Visitors take in a view of the pools at a tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort elected officials and others join a VIP preview and tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort elected officials and others are given a VIP preview and tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort elected officials and others are given a VIP preview and tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort in LaVerkin A view of the pools can be seen durning a tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort The changing area inside the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort can be seen in LaVerkin showing where the original LaVerkin Hot Springs was located on the Virgin River A view of the pools at a tour of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort can be seen in LaVerkin The Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort in is tentatively set to open this summer in LaVerkin The Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort is tentatively set to open in LaVerkin A VIP preview and tour was given at the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort in LaVerkin This rendering depicts the 21-plus area of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs Resort in LaVerkin This rendering shows the family area of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs Resort in LaVerkin At an open house near the LaVerkin Hot Springs last month area civic leaders and business officials gathered at the newly constructed Zion Canyon Hot Springs Resort for information and tours to hear plans about an opening later this summer “We are incredibly excited to be here in the area,” Maggie Cope vice president of marketing for Zion Canyon Hot Springs “It’s a great time to come in and enjoy the natural hot springs as well as the mineral springs right here in beautiful LaVerkin.” The hot springs resort will feature 53 pools split between a family and 21-plus adult areas and sits near state Route 9 northeast of the Hurricane-LaVerkin Bridge The 15-acre property consists of three acres leased from the Washington County Water Conservancy District swimsuit dryers and 1,200 RFID lockers that use chip-enabled wristbands to access a family area has various smaller pools and one large freshwater pool A smaller building houses the resort’s bar and café and an adjacent gate separates the family area from the adult side of the property “Each one of them is inspired by famous hot springs from around the world,” Cope said explaining that these pools will have an identical mineral mix to well-known hot springs like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and the hot springs of the Dead Sea the world springs will boast the same health benefits associated with each one that inspires them “You’re getting a tour of the world right here in LaVerkin,” Cope said Thirty-two pools spread across the family and the 21-plus area are filled with water piped from the LaVerkin spring in the canyon nearby Some of the pools will also be filled with heated geothermal waters from the hot spring Cope added that water from the hot spring goes through the resort’s filtration system and removes the minerals and elements that create the sulfur smell natural hot springs are famous for This includes the salt that would otherwise enter the Virgin River “Most of our build out is actually in the water pumping system that’s removing the H2S gas and making it safe for use and also getting rid of that rotten egg smell,” Cope said flammable and highly toxic gas with a characteristic foul odor of rotting eggs It is highly toxic to humans and most animals and can be deadly Water district officials have been a great asset as partners in helping the resort make sure it operates safely and benefits both the environment and visitors “They have been heavily involved in the project to make sure it’s the best facility possible,” Cope said Water filtered and used by the resort is returned to the Virgin River in a cleaner state than when it was taken According to the Washington County Water Conservancy District the hot spring produces approximately 5,000 gallons of water a minute which translates to up to 7 million gallons daily at an average temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit The spring also dumps 109,000 tons of salt into the Virgin River which makes its way down the Colorado River This has created water quality and use issues downstream that the water district and federal agencies have been working to address Before the hot springs’ closures in 2013 due to health and safety concerns, it was a popular recreation site for locals since the late 1800s With nearly 5 million visitors to Zion National Park last year Zion Canyon Hot Springs is considered a great tourist attraction as it's 30 minutes from the park While the resort is bound to draw visitors from near and far Cope said it is a “top priority” to keep the hot springs accessible to Southern Utah residents Washington County residents will be given a 20% discount on resort visits “It’s very important to us that they can come in and can love these waters as they always have,” she said the resort is slated to produce a sizable amount of tax revenue for the local economy It is hoped that the resort will become a destination for tourists visiting Zion National Park that will create a spinoff effect While the onset of COVID-19 caused some setbacks, WorldSprings announced in August 2022 that the resort was moving forward and it’s going to be a big thing for LaVerkin and Washington County,” LaVerkin Mayor Kelly Wilson told St “This is going to be good for the city and all the businesses that are a part of LaVerkin and Hurricane as well.” The resort's operators aim for a tentative opening date of late June or early July when remaining infrastructure work is set to be completed along with members of the Zion Canyon Hot Springs resort project break ground of the incoming $60 million resort Email notifications are only sent once a day summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Receive Sunday Local Offers Coupons from St Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Be one of the first to try our new activity feed Our parks have never been more popular—or understaffed Here’s what to expect this summer and how to navigate the busiest parks The National Park Service recently released their annual visitation data reporting the most guests in the system’s history with almost 332 million people exploring our parks Unfortunately, this surge in popularity is coinciding with a staffing crisis within the park service, as the Trump Administration has dictated the organization cut 1,000 employees the Park Service was initially ordered to freeze the hiring of seasonal staff a workforce that helps bolster park management and care during the busiest months of the year “Parks have been understaffed for a long time, with the percentage of full-time employees on the decline while parks have been getting more popular every year,” says Cassidy Jones, the senior visitation program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) a nonprofit devoted to advocating for our parks the overall National Park Service staff had eroded by 20 percent since 2010 while visitation had increased by 16 percent in that same time period which eliminates another 9 percent from the overall Park Service staff will only exacerbate the understaffed and overcrowded conundrum that plagues many of our popular parks While the hiring freeze of seasonal staff was eventually lifted the delay caused most parks to be two months behind on hiring the employees that visitors most often encounter—the teams that work the visitor centers As a result, Jones says visitors to national parks this summer might not have the same experience they’re used to with reduced hours at certain visitor centers bathrooms that are still closed from winter It’s possible that certain recreation facilities which lost 10 full-time employees during the initial round of layoffs as the Trump Administration has ordered the National Park Service to reduce its payroll by 30 percent “Every park has experienced some staffing cuts so all of the parks will be stressed this summer,” says Jones But that doesn’t mean you should stay home The 433 units that make up the National Park System are publicly owned It’s also our responsibility to make sure they’re protected for future generations to enjoy it’s imperative that all visitors have a thoughtful approach to exploring our parks this summer That ranger who doesn’t know the answer to your question is doing the best they can A little kindness can go a long way in a crowded park when people are hot A ranger might not be around to ask for directions or suggestions for easy hikes that your 5 year old would enjoy So research your trip before you enter the park and acquire the maps you’ll need ahead of time Like visiting our national parks? Awesome. Follow up that visit by reaching out to your elected officials and let them know how much these places matter to you, and that they need to be fully staffed and funded for everyone to enjoy. The NPCA has a template you can use to get your message across This is how staffing cuts and surging crowds might impact your favorite parks this summer Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to be the most popular national park in the system attracting more than 12 million visitors in 2024 It also might be the park hardest hit by the Trump Administration’s cuts In addition to the impacts from the initial hiring freeze DOGE initially eliminated 12 employees from the park staff It’s unclear how many of those have been hired back but the staffing conundrum has already caused problems with managing park facilities as GSMNP has announced temporary closures to a variety of facilities Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Balsam Mountain, Cataloochee, Cosby, and Look Rock campgrounds typically open in the middle of April, but that date has been pushed back indefinitely because of staffing. The park typically offers 10 campgrounds Six of those campgrounds are now closed until further notice If you booked a site at any of those campgrounds The park is also postponing the popular Vehicle Free Days in Cades Cove where the 11-mile loop road is closed to vehicles so cyclists and walkers could roam freely on certain days from May to September Seven picnic areas are also closed due to lack of maintenance staff “It’s a scramble to find camping alternatives, because there are only a handful of campgrounds open inside the park,” says Vesna Plakanis, owner of A Walk In the Woods a guide service that runs trips inside the park She says it’s not just the campgrounds that are closed but access to many of the trails that begin at those campgrounds are also shut down for the summer it’s putting pressure on other areas that generally aren’t as crowded I’m seeing a lot more destruction of wildflower paths and people parking where they shouldn’t.” Cutting the camping options in half will make spending the night inside the park more difficult this summer there are plenty of privately owned campgrounds outside of the park that you can turn to if your trip has been impacted by the closures And Nantahala National Forest borders the park in North Carolina offering inexpensive and less crowded camping on public land Check out the Nantahala’s Tsali Recreation Area which has 42 tent sites tucked into the woods on the edge of Lake Fontana near Bryson City first-serve ($20 per night) and will give you relatively quick access to the quieter North Carolina side of the park Or you can treat yourself to a weekend at Under Canvas which is located on the Tennessee side of the park roughly 20 minutes to the popular hikes and scenic drives near Gatlinburg The safari-inspired glamping tents sit on 182 acres complete with a restaurant and live entertainment on weekends (from $179) it’s relatively easy to ditch the crowds in America’s most popular national park as the majority of the visitors tend to stick to the corridor surrounding Newfound Gap Road And Plakanis says that spreading out is more important this summer than ever before To avoid the crowds, head to the Lake Fontana Area, a 29-mile-long finger lake that forms part of the southern border at GSMNP. From there, you can hike a piece of the Lakeshore Trail, which follows the shore of the lake for 30 miles. Or hit one of my favorite hikes in the park, the seven-mile out and back to Shuck Stack Fire Tower which includes a beastly 2,500-foot climb but ends with an incredible view from that tower overlooking the park While the reservation system will be consistent and help manage crowds staff cuts and delayed hirings have caused some