U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Alex Gate Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to create and enforce a consumer product safety standard for large and potentially hazardous gates often installed in residential, commercial, and recreational settings.

By establishing uniform safety standards and launching a national education campaign, the bill aims to prevent further harm and raise awareness among manufacturers, installers, consumers, and local authorities.

“Simple and affordable safety mechanisms can prevent tragic accidents caused by poorly designed or maintained gates. We’ve seen the devastating impact of these preventable incidents, such as the tragic death of seven-year-old Alex Quanbeck, who was crushed by a falling gate, and the death of Esther Nakajjigo at Arches National Park,” said Senator Curtis. “By codifying industry standards, our Alex Gate Safety Act will save lives and prevent needless heartbreak.”

Specifically, the Alex Gate Safety Act would:

• Direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a consumer product safety standard for vehicular and large gates within one year of enactment;
• Allow the CPSC to modify standards if it determines that a modification would further reduce the risk of injury associated with covered gates; and
• Launch a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of covered gates, including those that detach or fall.

Senator Curtis previously introduced a version of the legislation during the 118th Congress in the House of Representatives.

— Office of Sen. John Curtis

Letter carriers collected food across Utah

The National Association of Letter Carriers, National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association, and United States Postal Service combined forces on Saturday, May 10, to help Utah Food Bank fight hunger statewide during the 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, one of the largest single-day food drives in the nation.

While Utah Food Bank distributes food statewide, locally donated food will remain in that community. The donations received as a result of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive come at a critical time as school ends and many kids are left without access to school meal programs, making it even more difficult for families to feed their children over the summer. Increased living and housing costs have contributed to an elevated level of need across the state, with no end in sight.

One in six Utah children risk missing a meal today due to lack of resources, and 415,000 Utahns are unsure where their next meal will come from.

— Utah Food Bank

Utah National Guard conducts exercise Hydra – an innovative readiness building exercise

More than 200 soldiers and airmen came together in Utah for Exercise Hydra, an annual, large-scale joint training event designed to prepare our military units and people for real and evolving threats in a dynamic and ever-changing combat environment.

Service members from the Utah Air and Army National Guard joined with Active and Reserve Air Force units from several locations across the country to participate in this innovative and engaging exercise combining and challenging the capabilities of both Army and Air Force units. The exercise took place primarily on the Utah Test and Training Range and Dugway Proving Grounds among several other smaller locations throughout the state, and focused on challenging the status quo, developing innovative processes and procedures and building cohesive teams.

The name of the exercise refers to the mythical multi-headed serpent the Greek Hero Hercules defeated. In his initial encounters with the beast as soon as he cut off one head two grew back in its place. Today’s military enterprise faces a fast-moving and complex set of threats coming from multiple directions across all battlespaces. Like the Hydra of myth, challenges in the defense community continue to evolve. Overcoming evolving threats demands smart thinking, adaptability, and the determination to stay ahead of competitors.

— Utah National Guard

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium welcomes new North American river otter pup

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is excited to announce the arrival of a new female North American river otter to its animal family. Born on March 29, 2024, at Woodland Park Zoo in Washington to parents Valkyrie and Ziggy, the otter was transferred to the Aquarium on April 29, 2025, as part of a collaborative effort among AZA-accredited institutions to care for and educate the public about this important species.

The one-year-old otter is now on habitat at the Aquarium. She is continuing to acclimate to her new environment under the care of the expert Husbandry team. Guests can view her as she explores and becomes more comfortable in her new home.

The Aquarium is inviting the public to take part in a naming contest for the new arrival. Guests can submit their ideas and vote by visiting: https://livingplanetaquarium.org/animal/north-american-river-otter

— Loveland Living Planet Aquarium