Tag: Provo

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State News

The Fieldwork Archive Comes to Utah

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By Mike Romero

Derek Piotr, the field researcher and world traveler behind The Fieldwork Archive, is coming to Utah. For the past six years, Piotr has traveled across the United States and beyond collecting and preserving everyday songs that rarely get recorded: lullabies, summer camp chants, church hymns, playground rhymes, and fragments people remember from family or community life.

Piotr recently posted an open call for volunteer collaborators ahead of his March 17-24 trip to Utah.

Dear Lovely Utahns,

My name is Derek Piotr. For six years now I have been traveling, not just nation-wide, but internationally, looking for the old songs. What do I mean by this? I am dedicated to recording and preserving any songs you might have learned growing up – from your mother doing the dishes, at a campfire, in church, school, or your grandfather’s house. Maybe you only remember a line or two – that’s great!

I have been encouraging everyday citizens who have never sung a note before to be recorded and archived. With this petition in mind, I have catalogged a vast amount of little ditties, poems, fragments, hymns, or even longer ballads, into what is now the Fieldwork Archive (fieldwork-archive.com).

I am coming to Utah this spring, in the middle of March (17-24) and staying in Logan, and I hope to meet many of you before my time is through. What are some examples of a good contribution to the Fieldwork Archive? Here is a classic example:

‘Twas in the merry month of May
The green buds were a swelling
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen

Probably many of you readers are familiar with that one, or some variation. I would love to hear “your” take on it. Maybe your grandmother sang it, bouncing you on her knee. Maybe an enthusiastic camp counselor said it was his favorite song, and brought out his banjo to put his own spin on it. Here is another song I have collected:

Dirty Lil, Dirty Lil
Lives on top of Garbage Hill
Never washes, never will
(hawk, spit) Dirty Lil!

I recorded this particular ditty during a fieldwork session with Bill Shute; a legacy folk guitarist of some renown. It was the hostess’ husband who offered this song as the “kickoff” to an afternoon of remembering songs and recording. I still hold it as the prize of the day.

As you can see, I am looking for the small, silly songs, but I am also welcoming work songs, protest songs, hymns, poems, recipes, prayers, and folk-tales (I would be especially curious to hear about any local legends, monsters, ghosts or supernatural encounters).

Hopefully this petition falls on open ears, and you might consider contributing. You DO NOT have to be a performer to offer what you can remember. I welcome all. I cannot tell you how many sessions have begun with the disclaimer “well…I’m not a singer, but…”. These are my people.

You may reach me beforehand with any questions. Please do not hesitate:

derek@fieldwork-archive.com
203. 460. 0576

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University News

Google.org Awards $3.5M Grant to BYU for Global Water Forecasting Project

2020-10 160 2020-10 Jim Nelson at Provo River Portrait of BYU Professor Jim Nelson at the Provo River. Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU © BYU PHOTO 2020 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
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By McKinsleigh Smith
Photos by Jaren Wilkey/BYU

Google.org has awarded a $3.5 million grant to Brigham Young University to support a global water-data project led by civil and construction engineering professor Jim Nelson, the university announced via the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering.

The grant will fund research connected to the Group on Earth Observations Global Water Sustainability initiative, known as GEOGLOWS, which provides hydrologic data and forecasting tools to communities worldwide.

Nelson, a hydrologic modeling researcher at BYU, works with international partners and students to maintain the GEOGLOWS River Forecast System, a platform that compiles global water data into forecasting tools. The system includes an 85-year historical record and 15-day streamflow forecasts across more than 7 million river segments worldwide.

The publicly available forecasts are used by National Hydrological Services, particularly in developing regions where access to advanced hydrologic technology and research is limited. The system helps agencies make decisions related to water infrastructure, flood and drought preparedness, and water-resource management.

Dr. Jim Nelson.

Communities in several countries have used the data to improve planning and disaster response. In Ecuador, water-scarce communities used historical forecast data to guide irrigation investments that improved agricultural productivity. In Malawi, officials reported improved flood-warning accuracy and response times after adopting GEOGLOWS data; in one recent year, the government reported no flood-related deaths and significant reductions in property losses compared with previous flooding events.

BYU researchers and students regularly travel abroad to train government agencies and local organizations to use the forecasting system. The GEOGLOWS team is currently working with Kenya’s national hydrological services and continues partnerships in Jamaica and Cuba, where forecast data provided guidance during Hurricane Melissa-related flooding.

