Quantum Initiative

Utah launches quantum initiative

CEDAR CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox has signed an executive order creating the Utah Quantum Initiative, a statewide effort intended to expand research, commercialization, advanced manufacturing and workforce training in quantum technology.

The order establishes a Quantum Coordination Council under the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The council will bring together representatives from state government, higher education and industry to coordinate the state’s strategy, pursue private investment and compete for federal opportunities. The Nucleus Institute has been invited to serve as co-lead.

Utah’s initiative will build on existing capabilities in quantum sensing, photonics, semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance computing. State leaders also plan to develop education, apprenticeship and career pathways intended to prepare workers for jobs in the emerging sector.

The executive order calls for support of quantum-focused companies, pilot projects and commercialization efforts, while also directing attention toward domestic supply chains and defense-related applications, including quantum sensing and communications.

By March 30, 2027, the coordination council is expected to submit a statewide report identifying Utah’s research infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and workforce assets. The report will also help inform future policy and funding recommendations developed with legislative leaders and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.

Quantum technology uses principles of quantum mechanics to process information and measure physical conditions in ways that may exceed conventional systems for particular applications. Potential uses include more precise sensing, secure communications, complex simulations and advanced computing.

The executive order takes effect immediately and remains in force through Dec. 31, 2028.

Cedar girls open season with win

CEDAR CITY

Congratulations to the Cedar High School girls cross-country team for opening the Region 9 season with a strong varsity victory on its home course Saturday morning.

The Cedar Reds claimed the girls team title at the Cedar City Invitational, leading a nine-team field that included all seven Region 9 schools, Canyon View and Panguitch. The meet became the season opener after Cedar’s originally scheduled Aug. 12 races were canceled because of thunderstorms.

Senior standout Eliza Johnson set the pace for Cedar, winning the girls varsity race in 17:51.01 on the 3-mile course. Her performance came within four seconds of her personal record on the same course. Junior teammate Macie Mitchell added another outstanding finish, placing third in 18:17.17.

Cedar head coach Greg Harris praised the team’s preparation and early-season execution.

“We were excited to finally get the season going,” Harris said, calling it one of the best season openers the Reds have had. “Our athletes ran well despite not having a lot of quality miles under their belts yet. This speaks to their summer training consistency and desire to run well this year.”

Meta announces agreement but does it change anything?

CEDAR CITY — A proposed multistate settlement with Meta could reshape how young people use Instagram and Facebook—but it would not transform social media overnight.

Utah and 46 other states, along with the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories, have announced a $12.2 billion agreement with Meta Platforms Inc. resolving claims that the company designed Instagram and Facebook in ways that encouraged addictive use by children and teens, exposed young users to mental-health harms and misrepresented platform safety. The agreement still requires court approval.

For Utah, the settlement could mean an estimated $212 million over 10 years. That amount could rise to as much as $301 million if other major platforms reach similar agreements.

What could change

If approved, the agreement would require Meta to make broad youth-safety changes on Instagram and Facebook, including:

• More rigorous age-assurance tools to better identify underage users.
• A combined two-hour daily usage limit across Instagram and Facebook, with required breaks after 15, 60 and 90 minutes of continuous use.
• Overnight access restrictions for children from midnight to 6 a.m.
• No push notifications for children during weekday school hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or late at night.
• A non-personalized feed option for users younger than 18.
• Stronger controls addressing bullying and content involving eating disorders, suicide and self-harm.
• Improved parental controls.
• Limits on some social-comparison features, including beauty filters and public “like” counts.

An independent auditor and the settling states would evaluate both whether Meta implements the changes and whether they are actually working.

What may not change

For most adults, Facebook and Instagram may look much the same. The proposed rules are aimed principally at children and teens, rather than ending algorithmic feeds, eliminating advertising or broadly limiting adult access.

Even for younger users, technology alone is unlikely to settle the question of healthy social-media use. Age-verification systems can be difficult to enforce, and families will still need to decide when a child is ready for a platform, establish household rules and remain involved in what young people see and share online.

Utah officials continue to recommend that parents delay introducing social media when possible, use available parental controls and maintain open conversations about online safety and excessive screen time.

The larger impact

The agreement could matter beyond Meta. The settlement framework provides for additional payments if Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube adopt substantially similar protections. That means the case may become a model for how states pressure major social-media companies to build stronger youth safeguards into their products.

For Cedar City families, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: no changes are guaranteed yet, but the proposed settlement signals a potentially significant shift toward treating youth social-media protections as a required product feature—not simply an optional parental setting.

Healthy Eyes, Bright Futures: Why Children’s Eye Care Matters

A child’s vision shapes far more than what they can see on a classroom whiteboard. It affects how they read, learn, play, move through the world, and build confidence—and many vision problems are difficult for children to recognize or explain on their own.

For families in Cedar City, routine eye care is a practical way to protect a child’s development and catch treatable concerns before they interfere with school or daily life.