changes to the visitor experience in Arches the park is removing some trash cans and picnic tables from day use areas to reduce the need for maintenance so plan on packing out whatever you pack into the park The biggest loss to visitors this summer is the closure of the Fiery Furnace area a maze of slot canyons that can only be explored on a guided ranger hike or with a Self-Guided Exploration permit the park is not offering guided hikes or individual permits so the entire Fiery Furnace area is closed until further notice Arches has no extensive backcountry hikes (and no backpacking) so Fiery Furnace is traditionally a visitor’s best chance for ditching the crowds and exploring the landscape in solitude The next best option is the Tower Arch Trail sandstone slabs and sand dunes while passing between tall fins on its way to Tower Arch you can see the peaks of the La Sal Mountains through the opening of that sandstone bridge but the crowds stay away because of the required eight mile drive on a four-wheel drive only road to reach the remote Klondike Bluffs area of Arches Yosemite is the sixth most popular park in the system with more than 4 million visitors last year The park is also notorious for its traffic jams as the majority of those visitors are funneled into Yosemite Valley via a few two-lane roads The South Entrance to the park on Highway 41 is particularly slow and park management tells visitors to expect up to a two-hour delay on weekends during the summer “Requiring reservations is controversial because it throttles the amount of people coming through, but I’m a fan of it personally as a guide,” says Gabriel Mann, owner of Wild Yosemite “Having a governor on crowds makes a huge difference and gives visitors so much more room to breathe and take in the sights.” Mann hopes visitors will step up to do their part to keep Yosemite running smoothly by packing their own trash out with them and helping to pick up trash they see in parking lots and along trails it’s not hard to avoid the crowds in Yosemite if you come prepared and bring a sense of adventure “The majority of visitors only see Yosemite Valley and most of those visitors don’t go further than one mile on any trail,” says Mann Instead of cruising for a parking spot in the valley, Mann suggests heading to higher elevations to explore Tuolumne Meadows, a subalpine meadow surrounded by the Sierra’s craggy, ice-capped peaks. A number of hikes traverse the area. Elizabeth Lake is a full-day 7-mile lollipop loop that leads you to a glacier-carved lake at the bottom of Unicorn Peak Tuolumne Meadows even has its own scenic drive, the 46-mile Tioga Road which is only open from late May through October passing through forests and meadows with views of granite domes and lakes you can expect snow on the trails even if Tioga Road is open Being prepared and self-sufficient while exploring this area is key Zion National Park had 4.95 million visitors in 2024, earning the spot of the second-most visited national park in the country, edging out Grand Canyon National Park Zion lost 11 employees in the first wave of layoffs although it’s unclear how many of those have since been hired back The park is currently planning to operate with a business as usual approach but that’s largely because of the publicly-funded support system that supplements the management of the park “Zion is unique in the fact that it has strong partnerships with nonprofits and private organizations that provide a ton of volunteers and funding that has helped float the park through the last couple of government shutdowns,” says Xavier Velez, manager of Zion Guide Hub which provides guided adventures in and around the park Crowds will continue to be an issue as Zion’s popularity grows so visitors should expect lines at the entrance stations and other hikers on the trails Xavier suggests looking just outside of the park if you want to ditch the crowds altogether “The national park covers a small portion of the greater Zion area you’ll find landscapes that are just as stunning outside of the park with none of the crowds,” he says Here are three more national parks that are impacted by the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts Pinnacles, which is known for its rock spires and cave system, has cancelled all ranger-led programs this summer Carlsbad Caverns has suspended all ranger-led cave tours until further notice Visitors can still explore the cavern on their own Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is closing two of its three campgrounds (North Rim and East Portal Campgrounds) until further notice The South Rim Campground should open this spring and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers elected not to pick up the fifth-year option on Johnson, the team’s first-round pick in 2021, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.  The option would have locked in Johnson for another year RELATED: Chargers stole 108th-ranked NFL draft prospect at No. 214 Given this development at the fifth-year option deadline Johnson now heads into a make-or-break season before going to free agency He’s struggled to play starter-level ball and continued that into Year 1 of the Harbaugh reset with both guard spots being two of the biggest needs on the roster going into free agency After the arrival of Mekhi Becton on the open market, Harbaugh and the Chargers confirmed that Johnson will get a chance to start at center over the summer He’ll compete with the re-signed Bradley Bozeman and new arrival Andre James RELATED: Chargers' bizarre NFL draft decision could force reunion with exiled defender Johnson could be anything from a starter the team hopes to re-sign to a training camp cut Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images— Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI — Chargers hailed as landing top-three 2025 NFL draft class Los Angeles Chargers 53-man roster prediction after 2025 NFL draft Chargers predicted to bolster interior defensive line by signing 63-game starter CHRIS ROLING The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER The Chargers have reportedly declined to pick up the 5th-year option of OG Zion Johnson Thursday held the deadline for NFL teams to either pick up or decline the fifth-year options for their first-round selections from the 2022 NFL Draft. When it came to the Chargers reports came out Thursday evening that the team will not be picking up the fifth-year option on offensive guard Zion Johnson #Chargers did not exercise OL Zion Johnson's fifth-year option Johnson was selected 17th overall in that draft out of Boston College He played for the Golden Eagles from 2019-2021 following his first two collegiate seasons with the Davidson Wildcats an FCS program in the Pioneer Football League Johnson let up two sacks — the second such game of the season — as he ended with a pass block efficiency grade of 91.6 along with the rest of the interior blockers could not handle the stunts and games run by Houston’s pass rush and it ultimately led to a four-pick game from Herbert who was forced into playing hero ball fairly early the Chargers signed former Eagles right guard Mekhi Becton to start at the same position They also signed former Raiders center Andre James who will compete with Johnson and Jamaree Salyer for one of the two open spots at either center or left guard a 6’6 left tackle who has already been tabbed as a guard for LA It’s going to be a real slugfest to figure out which two come out of that group a starters albeit on a much cheaper deal than what his fifth-year option was set to pay him by | May 4, 2025 | Basketball, Headlines, NBA | 0 comments The Indiana Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks from the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs in the first round They sealed the upset with a narrow 119–118 victory on April 29 who entered the postseason with high hopes Now, the team faces the challenge of convincing Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay in Milwaukee Although Antetokounmpo has consistently voiced his commitment to winning championships Another postseason letdown might push him to the brink the Bucks may need to acquire another superstar and the New Orleans Pelicans might have just the player they need Clippers Trade Kawhi Leonard to the Rockets Jaylen Brown Traded to the Phoenix Suns Luka Doncic Traded to the Denver Nuggets Bucks Receive: Zion Williamson 2028 First Round Draft Pick (MIL with NOH right to swap) Antetokounmpo will likely grow increasingly frustrated in Milwaukee Since Lillard’s injuries have already limited his impact the front office needs to pursue additional star talent to persuade The Greek Freak to stay That’s why the Bucks should go all-in to acquire Zion Williamson Although injuries and availability have raised concerns about Zion Williamson he remains just 24 years old with significant potential The two-time NBA All-Star recently reminded everyone of his impact when healthy By now, the Pelicans should recognize that despite Williamson’s talent he doesn’t fit the mold of a franchise centerpiece The team would benefit from moving on sooner rather than later especially with promising young players like Yves Missi and Trey Murphy proving they can help lead the future While Williamson has consistently struggled with availability pairing him as the second option beside Antetokounmpo could be an exciting shift This move would reduce his workload and limit the physical toll on his body unlike the burden he carried as New Orleans’ primary option A frontcourt pairing of Antetokounmpo and Williamson could dominate opposing teams Their similar rim-attacking play styles on both offense and defense would make Milwaukee a powerhouse With floor spacers like Gary Trent and Kevin Porter Jr both Giannis and Williamson should find plenty of room to operate inside Antetokounmpo has repeatedly expressed his commitment to staying in Milwaukee, but the Bucks’ playoff failures might finally convince the two-time NBA MVP to explore opportunities elsewhere. Lillard’s injury also casts doubt on his long-term future with the team. Still, if the front office manages to acquire a star like Zion Williamson, they could give Giannis a compelling reason to remain with the franchise. For years, the Pelicans viewed Williamson as the cornerstone who could restore the team’s relevance. Although New Orleans reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2024, they never truly benefited from Williamson’s full capabilities. Injuries kept the former No. 1 overall pick sidelined throughout every playoff appearance. Over five seasons, he only suited up for 214 games in a Pelicans jersey. Instead of continuing to rely on an injury-prone star, the Pelicans can trade him for dependable role players like Kyle Kuzma and Pat Connaughton. Both bring valuable championship experience that could strengthen the team both on and off the court. However, the real benefit for New Orleans lies in the draft picks included in the trade. The Pelicans clearly trust Missi, Jones, and Murphy to serve as foundational pieces for the franchise. Their youth and talent position them well to lead a new era. By using those draft picks wisely, New Orleans could further enhance the roster around this promising trio. Parting ways with Williamson won’t be easy, but after five underwhelming seasons and missed expectations, the Pelicans have enough evidence to conclude that he didn’t develop into the superstar they once envisioned. TWSN is committed to delivering high-quality sports content that stands out in today’s fast-paced media world. Our mission is to provide accurate, thoughtful, and timely coverage through articles, blogs, and podcasts. While many sacrifice depth for speed, we believe in a different approach—where quality and in-depth analysis come first. We focus on meaningful stories that matter to fans, ensuring every piece we produce is well-researched and relevant. They feature West Elm furnishings and USB battery packs rather than electricity, and on-site dining. Plus there are activities like yoga, music, and outdoor games and a concierge staff to help with hiking, rafting, and canyoneering. Each night there’s s’mores at communal fire pits. They have an earn and burn points relationship with Hyatt, and there are currently stackable offers that make trying Under Canvas glamping sites especially lucrative. First, Hyatt co-brand cardmembers earn an extra 11 points per dollar up to 100,000 bonus points These two promotions almost completely overlap That’s 21.5 Hyatt points per dollar which I value as a little more than a 30% rebate you can earn 1 American AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on top Let’s call it a 32% or one-third rebate thanks to these stackable offers some will consider this a pretty good time to stay More articles by Gary Leff » I feel for our National Park Rangers who are under threat of wrongly being DOGE’d these days These parks are world-class treasures for all mankind should be protected and preserved for posterity and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002 Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary » © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Miles and Points Consulting LLC - All Rights Reserved Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited provided that full and clear credit is given to Miles and Points Consulting LLC with appropriate and specific directions to the original content debates have already begun on if the front office should seek some major win-now upgrades By far the biggest takeaway from the Pistons this season was Cade Cunningham cementing himself as a star-level talent in the NBA 1 pick shined all year and put together an impressive postseason debut While he's proven capable of being the primary pillar for the franchise it remains unclear if the roster has a talent capable of being his running mate Jaden Ivey showed a lot of promise this season but suffered what became a season-ending injury in January When it comes to possible co-stars for Cunningham, Zion Williamson is a name that has been tossed around at times. Over the weekend, a possible trade framework for the New Orleans Pelicans star began making the rounds on social media Ron Holland and a pair of first-round picks for the All-Star forward Imagine Cade x ZION 🤯Should the Pistons & Pelicans make this trade to unite the former No.1 overall picks in Detroit? 