Year in review: Daily Herald’s 2025 news stories of the year
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- Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot and killed during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
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- A plane drops retardant to fight the Buckley Draw Fire near Provo on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
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- Former U.S. Rep Mia Love’s husband Jason Love speaks at funeral services for Mia Love at the University of Utah Institute of Religion in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 7, 2025.
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- Austin Hennefer, of Orem, votes in the 2025 Municipal General Election Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at CenterPoint Church in Orem.
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- President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands at his desk in his office in the Church Administration Building on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Salt Lake City
It was an eventful year in Utah County, with several fires, a contested municipal election cycle and an assassination that shocked the community and the nation.
Below are the Daily Herald’s top news stories of 2025.
Charlie Kirk shot and killed at UVU
The eyes of the world fell upon Utah County under tragic circumstances in September.
While speaking at a Turning Point event at an outdoor courtyard at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, popular conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed by a suspected rooftop shooter.
The death of a husband and father of two was witnessed by thousands of people in attendance — many of whom were students — and sent political shockwaves throughout the state and county. While national leaders called to turn down the political temperature and vigils were held to mourn Kirk’s loss, a manhunt ensued to find the killer.
Suspect Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Washington County, turned himself in to police in Southern Utah two days after the shooting and was transported to the Utah County Jail.
The Utah County Attorney’s Office released the charging documents against Robinson on Sept. 16 and declared they were seeking the death penalty. A handful of hearings have already been held in Provo’s 4th District Court as court proceedings get underway.
Russell M. Nelson dies at 101; Dallin H. Oaks called as next Latter-day Saint prophet
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Russell M. Nelson died Sept. 27 at age 101, following a nearly eight-year tenure as prophet.
The leader of the predominant faith in Utah Valley inspired members and made significant policy changes. Under his leadership, the church shortened meeting times from three to two hours and distanced itself from the “Mormon” nickname to put a greater emphasis on Jesus Christ.
Former Brigham Young University president and member of the First Presidency Dallin H. Oaks, 93, was named the president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 14. Among the church’s first policy changes under his watch was lowering the mission age for women to 18.
Dramatic mayoral races
It was a tough year for incumbents during the municipal elections this year, as mayors of some of the biggest cities in the state were voted out of office.
In Provo, two-term incumbent Michelle Kaufusi was voted out as mayor, with voters narrowly electing former state representative Marsha Judkins, while in Orem, former Community Action CEO Karen McCandless defeated Mayor David Young, who was seeking a second term.
In Eagle Mountain, sitting mayor Tom Westmoreland didn’t even make it out of the primary, with Jared Gray ultimately winning the seat. Neither Lehi’s mayor, Mark Johnson, nor Saratoga Springs’ mayor, Jared Gray, sought reelection. Paul Binns won Lehi’s election, and Chris Carn was the uncontested winner in Saratoga Springs.
Buckley Draw fire, mudslide
A series of natural disasters upon Buckley Mountain kept residents in south Provo on high alert in August.
Smoke could be seen throughout the valley when the Buckley Draw caught on fire Aug. 17, forcing responses from multiple fire agencies and placing residents on warning for evacuation.
The 400-acre fire was ultimately contained but left a large burn scar, upon which a mudslide was triggered following an Aug. 27 microburst of rain.
The mudslide descended onto a Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, causing significant damage and forcing the building’s closure until December.
Other water flow events later ensued, closing roads and keeping the city’s public works team busy clearing the area and building catch basins.
Mia Love’s death
Former U.S. Representative and Saratoga Springs resident Mia Love died following a bout with cancer on March 23.
Love was a faithful public servant who first served in Saratoga Springs as city council member then mayor before becoming the first Black Republican woman to be elected to congress, where she served from 2015 to 2019.
Love’s husband, Jason, remembered her at her April 7 funeral for her “superpowers.”
“I learned very early on that she had the ability to connect with people and bring them along with her in superhuman fashion,” he said.
Airport expansion
Provo Airport opened in 2025 by announcing it would expand from four gates to 10 gates.
The plan, which was backed in part by $78 million of county funds, aims to serve more routes and airline carriers at the airport.
Ground broke in April on the project, starting with the construction of a new apron. Phase two is underway to build new ticket counters and a baggage-handling system.
The project is slated to be completed in 2028.
New school districts and boards
While 2024 was the year that saw a pair of propositions split the Alpine School District into three separate school districts, 2025 saw the new plan begin to take shape.
During the year, boundaries and district seats for each of the three districts were formed and given temporary names: Lake Mountain (west district), Aspen Peaks (central district) and Timpanogos (south district).
During the November election, seven school board members for each of the districts were appointed and began preparation to accept students beginning July 2027. Aspen Peaks was adopted as the official name of the central district.
Saratoga Springs double murder investigation
On March 28, Jessica Orton Lyman, 44, and her son, Eli Painter, 8, were found shot in their home in Saratoga Springs. Painter was pronounced dead at the scene, and Lyman died days later at the hospital.
The investigation into the murder continued into the end of the year. A firearm related to the shooting had not been recovered as of May, according to recently unsealed documents.
Provo/Lehi apartment fires
Two large fires were ignited under mysterious circumstances and burned down developments in two sperate Utah Valley cities, prompting federal investigations.
A Feb. 8 fire at a construction site in Provo burned down three buildings under construction; on Nov. 9, a large blaze burned down a Lehi apartment complex under construction.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, investigated each fire. As of last month, both investigations remained ongoing.