The Google.org funding will support continued development of GEOGLOWS, student training efforts, and collaboration with international hydrologic-modeling partners. It will also help transition the initiative into a nonprofit organization aimed at sustaining long-term global access to water-forecast data.

The River Forecast System was developed over the past decade through collaboration with organizations including NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Esri and Amazon Web Services. The platform now receives more than 40 million data-download requests annually.

BYU President C. Shane Reese said projects such as GEOGLOWS align with the university’s broader efforts to address global poverty and humanitarian challenges.

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Provo City News

JK Studios Returns to Live Roots With Covey Center Performances

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By Mike Romero

Provo-based comedy troupe JK Studios is returning to its live-performance origins with two shows at the Covey Center for the Arts on October 3 and October 4, 2025. The group, formed by the original creators of BYUtv’s Studio C, has built a following through both live and digital projects, including the series Freelancers and Loving Lyfe. The upcoming Covey performances mark the first time JK Studios will tape a live sketch comedy show since departing from Studio C.

The group’s members trace their beginnings back to Divine Comedy, a Brigham Young University sketch troupe that first brought them together in 2007. Their collaboration eventually led to the launch of Studio C in 2011, a family-friendly sketch comedy show that became a staple on BYUtv. After several years, the original cast chose to leave and pursue new creative avenues, which resulted in the founding of JK Studios.

According to performers Whitney Call and Stephen Meek, the Covey performances are designed to recapture the energy of their early live shows. “We just want the environment to be fun, we want the energy to stay high for a live experience, and you’re hanging out with us as part of the gang,” Call said. Meek added that the live setting allows the group to gauge audience reactions more directly, noting, “A live audience can tell you what’s really funny.”

The shows will also serve as a recording opportunity. JK Studios plans to film the Covey performances with the intention of distributing the content through YouTube, social media, or other platforms. Call compared the effort to popular stand-up specials, saying the group hopes viewers will have the option to enjoy a polished sketch comedy experience from home.

In addition to reaching broader audiences, the tapings will allow JK Studios to refine material tested over the course of their live tour. Call said the October program represents “the best of the best” from the past year, shaped by the group’s 15 years of experience. For fans, the shows offer both familiar humor and fresh surprises, while giving JK Studios a chance to blend the immediacy of live comedy with the reach of digital distribution.

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Provo City News

Creative Ways to Bring Attention to Your Local Business

The Nu Skin headquarters in downtown Provo. Photo by Hank Nielsen.
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By Charles Gordon Pratt

To bring attention to your local business, creative marketing tactics are essential to stand out from the competition and engage your community. These tactics can be both used in person and online to foster new connections and to help integrate your work into the Provo community.

One effective in-person strategy is hosting unique, local events or pop-up experiences that tie directly to your brand. These events not only draw attention to your business but also create memorable experiences that encourage word-of-mouth marketing. Whether it’s a product launch, a themed contest, or a local collaboration with artists or influencers (Provo Music Magazine is constantly talking about incredible Utah talent), these events allow you to connect with your audience in a fun, tangible way while generating buzz on social media. Be sure to leverage local partnerships to amplify your reach, like collaborating with nearby shops or restaurants.

Photo by Zach Collier

Another powerful tactic is harnessing the power of storytelling through content marketing. Share the story behind your business—how it started, the challenges you’ve faced, and your mission to support the community. By crafting authentic, engaging content in the form of blogs, videos, or social media posts, you create a narrative that resonates with customers. This builds trust and fosters a deeper emotional connection with your audience, which is crucial for encouraging repeat business. Highlight customer testimonials or showcase your business’s involvement in local charity events or community outreach projects to demonstrate your commitment to the area.

You can also get creative with your content marketing. Take CulinarySchools.org, for example. This comprehensive site is a treasure trove of information for aspiring chefs, offering details on schools, careers, and majors. From an SEO standpoint, it has massive potential. But for SEO to succeed, a site needs traffic—specifically, initial visibility to trigger search ranking algorithms.

So, how is CulinarySchools.org driving that traffic? With kids’ games. The site offers free, entertaining games, ranging from skateboarding and golf simulators to racing and fishing. These games serve two purposes: they attract bored kids seeking free, wholesome entertainment, and they drive traffic that introduces the site to aspiring chefs. It’s a brilliant long-term strategy—traffic from games funnels into the educational content, while consistent visits help boost SEO.

By blending entertainment with education, CulinarySchools.org isn’t just waiting for traffic to find them—they’re creating it. This innovative approach not only generates immediate site visits but also primes the algorithm, ensuring future visibility for those seeking culinary education.

