City Weekly January 1, 2026

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TIER JERK

The best films of 2025—including a few obscurities—(in) conveniently placed in groups of five

BY SCOTT RENSHAW

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CONTENTS

Cover Story

Tier Jerk The best films of 2025— including a few obscurities—(in)conveniently placed in groups of five

By Scott Renshaw

17

Cover art by Clint Burlap

6 10 14 18 23 29

OPINION A&E NEWS DINE MUSIC COMMUNITY

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Pessimism For 2026

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Well, that about wraps it up for 2025. As I write this, the old year only has four days left to produce any delightful—or nasty—surprises before giving way to the new one.

I can’t say 2025 produced much in the way of good news. Many of its events and developments will continue to annoy and impoverish us well into 2026. Rather than spend an entire column going over those things, allow me to offer a cautionary note on what is or isn’t worth expecting next year.

We live in the age of the permanent campaign, and everywhere I turn I see Democrats, actual Republicans (as opposed to Trumpists) and supposed “independents” looking forward to next November’s midterm congressional elections with hope, even excitement: Democrats will take the U.S. Senate and the House, they hope, thwarting Donald Trump’s policy agenda.

The odds are not with those hopes or that excitement. The Cook Report, a sort of gold standard when it comes to predicting outcomes, rates only two Senate races as “toss-ups.” Both those seats are currently held by Democrats, who need to pick up a net four seats for a majority.

Very unlikely.

The House situation isn’t as dire for Democrats, but Polymarket, a betting/ prediction market with a pretty good record, only gives them a 45% chance of flipping three seats to get a majority.

But let’s suppose that through some quasi-miraculous chain of events, next November produces a Congress controlled

by Democrats.

What changes?

The sitting president has demonstrated—multiple times over an entire first term and the first year of another—that when Congress doesn’t give him what he wants, he just takes it. The court system has proven itself fairly ineffectual at stopping him.

And even if, in a second set of miracles, Trump simmers down or gets routinely thwarted in the courts, it’s not like the Democrats are THAT different from the Republicans.

First-term Trump gave us massive tax increases in the form of tariffs. Joe Biden kept most of those tariffs and even expanded some. Second-term Trump put them on steroids.

First-term Trump escalated every war he inherited from Barack Obama, re-started an old war in Somalia, and handed it all off to Biden, who continued down the same path everywhere except Afghanistan.

And both Republicans and Democrats in Congress let both of them get away with it, while increasing government

spending and increasing government debt, introducing new “national security” and surveillance state horrors, etc.

Neither Republican nor Democratic politicians want to fix things even if they could, and they can’t. Various third-party and independent candidates might want to, but even given an opportunity they’d likely be unsuccessful.

Government through politics is not going to get us out of the mess we’ve been putting and keeping ourselves in with politics for more than a century now.

Our only hope is that the system collapses—which isn’t likely to happen in the next year—and that we can replace it with something better, which seems even less likely.

Happy New Year, I guess.

THOMAS L. KNAPP William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism Care to sound off on a feature in our pages or about a local concern? Write to comments@ cityweekly.net or post your thoughts on our social media. We want to hear from you!

THE WATER

COOLER What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Arica Roberts

To visit all the library branches in Salt Lake County!

Eric Granato

I do not believe in setting New Year’s Resolutions.

Wes Long

To finish some writing projects and be more forgiving.

Cat Palmer

I am working on being better with boundaries and protecting my energy.

Bryan Bale

As I do every year, I resolve not to make any resolutions. Do I break that resolution by making it? Perhaps.

Chelsea Neider

To stress less about things that I cannot control, and to focus more on all the wonderful things.

Zach Abend

My New Year’s resolution is to pack better shoes for reporting trips, and to accept that I’ll never take neat notes in the field.

Paula Saltas

To not exercise so much—it is bad for my health.

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OPINION

BY CHRISTOPHER SMART

Pirates of the Caribbean

A

vast me hearties, time to break out your cutlasses and take to the high seas and other places in the name of Black Beard and Johnny Depp. Ah yes, the smell of salt air and gunpowder and the burning in the breast of selfrighteousness.

It can all be ours once again with Sen. Mike Lee’s “The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025,” which sanctions modern-day privateers (that’s you and me) to seize foreign vessels from cartels or cartel-linked organizations, or anyone with brown skin in fishing boats “outside the geographic boundaries of the United States and its territories.”

Said Lee: “Cartels have replaced corsairs in the modern era, but we can still give private American citizens and their businesses a stake in the fight against these murderous foreign criminals.”

This will bring much-needed help to U.S. forces that, since September, have blown up at least 26 boats that might have been carrying drug smugglers, killing at least 100 people. The U.S. has eight warships in the area, including an aircraft carrier, and 6,000 sailors and marines who need all the help they can get. So throw on your Capt.

Jack Sparrow outfit and launch your Flying Dutchman— but pack some firepower and make sure to fly Old Glory so you aren’t incinerated by laser-guided missiles.

Presidential Plaques Reveal Ugly Truth

“Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History,” reads a plaque in the White House “Walk of Fame,” which features portraits of U.S. presidents. The plaques under each portrait are something new, thanks to the current resident.

“Barack Hussein Obama is one of the most divisive figures in American history,” reads another.

Why would the sitting president of the United States take time to disparage his predecessors? Take a guess.

You’re right, Wilson, there aren’t words. And no, tearing down the East Wing was not enough.

But not all the presidents got the brown helmet. Warren G. Harding—often noted among the worst presidents—was praised by Trump for his efforts to, “safeguard America first, to exalt America first, to live for and revere America first.”

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the plaques were eloquently written. “As a student of history, many were written by the president himself,” she said.

By contrast, Northwestern University professor Michael Allen said the plaques were the equivalent of drawing mustaches on the presidential portraits. “Like so much of President Trump’s behavior, it is a transgressive act that is beneath the dignity of the office he holds on behalf of the American people,” Allen said.

You’re right, Wilson, that’s just a polite way of saying the man is totally bonkers.

ICE Recruitment: $50K Signing Bonus, Loan Forgiveness

Hey Wilson, want to score a quick 50 grand and get your student loan forgiven? Well then, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has a deal for you. Plus, it’s a load of fun if you like terrorizing people with brown skin.

You get a gun, badge, taser and a face mask. Then you get to drive around in an unmarked van with your new ICE buddies, grab people off the street and make them disappear. Cool.

It’s all part of ICE Barbie’s (Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security) plan to bolster the agency’s 6,000-strong force by an additional 10,000. More good news: they’ll take almost anybody. ICE bumped the age requirement of 21-40 to 18-60, and training has been slashed from 16 weeks to eight.

President Trump and his racial purity director, Stephen

Miller, want ICE to make 3,000 abductions … er, uh, “arrests” … per day, leading to the goal of 1 million deportations a year.

Sure, there have been critics who whine that deportees aren’t given due process under the law. But as Trump explained, there isn’t time for that. And as ICE Barbie noted, these people are all murderers and rapists and mothers and fathers and children.

It’s true that some green-card holders and even citizens get swept up. But what are you going to do when there are so many brown people that must be yanked from their families and communities and sent to countries they know nothing about?

Postscript—That’ll do it for another festive week here at Smart Bomb, where the staff keeps track of artificial intelligence so you don’t have to. AI is everywhere—it generates songs, books, paintings and a bunch of other stuff that looks as if it were created by humans. If that doesn’t scare the bejesus out of you, nothing will.

It’s not perfect: AI advised a teenager to commit suicide; GM spent $10 billion on its Cruise robotaxi before shutting it down; the Chicago Sun-Times featured a special section that included a summer reading list of books that don’t exist; a chatbot for the X platform, Grok, gave detailed instructions for entering a Minnesota Democrat’s home and assaulting him. And the list goes on.

The RAND Corporation found that more than 80% of AI projects fail—twice the rate of failure for information technology projects without AI. Still, we’re told that AI is the future and investments are making markets look great. Morgan Stanley projects that AI could add between $13 trillion and $16 trillion in value to the stock market.

Yes, Wilson, now is the time to invest—or not.

Some believe AI will eventually take over the world.

Until then, be on guard if AI tells you to put glue on your pizza or boost your fitness by eating rocks for minerals. Or maybe it would be better to just keep thinking for yourself. CW Private Eye is off this week. Christopher Smart writes the weekly Smart Bomb column, available online at cityweekly.net.

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HITS & MISSES

BY KATHARINE BIELE |

@kathybiele

HIT: Lock ‘Em Up

We can’t say we’re sorry to see federal funding evaporate for the homeless campus that the governor envisions. Spencer Cox was counting on money for a forced asylum of the unhoused, euphemistically called a “central campus.” But a federal judge temporarily blocked one of the president’s daily dribble Executive Orders that took some $4 billion from Housing First grants. We’ve talked about Housing First before, although Donald Trump is now calling it a failed approach. Sure, it’s not a perfect solution, maybe because mental health is a moving target. Conservative think tanks would like to see more “pressure” on the population, one that is increasingly hamstrung by unaffordable housing. Veteran homelessness is one of the success stories, probably because of its link to physical and mental treatment. But is forced treatment in a gulag really the answer?

Maybe $4 billion toward finding an answer rather than imprisoning the problem would have helped.

MISS: Snow Job

No need for snow tires this winter.

Utah just logged the second-warmest December on record and had to cancel the Deer Valley Freestyle World Cup for early 2026. Why? Because of unseasonably warm weather and insufficient snowpack. As an Olympic qualifier, the loss of this event does not bode well for the 2034 Olympics.

Cartoonist Pat Bagley drew skiers looking down a grassy knoll while a lawmaker called it Joe Biden’s fault.

But while Utah touts its diversified energy sources, fossil fuels remain primary—85% of which comes from coal and natural gas. Lawmakers have made it harder to develop and produce solar and wind power in the state after Trump has signaled his distaste for it. And no one should count on nuclear taking over any time soon.

So, maybe Olympics organizers— who have renamed the games for the whole state—should consider winter events on the southern golf courses.

MISS: Catch 22

If you’re an immigrant and go to court, it’s highly likely you could be deported. An NPR analysis shows that the word is out and people aren’t showing up for hearings. Can you blame them? They’re between a rock and a hard place. If they go to court, they could be deported by ICE. If they don’t go, judges will file immediate deportation papers. And Utah’s not immune—the Utah National Guard is helping out as the Legislature increased penalties for immigrants who break the law. We’ve all heard Trump talk about arresting the worst of the worst, but we’ve also seen citizens and legal immigrants be detained and deported. “The problem is that we all feel attacked,” immigration attorney Carlos Trujillo told KSL NewsRadio.

“We all” means anyone who is not a white English-speaker. CW

BY CAROLYN CAMPBELL

Good Dogs

A

lthough he’d had heart surgery only three days before he got the call from Utah Valley University’s wellness program—following Charlie Kirk’s death—Mike Carlson knew what he had to do. After all, when folks discovered that Carlson—the CEO of Golden Healers, a non-profit dog therapy organization—needed lifesaving surgery, they’d raised $45,000 to defray the cost.

