Yesterday, I asked you to tell me about some of your most memorable cinematic experiences.
Shirley Ricks shared how while studying with her husband in Poland, the two went to see the next installment of the Harry Potter series. They had expected the movie to be in English, with Polish subtitles. It was the other way around — minus the subtitles. She knew the story well enough, so she decided to stay for the movie anyways!
Rachel White shared how as a teenager she got to see landmark blockbuster films, like E.T. and The Empire Strikes Back, in the now-demolished Cinedome in Odgen, Utah. "The architecture of this great movie palace lent a sense of occasion," she said. "I hope such magical places once again return!"
These parents fought to legalize CBD in Utah a decade ago. Did it help their epileptic children?
Utah legalized cannabidiol, or CBD, oil to treat severe forms of epilepsy nearly10 years ago.
The unexpected shift in Utah's stance towards different forms of medical marijuana was caused, in large part, by parents desperate to find a solution to their children's illness.
And now, a decade on, the CBD oil these parents fought so hard to legalize has helped their children to varying degrees. It worked wonders for some. Not so much for others. It never cured any of them.
In July 2013, one woman among this small group of parents, Jennifer May, started seeing stories out of Colorado, where marijuana is legal, about a cannabis oil that was stopping seizures in children. She and some of the other Utah moms even considered moving to Colorado to get their hands on the drug.
Following a viral interview, every news outlet in the state did stories about May, the “Mormon” mom, who wanted to legalize marijuana.
The pushback came quickly. Some lawmakers told them it would open the door to recreational marijuana. Others suggested they just drive to Colorado to get CBD oil.
But after a chance series of events, including the powerful advocacy of Catrina and Jeff Nelson, and their daughter Charlee, who died shortly after, the House and Senate passed a bill legalizing nonpsychotropic CBD oil for epileptic seizures. Gov. Gary Herbert signed it on March 20, 2014.
Some parents waited months for what they hoped could change the trajectory of their children’s lives. And, indeed, for some it has made all the difference.
Read the stories of several Utah families whose lives have been changed by medicinal CBD oil.
And, read the story's companion piece, which takes a deep dive into the inner workings of Utah's medical marijuana program and the obstacles patients still face.
As college graduates struggle under piles of unpaid loans, Democrats and Republicans are bringing very different ideas to the table on how to deal with the rising cost of higher education.
Earlier this week, the Biden administration revealed its plans to cancel $130 million in federal student debt for more than 7,000attendees of a for-profit Colorado college that allegedly used deceptive marketing strategies to enroll students.
Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill also focused on the cost of higher education this week but they had different solutions in mind.
In the upper chamber, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act Thursday, which would cap the amount of money students can borrow, and require colleges to repay a percentage of loans issued to students who struggle to make payments.
Meanwhile, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce, chaired by Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, discussed ways to increase the value of a college degree for students, institutions and taxpayers on Thursday.
Where Democrats are forgiving loans, Republicans want to disrupt a system that isn’t working, Owens told Deseret News.
“Our focus is to make sure our kids are prepared to get out in the workforce, build their dreams, build their homes, get married — all the stuff that is much tougher to do right now,” he said. “When you come out with a degree that means nothing and are in debt, that slows the whole process down.”
Colleges face no consequences for the failure of their graduates while the taxpayers are left to foot the bill, he said.
Read what Owens had to say about what Republican lawmakers can do to bring down the price of higher education.
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Biden rule would hinder states from investigating out-of-state abortions. Here’s why Utah’s A.G. is opposed (Deseret News)
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Health
Risk of a heart attack could double in extreme heat and pollution, study finds (Deseret News)
Heat contributes to discomfort, illness and hopelessness among Salt Lake's homeless population (KSL)
Faith
How Sister Holland’s strength powered Elder Holland (Deseret News)
Latter-day Saint young single adult conference filling up, with some events sold out (KSL)
Entertainment
Future Utah treasure hunts in jeopardy after post-hunt controversy (Deseret News)
Angel Studios has found a box office hit in ‘Sound of Freedom’ (Deseret News)
Housing Market
Homebuilders ‘only game in town’ as sales of existing homes slow down (Deseret News)
How much is your house worth? Utah releases tool to make valuations more transparent (KSL)
Salt Lake and Washington Counties
Community helps West Valley elementary school recoup after burglary (KSL)
Washington County water managers begin to roll out 20-year plan that requires partners to ‘pull together’ (KSL)
Box Elder, Rich and Davis Counties
Over 18K acres of 'important' Utah forest preserved through US program (KSL)
Air data system error caused F-35A crash at Hill Air Force Base, report finds (KSL)
The West
Living ‘off the grid’ — family found dead at Colorado campsite (Deseret News)
Why Romney, 7 other senators want to amend 49-year-old Colorado River salinity bill (KSL)
The Nation
U.S. Economic Growth Accelerates, Defying Slowdown Expectations (Wall Street Journal 🔒) Sharon Ellsworth-Nielson: Love drives immigration. It should drive our policies, too (Deseret News)
The World
Homeschooling on the high seas: Texas family gives new meaning to 'real world' education (Fox News)
Niger army endorses presidential coup plotters despite international condemnation (CNN)
Sports
Big 12 boss is doing big things, but uncharted waters remain (Deseret News)
Colorado is leaving, and Pac-12 fans deserve better from leadership (Deseret News)
What new with Runnin’ Utes? Keba Keita’s progress, Spain trip begins, and coaching staff shuffle completed (Deseret News)
US fights back to draw with Netherlands at Women’s World Cup (CNN)
That's all for today. Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!