BYU grad balances being mom & Pixar creator; atty for SLC protest 'peacekeeper' makes statement; bystander footage contradicts police report | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | June 23, 2025 It's Tuesday and International Fairy Day ð§ What you need to know Yesterday, Iran fired missiles toward a U.S. military base in Qatar, in response to the U.S. strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear sites. Later in the day, Pres. Trump announced a cease-fire and hours after that, he accused both sides of violating it. Rapid Relevance How this BYU grad balances being a mom and a creator at Pixar; attorney for Salt Lake City protest 'peacekeeper' makes statement, claiming actions may have saved lives; bystander footage contradicts police report on Salt Lake City protest shooting | | |
| | Beyond Fun and Games Nearly half of Boomers and 36% of the Silent Generation play video games weekly â for mental sharpness, stress relief, and fun. Learn more and game on. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Sen. Mike Lee hints at changes to public land sales proposal amid growing opposition (Deseret News) Opinion: Medicaid saves lives â Utahâs leaders should reject cuts and barriers (Deseret News) Utahns will weigh in on the public union referendum in November 2026, Cox declare (KSL) Key Mike Lee proposal stripped from Trump budget bill (Deseret News) Red, white and blue pride: So where does Utah land in a national âpatriotismâ poll? (Deseret News) More than half of Utahns favor legalizing recreational marijuana: Poll (Deseret News) Municipal news Amelia Powers Gardner, Sarah E. Hunt: Renewing the American Dream â a strategic framework for housing innovation and environmental stewardship in Utah (Deseret News) Hereâs who is running in many of Utahâs municipal elections (KSL) Provo celebrates opening of new water reclamation facility (Daily Herald) Utah Utahn Britt Stokes chosen to preserve historic United States aircraft (Deseret News) Utah Olympic leader there as new IOC President Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe takes office (Deseret News) Retaliation by Iran could reach Utah in form of cyberattack, expert says (KSL Newsradio) As Iran retaliates, are Utah National Guard members deployed to the Middle East in danger? (Salt Lake Tribune) Biz/Tech Utah-based Redemption Bank becomes first Black-owned bank in the Mountain West (Deseret News) Crime/Courts Ogden man charged with murder in stabbing death of his mother (KSL) 10 concrete steps towards eradicating sexual violence against children (Deseret News) What life patterns make sexual violence against children less likely? Themes from 215 studies (Deseret News) What life patterns make sexual violence against women less likely? Themes from 285 studies (Deseret News) 10 concrete steps towards eradicating sexual violence against women (Deseret News) Culture/Community âElioâ has worst opening weekend for Pixar, but could it have a comeback? (Deseret News) Sean Astin talks âThe Gooniesâ with Utah fans in honor of the movieâs 40th anniversary (Deseret News) Photo gallery: World Refugee Day in Millcreek (Deseret News) Economy Utah's employment sector showing signs of 'cooling trend' in new report (KSL) They work multiple jobs, donate plasma and use AI for recipe planning: How 6 Utahns are stretching their dollars (Salt Lake Tribune) Education Sec. McMahon defends Trump education cuts amid shouts from protesters (Deseret News) Energy How geothermal energy may help the Point development (Deseret News) Sec. Burgum: The future of American energy and mining dominance lies out West (Deseret News) Environment Utah plant linked to Kingston polygamist group cited for dumping chemicals into Bear River tributary (Salt Lake Tribune) Faith Update: Grieving Latter-day Saints in Lesotho mourn with country devastated from crash that killed and injured young women (Deseret News) âLion of the Third,â civil rights legend and friend to Latter-day Saints: Rev. Dr. Amos Brown honored (Deseret News) Health Fighting bullies: Utah surgeon provides free ear pinning for kids in need (KSL) Opinion: Medicaid saves lives â Utahâs leaders should reject cuts and barriers (Deseret News) FDA approves HIV drug based on University of Utah biochemist's findings (KSL) Housing Opinion: Renewing the American Dream â a strategic framework for housing innovation and environmental stewardship in Utah (Deseret News) Here's where Utah ranks in investor-owned housing (KSL) | | |