Now, Carlson said, it was his turn to bring a sense of calm and security to students on the campus where the unspeakable tragedy had occurred. “I knew I needed to get better quick and get moving so that I could help the students and staff as a way to give back,” he said. “The dogs are a healing power and influence in my life, and I knew they could do that for others.”

Understandably, his first destination—with dogs Ava, Ace, Kat, Doris, Oscar and Hal in tow—was the concourse near where the shooting had occurred. Before long, Carlson discovered that the need was so great, he and his four-legged companions were hosting daily sessions multiple times a week. The dogs offered their special brand of comfort to grieving and fearful students in groups of up to 50 at a time. And obtaining that comfort couldn’t have been simpler—all were welcome to stop, sit, cuddle or pet one of the dogs.

“I didn’t feel safe enough to come back until I heard that there were dogs,” recalled student Rachel Jensen. “That made me feel comfortable going back.” Sophomore Elle Preston shared that one of the dogs “actually looks like one of my old dogs, so it was almost a little bit of closure. It was nice to hold the dog and give it some love.”

Carlson recalled that as another student petted the soft, calming fur of a golden retriever, he shared: “I really needed this. I’ve been afraid to return to school.” “There were a lot of emotions, smiles and lots of tears,” Carlson said, while admitting some of those tears were his own.

He singled out the reaction to the dogs from a student who’d initially projected a macho persona. That same student wound up “melting a little” as he talked and interacted with the dogs.

“Seeing that macho student kind of turn into a little kid when he petted the dog made my day,” Carlson said.

Kerri Scott, a representative of the school’s wellness program who’d initially contacted Carlson, has now entrusted her dog to Golden Healers for special training to become a therapy dog for UVU. And Carlson’s therapy canines are ready to head out to their next assignments.

“Therapy dogs remind people that, in times of fear and pain, there is still unconditional love and joy to be found,” Carlson said. “I smile every day when I go out to do this work.

There’s nothing better than bringing happiness to other people.” CW

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A&E

TRUE TV Best New TV Shows of 2025 It was a terrible year, but TV still delivered some terrific new series in 2025.

BY BILL FROST comments@cityweekly.net

L

et’get this out of the way right now: NBC’s Suits LA and Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt were 2025’s worst new TV offerings, hands down. Suits LA arrived almost two years after the streaming resurgence of the already meh 2011–2019 series Suits, and Celebrity Bear Hunt featured no actual bears and zero mauled celebrities. Maybe Trump’s new real-life Hunger Games series will right this wrong in 2026.

But before we leave 2025 behind, I’ve assembled my picks for the best new TV shows that premiered during the past year.

If I didn’t include your favorites, remember this: Opinions are like old Twitter accounts—everybody has one, and they’re all best left abandoned or deleted.

Pluribus (Apple TV): Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan’s first new series in years arrived with heat but little information in November. Was it going to be a sci-fi thriller? A psychological mind-mangler?

An emotional tour-de-force for Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn? Yes, yes and yes— and so much more. While Pluribus focuses mostly on the lonely (and sometimes comical) struggle of Carol (Seehorn) amid an alien mindhive occupation, it also drops enough plot seeds to grow several more seasons. Believe all the hype.

The Studio (Apple TV): Seth Rogen’s latest

Apple TV series may be long on inside-baseball Hollywood-isms, but you don’t have to be a diehard cinephile like new Continental Studios head Matt Remick (Rogen) to get blissfully lost in The Studio’s fast-and-furiously-funny chaos. Matt is committed to making art, the studio only wants to make money, and an expansive guest-star cast is more than game to take the piss out of their A-list images. Strap in for the nasty side of “nice guy” director Ron Howard.

The Lowdown (FX/Hulu): The dusty, bohemian haunts of Tulsa featured in The Lowdown are far removed from the glossy exteriors of Tulsa King, as is local journalist (or “truthstorian”) Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke). Another gem from Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo, The Lowdown is loaded with hilarious, tragic characters, led here by dogged writer Lee, who’s chasing a local murder case that’s more likely to get him killed than get him a Pulitzer. It’s crime noir with a big heart, if little common sense.

It: Welcome to Derry (HBO/HBO Max): Even though the first screen adaptation of the Stephen King novel It was a 1990 TV miniseries, there was no path back to the tube for Pennywise the Clown—or so many of us thought. This 1960s-set prequel series establishes a deeper backstory for Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård, returning from the 2017 and 2019 movies) and the quaint town of Derry while cranking the gore and dread to 11, setting the new horror TV bar.

The Chair Company (HBO/HBO Max): I never believed Tim Robinson’s sketch series I Think You Should Leave was the work of genius the fanboys claimed it was, but The Chair Company? Also not genius, but it is entertaining AF under mild chemical influence. The twists the series throws in order to conflate a vast conspiracy out of a poorly-constructed office chair are impressive, and Robinson sells the hell out of

Pluribus

it, one cartoonish “Oh my GOD!” at a time.

If he can sustain this weirdness for a second season … OK, genius.

I Love LA (HBO/HBO Max): At first glance, it looks like Gen Z noise, way too cool and out-of-reach for the average, aged-out viewer. But Rachel Sennott’s semi-autobiographical comedy about life on the fringes of Hollywood is goofily relatable and reaffirming, even though she and her, ahem, Entourage (Odessa A’zion, True Whitaker and Jordan Firstman), are really, really, really, ridiculously gorgeous and funny. Paired with the aforementioned two series, I Love LA completed the strangest Sunday HBO lineup ever.

Common Side Effects (Adult Swim/HBO Max): At this point in its 24-year history, the most radical programming move Adult Swim could pull would be an unironic conspiracy thriller with minimal laughs—enter Common Side Effects. When fungi expert Marshall (voiced by Dave King) discovers a mushroom with the power to cure any disease—even death—he becomes the target of shadowy governmental and pharma-

ceutical entities. For a cartoon, Common Side Effects is heavy.

Stumble (NBC/Peacock): NBC is betting on The Office-esque mockumentaries like St. Denis Medical and The Paper to save its comedy division, and Friday-night straggler Stumble may be its brightest hope … if more, or any, viewers find it on Peacock. Star Jenn Lyon (Justified, Claws) effortlessly leads the series as the coach of a ragtag college cheerleading squad with looonnng-shot championship dreams. Stumble’s jokes-per-minute attack is a metaphysical marvel that puts the Dunder-Mifflin crew to shame.

More highlights from 2025: Adults (FX/ Hulu), Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu), Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+), Death by Lightning (Netflix), Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+/ Showtime), Down Cemetery Road (Apple TV), Duster (HBO Max), The Hunting Party (NBC), The Hunting Wives (Netflix), Long Bright River (Peacock), Mid-Century Modern (Hulu), The Paper (Peacock), Paradise (Hulu), The Pitt (HBO Max), Smoke (Apple TV), Stick (Apple TV), Task (HBO/HBO Max), and Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV). CW

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Tracy Aviary has been a favorite destination for families and bird-lovers for nearly 90 years, but it’s far less commonly known that the aviary has a sister facility, which opened in 2020 as the Jordan River Nature Center and became the Nature Center at Pia Okwai in 2024. The outdoor location isn’t a place where birds are kept, but the natural oasis provides a wonderful venue for bird-centric programming throughout the year.

On New Year’s Day, you can get the details on another lesser-known fact: According to United States tradition when it comes to bird-banding, every bird’s birthday takes place on Jan. 1. At the Birdie Birthday Bash, from 9 a.m. – noon, all ages can celebrate with bird-themed crafts and activities, bird-banding demonstrations, and of course some birthday cake. If you want to get a little more birding under your belt, Friday, Jan. 2 will offer the chance to go out on bird surveys with the conservation team, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., while the “Let’s Go Birding Together”— especially for LGBTQ+ folks and allies—on Sunday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., offers an adult-oriented casual guided bird walk. Also on Sunday, Jan. 4, noon – 2 p.m., young birders can enjoy the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, with a chance to learn about local conservation efforts and enjoy some hot chocolate, with a bilingual-friendly presentation.

All events at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai (3310 S. 1000 West) are free and open to the public. Visit tracyaviary.org/nature-center for additional information on events throughout the year. (Scott Renshaw)

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Greg Warren seems like such a natural when he performs stand-up comedy that it’s hard to believe he hasn’t been doing it forever. In fact, it took several detours before he found his calling: enrolling at West Point with the goal of a career in the military; dropping out to return to wrestling at the University of Missouri; and then spending a decade with Procter & Gamble selling Jif peanut butter to grocery stores.

There’s a bit more of his wrestling background in the subject matter of his 2025 special The Champ (available on YouTube), including a less-than-stellar performance during his freshman year. The best material, however, deals with something as simple as the way Walgreens locations are perpetually understaffed, especially at night. “Right now, you have exactly one more employee than a vending machine,” he notes. “It’s not a good look. You’re the number 27 company in the Fortune 500, and you have one guy. There’s a lemonade stand in my neighborhood? Two girls. … If you’re a thief, and you go to Walgreens at 11:30 at night, … it’s trick-ortreat in there. And if you get in trouble, you can go in front of the judge and say, ‘Your honor, there wasn’t one other human being in there. How was I supposed to know it was a store?’”

Greg Warren performs at Wiseguys’ Gateway Cabaret Room (190 S. 400 West) on Friday Jan. 2 and Saturday, Jan. 3 for four performances, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $29; visit wiseguyscomedy.com to purchase tickets and for additional event information. (SR)

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Salt Lake City offers a multitude of wonderful gallery options to showcase artists from the city, state and region. But it’s not the only place in the region full of such opportunities; Park City art galleries are also amazing places to discover great work. Consider kicking off your new year with a trip into Park City before the craziness of the final local Sundance Film Festival envelops the town.

At Gallery MAR (436 Main St., gallerymar.com), Colombian-American artist America Martin, whose bold work pulls in cubist influences as well as the vibrant world of her own cultural background. Martin’s solo exhibition Celebration kicks off with an artist reception on Friday, Jan. 2, 6 – 9 p.m.; get a chance to experience the work and meet the artist.

Meanwhile, at Julie Nester Gallery (1280 Iron Horse Dr., julienestergallery.com), you get the solo show by Robert Mellor, Something Natural, featuring acrylic works on canvas. The title of the show (the title piece for which is pictured) is in some ways literal, as the images highlight floral and botanical subjects in striking ways. But there’s also a bit of irony in the technique applied to these subjects, as the artist suggests on his website: “Mellor explores the tension between highly stylized forms and representation through his hard edge layered process.

Shifting forms collide on the surface of the work, balancing frozen gestures with the organic.

The result of improvisational sessions, these hybrid paintings merge flat pattern with spatial illusion, all presented in shallow sculptural relief.” Something Natural runs through Jan. 13. (SR)

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14 | JANUARY 1, 2026

PROJECT CENSORED PART 2

T H E M O S T- C E N S O R E D N E W S OF 2025: SOCIAL MEDIA CRACKDOWNS, EMPLOYEE SURVEILLANCE, POLICE KILLINGS AND THE BIG MONEY BEHIND HOMELESS SWEEPS.