Finally, don’t underestimate the impact of creative digital campaigns that target local consumers. Use geo-targeted ads on social media platforms, search engines, or apps to ensure your promotions reach people within your geographic area. Partner with local influencers who align with your brand values to help spread the word in an organic, authentic way. Running contests, offering exclusive discounts for nearby residents, or even creating a loyalty program that rewards frequent visitors are excellent ways to build customer retention.

By thinking outside the box and combining digital and grassroots marketing strategies, you can generate a wave of interest in your local business that keeps customers coming back for more.

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Provo City News

How Utah Revived a Beloved Children’s Series

Image courtesy of Apple TV+
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In 2007, Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. launched Yo Gabba Gabba!, a vibrant children’s show led by DJ Lance Rock and featuring quirky characters like Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Todee, and Plex. Known for blending education with great music, the series featured artists such as Questlove, Bootsy Collins, and Weezer.

The show has now been revived as Yo Gabba GabbaLand! on Apple TV+. Developed by the original creators Christian Jacobs (of The Aquabats!) and Scott Schultz, the revival includes 10 new episodes with updated musical guests, higher production values, and a new host, Kammy Kam (Kamryn Smith). The production was filmed at Utah Film Studios in Park City and also involved audio work done in downtown Provo, Utah at June Audio.

Chance Clift from June Audio worked on voiceovers and music for Yo Gabba Gabbaland! He told Provo Music Magazine that the experience of recording Anderson .Paak’s song for the show was a highlight. He worked in tandem with Provo’s Mason Winter, who edited the dialogue and prepared it for delivery.

The show remains engaging and educational for adults and preschoolers alike, with positive reviews from major outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and The Los Angeles Times. The Provo music industry is thriving, evidenced by June Audio’s work on Post Malone’s AUSTIN, NPR’s award-winning mini-series on the Provo music scene, and Grammy nominations for local composers on the Hogwarts Legacy soundtrack.

Yo Gabba Gabbaland! is now streaming on Apple TV+.

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Provo City News

Provo, Utah Election Results 2023

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By Mike Romero

While everything is still being tallied and confirmed on the county level, Utah County has released the unofficial election results for the local elections that took place this week. Among them are the results for the Provo City Council race. Election results have taken longer to come in due to the switch to ranked choice voting for many cities across the county.

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For Provo, the City Council seats up for grabs were Citywide 2, Provo districts 1 and 3, and District 4. Travis Hoban was uncontested in District 4 and won by default. He will retain his position for the next four years.

Gary Garrett had the majority of votes for Citywide 2, Craig Christensen had the majority of votes for District 1, and Becky Bogdin had the majority of votes for District 3.

Here are the unofficial numbers:

Provo City Council Citywide 2

  • Gary Garrett: 4,628 (52.6%)
  • McKay R. Jensen: 4,164 (47.3%)

Provo City Council District 1

  • Craig Christensen: 1,857 (60.6%)
  • Stan Jensen: 1,203 (39.3%)

Provo City Council District 3

  • Becky Bogdin: 1,082 (61.48%)
  • David Lewis: 678 (38.52%)

Provo City Council District 4

  • Travis Hoban: 1,298 (100.00%)

The winners of the race will replace David Shipley (Citywide 2), Bill Filmore (District 1), and Shannon Ellsworth (District 3). As stated previously, Travis Hoban is retaining his position.

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Provo City News

New Pedestrian Bridge Opens in Downtown Provo

Photo courtesy of Provo City.
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By Mike Romero

After months of construction, the Utah Transit Authority has opened the new pedestrian bridge at Provo Central Station. The public celebrated its opening in a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, November 14.

This news is brought to you in part by Spengler Industries.

The goal of the bridge was to improve safety, air quality, and to more efficiently connect downtown Provo to the broader public transportation network. While the bridge is operational, elevators within the structures are not yet usable. They’re still pending inspections from state government.

It cost roughly $7 million to build the bridge. 35% was paid by federal funding and 65% was paid by local sources. The bridge spans two FrontRunner tracks and two Union Pacific Railroad lines near 600 South and 100 West in Provo, Utah. It’s 145 feet long.

For pedestrians, this area is often blocked by trains. This makes crossing difficult, dangerous, and at times impossible. This bridge addresses those challenges.

Photo courtesy of Provo City.
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Provo City News

Provo Woman Scammed Victims Out of $6 Million

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By McKinsleigh Smith

Last Thursday, Provo woman Nelly Idowu was convicted in federal court after participating in an online romance scheme. Idowu, age 39, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of money laundering conspiracy and two counts of money laundering.