🤔#DetroitBasketball | #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/obah5VRzyu Williamson would be an exciting star to pair with Cunningham The two impact the game in a variety of ways and could create one of the league's deadliest pick-and-roll combinations the thought of Williamson has been far better than the reality in recent years Williamson is fresh off playing in 30 or fewer games for the fourth time since being drafted No this is a bit of a risky move for the Pistons While they aren't paying a steep price they're still rolling the dice on a star who hasn't proven he can consistently be available Trajan Langdon would be far better off pursuing other avenues to improve the roster around Cunningham KEVIN MCCORMICK most of the league is now in the offseason with a lot of decisions to be made and to come One of those teams that will be taking time to evaluate their roster this offseason is the New Orleans Pelicans who are now under the new leadership of Joe Dumars Following up on one of their best years in franchise history in the 2023-24 season the Pelicans watched injuries derail their season as they are set to have the fourth-best odds to select first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft the biggest talking point remains the future of star Zion Williamson and a new report suggests where he could be on his way to REPORT: The Pelicans are “keeping close tabs” on Giannis’ situation in Milwaukee, per @ScoopB.“I’m told Zion could very well be on the table in a potential Giannis deal if Milwaukee chooses to explore trade options.” pic.twitter.com/VNvfks6ufM According to NBA Insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson the Pelicans are keeping an eye out on Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation following his first-round exit After the Bucks won the NBA Finals in 2021 they've now lost in the first round for three straight seasons Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly enjoys New York, owns multiple businesses there, and is reportedly viewed by the Brooklyn Nets as a ‘prime target,’ per @NYPost_Lewis pic.twitter.com/S0pxgT3jyd While the Pelicans do have Milwaukee's 2027 first-round pick and the rights to swap in 2026 as intriguing assets plenty of other teams around the league will also be willing to shell out whatever is needed if Antetokounmpo becomes available But if the Bucks do decide to embrace a rebuild and tank a deal with the Pelicans makes sense to gain control of their picks back and bring in Williamson who has proven he's a star in this league when he's healthy 14-Year NBA Veteran Urges Warriors to Insert New Player vs Rockets NBA Trade Idea Involves Pelicans Star Zion Williamson In Three-Team Deal New Report on Willie Green's Future With Pelicans 11 expert tips for a more serene experience at Zion Dreams of exploring Utah’s spectacular red rock country quickly turn dystopic if you do it wrong The tourist traps which you can easily fall into are as myriad as arches in Utah’s second most popular national park Zion requires everyone to ride the shuttle through its main canyon And park campsite and lodging reservations fill up faster than a slot canyon in a downpour often in spots off the average tourist’s radar and Disneyland-esque vibes does require some work and exert yourself more than the average national park-goer Sign up here Environmental essayist Edward Abbey posited some prescient thoughts about the fate of Arches when it was still but a fledgling national monument Let the people walk,” he wrote in Desert Solitaire visit Arches—or any national park—in peak season and prepare to join a snake of slow-moving vehicles A car is usually the worst way to take in these sublime lands The best place to apply this tip is Zion, Utah’s most popular national park. Park your car in Springdale and rent a bike or e-bike at a gear shop in town (starting at $50/day; try Zion Cycles or Zion Peddler) You can also bring your own bike if you’re road-tripping it’s a five-minute ride to the park’s main south entrance Private vehicles aren’t allowed to drive through Zion Canyon during peak season (riding the shuttle is required) The only other road users you’ll have to contend with are the shuttle buses which will wait for you to pull over to the shoulder so they can pass Bring a bike lock to secure your bike at trailheads and viewpoints especially as you enjoy the wind in your hair through the canyon’s stoic walls in peace Did you know that some of Utah’s national parks have a back door? The best example is Bryce, where a little-known trail leads into the park’s amphitheater from the town of Tropic. You’ll wonder if you’ve made a mistake as you park your car in a random cul-de-sac and start up the sandy doubletrack of Tropic Trail (3.4 miles roundtrip) But soon Bryce’s legendary hoodoos—sedimentary spires formed by erosion—will come into view Tropic Trail intersects with Navajo Loop Trail (1.3 miles round-trip) While you’ll contend with crowds as soon as you get off Tropic Trail you won’t have to deal with lines at the park entrance or full parking lots up top There’s also something magical about approaching the hoodoos from the solitude of this quiet trail but it will take a 4WD high-clearance vehicle As you’re heading into Moab on Highway 191 take Klondike Bluffs Road to the Copper Ridge Safari Route and the Klondike Road Trail the back entrance is via canyoneering: a top-down adventure (permit required) through the Narrows Note that taking a back entrance to Bryce or Arches means you won’t be assessed the entrance fee but I’d encourage you to make a donation to the park if you can—our national parks could use it right now first-served site in the off-season (November through February) I’ve had the chance to hike the quiet trail to Broken Arch at sunset and wake up early enough to hike to Delicate Arch for the sunrise in the company of only a dozen or so other humans Another strategy is to stay very close to the park Find Hipcamp Sites Near Zion Find Hipcamp Sites Near Bryce Find Hipcamp Sites Near Capitol Reef Find Hipcamp Sites Near Canyonlands Find Hipcamp Sites Near Arches Didn’t snag that Zion Angels Landing permit? Sad about the bumper-to-bumper hiker situation on Queens Garden Trail in Bryce? There are plenty of trails in Utah’s national parks that weed out the tourists from the adventurers And don’t let a crowded trailhead fool you—hike for more than 15 minutes and trail traffic usually thins if not disappears Starting from the Devils Garden Campground Broken Arch Trail (1-mile roundtrip) leads to an arch that isn’t quite broken yet It’s a very scenic spot to watch the sunset Or try Tower Arch Trail (3.4 miles roundtrip) Actually a 23-mile one-way backpacking trail that requires a permit for overnight stays Under-the-Rim Trail is also great for shorter out-and-back day trips (no permit required) Hike as far as you like across the varied terrain and over fun features Syncline Loop Trail (8 mile loop) circumvents Upheaval Dome a mysterious crater the origins of which continue to puzzle scientists If you want to duck into the crater itself Catch incredible views of the Hickman Natural Bridge and the Henry Mountains as you wander up sandstone hills past volcanic rock on Rim Overlook Trail (4.6 round-trip) The Rim Overlook Trail is not mapped on Trailforks but I’ve included a map of the Hickman Bridge Trail which starts from the same trailhead and splits off after less than a mile Located in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion Taylor Creek Trail (5 miles round-trip) ends at an awe-inducing rock alcove with two arches You’ll pass historic cabins and wildflowers aplenty along the way Below is a partial map of the trail that follows the South Fork of Taylor Creek The main sections of each of Utah’s national parks get all the hype But most parks have a backcountry that can be explored with a four-wheel-drive A great case in point: Capitol Reef’s “Loop the Fold” drive This literal wrinkle in geologic time stretches nearly 100 miles across southern Utah past incredible hikes and alluring slot canyons To take the “Loop the Fold” drive (a 125-mile one-way head east on Highway 24 from the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for nine miles Turn right on Notom-Bullfrog Road and continue for 33 miles which will take you up steep switchbacks that crest the Waterpocket Fold You could stay here and explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument the park’s Maze District entices explorers at heart to get a little lost—but bring a map and satellite radio so you don’t actually get lost The intrepid can try the Maze’s Flint Trail a 4WD-road that accesses hiking to mind-bending rock formations and dispersed camping and canyoneering up Orderville Canyon and via the iconic Subway route The most famous sights and features of any given national park constitute only a small fraction of the territory—particularly in the cases of Zion skip the crowded main canyon and east entrance to check out Kolob Canyons or the hiking and canyoneering off Kolob Terrace Road instead of limiting yourself to Grand Wash or Capitol Gorge off the main scenic drive check out the trails off Notom-Bullfrog Road or the non-contiguous Horseshoe Canyon Unit with its magnificent rock art In Arches, you can snag a hiking permit for the Fiery Furnace ($10 per person). If you get lost easily, there are also ranger-led tours through this labyrinthine area (which also must be booked in advance) You can easily dedicate a few hours or a whole day wandering through this red rock maze Utah’s national parks are open 24 hours a day You don’t need to go on a weekend in July between the hours of 8am and 5pm So get yourself a good headlamp (and extra batteries) and venture into the park well before the sun rises, after it sets, or at night. The best national park experience I’ve ever had was stargazing in Arches at 1am there were thousands of stars and the Milky Way above set out some chairs and stargaze or catch a meteor shower (the Perseids peak mid-August every summer) In Bryce, book a night sky tour ($50) with the Dark Ranger Observatory which runs star parties year-round (times vary depending on season; reservations required) finding the motivation to hang out inside a national park by dark will be much easier if you’re staying within the park so this advice pairs well with tip number three above) A (literally) hot take: Utah’s national parks are better in winter than in summer a self-proclaimed lizard who will take all the sun she can get because if you’ve ever been on a sweltering shuttle bus in Zion or a shadeless trail in Capitol Reef in July then you know full well that a summer desert trip is generally a no-go (river trips are the exception) While spring and fall hold the most comfortable temperatures in Utah’s desert landscapes they also draw large crowds (these are the tourists who understand that summer in the desert is a bad idea) So is winter the best time to venture to Utah’s Mighty Five Best case scenario (the likelihood of which