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| The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Send news tips or feedback to bschott@utahpolicy.com, or message us on Twitter. Situational awareness - July 2, 2020Good morning from Salt Lake CityLet's Thursday!TICK TOCK124 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)202 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)207 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:Spencer Cox maintains his lead over Jon Huntsman, but there are more than 111,000 votes left to be counted. President Trump called reports that Russia was offering bounties for the killing of U.S. soldiers a "hoax." The U.S. reported more than 50,000 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday.PROGRAMMING NOTEThere will be no newsletter on Friday due to Independence Day. Have a safe and happy holiday, and we will return to your inboxes, computers and mobile devices on Monday. Thanks for subscribing to Utah's must-read daily political news rundown.If you know of friends or colleagues who would benefit from our daily news roundup, please encourage them to sign up for our newsletter.Today At Utah PolicyGeography, crossovers and late voters will determine gubernatorial winnerBy LaVarr Webb, Publisher Is it Huntsman or Cox?Election update: Cox widens lead over Huntsman, but there are still more than 111,000 ballots to count By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Spencer Cox increased his lead over Jon Huntsman slightly after the second round of election results were released on Wednesday, but there are still more than 111,000 ballots left to be counted statewide.Bernick and Schott on politics podcast: 'Primary election madness' By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Scott Howell joins Bryan Schott to discuss the initial primary election results.Stewart says he's 'certain' Trump was not briefed about Russian bounties on U.S. soldiers By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Rep. Chris Stewart continued his defense of President Donald Trump, saying he is certain the president was not fully briefed on intelligence that Russia was offering bounties for the killing of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.Cox leads Huntsman after first round of ballots. Owens grabs 4th District nod over Coleman. Republicans dump Hillyard By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox forged a 2.77 percent lead over Jon Huntsman after the first wave of results in Tuesday's Utah primary elections, but the race is far from over, as election officials say there could be as many as 100,000 ballots outstanding.Utahns are more worried about the impact of Covid-19 on the economy than public health By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor While Utahns still worry more about how the coronavirus affects the economy rather than public health, with new virus cases running high in Utah that pro-open-up sentiment is not as strong as it was last April, a new poll finds.How to watch Tuesday night's election results like a pro By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor We may not know who wins the hotly contested GOP race for governor until mid-July. But, there are some key indicators from the results over the first few days that will give us some hints about who is doing well, and who may be in trouble. Stewart backs White House claim that Trump did not know about Russian bounties on U.S. soldiers By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Rep. Chris Stewart defended the White House's claim that President Trump was not briefed on a reported Russian effort offering bounties for the killing of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. However, shortly after Stewart made his claim on national TV, the New York Times reported that Trump was given a written briefing on the Russian bounties in late February. Herbert urged Pence to encourage mask wearing to control the spread of coronavirus By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Gov. Gary Herbert reportedly asked Vice President Mike Pence to do more to encourage the wearing of masks in public during a phone call on Friday. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News Jay Evensen: Why do we still allow private fireworks in Utah? Northern Utah GOP legislator of 40 years concedes loss to primary challenger 3 GOP candidates concede 4th District primary race to Burgess Owens Sean Reyes maintains lead in GOP race for Utah attorney general as more ballots counted Cox maintains lead over Huntsman as new results are released Wednesday Health official warned staff about Utah County businesses tied to COVID-19 hot spots as county refused to identify them Moore, Stevenson remain close for GOP nomination in 1st Congressional District Dueling protests face off in downtown Provo 2 days after demonstration turned violentSalt Lake Tribune Cox widens lead over Huntsman by about 600 votes but 112,000 ballots are still to be counted June was a bad month, but Gov. Gary Herbert says Utah still plans to reopen schools After coming out as gay, Nathan Ivie loses in conservative Utah County Northern Utah voters oust Lyle Hillyard, the state's longest-serving senator A close race in Utah's 1st Congressional District hardly budges after updated vote tallyOther Burgess Owens tackles GOP 4th District nomination, sets sights on McAdams (Daily Herald) Utah County health official warned staff about hotspot businesses as county refused to identify them (Daily Herald) Moore holds on to narrow lead on GOP side in 1st District U.S. House race (Standard-Examiner)NATIONAL HEADLINESRussian bounty-gateRussia was reportedly paying bounties to Taliban fighters of up to $100,000 per dead American soldier [NYT]. President Donald Trump called the reports of Russia paying bounties for the killing of American troops a "hoax" [NPR]. President Trump's resistance to intelligence reports about Russia led his national security team to brief him less often about Russia-related threats [CNN]. The White House is not planning any immediate response to the intelligence reports on Russian bounties