BY PAUL ROSENBERG, RLNEWS COMMENTS@CITYWEEKLY.NET Each year, Project Censored publishes a list of un- and underreported news stories. Part I appeared in the Dec. 25, 2025, issue of Salt Lake City Weekly and is available online at cityweekly. net. Part II continues below.

“contain the same complaint text, according to the leaked information, regardless of the substance of the underlying content being challenged.” None of them describes the exact nature of the content being reported, “even though the requests link to an average of 15 different pieces of content.”

The requests “have overwhelmingly targeted users from Arab and Muslim-majority nations,” but the takedown campaign is global in scope, resulting in censorship of posts from users in more than 60 different countries. Not only is it censoring users in real time, “Israel’s censorship project will echo well into the future,” they reported, “the AI program Meta is currently training how to moderate content will base future decisions on the successful takedown of content critical of Israel’s genocide,” according to their inside sources.

Project Censored noted, “The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned Meta’s actions, stating, ‘Meta must stop censoring criticism of the Israeli government under the guise of combating antisemitism, and Meta must stop training artificial intelligence tools to do so.’” And it highlights the fact that Israel censors and controls press coverage of its military operations, as reported in June 2025, by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“The Drop Site News article on Meta’s compliance with Israeli censorship requests has been republished by independent outlets, including ZNetwork and Jewish Voice for Labour,” Project Censored noted, “but despite its alarming revelations, this story does not appear to have been picked up by any major US newspapers or broadcast news outlets as of July 2025.” Nor is there any sign that Meta will stop censoring users at Israel’s request.

privacy laws. It’s the tech industry’s favorite talking point,” Snow wrote. “They even created a website called ‘United for Privacy: Ending the Privacy Patchwork.’”

Step three is “Use preemption to kill the grassroots movement” by making further progress almost impossible. “The final step for Big Tobacco then, and Big Tech now, is to use preemption to erase state laws and curb a state’s ability to pass new, stronger laws in the future,” Snow wrote.

Federal legislation need not preempt state and local law.

Like the federal minimum wage law, it can be a floor, not a ceiling. “Federal law should establish a foundation that cities and states can build on, not a ceiling blocking all future progress,” Snow argued.

“Cities and states are nimbler than Congress, and historically are where real change begins. In 1972, California enshrined a right to privacy in the state constitution that offers powerful protections against modern privacy abuses,” he explained. But “Once state legislatures are sealed, power decreases dramatically for grassroots activists, communities of color, and other groups that have limited access to the halls of Congress and far fewer resources to make their voices heard.”

It’s already been tried. The House version of Trump’s controversial “Big Beautiful Bill” included a provision “shielding tech companies for ten years from being sued in state courts for negligence, privacy violations, or misuse of artificial intelligence.” The Senate removed that provision, but Big Tech will surely try again.

These efforts to override state-level regulations “have received only partial corporate news coverage,” Project Censored noted. It cited several examples from the New York Times, Time magazine and others dealing with different aspects of the big picture Snow described. “However, none of this reporting has fully addressed the scale and coordinated effort detailed in Snow’s report, nor has it drawn attention to the clear historical parallels between current Big Tech strategies and the precedent set by Big Tobacco in its attempts to delay and dilute public health regulations.”

5. Big Tech Sows Policy Chaos to Undermine Data Privacy Protections 4. Meta Undertakes “Sweeping Crackdown” of Facebook and Instagram Posts at Israel’s Request “A sweeping crackdown on posts on Instagram and Facebook that are critical of Israel—or even vaguely supportive of Palestinians—was directly orchestrated by the government of Israel” since Oct. 7, 2023, Drop Site News reported in April 2025, calling it “the largest mass censorship operation in modern history.”

“The data show that Meta has complied with 94% of takedown requests issued by Israel since October 7, 2023,” they reported. “Israel is the biggest originator of takedown requests globally,” which “allows individuals, organizations, and government officials to request the removal of content that allegedly violates Meta’s policies.” This resulted in “an estimated 38.8 million additional posts being ‘actioned upon’ across Facebook and Instagram since late 2023. ‘Actioned upon’ in Facebook terms means that a post was either removed, banned, or suppressed.”

The report was based on internal company data supplied by whistle-blowers and confirmed by “multiple independent sources inside Meta.” While a significant majority of Israel’s requests “fall under Meta’s ‘terrorism’ or ‘violence and incitement’ categories,” the reporters noted, all of them

“Big Tech companies are actively attempting to undermine legislation that protects consumer data privacy,” Project Censored reports, using the same playbook tobacco companies used in the 1990s. This was reported by Jake Snow in an article published by Tech Policy Press and the ACLU of Northern California in October 2024.

“The biggest names in technology are trying to use their might to force Congress to override crucial state-level privacy laws that have protected people for years,” Snow wrote.

Federal law overrides state or local law whenever there’s a conflict—a legal doctrine known as “preemption.” There’s actually a three-step strategy involved, he explained.

Step one is “Respond to a PR crisis with a flood of deceptive bills.” A Big Tobacco example was laws creating “smoking sections” to defeat laws creating outright bans, such as the Beverly Hills smoke-free restaurant ordinance. Big Tech today has “opened a firehose of lobbying money to replace real privacy laws with fake industry alternatives as ineffective as non-smoking sections,” Snow wrote. He cites a 2021 Virginia law that was “provided by an Amazon lobbyist” and “predictably, it was ‘just what Big Tech wants.’”

Step two is “Point to the patchwork” of ineffective laws they’ve produced. Big Tobacco did this in the ’90s, he noted.

“They pushed op-eds arguing that a ‘patchwork of local laws is no way to fight smoking.’” Similarly, “Tech lobbyists love to complain about the ‘patchwork’—meaning diverse state

6. Amazon and Walmart Use Hostile Surveillance Technology Against Warehouse Employees

Walmart and Amazon are the two largest retailers in America, with a combined workforce of over 2.7 million workers (not counting Amazon drivers), whose lives have been made more miserable by the use of surveillance technology, as documented in an April 2024 report from Oxfam America, At Work and Under Watch.

The report finds that “regimes of measurement, surveillance, discipline, and data collection deployed by both companies unduly punish workers, stifle worker voice, and have negative impacts on worker health, safety, and well-being,” as Alex Press reported for Jacobin.

“In 2018, Walmart patented surveillance technology designed for management to eavesdrop on workers, track customer interactions, and oversee all employee movements,” Project Censored noted. “Amazon uses similar tracking methods, including a rating system that scores worker productivity, providing real-time feedback on individual workers’ speed and efficiency.”

Criminalizing homelessness doesn’t solve the problem—in fact, it makes things worse—but it does make some folks a lot of money.

“In total, private firms have been paid at least $100m to clear homeless camps, an investigation by the Guardian and

JANUARY 1, 2026 | 15

7. Private Companies Reap More Than $100 Million to Sweep Homeless Camps in California

U.S. police killed an average of nearly four people each day in 2024, disproportionately Black and Indigenous. Police killed more people in 2024 than in any year since 2013, when data collection began, and nearly two-thirds were in response to 9-1-1 calls, the majority of which involved a non-violent offense, or no offense at all.

These were some of the topline results of analysis by Mapping Police Violence reported by Sharon Zhang in a February 2025 Truthout article.

“Police killed at least 1,365 people in 2024,” and “Black people in the U.S. were 2.9x more likely than White people to be killed by police,” Zhang wrote, and they “were more likely than White people to be killed when unarmed or not posing

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8. Underreported, Often Deadly Abuses of Police Authority

a threat. The disproportion was even greater for American Indians and Alaska Natives (3.1x) and for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (7.6x) compared to White people.”

There were only 10 days in 2024, “when police did not kill anyone in the U.S.” An earlier report covering 1,260 instances found that officers were only charged with crimes in nine cases.

Zhang noted that these figures line up with reporting from the Washington Post that 2024 was the deadliest year on record for police violence, with 10,429 people killed by police in the last decade. However, the Post was discontinuing its tracking.

“The change comes as the publication’s billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos, has exerted an increasingly right-wing influence on the paper,” Zhang observed. This came at the same time that Trump shut down a federal database tracking misconduct by federal law enforcement officers, which had only been in existence since December 2023.

“Mapping Police Violence was created by Samuel Sinyangwe, who is also the founder of Campaign Zero, an organization that advocates for a society not reliant on policing,” Project Censored noted. Its findings have been neglected by the establishment press, with two exceptions they cited: one USA Today story in February 2025, using its data “for a report on demographic and geographic patterns in police killings in the United States,” and a May 2025 New York Times story reporting that “police killings keep rising, not falling,” since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, touching off the Black Lives Matter protests, the largest civil rights protests in U.S. history.

Relatedly, “Routine police traffic stops often turn deadly, especially for people of color,” Project Censored noted, and this was the subject of another ignored investigation, specifically focused on the Chicago Police Department (CPD), carried out by Bolts and Injustice Watch and published in August 2024. A 2003 Illinois state law requires law enforcement agencies to report specific details of every traffic stop to the state Department of Transportation. But their investigation identified two hundred thousand unreported stops.

“The significant number of undocumented traffic stops threatens to undermine any reform efforts and obscures the true impact of the police encounters from oversight groups, preventing them from fully understanding which drivers are stopped, and where in the city they are concentrated,” journalist Pascal Sabino explained.

He had previously noted that these undocumented traffic stops amount to a new form of “stop-and-frisk,” a controversial practice that allows police to search persons, places and objects without making an arrest. CPD had officially moved away from using stop-and-frisk following the “botched investigation and cover-up” of the murder of teenager Laquan McDonald. But now, Chicago police “fish for guns and evidence of other crimes … by stopping cars rather than pedestrians,” Sabino wrote.

While the New York Times and others have covered how routine police stops often turn deadly, Project Censored noted, there had been no coverage of this exposure of “the extraordinary number of illegal, undocumented traffic stops

by Chicago police.” CW ©Randomlengthsnews, San Pedro, CA 2025 Find the final two items of Project Censored’s Top 10 list for 2025 online at cityweekly.net

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Type Investigations has found,” Brian Barth wrote for the Guardian on April 16, 2024. But that was a serious undercount, he hastened to add. “The 14 municipalities and public agencies from which spending details could be obtained represent a small slice of such spending in the state.”

Still, the wastefulness was still obvious. “It can cost millions to clear a single camp. Marinship, a Bay Area construction company, received $3.4m to dismantle an unhoused community with about 200 residents,” Barth wrote. In Silicon Valley, Santa Clara signed a three-and-a-half-year, $1 million contract “despite having documented only 264 unsheltered residents at the time.”

And it costs cities even more. “The police presence at one sweep in Los Angeles cost an estimated $2m,” he noted.

As for what good it does, the answer is almost certainly none on two counts: It doesn’t reduce homelessness, but it does cause serious harm.

