Southern Utah is changing fast—and we’re breaking down the real forces driving growth, prices, politics, and water. This episode cuts through the noise to explain what’s really happening with drought, development, new builds, county policy, and the power struggles shaping the future of Washington County.

We start local with the Purgatory jail expansion, why the new medical wing matters, and how it ties into the region’s long-term fiscal strategy. Then we shift to housing and builder moves: Lennar tapping the brakes nationally while Pulte picks up new land in Desert Color. The message? The market isn’t dead—it’s cautious, competitive, and shifting.

And yes… water is still the #1 issue.
We break down the county’s five-stage drought plan, penalties tied to residential connections, what this means for high-use sites like golf courses, and the rising tensions between conservation, affordability, and growth. With the Colorado River negotiations stalled and the Lake Powell pipeline delayed, Washington County is leaning heavily on the Virgin River Basin and price signals to limit demand.

We also dig into:
• Bill Gates’ climate pivot + the energy demands of AI
• The myths behind 50-year mortgages and portable loans
• What actually helps affordability (first-time buyer aid, tiered rates, zoning reform)
• Why Utah’s redistricting ruling could reshape representation
• Plus: Four open city council seats in Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara & St. George—your chance to influence local policy without running a full campaign

If you care about Southern Utah real estate, housing affordability, growth, water policy, politics, or local government, this is the episode you can’t miss.

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[00:00:00] Cold Open And Local Headlines
[00:05:36] Lennar Pullback Vs Pulte Land Bet
[00:11:12] AI Hype, Returns, And Bubble Risks
[00:17:06] Water Contingency Plan: Stages And Cuts
[00:28:12] Lower Vs Upper Basin Tensions
[00:34:18] 50-Year Mortgages And Tradeoffs
[00:41:20] Real Fixes: First-Time Aid And Zoning
[00:49:28] Direct Democracy Vs Representation
[00:53:15] Weekend Plans And Listener CTA