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.

Embattled former Utah Supreme Court justice, judge discuss staying silent even amid controversy
Utah

Embattled former Utah Supreme Court justice, judge discuss staying silent even amid controversy

5:48pm ET
Katie McKellar
Current and former judges — including two who have recently caught the ire of Utah legislative leaders — participated in a panel discussion to offer “rare, behind-the-bench” perspectives on what it’s like serving in the judiciary, according to the Utah...
Utah launches new housing division meant to speed up homebuilding
Utah

Utah launches new housing division meant to speed up homebuilding

Jul 01, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah state leaders have launched a new housing division meant to accelerate home building in the state, which has faced persistent housing price increases amid a longstanding housing shortage. The new Division of Housing and Community Development, housed within the...
Firearm target shooting temporarily banned in these wildlife areas across 16 Utah counties
Utah

Firearm target shooting temporarily banned in these wildlife areas across 16 Utah counties

Jul 01, 2026
Katie McKellar
Due to tinder-dry conditions and concerns of wildfire risks, Utah wildlife officials announced firearm target shooting has been temporarily restricted within wildlife management areas in 16 counties across Utah. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials announced on Wednesday it...
Some cities opt out of Gov. Cox’s statewide fireworks ban, but most keep it in place
Utah

Some cities opt out of Gov. Cox’s statewide fireworks ban, but most keep it in place

Jun 30, 2026
Katie McKellar
Citing dire wildfire conditions across the state, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox last week sent a strong message of caution to Utahns when he issued an executive order enacting a statewide fireworks ban through July 5. The order set a sweeping...
Utah wildlife officials use $3.4 million from hunting, fishing license sales for habitat restoration
Utah

Utah wildlife officials use $3.4 million from hunting, fishing license sales for habitat restoration

Jun 26, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah wildlife officials are set to use about $3.4 million from hunting and fishing license sales for 71 habitat restoration projects, including some to improve community fishing and help mule deer populations. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Habitat Council...
Unpacking Utah’s primary upsets: The race that’s sending ‘shockwaves’ through the Legislature
Utah

Unpacking Utah’s primary upsets: The race that’s sending ‘shockwaves’ through the Legislature

Jun 24, 2026
Katie McKellar
When Taylor Morgan saw longtime Senate President Stuart Adams was trailing one of his Republican challengers by more than 8 percentage points in election night results Tuesday night, he said he was “blown away.” “I was genuinely shocked,” Morgan, a...
Utah Senate president trails in Republican primary, early results show
Utah

Stuart Adams is out: Utah Senate president concedes to Republican challenger

Jun 23, 2026
Katie McKellar
Senate President Stuart Adams, one of the most powerful leaders of the GOP-controlled Utah Legislature, conceded to one of his Republican challengers, Stephanie Hollist, on Tuesday night after early election night results showed him trailing her by more than 8...
It’s primary Election Day in Utah: 5 things you need to know
Utah

It’s primary Election Day in Utah: 5 things you need to know

Jun 23, 2026
Katie McKellar
Utah’s primary elections are here — and election officials are urging Utahns to be aware of important information before they cast their ballots, whether they plan to do so in person at a polling place or with a by-mail ballot...
Fun fact: In some cases, 17-year-olds can vote in Utah primaries
Utah

Fun fact: In some cases, 17-year-olds can vote in Utah primaries

Jun 22, 2026
Katie McKellar
Did you know that in Utah, some 17-year-olds can vote in Utah’s primary elections before they officially turn 18? It depends, however, on their birth dates. Under Utah law , 17-year-olds can vote in a regular primary election, a municipal...
ICE plans to offload Salt Lake City warehouse, report says
Utah

ICE plans to offload Salt Lake City warehouse, report says

Jun 18, 2026
Annie Knox Katie McKellar
In more than three months since the federal government bought a $145 million Utah warehouse for use as a large-scale immigration detention center, the most activity that’s taken place at the site has happened during protests and in a back...
Utah Trust Lands board approves sale of 50,000 acres in Book Cliffs to state wildlife division
Utah

Utah Trust Lands board approves sale of 50,000 acres in Book Cliffs to state wildlife division

Jun 18, 2026
Katie McKellar
The Utah Trust Lands Administration board voted 5-1 on Thursday to approve the sale of about 50,000 acres of popular hunting and fishing land known as the roadless Book Cliffs area in Grand County to the Utah Division of Wildlife...
Utah Senate confirms 2 new Utah Supreme Court justices despite concerns over one’s residency
Utah

Utah Senate confirms 2 new Utah Supreme Court justices despite concerns over one’s residency

Jun 17, 2026
Katie McKellar
The Utah Senate voted on Wednesday to approve the appointments of both of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s nominees to fill two new seats on the newly expanded Utah Supreme Court. Senators voted to confirm both Stephen Dent, a federal prosecutor...