“A 2024 RAND study found that policy change—such as encampment sweeps and camping bans—in three Los Angeles neighborhoods temporarily reduced visible homelessness, but within months the unsheltered populations rose slightly in two of the communities and doubled in the third,” Robbie Sequeira reported for Stateline in January 2025.

At the same time, “For homeless people, these sweeps take an enormous toll,” Barth wrote. “Many unhoused residents report being swept over and over, often multiple times in a year. Modeling based on data collected in Boston has shown that hospitalization and death rates are expected to increase significantly among encampment residents after sweeps—researchers projected that overdoses would rise 30%, for instance.”

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that punishing homeless people for sleeping outside doesn’t count as cruel or unusual punishment, which allowed police sweeps to confiscate any property belonging to people sleeping on the streets. Since then, “roughly 150 cities in 32 states have passed or strengthened such ordinances,” Sequeira reported, with another 40 in the works at the time. “Bans often allow for steep fines and jail time,” he noted. But “Criminalizing homelessness doesn’t solve the problem—it just punishes people, makes it harder for them to find housing or jobs, and keeps them stuck in a cycle of instability,” Samantha Batko of the Urban Institute explained.

Homelessness is a worsening problem in Europe as well, the Guardian reported in September 2024, but Denmark and Finland are reducing it with a housing first policy, which shifts focus away from managing homelessness in the shelter system to solving it by providing housing. Finland started first, and has only a quarter of the number of homeless families it had in the early 2000s, and less than half the number of homeless individuals, with only a small fraction of those “unsheltered,” sleeping on the streets. So there are policies that work—they’re just not considered or reported on here.

Instead, we have a massive new punitive industry dedicated to destroying lives already in peril. “While the national corporate media have not shied away from covering the nationwide displacement of homeless people, there has been virtually no coverage of companies profiteering from the homeless crisis in California or other states since Brian Barth’s investigation,” Project Censored noted.

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Oxfam’s report drew on quantitative data gleaned from worker surveys at both companies, as well as qualitative research interviews.

“An Amazon worker in North Carolina compares the experience to Netflix’s Squid Game, stating that ‘Every three days, first responders are called to [our] facility. And when I say that it’s like [Squid Game], you see co-workers, you see friends, some workers have relatives, you see relatives who pass out, who are taken out of their facility on the stretcher,’” Press reported, adding, “If you get injured, a Walmart worker in California explains, it is ‘almost always your fault.

Management would not negotiate this with you at all. You would be penalized for it because they would deem that you were working unsafe and ignore all the other possible reasons for why you got injured.’”

Key findings included: —Three-quarters (75% for Amazon, 74% for Walmart) of workers reported feeling pressure to work faster at least some of the time (compared to 58% industry-wide).

—More than half (54% for Amazon, 57% for Walmart) of workers reported that their production rate makes it hard for them to use the bathroom at least sometimes.

—Half of workers (52% at Amazon, 50% at Walmart) report feeling burned out from their work.

—41% of Amazon workers and 91% of Walmart workers reported experiencing some level of dehydration over the past three months.

“One might argue that unionizing could help workers resist surveillance,” Project Censored noted, but Amazon defeated a unionization effort in North Carolina in February 2025. However, “union organizers believe the vote was the result of Amazon’s nonstop intimidation of its employees,” and an academic study of an earlier organizing effort in Bessemer, Alabama, backs them up, as reported by The American Prospect in March 2025.

“The company manipulated workplace devices to send workers anti-union messages and to ask questions that employees say were intended to assess their support for the union,” Project Censored summarized. “Amazon also monitored the social media activity of its employees—including Facebook groups, many of which were private, and subreddits—to investigate posts that contained complaints from warehouse workers or plans for strikes and protests.”

“Amazon is not just tweaking pre-existing AI systems to make unionization harder to achieve for workers, but actually converting and weaponizing sprawling systems into new tools for quashing dissent,” the Prospect concluded.

Aside from some coverage of these issues by independent and specialist news outlets, Project Censored noted, “there has been zero corporate media coverage of Amazon and Walmart’s surveillance and mistreatment of warehouse employees or of Oxfam’s At Work and Under Watch report.”

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don’t do these things just to be difficult.

Like in 2024, the shifting nature of my “best movies of the year” inspired me to rank them in tiers, rather than with a definitive ascending list. So here are 15 films I loved in 2025, arranged in alphabetical groups of five. If you saw some and loved them, great; if you’ve never even heard of some of the others, consider this a service to help create your next watch list.

PLACES 11 – 15:

It Was Just an Accident The Naked Gun The Phoenician Scheme The Plague Splitsville

PLACES 6 – 10:

Eephus: You don’t have to be in a place of contemplating your own mortality for cowriter/director Carson Lund’s hangout comedy—spending one day with community-league baseball teams playing their last game on a field that’s about to become a construction site—but it helps. While there’s plenty of shaggy charm to the dialogue and its friendly-slash-poking dudebanter, there’s also a melancholy edge to guys realizing that twilight is falling on their time in the sun, while the game they all love becomes something the next generation doesn’t care about at all.

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Zodiac Killer Project

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Wake Up Dead Man

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PLACES 1 – 5:

The Things You Kill

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The Mastermind: Kelly Reichardt’s latest patient character study comes wrapped in the trappings of a Vietnam War-era heist thriller about married dad James (Josh O’Connor) planning a theft from a local art museum.

Yes, things go wrong with the plan, but the narrative is less about the theft itself than the context of the world in which privileged James doesn’t see his comfortable life as comfortable enough, while other families face far more existential challenges.

One Battle After Another: Paul Thomas Anderson delivers what might be his most conventionally thrilling feature film, in addition to finding timely material about what it means to fight the power as Pat (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ex-member of a revolutionary group, finds his past finally catching up with him and his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti). Anderson paints across an engagingly broad canvas, in a narrative that plays like an epic hero-origin story for Willa discovering the truth behind her family history and a legacy of trying to take down the system.

The Perfect Neighbor: Director Geeta Gandbhir’s documentary about a “Stand

Marty Supreme

A24 FILMS

I

Eephus

COURTESY PHOTO

BY SCOTT RENSHAW scottr@cityweekly.net @scottrenshaw

NETFLIX

The best films of 2025—including a few obscurities—(in)conveniently placed in groups of five.

CINEMA

Marty Supreme: Josh Safdie loves stories about on-the-make guys convinced that they’re smarter and more destined for victory than the rest of the world sees in them—and that’s certainly true of Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a Jewish youth in early 1950s New York convinced his skills as a table-tennis ace will lead him to the big time—if only he can get out of his own arrogant way. Chalamet’s performance might be his best ever, anchoring a blood-pressure-raising episodic narrative that builds to a weirdly emotional climax in which a Safdie hero finally has a different perspective on what it means to “win,” even if he probably still hasn’t.

The Things You Kill: Writer/director Alireza Khatami follows a Turkish academic named Ali (Ekin Koç) who begins to suspect that his father might have been responsible for the “accidental” death of his mother. Meanwhile, Ali befriends Reza, a new worker on Ali’s small farm, and it’s no coincidence that those two names together make up the filmmaker’s name, as he explores reconciling dueling parts of your psyche. But Khatami’s tense film ties that into cultural ideas of manhood, their accumulated impact over generations, and how terrifying it can be to wonder if you’ll become like your parent.

Wake Up Dead Man: Rian Johnson’s Benoit Blanc stories are always less about intellectual puzzles than they are moral ones; this richest example yet finds Blanc (Daniel Craig) consulting on a murder case at an upstate New York Catholic parish. Though it’s far from dour, there’s less of Johnson’s puckish humor in a meditation on American religiosity in the 21st century that’s both angry and heartbroken, with Josh O’Connor’s wonderful performance serving as the fulcrum. There’s a depth of feeling here beyond partisanship, finding entertainment and enlightenment in seeking the true heart of Christianity.

Zodiac Killer Project: Charlie Shackleton’s video essay begins from a failed attempt to secure movie rights to former California Highway Patrol officer Lyndon Lafferty’s memoir about his decades-long personal investigation into the identity of California’s notorious Zodiac serial killer. Without those rights, Shackleton ends up describing in detail the film he would have made, and in so doing crafts an amazing deconstruction of conventions and clichés within the ubiquitous “true-crime documentary” genre that also acknowledges why those predictable components can still be so appealing, delivered in a package that is itself a one-of-a-kind creation. CW

MUSIC BOX FILMS

Tier Jerk

Your Ground” incident in Florida’s Marion County, in which Susan Lorincz shot her neighbor Ajike Owens through Lorincz’s front door, unfolds almost entirely through public records: police body-cam footage; interviews with witnesses; and ultimately, police interviews with Lorincz herself.

The result is a remarkable portrait of the neighborhood “Karen” as a toxic, almostcertainly-racist presence in a multi-racial neighborhood, and Gandbhir never has to resort to melodrama to convey the potential consequences of laws that allow someone to argue their fear might be more important than someone else’s life.

Peter Hujar’s Day: When you describe it as two actors performing the transcript of a 50-year-old interview, it hardly sounds like stirring cinema—but director Ira Sachs creates a major work out of visualizing the Dec. 19, 1974 conversation between photographer Peter Hujar (Ben Whishaw) and writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall), chronicling in detail what Hujar did the previous day. The conversation itself is lively and frequently amusing beyond its name-dropping reminder of a bygone era of New York intelligentsia, with Sachs’ visuals and use of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor providing an epic, Ulysses-like feel to the idea of one day in any human life.

Sinners: Ryan Coogler’s 1930s-set mix of horror, musical and socially-conscious drama—about twin brothers (both played

by Michael B. Jordan) returning from Chicago to their Mississippi hometown to open a backwoods juke joint—keeps firing off risky ideas, ranging from whether Black Americans have any chance to win at capitalism, to the consequences of “passing” as White, all while delivering something wildly entertaining. And if I read it correctly, it seems to incorporate one of the most audacious perspectives on Christianity and colonialism that I’ve ever seen a mainstream film attempt.

DINE

ALEX SPRINGER

Junah’s beef tartare

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Best Dishes of 2025 From itameshi to spit-roasted lamb, here are my favorite dining experiences from 2025.

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BY ALEX SPRINGER comments@cityweekly.net @captainspringer

18 | JANUARY 1, 2026

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always look forward to curating an annual roundup of the best stuff I ate in the course of a year, digging into the best and brightest of Utah’s culinary scene.

Every year, I see new patterns emerge that get me thinking about what is in store for our local restaurant culture as our collective palate continues to evolve.

This year was marked by some standout Asian restaurants, along with a few individual dining experiences that managed to leave me breathless. Based on this year’s top five list, I have high hopes that Utah will continue to show us great things in the years to come.

Junah (916 S. Jefferson Street, Ste. B, 801-382-9182, junahslc.com): It’s rare to encounter a restaurant that fires on all cylinders the way that Junah does. You want an eclectic menu that absolutely smacks you in the face with creativity and innovation? You got it. You want a space that evokes a high-quality aesthetic while remaining inviting to its diners? This is it.