increases year over year as our planet unfortunately warms): You’ll get a winter’s day in the 60s with a strong sun The concept of dupe travel is to avoid the fuss of the world’s most sought-after destinations (e.g. while reaping all the benefits of what that destination offers by choosing a very similar There are many opportunities to do this when it comes to Utah’s national parks by seeking out national monuments and other public lands that offer similar scenery and adventures Do you really think they would put all of Utah’s arches within a 119-square-mile radius Here are some dupe destination recommendations for Utah’s parks: booking a guide often unlocks great access or novel experiences if you lack the gear or necessary know-how a guide allows you to go on a more technical adventure than you otherwise might on your own Many of the tips above help you avoid crowds by avoiding the most crowded areas of Utah’s national parks So if you have your heart set on standing beneath Delicate Arch watching the hoodoos glow from Sunset Point or taking in the harrowing 360-degree views of Angels Landing the important thing is to get your timing right average tourist behavior does not reflect the fact that these parks are open 100% of the time So whether you go in the off season (aka winter do what you can to visit when most people won’t don’t hit the main circuits of any of Utah’s national parks on a holiday weekend Climbing’s Editor-in-Chief Maya Silver has lived in Utah for nearly a decade She’s been exploring its national parks since she first waded through Zion’s Narrows at age 10 Utah’s national parks have become a lot more popular which is why she’s focused her four Moon travel guides on how to avoid the crowds she’ll be exploring the San Rafael Swell and Utahraptor State Park—Utah’s newest state park—with her two kiddos Targeted perforation zone and stimulation operations are successful (OTC: ZNOG) announces that initial flowback operations from its Megiddo-Jezreel #1 (MJ-01) well re-entry have resulted in gas reaching the surface onshore in Israel Perforation and stimulation operations were successfully completed with gas observed at surface during early flowback The well is currently in the stimulation fluid recovery and cleaning phase Zion is sourcing additional equipment for that to continue flowback testing and conduct volumetric analysis to evaluate reservoir characteristics These efforts are part of Zion's ongoing plan to assess the well's production potential Zion Oil & Gas, a U.S. public company traded onOTCQB: ZNOG is dedicated to exploring for oil and gas onshore in Israel under its Megiddo Valleys License 434 which covers approximately 75,000 acres For more information, visit www.zionoil.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Statements in this communication that are not historical fact statements regarding Zion's operations or any disruptions thereto and the results therefrom including timely testing and completion; timely availability and receipt of necessary equipment and rig crews; Zion's ability to discover and produce oil and/or gas in commercial quantities; Zion's ability to continue as a going concern; operational risks in ongoing exploration efforts including timely resolution of supply and operational disruptions; regulatory approvals including necessary and timely work visas for crews needed for exploration within our license and the rig's operation; the effect of the uncertainties and potential delays associated with wars and skirmishes between Israel and liquidity for shareholders on the OTC market are forward-looking statements as defined in the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that are subject to significant known and unknown risks many of which are described in Zion's periodic reports filed with the SEC and are beyond Zion's control These risks could cause Zion's actual performance to differ materially from the results predicted by these forward-looking statements those described in Item 1A in Zion's Annual Report on Form 10-K which is expressly incorporated herein by reference and other factors as may periodically be described in Zion's filings with the SEC Zion can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in these statements will prove to be correct and assumes no responsibility to update these statements (OTC: ZNOG) is pleased to announce a significant operational milestone as work resumes on the recompletion of the.. (OTC: ZNOG) is pleased to announce the start of recompletion operations for the MJ-01 well in Israel Oil & Energy Utilities Gas Do not sell or share my personal information: An example of dispersed camping along the SR-9 corridor west of Zion National Park A map detailing the project area where the BLM proposes to building new campgrounds along the SR-9 corridor west of Zion National Park Sunset view of dirt road in the desert with Gooseberry Mesa views and sage in Washington County The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a proposed project regarding the management and improvement of dispersed camping along the state Route 9 corridor west of Zion National Park Just as visitation at the park has increased in recent years — up 164% between 2013 and 2023 — so have incidents of dispersed camping on federal and state-managed land to the point that people are camping in areas that are protected “This has led to significant environmental degradation, including soil compaction, vegetation loss, litter and human waste,” according to the BLM’s scoping document the pressure on BLM lands for camping is expected to increase intensifying the need for sustainable management solutions.” Dispersed camping is described as camping outside of designated campgrounds without amenities like restrooms or fire rings camping options within the park consist of 56 designated dispersed camping areas along state Route 9 managed by the state In order to accommodate the growing wave of visitors to the area the bureau is proposing the creation of two new campsites and additional dispersed camping locations This includes the removal and reclaiming of 30 preexisting dispersed campsites and a new camping restriction on more than 15,000 acres between LaVerkin and Zion National Park “to reduce resource impacts and improve the recreation experience,” according to the proposal Two new proposed campsites would be named the Flagstone Quarry Campground and the Gooseberry Mesa Campground the Flagstone Quarry Campground would cover 110 acres and host 150 individual and party campsites The Flagstone Quarry community pit would be officially closed A new trailhead and event staging area nearby would serve visitors and accommodate authorized events A non-motorized trailhead would connect the campground to the Hurricane Cliffs Trail System The Gooseberry Mesa Campground will span 240 acres and have 80 campsites with similar amenities and phased construction The BLM is planning for 25 additional dispersed campsites on Gooseberry Mesa while also improving areas impacted by increased visitation A dispersed camping restriction would be implemented across approximately 15,087 acres between La Verkin and Zion National Park to protect natural resources The designated 30-day public scoping period for the proposed campgrounds and other projects began May 1 and runs through June 2. Project details are available on the BLM National NEPA Register with instructions on how to submit comments found under the “Participate Now” link residents can identify potential resource issues data for use in analysis and alternatives related to the proposed projects the most useful scoping comments can help answer the following questions: Sarah Kellam is a Kentucky native and played collegiate golf at Northern Kentucky University She currently serves as a Manager of Digital Content and prior to the LPGA Sarah worked as a freelance content creator Strong and surprising NBA rumors emerge about a possible exchange between the Pelicans and the Bucks this summer Many ideas are circulating in NBA rumors about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo after the early elimination of the Milwaukee Bucks and the feeling that the project has come to an end One of the most surprising rumors that has emerged in recent hours involves Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans Months of incessant NBA rumors lie ahead regarding the possible destinations for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the league as he is considered to have many options to leave the Milwaukee Bucks The Greek player feels that his time with the team where he won the championship has come to an end and that it is time for a change of scenery The challenge lies in finding a franchise with the right financial and sporting conditions to handle his transfer One of these destinations could be the New Orleans Pelicans a team that is desperately seeking the departure of Zion Williamson The situation between player and franchise is very strained and needs to be resolved quickly to avoid worsening matters The Louisiana team aims for greatness and knows that they could maintain their core of Ingram and McCollum around Giannis Antetokounmpo positioning themselves as contenders for everything Whether this idea will come to fruition remains to be seen This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zion Williamson podría tener la llave para el futuro de Antetokounmpo The technical summary data tells us to buy ZION near 46.02 with an upside target of 53.73 This data also tells us to set a stop loss @ 45.89 to protect against excessive loss in case the stock begins to move against the trade 46.02 is the first level of support below 46.61 The technical summary data is suggesting a short of ZION as it gets near 53.73 with a downside target of 46.02 We should have a stop loss in place at 53.89though 53.73 is the first level of resistance above 46.61 the technical summary data tells us to buy ZION just slightly over 53.73 The data also tells us to set a stop loss @ 53.57 in case the stock turns against the trade 53.73 is the first level of resistance above 46.61 any break above resistance is a buy signal Because this plan is based on a break of resistance it is referred to as a Long Resistance Plan The technical summary data is suggesting a short of ZION if it tests 53.73 with a downside target of 46.54 We should have a stop loss in place at 53.89 though in case the stock begins to move against the trade is being tested a short signal would exist Because this plan is a short plan based on a test of resistance it is referred to as a Short Resistance Plan the technical summary data tells us to buy ZION just slightly over 46.74 The data also tells us to set a stop loss @ 46.63 in case the stock turns against the trade 46.74 is the first level of resistance above 46.61 The technical summary data is suggesting a short of ZION if it tests 46.74 with a downside target of 46.54 We should have a stop loss in place at 46.85 though in case the stock begins to move against the trade Check the time stamp on this data. Updated AI-Generated Signals for Zions Bancorporation N.a. (ZION) available here: ZION Blue = Current PriceRed= ResistanceGreen = Support Click the Get Real Time Updates button below You will have 24/7 access to real time updates From then on you can just click to get the real time update whenever you want GET REAL TIME UPDATES Evitar Corte warned of market crash risk four times since 2000 It identified the Internet Debacle before it happened It identified the Credit Crisis before it happened Get Notified When our Ratings Change:Take a Trial Technically, Zions Bancorporation N.a. (NASDAQ: ZION) provides opportunities for traders who are watching the price of the stock oscillate over time The signals for these will appear immediately on your My Stocks Page; add more too © 2022-2024 - All Rights Reserved Monday - Friday 9am-12pm / 2pm-6pm GMT + 1 All financial news and data tailored to specific country editions Now two years into his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football career Zion Rutledge has always prided himself on trying to be a leader of whatever unit he has been part of with the Mocs Gene has covered sports in the Chattanooga area since 2008 and has ascended from covering preps to colleges in his time a job he's held from 2013-18 and again since 2020 having spent two seasons covering Tennessee pre-pandemic Gene played four seasons of college basketball and has a 20-year-old son named Judah who plays at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press El material de Associated Press es Copyright © 2025 derechos reservados Associated Press y no puede ser publicado audio y/o video de Associated Press no será publicado reescrito para su transmisión o publicación ni redistribuido directa o indirectamente en ningún medio Ni estos materiales de AP ni ninguna parte de los mismos pueden almacenarse en una computadora errores u omisiones de los mismos o de la transmisión o entrega de la totalidad o parte de los mismos o de cualquier daño que surja de cualquiera de los anteriores The Bucks have lost three straight playoff series in the opening round since 2022 rumors are circulating that the former NBA Finals MVP could ask for a change of scenery this offseason "This is a thing that maybe some players make a mistake Whatever package you think is rich enough to obtain Giannis Antetokounmpo, it will need to be much larger. But if he ends up on the trade market, he’ll have no shortage of suitors.One potential deal to explore? A three-team trade with the Bucks, Spurs and Pelicans 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q71AymEQ2r The Athletic's Eric Nehm conjured a three-team deal involving the Bucks and San Antonio Spurs that could benefit each team Antetokounmpo would team up with Spurs young phenom Victor Wembanyama in what could prove to be an almost unstoppable frontcourt Williamson would go up to Milwaukee to give the Bucks a young star after Antetokounmpo's departure New Orleans would be a full rebuild after trading Williamson away Zion played in just 30 games this season and has played less than 50% of his team's games since being drafted by the Pelicans in 2019 The Pelicans are in line for a high draft choice after finishing the season at 21-61 the second-worst record in franchise history Zion Williamson in the 2024-25 season: 24.