Buffalo Chip to Utah Transit Authority for milking riders. According to a legislative audit of mass-transit systems in comparable Western cities, UTA's bus costs and executive salaries were both among the highest found.

  For example, UTA's average cost per bus passenger was $4.35, compared to $2.25 in Phoenix and $3.39 in Denver. General Manager John Inglish made about $267,000 in base salary last year, while the average for the equivalent position at five other agencies was $196,000. Perhaps we should change Utah's state slogan to "Costs Elevated."

Beehive to area high schoolers for their spontaneous show of respect Monday in remembrance of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. Responding to text messages from their peers, they came to school Monday dressed in their Sunday best as a sign of respect for the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died Sunday. We commend them for their mature and sensitive behavior.

Buffalo Chip to Provo City for its galling stubbornness in acquiring two acres of land for the 4800 North connector road between University Avenue and Canyon Road. The protracted war with the original landowner was settled a few days before a scheduled trial to determine the land's value. The city -- which had tried to lowball the price -- ended up paying $1.16 milli on, about four times what it would have paid had it simply come to terms in the first place. The legal battle over the value of the land lasted more than five years, with several court battles and Utah Supreme Court appeals. We recall the words of Jesus: "Agree with thine adversary quickly." Doing so would have saved the taxpayers an enormous amount of money.

Beehive to the Utah Supreme Court for adopting one of the strongest rules in the nation protecting news reporters in the use of sources. Rule 509 helps to protect the identities of confidential sources -- government and business whistleblowers. "It's a great day for Utah journalists and for the public," attorney Jeffrey Hunt said. "It's a recognition that without some protection for news sources, valuable information won't reach the public."