Businessman Jason Walton is running for the US Senate; Mark Pope is expected to head to Kentucky; O.J. Simpson died yesterday at age 76.
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Situational Analysis | April 12, 2024

It's Friday and National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.

What you need to know

  • Accolades poured in as news broke of former SLC Mayor Ted Wilson's death yesterday morning a age 84. In addition to his time as mayor, he was the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics for 18 years, was an environmental advocate, humanitarian and experienced mountaineer. Flags will be at half-staff in Utah until sunset tomorrow.

Rapid relevance

  • Businessman Jason Walton is running for the US Senate and plans to reveal D.C. for what is is: a a place where career politicians’ main focus is “enriching themselves financially or politically”; Mark Pope is expected to leave BYU and head to Kentucky; O.J. Simpson died yesterday of cancer at age 76.
 
 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • Ambassador of Ukraine to U.S. meets with Utah state and church leaders (KSL TV)
  • Alcohol is on its way to dry Highland, Utah (KUER)

Election news

  • Former Rep. Chris Stewart endorses John Curtis in U.S. Senate race (Deseret News)
  • U.S. Senate candidate Clark White drops out after personal tragedy (Deseret News)
  • Spanish Fork Republican candidate for state senate disqualified as incumbent senator threatens lawsuit (KSL TV)
  • Weber County Democratic, GOP party conventions set for this weekend (Standard-Examiner)

Utah news

  • Utah’s ‘Olympic blossoming’ since 2002 Winter Games on display for IOC (Deseret News)
  • Editorial Board: The future is back (Deseret News)
  • Utah Highway Patrol launches campaign to stop distracted driving, prevent fatalities (Fox13)

Business/Tech

  • What's at stake when the workplace meets AI? (Deseret News)
  • JPMorgan Chase CEO predicts AI will equal impacts of greatest inventions (Deseret News)
  • BARK Air will provide pet-friendly charter flights for you and your dog (Deseret News)
  • Salt Lake is the country’s ‘hottest’ job market? Some people in it disagree. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Crime/Court

  • Detective describes uncovering bodies near Chad Daybell's home (KSL

Culture

  • Government officials, philanthropists celebrate the golden spike (Deseret News)
  • ‘Give your best because it’s an act of worship’ — A conversation between Kevin Worthen and Ruth Okediji (Deseret News)
  • Gail Miller honored by Utah Valley Chamber as 2024 Pillar of the Valley (Daily Herald)

Education

  • Utah’s two law schools, the Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law and BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, tied for 28th in new U.S. News national rankings. (Deseret News)
  • $1 million in scholarships offered to University of Utah students for community service (KSL Newsradio)
  • Why Utah State, Gov. Cox are celebrating USU’s new president months after she started (Salt Lake Tribune)

Environment

  • Big recreation measures pass the House to improve public access (Deseret News)
  • Panguitch dam danger significantly reduced, officials say (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Opinion: The Bears Ears management plan must include traditional Indigenous knowledge (Salt Lake Tribune)

Health

  • An artificial womb could build a bridge to health for premature babies (NPR)

Housing

  • Why a group of powerful philanthropists wants to humanize Utah’s homeless issue (Daily Herald)
 

National Headlines

General

  • Japanese interpreter charged with stealing $16 mln from MLB star Shohei Ohtani (Reuters)
  • How immigrant workers in US have helped boost job growth and stave off a recession (AP)
  • The U.S. counterintelligence head says the list of threats is long and getting longer (NPR)

Political news

  • When a Trump rally feels like a tent revival (Deseret News)
  • The abortion pill case, explained (Deseret News)
  • A GOP congressman’s case for helping Ukraine (Washington Post)
  • Senate Republicans furious over Trump trying to derail FISA bill (The Hill)

Election news

  • Trump says migrants are fueling violent crime. That's not what the research shows (Reuters)
  • What Donald Trump wants in his next vice president — and who he’s considering (Washington Post)
  • Colorado politics reporter’s expulsion from a Republican gathering causes uproar (AP)
  • Trump, GOP scramble to contain abortion ‘earthquake’ (Politico)

Ukraine 🇺🇦

  • Russian airstrikes destroy Kyiv’s largest power plant (KSL TV)
  • Ukraine's air defence shortages leave Kharkiv more exposed to Russian bombs (Reuters)

Israel and Gaza

 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, April 12, 2024

 

News Releases

Gov. Cox orders flags to be lowered after the passing of Ted Wilson 

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has issued an order for the flags of the United States of America and the great state of Utah to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in recognition of the passing of dedicated public servant and former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson. Flags should be lowered to the half-staff position beginning immediately until sunset on April 13, 2024. The governor extends an invitation to all private citizens, businesses, and other organizations to participate in this recognition.