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 56.7 FG percentage pic.twitter.com/T71J9Nj83O Swift moves were made to the Pelicans' front office letting go of former executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin New Orleans replaced him with Joe Dumars and also brought in former Detroit Pistons GM Troy Weaver to join the organization the Pelicans must retool the roster to try to be contenders in the conference next season New Report on NBA Legend Joining Pelicans Front Office New Orleans Pelicans Announce Massive Front Office Decision TERRY KIMBLEPelicans Scoop Writer The Greek Freak will undoubtedly be the most talked-about player this summer as his future in Milwaukee remains unclear Antetokounmpo has had shortcomings after shortcomings he has yet to make it past the second round for three consecutive seasons; he has yet to make it past the first round Not all of it is Antetokounmpo's fault it raises the question of whether a fresh new start would be best for the 30-year-old We'll have the answers to that question in the coming months pundits and insiders are creating trade scenarios for the best lading spots for Antetokounmpo Anything and everything could happen if the Bucks make a player like Antetokounmpo available. In one trade scenario, Eric Nehm, David Aldridge, Eric Koreen, Tony Jones, and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic created this trade scenario where the Bucks land two-time All-Star Zion Williamon in a massive package the Bucks collect Williamson plus Keldon Johnson 2027 first-round pick swap rights (Pelicans) The Spurs get the big fish in Antetokounmpo in this scenario If the Bucks have no choice but to trade Giannis they make a multi-team deal that gets them a potential superstar to build around in the still-just-24-year-old Williamson and a rotational wing in Johnson they get a whole lot of future firsts to give them a chance to rebuild if Williamson can’t overcome his history of injuries including a ’25 pick at the back of the lottery and potential control of their own first back in ’27 just as Williamson is entering the last year of his current deal." two-time MVP is far from ideal for Milwaukee the only viable path to replenishing their future may come through trading their franchise cornerstone The Bucks now find themselves in a difficult position—neither contending nor rebuilding—often considered the toughest spot in professional sports While parting ways with Antetokounmpo is not something the organization would take lightly it may ultimately serve as the most effective route toward a long-term reset More Bucks: Doc Rivers Son Slams Critics After Bucks Game 5 Meltdown Bucks Trading Giannis Antetokounmpo Would Be Massive Mistake For more news and notes about the Milwaukee Bucks, head on over to Milwaukee Bucks on SI RICARDO KLEIN the offseason has been well underway for the New Orleans Pelicans They've wasted no time getting busy either they've already fired former Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin replaced him with Detroit Pistons legend Joe Dumars and hired a new number two for Dumars in Troy Weaver Like the other 13 teams that didn't make the playoffs All of this front office movement came as a result of their awful showing in the 2024-25 NBA season that saw them go just 21-61 despite entering the year hoping to make a deep playoff run the Pelicans are at the dawn of perhaps the most crucial offseason in franchise history then they have their work cut out for them to build the ideal roster around him This emerging free agent center is a great place to start This past season, we learned a few things. After trading for Kelly Olynyk, it became abundantly clear how effective Zion can be when surrounded by shooters freed from the shackles of having to play alongside another plodding big man who could only play inside the paint but those couple of months with Olynyk confirmed it that the benefits of having a floor-spacing big on the court are completely negated if neither of the big men is a rim protector New Orleans often bled more points than they poured in with Z and Kelly in the same lineup or Head Coach Willie Green was forced to play both of them alongside another center like Yves Missi That's why the Pelicans need to continue their search for a true stretch five one that can aptly threaten opposing defenses from deep and protect New Orleans's paint at the same time there's a perfect option hitting the open market this summer The Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a franchise teardown With Damian Lillard tearing his Achilles this late in the year he'll likely miss the entirety of next season especially considering his advanced age for a small guard in the NBA With virtually zero chance for them to contend for a title next year there's almost no reason why the Bucks would re-sign Brook Lopez this summer who's set to enter unrestricted free agency a rookie center who just came off a freshman season He might not be ready to anchor a playoff-caliber defense full-time but he's certainly ready to handle heavy minutes That makes Brook Lopez the perfect target for New Orleans The former champion will turn 38 years old next April He's still playing drop defense at an elite level while knocking down triples consistently but he's only good for around 18-25 minutes a night now He would be the perfect bridge to allow Missi to grow into his adult body while providing Zion Williamson with the stretch five he's always needed © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"61","src":"62","url":"63"},{"type":"60","value":"64"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"67","url":"68"},{"type":"66","value":"69"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands leading FanSided’s coverage on all things New Orleans Pelicans.\n\nHe’s a Journalism graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University with extensive coverage in multimedia journalism and sports content creation He’s a credentialed NBA journalist who has written for several FanSided publications among other sites.\n\nIn addition to his NBA coverage This past season, we learned a few things. After trading for Kelly Olynyk, it became abundantly clear how effective Zion can be when surrounded by shooters the New Orleans Pelicans need to continue to try to build the perfect team around him The Chargers did not exercise the fifth-year option on the contract of offensive lineman Zion Johnson The option would have paid Johnson $17.560 million for 2026 He now goes into the 2025 season in the final year of his contract and scheduled to become a free agent in March The Chargers made Johnson the 17th overall pick in 2022 He missed two games in 2023 with a neck injury A Division of NBCUniversal DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only and there is no gambling offered on this site This service is intended for adult audiences No guarantees are made for any specific outcome Grace Alon woke up last Wednesday morning to a Middle Eastern “hamsin” with hot dry air blasting through the window like an oven Characterized by strong winds and extreme high temperatures the hamsin conditions were ripe for the fastest spreading fire in Israel’s history Alon praised the swift and courageous actions of the firefighters and authorities but also shared how several miracles meant that her entire village of Mesilat Zion was miraculously saved she noticed the smoke and checked her messages “It started in Tarom and then the wind just took it northeast and Mesilat Zion was directly in the line of the fire,” explained Alon Initially it was thought that the fire would spread at a slower pace “Now we know that the winds were so strong that the flames were traveling eight meters per second which is a new record for any spread of fire in Israel.”  saying we needed to leave right then.” They were given the order to evacuate “I grabbed our go bag and a few other items and rushed to my car My husband (who) was at work and my two older kids at school were all safe but I had to get my youngest son from the kindergarten,” she said was there.” It was the quick thinking and swift reaction of Eliyahu The fact that he was working from home that day turned out to be extremely providential she was asked to take three other young children with her to safety the car-full of toddlers didn’t object to being escorted by a stranger feeling the urgency of the situation” says Alon I saw a huge column of fire in the forest just past the houses ahead of me.”  I realized with terror what little time we may have before the fire arrived,” she added The village entrance was blocked with evacuees trying to get out and parents trying to get in to rescue their children Together with fire trucks that were now arriving The toddlers were reunited with their parents and Alon went to find her two other children wondering if the road may be blocked further along Alon saw a neighbor with his head in his hands “There was little chance of the village making it out of this fire undamaged.” “It’s possible the fire may take our house but the most important thing is that we are all safe we can trust God with everything.” However her eldest son suggested that they should pray We are asking you to save every house in the village.” Remarkably along with many others that were going up as the news of the fire spread told her that a man decided to enter the village to help and saw a woman coming out of a house and shouting "I have four babies inside!" He rescued them all just in time as shortly after the fire arrived at the edge of the village right next to her house Alon remembered that she had felt prompted to go pray in that very place several weeks previously She had been praying Psalm 91 for protection and that God would turn the enemy back at the gates “I walked up through the blackened forest that was still smoking up to the point where I'd prayed Everything behind me was black and burned but everything in front of me another believing couple had felt led to live there in the forest of Jerusalem and had been praying for protection against fires for fifteen years As news of the fire went out spurring many more prayers the firefighters arrived and the strong hot wind suddenly dropped enabling them to bring the fire under control Alon gives great credit to the Israeli authorities and services “As soon as he heard in the morning that there was a fire in Tarom he jumped in his car and drove over there to assess the situation He looked at how fast the fire was spreading and drove back to give the order to evacuate and it wasn't a moment too soon because we really did have just minutes to spare.” He came back and he drove straight to my son's gan [kindergarten] and physically loaded all the kids into the back of his truck.”  