Katie McKellar

Katie McKellar

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Katie McKellar is a senior reporter at the Utah News Dispatch. She is based in Salt Lake City. She has worked in journalism for 10 years, specializing in government and policy reporting. Before coming to Utah News Dispatch, she led state and local political coverage for the state’s oldest newspaper, the Deseret News. She has won multiple awards from the Utah chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for her work reporting on city and county councils, the governor, and the Utah Legislature, covering every legislative session since 2014. She has particular expertise in growth and housing issues, and she’s most passionate about keeping Utahns informed about decisions that impact their daily lives.

Utah’s state parks see 12 million visits for 3rd year in a row. Here are the most popular
Utah

Utah’s state parks see 12 million visits for 3rd year in a row. Here are the most popular

Aug 21, 2026
Katie McKellar
For a third year in a row, Utah’s state parks recorded more than 12 million visits between July 2025 and June 2026, Utah State Parks announced in a blog post Wednesday. That marks the parks’ third-highest year of visitation on...
After data center debacle, Gov. Cox says MIDA has had ‘mission creep’ and needs ‘major reform’
Utah

After data center debacle, Gov. Cox says MIDA has had ‘mission creep’ and needs ‘major reform’

Aug 20, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Utah elected leaders have delegated much of their land use and taxing authority to the non-elected Military Installation Development Authority — the powerful independent state body that went from obscurity to infamy this summer after...
Utah governor says he’s ‘deeply troubled’ by Flock cameras, calls for review to protect privacy
Utah

Utah governor says he’s ‘deeply troubled’ by Flock cameras, calls for review to protect privacy

Aug 20, 2026
Katie McKellar
Amid growing apprehension around license plate cameras across the country — especially those that are part of the Flock Safety network — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters he shares concerns around privacy and whether those cameras are being misused...
ICE no longer intends to turn Salt Lake City warehouse into detention center, court filing says
Utah

ICE no longer intends to turn Salt Lake City warehouse into detention center, court filing says

Aug 19, 2026
Katie McKellar
Through their attorneys, Department of Homeland Security officials told Salt Lake City leaders that they “no longer intend to convert” a Salt Lake City warehouse purchased earlier this year for $145.4 million with now abandoned plans to turn it into...
Utah leaders meet to drill down on more changes for homelessness, mental health and jails
Utah

Utah leaders meet to drill down on more changes for homelessness, mental health and jails

Aug 18, 2026
Katie McKellar
Inspired by the “ Miami model ” in Florida — where Miami-Dade County has been diverting nonviolent people with mental illness away from jails and into mental health facilities — Utah state, city and county leaders are taking the next...
Environmental groups file FTC complaint against Utah’s pro-nuclear energy campaign
Utah

Environmental groups file FTC complaint against Utah’s pro-nuclear energy campaign

Aug 17, 2026
Katie McKellar
Mary Dickson , a downwinder from Salt Lake City who has survived thyroid cancer, said when she first saw Utah’s pro-nuclear billboards earlier this year while driving to Idaho, “I wanted to scream.” The state-funded billboards with messages like “nuclear...
Another 2 Utah Supreme Court seats need to be filled. Here’s who made the list
Utah

Another 2 Utah Supreme Court seats need to be filled. Here’s who made the list

Aug 07, 2026
Katie McKellar
The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission has selected 12 nominees — three women and nine men — that Utah Gov. Spencer Cox may choose from when deciding how to fill two vacancies on the newly expanded Utah Supreme Court . The...
Utah, feds strike $18 million deal to help repair damage from Cottonwood Fire
Utah

Utah, feds strike $18 million deal to help repair damage from Cottonwood Fire

Aug 06, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz on Thursday struck an $18.4 million deal to help Beaver and Piute counties recover from wildfire and flooding damage. Cox and Schultz signed the agreement Thursday ahead of touring...
More Utah forests are burning than ever before. Here’s why that matters
Utah

More Utah forests are burning than ever before. Here’s why that matters

Aug 05, 2026
Katie McKellar
New research shows Utah, though it’s only halfway through its wildfire season, is seeing unprecedented burns in woodland and forest areas — and that trend poses “concerning” economic and ecological threats. That’s according to Phil Dennison, a professor in the...
New federal Medicaid rule threatens more coverage on top of Congress’ cuts, Utah advocates say
Utah

New federal Medicaid rule threatens more coverage on top of Congress’ cuts, Utah advocates say

Jul 30, 2026
Katie McKellar
A substitute teacher who doesn’t want her healthcare coverage to lapse while school’s out in the summer. A single mother of five who almost permanently lost her eyesight from tears in her retinas. A mother who left an abusive relationship...
Utah eyes applications for new independent medical cannabis pharmacy in ‘underserved’ area
Utah

Utah eyes applications for new independent medical cannabis pharmacy in ‘underserved’ area

Jul 29, 2026
Katie McKellar
Next week, Utah state officials will begin accepting applications to license a new independent medical cannabis pharmacy to be located in a “medically underserved” or rural area with a population that’s smaller than Salt Lake, Utah, Davis or Weber counties...
Utah ranks No. 1 overall state for a 4th year in a row — but it was dinged for its air quality
Utah

Utah ranks No. 1 overall state for a 4th year in a row — but it was dinged for its air quality

Jul 28, 2026
Katie McKellar
For a fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Utah the No. 1 overall state in the nation, citing high performance in multiple categories including economy, fiscal stability and infrastructure. However, Utah ranked low, No...