During 2025, the Deseret News video team published hundreds of videos on the Deseret News YouTube channel and other social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn. The following are several of our favorites:
‘Devastation to determination: Sisters rebuild their lives after crash’
On Nov. 22, 2024, sisters Jessica and Sabrina Wilhite were driving to Utah for Thanksgiving to bid farewell to their brother, Luke, who was leaving on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About an hour north of Flagstaff, Arizona, their car was hit by a truck that crossed into their lane on a remote highway. Both sisters sustained serious injuries, leading to weeks of uncertainty about their survival. Sabrina, who was in a coma, had to have her arm amputated, while Jessica underwent multiple surgeries for internal injuries. This video story captures the resilience of these young women as they navigate their changed lives.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Bill Reagan plastered his heart along America’s highways. He didn’t realize everyone would notice’
When Julia Reagan passed away on June 12, 2024, her husband, Bill Reagan, owner of Reagan Outdoor Advertising, honored her memory with over 300 billboards. “We were soul mates,” he told the Deseret News in June. Reagan had no idea his tribute would turn his beloved wife into a cultural phenomenon as social media buzzed with posts about her. Bill told us that Julia would have appreciated the gesture, given their tradition of celebrating birthdays with billboards, but noted that she was too private for such long-lasting attention. “She’d have to be dead to tolerate this,” Bill reflected, calling it his personal way of grieving.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Hear ye, hear ye: I am an original’
In 2015, “Hamilton” burst onto Broadway, captivating audiences and winning critical acclaim. A decade and 11 Tony Awards later, only one original cast member, Thayne Jasperson, continues to grace the stage six nights a week. Personally chosen by Lin-Manuel Miranda to portray Samuel Seabury, Jasperson has been with the production since its off-Broadway inception. In an engaging interview with Deseret News reporter Lottie Elizabeth Johnson in New York City, Jasperson shared insights into his enduring role, cherished memories, the bittersweet experience of watching fellow cast members depart, and thoughts on when, or if, he might take his final bow.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond and Lottie Elizabeth Johnson.
‘Be funny, make money’
Randee Munns, a staple of the Western rodeo circuit, charms audiences as an old-school rodeo clown with his self-crafted props and trained animals. Originally juggling the roles of bullfighter and entertainer, Munns put down the bullfighting at 53. Now, at 75, he continues to light up the arena, enjoying the rodeo not just as a side gig but as a cherished connection to a beloved community. The Deseret News had the unique chance to follow Munns behind the scenes as he prepared for his next big show.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Born of hope and grit’
Jacie Fasselin always dreamed of a simple life: farming with her family, raising “good kids, good dogs, and good horses,” and growing crops for cattle. After more than a decade leasing farmland across Utah, she and her husband finally purchased their own near Elmo, Utah, in 2020, marking a significant milestone. Shortly after, her marriage ended, leaving Fasselin to manage the farm alone at a personal and professional crossroads. An experienced farmer, Fasselin now faces the challenge of rebuilding her identity and business on land requiring extensive rehabilitation and a deep understanding of desert ecosystems. This Deseret News video documents her journey of restoring both her farm and herself amid personal loss and a historic drought in the West.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Rafting across the divide’
This story takes viewers on a captivating rafting adventure down Utah’s Green River, where a politically diverse group embarks on a journey organized by RAFT (Reuniting America by Fostering Trust). Set against the stunning backdrop of the river’s currents, the video showcases participants as they engage in thoughtful conversations about immigration, setting aside debates to truly listen and understand each other. As the video unfolds, it reveals the powerful impact of nature in bridging divides and creating genuine conversations and unexpected bonds among those who might not otherwise cross paths.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Clearing the skies on 9/11: The story behind landing 4,500+ planes’
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the FAA made the decision to shut down all U.S. airspace for the first time in history. At that moment, air traffic controllers across the country had the unthinkable job of guiding 4,500-plus planes to land safely at the nearest airport. Former FAA executive Chris Metts sits down with Deseret News reporter Art Raymond to detail how that day unfolded, how his team accomplished the feat and what it took to reopen the skies.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond and Rex Warner.
‘“We fell to the ground… and we prayed,” then we called our editors’
Deseret News reporters Eva Terry and Emma Pitts were in the crowd at Utah Valley University during a speech by Charlie Kirk in September when a gunman fired a single round, fatally striking Kirk in the neck. Pitts provides an eyewitness account of the dramatic scene, sharing what the atmosphere was like both before and during the tragic incident. This gripping narrative delves into the chaos and intensity of the moment, offering viewers a firsthand look at an event that took an unexpected and devastating turn.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond.
‘Perfect throw lands quilted vest on Benson Boone’
Ask Chelsea Porter about the moment she tossed her handmade vest on stage at the Benson Boone concert and she can’t give an answer.
“I literally blacked out,” she said from her home sewing studio. “I don’t even remember throwing it. I just know that it got to him!”
The mom, quilter and megafan had one hope for the sold-out show. Get Benson Boone to wear her vest. Instead, she got so much more.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond.
In the ash of a burned Latter-day Saint church, she found ‘God’s hand’
As police in Grand Blanc, Michigan, concluded their investigation into the tragic shooting and fire that claimed the lives of four people during a Sunday service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they called upon a local photographer to capture the scene’s profound aftermath. Photographer Stephanie VanWagoner told the Deseret News that what she found was difficult to describe. But she didn’t need words. Her pictures were worth thousands of them.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond.
‘Utah’s dance pipeline to “Dancing with the Stars”’
This season, an impressive eight out of the 12 professional dancers on “Dancing with the Stars” once honed their skills at Center Stage Performing Arts in Orem, Utah. The Deseret News was invited inside this renowned studio to uncover the secrets behind its success as a launching pad for dance stardom. Co-founder Kim DelGrosso shares how their unique fusion of discipline, artistry and heart nurtures exceptional talent, making Utah a national leader in competitive dance.
Produced and edited by Rachel Aston.
‘Bangladesh: Why Americans should pay attention’
The ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy in Bangladesh has a profound impact on South Asia, the United States and Utah. After traveling to Bangladesh, Deseret News Opinion Editor Jay Evensen reflects on his assignment to that country, his 28-year relationship with the nation’s current interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and the blood, sacrifice and overall vision that are combining to compel Bangladeshis in their quest for a brighter future.
Produced and edited by Keira Farrimond. Video by Burgess Coffield