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Andy Larsen

@andyblarsen.bsky.social
14K followers 235 following 1.2K posts

Data columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune — I write about the intersection of numbers & the world. Formerly Jazz beat writer. Opinions are mine, not the Trib's.

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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
After chaos in Minnesota, Tom Homan said ICE's priority would be criminals and public safety threats. But a Tribune investigation found that, at least in SW Utah, arrests & deportations have been more widespread. More here: www.sltrib.com/news/2026/08/17/ice-…
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Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
“My first day on the job, I fucked up.” That’s the lede to this CJR account of my 4 months in Utah, where I worked as a junior editor. I wanted to see what’s changed since i left local journalism a few decades ago. A lot of things are different. But not everything. www.cjr.org/first_person...
cjr.org
The 69-year-old rookie.
I was a fifty-year newspaper veteran and a journalism professor. Then I joined the Salt Lake Tribune as a junior editor.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The LDS Church recently reported a record-high number of missionaries. Tamarra Kemsley and I examined the data and spoke to church data experts to try to understand: is the trend likely to continue to go up? www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/08/12/…
sltrib.com
Will the LDS Church’s record number of missionaries keep rising or start to fall?
As Th Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reached higher missionary counts than ever, some wonder if the growth will continue or if there will be a drop due to decreasing birthrates.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Salt Lake City just implemented new laws for short-term rentals like Airbnbs. Will these changes impact your neighborhood's rental market, house values or safety? I wrote a guide to the new law. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/08/06/your…
sltrib.com
Will Salt Lake City’s new short-term rental law change your neighborhood? Here’s our guide to the rules.
Salt Lake City just implemented new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnbs. Here's how the new rules could affect rents and housing prices.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
When the temperature in Salt Lake City reached an all-time high on Sunday of 109 degrees, some cried foul, saying that changes at the station itself caused the record. I looked at the data: Have readings at SLC changed? www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2026/07/…
sltrib.com
Salt Lake City set a record high of 109 degrees. Then came the conspiracy theories.
Some have postulated that Salt Lake City's official weather station is artificially reading higher temperatures than before. Is that true? A look at the station and the data.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
After the Jazz drafted Darryn Peterson, I wanted to deep dive into the quirks in his CV that made him drop to No. 2. How real are they… and why do the Jazz think they’re not big concerns? www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2026/06/…
sltrib.com
Why Darryn Peterson dropped to No. 2 — and why Utah Jazz fans don’t need to be worried
Are Darryn Peterson’s pre-draft red flags really a concern? Let's separate fact from fiction involving the Utah Jazz rookie.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
With all of the wildfires sprouting up around Utah, I looked at how many wildfires are caused by humans compared to natural causes. Also, are more due to campfires or fireworks, or something else? www.sltrib.com/news/2026/06/23/utah…
sltrib.com
Humans cause most of Utah’s wildfires. Here’s how.
What causes Utah’s wildfires? Here’s what the numbers say about fireworks, target shooting and more.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
About the city-by-city differences in Utah lawn replacement incentives, and why some places will reimburse you $3/sqft to tear out your lawn, while others won't reimburse at all: www.sltrib.com/news/2026/06/14/utah…
sltrib.com
How much do you receive to replace your lawn in Utah — and why does it differ from city to city?
How much do you receive to replace your lawn in Utah — and why does it differ from city to city?
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I wrote about how Utah intervened in the Brendan Sorsby case, how weak the NCAA is right now (so, so weak), and how conferences and players are trying to grab the power vacuum for themselves: www.sltrib.com/sports/2026/06/16/br…
sltrib.com
Utah stepped in. Brendan Sorsby stepped out. But questions still abound about the future of NCAA football.
Utah’s attorney general and governor say the Brendan Sorsby case will ‘extend well beyond’ Texas Tech.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Utah's in a water emergency — but our state leaders haven't treated it with as much mandatory action as other nearby states. It's time we do more than just recommend relatively low-impact water changes, and force cutbacks for high water users.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
We officially dropped the paywall last week. The Salt Lake Tribune is now free. It's a pretty rare move for a newspaper in 2026, but the support of the community made it possible. More info here: www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05/15/why-…
sltrib.com
The Salt Lake Tribune just removed its paywall, making its journalism free to everyone
Getting the journalism of The Salt Lake Tribune has always cost something to readers. Not anymore, as The Tribune is making its daily work free to anyone. Here’s what to know about accessing Utah’s nonprofit news.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
We GRAMAed the public comments about the proposed Stratos data center. Of residents of Box Elder County, 242 were against, with just seven in favor. Of those in Utah overall, it was approximately 93.5% against, 0.6% in favor. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05/11/box-…
sltrib.com
How do Box Elder County locals feel about the massive data center plan? The numbers are overwhelming, records show.
Hundreds of locals filled out a county form to share their thoughts, with most falling on one side of the issue.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
A bill suggesting a new process splitting Salt Lake County into two passed the Legislature — but was voted on too late. How realistic would the split have been under HB212? I built a tool to play around with. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/04/30/salt…
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
A follow-up post to the big "why are airfares so expensive from SLC" story: Uh, what can you do about it? We talked to experts and looked at the data to give tips on getting cheaper airfares from SLC: www.sltrib.com/news/2026/04/08/how-…
sltrib.com
Don’t overpay for flights: Tips for booking cheaper airfare from SLC
Salt Lake City is among the most expensive U.S. airports to fly from, and fares are rising because of the Iran war. A Tribune analysis and expert advice show when to book, along with other tools to help travelers save.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Salt Lake City's the 5th most expensive airport in the U.S., per my analysis. But why? (Hint: Delta.) Maybe most importantly, can anything be done about that? I dug in deep to the data and talked to airport leadership to learn more. sltrib.com/news/2026/04/07/salt-lake-city-airport-airfares
sltrib.com
Why is it so expensive to fly out of SLC? More importantly, what can be done about it?
Salt Lake City International Airport airfares are some of the highest in the nation. What can be done about it?
