By Katie McKellar | Senior Reporter
In a weeklong court hearing that will be livestreamed to the public, Utah prosecutors are set to make their case next week for why Tyler Robinson, 23, should stand trial for murder in the death of political activist Charlie Kirk.
The preliminary hearing starting Monday is the most significant yet in one of the highest-profile court cases in state history. Ahead of the hearing, the question of how much the public should be able to see from inside the courtroom has loomed large.
In today’s Dispatch, we report on what to expect for the Robinson hearing, where targeting shooting with firearms has been temporarily banned, and the launch of a new housing division meant to accelerate homebuilding.
“I think he's actually trying to thread this needle very carefully, and it's just an incredibly hard needle to thread.” — University of Utah law professor Teneille Brown said of Judge Tony Graf’s handling of how much the public should be able to see from inside the courtroom of Tyler Robinson’s hearing.
Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Pool photo by Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune)
By Annie Knox
A judge is allowing news photographers to take pictures and livestream video from the preliminary hearing in Provo’s 4th District Court. But he also took the unusual step of restricting other journalists and members of the public from bringing laptops or phones.
Noting the state plans to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of aggravated murder, his defense team has argued news footage could taint the jury pool and foster bias against their client leading up to his trial.
The Middle Fork Fire, which was started by target shooting, burns near Huntsville, Utah, in a photo shared by fire officials on June 20, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info)
By Katie McKellar
Due to tinder-dry conditions and wildfire risk, Utah wildlife officials announced firearm target shooting has been temporarily restricted within wildlife management areas in 16 counties across Utah.
Effective immediately, target shooting with firearms — or the possession of explosives, incendiary or chemical devices, or exploding targets — is not allowed in those areas. Read more for a list of counties where it’s banned.
Homes in North Salt Lake are pictured on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
By Katie McKellar
Utah state leaders have launched a new housing division meant to accelerate home building in the state, which has faced persistent housing price increases amid a longstanding housing shortage.
The new Division of Housing and Community Development will be led by the governor’s senior housing adviser, Steve Waldrip, who will also take on the role of “state housing coordinator.”
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