You want friendly service that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the restaurant? Just check this place out already.

My mind has long been occupied with thoughts of Junah’s silky beef tartare on top of buttery potato pavé, the Atlantic cod with its crisp miso glaze and, of course,

the briny wonders of a mentaiko-infused pasta sauce. Chefs Hiro Tagai and Felipe Oliveira are two of the most exciting chefs working in Utah today, and as long as I can duck away inside this little Jefferson Street wonderland, I can handle whatever next year decides to throw at me.

Rouser (2 S. 400 West, 801-895-2858, rouserslc.com): After my first few visits to Rouser, it was clear that the Asher Adams Hotel restaurant is one of the best in town.

Executive Chef Emilio Camara has built an entire menu around the restaurant’s wood-fired Josper cooking hardware, and the Josper counter experience really lets you dig into what that means. Sure, any opportunity to chat up Chef Camara while he’s in his element is worth taking, and the spread that he and his team prepare is a wonderful use of the restaurant’s Josper oven, grill and rotisserie. The entire fourcourse meal makes full use of the Josper from the scorched lemon peel in the Japanese highball to the light charcoal sear on the hamachi. The surprise standout of the experience was the Josper ramen, whose burnt onion broth and porcelet pork belly are never far from my mind.

Bhansa Ghar (250 W. 2100 South, Ste. G, 385-420-4051, bhansagharut.com): Any place that serves up a lunch buffet is doing a true service to the community, and even more so if that buffet happens to be some of the best South Asian food in town.

Bhansa Ghar is such a place, and I try to take advantage of their great selection of biryani, butter chicken and kebabs. It’s true that Bhansa Ghar has some stiff competition when it comes to local South Asian cuisine, it manages to keep its stride with its consistent quality and great service.

Oh, and did I mention momo corner? It’s a whole menu section dedicated to dumplings, both steamed and pan-fried, and it’s delightful. As is the expectation with a good South Asian restaurant, Bhansa Ghar

features some of the best plant-based food around, and yes, there are veggie momos on momo corner.

Manoli’s (402 Harvey Milk Boulevard, 801-532-3760, manolison9th.com): Slipping a James Beard Award finalist on my year-end list seems like a bit of an obvious choice, but there’s something special about Manoli’s that transcends all of the restaurant’s well-deserved accolades. I had the opportunity to attend one of Katrina Cutrubus and Manoli Katsanevas’ lamb dinners last summer, where I was also introduced to Josh Lambros of Lambros Farms, who provided the lamb for this occasion. When you get to hang out with the person who provided the main course of a stellar dinner party, along with the person who so beautifully prepared it, your perspective on food gets a nice, radical change for the better. Not only was this a spectacular meal bursting with old world flavors and community vibes, but it made me much more appreciative of our own local growers and the restaurants that support them.

9-UP Night Market (3390 S. State Street, 801-998-2286, 9upnightmarket.com): I’ve yet to experience the myriad food markets that line the streets of Taiwan, but I appreciate the people at 9-UP Night Market for bringing a bit of that culture to Utah.

Located on the far west side of South Salt Lake’s Chinatown Supermarket, 9-UP is a loving tribute to Taiwanese comfort food.

It’s the pork belly that does it—both in the restaurant’s burger-sized bao buns to its rice bowls, this 24-hour braised protein is truly decadent. In addition to its meatier options, 9-UP’s selection of snacks like the ten yen cheese coin and the brownbagged jiggle fries also make for great small bites if you’re just doing some shopping at the market. It’s a small, cozy spot to be sure, but those are the kinds of spots that keep the best secrets. CW

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A list of what local craft breweries and cider houses have on tap this week 2 Row Brewing 73 West 7200 South, Midvale 2RowBrewing.com On Tap: “Juicequake” Juicy Style IPA Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave, SLC avenuesproper.com On Tap: Apricaldera (Jalapeño Apricot Wheat Ale) Bewilder Brewing 445 S. 400 West, SLC BewilderBrewing.com On Tap: Pink Boots - Pink Pony Pilz Bohemian Brewery 94 E. Fort Union Blvd, Midvale BohemianBrewery.com NEW Releases: Kölsch, Dusseldorfer “Alt” Bier Bonneville Brewery 1641 N. Main, Tooele BonnevilleBrewery.com On Tap: Peaches and Cream Ale Chappell Brewing 2285 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115 chappell.beer On Tap: Pie Hole - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale Craft by Proper 1053 E. 2100 So., SLC properbrewingco.com On Tap: I Am The Vvitch - golden ale with pumpkin and spices Desert Edge Brewery 273 Trolley Square, SLC DesertEdgeBrewery.com On Tap: Edge’s Special Bitter ESB Epic Brewing Co. 825 S. State, SLC EpicBrewing.com On Tap: Six New Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout Variants Etta Place Cidery 700 W Main St, Torrey EttaPlaceCider.com On Tap: Legendary Cider, Mango-Habanero Session Mead Fisher Brewing Co. 320 W. 800 South, SLC FisherBeer.com On Tap: Rotating up to 17 Beers!

Grid City Beer Works 333 W. 2100 South, SLC GridCityBeerWorks.com On Tap: Barrel-aged Imperial Brown Ale

Offset Bier Co 1755 Bonanza Dr Unit C, Park City offsetbier.com/ On Tap: DOPO IPA

SaltFire Brewing 2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake SaltFireBrewing.com On Draft: Vanilla Dirty Chai Stout

Ogden Beer Company 358 Park Blvd, Ogden OgdenBeerCompany.com On Tap: 11 rotating taps as well as high point cans and guest beers

Salt Flats Brewing 2020 Industrial Circle, SLC SaltFlatsBeer.com On Tap: OPEN ROAD SERIES #3 Barrel Aged Grand Cru

Park City Brewing 1764 Uinta Way C1 ParkCityBrewing.com On Tap: Jupe-Pow Rice Lager *Now available in cans togo*

Scion Cider Bar 916 Jefferson St W, SLC Scionciderbar.com On Tap: Scion Cider Smoke Show 10.5% ABV

Hopkins Brewing Co. 1048 E. 2100 South, SLC HopkinsBrewingCompany.com On Tap: Friendly Introduction Pale Ale

Prodigy Brewing 25 W Center St. Logan Prodigy-brewing.com On Tap: 302 Czech Pilsner

Second Summit Cider 4010 So. Main, Millcreek https://secondsummitcider.com On Tap: Coconut Stout Cider 7% ABV

Kiitos Brewing 608 W. 700 South, SLC KiitosBrewing.com On Tap: Nectaron Hazy IPA, Ube Fonio

Proper Brewing/Proper Burger 857 So. Main & 865 So. Main properbrewingco.com On Tap: Gungan Sith Lord (Czech Dark Lager)

Kiitos Brewing Sugar House Bar 1533 S. 1100 East, SLC KiitosBrewing.com On Tap: Nectaron Hazy IPA, Ube Fonio

Proper Brewing Moab 1393 US-191, Moab properbrewingco.com On Tap: Gungan Sith Lord (Czech Dark Lager)

Level Crossing Brewing Co. 2496 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake LevelCrossingBrewing.com On Tap: Hefe Goldbloom Hefeweizen

Red Rock Brewing 254 So. 200 West RedRockBrewing.com On Tap: Gypsy Scratch

Heber Valley Brewing 501 N. Main Street, Heber City, UT hebervalleybrewing.com Freshly Canned: Split Decision - Belgian Style Dubbel Ale 7.2% ABV Helper Beer 159 N Main Street, Helper, UT helperbeer.com

Level Crossing Brewing Co., POST 550 South 300 West, Suite 100, SLC LevelCrossingBrewing.com On Tap: Vienna Lager Moab Brewing 686 S. Main, Moab TheMoabBrewery.com On Tap: “Big Drop” West Coast Pilsner Mountain West Cider 425 N. 400 West, SLC MountainWestCider.com On Tap: Eternal Sunshine Hard Cider (Clementine and anise)

Red Rock Fashion Place 6227 So. State Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Grand Bavaria Red Rock Kimball Junction 1640 Redstone Center Redrockbrewing.com On Tap: Bamberg Rauch Bier RoHa Brewing Project 30 Kensington Ave, SLC RoHaBrewing.com On Tap: Dog Tag IPA 5th Tour (Veterans Blend Hops) Roosters Brewing Multiple Locations RoostersBrewingCo.com On Tap: Peacan Pie Ale

Shades Brewing 1388 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City ShadesBrewing.beer New Batch: Raspberry Pistachio Sour Ale Shades On State 366 S. State Street, Salt Lake City Shadesonstate.com On Tap: Six Wheat Under Hefeweizen Silver Reef 4391 S. Enterprise Drive, St. George SGBev.com Squatters Brew Pub Sugar House 2110 S. Highland Drive, SLC squatterspubs.com On Tap: Top of Main Coalition Hellfire Chili Pepper Ale Squatters Brew Pub West Valley 3555 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City squatterspubs.com On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Hef Baum Hefeweizen Squatters Pub Brewery / Salt Lake Brewing Co. 147 W. Broadway, SLC squatterspubs.com On Tap: Salt Lake Brewing Co. Velvet Brimley Oatmeal Stout

Squatters Top of Main Brewpub & Brewery 250 Main, Park City, Utah squatterspubs.com On Tap: Top of Main Mother Urban’s Parlor Blonde Ale Strap Tank Brewery, Lehi 3661 Outlet Pkwy, Lehi, UT StrapTankBrewery.com On Tap: “Virgil the Guide” (Italian Pilsner); “Smiles und Sunshine” (German Leichtes Weizen) Strap Tank Brewery, Springville 596 S 1750 W, Springville, UT StrapTankBrewery.com On Tap: “Orange Hopsicle” Hazy Pale; “Trouble” American Sour with Mango and Passionfruit TF Brewing 936 S. 300 West, SLC TFBrewing.com On Tap: Twelve taps and high point cans available.

Talisman Brewing Co. 1258 Gibson Ave, Ogden TalismanBrewingCo.com On Tap: Goggle Fogger - Hazy IPA; 12th St. Wheat Thieves Guild Cidery 117 W. 900 South, SLC thievesguildcidery.com NEW: Thunderclap - Juicy tropical-hopped cider | 6.5% Uinta Brewing 1722 S. Fremont Drive, SLC UintaBrewing.com On Tap: Was Angeles Craft Beer UTOG 2331 Grant Ave, Ogden UTOGBrewing.com On Tap: Bar Down IPA Vernal Brewing 55 S. 500 East, Vernal VernalBrewing.com Zion Brewery 95 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale ZionBrewery.com

BEER

Best of Beers 2025

NERD

The year’s most exceptional craft creations.

BY MIKE RIEDEL comments@cityweekly.net @utahbeer

I

MIKE RIEDEL

Open Late

Gluten Free, Vegetarian & Vegan Options AREMPAS_BAR • www.arempas.com • Downtown • Midvale • Orem

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JANUARY 1, 2026 | 21

remains restrained and polished, adding depth without overshadowing the fruit.

