Questions or concerns about how our leaders are nominated and elected? Join us for a special event on voting and election policy.

Election trust has become a contentious issue. On Tuesday, May 7 from 8-11:30 am, election officials, policymakers, and state and national experts will lead a discussion on how Utah and other states can ensure voting and elections remain trusted – and trustworthy. Get more info and register here.

Utah Headlines

Political news

• Romney, other U.S. lawmakers seek to overturn EV mandate (Deseret News)
• Evictions at trailer court in Moab ‘devastating,’ City Council says (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Salt Lake City eyes half-cent tax increase for new sports-entertainment zone (KUTV)

Election news

• Lyman claims ‘election interference,’ but questions remain about his Lt Gov pick. A judge will make the final call today. (Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune)
• Should Utah adopt a runoff system for crowded primaries? (Deseret News)

Utah news

• UDOT launches volunteer litter-cleanup program to Keep Utah Beautiful (KSL)
• Two new names added to the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial (KSL TV)
• Utah’s Jewish communities spending more than ever on security amid spike in antisemitism (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Here’s how Utah museums are working to bring Native American views to their gallery space (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Probably good news. Utah cities among the worst for naked gardening (Fox13)

Business

• Dwyane Wade, Michelle Obama headline 2nd day of Qualtrics summit in Utah (KSL)
• Almost a decade in the making, new bicycle hub aims to close Utah transportation gaps (KSL)

Crime/Courts

• 3-year-old Odin Ratliff's family sues State of Utah for his death (KUTV)

Culture

• Speaking out with grace. Finding that sweet spot to lovingly call out wrong when we see it (Deseret News)
• Cinco de Mayo marks a Mexican historical event, but many events are slated for Utah (KSL)
• Ogden City’s annual Cinco de Mayo event returning Saturday (Standard-Examiner)
• Utah Food Festival to feature local artisans, food history (KSL Newsradio)

Education

• ‘Host a potluck’ to save diverse democracy, Interfaith America founder Eboo Patel urges University of Utah’s class of ’24 (Deseret News)
• Gail Miller tells USU graduates to ‘lead with love’ (KSL)
• From rejection to billion-dollar success: Jamie Kern Lima shares entrepreneurial journey at UVU graduation (Deseret News)

Environment

• Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park consistently brings in a million visitors. Here’s why (ABC4)
• Tribes are submitting Colorado River ideas so they’re at the table, not ‘on the menu’ (KUER)

Health

• Maternal mortality in U.S. dropped in 2022, CDC reports (Deseret News)
• Think COVID went away? Utah health officials monitoring new variants (Daily Herald)

National Headlines

General

• Is ‘cultural Marxism’ a conspiracy theory or a threat to democracy? (Deseret News)
• ‘A step back in time': America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways (AP)
• A wild orangutan used a medicinal plant to treat a wound, scientists say (AP)
• United Methodists end anti-LGBTQ policies (Washington Post)

Political news

• Trump trial hears Michael Cohen was 'despondent' he was denied a government post (Reuters)
• Greene’s motion to vacate vote leaves conservatives with no easy options (The Hill)

Election news

• The unexpected, under-the-radar Senate race in Michigan that could determine control of the chamber (AP)
• Cheers and distortions: Trump feeds on raucous rallies as trial disrupts run (Washington Post)
• Trump suggests he won’t accept 2024 election results in Wisconsin (Politico)
• Kristi Noem’s VP chances appear as dead as the dog she killed. There are other reasons too. (Politico)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

• Weapons in U.S. aid bill can't come fast enough for Ukraine (New York Times)

Israel and Gaza

• UN agencies prepare for Rafah incursion, warn of 'slaughter' (Reuters)
• Israeli officials weigh sharing power with Arab states in postwar Gaza (New York Times)

World news

• Haiti's police are 'begging for help' in battle against ruthless gangs (New York Times)

Number of the Day 

News Releases

Utah Democratic Party to open filing and hold special CD2 central convention

The Utah Democratic Party has received notice from the Lieutenant Governor’s office that the Democratic nominee in the 2nd Congressional District (CD-2) has withdrawn from the race. According to State Law, the Utah Democratic Party State Central Committee has the responsibility of filling this vacancy and deciding who will appear as the Democratic Nominee. 

The filing period will be open for two weeks, beginning today, May 2nd, and concluding on May 15th at 5:00 p.m. When the list of candidates becomes available, names of the potential nominees will be published on the UDP website. (Read More)

The Office of Homeless Services announces appointments for Utah Homeless Service Board

House Bill 298 became effective May 1, officially establishing the Utah Homeless Services Board. The board will be responsible for coordinating efforts to provide wraparound services to individuals experiencing homelessness, advancing the state strategic plan, developing strategies to address trauma and the root causes of homelessness, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Randy Shumway will serve as chair of the Board. (Read More)

Romney joins bill to prevent student loan bailout for convicted campus protestors

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and 17 of their Republican colleagues in introducing the No Bailouts for Campus Criminals Act, legislation that would make any individual who is convicted of a state or federal offense in connection with a campus protest ineligible for federal student loan relief. The bill comes as widespread antisemitic protests spread on college campuses across the United States. Representative Brandon Williams (R-NY) led companion legislation in the House. (Read More)

Tweet of the Day

Upcoming

• May 7 â€” Election Trust Forum, UVU, 8:00 am-11:30 am, Register here
• May 8 — BioHive Live conference, Hale Centre Theatre, Register here
• May 13-15 — Interim Days
• May 29 — Northern Utah Conference to End Violence, USU Logan campus,  8:30 am-4:30 pm, Register here
• June 6 — Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
• June 18-19 — Interim Days
• August 14 â€” Hatch Foundation "Titan of Public Service" recognizing Sen. John Thune, Grand America
• August 20-21 — Interim Days
• September 17-18 — Interim Days
• October 15-16 — Interim Day
• November 19-20 — Interim Days

On This Day In History 

• 1469 - Italian philosopher and writer Niccolo Machiavelli is born.
• 1894 - Phyllis Greenacres is born. She became a psychoanalyst, interested in physical maturation and psychological development in children, which led to a study of gifted infants.
• 1898 - Golda Meir is born. She became the first (and only) female prime minister of Israel.
• 1915 - John McCrae writes the poem “In Flanders Fields.”
• 1971 - The Nixon administration arrests 13,000 anti-war protesters in 3 days
• 1979 - Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first female prime minister
• 1980 - Cari Lightner, age 13, is hit and killed by a drunk driver. Her mom, Candy Lightner, founded Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in Cari’s honor.
• 1992 - Exxon executive is murdered four days after being kidnapped from his driveway in New Jersey.
• 2007 - Three-year-old Madeleine McCann goes missing in Portugal. She has never been found. A formal suspect was named on April 22, 2022.

Quote of the Day

"Sometimes the greatest test is how you quietly handle those who so boldly mishandled you."

—Morgan Richard Olivier

On the Punny Side

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