Utah Democratic Party on the passing of Ted Wilson

The Utah State Democratic Party issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson: The Utah State Democratic Party mourns the passing of Ted Wilson. As Mayor, his work included expanding the Salt Lake City airport, managing city creek’s flooding, and creating Salt Lake City’s current Council system. He is responsible for cementing Salt Lake City’s place as a thriving home for Utah families and businesses. His commitment to education as a member of the University of Utah’s faculty lives on in his students, and his humanitarian work will impact the lives of people around the world for years to come.  (Read More)


Utah House Democratic Leader Angela Romero on the legacy of Ted Wilson

Utah House of Representatives’ Democratic Leader, Angela Romero, releases the following statement: â€œToday, we mourn the passing of Ted Wilson, a true champion of public service. His legacy is a testament to his unwavering dedication to improving society. As Salt Lake City’s mayor for three terms, he not only led with vision and integrity, but also transformed our city into a hub of progress, inclusivity, and civic engagement. His leadership laid the foundation for a more vibrant and connected community. As the director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, he mentored countless individuals, myself included, shaping the next generation of public servants. Mayor Wilson’s support and guidance have been invaluable throughout my career, instilling in me a deep sense of compassion and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. His enduring legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations of leaders.” 


Salt Lake County Democratic Party mourns the loss of former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson

Salt Lake County Democratic Party Chair Jade Velazquez releases the following statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to a titan of public service, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson. Ted Wilson’s legacy is etched in Utah’s history, marked by his unwavering dedication to public service, environmental stewardship, and the pursuit of social justice. From his early days as a dedicated environmental advocate to his tenure as the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Ted Wilson embodied the values of integrity, compassion, and inclusivity.” (Read More)


Utah Senate Democrats on the passing of Ted Wilson

His tenure as the 30th mayor of Salt Lake City (1976- 1985) serves as testament to his commitment to progress and innovation. Under his visionary leadership, Salt Lake City reached significant milestones and we truly owe much of our progress to the programs and initiatives championed by him.

Yet, Ted Wilson’s contributions extend far beyond his mayoral legacy. Throughout his life, he epitomized the spirit of public service. From his service in the armed forces to his roles as a teacher, professor, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council, and Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, he never ceased to give back to his community. His leadership was characterized by compassion, kindness, and unwavering integrity. As we reflect on his lifelong service as a Democratic leader, we are deeply inspired and honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside with him. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2024-04-12 at 7.48.44 AM

 

Upcoming

  • April 11-12 — One Utah Summit, Grand America Hotel, Register here
  • April 12 â€” Investiture of USU President Elizabeth R. Cantwell, 5:00-6:30 pm
  • April 18 — Utahns’ Perceptions of the Challenges Facing Women and Girls, 12:00-1:15 pm, Register here
  • April 20 — United Utah Partyconvention
  • April 26 — YWCA Leader Luncheon, Grand America Hotel, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, Purchase tickets here
  • April 27 — State GOP and Democratic Conventions
  • June 6 — Bolder Way Forward 2nd Annual Summit, Zions Technology Campus, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, Register here
 

On This Day In History 

  • 1633 - Galileo is accused of heresy.
  • 1861 - Civil War begins as Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter.
  • 1912 -  Clara Barton, American nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, dies of tuberculosis at 90.
  • 1929 - Arches National Park established
  • 1945 - FDR dies of a stroke after being elected to his fourth term in office.
  • 1985 - Senator Jake Garn from Utah goes into space
  • 1991 - US announces closing of 31 major US military bases
  • 2009 - The US Navy rescues captain Richard Phillips, killing 3 pirates and capturing a 4th.

Quote of the Day

"Ted Wilson devoted most of his life to public service. As a Utah National Guardsman, Salt Lake City's mayor, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and a trusted advisor to Gov. Gary Herbert, Ted always put people over politics."

—Gov. Spencer Cox


On the Punny Side

My wife told our son not to play with electricity.

Now he’s grounded.

 

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