Alon’s four year old said later that they all did what they were told and how they had seen the flames The children were praised for listening to the instructions and staying calm “So now they're all super proud of themselves because they're giborim Alon explained that Eliyahu only works from home on Wednesdays we don’t want to think about what would have happened,” she said “Several hours later we heard that the fire was under control and miraculously only one house had a tiny bit of damage to its roof,” said Alon nothing else has been touched apart from the view to the forest.” “We’ve lost 10,000 dunams,” said Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi, “but not a single home burned and no civilians were harmed,” according to Ynet News Jo Elizabeth has a great interest in politics and cultural developments studying Social Policy for her first degree and gaining a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from Haifa University but she loves to write about the Bible and its primary subject Jo spends her time between the UK and Jerusalem PHOENIX — A new police report details the investigation in the days and months following the murder of 29-year-old Lauren Heike and emails found by investigators through search warrants The report also describes images that were allegedly accessed by Zion Teasley's phone in the days following Heike's death and the police interview with the now 24-year-old suspect A neighbor called police in April 2023 after finding Heike stabbed more than a dozen times off a popular north Phoenix hiking trail called Reach 11 The nearly 400-page new report details the calls Heike's loved ones made to the police It also includes messages and interviews with the person who may have been considered the investigators' first person of interest "We were friends, went on dates and stuff," said Carlos Anderson in an interview with ABC15 in 2023 ABC15 spoke with Anderson just months after Heike’s death He had been dating Heike in the months before her murder and cooperated with police The report said Anderson even agreed to take a polygraph test with his employer confirming he was at work when the murder took place It was DNA from Heike's shoe that was found at the scene which ultimately pointed police to suspect Zion Teasley Teasley came up as a match in a criminal database after already serving time behind bars Tealsey was arrested just days after Heike’s death and charged with murder The police report details the surveillance and the interviews they conducted Officers learned from Teasley's probation officer that plane tickets were purchased for a family funeral out of state But Wednesday's new report showed a struggle with Teasley's sexuality and gender identity "I have been battling with my gender identity and sexuality but how can I with these and other sins in the way But it’s still a lot of pressure and it’s hard to maintain a good Christian mindset 24/7.” Police note another screenshot which implies that Teasley may have been depressed "when I see a beautiful woman and I’m a man” police reportedly found a computer in Teasley's home that was used to visit news websites and a wikihow page on avoiding being "jumped." The report also said that when looking through images on Teasley's phone they found photos from Heike's social media accessed days after her death The report also said investigators found images of Teasley in an outfit they say was similar to what Heike was wearing when she was killed Those images of Teasley appeared to have been accessed or "modified" the day he was arrested The report goes in-depth on what Teasley told police during their interview when shown surveillance video of the "suspect" released by police Teasley told investigators he knew Heike from the news when Teasley was asked by investigators if they planned Heike's murder officers noted seeing scratches on Teasley Phoenix police also detail messages and an alleged relationship between Teasley and a Phoenix patrol officer The report said the two exchanged a “large amount” of messages until the day Teasley was arrested An extraction of the officer's phone showed he allegedly tried to search "Lauren Heike" and "Teasley" the day after an arrest was made in the case "[Redacted officer's name] then admitted he learned of Zion's arrest on 05-04-2023 (date of actual arrest) [Redacted] confirmed this was the reason he and Zion stopped texting [redacted] spoke with his squad mates and informed them an arrest was made on the 'Lauren Heike' investigation [Redacted] and his squadmates discussed the public comments made under Zion's arrest video [Redacted] did not feel it necessary to tell his supervisor or squad mates of his relationship with Zion." ABC15 has followed up with Phoenix police regarding other details found in an interview with the officer and messages in the report They tell us the officer Teasley was allegedly in a relationship with was investigated and received a suspension for not disclosing Heike's parents were back in court this week, speaking out against Teasley's request to push the trial date back three years The Judge ultimately moved the date from October 2025 to January 2027 Watch ABC15's coverage of Teasley's trial date being pushed in the player above Teasley's new attorney referred to her client as "her" while asking for assistance with a health concern ABC15 did try to speak with Teasley's attorneys after court Teasley has pleaded not guilty but has been charged in two other separate felony cases The new report notes in multiple places that police hadn’t found any communication between Heike and Teasley prior to her death ABC15 was told investigators believed the attack was "random" Report a typo Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Denver provides funding as a member of The Conversation US View all partners At dawn on Sept. 15, 1825, a burst of cannon fire shook the ramshackle buildings of Buffalo, New York. Families raced down the main street to witness a grand ceremony, following a parade of soldiers, clergymen, Freemasons, musicians and Seneca tribesmen, including their venerable chief, Red Jacket Jews and Native Americans were already packed together to witness the founding of Ararat a tract of land on nearby Grand Island that was intended to be the first autonomous Jewish city-state in almost 1,800 years Ararat’s 400-pound cornerstone, engraved with a central Jewish tenet of faith from the Bible’s Book of Deuteronomy political power broker and playwright Mordecai Manuel Noah – the man who had dreamed up Ararat – rose to his feet Described as a “stout … gentleman, with sandy hair, a large Roman nose, and … red whiskers,” Noah had draped himself for the ceremony in fur-trimmed robes borrowed from a theater. He triumphantly announced the reestablishment of “the Government of the Jewish Nation … under the auspices and protection of the constitution and laws of the United States of America.” Noah also welcomed Native Americans, whom he – like many Americans at the time – mistakenly believed were “the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.” In addition he granted equal “rights and religious privileges” to the “black Jews of India and Africa,” disclosing a rare-for-his-time sensitivity toward Jews of color But Noah’s utopian ark sank with barely a trace. Not a single Jew heeded his call to settle Ararat. Noah himself abandoned ship when his calls for a Jewish republic were rebuffed by religious leaders. All that he left behind was the cornerstone As a scholar who scours archives to trace connections between literature and history, I’ve seen how Noah’s efforts to found a Jewish statelet have fascinated students of both American and Zionist history Noah was only the first of many modern thinkers to propose establishing Jewish territories far from the biblical land of Israel. In the 20th century, organizations seeking a humanitarian solution to Jewish persecution considered carving out enclaves the world over Noah wielded considerable influence in early 19th-century America through his roles as a political party boss, helming various daily newspapers, and as a popular playwright. But he was also a marginalized outsider at a time when there were fewer than 500 Jews in Manhattan Noah used his press pulpit to demand equality for Jews even proposing himself as a presidential candidate He remained one of few high-profile American Jews throughout his life urging other citizens to acknowledge that one’s faith and patriotism need never be at odds Yet antisemitic slurs dogged him throughout his career After witnessing the persecution of Jews in Europe during his diplomatic travels Noah hoped Ararat would be a territorial solution to religious oppression In some ways, his efforts hearkened back to the origins of America itself. Instead of the Mayflower, Noah invoked the symbolic ark of his biblical namesake – “Ararat” is the biblical name of the mountain where the ark came to a rest after the flood. In the role of the Puritans, he cast European Jewry. And instead of Plymouth Rock, he landed on Grand Island. As the cornerstone of Ararat proclaimed the settlement was to be a “city of refuge for the Jews” – one that Noah hoped would grow to become a state and be admitted to the American republic At the time of Noah’s proposal, the Zionist movement – the modern political program for Jewish national self-determination – had not yet coalesced. Most Jews at the time believed that founding a Jewish state in the land of Israel was a pipe dream, or worse. God had expelled their ancestors from the Holy Land in 70 C.E. so taking matters into their own hands and rebuilding a Jewish state there would be blasphemy Noah hoped to sidestep those theological objections by locating a Jewish polity in the promised land of America, not the biblical promised land. Nonetheless, Jewish leaders dismissed his vision as contrary to God’s will. The chief rabbis of England and France publicly condemned Noah’s plan and the September 1825 ceremony in Buffalo proved Ararat’s high point Though ridiculed in the press for Ararat’s failure, Noah took a philosophical view: I … stand as the pioneer of the great work … When sneers and mockery shall have had their day … then my motives and objects will have been duly estimated and rewarded.“ Noah quickly resumed his career as a journalist and emerged as a kind of ambassador penning articles and delivering speeches that linked Jewish and Christian America he demonstrated the fundamental compatibility between the ideals of Judaism and the United States assuring them that America "is the country which the Almighty has blessed,” a land in which Jews “may repose in safety and happiness.” Noah did not live to see his dreams fulfilled nearly 50 years passed before another playwright and journalist resurrected the idea of Jewish political autonomy: Theodor Herzl Herzl’s vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of the state of Israel. Today, he is considered the father of Zionism, with his image paraded on Israeli Independence Day Noah is remembered today thanks only to the spectacular failure of his American Zion Willie GreenNewly hired to oversee the New Orleans Pelicans Dumars wouldn't commit to the futures of Zion Williamson or Willie Green in his 1st press conference The Pelicans have made the playoffs just twice since drafting Zion Williamson with the No (AP) — Joe Dumars grinned when Zion Williamson’s name came up during the 61-year-old Hall-of-Famer’s formal introduction as the New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations I’ve had to talk to Zion a few times,” said Dumars who spent the past three seasons as the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations — a job that included oversight of player conduct and I’ve talked to Zion since I became the EVP here and we had exceptional conversations on the phone.” That’s the extent of what Dumars chose to say about Williamson on Tuesday The topic is sure to come up again this offseason as Dumars goes about determining the path forward for a franchise coming off its worst record (21-61) in two decades showing the potential to be a transformational star But injuries have sidelined him for 258 regular-season games as well as every postseason contest New Orleans has played since he was drafted Then there have been some unsavory off-the-court episodes with romantic partners splashed all over social media some of which very well could have been the topic of Dumars’ past talks with Williamson And Williamson was suspended one game this season for being late for a team flight Watch Live: Joe Dumars#Pelicans | @CaesarsSports https://t.co/Lm40lcQ0jw — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 22, 2025 In his general comments at team headquarters Dumars indicated that his tolerance for players who are unreliable on the court and irresponsible off of it will be low “You have to set standards — and you can’t waver from those standards,” Dumars said Standards that change over time are not conducive to elite basketball “That’s not elite anything when you allow things to just slide.” Just