National Headlines General Largest digital camera ever built has released its first shots of the universe (AP) Political news - Trump Trump responds after Iran launches missiles at U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq (Deseret News) Trump says Iran and Israel agree to a ceasefire (Reuters) Trump to strip protections from millions of acres of national forests (Washington Post) Other political news Supreme Court takes up religious freedom case for former inmate (Deseret News) Some governors oppose planned public land selloff in Trump bill (Reuters) Intelligence leaders are set to brief Congress on Trumpâs Iran strikes (AP) The Trump administration is making an unprecedented reach for data held by states (NPR) Rep. Thomas Massie, a longtime GOP maverick, faces Trumpâs fiercest wrath yet (Washington Post) Senate parliamentarian rejects offshore oil, gas drilling provisions in GOP megabill (The Hill) Immigration/deportation U.S. Supreme Court allows â for now â third-country deportations (NPR) Trump administration to streamline migrant work visa program for U.S. farmers (Deseret News) After more than 100 days in detention, a pro-Palestinian protest leader speaks out (Deseret News) 'Presumed innocent' â judge rebukes government in high-profile Abrego Garcia immigration case (Deseret News) ICE detains Marine Corps veteranâs wife who was still breastfeeding their baby (AP) Ukraine/Russia Russian attacks on Kyiv area kill 10 and injure dozens, Ukraine says (Reuters) Russian attacks on Ukraine kill at least 14 people as Zelenskyy travels to UK (AP News) Fearing war with Russia, Finland hardens NATOâs northern frontier (Reuters) Middle East Exclusive: Americans worry conflict with Iran could escalate, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds (Reuters) Netanyahu decided on Iran war last year, then sought to recruit Trump (Washington Post) World news A Better Way to Get Around in the Amazon: Solar-Powered Canoes (New York Times) Over 40 people, including children, killed in Sudan hospital attack, says WHO chief (Reuters) | | |
| | Guest Opinion: Keep the 25D solar credits by Kenny Pfannenstiel Utah, with its abundant sunshine and commitment to energy independence, stands on the cusp of a significant economic boom thanks to solar energy. Beyond the environmental benefits, investing in solar means a direct and tangible boost to the stateâs job market, creating diverse opportunities that span from installation to advanced manufacturing and research. The numbers speak for themselves. Utahâs solar industry supports over 5,200 solar jobs and is home to 164 solar companies, including many locally owned rooftop installers and small businesses. Rooftop solar creates 6x more permanent jobs per megawatt than utility-scale solarâjobs that are local, high-quality, and cannot be outsourced. With a multi-year 25D extension and a clear glide path, Utah can build on its momentum and create even more jobs in clean energy, construction, and manufacturing. Without 25D, Utah risks business closures and the loss of local jobs in a high-growth sector. Which is why eliminating 25D energy credits in the Big, Beautiful Bill in Congress is so concerning... We ask that Senator Curtis continue his leadership in negotiating a bill that include 25D residential energy credits at parity with other credits. Eliminating 25D now would jeopardize Utahâs clean energy progress and cost the state jobs, investment, and energy leadership. (Read More) News Release Gov. Cox directs H.B. 267 referendum to be submitted to voters at 2026 general election Gov. Cox today issued an executive order directing that the referendum regarding H.B. 267, the Public Sector Labor Union Amendments, be submitted to the voters at the 2026 General Election on November 3, 2026. This directive is required by statute, and follows Lt. Governor Hendersonâs declaration on June 21, 2025 that a referendum petition challenging H.B. 267 garnered a sufficient number of voter signatures. | | |
Upcoming Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here Aug 12 â Municipal primary Aug 19-21 â Interim Days Nov 4 â General election | | |
On This Day In History 1896 - Harvard University issues its first honorary degree to an African American â author, educator and orator, Booker T. Washington. 1918 - Mildred Ladner Thompson is born. In 1945, she became one of the Wall Street Journalâs first female reporters. 1929 - Carolyn Spellmann Shoemaker is born. When she was 51, and her children were grown, she began looking at the stars. She discovered 32 comets and more than 800 asteroids. In 1993, her most notable discovery was a team effort. Along with her husband and astrogeologist, Gene Shoemaker and astronomer David Levy, they discovered the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. She retired in 2019 at age 90. 1947 - While flying near Mt. Rainer, pilot Kenneth Arnold witnessed what is considered the first widely reported sighting of an unidentified flying object â UFO. 1995 - Esther Rome, American health advocate, dies from breast cancer at age 49. She belonged to the Boston Womenâs Health Book Collective. She and other group members began writing articles on womenâs health which became the book Our Bodies, Ourselves. 2021 - A 12-story condo collapses in Florida, killing 98 2022 - US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade Quote of the Day "Become as broad as possible in your astronomical interests and become proficient in the tools you will need...If you know your subject and are willing to work hard, you will be accepted." â Carolyn Spellmann Shoemaker On the Punny Side I stayed up all night wondering where the sun went, and then it dawned on me. | | |
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