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From 2017 to 2019, Idowu and three others created tons of fake online profiles on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Christian Mingle. They would then use these profiles to target victims, primarily single elderly women over 65, and flirt with them. Once a romantic bond had been formed, they would claim they were in dire financial circumstances and in need of help. All told, they scammed victims out of more than $6 million.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Idowu earned over $1 million into her personal and business bank accounts before sending the money out of the country in an attempt to conceal these earnings. These accounts were located in China and Nigeria.

The Salt Lake City FBI field office investigated the case. Charges were brought against Idowu and her co-conspirators in 2020. Idowu’s sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2024, at 10 AM at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

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University News

New President of BYU Inaugurated

Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU.
Advertisement for Provo’s Halloween Music Festival.

By Charlie G. Patreus

On September 19, 2023, C. Shane Reese officially became the 14th president of Brigham Young University (BYU). This occasion not only marked his formal inauguration but also unveiled his unwavering commitment to help BYU realize its full potential, which Latter-day Saints believe is divine.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, along with President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, presided over President Reese’s installation.

After taking office, President Reese gave a speech that emphasized his dedication to the university and the crucial role that faculty and students play in fulfilling BYU’s “spiritual mission.” He reiterated the visions of previous leaders (regarded as prophets in the faith) regarding BYU’s future.

Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU.

BYU is unique from other educational institutions because it was founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is still overseen by the government and leadership of the faith. President Reese explained that this unique connection allows the university to benefit from the guidance of the faith’s prophets, including the vision of President Spencer W. Kimball, who articulated a compelling roadmap for BYU’s future.

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“Our task is to become the university that prophets foretold — to become the world’s ‘greatest institution of learning,’ ‘the fully anointed university of the Lord about which so much has been spoken in the past,’ to become the BYU of prophecy and promise,” Reese said. “This, then, is the challenge of our generation and the burden of my administration: becoming BYU.”

President Reese stressed that achieving this vision requires enhancing the student experience and reinforcing the student-centric approach. Each student’s “eternal progression” remains BYU’s top priority. He also emphasized the Latter-day Saint belief that each person is a child of God who can be connected to Jesus Christ, and the importance of inclusion and kindness.

Those in attendance in the BYU Marriott Center for the inauguration of C. Shane Reese. Photo by Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson/BYU.

According to Reese’s philosophy, “Becoming BYU” will also demand maintaining a strong religious identity, even when it means standing alone. That means supporting research aligned with the Church’s mission. It will be interesting to watch BYU pioneer discovery and innovation while balancing tradition, transparency, and intellectual honesty.

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Expressing his love and dedication to the BYU community, President Reese committed to making Provo’s university a unique learning environment, fostering peacemakers in an increasingly divided society.

Following President Reese’s remarks, Elder Christofferson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband recognized BYU’s special connection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and expressed confidence in President Reese’s leadership.

C. Shane Reese took the place of Kevin J. Worthen, who served from 2014-2023. Watch highlights from the inauguration below.

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State News

Vineyard Announces Novel Grocery Store

Photo by Matheus Cenali.
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By Charlie G. Patreus

Last week, it was announced that Vineyard will finally be getting a grocery store. Part of the Utah City development, Vineyard and Lee’s Marketplace have announced “Bella’s Market” – a new grocery store based on a novel concept and unique to the city.

At 40,000 square feet, it will be a custom concept store patterned after the clean and respected locations operated by Lee’s Marketplace. It will be located near the 800 North FrontRunner station and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, which will break ground next year.

Abel Porter is the director of retail operations for Bella’s Market. He explained that they wanted to create a location that understands the needs of Utah families and shares their ambition to create a unique experience in Utah City. Lee’s Marketplace will help operate it, but Bella’s Market will offer local products and essential staples.

A rendering of Utah City.

The store will be feature touchless checkout and delivery within city limits. External food options and pickelball courts will be provided. Construction will begin in 2024 and will end in 2025. While feeling upscale, the goal is to set prices that will be equitable for all families in the region – somewhere between Winco and Harmons. Negotiations for a store in the area have been underway for nearly 10 years.

Lee’s Marketplace is a Utah-based, family-owned grocery business. They opened their first store in 1981 and now operate in 7 locations across the state, including Heber, Herriman, Logan, North Ogden, North Salt Lake, Richmond, and Smithfield.

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