two players attended Dumars’ introduction: guards CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado and whose future with the club remains in limbo Dumars was largely complimentary about Green where Dumars won two NBA titles as a player with the Pistons before winning a third as general manager “I’ve been knowing Willie forever — great man,” Dumars said who was fired last week after a six-year stint that began with the drafting of Williamson What Dumars intends to change remains unclear saying he wanted to spend more time meeting everyone and spend a lot of time listening the Pelicans were done in largely by extended injury absences involving not just Williamson That’s another area in which Dumars aims to “find out what’s happening,” adding that he doesn’t want to “come in with any preconceived notions.” The Pelicans announced Dumars’ hiring just two days after firing Griffin The club never discussed other candidates or a search process for Griffin’s successor who owns both the Pelicans and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints described a relationship with Dumars that grew considerably while he worked at NBA headquarters was that he will “always give you straight even when it’s not what you want to hear.” She also touted Dumars’ Louisiana roots; he grew up in Natchitoches played in college for McNeese State and is an unabashed Saints fan he knows how important our teams are to our community,” Benson said She added that Dumars “has my full support to make any decision he deems necessary.” who has made Michigan his primary family home said he was happy working for the NBA in New York and wasn’t looking to leave until Benson reached out to him is to “fill your building with like-minded people.” “We want people that are going to embrace New Orleans,” Dumars said “They’re going to embrace being in this city Williamson has a lower back contusion while McCollum is suffering from a bone contusion in his right foot 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his 1st career triple-double while leading the Pelicans past the Suns The star forward is coming off a 22-point effort in a 114-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday The Pelicans' standout big man was back on the court for the 1st time since early November Nuggets mount historic comebacks to take home court advantage Cavaliers-Pacers and Timberwolves-Warriors tonight Aaron Gordon comes up clutch again for the Nuggets while the Thunder face the 1st big test of their 2025 playoff run Boston's reliance on 3-pointers backfires while New York's defenders come through in the clutch to clinch a massive comeback win Celtics announce Porzingis was questionable to return with an illness that they specified was non-Covid Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones glamour up alongside Angel Reese for the annual fashion event The NBA landscape is forever changing and there is expected to be more movement this offseason including two potential game changing players becoming available on the trade market it sure seems like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee are heading for a split The Bucks were beaten in five games by the Indiana Pacers have no control over their draft picks for the rest of the decade While it would hurt to trade away a perennial MVP candidate who won a championship for them just a few years ago it might be the best way for Milwaukee to rebuild Giannis will bring in a large haul of both players and draft picks in any deal and the Bucks will have no shortage of options about where to send him New Orleans is going to be another interesting team to watch They are under new leadership in the front offive and after the Dejounte Murray deal went so poorly they are in need of a new direction and it may not include Zion Williamson Williamson played well in the final months of the season after missing more time but given where the roster is and the chance that New Orleans could have a high lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft it could make sense for both parties to want a fresh start Atlanta is going to be a team worth watching too Most will point to a potential Trae Young trade but that does not appear likely (for now) and Atlanta may move forward with this core of Young they need to improve their bench in a big way this offseason What about a three team deal that gets something each of these three teams want New Orleans Pelicans receive: Giannis Antetoukounmpo Why the Hawks do this: Bufkin is young and talented but he has not played because of injuries for two seasons and Atlanta may not have time to wait on him to develop into a quality role player Alvarado is one of the best backup point guards in the league and is from Georgia Tech giving him an opportunity to come back to Atlanta The Hawks would have their backup point guard who is a good two-way player Why the Hawks don't do this: They want to see Bufkin develop and still believe in his talent instead of bringing in Alvarado Why the Bucks do this: They get back an exciting young player in Williamson who is an All-NBA level player when healthy He is still young enough to help the Bucks compete right away while adding premium draft capital Because the Bucks don't control their own picks they could try and trade for a player like Zion so they can keep winning Olynyk is quality depth and Bufkin could be something if he can stay healthy Why the Bucks don't do this: While ultra talented there is a reason Zion could potentially be traded He is often unavailable and if that is the case for Milwaukee that hurts them in the future and the present Bufkin has not shown he can stay healthy yet either Is this enough draft capital for the Bucks Why the Pelicans do this: They upgrade the roster in a major way with Giannis instead of Zion and they have the talent to win right away They still have Herb Jones and Trey Murphy could land a top four pick in the draft (Cooper Flagg?) the thing that has hurt New Orleans is Zion's availability and Giannis is a reliable player when it comes to that Why the Pelicans don't do this: They would rather go into a full rebuild rather than trade for a win now player 2 player on this roster that could help lift this team to a championship even if the Pelicans won the lottery and got Cooper Flagg but they have the trade assests to build the roster but it is not hard to see the reasons all three teams should consider this while the Bucks get one of the NBA's best talent's (when healthy) New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Giannis to OKC, Hawks Upgrade Spacing With Proven Shooter NBA Awards: Atlanta Hawks Shooting Guard Dyson Daniels Wins 2024-25 Most Improved Player New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Kevin Durant to Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks Upgrade Rotation JACKSON CAUDELLJackson Caudell has been covering Georgia Tech Athletics For On SI since March 2022 and the Atlanta Hawks for On SI since October 2023 Jackson is also the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast and he loves to bring thoughtful analysis and comprehensive coverage to everything that he does Zion Vineyards in May is a time for bottling The trimming and pruning we did in February and March have benefits visible now It has promoted new growth that encourages high-quality fruit and ensures the new growth has enough air flow and sun around the bases of many of our vines this year We are seeing small clusters of grapes on the vine already We’ve bottled 6 New Reserve wines two of which are available to taste and purchase now the Sangiovese Reserve and the Teroldego Reserve American Oak It is one of the most important grape varieties in Italy Known as the “backbone of Chianti”.” Sangiovese is the dominant grape variety in Chianti blends Our 2023 Sangiovese Reserve is aged in French Oak it is medium-bodied Fruit driven in character with aromas of tart cherry and plum With grippy tannins and savory notes of saddle-leather A perfect food wine paired with rich full-flavored meats Chicken Cacciatore and Classic Red sauce pasta dishes this wine aged in American Oak is full-bodied Big Oak and smoke with notes of tobacco and woodsy spice complement a smooth rounded mouthfeel and velvety tannins lamb or braised meats like Osso Bucco and Classic Tomato based Italian dishes Please come on out and join us for a fun time and taste some of our award-winning wines We are just 12 miles north of St George and just off the I-15 in beautiful Leeds Utah Reservations are not needed We are Open Seven Days a Week Online at zionvines.com or call 435-216-1340 Support local journalism and event coverage that matters to you with a small DONATION We appreciate your support so we can live to fight another day Send us a news tip, story idea, guest editorial, or letter to the editor! Zion Canyon Scenic Drive reopened after debris cleanup www.nps.gov/zion Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go Unlocked: Jai Glindeman’s Stab Edit Of The Year Entry Stab Interview: WSL CEO Ryan Crosby On The Tectonic Shifts Coming To The Championship Tour Isabella Nichols + Jack Robinson Win Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach The 7 Personality Types That Get Waves In Any Lineup The Electric Acid Surfboard Test With Dave Rastovich The tech that fuels Boa Vista Village and São Paulo Surf Club is coming to the U.S Just outside of Zion National Park in Utah lies the one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States Take it from a Mormon: Washington County is a perfect place for a wave pool… The area is replete with young families moving in freshly priced out of their parents’ coastal elite enclaves The county is also home to world-class mountain biking Not to mention all of these freshly cropped-up neighborhoods lie within a 20-minute drive from a National Park whose beauty is only rivaled by a Yosemite or a Yellowstone two hours from PerfectSwell Zion and nine hours from the ocean has a clothing store named “Called To Surf” (a play off the Mormon hymn “Called To Serve”) a FlowRider called “Provo Beach Resort” and a collegiate surf team (BYU Surf Team) that drives 650 miles to compete in the NSSA every month no community may be more able and willing to fill a wave pool’s pre-sell list considering what we’ve seen from these pools recently: Gen 6 features optimization diagnostics utilizing historic and real time data and a thermal design system for air and water temperature management.” One problem that PerfectSwell has tackled is water Utah’s population is projected to outpace its supply of water by 2060 the problem is especially pronounced with low amounts of snow run-off and the Virgin River rapidly drying up “There’s good cause to be concerned about water,” said area Mayor Chris Hart We’ve just about used up all of the Virgin River drainage and our only hope is that we can convince enough of us to conserve better.” how did PerfectSwell and their partners — American Wave Machines and Zion Shores — get approval to build a 700,000 gallon+ wave pool in the desert “Further improvements in pneumatics have resulted in measurable increases in wave generating efficiency,” PerfectSwell announced “For the surf and aquatics recreation the project will upcycle brackish water – unfit for drinking or farming – conserving fresh water and reducing waste.” All of the lots facing the wave pool have been sold. But there are still properties available for $1.5 Million in Zion Shores, if you’re unusually breaded. We did a whole story breaking down investing in wave pool properties, if you’re curious. PerfectSwell Zion is slated to open in Q1 of 2027 1 overall in 2019 and viewed as a savior for the franchise post Anthony Davis While Williamson has flashed moments of brilliance most of his time has been spent on the sidelines due to injury who reminds him of former teammate Shawn Kemp "Very much." Payton said when asked if Williamson reminded him of his former teammate "Me and Shawn talk about this all the time That's the young Shawn Kemp of the NBA." DON'T JUMP WITH ZION WILLIAMSON. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IhU4wqww9h Kemp was a six-time all-star who is regarded as one of the best dunkers in NBA history The former SuperSonic great was known as the "Rain Man," and he and Payton led Seattle to the NBA Finals in 1996 before they were defeated by the Chicago Bulls in six games Williamson has not played a playoff game in his career because of his constant injury history marking the fourth time in their career that he's played less than 40 games in a season Williamson did average career-highs in rebounds Williamson's five-year contract with the Pelicans Many rumors circulate about his future in New Orleans with many thinking a change of scenery may rejuvenate his career An International Dark Sky Park and a hiker’s paradise Capitol Reef is one of the state’s less-visited national parks Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com A new RVShare report identifies less crowded "dupes" to the most famous parks that might be easier to visit this year The alternative for the iconic Zion National Park is another Utah national park that is bigger in size and gets 1.3 million fewer visitors a year legislators and community members packed the newly refurbished Scotland A.M.E Zion Church in Potomac to celebrate all those who had a hand in resurrecting the church from flooding and discrimination the sun shone brightly on the small church on Seven Locks Road in Potomac as the community marked its rebuilding after flooding in 2019 destroyed its foundation and closed the building to worshipers for five years “This is a marvelous gathering not just for the church This project has come to fruition,” declared Rev Don’t think for one moment that this isn’t a community church,” she said The Scotland church was built by newly freed Black people and was one of 40 such communities Many of the original residents and their ancestors still live there they raised about $9 million and still need another $2 million to pay all their bills The original building was completed on Sept and still stands as does an addition that was built in 1963 This morning, we celebrated the rebirth of Scotland AME Zion Church—a building nearly lost to floods, now restored through community power and partnership. It’s more than a church; it’s a symbol of resilience, history, and what’s possible when we fight to preserve our roots. pic.twitter.com/25rq2hSL8H — Montgomery County, MD – County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) April 30, 2025 Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers The Chargers are declining offensive guard Zion Johnson‘s fifth-year option, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic The decision is no surprise given the $17.56MM price tag Johnson has started 49 of the Chargers’ 51 regular-season games since he was drafted – all at left guard – but he has struggled to live up to his first-round billing Declining Johnson’s fifth-year option makes interior offensive line a significant need for the Chargers beyond 2025 and James will all be free agents after the season and Bozeman and Becton only signed two-year deals this offseason the Chargers waited until the sixth round to draft an offensive lineman last weekend They used a sixth-round pick on Branson Taylor who played both tackle spots at Pittsburgh but will likely be moved to guard in the NFL due to his sub-33-inch arms His mass and power make him a strong fit in Roman’s scheme but he will still need time to adjust to a new position and the jump in competition will likely be seeking for a new home next offseason as players whose fifth-year options are declined rarely stay with the team that drafted them He may not have emerged as an elite guard worthy of a first-round pick but he is still a capable start as a position whose value has skyrocketed over the last two seasons If Johnson can keep a starting job in Los Angeles Log in Register I’m not convinced he’s going to play center any better He’s a solid backup that is definitely a bust for a 1st rounder He’s playing next to one of the best tackles and is ranked 47th Register Utah — On the 100th day of President Trump's second term in office not much has changed at Zion National Park "It's up this year," said Springdale Mayor Barbara Bruno about tourism numbers Busier than I remember seeing it in March or April." The mayor admits the first 100 days of Trump’s administration have been better than she expected as far as the tourists but adds there have been challenges for park employees that's a lot because I think their total employees is around 200," Bruno shared Although Bruno has heard talk that international visitors at the park are down that didn't include Giovanni Sciortino and his friends from Sicily who took a detour from a Las Vegas bachelor party to check out Zion "We didn't meet that many tourists from other countries," he said How hard have Utah's parks been hit by employee cuts Cory MacNulty with the National Parks Conservation Association claimed the high visitor figures are a facade.  "What visitors really need to understand is the infrastructure the people behind the front lines are being gutted in order to keep the visitor services up," said MacNulty Locals we talked to say they haven’t seen the effects of a downturn but Mayor Bruno said the town will feel the moment visitors reach a breaking point "Where Springdale would start to be impacted is if people quit coming," she explained whether they quit coming because they hear that it's no longer a great experience or whether they quit coming because the economy has a downturn "If people quit coming to Zion National Park The announcement came a day after the Pelicans defeated the Charlotte Hornets 98-94 without Williamson (bone bruise in his back) and McCollum (bone bruise in his right foot) in the lineup Williamson's latest setback ensures the 2019 No 1 pick will play 30 games or fewer for the fourth time in six years The 24-year-old sustained the lower-back injury during a fall March 19 at Minnesota and sat out of New Orleans' next five games Over his eight appearances prior to the injury Williamson had logged his first two career triple-doubles New Orleans announced that Williamson's rehabilitation plan will consist of rest and treatment Among the NBA players who have debuted since the 1997-98 season Williamson ranks as the only one to average at least 15 points in the paint while shooting at least 55% in each of the first five seasons he played he has missed more games (258) than he has played (214) The two-time All-Star finishes the season with averages of 24.6 points 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists with 1.2 steals in 30 games suffered his injury during a 40-point performance in a loss to Detroit on March 23 the guard will follow a rehab program of treatment and rest None of the three Pelicans who averaged at least 20 points per game -- Williamson, McCollum and Trey Murphy III (torn labrum) -- were able finish the season February is typically the slow season at Zion National Park there was no shortage of people headed to the southwest Utah park on Feb as cars backed up into the neighboring town of Springdale Right next to the slow procession of vehicles, more than 100 people held up signs protesting the Trump administration’s mass firing of an estimated 1,000 National Park Service workers “I truly believe that all Americans love the parks fighting for their future,” said Jaechon Anderson a local yoga studio owner who helped organize the protest Zion has not commented on the number of people who were fired Springdale Mayor Barbara Bruno said about a dozen rangers lost their jobs at the park this month including some who staffed the entry gate where the protestors gathered gesturing to the cars waiting to get into the park we're more concerned about — not the big holidays — but the everyday kind of traffic and congestion that we might experience.” Springdale is a small town of 514 but it is directly outside Zion’s main entrance and many of its businesses cater to park visitors More than 4.9 million people came to Zion in 2024 and the park had four times as many visitors in May as it had in February the mayor said the line of cars waiting to enter Zion can stretch well into town That blocks residents from their homes and makes it hard for emergency vehicles to get through Bruno is not worried that people will stop coming to Zion entirely The park still attracted more than 3.5 million visitors in 2020 at the height of the pandemic the staff cuts could change the visitor experience with the potential for longer lines and fewer activities Firing so many workers can also make it harder for the park staff who are still on the job “I think that they're all sort of worried about what the future holds.” That’s a big concern, especially as Utah’s outdoor recreation tourism season ramps up, said Macie Monahan. She was a biologist at nearby Bryce Canyon National Park until she received the mass firing email on Feb 14 “It's a scary time to see what's going to happen with our public lands and our ability to manage them for public experience and use and enjoyment,” Monahan said She’s one of two rangers at Bryce Canyon who were fired The Associated Press reports the federal government plans to reinstate a small number of national park service jobs and hire thousands of seasonal workers although it’s unclear when that might happen Monahan said it’s unlikely the park staff could be restored soon even if workers are re-hired “I hope and pray we can get back to what we were doing before Many feel a lot is riding on the Bucks' future based on what happens in this year's playoffs Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has expressed his desire to compete for championships but Milwaukee has not won a playoff series since 2022 The former NBA Finals MVP added speculation to his future with comments he made to reporters earlier this season "Will my individual athlete be more important than the championship This is a thing that maybe some players make a mistake Giannis is the first player in NBA history to open a postseason with three straight games of 30+ PTS, 10+ REB and 60% FG. pic.twitter.com/3cTWeLXCFu Williamson's future in New Orleans remains uncertain with the two-time all-star playing only 30 games this past season This year marked the fourth time in the last six seasons that Williamson has played under 40 games in a year combined with some of the off-the-court issues has many thinking the Pelicans may shop the former No Zion’s season thru the lens 📸 pic.twitter.com/n0I9K3qCL8 Milwaukee could trade for Zion as a last-ditch effort to keep Antetokounmpo pairing the uniquely talented players in the Bucks' frontcourt Williamson averaged career-highs in rebounds and blocked shots this year despite his limited time on the court The Pelicans now must figure out whether their future consists of retooling the roster around the talented but injured Williamson or trading the dynamic forward for a complete rebuild New Orleans finished the season with a 21-61 record The old LA Chargers regime liked Zion Johnson enough to draft him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The current Chargers regime does not have the same level of trust in the former No. 17 pick, as the team officially declined Johnson's fifth-year option The Chargers brought the decision on Johnson's future to the 11th hour as general manager Joe Hortiz was publicly non-committal after the draft It wasn't hard to read the tea leaves at the time as Hortiz's non-answer was essentially him kicking the can down the road on a tough decision It isn't just that Hortiz wasn't part of the regime that drafted Hortiz three years ago; those who have watched Johnson closely knew this decision was coming He simply has not played like a first-round pick making the fifth-year option decision rather straightforward The Chargers would have paid Johnson an estimated $17.565 million in 2026 if the team picked up his fifth-year rookie option That value would have been the fourth-highest yearly value for a left guard in the NFL although there are obvious differences between a one-year deal and a multi-year deal But even when comparing that potential value to Johnson's teammates the value is absurd $19.8 million contract with the Chargers after a breakout season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 There is no world in which Johnson is worth nearly as much in one season as Becton is going to receive in two the case can be made that Johnson isn't worth half of Becton's contract value on a one-year deal It is now on Johnson to earn a new deal with the Chargers in 2025 The Chargers have flirted with the idea of moving Johnson to center but it seems unlikely after signing Andre James Johnson needs to improve his level of play if he is going to stick around on the Chargers past 2025 Johnson may need to improve his play to secure a starting job in the NFL in 2026 and the team that drafted him has no interest there may not be any interest in making him a starter throughout the league The Chargers have officially made 2025 a make-or-break season for the Boston College product The Chargers brought the decision on Johnson's future to the 11th hour as general manager Joe Hortiz was publicly non-committal after the draft The Chargers would have paid Johnson an estimated $17.565 million in 2026 if the team picked up his fifth-year rookie option