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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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State News

Plans Announced For Massive Development in Vineyard, Utah

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By Zach Collier

The vista overlooking Utah Lake from Vineyard used to house the Geneva Steel Works. For years, it’s sat barren and empty. Now, 700 acres are being prepared to host Vineyard’s largest development to date: a project called Utah City.

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Developed as a collaboration between The Flagship Companies and Woodbury Corp, this master-planned mixed use community aims to be sustainable, walkable, and transit-focused. Utah City will surpass the Point of the Mountain Development (currently under way and stretching from Lehi to Sandy) by over 100 acres.

Nate Hutchinson, a managing partner of Utah City, emphasizes that this development is intended to cater to everyone – from affluent citizens to those in need of affordable housing. The project officially began with the groundbreaking of 450 multi-family units last week.

By next year, the Huntsman Cancer Institute will break ground, bringing innovation and progress to the heart of Vineyard. The city’s Mayor, Julie Fullmer, has expressed her excitement for the development, grateful for the collaborative efforts involving city leaders, councils, and stakeholders.

Utah City’s master plan was designed by Jeff Speck and the town planning firm DPZ. Utahns will be able to access the community from the 1600 North, 800 North, and Center Street exits along I-15. Utah City will also connect to the Vineyard FrontRunner station.

The project promises 17 million square feet of mixed-use space, 2 million square feet of restaurant space, 2 million square feet of retail space, and 50+ acres of parks and green spaces.

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Provo City News

Provo City Council Primaries are in Full Swing

Photo courtesy of Provo City.
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By Mike Romero

Over the last week, we’ve been spotlighting candidates running for Provo City Council. In Provo, our community is divided up into neighborhoods and districts. Members of the City Council represent districts. For districts with a large number of candidates, these candidates must undergo the Primary Election process.

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This year, only candidates for the Citywide II Seat are listed on the ballot for the primaries. The purpose of the Primary Election is to narrow down the number of candidates for the general election. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general ballot. District 1, District 3, and District 4 already have a narrow number of candidates, so they bypass the Primary Election process.

The candidates for the Citywide II primaries are:

While the Primary Election is Tuesday, September 5, mail-in ballots have already been sent out to Provo residents who are active, registered voters, and voting is already underway. A postage paid envelope should have been provided for convenience, but to save taxpayer dollars, Utah County has provided several drop box locations. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked before election day.

Alternatively, you can drop your ballot off at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location. You can find a location near you here. While the deadline to register to vote in the Citywide II primaries has passed, voters may register to vote at an early voting location or at a polling location on Election Day. You’ll need to bring at least two forms of identification to the polling location to prove your citizenship and residency. The deadline to register to vote online is November 10.

The Primary Election is September 5, 2023. The General Election is November 21, 2023. Ballots will not be accepted after 8 PM on these days.

If you did not receive your ballot or need a replacement ballot, call Utah County at 801-851-8128. 

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