Vision Supports Learning

Children use vision constantly: following a teacher’s instructions, recognizing faces, reading books, tracking a ball, using a computer, and navigating stairs or playgrounds. An uncorrected vision problem can make these ordinary activities tiring and frustrating.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that untreated vision problems may affect a child’s learning and ability to reach their potential. Appropriate examination and treatment can improve learning, testing, class participation, behavior, and self-confidence.

A child who cannot see clearly may not say, “I think I need glasses.” They may assume everyone sees the same way they do. Instead, parents may notice indirect signs such as:

• Squinting, sitting unusually close to screens, books, or the television

• Holding books very close or losing their place while reading

• Frequent headaches, eye rubbing, or complaints of tired eyes

• Avoiding reading, drawing, homework, or other close-up tasks

• Trouble concentrating, declining school performance, or frustration with classroom work

• Covering one eye, tilting the head, or turning the face to see better

• Eyes that appear misaligned, move unusually, or are persistently red or watery

These signs do not always mean a child has a vision disorder, but they are good reasons to arrange a professional evaluation.

Screenings Are Not the Same as Exams

Vision screenings at a pediatric well-child visit, school, or community event are valuable. They can identify children who may need additional care. However, a screening is not a full eye examination.

A comprehensive eye exam can assess not only whether a child sees letters clearly at a distance, but also eye alignment, focusing ability, eye movement, binocular vision, depth perception, and the health of the eyes themselves. This distinction matters because some children may pass a basic screening while still having a concern that affects reading comfort, coordination, or visual development.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises regular childhood vision screenings and recommends a comprehensive eye exam when a child fails or cannot complete a screening, has visual complaints or unusual visual behavior, has a relevant family history, or has other risk factors.

When Should Children Be Examined?

Families may hear slightly different schedules depending on whether guidance comes from a pediatrician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. The key message is consistent: eye health checks should begin early, continue throughout childhood, and become more frequent when a child has symptoms, risk factors, or diagnosed vision needs.

The American Optometric Association recommends this comprehensive-exam schedule for children without known eye problems:

This schedule is particularly important before school begins, when visual demands increase dramatically.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends eye-health assessment during routine well-child visits, formal visual-acuity testing by age 5, and continuing screening at school or well-child visits every one to two years after age 5.

 Children Who May Need Earlier Care

Some children should be evaluated sooner or followed more closely. This can include children who were born prematurely; have developmental delays; have diabetes or other medical conditions that may affect the eyes; have a family history of childhood eye disease, lazy eye, crossed eyes, or severe nearsightedness; or have previously been prescribed glasses.

Parents should also schedule an eye exam promptly if they observe a wandering eye, persistent eye turn, a white or unusual-looking pupil in photos, a drooping eyelid, sudden changes in vision, eye pain, significant redness, light sensitivity, or an eye injury.

Early evaluation is especially important for amblyopia, often called “lazy eye.” In this condition, the brain does not learn to use one eye normally. Treatment may include glasses, patching, eye drops, or other care, and it is generally most effective when started during childhood.

A Simple Step With Lasting Value

Routine eye care is not only about prescribing glasses. It is about making sure a child has the visual tools needed to learn, participate, and thrive.

As the school year begins, parents can add eye care to the same checklist as physicals, immunizations, sports gear, and school supplies. If a child is struggling with reading, complaining of headaches, or simply has not had an age-appropriate eye examination, a visit with an optometrist or ophthalmologist may provide important answers—and a clearer path forward.

Sabor Latino Cafe & Pupuseria: A Flavorful Cedar City Find

Tucked inside the Shell station at 1075 W. 200 North, Sabor Latino Cafe & Pupuseria offers something that feels increasingly rare: freshly made, distinctive food served with warmth, pride, and a personal touch. This small Cedar City restaurant is an easy choice for residents seeking an authentic, satisfying meal or travelers looking for a memorable stop on the road.

The heart of the menu is the pupusa, the beloved Salvadoran corn cake traditionally filled with combinations of cheese, beans, chicharrón, loroco, jalapeño, or squash. Served with fresh salsa and curtido—the lightly tangy cabbage slaw that brings brightness and crunch to every bite—these handmade specialties are flavorful, filling, and wonderfully comforting. The local visitor bureau specifically lists pupusas such as revueltas, loroco, jalapeño, frijol con queso, chicharrón, and ayote among the restaurant’s offerings.

Sabor Latino also gives diners more reasons to linger, with drinks including horchata, iced coffee, frappuccinos, and hot chocolate. It is the sort of menu that works equally well for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or a stop for something different from the usual fast-food options.

What makes the restaurant particularly appealing is its sense of welcome. Customer feedback has praised the freshness of the pupusas, the quality of the salsa and cabbage slaw, the cleanliness of the space, and the kindness of the owners and staff. One reviewer called the pupusas among the best they had eaten in the United States, highlighting their crisp texture and well-balanced fillings.yelp+1

Sabor Latino Cafe & Pupuseria proves that excellent local dining does not require a large dining room or an elaborate setting. It requires care, consistency, and food made with real character. For Cedar City residents ready to explore Salvadoran flavors—or for anyone already devoted to a good pupusa—this welcoming local spot deserves a visit.