Utahns hoping for clarity on the government’s next move to keep the Colorado River from drying up and still supply plenty of water to the state will have to wait. Utah and six other states along the parched river haven’t reached a deal on how they’ll share the water supply a year from now, but they agree enough to keep talking. That progress means they don’t have to turn the job over to the federal government yet, Utah’s negotiator said Wednesday. … The federal government set a Nov. 11 deadline for a broad agreement, but gave the states approval to keep talking as they work toward a February cutoff to reach a firm deal, [Utah Colorado River Commissioner Gene] Shawcroft told reporters in a brief conference call.

Other Colorado River negotiations news:

• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Gov. Hobbs’ Colorado River deal push gets tepid response from counterpart
• Phoenix New Times: Arizona stalled in fight for share of the Colorado River: What to know
• The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah): Editorial: We can’t let dreamed-of new water sources distract us from need for serious conservation