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
One of my favorite NBA things is how many NBA refs say they'd "Most Like To Visit" Italy in the media guide. Friends, you are rich! You make over $200K per year! Just go to Italy during the summer! You can get RT flights for 500 dollars!
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
A beeswarm graph of just how hot it's going to get this week compared to every other March 17-21 in recorded Salt Lake City Airport history:
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
I would be *stunned* if AJ Dybantsa doesn't become a 25 PPG scorer in the NBA at some point. He will score 1 gazillion points
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
man, the CONVERSATION if Bam gets 81
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I’m headed to a conference about data journalism today #NICAR26 and legitimately just very excited to learn new things One thing I think sports journalism doesn’t do well is professional development… there are not very many structured learning chances once you have a job IMO
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
This challenge should really not be taking this long, Jokic's left arm pushing off clearly impacted George's ability to get to the rim and it's not legal guarding position
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Elijah Harkless as primary defender on Nikola Jokic rules so hard
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Recording artist Ritt Momney is releasing his new album today. He has a song on the album called "The Tank". Lyrics below. My colleague @pjayswalwrites.bsky.social talked to him and wrote about the album here: www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2...
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Fun fact: banning a book actually increases interest in that book generally. "... the circulations of banned books increased by 12%, on average, compared with comparable nonbanned titles after the ban." pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10....
pubsonline.informs.org
Book Bans in American Libraries: Impact of Politics on Inclusive Content Consumption | Marketing Science
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Will Hardy on if the Jazz's playing patterns will change as the result of the team's fine from the NBA: "I sat Lauri because he was on a minutes restriction. So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I’ll try to keep Lauri healthy."
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Blazers beat Jazz 135-119. Sensabaugh had 28 points, Bailey 15/8/3 before his Rising Stars appearance. Y'all, it's been lovely covering the Jazz for you. I won't be a stranger.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Mykhailiuk has 11 points in 10 minutes and, after a 17-point deficit, the Jazz are back within 6 with 7:51 left. What a narrative that would be, if the Jazz get a win tonight on the back of Svi play.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Svi Mykhailiuk makes his first appearance with 5:18 in the 3Q... he's been a DNP-CD for the last three games after starting 41 for the Jazz to start the year.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
A guy just made four threes in the timeout to win a car*! Had several airballs but got the 4th make just before the buzzer to win it. *note that (as of the last time they gave away a car) it was actually just a lease of a car but still
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Oscar Tshiebwe downgraded to out for the rest of the game (concussion protocol).
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Jazz up 63-61 at the half on Portland. I did not expect this level of on-court or off-court drama for the Jazz on their last day before the All-Star break!
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Oscar Tshiebwe is questionable to return, he is currently in the locker room receiving stitches over his eye.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Maybe too inside baseball but I can guarantee you the Ryan Smith/Bobby Marks situation this week does not happen in the Justin Zanik running-the-Jazz/Adrian Wojnarowski running-ESPN's-NBA-coverage era
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
A quick story about the NBA's fine and Ryan Smith's tweets tonight: www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/... Also in there: a link to the 6-page full NBA Player Participation Policy, if you're curious
sltrib.com
NBA commissioner says Utah Jazz ‘compromised the integrity of our games,’ fines team largest amount yet
The Utah Jazz were fined for sitting stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. late in two recent games. Here's what the NBA and Jazz owner Ryan Smith had to say about the decision.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Vince Williams ejected! Those seemed to be two pretty quick technicals from my eyes. First Jazz ejection in a long time... (I believe since Kris Dunn?)
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Now Ace Bailey off the backboard to himself for a dunk! All of a sudden the tanking Jazz are in front of Portland.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
New two-way contract Blake Hinson getting his first Jazz minutes tonight.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
with any luck at all, this can be my final injury report tweet ever
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Lauri Markkanen will rest tonight vs. Portland, Jazz announce. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George also out.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Jazz officially announce Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo surgery for a knee tumor. They're not giving a timetable, but Chris Haynes is saying likely out for the season.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Jazz beat the Kings 121-93. It was... not close. JJJ led the Jazz with 23 points in his home debut. Isaiah Collier had 12p/14a. Markkanen and Sensabaugh with 19 each. One more game before the All-Star break tomorrow.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Props to the Kings for getting to 90 points against this Jazz team, which previously had not allowed fewer than 103 points
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Jazz up 71-44 on the Kings at the half. Jazz have an 85 DRtg, Kings look like a team that is really itching to lose 14 games in a row.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Jazz are up 34-13 early on the Kings... hmm, how do I put this... it would be surprising to see the lead change hands from here
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Will Hardy on plan for Lauri Markkanen today and tomorrow: "The plan for him is to play tonight on some restricted minutes, and then we'll see how he's feeling after the game, and we'll address tomorrow."
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Hold on, Jazz just sent out an update:
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Jazz say Lauri Markkanen will rest tomorrow vs. SAC, while Keyonte George remains out with his right ankle sprain.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
One more Jazz move coming this week...
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Jazz end the half with a 14-2 run and a 61-52 lead over the Heat. Jaren Jackson Jr. has 17 points, he's averaged nearly a point per minute he's on the floor in his time with the Jazz so far.
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Andy Larsen @andyblarsen.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
That was some tanking! Down 3, 7 seconds left, Hardy goes no timeout full court. Isaiah Collier takes the game-tying three attempt, misses. Magic win 120-117. Hugely successful game for the Jazz: proof of concept with Markkanen/JJJ, and still an L in the standings.
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