Katie McKellar

Katie McKellar

[email protected]

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 House speaker ‘extremely disappointed’ in how JCC handled Hagen investigation
Utah

Utah House speaker ‘extremely disappointed’ in how JCC handled Hagen investigation

Oct 01, 2026
Katie McKellar
In reaction to an audit released Wednesday that was critical of Utah’s Judicial Conduct Commission, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said he was “extremely disappointed” with its findings, including how the commission handled and dismissed allegations against former Justice Diana...
Utah’s court system lacks ‘accountability’ and needs change, legislative audits say
Utah

Utah’s court system lacks ‘accountability’ and needs change, legislative audits say

Sep 30, 2026
Katie McKellar
Legislative auditors on Wednesday released a slate of four reports that found a lack of “accountability” across the governing structures that make up Utah’s judiciary. The audits — which come during a time of ongoing tension between the GOP-controlled Utah...
Utah lawmakers want a higher bar for ballot initiatives that raise taxes. Will voters sign off?
Utah

Utah lawmakers want a higher bar for ballot initiatives that raise taxes. Will voters sign off?

Sep 28, 2026
Katie McKellar
A political issues committee launched a campaign on Monday urging Utah voters to reject a proposed constitutional amendment on their Nov. 3 ballot that would set a higher bar for ballot initiatives that raise taxes. Utah lawmakers earlier this year...
UVU didn’t act in ‘wanton disregard’ leading up to Charlie Kirk shooting, independent review says
Utah

UVU didn’t act in ‘wanton disregard’ leading up to Charlie Kirk shooting, independent review says

Sep 25, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah Valley University on Friday released a report detailing the findings of an independent, external review of the fatal shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk on its campus about a year ago. That review — commissioned by the university...
Developer eyes ‘GoldMine’ data center project in Fairfield, near Eagle Mountain’s Meta campus
Utah

Developer eyes ‘GoldMine’ data center project in Fairfield, near Eagle Mountain’s Meta campus

Sep 25, 2026
Katie McKellar
In the small Utah town of Fairfield with a population of roughly 180 people — near the border of Eagle Mountain, where some 65,000 people live — a developer wants to build a project named “GoldMine,” which could include hundreds...
‘Tone deaf’: Rep. Moore backs Sen. Curtis’ call to investigate Trump Jr. gift from Russian oligarch
Utah

‘Tone deaf’: Rep. Moore backs Sen. Curtis’ call to investigate Trump Jr. gift from Russian oligarch

Sep 24, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah Rep. Blake Moore said on Thursday that he “absolutely agrees” with Sen. John Curtis’ call to investigate Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish, private-island wedding after-party that was bankrolled by a Russian oligarch with ties to President Vladimir Putin. “Maybe one...
Gov. Cox signs executive order aligning Utah with Trump’s addiction recovery initiative
Utah

Gov. Cox signs executive order aligning Utah with Trump’s addiction recovery initiative

Sep 21, 2026
Katie McKellar
Shoulder to shoulder with leaders in the Trump administration, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Monday made Utah the first state to officially take action to join the White House’s national effort meant to reduce addiction, homelessness and serious mental illness...
‘Threat’ to block state funds from Wasatch County stirs anger over ‘top down’ development pressure
Utah

‘Threat’ to block state funds from Wasatch County stirs anger over ‘top down’ development pressure

Sep 21, 2026
Katie McKellar
Key points: After Wasatch County rejected a proposal for a 144-lot development on school trust land near Heber as Utah is in the midst of a housing shortage, Gov. Spencer Cox’s senior housing adviser brought a message from his boss...
Senate confirms 2 more Utah Supreme Court justices, capping off era of change for the court
Utah

Senate confirms 2 more Utah Supreme Court justices, capping off era of change for the court

Sep 16, 2026
Katie McKellar
The Utah Senate has confirmed two more new justices to the Utah Supreme Court, capping off an era of major changes to the state’s highest court. The Senate on Wednesday voted 26-2 to consent to the appointments of 5th District...
Utah election audit finds ‘compliance issues’ in 3 counties: Utah, Wasatch and San Juan
Utah

Utah election audit finds ‘compliance issues’ in 3 counties: Utah, Wasatch and San Juan

Sep 15, 2026
Katie McKellar
After years of close scrutiny and multiple audits, a new legislative audit says the office of Utah’s chief election official has been “diligent in improving” the state’s election system — but some county clerks “did not fully implement all changes”...
Utah offers ‘unprecedented’ 0% loans for farmers amid difficult drought, wildfire year
Utah

Utah offers ‘unprecedented’ 0% loans for farmers amid difficult drought, wildfire year

Sep 11, 2026
Katie McKellar
Citing an “exceptionally difficult” year for Utah farmers due to drought, wildfire and animal disease, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food officials said they are taking an “unprecedented step” to give financial relief to producers with active department of agriculture...
Utah Supreme Court justice recused from 2 cases challenging constitutionality of new 3-judge panel
Utah

Utah Supreme Court justice recused from 2 cases challenging constitutionality of new 3-judge panel

Sep 10, 2026
Katie McKellar
A Utah Supreme Court justice now won’t participate in two cases — the first dealing with gerrymandering and another on abortion — that are each challenging the constitutionality of the Utah Legislature’s newly created rotating three-judge “constitutional court” specifically meant...