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SALT LAKE CITY — Sarah Mancoll was visiting her parents in Florida when she came down with a cold, which wouldn't have been a big deal except for one thing: She was pregnant with her first child.

SANDY — It would have been completely understandable for Lone Peak head coach Shantel Jolley to be nervous ahead of the 6A state championship game — played Friday afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium — between her Knights and the Layton Lancers.

After all, she went to three state title matches as a player at Lone Peak, only to come short each and every time.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns are being asked to decide whether the Legislature should be able to bypass the governor to call itself into special session.

Under the Utah Constitution, that power rests solely with the governor. Legislators say they should have that authority in certain circumstances.

"JANE AND EMMA" — 3 stars — Danielle Deadwyler, Emily Goss, Brad Schmidt; PG (some thematic material); in general release

"You is the prophet Joseph Smith. I knew it when I saw you."

SALT LAKE CITY — As the Utah Jazz prepare to face the defending champion Golden State Warriors at Vivint Arena tonight, there will be a different man inside the iconic Jazz Bear mascot.

Longtime mascot Jon Absey was fired this week, according to a Deseret News source.

There will be a new face inside the mascot on a trial basis, but not Absey, after a rift with the staff, the source disclosed.

SALT LAKE CITY — Over the next few years, lawmakers will have to make difficult decisions affecting faith-based adoption agencies, religious student groups, transgender people and others. These efforts will only be successful if leaders embrace common-sense religious freedom protections and learn from past mistakes, according to top religious freedom advocates.

SALT LAKE CITY — Calling it a "hammer" that has treated people experiencing homelessness and drug addiction like "nails," the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah issued a draft report Tuesday criticizing Operation Rio Grande's results thus far.

In turn, one of Operation Rio Grande's loudest champions, House Speaker Greg Hughes, responded with fire, calling the report "manipulative" and "intellectually dishonest."

SALT LAKE CITY — Matthew Rojas, spokesman for Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, met Topaz, a 4-week-old gray Siamese kitten, for the first time Tuesday ahead of a press conference he helped organize.

Rojas said he couldn't resist — he decided on the spot to adopt Topaz from the Humane Society of Utah.

"I'm a sucker," Rojas said, laughing. "I knew this was going to happen."

SALT LAKE CITY — Less than a week ago, members of the Utah Jazz traveled to Sacramento's Golden 1 Center to deliver a 39-point beatdown over the Kings.

That victory marked a 5-0 preseason finish for the Jazz, but Derrick Favors has erased that performance from his memory.

Democrat Jenny Wilson and Republican Mitt Romney are seeking to replace retiring seven-term GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch. Constitution Party candidate Tim Aalders, Libertarian Craig R. Bowden and Independent American Reed C. McCandless are also on the ballot.

Before you cast your vote on Nov. 6, read the Deseret News profiles of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney.

SALT LAKE CITY — Throngs of Latter-day Saints bustled out of the Conference Center Sunday afternoon after the final session of the faith's latest worldwide general conference carrying a call from their leaders to live Christ-centered lives in a home-centered church.

SALT LAKE CITY — With endurance as the theme, three dozen people gathered Sunday for a lively celebration of the 130-year history of Utah's first black-founded church.

In a special sermon, Pastor Daniel Stalling told members of the Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City to hold to their beliefs as they confront racism, difficult moments and other tests.

WEST VALLEY CITY — The marquee board in front of the racetracks that have provided a place for thousands of races, experiences and memories had two simple words on it Saturday.

THANK YOU.

After a half-century, dating back to the old Bonneville Raceway days, Utah's only drag strip, small oval racing track and one of the few motocross venues officially hosted its last event.

SALT LAKE CITY — The pro Proposition 2 Utah Patients Coalition is in talks with state legislators and others over potential modifications to the medical marijuana proposition that might be considered if the initiative passes. But some advocates say they are being left out of the conversation.