The result is beautifully balanced, complex enough for reflection but light and refreshing enough to disappear quickly.

Maple Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Brown Ale – Grid City Beer Works (Imperial Brown): Bordering on barleywine territory, this barrel-aged brown opens with rich bourbon aroma. Maple and oak weave through a plush malt body that leans more nougat than toffee, giving it a soft, confectionary warmth. Light carbonation enhances its silky texture. Decadent but never heavy, boozy but not aggressive, it’s a refined and thoughtful barrel-aged beer.

Hoptology – A. Fisher Brewing (Double NE-IPA): A haze-lover’s delight, Hoptology surges with pineapple, peach and tangerine, followed by hints of melon toward the finish. The rising alcohol creates a mild palate-numbing effect, yet the fruit expression stays bold and bright—playful, potent, and unmistakably Fisher.

Big Crispy – Bewilder Brewing Co. (Pilsner – West Coast): An unconventional pilsner, Big Crispy leads with melon, peach, and citrus before shifting into herbal and spruce-like hop character. It’s big on flavor yet maintains the crispness expected of the style—a boundary-pusher that still respects its roots.

Good News – Home Range Brewing (Saison): Soft peppery phenolics introduce this foeder-aged saison, followed by subtle citrus zest and light bubblegum notes. It finishes dry with a touch of oak, resulting in an elegant, quietly expressive beer that rewards slow sipping.

Fonio Fusion – Kiitos Brewing (IPA – Other): This IPA defies classification.

Brewed with a 50/50 blend of pils malt and the sustainable West African grain fonio, it bursts with lychee-like flavors.

Citra and Vera hops drive the citrus-forward character, but from there it reads like a modern American IPA—unique, refreshing and remarkably tasty.

The year in beer was too much fun, gliding across styles, philosophies and palates.

Here’s to the brewers who keep pushing, refining and inspiring: Cheers! CW

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f 2025 proved anything, it’s that Utah’s breweries continue to push boundaries while honoring classic traditions. This year delivered a kaleidoscope of styles— brash hop bombs, delicate pilsners, vibrant farmhouse ales, and barrel-aged gems that stretched category lines. After a year of tasting, revisiting and marveling, these are my 10 brews that defined 2025.

These beers are in no particular order.

Fire On the Mountain – Epic Brewing Company (IPA – American): Some beers announce themselves before the first sip, and this one practically kicks the door down. Its “big nug” aroma is chewy, dank and distinctly cannabis-adjacent, layered with citrus and stone fruit in an aromatic blitz. The fruit density is almost tactile— a collision of juicy brightness and deep, weedy resonance that makes this one of the year’s most memorable IPAs. Epic’s hop mastery shines throughout.

Schloss Tor – Helper Beer (Pilsner – German): A flawless German pilsner remains a humble miracle, and Schloss Tor hits every note with clarity. Cracker-like malt delivers biscuit and bread crust, while noble hops add a bright herbal pop.

Clean, crisp, and meticulously structured, it stands out for disciplined execution rather than flash. Helper proves again that doing “simple” perfectly is often the most impressive achievement.

Nothing But Lasers – Offset Bier (Imperial IPA): Offset pushes hop saturation to its limit, as waves of stone fruit, ripe honeydew and berries create a nearly decadent sensory overload. The immense hopping is felt in the flavor, aroma and even the lingering “hoppy burps.” This full-throttle DIPA remains balanced despite its excess, one of Offset’s most intense expressions yet.

Fresh Pickins – Red Rock Brewing Co. (IPL): Fresh-hop beers are fleeting celebrations of harvest season, and Fresh Pickins is a standout. Brewed with 135 pounds of fresh Amarillo, this IPL bursts with piney resin, citrus zest and a vivid herbal edge. Chewy and satisfyingly bitter, it balances vibrant hops with a firm pilsner malt backbone. The lingering bitterness is both bold and elegant—an absolute must-try.

The Pasture – T.F. Brewing (Farmhouse – Spontaneous): Among TF’s spontaneously fermented offerings, this is their most compelling yet. Citrus leads the charge—orange, lemon and yuzu peel rise from a moderately tart base. Funk

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the

BACK BURNER

BY ALEX SPRINGER |

@captainspringer

The Roof Restaurant Reopens

I’m a little late to the game with this one, but The Roof Restaurant (theroofslc.com) on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building has officially reopened. It has been closed as part of the renovations happening with Temple Square for the past few months, and the glow-up that this downtown classic has received is substantial. Where the previous restaurant was as close to fine dining as a buffet can get, the reimagined space offers a curated, a la carte experience with featured tasting menus.

On top of the new service model, the space itself is looking quite posh, which is a nice complement to the excellent views of downtown SLC from the restaurant’s windows.

Mama Bird Southern Kitchen Opens

A new Southern restaurant called Mama Bird Southern Kitchen recently opened in West Jordan. It’s still early on, but so far I’m seeing pics of huge burgers, fried chicken and waffles, thick slices of brisket, deviled eggs and trifle-like layered desserts served in mason jars. I’ve long been a sucker for Southern food, and a Southern spot with deviled eggs and brisket seems right up my alley. Located in the Jordan Landing area, this new spot is looking like a great place to grab a bite to eat before hitting a movie or doing some shopping. With a menu like this, my curiosity is most definitely piqued.

AI-generated Recipes Are Ruining the Holidays

Finding recipes online is pretty much a compulsion for me during the holidays, as I haven’t quite landed on the perfect holiday dish just yet. That said, I recently learned that AI-generated recipes have been making the rounds online, and you can imagine how well that turns out. As cooking is one of the many art forms that AI completely sucks at, these recipes tend not to work out so well. Joanne Gallagher, co-founder of recipe website Inspired Taste points out that these recipes can usually be spotted with a close read-through before actually getting your prep work done. This holiday season, make sure to double check those online recipes for accuracy before you screw something up.

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T

Sisters of the Moon

up, from the tour managers of big bands and some of my favorite producers wanting to write together. Expect new releases to start early 2026, leading up to the debut album and a lot of live shows.

Floatinaround: With the wrapping up of our first full-length album this last October, I was shown again that the musical drive for me has never been the conclusion of something, but the squishy middle part: When an idea strikes seemingly out of nowhere. That pull that pushes you towards the pen. When the cadence of a tune whispers silly words in your ear, and you sing them. You play. You bring it to its end, but then the most ridiculous thing happens: Another idea finds you in the spaces in between. You start over.

The highlight of music for me this year is tucked in the middle, of a piece started, but not yet finished. Where I get to play, and be silly and remember why I got into music in the first place. CW

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pot. Playing to a packed room, the band delivered one of their strongest performances yet, earning an unforgettable response from the crowd and solidifying themselves as a rising force in the tribute scene. The momentum continued as they took the stage at Snowbasin Ski Resort’s Blues & Brews Festival, performing for a lively festival crowd against the backdrop of the Wasatch mountains. Later in the year, another milestone followed when they sold out the Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork, a testament to their growing reach and loyal following.

PIGDOG: PIGDOG started this year, so that was a big moment to release some original music, all recorded and mixed in my living room.

I took a break from releasing because I’m working on an album, exploring the meaning of desire and addiction. In the last couple months, I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities for collaboration come

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he Proper Way: In February, we were part of the house band for Sammy Brue’s Justin Townes Earle tribute show at The State Room, and got to play alongside—and spend some quality time with— some of our favorite people and musicians in the area. And we made a bunch of new friends. In July, we made City Weekly’s IT list, which was a huge honor! And we sincerely mean that.

While musicians are going to make their art regardless of any attention they may or may not get, it means a lot to feel appreciated. So, thank you, City Weekly.

In November, we released our cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight”—a song that Scott and Carrie began recording about a decade ago, before the band even existed, but around the time we all met one another. It’s a very, very different sound for us, while also being entirely us: It’s basically an electric piano, a banjo and vocals; our good buddy Mike Lomax played drums on it.

It’s funny—all of this rushes by us in a blur of gigs and long road trips, load-ins, set-ups, tear-downs, load-outs, fast food, Spotify playlists, coffee runs, working out three-part harmonies by singing in the truck and episodes of A History of Rock and Roll in 500 Songs. But seeing these highlights makes us realize again and again how lucky we are to get to do this.

SISTERS OF THE MOON IG

Local music scene folks share their 2025 highlights.

Our endless thanks to everyone who makes all of this possible.

Kyle Sage Cox (photographer): Music photography has brought great experiences and opportunities as I’ve pushed myself to be involved, support the amazing artists in SLC, and improve as a photographer this year. Some of my favorite shows of 2025 highlight ways sound can combine with lighting and performance to make live music extra special: Handmade props, violin soundscapes and movement came together in the engaging performance piece “Paper Cowboy” by Lisa DeFrance, Kevin Van Yserloo and Jason Glover, put on collaboratively by Yardwork Presents and Sunday Drip. I really enjoyed capturing such an immersive performance. Each month, Sunday Drip showcases local artists at Sugar Space—often ambient and electronic musicians.

The October iteration featured a stunning multimedia performance with flugelhorn, aerial dance and electronics by Briana Gillet, Nora Mal and Carina Gillet.

It was a joy to be there and a fun challenge to photograph dance alongside live sound creation. Experimental music night at the International is another series I enjoy capturing. At the experimental music night in June and their album release show, Noise Group played their signature explorative sound with dazzling refracted op art projection visuals by Auddvisual to match the album artwork. What an experience!

I also have to mention Hyphafest and Far Out Fest 5, two amazing local music festivals showcasing some of the finest and most adventurous musicians and artists around. I loved taking photos and videos of the wide variety of performances— psychedelic, punk, metal, orchestral rock, ambient, folk and all kinds of experimental music. Both festivals took me on journeys sonically and visually.

Sisters of the Moon (all-female Fleetwood Mac tribute band): At the peak of the year was a career-defining moment: opening for The Iron Maidens at The De-

MUSI

That Was the (Music) Year That Was

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JANUARY 1, 2026 | 23

MUSIC PICKS

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DJ and producer Tchami (Martin Bresso) is pushing dance music forward with future house music, and is coming to Park City to share his vision. Bresso started out in France and made his way to major festivals, so you may have seen him at Hard Summer, EDC and even Coachella. What exactly is “future house?” It’s a genre that is about paying homage to the history of house music, but also finding innovative ways to push the genre forward with new sounds and textures. It’s a blend of soulful vocals with heavy bass and the traditional house funk, a more modern electronic energy mixed with a bit of U.K. garage, hip-hop and gospel music for a transcendental feeling. Bresso often wears a priest outfit while DJing, symbolizing his desire for the audience to connect on a spiritual level with his sets. From back in 2015, his song “Move Your Body” was already ahead of its time, bringing deep bliss to listeners. “Waiting,” “R 2 ME” and “Late Night Secrets” all dropped in 2025, and showcase how Bresso has continued his legacy of evolving house music.