targeting U.S. troops [WaPo]. CoronavirusThe U.S. reported 50,000 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, another single-day record [NYT]. President Trump said Wednesday that he would have "no problem" wearing a face mask in public, but he reiterated his belief that the virus would "disappear" at some point [CNN]. Coronavirus cases in the U.S. jumped by nearly 50 percent in June, led by states that reopened their economies first [WaPo]. The number of coronavirus cases are decreasing in only two states [Axios]. Hospitals are bracing for another surge of Covid-19 cases [CNN]. A new study says the death toll from the coronavirus in the U.S. may be undercounted by as much as 75 percent [CNBC]. EconomyU.S. manufacturing rebounded in June [AP]. Military basesPresident Trump threatened to veto the annual defense policy bill if it contained a provision requiring the renaming of U.S. military installations honoring Confederate figures [Politico]. What?The Senate stripped language from an intelligence bill requiring presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign help [CNN]. BUSINESS HEADLINESUtah tech company is helping churches across the country resume services safely (Salt Lake Tribune) Businesses pledge to 'Stay Safe to Stay Open' in new Salt Lake Chamber campaign (Deseret News) Salt Lake City among top cities for millennial homebuyers, report says (Deseret News) Over $5 billion in federal help has been crucial to Utah businesses, officials say, but it may be a one-time shot (Deseret News)Policy NewsExecutives react to COVID-19 recession with drop in confidence and firm expectationsUtah business executives statewide report a significant decline in confidence along with an expectation for future growth, both related to economic consequences associated with the coronavirus.Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA) provides support & resources for Utah manufacturers The Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA) has announced its official launch. UIRA provides all Utah manufacturers with a one-stop source for expert resources to help them improve their bottom lines. UIRA delivers service and outreach to the manufacturing industry in the form of industry-specific training, mentoring and coaching, and becomes a trusted business advisor to its clients. Equality and inclusion in opportunity: The Black experience in the corporate world Join us to learn about the experiences of Black professionals in Utah's business community. This is the first in a series of webinars, symposiums, and roundtables as part of the partnership between the Utah Black Chamber and the Salt Lake Chamber to focus on, discuss, and address issues of racism, equality, and inclusion in business.Wasatch Front Regional Council announces public comment period and open houses for draft 2021-2026 Transportation improvement program The Wasatch Front Regional Council, in conjunction with the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority, has identified hundreds of priority transportation projects totaling approximately $3.4 billion to enhance mobility, strengthen the economy, connect communities, increase access to opportunities, and improve health along the Wasatch Front. The public is now invited to provide input on the selected projects. Save the date: Virtual trade mission to Israel The United States is Israel's single largest trading partner. Through World Trade Center (WTC) Utah's Virtual Trade Mission, you can connect directly with Israeli business and government leaders. Utah companies interested in learning about Israel, expanding into the area, or increasing their business in the market are encouraged to register for this Virtual Trade Mission. More National HeadlinesBig Three CENSOR Stocks after 'Best Quarter' in 20-Plus Years, Despite Virus Spike (NewsBusters) Trump 'glorifying white supremacy' with July 4 fireworks at Mount Rushmore, Democrats say (Washington Times) Lawsuit: 'I Won't Let the State Force Me to Express Messages That Contradict My Beliefs' (PJ Media) White Privilege Exists (National Review) Stare Decisis is an Old Latin Phrase that Means 'Let the Decisions of the Warren Court Stand' (Reason) Black Florida sheriff has a message for would-be rioters (The Blaze) New York Times compares America's enduring caste system to India, Nazi Germany (Twitchy) Spygate: The Man Who Knew An Awful Lot (The Lid) Breakdown: The unwinding of law and order in our cities has happened with stunning speed (City-Journal) How the Seattle CHOP zone went from socialist summer camp to deadly disaster (New York Post) Zuckerberg said to say of Facebook ad boycott: 'All these advertisers will be back' soon enough (MarketWatch)ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1776 - The Continental Congress adopts a resolution severing ties with Great Britain although the wording of the formal Declaration of Independence is not published until July 4. 1788 - It was announced in Congress that the new Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states, the ninth being New Hampshire. 1881 - Charles Guiteau shoots and fatally wounds President James Garfield (who would die of complications from his wounds on September 19). 1890 - Congress passes the Sherman Antitrust Act. 1937 - Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are last heard from over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first equatorial round-the-world flight. 1964 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 1976 - North and South Vietnam reunited, forming the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and naming Hanoi the capital. 2002 - Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo around the world nonstop in a balloon. Wise WordsSocialism"What you get free costs too much." Jean Anouilh Lighter SideLooked After"If you're worried about Trump's safety, don't - he's fine. While the agents are quarantined, Trump will be guarded by Eric and Don Jr. using a pair of SpongeBob walkie-talkies." - JIMMY FALLON Listen to us on_Apple Podcasts Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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