities for guests along with access to the park. Awesome Autistic Ogden has organized a variety of sponsors and vendors to participate in the event including Weber State University, The Local Artisan Collective, Service Paws and Na-cho Average Nachos.

“This event is all about embracing and celebrating the unique talents and abilities of individuals with neurodiversity and disability,” Awesome Autistic Ogden’s Facebook event describes. “From sensory-friendly exhibits to informational vendors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

The George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park is located at 1544 Park Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401. The event will have nearly 40 vendors and has over 600 registered attendees. Media is welcome and encouraged to attend the event.

— George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park press release

Utah continues to add job, according to March employment summary

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for March 2025 increased an estimated 1.7% across the past 12 months, with the state’s economy adding a cumulative 29,500 jobs since March 2024. Utah’s current job count stands at 1,765,100.

March’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 3.1%. Approximately 57,570 Utahns are unemployed. Utah’s February unemployment rate is unrevised at 3.2%. The March national unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point at 4.2%.

“Job growth has kept pace with population and labor force expansions over the last 12 months, keeping the unemployment rate low,” said Ben Crabb, chief economist with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “Broad growth across sectors reflects continued strong demand for workers.”

Utah’s March private sector employment recorded a year-over-year expansion of 1.3%, or a 19,700 job increase. Seven of the 10 major private-sector industry groups posted net year-over-year job gains. The overall gains are led by education and health services (11,700 jobs), construction (6,500 jobs) and manufacturing (2,700 jobs). Leisure and hospitality (-3,600 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (-3,000 jobs), and other services (-100 jobs) experienced year-over-year job losses.

— Utah Department of Workforce Services press release

Gas prices follow seasonal rising trends, still lower than 2024

As spring break travel winds down, gas prices are following suit, down five cents since last week. Softer demand is fueling this downward trend, and with crude as low as it’s been in a few years, drivers may continue to see lower pump prices as summer approaches.

That trend seems to be avoiding the Beehive State so far. This week Utahns found an average price of $3.34, an 11-cent increase from last week.

“The current soft demand for fuel is providing a much-needed relief for across the country,” said John Treanor, spokesperson with AAA Utah. “but prices in Utah are climbing. Still, we are currently seeing fuel prices on average about 60 cents lower than they were at this time last year.”

— AAA Utah press release

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium announces 4th Annual Eggstravaganza

Spring is in the air, and so are the eggs! Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is excited to welcome Guests to its 4th Annual Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 19, featuring festive fun for the whole family.

This spring celebration is free for Aquarium Members and included with regular admission. The event will be held on the Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza, where kids up to age 12 can participate in age-specific egg dashes, meet the Spring Bunny, and enjoy face painting, educational activities, and more.

Tickets are available at www.livingplanetaquarium.org.

— Loveland Living Planet Aquarium press release