Bresso’s talent for combining deeply personal lyrics with a dance-floor focus makes his shows an incredible experience. If you’re not too tired from the New Year’s Eve parties, check out Tchami at The Marquis on Friday, Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $105 for this 21+ event, which will sell out quickly. Go to stubhub.com. (Arica Roberts)

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Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton @ Egyptian Theatre 1/2-4

SHEENA EASTON WEBSITE

MUSIC PICKS

At age 66, Sheena Easton is now a far cry from the young Scottish lass whose first major American hit, “Morning Train,” imagined her as a demure housewife waiting patiently for her husband’s return at the end of his working day. Not that she maintained that modest posture; her recording of the title tune of the James Bond blockbuster For Your Eyes Only, her subsequent cover of Prince’s “U Got the Look” and her emergence as a disco diva who aroused the ire of PG crusader Tipper Gore with the cover of another Prince classic, “Sugar Walls,” led to her becoming the first and only artist to achieve a Top Five hit on each of Billboard’s major singles charts. In that regard, Easton not only defied categorization, but also was able to maintain success from the ’80s onward—no small feat given the fickle nature of the music biz. Her popularity has been sustained by her commanding live performances and the ongoing re-release of her early albums. A six-time Grammy nominee and two-time Grammy winner, Easton can also claim combined record sales of over 20 million records worldwide, 15 Top 40 hits, and seven Top 10 singles, including a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot 100. As her early hit “Modern Girl” once confirmed, Easton continues to keep up with the times. Sheena Easton performs at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City on Friday, Jan. 2 - Saturday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $50-$60 at parkcityshows.com. (Lee Zimmerman)

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SAVE ON DINING ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE |CONCERTS

Stage Fright album release show @ Kilby Court 1/6

Album-release shows are some of the most fun events you can end up at, especially as a new year rings in: Think fresh music for a fresh start. The second album by Stage Fright—an alt/dream pop/shoegaze group who bring a unique and interesting sound to the mix of genres—Patterns released on Dec. 12, but this show will officially christen the new project. The band has noted that Patterns is “dedicated to shitty men, beautiful women and horses.” If that sounds like your vibe, you’ll want to check this new album out. The opening track “Drive” starts with ethereal electronic effects before a strumming guitar comes in, further setting the mood; the soft vocals will draw you in and have you feeling relaxed in an instant. The following track “Break” picks up the tempo, but still features soft sounding instruments and pulsing electronic effects that bring the peaceful and chill vibes. Later on, they bring in acoustic guitar and delicate harmonics, offering listeners an alluring adventure. Stage Fright won’t be alone, as locals You Shall Know Our Velocity and Bella Woods join to help launch the new album. You don’t want to miss this all-ages show on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Grab tickets at 24tix.com.

(Emilee Atkinson)

Dean Lewis @ The Complex 1/7

Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis began his professional musical career in 2014 and first appeared on the pop-music landscape in 2017. His debut single “Waves” was a hit in Australia, and gained exposure in the U.S. thanks to sync licensing on Magnum P.I., Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale and several other popular shows. A 2018 single, “Be Alright” was an even bigger success, gaining Lewis his first (and to date only) U.S. Top 40 hit. His 2019 debut album A Place We Knew earned Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum sales in eight countries, reaching number 31 in the U.S.; 2022’s The Hardest Love performed more modestly, but still earned Lewis a Gold record in three countries. His third and most recent album, The Epilogue, was released in late 2024, reaching number 2 in Australia and earning positive critical notices. He embarked upon a world tour to promote the release, but amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, in October 2025 Lewis announced a hiatus during which he would seek therapy. His touring schedule now resumes, continuing into February and throughout North America, with many dates selling out in advance.

Dean Lewis comes to The Complex on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $103 at vividseats.com. (Bill Kopp)

free will ASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Before major eruptions, volcanoes may emit harmonic tremors. Lasting for hours or days, they are signals that pressure is building. A similar phenomenon is simmering in your sphere, Aries. Be alert. What rhythmic clues are vibrating through your system? What pressure is mounting that could eventually erupt? I’m not saying you should interpret them with a worried mind. In fact, they are offering you valuable intelligence about what needs to be released. You can either ignore them and let the eruption surprise you, or you can pay attention and arrange for controlled venting.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Your heartbeat isn’t regular like a metronome, but slightly irregular. The phenomenon is called heart rate variability and is a sign of health. A perfectly regular heartbeat is actually a warning sign. Your heart knows something your mind might not believe: Perfect consistency is pathological.

Variation is vitality. The rhythm of life includes the beautiful irregularity of a system that’s alive enough to respond and adapt. Keep these truths uppermost in mind during 2026, Taurus. You will thrive on changeability and fluctuation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

The Greenland shark waits for animals to fall asleep, then eats them while they’re unconscious. Since it’s too slow to chase anything, it has evolved a patient approach to hunting. It acts on the understanding that everything eventually lets its guard down. I suggest you cultivate similar patience in 2026, Gemini. There’s no need to rush toward what you want. Position yourself correctly and wait for moments of opportunity. You’re playing a long game.

Atmospheric rivers are massive moisture highways in the sky. Meteorologists have been documenting newly identified patterns in how these marvels work. They’ve learned that tiny changes in ocean temperature can redirect thousands of miles of incoming rain. This will be an excellent metaphor for you in 2026, dear Cancerian. You’ll be in atmospheric-river mode. Small shifts in perspective and slight recalibrations of intention will send your momentum flowing in different and better directions. No drama required! Simple micro-adjustments will reroute larger currents. Attend devotedly and zestfully to the subtleties.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is made of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed when ancient lava cooled and contracted. Legend says a giant built it as a bridge to Scotland. Both stories are true, one geologically and the other mythologically. Your life in the coming months will remind you that multiple explanations can coexist without canceling each other. The scientific story of lava cooling doesn’t make the giant story less meaningful.

The giant story doesn’t make the geology less accurate.

Conclusion: You don’t have to choose between competing narratives about your life as if only one can be true. What if both are? The practical explanation and mythic explanation describe the same phenomenon from different angles.

You can be both the cooling lava and the giant building the bridge.

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. He helped ensure its core technologies were released to the world without patents or royalties.

Universal, open access mattered more to him than personal profit. That single decision was a profound gift to the world. Billions benefited. In his generous spirit, dear Capricorn, I’ll ask whether there are any ideas, knowledge or resources you’re holding in reserve that could multiply through sharing. In 2026, I invite you to be like Berners-Lee: a magnanimous strategist who understands that things may gain value through distribution, not restriction. Your intelligence will be worth more unleashed than protected.

Your innovations will need the crowd to fulfill their purpose

Celebrating

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In the myths of Mali’s Dogon people, Nommo is an amphibious, telepathic being who brought language, rhythm and balance to Earth—and then departed. If things fall out of harmony, it’s believed, Nommo will return, speaking the lost syllables that realign the cosmos. You’re a bit like Nommo these days, Aquarius. Parts of your world may be in disarray, and your sacred task is to listen for the lost syllables. What’s missing in the dialogue? What notes aren’t being sung? If you seek gently and speak truly, restoration will follow.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

The longest chess game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves, but most games end in under 40. Chess masters don’t win by seeing every possibility. Instead, they recognize patterns and anticipate which paths are worth exploring. Let’s apply this as a useful metaphor, Pisces.

In 2026, it’s crucial that you don’t waste energy by considering improbable scenarios that will never materialize.

You should be determined not to miss emerging themes because you’re busy calculating unlikely variations. In my prognosis, you don’t need to see further; you need to see more precisely and accurately. The chess master’s advantage isn’t exhaustive analysis; it’s knowing what to ignore.

90 percent of your options don’t matter. Ten percent do.

Go to realastrology.com for Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text-message horoscopes.

Audio horoscopes also available by phone at 877-873-4888 or 900-950-7700.

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Vault doors often require two keys, turned simultaneously, to open. Why? Such a practice furthers risk reduction and fraud prevention. Let’s make this a potent metaphor for you in 2026, Libra. It will symbolize cooperation and balance as well as an enhancement of your security. The treasures

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

A N E W D AY S PA

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The U.S. Library of Congress adds 60,000 items to its collection every week but only catalogs a fraction of them immediately. So vast amounts of knowledge sit there, acquired but not yet processed, waiting for librarians to create the finding aids that make them accessible. You’re in a similar situation, Virgo. You’ve accumulated extraordinary amounts of information, experience and skill. But how much of it is cataloged? How much is accessible when you need it? In the coming months, I hope you won’t acquire more.

Instead, you will spend time with your archives and process what you have already gathered. What do you know that you’ve forgotten you know? What experiences hold wisdom you’ve never extracted?

In December 1968, U.S. astronaut Bill Anders was orbiting the moon inside the Apollo 8 spacecraft. He snapped a photo that showed the Earth as a blue-and-white sphere rising over the gray lunar surface against the blackness of space. This iconic image helped fuel the environmental movement and transformed how humans visualized their home. You’re at a comparable pivot, Scorpio. In 2026, you will see familiar situations from new angles, and this will reorganize your understanding of how life works. That’s a good thing! Be alert for watershed moments that bring revolutionary blessings.

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Certain fungi can break down pollutants like pesticides and plastics into less toxic substances. These mushrooms digest what’s considered indigestible, transforming poison into nutrients. I suspect you will have a metaphorically comparable capacity in 2026, dear Leo: a superpower that enables you to metabolize blight and taint. I predict you will exult as you eliminate stuff that’s useless and harmful.

Please indulge your unusual talent to the max!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

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CANCER (June 21-July 22)

you’ll be trying to access will require dual input. One key is yours: intellect, agility, charm, initiative. The second must come from a collaborator, mentor, friend, an unexpected stranger or even a spirit guide. Just assume that the vault won’t open through brilliance alone. It will require synchronization.

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ere it is, the end of a hell of a year.

There’s so much commentary out there about what went wrong in the world and this country—I don’t need to add my two cents to the negativity. Instead, how about we venture into some year-end house porn and see what the highest real estate sales were in 2025?

Per the Wasatch Front MLS, Utah’s highest sale was in January in Park City, a 14,000 square foot home with seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and a four-car garage on 5.76 acres in the White Pine Canyon subdivision. At a cash price of $27,875,000, it topped all records at $1,909 per square foot.

Amenities inside include a fitness room with morning bar, pickleball/ basketball court, wellness massage room and high-end finishes like an Onyx slab entry and Shinnoki oak wall finishes. Outside, the home features a covered outdoor BBQ kitchen and dining space, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, fully heated decks, walkways and driveway. It was listed by Engel & Völkers and sold by Summit Sotheby’s.

Two other estates in the same subdivision sold last year: a 15,000 square foot home with eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms for $25,787,514, by Berkshire Hathaway; and another for $26,600,000, also around 15,000 square feet, five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, listed by Berkshire Hathaway and sold

by Engel & Völkers. The other highest sale was at Marcella at Deer Valley East Village for $18.4 million, with 8,000 square feet, six bedrooms and nine bathrooms, listed by Berkshire Hathaway and sold by Summit Sotheby’s.

