Wildlife Crossings Save Money - and Lives

Utah sees around 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually, costing taxpayers nearly $138 million in vehicle damage and injury each year. Luckily, research shows that overpasses and underpasses with associated fencing can reduce those collisions by up to 90%. But first, they have to be funded. While wildlife crossings are sometimes included in larger road projects, Utah needs dedicated funding—funding that would accelerate the construction of projects when and where they are needed. Learn More.

Utah Headlines

Legislative session

• Utah lawmaker marks third anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine (KSL TV) 
• Shining light on Utah’s changes to its sunshine laws (State Street podcast)

Business and Labor

• Opinion: Why Utah’s ‘simple’ social media reform could set a dangerous privacy precedent (Deseret News) 

Criminal Justice

• Utah senator says former AG Reyes’ office used lawmakers as ‘pawns’ in push for increased penalties (St. George News)

Education

• Lawmakers aim to clarify definitions for the public sector collective bargaining ban in a new clean-up bill (Deseret News)
• The Legislature is enlisting two UVU organizations to help with federalism education (Deseret News)

Government Operations

• Will Utahns keep voting by mail? Election reforms are on their way (Deseret News)
• Utah wants to review a key challenge in downtown Salt Lake City plans, but will bill do more than that? (KSL)

Health and Human Services

• Bill would allow Utah doctors to refuse care based on ‘moral, ethical, religious’ objections (ABC4) 

Housing

• State bill would impact housing solutions for Ogden's homeless (Fox13) 

Judiciary

• ‘It’s obviously retribution’: Supreme Court justices warn of Legislature’s judicial clampdown (Salt Lake Tribune) 

Revenue and Taxation

• Bill to help fund Salt Palace redevelopment passes committee (ABC4)

Other Utah News

Politics

• Sen. Curtis wants Elon Musk to have more ‘compassion’ in DOGE efforts (Deseret News)
• Former Utah Gov. Herbert urges methodical approach to federal spending cuts in Utah (KUTV)
• HR memo claims Iron County commissioner 'asserted his authority' to pressure son's jailers (Fox13)

Utah

• Utah has parted ways with men’s basketball coach Craig Smith (Deseret News)
• North Ogden police chief placed on leave due to ongoing investigation (ABC4) 

Biz/Tech

•  New BYU research aiming to do what FAA can’t — track low-flying drones (Deseret News)
• Utah real estate investment group acquired by New York firm in $1.5B deal (KSL)
• Fabric and craft retailer Joann to go out of business and close all of its stores (AP)

Crime/Courts

• After a police chase and shootout ended at their home, this Riverton family wonders: Who is liable for all the damage? (Salt Lake Tribune)
• This Utah couple is being harassed over old Satanic abuse claims. They want the state to clear their names. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Culture

• Storytelling Festival at Weber State gives chance to hear tales from all walks of life (Fox13) 

Education

• Interest, support surge for BYU medical school: ‘It’s as if we have 40 first-round draft picks’ (Deseret News)
• Congress pushes for alternatives to 4-year college degrees amid skilled labor shortage (Deseret News)
• Utah school district using fees to discourage truancy (KSL Newsradio)

Environment

• A reason to celebrate: Emery County land transfer complete (Deseret News)
• ‘I feel for them’: After Zion firings, Springdale is anxious about tourism season (KUTV)
• Trump funding freeze includes payments to keep the Colorado River flowing (NPR)

Housing

• How stable is Utah’s housing market? Here’s what new study says (Deseret News)
• The road to SLC’s tiny-house village for homeless Utahns will go through a former LDS chapel (Salt Lake Tribune)

National Headlines

General

• USPS unveils forever stamp honoring the late Betty White (KUTV)

Political news

• Can Trump limit access to The Associated Press in the White House? Here’s what a judge said (Deseret News)
• Senators, world leaders speak out on 3rd anniversary of Ukraine War (Deseret News)
• Immigration raids in some churches paused by federal judge (Deseret News)
• Judge blocks Musk's DOGE team from accessing Education Department, personnel office data (Reuters)
• Second US judge who ruled against Trump faces Republican impeachment bid (Reuters)
• Nearly 40% of contracts canceled by Musk’s DOGE are expected to produce no savings (AP)
• Hegseth: Fired military lawyers were potential ‘roadblocks’ to Trump orders (The Hill)
• ‘Embarrassing,’ ‘cruel,’ ‘absurd,’ ‘extortion’: GOP moderates find voices on Trump (Washington Post)
• It’s crunch time for Mike Johnson and the GOP’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ (Washington Post)

Ukraine and Russia

• Trump, Macron display stark differences on Ukraine despite friendly veneer (Reuters)
• US refuses to blame Russia for Ukraine war, splitting with European allies in UN votes (AP)
• Editorial Board: A sad day for the US at the UN (Wall Street Journal)
• In Nome, Alaska, a cadre of tinkerers and partisans keeps aiding Ukraine (Washington Post)

Israel and Gaza

• West Bank Palestinians fear Gaza-style clearance as Israel squeezes Jenin camp (Reuters)

World news

• An unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death (AP)

Number of the Day 

Hatch Foundation to honor Sen. Tom Cotton

Today, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation announced that it will recognize Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) with the “Titan of Public Service” award during a special gala event at Salt Lake City’s Grand America Hotel on August 7, 2025.(Read More)

Sen. Curtis joins bipartisan resolution supporting Ukraine on third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion

U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), today joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), SFRC Ranking Member, Thom Tillis (R-NC), and a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing a resolution acknowledging the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The resolution expresses the U.S. Senate’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning Russia’s illegal aggression and attempts to seize Ukrainian territory. It also commends NATO, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and the international community for their continued efforts to support Ukraine’s defense and the protection of human rights on its territory, recognizes Ukraine’s democratic progress during wartime, and emphasizes Ukraine’s right to be included in any discussions with Russia about its future. (Read More)

Tweet of the Day

Upcoming

• Mar 7 â€” Utah legislative session ends
• Apr 24 — Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here
• May 1 — High school writing contest deadline with The Rostra: Applying the wisdom of the past to the problems of today. More info here
• Aug 7 — Titan of Public Service, Sen. Tom Cotton, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America Hotel

On This Day In History 

• 1793 - First US cabinet meeting is held at George Washington’s home.
• 1828 - John Quincy Adam’s son, John Adams, marries his first cousin, Mary Catherine Hellen in a private ceremony at the White House. 
• 1836 - Samuel Colt patents first multi-shot revolving-cylinder revolver, enabling the firearm to be fired multiple times without reloading.
• 1836 - Showman P. T. Barnum exhibits African American slave Joice Heth, claiming she was the 161 year-old nursemaid to George Washington. (She wasn’t.)
• 1862 - Legal Tender Act passed to help finance the Civil War. 
• 1870 - First Black Congressman, Hiram Rhodes Revels, sworn in to the U.S. Senate.
• 1928 - Bryce Canyon National Park is established.
• 1932 - Austrian immigrant Adolf Hitler gets German citizenship
• 1948 - Martin Luther King, Jr. ordained as a Baptist minister.
• 1971 - President Nixon met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
• 1991 - Adrienne Mitchell is killed in her military barracks in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Black woman to die in combat in the Persian Gulf War.

Quote of the Day

"It’s retribution. It’s obviously retribution and I’m not sure why we’re not saying that.”

—Paige Petersen, Utah Supreme Court Justice

On the Punny Side

When I was a kid, we got a dog from a blacksmith.

As soon as we got home, he made a bolt for the door.

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