The most expensive home sale I could find in the country was a beachfront compound in Naples, Florida for $133 million. That area is an ultra-luxury market that has low property taxes and excellent privacy. Two additional properties (one on each side) also sold, making the hat trick of three sales for $225 million. The highest sale ever of a residential transaction that I could find was for a penthouse along Central Park in Manhattan for $238 million in 2019.

In Salt Lake County, an 11,000 square foot home with four bedrooms and nine bathrooms just closed escrow in December for $11.1 million in Olympus Cove. The buyer and seller were represented by Summit Sotheby’s.

Washington County had a $7.3 million sale in Westgage Hills—a 9,000 square foot home with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, listed by ERA Brokers Consolidated. In Davis County, the highest sales price was $4,588,000 in Shepard Heights in Farmington, with 10,000 square feet, six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, listed and sold by Summit Sotheby’s. In Utah County, a home sold for $10,365,000 in October in Old Orchard Estates, listed by Summit Sotheby’s and sold by Real Broker, LLC. With one of the biggest concerns of 2025 being housing affordability, it looks like the rich aren’t suffering too much here in the state. But when the average Joe or Jane working 40 hours per week can’t afford a two-bedroom home here or in the U.S., the market looks bleak for 2026. n

Content is prepared expressly for Community and is not endorsed by City Weekly staff.

THE FREEMIX

© 2026

BY MATT JONES

10. Palm fruit 11. Miffed 12. H.S. seniors’ exams 14. “There She Goes” band 17. Sketcher’s eraser 21. Live in harmony 23. Day, in Hebrew 26. What some filters filter 27. Actor who plays villainous leader McCone in 2025’s “The Running Man” 30. Follow the first part of an itinerary, perhaps 31. With higher chances 35. Photo that takes a while to capture 38. Surfaces 40. XLI times V 43. Plushie for the little ones 45. President of France, 1995-2007 47. “All the Devils ___ Here” (2025 film) 52. Attention-getting noises 53. Vulcan on “Star Trek: Voyager” 55. Camera roll contents

56. ___ history 57. “Trooper” prefix 58. “Eye of ___ and toe of frog ...”

59. “___ & Kim” (2000s Australian sitcom with a failed U.S. remake) 63. World Series winners in 2004 or 2005, briefly

ACROSS

1. It’s represented by an octothorpe 8. “Count me out” 13. Slow cuisine?

15. Apres-ski drink 16. Laugh during a monologue?

18. “Crying in ___: A Memoir” (2021 Michelle Zauner book) 19. 9 of 12, for short 20. Printouts 22. It’s somewhere below 2 or 3 24. Corrida creature 25. Like some key soccer shots 28. Vacuum-seal, as a steak, maybe 29. ___ Grand (David Copperfield’s Vegas venue) 32. Quarters sharer 33. Is being awful online?

34. Fireplace residue 36. Old United rival 37. Official 39. What rappers rock 41. Pt. of some three-day weekends 42. Bangers 44. Lobbyist gp.

46. Harem ___ (Toronto hard rock band, not to be confused with an Elvis film) 48. Deep-fried general 49. Hamburger complaint?

50. Screen part 51. “Let’s be honest” 54. Dr. ___ Skoda of the “Law & Order” franchise 55. Go for a spare?

60. “Alias” equivalent 61. Fuming 62. Streamline, in a way 64. Billiards bounce 65. Meme caption once described as “arguably the most loathed Far Side strip ever” 66. Performs excellently 67. Highly abbreviated sign-off

DOWN

1. Surname of three acting brothers 2. Within human discovery 3. Blame bearers 4. “I doubt it!”

5. Corner 6. Title for a Turkish military leader 7. Lose it 8. Blood of Greek gods 9. Knit hat toppers

Last week’s answers

Complete the grid so that each row, column, diagonal and 3x3 square contain all of the numbers 1 to 9. No math is involved. The grid has numbers, but nothing has to add up to anything else. Solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Solving time is typically 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your skill and experience.

WITH BABS DELAY

Broker, Urban Utah Homes & Estates, urbanutah.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

SUDOKU X

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30 | JANUARY 1, 2026

urban LIVING

NEWS of the WEIRD

We sell homes to all saints, sinners, sisterwives and...

SKIERS!

BY THE EDITORS AT ANDREWS MCMEEL

Editor’s note: News of the Weird extends greetings for a peaceful and happy new year full of memorable weird moments. While you’re ringing in 2026, enjoy some of our favorite items from earlier in 2025.

It’s a Mystery In Nottinghamshire, England, locals are perplexed about a monthly offering at the corner of Abbey Road and Wensor Avenue, United Press International reported on Jan. 6.

Starting over a year ago, on the second day of each month, a plate heaped peeled bananas has appeared at the intersection. Resident Clare Short said she put up a sign reading, “Please, respectfully, no more bananas! The uncollected plates and rotting bananas leave such a mess.” But on Jan. 2, a new plate appeared. “I think it’s a special thing for someone, and I wish them well,” Short said, adding that she has taken down her sign. “But if they could come back and clean up the mess a few days later that would be lovely.”

News That Sounds Like a Joke A high school teacher in Queensland, Australia, has taken to identifying as a cat, 7News-TV reported on Feb. 10. “Miss Purr,” as she prefers to be known, teaches at Marsden State High School, where she “screeches and growls when (her students) don’t listen,” one person posted on Facebook.

She also hisses and licks the backs of her hands during class and wears a headband with cat ears. One concerned mother said Miss Purr had made her daughter “purr for a lolly.” The Department of Education said the school was aware of the complaints and the principal is speaking with the teacher.

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Creme de la Weird Neil Hopper, 49, a vascular surgeon from Truro, England, has been the subject of a 2 1/2-year investigation after he allegedly tried to defraud two insurance companies, The Guardian reported on July 23. Devon and Cornwall police said that in 2019 he “made a false representation to insurers, namely the injuries to his legs were the result of sepsis and were not self-inflicted.” Hopper is accused of amputating his own legs in the scheme, hoping to gain $320,000 from one company and $314,000 from the other. Before his legal problems, he was shortlisted in the European Space Agency’s search for an astronaut with a disability. He was scheduled to reappear in court on Aug. 26.

Suspicions Confirmed On July 23 in Tallahassee, Florida, police took a famous mouse into custody: Chuck E. Cheese. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Mr. Cheese, aka Jermell Jones, had been fingered as the person who stole a patron’s credit card in June and made fraudulent purchases with it. When police arrived at the famous restaurant, Jones, wearing his giant costume mouse head, was handcuffed and escorted out the front door in front of patrons young and old. Officers found the stolen credit card in his possession.

Defies Categorization In Manchester, England, a band called Bionic and the Wires is on the cutting edge of fun-guy (fungi) music, Metro News reported on Sept. 2. Jon Ross and Andy Kidd are producing music by attaching sensors to mushrooms and plants to turn their electrical signals into musical notes. The sensors are attached to bionic arms, which strike the instruments.

The different organisms create different beats. “It’s a really good way to connect with (plants and mushrooms) and a really sort of emotional experience,” Ross said.

The Aristocrats As if the idea of toddlers driving motor vehicles wasn’t breathtaking enough, now you can purchase a luxury car for your wee one, Oddity Central reported on Oct. 1. For the low, low price of $49,000, your tot can proudly sport around in a Russian-made scaled-down Mercedes-Benz SL300 with a top speed of 28 mph. The model, popular in the 1950s and ‘60s, features adjustable leather seats, functional lights and a subwoofer, for the kids’ refined listening tastes.

Happy motoring!

Just Had to Know Friends, acquaintances and other mourners at a funeral in Konchi, a village in Bihar, India, were stunned when Mohan Lal, the man whose funeral they were attending, rose and began taking part in the rituals of the Hindu service. Metro UK reported that the 74-year-old Lal, a retired Air Force veteran, is well-respected in Konchi for his work within the community—which, oddly enough, includes helping to fund and build a crematorium for the rainy seasons—but all of that goodwill didn’t stop Lal from carrying through his plan.

“I wanted to witness it myself and see how much respect and affection people give me,” Lal said. Reactions varied from shock to confusion to relief, but Lal was able to calm things down by throwing a feast for the attendees.

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JANUARY 1, 2026 | 31

Queen Olivia Jaquith co-anchors the WRGB-TV morning news in Albany, New York, with Julia Dunn, United Press

Broker/Owner 801-201-8824 babs@urbanutah.com www.urbanutah.com

Happy New Year! Julie “Bella” De Lay

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Awesome!

As of May 18, Landerneau, France, holds the distinction of being home to the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs, United Press International reported. Perhaps because of excitement about an upcoming Smurfs movie, the town gathered 3,076 costumed people together, breaking a record set in Germany in 2019. “Schtroumpfs,” as they are known in France, were created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford.

Babs De Lay

| COMMUNITY |

You Again?

Rescues are not uncommon on Mount Fuji, but one climber may have used up all the good will of the Shizouka prefectural police, who were called to save the man near the mountain’s peak twice in a span of four days. The imprudent adventurer, a 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan, began suffering from altitude sickness and was airlifted to safety after calling authorities on April 22; the Associated Press reported that he returned to the mountain on April 26 “to look for his cellphone and other belongings left behind,” according to police. When another climber found him suffering altitude sickness and unable to move, authorities were called in to rescue him once again. There is no penalty for climbing Mount Fuji during the offseason, and no charge associated with being rescued—even twice in the same week.

Saw That Coming The Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department responded to a boozy blaze on June 15, WMTV reported. Someone reported an oven fire around 6 p.m.; the caller told firefighters they had been cooking a turkey for about eight minutes when the oven door blew open. First responders removed the oven from the apartment, and the fire went out. They later learned the turkey had been marinated in tequila, and they believe the accumulated vapors from the alcohol were not properly vented from the oven, which caused the fire. No one was hurt (except the turkey).

| CITYWEEKLY.NET |

It’s a Dirty Job Nath Wyld is a star at Magic Men, a strip club in Prahran, Australia—or at least, he was, until he discovered a more lucrative line of work. Metro News reported on Feb. 10 that Wyld makes about 20,000 pounds a year by posting videos of himself passing gas on TikTok. The onetime carpenter joined OnlyFans in 2017 and soon made enough with his X-rated videos to quit his daytime job. About two years in, he got a request for a fart video, which he initially refused.

“I was blown away (no pun intended) by the demand and I have been making them ever since,” Wyld said. “Some want to see my facial expressions; others just want to see me from far away,” he said of the custom videos he makes. Wyld said he “starts bloated—kind of part of the process—and go through the video until I feel lighter by the end. ... I’ve been doing this long enough to know that everyone’s into their own thing, and that’s cool.”

International reported. On May 21, the pair shared some truly breaking news: At 4:15 a.m., Jaquith’s water had broken, but she went to work, and the show went on with her in the anchor seat. Jaquith, who was two days past her due date, said it was “early labor” and her contractions were far apart, but she headed to the hospital after the broadcast.

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32 | JANUARY 1, 2026

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